Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Microtopography on Soil Nutrients in Created Mitigation Wetlands

This study explores the relationship between microtopography and soil nutrients (and trace elements), comparing results for created and reference wetlands in Virginia, and examining the effects of disking during wetland creation. Replicate multiscale tangentially conjoined circular transects were used to quantify microtopography both in terms of elevation and by two microtopographic indices. Corresponding soil samples were analyzed for moisture content, total C and N, KCl‐extractable NH4–N and NO3–N, and Mehlich‐3 extractable P, Ca, Mg, K, Al, Fe, and Mn. Means and variances of soil nutrient/element concentrations were compared between created and natural wetlands and between disked and nondisked created wetlands. Natural sites had higher and more variable soil moisture, higher extractable P and Fe, lower Mn than created wetlands, and comparatively high variability in nutrient concentrations. Disked sites had higher soil moisture, NH4–N, Fe, and Mn than did nondisked sites. Consistently low variances (Levene test for inequality) suggested that nondisked sites had minimal nutrient heterogeneity. Across sites, low P availability was inferred by the molar ratio (Mehlich‐3 [P/(Al + Fe)] < 0.06); strong intercorrelations among total C, total N, and extractable Fe, Al, and P suggested that humic–metal–P complexes may be important for P retention and availability. Correlations between nutrient/element concentrations and microtopographic indices suggested increased Mn and decreased K and Al availability with increased surface roughness. Disking appears to enhance water and nutrient retention, as well as nutrient heterogeneity otherwise absent from created wetlands, thus potentially promoting ecosystem development.
Irruptive movements and breeding dispersal of snowy owls: a specialized predator exploiting a pulsed resource

Mobility and irruptive movements have been proposed as mechanisms that could allow some diet specialists to inhabit and breed in environments with highly unpredictable resources, like the arctic tundra. Th e snowy owl, one of the main avian predators of the tundra, is known to specialize on lemmings during the breeding season. Th ese small mammals are also well known for their tremendous spatial and temporal variations in abundance. We examined the spring (pre-breeding, from March to June) movements of snowy owls by tracking 9 breeding females in the Canadian Arctic for up to 3 yr with satellite transmitters. We used state-space modeling to assess searching behavior and measure breeding dispersal distances. We also ascertain lemming abundance at some of the sites used by the marked owls. Tracked owls displayed searching movements for extended periods (up to 108 d) and traveled over large distances (up to 4093 km) each spring. Th e distance between furthest apart searching areas in a given year averaged 828 km (range 220 to 2433 km). Settlement date, distance between searching areas, traveled distance and the duration of prospecting movements were longer in the year where density of lemmings recorded in the eastern High-Arctic (Bylot Island) was lowest. Nonetheless, snowy owls settled in areas where local lemming abundance was relatively high. Individual breeding dispersal distance between consecutive years averaged 725 km (range 18 to 2224). Overall, the high mobility of female snowy owls allowed these diet specialists to behave as irruptive migrants and to sustain their reproductive activities during consecutive years even under highly fl uctuating resources.
ROOTSTOCK EFFECTS ON THE YIELDS, TREE AND FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MANDARIN CULTIVAR ‘CLEMENTINE’ ON THE ISLAND OF RHODES

The effects of ten rootstocks on tree development, leaf nutrient levels, fruit internal quality and yield were studied. Plantings of the mandarin cultivar ‘clementine’ were established at the Agricultural Research Station of Rhodes on the rootstocks Cleopatra mandarin, Troyer and Carrizo citranges, rough lemon, Palestine sweet lime, Volkameriana, Citrus macrophylla, Rangpur lime and C. moi with sour orange as a standard for comparison. Data indicated that rootstocks significantly influenced tree development and fruit quality characteristics as well as foliar nutrient concentrations. The largest trees were on Volkameriana and the smallest on the two citranges. In terms of trunk cross-sectional area, the most vigorous trees were on C. moi and the least on Palestine sweet lime and the two citranges. Cleopatra mandarin, the two citranges, and Palestine sweet lime showed a tendency to biennial bearing. The highest cumulative yield of clementine trees was on C. macrophylla and Volkameriana and the lowest on Troyer and Carrizo citrange. C. macrophylla and Volkameriana produced the most efficient trees with the largest and heaviest thin-skinned almost seedless fruit. Fruit on C. macrophylla produced the highest juice content but also the lowest concentration of total soluble solids. Differences were observed in leaf nutrient contents between the rootstocks. These trials showed that C. macrophylla and Volkameriana could be used successfully as alternatives rootstocks to sour orange.
In situPCR on Plant Material with Sub-cellular Resolution☆

