Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative Growth of the Skull of the Common Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata from the North Pacific in Comparison to Other Balaenoptera Species

Abstract. The allometric growth pattern of 666 common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) collected in the North Pacific was investigated by comparing skull length and skull width with body length. For comparison, skull length and skull width in relation to body length were analyzed in 3 Balaenopteridae species (B. musclus, B. physalus, and B. borealis). The generalized linear model was adapted for evaluating the effects of sex and sexual maturity status on growth patterns. The skull proportion of large Balaenoptera whales (B. musculus and B. physalus) showed positive allometry, but that of the common minke whale showed negative allometry, despite being related species. Such differences in intraspecific growth patterns could be the result of adaptation driven by feeding strategy.
Effects of competition with weeds on the growth, development and yield of sorghum

SUMMARY In two field experiments in Suriname, competition between weeds and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) was studied in the rainy seasons of 1982 and 1983. The crop was kept either weed-free or without weed control for each of six different periods of time from planting. Observations made at the end of each period allowed an analysis to be made of the growth and development of a crop with and without weed control. Due to the crop canopy structure and fertilizer placement near the row, weed growth was concentrated in the rows. Starting at c. 20–30 days after planting, competition with weeds reduced ground-cover and leaf area index of the crop. Competition reduced growth rates, leading to lower yields. Plant population density was not affected, but competition reduced the number of leaves present. Stem length initially increased with competition in one season, but was retarded in another. Competition for nutrients was strong and was found as early as 15 days after planting. Nitrogen was the element most competed for initially. Competition for water occurred, but competition for light seemed unlikely. About 20 weed-free days after planting were necessary to avoid yield losses and around 30 weed-free days to attain negligible weed growth at harvest. Yield reduction was mainly due to a decrease in number of grains per panicle. Competition during floret establishment (c. 30–40 days after planting) should be avoided.
BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF EAST AUSTRALIAN HUMPBACK WHALES MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE TO BIOPSY SAMPLING

The response of migrating humpback whales to biopsy sampling was investigated off North Stradbroke Island, South East Queensland. Whales were allocated a behavioral category prior to biopsy sampling according to the general behavior of their pod. Behavioral reactions were recorded after each attempt. Sex was determined using a molecular genetic technique. Detectable reactions occurred in 41.6% of successful biopsy attempts, a significantly lower response rate than that reported by two studies carried out on the feeding and breeding grounds of the North Atlantic. There was no difference in the response rate of whales on their northward or southward migration. Pod size was not an important factor in predicting the response of an individual. Females responded to biopsy sampling at a significantly higher rate than males. Our results indicate that a substantial difference in response rate can occur between studies. Factors such as the type of boat used and the prior exposure of whales to human impact may be of importance. Our study suggests that female humpback whales may be particularly responsive to human disturbances. Overall, however, biopsy sampling has minimal impact on humpback whales. Copyright
Comparison of geographically distant populations of Rhizobium isolated from root nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris

Seventy‐two rhizobial strains were isolated from the root nodules of french beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). They were sampled from two geographically distant field populations and 18 additional different sites in France. They were characterized by a) plasmid profiles, (b) RFLP analysis of total cellular DNA using various chromosomal and symbiotic gene probes (including nifH from Rhizobium etli bv. phaseoli) and c) their ability to nodulate a potential alternative host, L. leucocephala. Over half of the isolates were ascribed to Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli on the basis of the hybridization analysis, the possession of multiple copies of nifH and their inability to nodulate L. leucocephala. The remaining isolates belonged to 2 groups which were shown to be genomically distinct from R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli, R. etli bv. phaseoli and R. tropici. Most members of these two groups shared with R. tropici the ability to nodulate L. leucocephala and, for isolates of only one of these groups, the presence of one copy of nif H. Members of each of the 3 taxa were widely distributed in France and circumstantial evidence of pSym transfer between them was shown. R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli and one of the two novel groups co‐occurred within the two geographically distant populations. Individual genotypes were conserved between them. The finding of a third taxon at various other locations indicated additional diversity among rhizobia nodulating beans.
Application of GIS to biodiversity monitoring

