Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENETIC MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR CAPTIVE PROPAGATION OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS (UNIONOIDEA)

Abstract Although the greatest global diversity of freshwater mussels (~300 species) resides in the United States, the superfamily Unionoidea is also the most imperiled taxon of animals in the nation. Thirty-five species are considered extinct, 70 species are listed as endangered or threatened, and approximately 100 more are species of conservation concern. To prevent additional species losses, biologists have developed methods for propagating juvenile mussels for release into the wild to restore or augment populations. Since 1997, mussel propagation facilities in the United States have released over 1 million juveniles of more than a dozen imperiled species, and survival of these juveniles in the wild has been documented. With the expectation of continued growth of these programs, agencies and facilities involved with mussel propagation must seriously consider the genetic implications of releasing captive-reared progeny. We propose 10 guidelines to help maintain the genetic resources of cultured and wild populations. Preservation of genetic diversity will require robust genetic analysis of source populations to define conservation units for valid species, subspecies, and unique populations. Hatchery protocols must be implemented that minimize risks of artificial selection and other genetic hazards affecting adaptive traits of progeny subsequently released to the wild. We advocate a pragmatic, adaptive approach to species recovery that incorporates the principles of conservation genetics into breeding programs, and prioritizes the immediate demographic needs of critically endangered mussel species.
Protein and Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Anchovy Meal Produced in Turkey

The aim of this research was to determine the fatty acid composition and lipid and protein levels of anchovy meal produced during the commercial fishing period. The protein content was 74.69%, 76.17% and 74.40% in November, December and January, respectively. The lipid content ranged from 8.57% to 9.14% for anchovy meal produced during the fishing season. The total saturated fatty acid content was 33.25%, 33.46%, and 33.61% in November, December and January, respectively. Within the saturated fraction, the major fatty acid was palmitic acid (C16:0), the content of which was 20.30%, 19.96% and 20.66%, respectively. The monounsaturated fatty acid contents ranged from 20.23% to 21.62%. Concerning the monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid (C18:1n-9) was present in larger percentages (12.29% to 13.44%) than the others. Among polyunsaturated fatty acids the largest concentration was for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), varying from 17.44% to 19.16%. The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) content, which is another important fatty acid, was between 7.52% and 8.36%. The concentrations of n-3 PUFA (27.04%-27.95%) of anchovy meal were higher than those of n-6 PUFA (4.14%-4.95%). The ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids of anchovy meal was 5.47 in November, 6.17 in December, and 6.75 in January.
Low microzooplankton grazing rates in the Arctic Ocean during a Phaeocystis pouchetii bloom (Summer 2007): fact or artifact of the dilution technique?

We studied the structure and dynamics of the microbial community of Arctic waters during July 2007 using a microzooplankton grazing dilution approach. The sampling covered a latitudinal transect along the East Greenland Sea, and a series of stations in the high Arctic (up to 80°50'N), west and north of the Svalbard Islands. A main feature of the area was the presence of Phaeocystis pouchetii, which formed dense blooms. Despite the considerable biomass of microzooplankton (mostly large ciliates and dinoflagellates), their grazing impact on phytoplankton, assessed as total chlorophyll a, was significant in only 6 out of 16 experiments, which resulted in 8% of the standing stock being consumed on average. Overall, phytoplankton instantaneous growth rates were very low and even negative at times (range: —0.24 to 0.14; average: —0.04 for total chlorophyll), which could not be attributed to nutrient limitation nor the estimated microzooplankton grazing. We present three non-exclusive explanations for this fact: (i) we were facing a senescent community in which many organisms were dying either as a result of virus infections or for other natural causes, as corroborated by parallel estimates of natural cell mortality using membrane permeability probes; (ii) the widespread and abundant P. pouchetii was probably deterring grazing and adversely affecting the entire planktonic community at the time of the study; and (iii) the dilution technique failed to give a real estimate of grazing (i.e. either non- significant or positive slopes), likely as a consequence of trophic cascades (decline of major grazers in the more concentrated treatments) combined with saturated-feeding responses. This last point calls for special attention when intending to use the dilution technique in productive environments, where grazing may be saturated.
Effect of selected pesticides on soil microflora involved in organic matter and nitrogen transformations: pot experiment