In situPCR and reverse transcribedin situPCR have been tested on leaves of sugar cane fixed in FAA, 4% PFA or 2% PFA+2.5% GA.In situPCR amplification of the gene coding for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcL) was successfully performed following all three fixation protocols. As expected the PCR product was restricted to the plastids of all cells. Reverse transcribedin situPCR was performed onrbcL mRNA and in this case the PCR product was restricted to the plastids of the bundle sheath cells. This is the first report ofin situPCR on plant material and only the second report ofin situPCR with sub-cellular resolution.In situPCR onrbcL may prove to be a valuable positive control for futurein situPCR studies on plant material.
Genetic and nongenetic effects on plasma insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration and production traits in Angus cattle.

Plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration (IGF-I) was measured at weaning on 1756 Angus beef cattle from herds in the New England and surrounding regions of NSW to estimate the heritability of IGF-I and phenotypic and genetic correlations with other production traits. Average IGF-I was 253.9 ng/mL measured at the mean age of 237 days. IGF -I had a moderate heritability of 0.36. Phenotypic correlations were essentially zero between IGF-I and birth weight, 200-day weight and pre-weaning average daily gain. IGF -I concentration was not genetically correlated with birth weight and scanned eye muscle area, but was correlated with both 200-day weight and average daily gain with genetic correlations of –0.40 and –0.52, respectively. Daily feed intake and IGF-I concentration were estimated to have a negative genetic correlation of –0.33. Scanned rump and rib fat depth, intramuscular fat content and residual feed intake were all estimated to have positive genetic correlations between 0.31 and 0.33 with IGF-I concentration. These estimates indicate that plasma IGF-I concentration measured in seedstock herds at weaning will be a suitable trait to indirectly select for fat and feed efficiency traits.
Prey Selection by Marine-coastal River Otters (Lontra canadensis) in Newfoundland, Canada

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that diets of river otters (Lontra canadensis) vary in response to seasonal shifts in prey availability, and that they select slowly moving fish of moderate size. To test these assumptions for marine-coastal river otters in Newfoundland, Canada, we reconstructed diets and estimated body length of important fish prey through analysis of otoliths and other hard parts recovered from scats collected in Bonavista and Placentia bays. Diet of otters in Bonavista Bay also was compared with the species and size composition of the nearshore fish community, as determined by concurrent beach-seine sampling. Diets were qualitatively similar but quantitatively different between bays. Otters consumed proportionally more cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) and stickleback (Gasterosteidae) in Placentia Bay, and more sculpin (Cottidae) and cod (Gadus) in Bonavista Bay. Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) was important in both bays, based on biomass, because individual fish in the diet were large. Fish-community composition in Bonavista Bay varied seasonally, a pattern that was not reflected in the diet, suggesting active selection of fish prey by otters. Slow-swimming fish (sculpin, flounder, and ocean pout [Macrozoarces americanus]/rock gunnel [Pholis gunnellus]) were overrepresented in the diet, and fast-swimming species (cod and hake [Urophycis]) were underrepresented. Otters also selected larger individuals within taxa. The lower limits at which size classes were incorporated into diet varied across fish species, and may reflect species differences in detectability by otters due to camouflage and behavior.
Response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to planting pattern and population density in a desert climate

