Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of intercropping maize and solanum potato on yield of the component crops in Central Uganda

Three potato (Solunum tuberosum) varieties and one maize variety were intercropped in six spatial arrangements, viz., sole crops, 2:1, 2:2, 1:1, 1:2 potato: maize row arrangements and one additive mixture. Intercropping influenced some growth parameters of potato but not of maize. For instance, the rate of potato stem extension and leaf formation rates were hastened by intercropping. Branching in potato influenced leaf area development, especially during the second season when the additive mixture supported the least leaf area. Potato yield differed significantly among the spatial arrangements with the highest yield in the sole crop followed closely by the 2:1 and 2:2 potato: maize mixtures. However, these yield differences depended on potato variety, with Kisoro being the most responsive to changes in spatial arrangement. Assessment of biological efficiency of intercropping using the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) method, revealed that yield advantages increased slightly with increase in the proportion of potato in the mixtures. However, it was only the additive mixture with a significant overall LER of 1.58, indicating a 58.2% yield advantage for intercropping. The contribution of maize to total LER was greatest in the 1:2 and additive mixtures. Key Words: Biological efficiency, inter-cropping, land equivalent ratio, Solanum tuberosum, spatial arrangement, yield advantage (African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 83-96)
Microfungi of Forest Litter from Healthy American Beech, Fraser Fir, and Eastern Hemlock Stands in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract As part of an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an assemblage of microfungi associated in litter samples from healthy Fagus grandifolia (American Beech), Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir), and Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) trees was determined in 2005 and 2006. Additionally, litter samples from the collection sites were assayed for pH, nutrient content, ash, crude proteins, and levels of organic matter to determine their impact on the mycobiota. Species richness, diversity, and evenness patterns were evaluated from the litter samples collected in May, July, and September of each year. A total of 6249 isolates of fungi were obtained, with greater than 90% belonging to the Deuteromycota. Over 100 species of fungi were identified from litter of the three tree species, with 55 being new records from the Park. As in previous studies, the most common fungi isolated from the three tree species were 13 species of Trichoderma during the two-year study. Other common fungi included Virgaria nigra and Penicillium spp. Species richness and diversity values pooled across sampling dates and years were significantly greater from American Beech litter, followed by Eastern Hemlock and lowest for Fraser Fir. Species richness and diversity values compared by sampling dates for each year were generally greater in May than July or September, but evenness values showed a reverse trend for each year. When species richness and diversity were compared between sampling dates per year and among or by tree species, significant differences often occurred, but no trends were determined. Data from the litter tissue assay showed that Fraser Fir, which had the lowest species richness and diversity, may have been impacted by having significantly lower pH and percent litter chemical compositions of ash, crude protein, and N than the other tree species. All other comparisons of species richness were similar.
Habitat characteristics of Eurytemora lacustris (POPPE, 1887) (Copepoda, Calanoida) : The role of lake depth, temperature, oxygen concentration and light intensity

Field observations, laboratory experiments and a literature survey were conducted to evaluate the habitat characteristics of Eurytemoralacustris (Poppe 1887), a freshwater calanoid copepod species. Combined effects of temperature and oxygen concentration in the deep water of thermally stratifying lakes seem to be the ultimate factors governing the occurrence of the species throughout its home-territory. E. lacustris is largely restricted to relatively deep lakes (>30 m) providing a hypolimnetic refuge characterised by low temperatures (<∼10 °C) and oxygenated water during summer. Therefore, although the species is spread over much of Europe it was only found in a small number of lakes. Long-term records in different lakes revealed E. lacustris to be perennial with relatively high biomasses occurring from May to September. During thermal stratification on average 87% of the nauplii and 72% of the copepodite biomass was found in hypolimnetic waters colder than 10 °C. Diurnal vertical migration was observed for the copepodid stages, but the migration amplitude clearly decreased from May to September. The migration amplitude was significantly related to light intensity. According to its special habitat requirements, E. lacustris might be considered a glacial relict sensitive to temperature increase and oxygen depletion. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Population viability of Arctic grayling in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park

Abstract The fluvial Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus is restricted to less than 5% of its native range in the contiguous United States and was relisted as a category 3 candidate species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2010. Although fluvial Arctic grayling of the lower Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, were considered to have been extirpated by 1935, anglers and biologists have continued to report catching low numbers of Arctic grayling in the river. Our goal was to determine whether a viable population of fluvial Arctic grayling persisted in the Gibbon River or whether the fish caught in the river were downstream emigrants from lacustrine populations in headwater lakes. We addressed this goal by determining relative abundances, sources, and evidence for successful spawning of Arctic grayling in the Gibbon River. During 2005 and 2006, Arctic grayling comprised between 0% and 3% of the salmonid catch in riverwide electrofishing (mean < 1%; SE < 1%) and snorkeling (mean = 1%; SE .
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) Parasitism of Red-rumped Caciques (Cacicus haemorrhous) in the Atlantic Forest, Northeastern Argentina