The response of soil microflora to increasing concentration of three pesticide preparations containing diazinon (insecticide), linuron (herbicide) and mancozeb + dimetho- morph (fungicide) as an active substances, was determined under laboratory conditions. All pes- ticides were applied at three different dosages, i.e. 7, 35 and 700 mg kg -1 soil for the insecticide, 4, 20 i 400 mg kg -1 soil for the herbicide and 15, 75 and 1500 mg kg -1 soil for the fungicide mixture. The lowest dosages corresponded to the maximum predicted environmental concentration (PEC) of pesticides applied in field conditions, while the other dosages were the multiplicities of PEC. Af- ter 1, 14 and 28 days of experiment the numbers of heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and bacteria in- volved in nitrogen transformation (nitrifying, de- nitrifying and N 2 -fixing bacteria) was estimated. The numbers of colony forming units (CFU) of respective groups of microorganisms were deter- mined on selective media by means of the serial dilution technique and the spread plate method. The plate-count data indicated that pesticide used affected the numbers of tested microbial groups. All chemicals stimulated the numbers of hetero- trophic bacteria and fungi at the higher dosages. However, the reverse effect was detected at the beginning of the experiment. In turn, bacteria involved in nitrogen turnover, particularly N 2 - fixing and nitrifying bacteria, were the most sen- sitive to the tested pesticides and their numbers were significantly reduced on each time-point. This great susceptibility of these physiological groups of microorganisms predispose them to be warning biomarkers for the side-effects of envi- ronmental pollution caused by chemicals.
Water use efficiency and accumulation of trace elements in spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) irrigated with municipal wastewater

The use of wastewater for irrigation is on the rise in developing countries like Pakistan, because of scarcity of good-quality irrigation water. Wastewaters contain plant nutrients that favor crop growth but leave a burden of heavy metals, which can enter the food chain, causing great concern. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of surface and subsurface wastewater irrigations on water use efficiency (WUE) and accumulation of trace elements (TE) in the shoots of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown on a soil column. Wastewater was applied at two levels based on daily pan evaporation (PE) (that is, 50 and 100%). Subsurface wastewater irrigation increased plant growth and WUE better than surface irrigation. Irrigation at 100% PE apparently reduced the WUE. However, WUE was enhanced by subsurface irrigation. Higher concentrations of TE were found in plants irrigated with 100% PE whether under surface or subsurface irrigation. Surface irrigation accumulated more TE in plants than subsurface irrigation. Slightly enhanced accumulation of TE was observed in the 2nd layer (30 to 60 cm) of the soil column under 100% surface irrigation. Subsurface irrigation gave higher concentrations of TE in the lower zone of the soil. Lower moisture was found in the top soil under both irrigation systems, but the middle soil layer had the highest electrical conductivity (EC). Irrigation with 100% PE increased EC more than 50% PE irrigation water. Surface irrigation with wastewater produced slightly greater pH than subsurface irrigation.
Budginmaya eulae gen. et sp. nov., a myrmecophilous planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) from Western Australia

Budginmaya eulae gen. et sp. nov. is described from the nest of aCamponotus terebrans (Lowne) ant from Western Australia. The species shows adaptations for subterranean life, including reduction in the tegmina, wings and eyes and increased hairiness around the head, body, tegmina and legs. This is the first record of an Australian planthopper (Fulgoromorpha) cohabiting with ants and the first record of an inquiline species in the family Flatidae. Furthermore, this flatid is most likely a short-range endemic species currently restricted to Bandalup Hill.
Contrasting leaf trait scaling relationships in tropical and temperate wet forest species