SUMMARY The effects of three planting patterns (ridge, furrow and flat) and three population densities (31800, 47600 and 71400 plants/ha) on the growth and yield of three sunflower hybrids, Flamme, Upsolveraflor and Isostar, were investigated at the Sultan Qaboos University Experiment Station, 1990–93. Seed and oil yields were higher in the ridge-planted sunflower than those planted in furrow or flat patterns, the order being ridge > flat > furrow. However, the magnitude of yield differences between ridge-planted and flat-planted sunflower was not sufficiently high to compensate for the additional labour and materials required for making ridges. Based on this, planting in the flat was recommended. Although increased population density resulted in taller plants, lodging was generally low and did not constitute a serious problem. Biomass/plant, head weight, receptacle weight, head diameter, number of seeds/head and 1000-seed weight decreased with increase in plant population density. Flamme had its highest seed and oil yield at 71400 plants/ha, while Isostar attained its highest yield at 47600 plants/ha. Isostar outyielded the other two hybrids and appeared to have a potential for commercial production in a desert climate.
Spatial Distribution of Scale Insects: Comparative Study Using Taylor's Power Law

Spatial distribution (quantified by Taylor's power law) and population densities of three scale insect species (Homoptera : Coccoidea) were investigated. The olive scale, Parlatoha oleae (Colvee), was studied on young and old twigs, and on the spurs of apple trees. The Israeli pine bast scale, Matsucoccus josephi Bodenheimer et Harpaz, was studied on the stem, branches, and crown of Pinus halepensis Miller. The effect of fruit phenology on the spatial distribution of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso), was studied on grapefruit trees. The highest density of the olive scale was registered in the spurs, whereas the Israeli pine bast scale was more abundant on the stem. The citrus mealybug was more abundant during October. There was no effect of the host section or phenology on the within-species distribution of the three scales, supporting previous claims that the species level of aggregation is a species constant. The species index of aggregation for the three scale insects was 1.3 for the olive scale, 1.9 for the bast scale, and 1.6 for the citrus mealybug. It is suggested that the observed spatial patterns are the result of the intrinsic behavior of the scales (e.g., thigmotaxis and negative phototaxis during crawlers dispersal), the morphological characteristics of the host-plant tissue, and the differential activity of natural enemies. The relatively low level of aggregation of the olive scale is probably related to the activity of an efficient natural enemy, a factor which is negligible in the other two scale species.
Ammonia excretion by Nassarius reticulatus and Buccinum undatum (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) during starvation and after feeding

The rate of excretion of ammonia by Nassarius decreases progressively during starvation. Both Nassarius and Buccinum exhibit a transient peak of ammonia excretion some 16–48 h after a meal. In Nassarius the length of the delay between feeding and maximum ammonia excretion depends on the duration of prior starvation.
Re-Evaluation of Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of Laying Hens for Optimum Performance and Eggshell Quality

Abstract A long-term experiment was conducted to re-evaluate the Ca and available P (AP) requirements of laying hens for optimum performance and eggshell quality. The experiment lasted from 20 to 64 wk of age and was divided into three phases: Phase 1, 20 to 36 wk of age; Phase 2, 36 to 54 wk of age; and Phase 3, 52 to 64 wk of age. The treatments (T) consisted of diets with 3.5 to 5.5% Ca in increments of . 5% and a constant level of AP (.4%) (T1 to T5); a step-up Ca phase feeding regimen of 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5% with a constant level of AP (.4%) (T6); a step-down AP phase feeding regimen of . 4, . 3, and . 2% with a constant level of Ca (3.5%) (T7); a concurrent step-up Ca phase feeding and step-down AP phase feeding regimen with or without substitution of 50% oyster shell for pulverized limestone (T8 and T9); and a regimen similar to T9 with a step-up cholecalciferol phase feeding of 2,200, 4,400, and 8,800 ICU/kg (T10). Increasing the dietary level of Ca did not have any beneficial effects on shell quality, indicating that the National Research Council (1984) estimated requirement of 3.75 g Ca per hen per day is adequate for optimum shell formation. A step-up Ca phase feeding regimen, a step-down AP phase feeding regimen, or their combination, were without effect on shell quality. Also, increasing the dietary level of cholecalciferol with the hen's age did not have any beneficial effects on shell quality. The presence of oyster shell had a beneficial effect on shell quality during Phases 2 and 3 even when diets contained generous levels of Ca. Percentage retention of Ca was reduced and absolute retention of Ca remained constant with an increase in the dietary level of Ca in each phase of the experiment. Plasma and bone Ca levels were not influenced by dietary treatments in each phase of the experiment. Bone ash was not different among treatments in Phases 1 and 2 of the experiment. In Phase 3, bone ash of hens fed a step-down AP regimen of . 4 to . 3 to . 2% with a constant level of Ca (3.5%) was significantly lower than hens fed the other dietary treatments. Egg production was not influenced by dietary treatments.
Allometry of Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana along a topographic gradient in the Chihuahuan desert