Recently, there has been a revolution in the availability of information and in the development and application of tools for managing information. Information needs for biodiversity are many and varied. Any database that deals with biodiversity information has to be geographically based, and able to predict where new populations of endangered species with a limited known range might be expected, indicating potential hot spots. An important tool for monitoring biodiversity is a geographic information system (GIS), which accommodates large varieties of spatial and aspatial (attribute) data. The information embedded in a GIS is used to target surveys and monitoring schemes. Data on species and habitat distribution from different dates allow monitoring of the location and the extent of change. This paper discusses issues related to (a) the need for biodiversity information and databases, (b) the importance of national information strategies, and (c) the application of GIS as a tool in monitoring biodiversity, and (d) a case study of a GIS-based approach applied to endangered arboreal species in Egypt. It applies the overlay analysis of maps of endangered plant species' ranges onto the maps of protected areas (declared and proposed). The output is threefold: (a) a complete database of endangered arboreal species as they are listed in the Egyptian Plant Red Data Book (El-Hadidi et al., 1991) and their spatial distribution, (b) the relative contribution index for each of the protected areas (proposed and declared) in the conservation of the biodiversity of threatened arboreal species in Egypt, (c) a gap analysis that identifies the areas in need of conservation, and (d) an illustration of the relationship between the location of arboreal species and the location of internationally important bird areas.
Fine-scale vascular plant species richness in different alpine vegetation types: relationships with biomass and cover.

Vascular plant species richness was related to biomass and vegetation cover in nine different alpine vegetation types on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, western Norway. Each vegetation type was sampled within an 8 m x 6 m area, and the species-richness pattern analysed. Evidence for a unimodal rela- tionship between species richness and both biomass and cover was found at the within-vegetation type scale. Cover was a better predictor for species richness than biomass, suggesting that light may be an important factor influencing species richness at this scale in alpine vegetation. The possibility that the results are an artefact of small grain size is also discussed, and several argu- ments for an ecological explanation of the humpback relationship between species richness and cover are discussed.
Petals may act as a reward: myrmecochory in shrubby Darwinia species of south-eastern Australia.

The removal rates of fruits (the diaspore) were assessed in exclusion experiments in three shrubby species of Darwinia, endemic to the Sydney Basin of south-eastern Australia. There was a clear pattern of fruit removal in just a few days by small species of ants from the genera Iridomyrmex, Crematogaster and Pheidole. When only ants had access to fruits an average of 41% of fruits were removed, whereas when only vertebrates had access an average of 13% of fruits were removed. There was some variation in the number of fruits removed both between species and within species across study sites or annual seed crops. When ants had access to seeds this variation in removal amounted to 10–80% over 1–4 days. Uniquely in Darwinia, it is the old petals (which remain attached to the fruit) that are attractive to the ants, rather than a specific lipid body. This likely represents a case of successful ecological fitting by Darwinia to take advantage of the widespread presence of myrmecochory in the Australian flora.
Both aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration are required for osteoclast differentiation

Excessive bone resorption over bone formation is the root cause for bone loss leading to osteoporotic fractures. Development of new antiresorptive therapies calls for a holistic understanding of osteoclast differentiation and function. Although much has been learned about the molecular regulation of osteoclast biology, little is known about the metabolic requirement and bioenergetics during osteoclastogenesis. Here, we report that glucose metabolism through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is the predominant bioenergetic pathway to support osteoclast differentiation. Meanwhile, increased lactate production from glucose, known as aerobic glycolysis when oxygen is abundant, is also critical for osteoclastogenesis. Genetic deletion of Glut1 in osteoclast progenitors reduces aerobic glycolysis without compromising OXPHOS, but nonetheless diminishes osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Glut1 deficiency in the progenitors leads to osteopetrosis due to fewer osteoclasts specifically in the female mice. Thus, Glut1‐mediated glucose metabolism through both lactate production and OXPHOS is necessary for normal osteoclastogenesis.
Variation in the Morphological Features of Isopod Fish Parasites

