Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temperature effects on the incorporation of strontium in otolith of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

The effects of temperature on somatic and otolith growth and the incorporation of strontium in otolith of the Japanese eel, were studied in laboratory-reared and field-caught eels. The somatic and otolith growth rates of the eel increased significantly with temperature and were estimated as approximately 0·096 mm t.l, (P<0·01) and 0·36 μm in otolith diameter per degree-day (0·01<P<0·05), respectively. In contrast, the Sr/Ca ratio in the otoliths was negatively correlated with water temperature. The feasibility of using the otolith Sr/Ca ratio to reconstruct environmental temperature history of the eel is discussed.
Efeitos da simulação da solarização do solo com materiais vegetais sobre o crescimento micelial de fungos fitopatogênicos habitantes do solo

ABSTRACT The incorporation of plant materials associated with soil solarizationhas been a promising progress to control soilborne phytopathogenicfungi. The aim of this study was to evaluate certain effects of incorporationand decomposition of broccolis, castor bean, wild and sweet cassava, inthe soil, under microcosm conditions maintained in BOD (37±2oC), onthe mycelium of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 2, Macrophomina phaseolina , Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 HGI and Sclerotiumrolfsii . Thus, four identical experiments were established with fivetreatments of four different and independent periods (7, 14, 21 and 28days). The assessed parameter was the innocuous, fungistatic and fungicideeffects of the treatments on the mycelium of fungi. Fungistatic and Basseto, M. A. ; Bueno, C. J.; Chagas, H. A. ; Rosa, D. D. ; Padovani, C. R. ; Furtado, E. L. Effects of soil solarization simulation with plantmaterials on the mycelial growth of soilborne phytopathogenic fungi. Summa Phytopathologica,
Spatially structured populations and harvest theory

Harvest theory is examined with reference to spatially-structured population systems. Harvest from continuously-distributed populations, which usually are based on regulation of size of kill (numerical control), can be achieved by spatial controls through a mosaic of hunted and unhunted areas. Spatial controls can achieve high yields and avoid the hazards of overharvest that are common with harvest quotas without detailed population data (requiring only an estimate or index of harvest). Harvesting of metapopulations is examined and found to hold little prospect because of negative effects on dispersal required for recolonization of patches following local extinction.
Comparative FISH karyotype analysis of 11 Picea species

The spruce, genus Picea is distributed throughout Eurasia and North America. Because all Picea species have the same chromosome number (2n=24) and very similar karyotypes, comparative karyotype analysis using traditional staining methods is difficult or impossible. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes of 45S rDNA, 5S rDNA, and Sau3A repetitive family is reported a powerful tool for comparative karyotype analysis in some species of Picea. We report here FISH karyotypes in 11 Picea species and compare them each other. Comparative FISH karyotyping clarified the interspecific relationships of eight Eurasian and seven North American species. Eurasian species displayed conservative FISH karyotypes, while North American species showed variable FISH signal patterns. Two American species, P. rubens and P. mariana, were very similar to Eurasian species in FISH karyotype. We discuss the differences at each FISH signal site and compare the interspecific relationships of FISH karyotypes to molecular phylogenetic trees reported in Picea.
Ecology of butterflies in natural and selectively logged forests of northern Borneo: the importance of habitat heterogeneity

1. The impacts of habitat disturbance on biodiversity within tropical forests are an area of current concern but are poorly understood and difficult to predict. This is due in part to a poor understanding of how species respond to natural variation in environmental conditions within primary forest and how these conditions alter following anthropogenic disturbance. Within this context, the main aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the gap and shade preferences of fruit-feeding butterflies in primary forest in northern Borneo can be used to predict species' responses to selective logging and thus explain changes in diversity and geographical distinctness in relation to habitat disturbance. 2. Overall, there was little difference in butterfly diversity between primary forest and forest that had been selectively logged 10-12 years previously. In contrast, there were marked differences in the composition of the butterfly assemblages in the two habitats, which were strongly associated with species' gap preferences and geographical distributions. In Satyrinae and Morphinae, those species with higher shade preferences and narrower geographical distributions were most adversely affected by logging, whereas cosmopolitan species with high light preferences benefited from logging. In Nymphalinae and Charaxinae the opposite was observed: those species with wider geographical distributions were adversely affected and those species with relatively restricted distributions were more common in logged forest. 3. These changes in butterfly assemblages were associated with changes in vegetation structure following selective logging, which resulted in much lower habitat heterogeneity with less dense shade and fewer open gaps in logged forest. Areas of dense shade, which were more common in unlogged forest, supported species of Satyrinae and Morphinae with restricted geographical distributions, whereas open gaps, which were also more common in unlogged forest, attracted widespread species of Nymphalinae and Charaxinae. These butterfly-habitat associations in primary forest explain the opposite responses of the two groups of butterflies to selective logging. 4. Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the need to sample at a sufficiently large spatial scale to account for impacts of disturbance on heterogeneity in forest environments. It also demonstrates how understanding the responses of species to natural variation in environmental conditions within undisturbed forest is crucial to interpreting responses of species to anthropogenic habitat modification. The results further indicate that selectively logged forests can make an important contribution to the conservation of tropical biodiversity, provided that they are managed in a way that maintains environmental heterogeneity.
A survey of the genus Eleusine Gaertn. (Gramineae) in Africa.

