Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bat Diversity and Movement in an Agricultural Landscape in Matiguás, Nicaragua

Although agriculture dominates much of Central America, little is known about the bat assemblages that occur within agricultural landscapes and how bats use different types of tree cover within these landscapes. Using mist‐nets and a mark‐recapture protocol, we compared bat diversity and movement across six types of tree cover within an agricultural landscape in central Nicaragua. The tree cover types surveyed included secondary forests, riparian forests, forest fallows, live fences, pastures with high tree cover and pastures with low tree cover. We captured a total of 3084 bats of 39 species, including two new species records for the country (Lonchorhina aurita and Molossops greenhalli). Of these, 2970 bats and 27 species were in the Phyllostomidae family. There were significant differences in mean species density, abundance and evenness of phyllostomid bats across the different types of tree cover, but not in bat diversity. Riparian forests had the highest mean species density and bat abundance per plot. In contrast, mean bat abundance and species density were lowest in pastures with low tree cover. Of the 1947 phyllostomid bats marked, a total of 64 bats of eight species were recaptured. The average linear distance between extra‐site recaptures was 2227 m (± 228 SE) and the maximum distance was 10.6 km. Bats were recorded moving between almost all types of tree cover, and especially to and from riparian forests. Our study suggests that agricultural landscapes retaining a heterogeneous tree cover may maintain a diverse bat assemblage, and that bats visit and use a variety of tree cover types within the agricultural matrix.
Genetic diversity and structure of the threatened anti-cancerous plant Nothapodytes nimmoniana as revealed by ISSR analysis

Inter simple sequence repeat markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and population genetic structure in 12 populations of Nothapodytes nimmoniana from Western Ghats of India. A total of 16 selected primers produced 103 discernible bands, with 76 (73.7%) being polymorphic. The Nei's gene diversity (h) ranged from 0.1166 to 0.2124, with an average of 0.1518 at the population level and 0.2965 at the species level indicating high genetic diversity. The Shannon's index (I) was estimated to be 0.2189 within populations (range 0.1703–0.2947) and 0.4352 at the species level. The analysis of molecular variance showed that the genetic variation was found mainly within populations (73%), but variance among populations was only 27% and its value, ΦPT = 0.271, P < 0.001, implied that high genetic differentiation among populations. In addition, Nei's differentiation coefficient (GST) was found to be high (0.4882) and the gene flow (Nm) was low (0.5242), confirming the high population genetic differentiation. The unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic average clustering elicited similar results. Based on this, we propose conservation strategy for this plant species.
Effects of cell suspension and cell-free culture filtrate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the control of root rot-root knot disease complex of tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.]

The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain IE-6 was tested for antagonistic activity towards Meloidogyne javanica , the root-knot nematode and soilbome root-infecting fungi viz., Macrophomina phaseolina , Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Cell-free culture filtrate of the bacterium caused significant reduction in egg hatching of M.javanica and inhibited radial growth of fungi in vitro . Cell-free culture filtrate also caused lyses in mycelium of F.solani . Under greenhouse conditions, soil drenches with the aqueous cell suspension or cell-free culture resulted in a considerable reduction in nematode population densities in soil and subsequent root-knot development due to M.javanica . In addition to nematode control, rhizobacterium application also inhibited root-infection caused by soilborne root~infecting fungi with significant enhancement of growth of tomato seedlings.
Diaphorina citri populations carrying the bacterial plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus are more susceptible to infection by entomopathogenic fungi than bacteria‐free populations

The presence of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) modifies the susceptibility of Diaphorina citri to fungal infection. Using one isolate of each the fungal species Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Isaria fumosorosea, we first estimated the LC50 for CLas‐free adults of D. citri. The lowest LC50 (1 × 104 conidia/mL) value was used to inoculate CLas‐free and CLas‐carrying adults of D. citri and their relative susceptibility was compared. CLas‐carrying adults were more susceptible than CLas‐free adults of D. citri to all three fungal isolates. The possibility of CLas exploiting D. citri as an alternative host, therefore ensuring its dispersal and survival, is discussed.
TAXONOMY OF THE THALASSIOSIRA TRIFULTA GROUP IN LATE NEOGENE SEDIMENTS FROM THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN

Several lower Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene samples from the northwest Pacific Ocean were used to study the taxonomy of the Thalassiosira trifulta group, which is characterized by the inward tubes of the fultoportulae and a rimoportula located away from the valve margin. T. ferelineata, T. frenguelliopsis, T. tetraoestrupii, and Thalassiosira sp. A (referred to as the T. frenguelliopsis subgroup) were found to have operculate fultoportulae with an operculate basal structure covering the 4 satellite pores in the basal siliceous membrane. A second subgroup, consisting of T. oestrupii, T. praeoestrupii, and T. trifulta (referred to as the T. oestrupii subgroup), have a trifultate fultoportula with 3 columnar supports and 3 satellite pores. In T. praeoestrupii sensu stricto the trifultate fultoportula is intermediate in structure with 3 columnar supports and an operculate basal structure covering the 3 satellite pores.
Reproductive Variation of the Lizard Xenosaurus platyceps: Comparing Two Populations of Contrasting Environments