Abstract Host-parasite interactions between Red-rumped Caciques (Cacicus haemorrhous) and Giant Cowbirds (Molothrus oryzivorus) were studied at 52 nests in the Atlantic Forest, Misiones, Argentina. Cowbird eggs (1–6) occurred in 27 of 38 cacique nests (71%) found during the egg stage. Giant Cowbird eggs were white and unmarked (85%), or marked and spotted over pale buff (15%); the marked eggs somewhat resembled host eggs, but were twice as large. Four host and three parasite eggs were found punctured and broken. Only three cowbird nestlings were observed, and resembled oropendola (Psarocolius spp.) nestlings more than those of Red-rumped Caciques. Botflies (Philornis spp.) infested cowbird and cacique nestlings, but there was no evidence of a cowbird-cacique preening mutualism.
Alternativas de utilização da pastagem hibernal para recria de bezerras de corte

The experiment aimed to evaluate animal performance and economic return in oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) plus Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) pasture subjected at three systems of utilization. The treatments used were: 1. pasture of oat + Italian ryegrass + 300 kg/ha of nitrogen-'Nitrogen'; 2. pasture of oat + Italian ryegrass + supplementation-'Supplement' and 3. pasture of oat + Italian ryegrass + arrowleaf clover-'Clover'. The experimental animals were ninety-four beef heifers of Charolais breed and Charolais-Nellore crosses, with initial weight and age of 197 kg and nine months, respectively. The continuous grazing method with variable stocking rate was used. The supplement utilized was ground sorghum, at quantity of 1% of live weight (LW). The score of body condition (BC), average daily gain (ADG), stocking rate (SR), live weight gain per ha (LWG) and economic return (ER) from treatments were evaluated. The greater BC, SR and LWG were obtained on 'Supplement', with values of 3.5, 1360.1 kg of LW/ha and 602.8 kg of LW/ha, respectively. The total cost and net income per treatment were R$ 687.15 and 194.28; 881.49 and 113.13; 574.69 and 226.22 for 'Nitrogen', 'Supplement' and 'Clover', respectively. The treatment 'Clover' presented the best ratio, with return of R$ 1.39 for each one real invested. In biological values, utilization of oat and ryegrass pasture for beef heifers, without impairment of ADG, greater stocking rate and production per area are obtained using energy supplementation.
A Latitudinal Gradient in Rates of Ant Predation

Predation by ants on wasp larva baits was assessed at five latitudes from 43°N to 2°S. Rates of predation were significantly greater in the tropics; that is, a food item was exploited by ants in significantly less time in the tropics than in the temperate zone. It was also found that predation rates were higher in low second—growth vegetation than in forests and higher on the ground than on vegetation, and that these differences were more pronounced in the temperature zone than in the tropics. Rates of predation occuring on buildings were lower than in natural situations at every latitude. The number of ant species taken at the baits increased from 22 at the northernmost locality to 74 at the southernmost. In all localities but the northernmost the forest habitat produced a greater diversity of species than the field habitat. There was greater degree of microhabitat specificity among ants in the tropics than in the temperate zone. The proportion of forest canopy specialists also increased toward the tropics. Overall predation rate and ant species richness were found to be positively correlated on a latitudinal scale, but this relationship broke down at the level of habitats and microhabitats.
Ontogenetic changes in the eosuchian reptile Thadeosaurus

ABSTRACT Growth in the Permian eosuchian Thadeosaurus is described. Specimens ranging from a poorly ossified juvenile, probably less than a year old, to fully ossified adults are known, showing approximately a three-fold increase in linear dimensions. Changes in the proportions, degree of ossification and configuration of the skeletal elements can be seen. Allometric growth is analyzed by means of the power equation, using vertebral length as a standard.
Dietary ratios of maize silage to lucerne hay affect feed intake, chewing activity and milk production of dairy cows