Parasitic infestation is a cosmopolitan phenomenon in almost all the habitats, especially among the aquatic biota. Isopod parasites have received considerable scientific attention because they cause series damage to fishery resources. The parasitic fauna of fish represents the result of the interrelationship between the parasites of various developmental stages and many interdependent influences of the macro and micro-environment. The present paper provides a general introduction to the subject with special emphasis on the morphology, diversity and life cycle. The parasitation of isopod parasites leads to secondary infection by pathogenic microbes which may affect the fish population are also discussed.
Livestock weights in response to three whole-farmlet management systems

This paper reports changes in livestock weights recorded in a whole-farmlet experiment, which aimed to examine the profitability and sustainability of three different pasture and grazing management strategies. The assessment of liveweights was considered a key component of measuring the integrated effects of the farmlet-scale treatments. The three farmlets comprised a typical management regime, which employed flexible rotational grazing over eight paddocks with moderate soil fertility (farmlet B), a system based on the same grazing management and paddock number but with higher levels of sown pasture and soil fertility (farmlet A) and a farmlet with moderate soil fertility and intensive rotational grazing over 37 paddocks (farmlet C). Early in the experimental period, there were no significant differences between farmlets in the liveweight of any class of livestock. However, from the second year onwards, as the pasture renovation, soil fertility and grazing management treatments took effect, differences in liveweight between farmlets became more apparent and significant. The stocking rate, which was treated as an emergent property of each farmlet, reached a maximum annual average value after 5 years of 12.6, 8.5 and 7.7 dry sheep equivalents (dse)/ha on farmlets A, B and C representing 84, 113 and 51% of their respective target stocking rates which were 15, 7.5 and 15 dse/ha. The liveweights of ewes, both before joining and during pregnancy, varied with year and farmlet with those on farmlets A and B tending to be significantly heavier than those on farmlet C. From 2003 to 2006, liveweights were significantly (P < 0.001) affected by a wide array of factors and their interactions including: date, ewe age, green digestible herbage, legume herbage mass, proportion of farmlet grazed, stocking rate and level of supplementary feeding. The weights of lambs/weaners/hoggets, both pre- and post-weaning, were at times also higher on farmlets A and B compared with those on farmlet C and were affected by a similar range of factors to those which affected ewe weights. Similar relative differences also applied to the liveweights of the other livestock run on the farmlets, namely wethers and non-reproductive cattle. The results suggest that stocking rate was able to be increased towards the higher target of farmlet A due to the higher level of pasture renovation and soil fertility on that farmlet, which led to high liveweights per head as well as the higher stocking rate. However, as the stocking rate increased on farmlet A, the differences between farmlets in liveweight per head diminished and the need for supplementary feeding increased. In contrast, the intensive rotational grazing practised on farmlet C did not allow the farmlet to increase its stocking rate towards its higher target. It appears that the higher proportion of each of farmlets A and B grazed at any one time allowed all classes of livestock to reach higher liveweights per head than on farmlet C, due presumably to the greater proportion of those two farmlets grazed at any one time.
Title of article: Feeding napier hay as supplement to sheep given poor quality natural pasture hay: effects of level of napier hay supplement and inclusion of urea in the basal diet on intake and digestibility