Abstract We studied litter size, size at birth, and relative litter mass (RLM) in two populations of the crevice-dwelling lizard Xenosaurus platyceps: one located in a low-altitude tropical forest; and the other in a high-altitude temperate oak forest. We found a significant relationship between female size and litter size. Females from the temperate site produced significantly larger litters in comparison with those from the tropical site after adjusting for female size. Neither a relationship between female size and offspring size nor a difference between populations in offspring size was detected, which suggests that this trait could be either constrained or optimized. RLM showed the same pattern as litter size: Larger females exhibited greater RLM, and this trait showed significantly larger values in the temperate locality. This pattern is explained by evidence that females in the temperate population are producing more young of similar size than those produced by their tropical counterparts. We did not find significant interannual variation in any of the reproductive traits studied. We suggest reciprocal transplant or common garden experiments to determine the genetic and proximal causes of the observed intraspecific variation.
Determination of egg quality characteristics of different poultry species with digital image analysis.

Summary The present study was aimed at the investigation of egg quality characteristics of different poultry species by digital image analysis. The material of the study was comprised of eggs of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and cross-chickens (Denizli x Leghorn F1). Values pertaining to egg quality characteristics were obtained using the conventional method and digital image analysis. Egg length, egg width and shape index values measured by digital image analysis were shown to correspond closely with values measured using the conventional method, within an accuracy range of 98.44-98.54%. As regards internal egg quality characteristics, high error rates were determined for albumen height (32.24%) and yolk diameter (13.44%) values measured by digital image analysis, in comparison to values obtained with the conventional method. In result, it was demonstrated that egg quality characteristics could be determined by digital image analysis, in close correspondence with the conventional method, provided that devices equipped with measurement scales and images with reference points are used.
Toxicological Study of the Hydroalcoholic Extract from Amburana cearensis in Rats

This work studied the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) from Amburana cearensis on the biochemical and haematological parameters as well as on reproduction in rats. HAE (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered daily for 30 or 50 days (reproduction studies) to male and female Wistar rats (10 animals per group). Except for 49% increases in ALT level in the male-treated group, no other significant effect was detected on the biochemical parameters studied (glucose, ALP, AST, ALT, urea, triglycerides, lipids and cholesterol). Similarly, except for an 68% increase in neutrophil number in the male-treated group, no other significant effects were observed on the haematological parameters as compared to controls. On the other hand, creatinine concentration was decreased around 29% in the female group. The results of the reproduction study showed that there were no toxic effects on pups (1 st generation) after the subchronic HAE administration.
Students' interest in biology and their out-of-school experiences

Interest in biology and the out-of-school experiences of Finnish secondary school pupils (n=3626, median age 15) were surveyed in the spring of 2003 using the international ROSE questionnaire. Likert-scaled items were categorised with an explorative factor analysis. The scores of eight interest-context factors and seven out-of-school experience factors were studied. More boys than girls were interested in basic processes in biology, whilst more girls than boys found human biology and health education interesting. Out-of-school nature experiences were the most important factor correlating with interest in biology. Out-of-school experiences in science and technology-related activities, such as using science kits and constructing models, had the highest correlation with an interest in basic processes in biology, such as ecology, cell biology and genetics. Out-of-school experiences of caring for farm animals correlated with an interest in applied biology, such as agriculture. Experiences linked to design and technology, or information technology, were the least important factors to correlate with any studied interest contexts. Thus to enhance pupils' interest in learning more about biology and the living environment in general, it is important to put more emphasis on pupils' out-of-school nature experience and their engagement in informal learning in contextual outdoor environments.
Glaresidae, a new family of Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) to accommodate the genus Glaresis Erichson

Abstract. The genus Glaresis does not share any demonstrable apomorphs with any other group of Scarabaeoidea. Detailed examination of twelve adult characters and their comparison with those in all the primitive Scarabaeoidea resulted in a well‐defined genus that is primitive in virtually all its characters. It is concluded that Glaresis lies near the base of the ancestral stock from which most scarabaeoids evolved. Since the genus cannot be accommodated in an existing higher taxon we propose that the monotypic tribe Glaresini Semenov & Medvedev (the genus Afroglaresis Petrovitz is here synonymized with Glaresis), be accorded family status.
Dietary supplementation of phenyllactic acid on growth performance, immune response, cecal microbial population, and meat quality attributes of broiler chickens