Eight African species of Eleusine are recognized in this paper, the majority being localised in parts of East and North East Tropical Africa. Each species is described and a key is provided. Eleusine africana Kenn. -O'Byrne is reduced to a subspecies of E. indica (L.) Gaertn. , and E. indica (L.) Gaertn. var. intermedia Chiov. is raised to specific rank as E. intermedia (Chiov.) Phillips. Two new species are also described: E. semisterilis Phillips from Kenya and E. ki~geziensis Phillips from southwest Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and adjacent parts of the Congo.
Diving behaviour of freshwater finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in an oxbow of the Yangtze River, China

Dive-depth and swim-speed of a juvenile and an adult free-ranging, Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) were observed using velocity-time-depth recorders in an oxbow of the Yangtze River. In total, 8222 individual dives were recorded over 59 hours. Two dive types, deep-dive (greater than or equal to 2.7 m) and shallow-dive. were recognized. Horizontal travel distances of two finless pot-poises in a day were 94.4 km and 90.3 km, which were longer than those of oceanic relative species (harbor porpoises, Phocoena phocoena). Although the shallow water limited the maximum dive-depth, dive-duration, and bottom-time of finless porpoises were similar to the harbor porpoises. A sudden drop of swim-speed below 0.25 m s(-1) was frequently observed nearby the maximum dive-depth. This seemed to indicate "turning, around" behaviour, possibly during prey pursuit. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier science Ltd on behalf of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.
Physiological and pharmacological properties of muscle cells isolated from the flatworm Bdelloura candida (Tricladia)

Summary A protocol for dissociating single muscle fibres from intact flatworms was developed. Muscle fragments of various sizes were obtained, many with their cell bodies, or myocytons, intact. Many of the fibres were spontaneously contractile, and they and others contracted in response to applications of transmitter candidates, activators of protein kinase C and the anthelmintic praziquantel. The responses were all similar to those evoked in strips of tissue. Voltage clamp recordings from the isolated muscle fibres revealed that they possess an inward Ca2+ current and 3 separate K+ currents. These results indicate that muscle fibres in Bdelloura bear receptors for neurotransmitters and that preparations of dispersed muscle fibres can be used for studying the basic physiological and pharmacological properties of platyhelminth muscle.
Comparação de métodos para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana e determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (cim) de extratos vegetais aquosos e etanólicos

Several studies have been conducted to discover new antimicrobial agents from plants to be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and in the food industry. The lack of standardized methods for the evaluation of plant extracts with antimicrobial potential complicates the comparison of results. Taking into consideration the need to establish a method with consistent results to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of some plants from the Myrtaceae family on different micro-organisms based on a comparative assay with three methods that are commonly used for the assess antimicrobials. The methods used were broth microdilution, and agar diffusion by disc and well. The evaluated extracts were those of Psidium guajava, Myrciaria cauliflora, and Syzygium cumini for Gram-positive and negative bacteria and yeast. In general, inhibition extracts promoted by the agar diffusion test by well was higher than the values ​​obtained by disc, regardless of the plant extracts tested. However, the inhibitory activity of all micro-organisms was only possible to be determined with the microdilution broth method, which also presented the more reproducible results, and proved to be the most economic and reliable way to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts in contrast with other methods
Role of biological clocks in cancer processes and chronotherapy

Biological rhythms are considered in the rational use of therapeutic agents to optimize the treatment of several diseases. In cancer, several stages of cell cycle are regulated by the circadian clock. Clock genes play a vital role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, mutation/abnormal function of circadian clock genes could result in tumor development. Circadian rhythmicity can be used as a marker rhythm for tumor progression, as rhythm impairment increases along with tumor malignancy. Administration of drugs at a particular circadian phase has achieved the best anti-tumor activity. Pharmacological doses of melatonin significantly increase antioxidant levels, thereby decreasing free radical formation. In some cancer cell types, melatonin is known to inhibit cancer cell growth under in vitro conditions. The protective effect of S-allylcysteine, diallyl disulphide and α-ketoglutarate on NDEA treated rats showed that alternations in the rhythmicities of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and antioxidant levels (SOD, CAT, GSH and GPX) could be normalized.
THE INFLUENCE OF PROPOLIS APPLICATION TO MEAT UTILITY ON ROSS 308 BROILER CHICKENS