Abstract The allometric relationships of trees in temperate and tropical forests are relatively well known, but not those of woody shrubs or transitional (shrub/tree) life forms. We explored the transition of Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana from tree to shrub along a semi-arid topographic sequence comprising of six landforms (hillslope, footslope, upper and lower bajada, playa and dune) with varying soil texture and water availability. In each landform, we measured P. glandulosa shoot pre-dawn water potentials (Ψ) in one ‘dry’ and one ‘wet’ year. We also measured plant height, widest basal stem diameter, crown area and number of basal branches. Total basal stem area was calculated. We used simple (Model II linear regression) and expanded (incorporating an asymptote to height or crown area) allometry models to compare height with widest basal stem diameter and crown area with total basal stem area. There were significant correlations between maximum plant size and inter-year Ψ means suggesting that soil water availability decreased down the topographical sequence. The height asymptote was statistically significant in all landforms and lower toward finer-textured soils. On the other hand, crown area was a linear function of total basal stem area and was also site specific. Our results suggest that more basal branches are produced as plant height decreases in more stressful environments, effectively increasing crown area with a minimum investment in supporting tissues. The polymorphic characteristics of Prosopis may partly explain their occurrence in many arid and semi-arid environments. Nomenclature: Correll & Johnston (1970); for families: Anon. (1998).
Comparative Efficacy of Pyrazosulfuron Ethyl and Bentazon with Acetamides for Weed Control in Transplanted BoroRice (Oryza sativa L.) in the Lower Gangetic Plain Zone of West Bengal, India

The efficacy of sulfonyl urea herbicide like pyrazosulfuron ethyl, benzothiadiazinone like bentazon alone and its combination with MCPA, clefoxydim and quinclorac were studied in comparison to traditional acetamides like butachlor and pretilachlor under field condition in transplanted boro rice. The dominating weed species in the experimental site were grasses like Echinochloa crusgalli, Paspalum distichum, sedges like Cyperus iria, Fimbristylis miliacea and broad leaved weeds like Ammania baccifera and Ludwigia parviflora. The herbicidal treatments were significantly superior to weedy check. There was 32.97% reduction in the grain yield of rice due to competition with weeds in the weedy plots. The pyrazosulfuron ethyl @ 30 g a.i. ha−1 applied as pre-emergence, with an weed control efficiency of 71.78%, was found to be the most effective in controlling predominant weeds, in comparison to acetamide and benzothiadiazinone herbicides. In terms of profitability, application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl @ 20 g a.i. ha−1 gave the highest gross and net return than other weed control treatments.
Effect of Mineralized Solid Palm Fat and Feeding Pattern on Ruminal Ecology and Digestibility of Nutrients in Dairy Steers Fed on Urea-Treated Rice Straw