Abstract A total of 750 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly fed 5 dietary treatments with 5 replicate pens per treatment. The 5 dietary treatments fed for 42 d were a corn-soybean meal basal diet without antibiotic (control); a mixture of 10 ppm of avilamycin + 60 ppm of salinomycin as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP); 0.1% phenyllactic acid (PLA); 0.2% PLA; and 0.4% PLA. The BW gain and FE were significantly improved in AGP and PLA groups compared with control group. The white blood cells and heterophil counts were significantly higher in the PLA-supplemented groups compared with AGP and control groups, but the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was lower in the control group than other groups. The plasma IgY concentration was significantly increased in birds fed PLA-supplemented diets, but the plasma IgA and IgM concentrations were not different among the treatment groups. In addition, the antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus was significantly higher in PLA-treated compared with control and AGP-treated groups. Neither PLA nor AGP treatments affected the cecal aerobes andSalmonella content; however, cecalLactobacillus population increased in chickens fed 0.1% PLA, and total coliform bacteria population significantly decreased in chickens fed various levels of PLA and AGP. Dietary supplementation of PLA did not affect the pH, lightness, and redness of breast meat, but the water-holding capacity and shear force value increased and the yellowness decreased significantly when birds were fed PLA. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of 0.1 and 0.2% PLA improves BW gain and FE of broiler chickens. In addition, PLA supplementation increases the immune characteristics and the number of lactic acid bacteria, decreases the number of coliform bacteria, and improves the meat quality attributes of broiler chickens. Thus, dietary PLA could be a viable alternative to antibiotics in broiler diets.
Research article EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT INORGANIC MOLECULES ON WILT PATHOGEN OF CHICKPEA

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legumes grown in Asia. Though the area under this crop is more, the average yield per hectare is low because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Among them, the wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri is most destructive seed and soil borne disease. (Haware et al., 1986) which threatens successful cultivation of chickpea and causes severe losses in chickpea growing areas. (Grewal et al.,1974b and Singh et al.,1977.) Different insecticides and herbicides were tried under in vitro, the insecticides Emamectin benzoate 5% SG, Imidachloprid 75% WP, Quinalphos 25% EC, Entrust 80% WP were used in three different concentrations. Among these highest per cent growth of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri was observed in Imidacloprid 0.3g (50.92%) followed by Emamectin benzoate 0.05 mg (35.55%). The herbicides viz., Pendimethalin 30%EC, Imazathaphyr 10% SL, 2,4-D sodium salt 80%WP, Metsulfuron methyl 20% WG were used in three different concentrations, highest per cent growth of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri was observed in Pendimethalin 0.5ml (73.33%), followed by Pendimethalin 0.4ml (65.55%).
Innovative Practice

In keeping with the assistive technologies theme in the rest of this issue, the first article in the Innovative Practice section is a case study dealing with the way in which one family used interactive computer technologies to deal with the very real problems that some carers experience when the person for whom they care telephones them during the night because they need reassurance and are unsure what time it is. John Baruch is Head of the Department of Cybernetics, Internet and Virtual Systems at the University of Bradford and Murna Downs, Errollyn Bruce and Clive Baldwin are members of the Bradford Dementia Group. Although their case study indicates the scope for new technologies to improve the quality of life for people with dementia, especially those who live on their own, it is firmly grounded in the principles of person-centred care and the need to find solutions that are in keeping with the preferences of the person with dementia. The second and third articles both deal with intervention programmes for staff. The first looks at the detection and management of abuse and is by Barbora Richardson, Ginnette Kitchen and Gill Livingston. Sadly, since undertaking this research Barbora Richardson has died and so this article de men tia
Review: Characterization and Role of Grape Solids during Alcoholic Fermentation under Enological Conditions

During wine production, grape solids have a large impact on the fermentation characteristics and organoleptic qualities of the resulting wine. Here we review the research on grape solids. We begin by focusing on the origin, physical characteristics, and composition of these solids and on the changes in these factors that occur during fermentation. We then consider the impact of solids on fermentation, the role of sterols, the control of solids, and interactions between solids and other nutrients. Solids exert their effects on alcoholic fermentation mainly by modulating lipid supply. The balance between solids content and nitrogen is a key factor in fermentation control. The study of grape solids is in its infancy and requires further development. Knowledge of the composition of these solids and of sterol uptake mechanisms by yeast should facilitate improvements in fermentation control.
Effects of winter barley as a cover crop on the weed vegetation in a no‐tillage soybean