The present study investigated the effects of substitution of chopped lucerne hay (LH) for maize silage on feed intake, rumen pH and fermentation, digestibility, milk production and feed efficiency of dairy cows. Fifteen Holstein dairy cows in early lactation (37 ± 10 days in milk) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. The experiment lasted for 80 days, with 10 days of adaptation and 70 days of data collection. Treatment diets consisted of 60% concentrate and 40% forage, comprising 30 : 10 (MS30), 20 : 20 (MS20) or 10 : 30 (MS10) of maize silage (MS) to LH ratio (MS : LH). Cows were fed ad libitum as total mixed ration. Water was added daily to adjust the moisture content of the feed to be similar across diets. Decreasing the ratio of MS : LH resulted in linear and quadratic decreases of DM intake and physically effective neutral detergent fibre, without affecting apparent digestibility in the total digestive tract. Decreasing MS : LH also linearly reduced total chewing time and tended to reduced chewing index (min/kg DM intake), but had limited effects on rumen pH and fermentation characteristics. Increasing the substitution of LH for MS decreased milk production (33.1, 31.7, and 29.8 kg/day for MS30, MS20, and MS10, respectively), and tended (P = 0.06) to decrease 4% fat-corrected milk and fat yield. However, milk content of protein (2.70%, 2.77% and 2.77%) and fat improved, and tended to improve by decreasing the MS : LH ratio, respectively. The efficiency of milk production, expressed as either milk yield/kg DM intake or 4% fat-corrected milk/kg DM intake, was not affected by the treatments. Results indicated that under the current feeding conditions, decreasing the ratio of MS : LH was not recommended to maintain milk production and DM intake.
Catalytic hydrothermal gasification of biomass

A recent development in biomass gasification is the use of a pressurized water‐processing environment to avoid drying of the biomass. This paper reviews the research undertaken developing this new option for biomass gasification. This review does not cover wet oxidation or near‐atmospheric‐pressure steam‐gasification of biomass. Laboratory research on hydrothermal gasification of biomass focusing on the use of catalysts is reviewed here, and a companion review focuses on non‐catalytic processing. Research includes liquid‐phase, subcritical processing as well as supercritical water processing. The use of heterogeneous catalysts in such a system allows effective operation at lower temperatures, and the issues around the use of catalysts are presented. This review attempts to show the potential of this new processing concept by comparing the various options under development and the results of the research. © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Are avian ectoparasites more numerous in nest boxes with old nest material

Researchers may reduce the numbers of haematophagous ectoparasites in nest boxes of cavity-nesting birds by removing old nests from boxes and, as a result, eliminate an important selective pressure that could influence the results from nest-box studies of birds. We recorded the numbers of parasites in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) boxes in which we manipulated the presence, amount, and quality of old nests. Bird fleas (Ceratophyllus idius) were more numerous in boxes with old nests, and there was a positive correlation between nest volume and flea numbers. In one year, there was a positive association between fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) numbers and nest volume; otherwise, fowl mites and blow flies (Protocalliphora sialia) were equally numerous in all nest types. We conclude that ectoparasites whose over-winter survival depends on old nests are more numerous in boxes with old nests, whereas parasites whose over-winter survival is independent of old nests infect nest sites randomly. Also, reinf.
Habitat fragmentation and species richness

In a recent article in this journal, Fahrig (2013, Journal of Biogeography, 40, 1649–1663) concludes that variation in species richness among sampling sites can be explained by the amount of habitat in the ‘local landscape’ around the sites, while the spatial configuration of habitat within the landscape makes little difference. This conclusion may be valid for small spatial scales and when the total amount of habitat is large, but modelling and empirical studies demonstrate adverse demographic consequences of fragmentation when there is little habitat across large areas. Fragmentation effects are best tested with studies on individual species rather than on communities, as the latter typically consist of species with dissimilar habitat requirements. The total amount of habitat and the degree of fragmentation tend to be correlated, which poses another challenge for empirical studies. I conclude that fragmentation poses an extra threat to biodiversity, in addition to the threat posed by loss of habitat area.
Effects of Removal of Supplemental Calcium and Phosphorus from Broiler Finisher Diets

Abstract Meeting the calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) needs of broilers contributes significantly to feed cost. If Ca and P levels could be reduced during the 42- to 49-day period without affecting performance adversely, production costs could be reduced markedly. Studies were conducted to investigate whether broilers with properly developed skeletal systems at 42 days of age need supplemental Ca and P during the 42- to 49-day period. Chicks were grown to 42 days on nutritionally complete diets in floor pens with wood shavings. From 42 to 49 days there were fed one of the four following diets: 1) complete diet; 2) diet 1 without limestone (LIME); 3) diet 1 without dicalcium phosphate (DCP); 4: diet 1 without LIME and DCP. Weight gains (WG), feed consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality (MORT), and visual leg scores (VLS) were determined. Samples of birds were processed for dressing percentage (DP), abdominal fat content (AFC), tibia length (TL), tibia diameter (TD), and bone breaking strength (BBS). Removal of LIME and DCP from the diet from 42 to 49 days of age had no significant (P
Induction of Human Liver X Receptor α Gene Expression Via an Autoregulatory Loop Mechanism

