Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FUNGAL POPULATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN CUT BEECH LOGS: III. SPATIAL DYNAMICS, INTERACTIONS AND STRATEGIES.

The spatial development, in beech logs exposed to air-borne and soil-borne inoculum, of mature fungal communities containing mutually or unilaterally exclusive mycelia of decay species is described and related to the ecological strategies and interaction of participant individuals. A combative heirarchy is recognized between (i) ruderal and/or stress-tolerant individuals which are spatially dominant early on and then decline, through (ii) air-borne combative individuals of decay fungi, such as Coriolus versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quél. and Stereum hirsutum (Willd. ex Fr.) S. F. Gray, which establish mutually exclusive decay columns expanding away from the aerial cut surface, and culminating with (iii) highly combative individuals of mycelial cord-formers such as Phallus impudicus (L.) Pers. and Phanerochaete velutina (DC ex Pers.) Parmasto, which invade slowly from the base, ultimately occuping large volumes of wood, causing intense decay, and replacing many of the pioneers. Addition of basidiospore suspensions of Bjerkandera adusta (Willd. ex Fr.) Karst. , C, versicolor, Hypholoma fasciculare (Huds. ex Fr.) Kummer or S. hirsutum to the aerial cut surface appeared to affect community dynamics and functioning markedly. Development of decay columns by air-borne fungi was inhibited and associated with enhanced vertical penetration by basally-colonizing fungi, and persistence of the relatively non-combative species Xylaria hypoxylon (L. ex Hooker) Greville and Armillaria bulbosa. (Barla) Kile & Watling. Re-cutting of the aerial cut surface resulted in community development patterns somewhat intermediate between those in naturally colonized and inoculated logs.
Foraging Behaviour and Resource Selection of the Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia in Northern New South Wales

Summary Foraging observations of the endangered Regent Honeyeater show that it has a more generalised diet, and is less nectar-dependent, than previously suggested. On average, birds spent 60% of their foraging time feeding on nectar from the flowers of Mugga Ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon, other eucalypts and three mistletoe species. Gleaning for lerp and hawking for insects comprised 35% and 5% of their foraging time, respectively. When nectar was scarce, however, Regent Honeyeaters spent up to 90% of their foraging time feeding on lerp, honeydew and insects. A variety of different foods were collected from a broad range of tree and mistletoe species. Mugga Ironbarks were the most important foraging plants, with 31 other species also used for food. Regent Honeyeaters, typically, feed in the tallest trees in their environment; hence, adequate protection should be given to mature trees. Regent Honeyeaters showed significant variation in their foraging patterns between years, and at different times of the day. Breeding birds spent a greater proportion of their foraging time collecting nectar in 1996 than 1995, due to a higher eucalypt nectar availability in 1996. In both years nectar-feeding was highest in the morning and late afternoon and lowest in the middle of the day, when insect and lerp consumption peaked. The degree of flexibility in the foraging repertoire of the Regent Honeyeater is not unusual among Australian honeyeaters, although it indicates that different types of food and a broad range of plants, particularly mature eucalypts, have to be protected and properly managed to save this declining woodland bird.
Patterns of Genetic Diversity in the Globally Invasive Species Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Wild parsnip is an invasive species with a global distribution in temperate climates. Parsnips are native to Eurasia and have been cultivated for more than five centuries. It is unclear whether the global invasion of this species is a consequence of escape from cultivation or the accidental introduction of a Eurasian wild subspecies. In this study, we used nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers to evaluate the genetic structure of wild parsnip in its native range (Europe) and in three distinct geographic regions where it is considered invasive: eastern North America, western North America, and New Zealand. We also compared wild and cultivated parsnips to determine whether they are genetically distinct. From 112 individuals, we recovered 14 ITS and 27 cpDNA haplotypes. One ITS haplotype was widespread; few haplotypes were rare singletons. In contrast, at least two lineages of cpDNA haplotypes were recovered, with several novel haplotypes restricted to Europe. Cultivated parsnips were not genetically distinct from wild parsnips, and numerous wild parsnip populations shared haplotypes with cultivars. High genetic diversity was recovered in all three regions, suggesting multiple introductions. Nomenclature: Wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa L. PASA2. Management Implications: The availability of molecular data and advances in population genetic analysis have made it possible to estimate the patterns of species migrations with considerable precision. Findings from historical colonization and dispersal studies can shed light on human-mediated transport of biological materials and provide a broad understanding of how humans may have contributed to the introduction and spread of an invasive species. Evidence obtained in this study indicates that escape from cultivation led to the globalization of wild parsnips and introduced populations have high genetic diversity. Increased levels of diversity in invasive populations can act as a primer for rapid adaptive evolution of this noxious invasive species. Future studies with increased sampling and additional loci have the potential to elucidate specific patterns of colonization and admixture in this agriculturally entwined invasive plant and may serve as a model for investigating the natural and agricultural history of plant species that exist in wild, cultivated, and feral forms.
Correlation of Online Physician Rating Subscores and Association With Overall Satisfaction: Observational Study of 212,933 Providers