The aim of the experiment was to monitor the impact of propolis extract (experimental group) for meat utility of the Ross 308 chicken. The dosage of propolis was 0.2 g.kg KKZ-1 throught the fattening (40 days). Application of propolis increased (P≤0.01) slaughter weight (+76.80 g) and carcass weight (+67.90 g) in hens compared to the control group (1790.60 g, resp. 1266.54 g). In group with roosters slaughter weight (+70.80 g) and carcass weight (+56.00 g) were also increased (P≥0.05) in the experimental group compared to control (2086.20 g, resp. 1475.20 g). Offal weight in both sexes was lower (P≥0.05) in the experimental group (135.55 g - ♀, 158.21 g - ♂) compared to control (140.75 g - ♀, 168.55 g - ♂). Carcass yield was higher in hens (P≥0.05) in the experimental group (78.71 %) versus control (78.60 %). The evaluation of meat utility Ross 308 chickens without distinction of sex did not show significant differences (P≥0.05), but a slight increase in slaughter weight and in the carcass weight in group with application of propolis extract in their fattening. Contrary slightly lower offal weight (-7.77 g) and carcass yield (-0.21 %) were found in the experimental group of chickens without distinction of sex (P≥0.05) compared to control group (weight of offal - 154.65 g, carcass yield - 78.69 %). We recommend the application of propolis as a possible supplement in the fattening of chickens, as it increases the performance parameters of meat and may also positively affect the economy of production. doi:10.5219/48
Acid-induced changes in the in vivo wall-yielding properties of hypocotyl sections of Vigna unguiculata

Elongation growth of hypocotyl sections of Vigna unguiculata under xylem perfusion was significantly enhanced when acid was applied by acid-aerosol to an abraded hypocotyl surface in the air. The in vivo wall extensibility (φ) and the effective turgor (Pi– Y), both of which were determined by the pressure-jump method, increased during acid-induced growth as observed in IAA-induced growth. The intracellular pressure (Pi), however, decreased significantly at the beginning of acid-induced growth whereas Pi scarcely changed in IAA-induced growth. This result indicates that protons increase the effective turgor by decreasing the yield threshold as IAA does. There seems to be no essential difference between proton and auxin in the effects on the in vivo mechanical properties of the surface cell wall.
Hematology and plasma biochemistry in rats fed with diets enriched with fatty fishes from Amazon region

grupo-controle (dieta-padrao); grupomapara (dietas enriquecidas com Hypophthtalmus edentatus); grupo matrinxa (dietas enriquecidas com Bryconspp.); grupo tambaqui (dietas enriquecidas com Colossoma macropomum). Os parâmetros hematologicos e asvariaveis bioquimicas plasmaticas foram analisadas nos animais apos 30 dias de experimentacao.
Regulatory Trading Restrictions, Overvaluation,and Insider Selling

In 2008, trading restrictions prohibited short selling in nearly 800 U.S. financial stocks with a market value of $1.5 trillion. These measures were quickly adopted abroad and were still being implemented as recently as August 2011. Despite the massive scope, global reach, and continued use of restrictions, outcomes are not well documented or fully understood.This article examines the trading ban and documents four important findings: (1) Trading restrictions stabilized falling prices for most (75%), but not all securities. (2) Price stabilization due solely to TARP is ruled out. (3) Cross-sectional return differences provide further evidence on the relationship between institutional ownership and short sale constraints. Firms with low institutional ownership, low short interest, small market cap, and those traded on the Nasdaq were least affected by the ban. (4) Sharp declines (-40%) in short interest contributed to less informative prices. Overall, results indicate trading restrictions stabilized price but were less effective for securities previously constrained by other factors.Further, benefits from price stabilizing activities were offset by less informative prices.
Effects of shearing on milk yields and milk composition in machine­ milked Dorset ewes

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of shearing before lambing or during lactation on the yield and composition of milk from machine-milked Dorset ewes. In Experiments 1 and 2, ewes were shorn in early lactation and although no effects on milk yield were recorded, there were significant increases (8–24%) in the concentrations of fat and protein in the milk. Experiment 3 included ewes which were shorn 12–52 days before lambing or 1–23 days after lambing. Shearing before or after lambing increased the concentrations of fat, protein, and total solids in the milk. For the ewes shorn before lambing, the percentage of lactose was lower. In Experiment 4, Dorset ewes were shorn in early lactation (20–28 days after lambing) or late lactation (47–56 days after lambing). Shearing increased the concentrations of fat, protein, and total solids in both groups of ewes but had no effect on milk yield. There were no effects of shearing in early lactation on percentage lactose but the ewes sho.
Diversity and structure of turtle assemblages: associations with wetland characters across a floodplain landscape