The liver X receptors (LXRs), members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, play an important role in controlling lipid homeostasis by activating several genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport. These include members of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporter proteins ABCA1 and ABCG1, surface constituents of plasma lipoproteins like apolipoprotein E, and cholesterol ester transport protein. They also play an important role in fatty acid metabolism by activating the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c gene. Here, we identify human LXRα (hLXRα) as an autoinducible gene. Induction in response to LXR ligands is observed in multiple human cell types including macrophages and occurs within 2–4 h. Analysis of the hLXRα promoter revealed three LXR response elements (LXREs); one exhibits strong affinity for both LXRα:RXR and LXRβ:RXR (a type I LXRE), and deletion and mutational studies indicate it plays a critical role in LXR-mediated induction. The other two LXREs are identical t.
Cheese Manufacture Assisted by High Pressure

The processing of foods by high pressure is gaining commercial acceptance. Various food products processed by high pressure are now available in stores and the list of commercialized products is expected to expand as new applications are developed. Currently, industrial applications within the dairy industry are being sought. This article describes what high pressure processing is, presents some of the changes experienced by milk constituents and how such changes are reflected in final products, and presents some of the proposed applications for milk cheese or cheese processing.
A detailed evaluation of the skeletal elements of the skull in the grey heron (Ardea cinerea)

This study was designed to reveal, in detail, the features of the skull bones in the grey heron, a species of the family Ardeidae, and to compare the findings with previous related literature reports and with Nomina Anatomica Avium. The articulation between the nasal and frontal bones was observed to be through the movable frontonasal joint. The upper beak fused with the neurocranium via this joint and with the palatine and vomer. It was also bound indirectly through the zygomatic bone articulating with the quadrate bone. The frontal bone possessed the frontal depression dorsally. Wideness of the frontal bone and supranasal pila seemed to be unique for the grey heron. The quadrate bone was observed to play a primary role in the beak action. No medial process was present in the mandible.Overall, the results hereby indicate that the wider jaw opening and sharp and pointed nature of the beaks in the grey heron enable it to feed on such creatures as fish, frogs, and crustaceans.
Bait Stations for Detection and Control of Alien Rats in Galapagos

Abstract Alien rats have impacted native systems worldwide, yet wildlife managers lack techniques to efficiently monitor for rodent invasions where native rodents are present and to control alien rodents sympatric with native rodents. We tested the ability of vertical bait stations to exclude native rodents in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) appeared able to enter all station sizes, whereas black rats (R. rattus) were excluded from larger stations. The endemic rodents Oryzomys bauri and Nesoryzomys narboroughi were unable to enter bait stations of any size, but N. swarthi entered the smallest station. Differences in climbing technique contributed to the advantage of alien rodents over endemic species. Our technique provides wildlife managers in the Galapagos, and potentially other islands with native rodents, a means for early detection and control of alien rats.
Effect of small-scale woodland clearing and thinning on vertebrate fauna in a largely intact tropical savanna mosaic

Abstract Context. Habitat degradation and fragmentation of vegetation can transform and deplete local wildlife populations, and is a key threatening process globally. In northern Australian tropical savannas, clearing is relatively rare across the biome, although it is slowly intensifying as a result of increasing agricultural development. However, the terrestrial vertebrates in these largely intact landscapes are undergoing current population declines because of a variety of land-management changes, one of which is increasing land clearing; therefore, there is a need to understand the relative effect of small-scale land clearing the fauna. Aims. The present study examined the variation in abundance of birds, mammals and reptiles in intact, thinned and cleared Eucalyptus woodlands in a tropical savanna bioregion. Methods. The vertebrate fauna were sampled in 88 sites over two general geographic locations within the Desert Uplands in 2005 and 2006. Standardised 1-ha surveys were employed in a single vegetation type and across three treatments. As two discrete locations were examined, linear mixed models were used in the analysis. Key results. The fauna composition varied significantly across the intact, thinned and cleared sites. Bird species richness reduced from intact to thinned and cleared sites, and reptile richness and abundance declined in cleared sites, but was largely unaffected by thinning. Seventeen bird species recorded significant variation in abundance across the three vegetation structural types, with 12 most abundant in the intact sites. Mammals on the whole were recorded in very low abundances and in few sites. For reptiles, two were most abundant in thinned sites and three in intact sites. Conclusions. In the present study, we have demonstrated that small-scale clearing and vegetation manipulation via thinning, even within largely intact tropical savanna woodland, can cause localised depletion of some species, although most notably where the vegetation disruption was most severe (i.e. clearing). Birds are most affected, and many species that declined in abundance are the same as those that suffered severe population reductions as a result of broad-scale clearing in south-eastern Australia. Implications. The proposed increase in the intensity of agricultural land use in northern Australia will result in incremental landscape change as a result of clearing. Understanding how the gradual reduction of vegetation cover and habitat will change the faun assemblage is important for pre-emptive conservation planning. This is vital to avoid the mistakes of extensive landscape change in southern Australia that has left a legacy of a permanently depleted fauna.