Background Online physician rating websites commonly ask consumers to rate providers across multiple physician-based (eg, spending sufficient time, listening) and office-based (eg, appointment scheduling, friendliness) subdimensions of care in addition to overall satisfaction. However, it is unclear if consumers can differentiate between the various rated subdimensions of physicians. It is also unclear how each subdimension is related to overall satisfaction. Objective The objectives of our study were to determine the correlation of physician-based and office-based subdimensions of care and the association of each with overall satisfaction. Methods We sampled 212,933 providers from the Healthgrades website and calculated average provider metrics for overall satisfaction (likelihood to recommend doctor), physician-based subdimensions (trust in physician, ability to explain, ability to listen and answer questions, and spending adequate time), and office-based subdimensions (ease of scheduling, office environment, staff friendliness, and wait time). We used Spearman rank correlation to assess correlation between subdimension ratings. Factor analysis was used to identify potential latent factors predicting overall satisfaction. Univariate and multivariable linear regression were performed to assess the effect of physician and office-based factors on overall satisfaction. Results Physician-based metrics were highly correlated with each other (r=.95 to .98, P<.001), as were office-based metrics (r=.84 to .88, P<.001). Correlations between physician-based and office-based ratings were less robust (r=.79 to .81, P<.001). Factor analysis identified two factors, clearly distinguishing between physician-based metrics (factor loading = 0.84 to 0.88) and office-based metrics (factor loading = 0.76 to 0.84). In multivariable linear regression analysis, the composite factor representing physician-based metrics (0.65, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.65) was more strongly associated with overall satisfaction than the factor representing office-based metrics (0.42, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.42). These factors eclipsed other demographic variables in predicting overall satisfaction. Conclusions Consumers do not differentiate between commonly assessed subdimensions of physician-based care or subdimensions of office-based care, but composite factors representing these broader categories are associated with overall satisfaction. These findings argue for a simpler ratings system based on two metrics: one addressing physician-based aspects of care and another addressing office-based aspects of care.
Genetic and environmental influences on size of first litter in sheep, estimated by the REML method.

Fixed effects of age at first litter and of season of lambing as well as variance components for additive genetic, flock × year and sire of litter effects on size of first litter were estimated for an animal model by a derivative-free REML procedure. Data of the four Swiss sheep breeds White Alpine (WAS), Brown-headed Meat (BFS), Black-Brown Mountain (SBS) and Valais Black Nose (SN) were available. Number of first litters used were 21 384, 21 607, 15 013, 12 394 and 18 110 the WAS (two data sets, WAS1, WAS2), BFS, SBS and SN, respectively. Litter size of ewes lambing the first time at 2 years of age was 0.27, 0.31, 0.41, 0.46 and 0.26 lambs larger than of ewes lambing the first time at 1 year of age. The largest increase occurred for the two breeds (BFS, SBS) with the lowest average age at first litter. The largest difference between any two lambing seasons within breed were 0.16, 0.16, 0.29, 0.22 and 0.07 lambs. Estimates of additive genetic variance of size of first litter were between 0.0269 (SN) and 0.0765 (SBS). Heritability estimates for this trait were 0.171, 0.156, 0.114, 0.225 and 0.122 for WAS1, WAS2, BFS, SBS and SN, respectively. A large flock × year component (relative to phenotypic variance) of 0.148 was found for SN, compared with estimates between 0.042 and 0.067 for the other breeds. A sire of litter component (relative to phenotypic variance) of 0.066 was found for SN, compared with estimates between 0.016 and 0.039 for the other breeds. It can be concluded that all nongenetic effects investigated should be taken into account for the estimation of additive genetic variance and breeding values for size of first litter, and that considerable variation in size of genetic and nongenetic effects exists in the sheep breeds under consideration.
A 50-year hydro-climatological assessment of climatic modes over the world’s major mountain ranges