Four, rumen fistulated crossbred dairy steers were randomly assigned according to a 2 x 2 Factorial arrangement in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of feeding pattern and supplementation of mineralized solid palm fat (MSPF) on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation and ruminal microbial protein synthesis. The dietary treatments were as follows: T1 = feeding with roughage and followed by concentrate after 4 h (FRC); T2 = feeding with roughage and followed by concentrate after 4 h with mineralized solid palm fat (FRC+MSPF); T3 = total mixed ration (TMR); T4 = total mixed ration with mineralized solid palm fat (TMR+MSPF), respectivity. The animals were offered urea-treated rice straw as a roughage source. Results revealed that feed-intake, digestibility of nutrients and volatile fatty acids in the rumen were similar among all treatments. As for ruminal pH and urinary purine derivatives they were significantly different among treatments and were higher in animals with roughage feeding and followed by concentrate after 4 h than with TMR diets; however, supplementation of MSPF were not significantly different among treatments. In addition, supplementation of MSPF resulted in reducing protozoal population while population of ruminal bacteria and fungal zoospores were enhanced. In conclusion, the combined use of feeding with roughage and followed by concentrate after 4 h with MSPF could improve rumen pH, microbial protein synthesis but reduced protozoal population in dairy steers.
Morphometrics in the quantification of character state identity for the assessment of primary homology: an analysis of character variation of the genus Artibeus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

The recognition of transformed homologues entails an evaluation of similarity of features among taxa and then an assessment of homology by character congruence. We approached the similarity test of character state identity with morphometric analyses of character variation to judge whether all variants from a taxonomic sample belong to the same phylogenetic state (taxic homology) or whether some variants are sufficiently different to recognize them as different states (transformational homology). This method seeks to recognize as many character states as the groups of taxon means that are revealed by an analysis of variance followed by a multiple range test. We exemplify this quantitative approach with an analysis of character variation for a phylogenetic study of eight Artibeus species and two outgroups. All 23 features analysed are taxonomically useful because at least two states could be defined. We argue that statistical tests are a consistent and non-arbitrary procedure for the similarity test in the assessment of character states when hypothesizing primary homologies. Cladistic analyses and descriptive indices of historical signals of previous molecular and morphological data, combined with our morphometric data, showed that morphometric characters contain cladistic structure and they are phylogeneticaly useful. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 80, 45–55.
Population, distribution, habitat use and breeding of Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi in Myanmar and Thailand

Summary Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi was not seen in the wild for over 30 years before its rediscovery in a small area in southern Thailand in 1986. In 2003, it was found over a much larger area in southern Myanmar (Burma) after an even longer absence of records. This paper reports the results of recent research on both populations. In Myanmar, birds were found in a high proportion of visited sites, including sites up to 40 km further north than any previous records in the country. Occupied forest sites had a higher density of seedlings, saplings, bamboo and rattan than unoccupied forest sites, suggesting a preference for regenerating forest. There was no evidence of a decline in the species's likelihood of occurrence up to at least the highest visited altitude of 230 m. Maximum entropy models suggested a potential range size of between 3,200 and 5,800 km2 and the predicted range extended just over the border into Thailand, suggesting that birds might persist there. Population estimates for southern Myanmar ranged from 9,300 to 35,000 territories, with a mid-point estimate of 20,000 territories, based upon range sizes modelled from different parameters and a range of territory densities estimated from Thailand. The population in southern Thailand was estimated at between 15 and 20 territories in 2003, 2005 and 2007, and there was a reduction in the historic rate of forest loss in the core range over the same period, suggesting that long-term declines have been at least temporarily contained by recent conservation intervention. However, nesting success in Thailand was very low, due to heavy nest predation by cat snakes Boiga. Nests were usually built close to waterlogged areas and damp gullies, and nestlings were fed almost exclusively on earthworms. Occupied sites in Thailand had a higher density of seedlings, saplings, spiny palms and rattans, but sparser ground cover and a lower density of large trees and bamboo, than forests in Myanmar, indicating their secondary nature. Occupied and unoccupied sites in Myanmar were structurally more similar to each other than either was to occupied sites in Thailand. The results suggest that the species might inhabit a wider range of altitudes, slopes and forest types than previously thought, and so might persist in previously unsurveyed areas and might survive or even benefit from a degree of forest disturbance. However, the species's conservation-dependent status in Thailand and accelerating forest clearance in Myanmar suggest that forest protection measures are urgently needed to secure its long-term future.