Three experiments were carried out using Iambs to assess the effect of level of napier hay and urea supplements on the utilization of poor quality natural pasture (veld) hay. In all the experiments the Iambs were given graded levels of napier hay as supplements to the basal diet of veld hay. In Experiment I, the veld hay was not supplemented with urea; in Experiment 2, the veld hay was supplemented with I % urea while in Experiment 3, the veld hay was supplemented with I % or 2% urea. In all the experiments napier hay supplements increased total feed intake and in vivo digestibility of the diet (p < 0.05). High levels of napier supplementation tended to reduce the intake of veld hay below the level achieved on the unsupplemented' control diet. However this decrease in veld hay intake was not as much as anticipated had the napier hay (corrected for its digestibility) simply replaced veld hay. Increasing the level of urea from I to 2% did not increase feed intake or digestibility or alter the pattern of substitution of 'veld hay by the napier. Across treatments, there was some evidence that the gain in the intake of veld hay resulting from napier supplementation was greater when urea was not added to the veld hay. In all the experiments, the increase in food intake was associated with an increase in faecal dry matter excretion suggesting that the increase in feed intake was facilitated by an increase in digesta passage rate. These results confirm that forage supplements are effective in increasing the Corresponding author. 0377-8401/96/$15.00 Copyright @ 1996 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII 50377.8401(96)0101 ,-Q A. Tigere a a Africa University. PO Box 1320. Mutare. Zimbab,,'e b Rowen Research Institute. Aberdeen. AB2 9SB. UK C University o/Zimbabwe. Harare. Zimbabwe d Grasslands Research Station. Marondera. Zimbabwe 124 B. Manyuchi er al./ Animal Feed Science Technology 63 (/996) /23-/35 utilization of poor quality forages and the response to the napier supplements was not entirely due to increasing nitrogen intake.
SCREENING OF POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC LACTOBACILLUS STRAINS ISOLATED FROM FERMENTED FOODS, FRUITS AND OF HUMAN ORIGIN

Objective: To screen and characterize Lactobacillus strains having potential probiotic properties from fermented foods and fruits, and to investigate cell surface characteristics and antimicrobial activity against food-borne and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) pathogens. Methods and Results: In the present study, twenty five Lactobacillus strains were isolated from fruits, fermented foods and human origin on De Man Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar plates and identified on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing. Isolated Lactobacillus strains tolerated inhibitory substances like bile (up to 4%), NaCl (up to 8%), phenol (up to 0.6%) and low pH (2.0). Six of the isolates exhibited inhibitory activity against food-borne and GIT pathogens by well diffusion method. The isolates appeared to possess hydrophilic cell surface as determined by microbial adhesion to n-hexadecane. Isolates auto-aggregated and also co-aggregated with pathogens tested. The isolates were not susceptible to antibiotics like vancomycin, tobramycin, kanamycin and norfloxacin while were highly susceptible to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, oleandomycin and penicillin G. None of the isolates showed haemolytic activity. Conclusion: Six strains (Lactobacillus paracasei HML1, L. paracasei CR7, L. plantarum BRMV1, L. plantarum F1, L. plantarum OC6 and L. rhamnosus Di7) showed potential probiotic properties as well as strong in vitro antibacterial activity against various food-borne and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) pathogens.
Socializing Affordances

Modern disciplines both reflect and perpetuate a basic dualism. The natural sciences deal with a `material world', abstracted from human concerns, while the social sciences have, in their turn, constructed a world of `agents' disconnected from material things. James Gibson's theory of affordances was an attempt to counter this deep schism in modern thought by emphasizing the material conditions of human activity. He came to see that psychology, as traditionally conceived, was itself a creation of dualistic thinking. Yet, Gibson failed to engage in a corresponding exploration of the sociality of the material. This paper examines the reasons why Gibson retained a dualism of the natural and socio-cultural in his theory; points to some of the ways in which the concept of affordances should be socialized; and, finally, raises the question: what would ecological psychology stand to lose if all affordances were social?
Effect of fire regime on plant abundance in a tropical eucalypt savanna of north-eastern Australia