The observed climate response and variability that has occurred over the five decades since 1960 of 13 largest global mountain regimes (i.e. the European Alps, Anatolia, Andes, Applach, Atlas, Australian, Brooks, Ethiopian, Himalaya, Kolyma, Rocky, Pyrenees, and Scandinavian) to climate variability. This study covers the period 1960-2013, with a particular emphasis on changes in air temperature and precipitation conditions and their joint modes. Results demonstrate that mountains of high-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere (e.g. Brooks, Kolyma, and Scandenavia) experienced the largest trends of air temperature (0.24 0.45° C/decade). In contrast, changes in air temperature in mountains of the Southern Hemisphere (e.g. Australian and most of the Andes) and the subtropics (e.g. Ethiopian mountains) were generally weaker than those of the midand highlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Notably, temperature changes were stronger in lowand mid-elevation regions (e.g. Alps, Pyrenees, Brooks, and Kolyma), compared to the most elevated regions (e.g. Himalaya and Andes). Precipitation exhibited heterogeneous changes, with pronounced decrease over the Alps, Pyrenean and Ethiopian mountains and conversely significant increase across the northern high-latitudes mountains (e.g. Scandinavian and Applach). Factor analysis was also used to identify common patterns of interannual variability among all mountain systems. Results suggest three components with distinctive temporal evolution that explain together 72.72% of air temperature variability. In contrast, the temporal evolution of annual precipitation was more heterogeneous, with six components accounting for 68.59% of precipitation variability. This study also accounted for the possible joint changes in air temperature and precipitation by assessing changes in four different climatic modes (i.e. warm and wet [WW], warm and dry [WD], cold and wet [CW] and cold and dry [CD]), Changes in air temperature, precipitation and their joint modes were further linked to a range of the key circulation patterns over the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, e.g. the Atlantic Meridional Mode [AMO], the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation [AMO], the Arctic Oscillation [AO], the Multivariate ENSO Index [MEI], and the North Atlantic Oscillation [NAO]. Results of this work can advances our knowledge of the role of climate variability and change in mountain environments, giving insights into their possible ramifications for different environmental and socioeconomic sectors (e.g. freshwater supply, hydropower generation, biodiversity conservation, .etc). [Bul. Soc. Géog. d’Égypte, 2019, 92: 1-39]
Evaluating the ecological effects of Mediterranean marine protected areas: habitat, scale and the natural variability of ecosystems

The capability to detect and predict the responses of marine populations and communities to the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) depends on the ability to distinguish between the influences of management and natural variability due to the effects of factors other than protection. Thus, it is important to understand and quantify the magnitude and range of this natural variability at each scale of observation. Here we review the scale of responses of target populations and communities to protection within Mediterranean MPAs, against their ‘normal’ spatio-temporal heterogeneity, and compare those with documented cases from other temperate and tropical marine ecosystems. Additionally, we approach the problem of the relative importance of habitat structure, considered as a set of biological and physical elements of the seascape hierarchically arranged in space at multiple scales, to drive natural variability. We conclude that much more effort has to be made to characterize heterogeneity in relation to Mediterranean MPAs, and to quantify and explain relationships between target species and their habitats as sources of such variability. These studies should be based on sound sampling designs, which (1) generate long-term data sets, and would ideally (2) be based on a Mediterranean-wide comparison of a number of protected and unprotected localities, (3) be designed from a multi-scaled perspective, and (4) control for factors other than protection, in order to avoid their confounding effects. The need for appropriate spatial and temporal replication, nested designs and power analysis is advocated.
A model-based appraisal of habitat conditions for grizzly bears in the Cabinet–Yaak region of Montana and Idaho