We studied 24 wetlands along a 296-km portion of the lower Missouri River floodplain, USA during 1996–1998. Our goal was to examine relationships between wetland characters and freshwater turtle diversity. We collected data on a total of 2201 individual captures of six freshwater turtle species. Ten species variables (richness, evenness, proportion of lentic species combined, proportion of lotic species combined, and proportions of six individual species) described the turtle assemblage structure and were associated with six broad wetland categories (remnant oxbow, remnant slough, connected scour, isolated scour, temporary farmed, and temporary not farmed) as well as with six abiotic (water depth, distance from the river, duration dry, duration flooded, size, and turbidity) and two biotic (primary and secondary productivity) wetland characters. Repeated-measures MANOVA and ANOVA revealed highest diversity in remnant sloughs and oxbows as well as in newly created scour wetlands and lowest diversity in temporary wetlands. Multiple regressions and correlations indicated that the single most important wetland characteristic for high turtle diversity was a low annual duration of drying. Oxbows supported the highest proportions of lentic turtles; while connected scours supported the highest proportions of lentic turtles. Lentic species proportions were highest in wetlands that were frequently flooded, relatively distant from the Missouri River, and insect rich, while lotic species proportions were highest in wetlands that were turbid, close to the river, and relatively insect poor. The cohabitation patterns of several turtle species suggest that direct or indirect interactions between species may affect assemblage structure. Based on our broad array of wetlands, we identified crucial wetland types and characteristics that were associated with maximum diversity for freshwater turtles. Empirical studies similar to ours across broad landscapes are needed for a variety of wetland floral and faunal groups before sound conservation and management recommendations can be formulated.
Defining Forest Fragmentation by Corridor Width: The Influence of Narrow Forest-Dividing Corridors on Forest-Nesting Birds in Southern New Jersey

In studies of forest fragmentation, a fundamental inconsistency exists in the distance criterion used to define the discreteness of forest fragments. We examined three types of ubiquitous narrow forest-dividing corridors for effects that influence the relative abundance and community composition of forest-nesting birds. Fixed-radius (100-meter) point counts were conducted on 54 transects established along three width classes of corridors: unpaved roads (8 meters wide), paved roads (IG meters wide), and powerlines (23 meters wide). Transect locations were distributed equally among corridor edge, forest margin 100 meters from corridor edge, and forest interior 300 meters from corridor edge. Forest-interior species of Neotropical migrants had significantly reduced relative abundances on edge transects along 16- and 23-meter corridors, compared with 8-meter corridors and with forest interior points along all three corridor-width classes. At a landscape scale, the consequences of apparently small reductions in forest area by the presence of narrow forest-dividing corridors may be cumulatively significant for abundances of forest-interior species. Brown-headed Cowbirds were more abundant than 20 of 21 forest-interior Neotropical migrants. We found surprisingly high abundances of cowbirds associated with narrow forest-dividing corridors especially those with mowed grass Corridor widths as narrow as 8 meters produce forest fragmentation effects in part by attracting cowbirds and nest predators to corridors and adjacent forest interiors. The most serious implication of this study is that narrow forest-dividing corridors may function as ecological traps for forest-interior Neotropical migrants. We suggest that these widespread corridors may be inconspicuous but important contributors to declines of forest-interior nesting species in eastern North America.
Zooplankton of Massachusetts Bay, USA, 1992-2003 : relationships between the copepod Calanus finmarchicus and the North Atlantic Oscillation

Zooplankton community analyses were performed on 102 µm mesh net samples from 1992 to 2003 from 2 stations, in Massachusetts Bay, USA, approximately 15 km offshore from Boston Harbor. There was significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation, with no temporal lag, between the boreal winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and winter abundance of Calanus finmarchicus adults plus copepodites (CI to CV) at both stations. The negative correlation between the NAO Index and C. finmarchicus is the opposite of the positive relation emerging from other long-term studies in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) region, but is similar to the negative correlation in many areas of the NE Atlantic. Our data reflect primarily abundance of younger copepodites, which dominated our C. fin- marchicus data. These younger copepodites had probably been produced during the first winter cohorts of C. finmarchicus each year, and were only weeks to months old upon capture. Previous pos- itive correlations between C. finmarchicus abundance and the NAO index reported in the literature, with temporal lags of 2 to 4 yr, reflected data for larger CV and adult C. finmarchicus, which had probably been produced the previous year and had overwintered in deep basins in the Gulf of Maine. These older individuals would probably have been more subject to longer-term effects of NAO vari- ability on large-scale interannual circulation patterns than the younger copepodites in our samples, which appeared to be more related to short-term climatic variability. Significant negative correlation between wind speed and abundance of C. finmarchicus supported this conclusion.