The present study clarified the effects of winter barley as a cover crop on the weed vegetation, expressed as a multiplied dominance ratio (MDR), and emergence of summer annual weeds in a no-tillage soybean system. A 3 year field study with treatments consisting of six systems was conducted: no-tillage single cropping, no-tillage cropping following winter barley and tillage single cropping, respectively with and without herbicide application. The MDR of perennial weeds increased annually in the no-tillage fields in spring, but summer annual weeds were abundant in all fields, including the no-tillage fields in summer. Grasses, for example Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, were especially abundant in the no-tillage fields. The MDR of summer annual weeds, especially grasses in the barley and soybean fields, were much lower than for the no-tillage single soybean fields. Densities of D. ciliaris and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. var. crus-galli in the no-tillage single soybean fields were much greater than in the tilled fields, with few exceptions. In contrast, broad-leaved weeds emerged more in tilled fields than in the no-tillage fields. Winter barley suppressed emergence of summer annual weeds, especially during the first 3 years. The MDR for grasses in summer showed a good correlation with the frequency of emergence for grasses every year. These results showed that the increase in the volume of grasses in summer resulted mainly from an increase in the frequency of emergence, and that the suppression of grasses by winter barley resulted mainly from suppression of the emergence frequency. Soybean yields were higher in the barley and soybean fields for the first 2 years.
A revision of Nearctic species of the genus Earota Mulsant & Rey, 1874 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Nearctic species of the genus Earota Mulsant & Rey, 1874a are revised. Synonymy of generic names Earota and Macroterma Casey, 1906 is confirmed. Earota dentata (Bernhauer, 1906) (= E. alutacea (Casey, 1906) = E. borealis (Casey, 1906) = E. iowensis (Casey, 1910a)) is recognized as the only valid Nearctic species of the genus. Redescription and illustrations are provided for distinguishing Earota from other aleocharine genera. Atheta sulcata Blatchley, 1910 is placed in synonymy with A. klimschi Bernhauer, 1909 and transferred from Earota to Atheta Thomson, 1858. Lectotypes for Atheta dentata Bernhauer, 1906, Macroterma alutacea Casey, 1906, M. borealis Casey, 1906, A. klimschi Bernhauer, 1909, A. iowensis Casey, 1910a and A. sulcata Blatchley, 1910 are designated.
Application of geographic information systems in land-use suitability evaluation for beekeeping: A case study of Vahregan watershed (Iran)

Decisions on land use have become progressively more difficult in the last decade. The main reasons for this development lie in the increasing population combined with an increasing demand for new land and resources and in the growing consciousness for sustainable land and resource use. The objective of this paper is to incorporate the concept of multiple land use into geographic information systems (GIS)-based land suitability analysis using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) approach. The effective environmental factors and vegetation parameters on apiculture were described as map layers within GIS so that each map layer represented one alternative. Three alternative land suitability patterns for beekeeping are presented. The study indicated that decreasing nectar or pollen species and shortening of the flowering period were the most limiting factors in land suitability for beekeeping. In contrast suitable distribution of water resources, the good climate condition and dominant unpalatable species by over grazing with extended flowering period increased the land suitability for beekeeping. Generally, 54% of the area had an acceptable score of excellent suitability for beekeeping. Therefore, apiculture may have an important role in increasing and promoting better land use. Key words: geographic information systems (GIS), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), land-use suitability analysis, landscape pattern, apiculture.
In-Host Compatibility and In-Host Competition of Exotic and Native Parasitoids of the Tarnished Plant Bug (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Abstract European parasitoids considered for introduction to control the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), in North America have no previous association with the target pest. In Europe, they attack primarily Lygus rugulipennis Poppius and L. pratensis (L.). Compatibility of these parasitoids and their hosts in a “new-association,” the specificity of such biocontrol agents, and the potential competition with native parasitoids are important considerations for use of European species in biological control programs against L. lineolaris. In-host compatibility and competitiveness of the exotic multivoltine parasitoids Peristenus stygicus Loan and P. digoneutis Loan with the native parasitoids Leiophron lygivorus (Loan) (multivoltine), P. pallipes (Curtis) and P. pseudopallipes (Loan) (both univoltine) were assessed. Dissection of hosts indicated that >92% of the parasitoid attacks on L. lineolaris nymphs resulted in oviposition and development of the larvae for the five species studied. In suitability tests, 84% of P. stygicus adult wasps emerged from parasitized tarnished plant bugs, compared with 67 and 69% for P. digoneutis and L. lygivorus, respectively. No emergence was recorded for P. pallipes, and only 2.9% of adult P. pseudopallipes emerged. P. digoneutis was superior in the in-host competition with P. stygicus and L. lygivorus. Peristenus stygicus was dominant in the in-host competition with the three North American parasitoids. The size of the dominant larva inside the host for P. stygicus 7 d after oviposition decreased as the number of larvae increased.