Changes in plant abundance within a eucalypt savanna of north-eastern Australia were studied using a manipulative fire experiment. Three fire regimes were compared between 1997 and 2001: (i) control, savanna burnt in the mid-dry season (July) 1997 only; (ii) early burnt, savanna burnt in the mid-dry season 1997 and early dry season (May) 1999; and (iii) late burnt, savanna burnt in the mid-dry season 1997 and late dry season (October) 1999. Five annual surveys of permanent plots detected stability in the abundance of most species, irrespective of fire regime. However, a significant increase in the abundance of several subshrubs, ephemeral and twining perennial forbs, and grasses occurred in the first year after fire, particularly after late dry season fires. The abundance of these species declined toward prefire levels in the second year after fire. The dominant grass Heteropogon triticeus significantly declined in abundance with fire intervals of 4 years. The density of trees (>2 m tall) significantly increased in the absence of fire for 4 years, because of the growth of saplings; and the basal area of the dominant tree Corymbia clarksoniana significantly increased over the 5-year study, irrespective of fire regime. Conservation management of these savannas will need to balance the role of regular fires in maintaining the diversity of herbaceous species with the requirement of fire intervals of at least 4-years for allowing the growth of saplings >2 m in height. Whereas late dry season fires may cause some tree mortality, the use of occasional late fires may help maintain sustainable populations of many grasses and forbs.
Evaluation of Plant Powders and Cooking Oils against Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais M. (Coleopteran: Curculionidae) under Laboratory Conditions

In storage, maize grains are severely destroyed by insects and other storage pests. One of the primary causes of grain loss in stored maize is the damage caused by maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais . A study was conducted to evaluate selected locally available botanical powders and cooking oils for their effectiveness as grain protectants against maize weevils at JUCAVM in year 2011. The plant powders and cooking oils were compared with untreated control and Malathion super dust as standard check. The experiment was laid-out in Completely Randomized Design with 13 treatments each replicated thrice. Different dependent variables such as cumulative adult mortality, F 1 progeny emergency, grain damage were assessed. The results revealed that, among the botanical powders, there was an increased cumulative adult S. zeamais mortality, i.e. higher mortality, from powders of Chenopodium ambrosoides (70% with LT 50 of 6.50 days), Azadiricta indica leaf (70% with LT 50 of 6.00 days), A. indica bark (70% with LT 50 of 8.40 days) and Tagetus erecta (70% with LT 50 of 9.20 days ) after 20 days of exposure periods. Apart from the untreated control, low mortality of S. zeamais adult was recorded from Allium sativum (50% with LT 50 of 18.01 days), C. citratus (55% with LT 50 of 18.30 days), Maesa lanceolata (55% with LT 50 of 16.20 days) and Echinops kebericho (55% with LT 50 of 14.50 days) after 20 days of exposure periods. Highest S. zeamais adult mortality of 95%, 100% and 100% was recorded from Brassica carinata oil, Gossypium hirsutum oil and the standard chemical Malathion, respectively with LT 50 of less than one day in all cases. Maximum number of progeny was emerged from untreated check from 25 th ~40 th days of exposures with cumulative increase (2 to 14 adults). There was no F 1 progeny emergency from the three treatments (oils and Malathion) over the exposure periods reassuring the potency of the cooking oils against S. zeamais . As a result there was no perforated seed; no weight loss and maximum germination percentage of 94.60% were registered from the two cooking oils on par with the Malathion (95.50%). In conclusion, the two cooking oils were found to be the most potent bio-insecticides on par with standard check, Malathion and they can be used in integrated management of maize weevil, S. zeamais.
Genetic variations in accessions of Lathyrus sativus L.

Eighteen grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) accessions (donated from USDA germplasm) collected from different geographical regions were evaluated for variations of seed weight, and seed protein content. Environmental factors may not be most appropriate for explaining variations in seed weight. The presence of small-seeded accessions in Eastern Africa possibly indicate this sub-region as a new center of origin of L. sativus. There were no correlations between protein content and seed weight indicating genetic independence. Multivariate analysis (cluster and factor analysis) based on protein analysis data showed a high genetic variability among the accessions of different geographical regions and a low variability among the accessions of the same region.