Abstract We used a broad-scale model based on observations of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) or their sign, calibrated to reported putative death rate, to appraise current habitat conditions in the Cabinet–Yaak region of Montana. Habitat capability (i.e., potential grizzly bear densities) and regional human population sizes had the greatest effects in this model. We predicted the effects of (1) human population increases (+150% anticipated by 2023), (2) changes in lethality of humans (i.e., the probability that a human would kill a bear given an encounter), and (3) differences in the ratio of unknown to known bear deaths on the extent and location of potential source areas. We predicted densities of 1.0 and 2.1 grizzly bears/100 km2 with and without human impacts, respectively. Under our baseline scenario (3% sustainable mortality and 1:1 ratio of unknown to known bear deaths), we predicted that 2 source areas totaling 9,156 km2 and potentially supporting 123 bears occurred in our study area. With projected human population increases, potential source areas and bear populations declined by 33% and 45%, respectively. A spatially uniform increase of 1% in annual death rate (as a surrogate for increased human lethality) reduced potential source areas and bear numbers by 41% and 36%. Source areas and bear numbers declined by 39% and 34% if the ratio of unknown to known grizzly bear deaths was 2:1 versus 1:1. We obtained the best match with current population estimates (about 35 bears) assuming a 2:1 ratio of unknown to known deaths and a very low sustainable death rate of 2%. This implies either high levels of illegal human-caused mortality and low birth and recruitment rates or a population smaller than currently estimated. We conclude that human numbers and human lethality will likely govern the fate of grizzly bears in this region.
A New Polyacetylenic Alcohol in Fistulina Hepatica: Progress Towards the Identification of Acetylenases in Basidiomycetes

A NEW POLYACETYLENIC ALCOHOL IN FISTULINA HEPATICA: PROGRESS TOWARDS THE IDENTIFICATION OF ACETYLENASES IN BASIDIOMYCETES by Errol A. Huffman, Sr. Cultures of the basidiomycete Fistulina hepatica have been studied to determine the times of appearance of acetylenic natural products. A triacetylenic alcohol has been isolated from the ethereal extract of mycelial cultures of F. hepatica. On the basis of spectroscopic data, its structure was determined to be cis-3-tridecene-5,7,9-triyne-1,11diol. The structure has also been determined for an unsaturated fatty acid, which accumulates when a parsley desaturase is expressed in soybeans. The compound, identified as (14Z)-dehydrocrepenynic acid by NMR and mass spectral data, is believed to be a widely used intermediate in the crepenynate pathway to polyacetylene production in plants and, presumably, fungi. A yeast expression system capable of overexpressing FAD2-type desaturases that may be involved in the biosynthesis of acetylenic natural products was optimized with respect to growth conditions and host cell strain. This system may be suitable for the expression of fungal acetylenases from F. hepatica. A NEW POLYACETYLENIC ALCOHOL IN FISTULINA HEPATICA: PROGRESS TOWARDS THE IDENTIFICATION OF ACETYLENASES IN BASIDIOMYCETES
Feeding behavior of crossbred steers fed diets containing babassu mesocarp meal and corn in kernels or ground

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the use of babassu mesocarp meal (BMM) and corn in different physical forms on the feeding behavior of crossbred young bulls of a dairy breed. Twenty-four crossbred (Nellore vs. Holstein) steers (307.35 kg) were fed four experimental diets containing two levels of inclusion of the babassu mesocarp meal (0 and 412.4 g/kg) and corn in two physical forms (kernels or ground) for 98 days. Data was collected on three days during the finishing phase, with observations every five minutes, for 24 hours. When the activities performed by the animals were evaluated as a function of the period of the day, the physical form of the corn showed interaction with the BMM inclusion level on the time spent feeding and on other activities. When the activities were evaluated over the day, the defecation frequency was affected and decreased as BMM was included. The feeding time was longer at the moments that followed feed supply, whereas the time used for other activities increased during the morning period, regardless of the diet utilized. Rumination and idle times were affected by the period of the day and remained high during the night and morning periods. There was increase in feeding time and dry matter rumination efficiencies and neutral detergent fiber as BMM was added to the diet. The number of rumination chews per bolus, however, decreased as BMB was included. Inclusion of babassu mesocarp meal increases the animal feeding time but the physical form of corn does not change its feeding behavior.
Metabolic Profiles of Microorganisms Associated with the Halophyte Salicornia europaea in Soils with Different Levels of Salinity

Abstract: Plants have evolved a wide range of adaptation mechanisms that enable them to grow and develop in environments of high soil salinity. We examine the plant—microbial interactions of Salicornia europaea (Herbaceae) as potential mechanisms responsible for the high tolerance of halophytes to saline conditions. We evaluated the impact of different NaCl concentrations on microorganisms associated with S. europaea growing at 2 saline sites in central Poland: a salty meadow in the vicinity of a soda factory (anthropogenic salinity) and an area affected by natural brine (landscape park). The community-level physiological profiles of microorganisms associated with the plant were determined for endophytes from the roots, rhizosphere, and salt-affected soil. The highest total microbial metabolic activity, irrespective of the test site, was always in the rhizosphere, while the activity of endophytic and soil populations depended on salinity. In general, a higher total metabolic activity was observed at the test site exhibiting higher salt concentration. We propose that increased metabolic activity of microbial populations under increased salt stress can significantly contribute to the site adaptation of halophytes to saline conditions.
Release Mortality of Undersized Fish from the Snapper–Grouper Complex off the North Carolina Coast

Abstract Red porgy Pagrus pagrus, scamps Mycteroperca phenax, and gags M. microlepis support valuable recreational and commercial fisheries in North Carolina. Fish in the snapper–grouper complex are managed to prevent overfishing and maintain a stable spawning stock. We investigated postrelease mortality of 263 undersized red porgy, scamps, and gags that were captured by angling and subjected to short-term (2 h) and long-term (48 h) holding experiments. Fish were caught at depths ranging from 15 to 45 m using traditional bottom-fishing hook-and-line gear. Catch per unit effort ranged from 0.11 to 1.80 fish/rod-hour (FRH) for sublegal-sized fish and from 0.06 to 0.50 FRH for legal-sized fish. Nontarget species predominated in the catch (N = 1,135), but the red porgy was the most frequently caught individual species (N = 196). The effects of short-term (2-h) holding within species were similar between fish held in different locations (oxygenated live well or cage anchored to the seafloor); mortality did not.
Determination of intraspecific nuclear DNA content variation in common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) lines and cultivars based on two distinct internal reference standards

The 2C nuclear DNA contents of 40 common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) lines and cultivars were determined by using both safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as internal reference standards in flow cytometry analysis and correlated with plant morphological characters and 1000-seed weight. The t-test results showed a significant difference between the mean DNA values of the barley and safflower standards (t = -16.74, P = 0.0001). Data analysis also indicated significant (P < 0.01) intraspecific nuclear DNA content variation within the common vetch lines and cultivars for both internal standards used. The DNA content values ranged from 3.342 pg to 3.652 pg and from 3.600 pg to 4.002 pg for the internal standards of safflower and barley, respectively. The DNA differences within the internal standards were 0.310 pg and 0.402 pg for safflower and barley, respectively. The internal standard of barley constantly produced higher DNA content values than the values of safflower standard for all vetch lines and cultivars. Nuclear DNA content differences between 2 internal standards for the same plant material reached as high as 15.59% (0.540 pg), which is equivalent to 528.12 Mbp DNA. No significant correlations between 1000-seed weight and the nuclear DNA contents of barley (P < 0.51) or safflower (P < 0.76) were detected.