Summary 1. We investigated whether plants adapted to thermally contrasting environments (e.g. tropical-temperate habitats) exhibit inherent differences in leaf trait scaling relationships. 2. Thirteen tropical and 12 temperate species (all characteristic of wet forests) were grown in a glasshouse (25/20 °C day/night). A range of leaf traits were quantified, including mass-based leaf nitrogen [N], mass per unit area (LMA), light-saturated photosynthesis (A) and respiration (Rdark). 3. Average area- and mass-based rates of net CO2 exchange were higher in the temperate species, compared to their tropical counterparts. Average leaf [N] and LMA values were also higher in temperate species than in their tropical counterparts. 4. The higher LMA in the metabolically more active temperate species was the most striking contrast to the patterns and predictions of the GLOPNET leaf trait data base, and was associated with different elevations (i.e. y-axis intercepts) but not slopes of bivariate trait scaling relationships. As expected, mass-based rates of A and Rdark scaled positively with increasing [N] and negatively with increasing LMA in both tropical and temperate species. No differences were found between temperate and tropical species groups in terms of log-log scaling relationships linking A and Rdark to N. However, at any given LMA, mass-based values of [N], A and Rdark were all higher in the temperate species than in their tropical counterparts. 5. Underpinning higher A in temperate species was a higher capacity for carboxylation (Vcmax) and RuBP regeneration (Jmax), with Jmax:Vcmax being greater in temperate species. 6. In conclusion, our results suggest that as a consequence of greater overall N investment as well as greater proportional N investment in metabolic capacity, cool-adapted temperate wet forest species exhibit higher photosynthetic and respiration rates than their warm-adapted tropical counterparts when compared in a common environment.
Predicted Anchor Region Proposal with Balanced Feature Pyramid for License Plate Detection in Traffic Scene Images

License plate detection is a key problem in intelligent transportation systems. Recently, many deep learning-based networks have been proposed and achieved incredible success in general object detection, such as faster R-CNN, SSD, and R-FCN. However, directly applying these deep general object detection networks on license plate detection without modifying may not achieve good enough performance. This paper proposes a novel deep learning-based framework for license plate detection in traffic scene images based on predicted anchor region proposal and balanced feature pyramid. In the proposed framework, ResNet-34 architecture is first adopted for generating the base convolution feature maps. A balanced feature pyramid generation module is then used to generate balanced feature pyramid, of which each feature level obtains equal information from other feature levels. Furthermore, this paper designs a multiscale region proposal network with a novel predicted location anchor scheme to generate high-quality proposals. Finally, a detection network which includes a region of interest pooling layer and fully connected layers is adopted to further classify and regress the coordinates of detected license plates. Experimental results on public datasets show that the proposed approach achieves better detection performance compared with other state-of-the-art methods on license plate detection.
Effects of Small-Scale Dead Wood Additions on Beetles in Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests

Pitfall traps were used to sample beetles (Coleoptera) in plots with or without inputs of dead loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) wood at four locations (Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas) on the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. The plots were established in 1998 and sampling took place in 1998, 1999, and 2002 (only 1998 for North Carolina). Overall, beetles were more species rich, abundant and diverse in dead wood addition plots than in reference plots. While these differences were greatest in 1998 and lessened thereafter, they were not found to be significant in 1998 due largely to interactions between location and treatment. Specifically, the results from North Carolina were inconsistent with those from the other three locations. When these data were excluded from the analyses, the differences in overall beetle richness for 1998 became statistically significant. Beetle diversity was significantly higher in the dead wood plots in 1999 but by 2002 there were no differences between dead wood added and control plots. The positive influence of dead wood additions on the beetle community can be largely attributed to the saproxylic fauna (species dependent on dead wood), which, when analyzed separately,
Semiparametric Deep Learning Manipulator Inverse Dynamics Modeling Method for Smart City and Industrial Applications

In smart cities and factories, robotic applications require high accuracy and security, which depends on precise inverse dynamics modeling. However, the physical modeling methods cannot include the nondeterministic factors of the manipulator, such as flexibility, joint clearance, and friction. In this paper, the Semiparametric Deep Learning (SDL) method is proposed to model robot inverse dynamics. SDL is a type of deep learning framework, designed for optimal inference, combining the Rigid Body Dynamics (RBD) model and Nonparametric Deep Learning (NDL) model. The SDL model takes advantage of the global characteristics of classic RBD and the powerful fitting capabilities of the deep learning approach. Moreover, the parametric and nonparametric parts of the SDL model can be optimized at the same time instead of being optimized separately. The proposed method is validated using experiments, performed on a UR5 robotic platform. The results show that the performance of SDL model is better than that of RBD model and NDL model. SDL can always provide relatively accurate joint torque prediction, even when the RBD or NDL model is not accurate.
Novel activators of dendritic cells as fundamental tools in immunotherapy

Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal players in the initiation and amplification of an immune response and the stimuli able to activate these cells to become professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) form an exciting new field in immunology. This article reviews patents from the last four years which claim new dendritic cell activators and their use in immunotherapy. Some of these activators are endogenous signals, released by peripheral tissues upon stress or injury, and are responsible for the initiation of an immune response, while others are stimulatory ligands, expressed by activated immune cells, and are mediators of the amplification of the response. Furthermore, others are exogenous substances able to induce cellular stress, such as those released by invading pathogens. Many of these stimuli, which are shown to activate dendritic cells in vitro, are also proposed as adjuvants in vivo and protocols are disclosed in the patents for their use in immunotherapy. Prevention of infectious diseases, clearance of neoplasms and manipulation of immunological disorders are situations in which immunotherapeutic strategies hold promise of success. Among these strategies, both the traditional and new dendritic cell-based vaccines require adjuvants to enhance the immune response. Therefore, a better characterisation of the currently known dendritic cell activators, and the discovery of new ones, will lead to safer and more efficacious vaccines.
Effect of Water Stress on Nodule Physiology and Biochemistry of a Drought Tolerant Cultivar of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.)

Abstract Plants of EMGOPA-201, a drought tolerant cultivar of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris ), were maintained either at 90% soil field capacity (SFC) or stressed by reducing SFC to 70, 50 or 30% over a 10 d period. Plant dry weight was not affected by any of these treatments although the number and weight of nodules was reduced at 50 and 30% SFC. Nitrogenase activity, determined by the acetylene reduction assay (ARA), was also reduced, on a plant basis, at 50% SFC and was almost stopped at 30% SFC. The latter treatment caused a marked increase in nodule O 2 diffusion resistance and induced nodule senescence. A time-course analysis of the 10 d 30% SFC treatment showed a decrease in leaf water potential from -0.5 to -0.87 MPa by 8 d, with a cessation of dry weight increase after 3 d, when leaf water potential was -0.65 MPa. Proteins in the host plant fraction of nodules decreased to 50% of control values by 10 d and leghaemoglobin (Lb) content was also lower at this stage. The activity of sucrose synthase (SS) showed a 76% reduction between 3 and 6 d, whilst glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity showed a 40% reduction. The activity of other key enzymes of carbon metabolism was also reduced after 10 d. Nodule sucrose content increased to double that of control nodules by 6 d, before declining back to control levels at 10 d. Starch content fell by 3 d and continued to fall throughout the stress period. The results are discussed in terms of drought tolerance strategies in relation to growth and metabolism in whole plants and nodules.
Problems with acoustic target strength measurements of a deepwater fish, orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus, Collett)

In situ target strength measurements of fish at 600 to 1200 m depth were made around a spawning aggregation of orange roughy oV the east coast of Tasmania in 1992. The target strength data showed many modes, none of which could be definitely and uniquely attributed to orange roughy, partly because the orange roughy avoided the towed body housing the acoustics. Dominant modes at "50 and "55 dB were attributed to myctophidfishes with standard length modes at 8.2 and 5.3 cm; thesefish have gas-filled swimbladders and were undisturbed by the towed body. Small modes at "44 dB and "31 dB were attributed to the macrourid Coryphaenoides subserrulatus and the morid Halagyreus johnsonii, respectively. The swimbladder of H. johnsonii is gas-filled, while that of C. subserrulatus contains a gas-filled spongy tissue matrix. No evidence was found of a separate mode at "36 or "41.3 dB, the previously reported target strength values of orange roughy. Modelling and tethered experiments on orange roughy suggested the target strength range for a 35 cm standard length fish was "47.2 to "53 dB. The modelling indicated values at the higher end of the range; measurements taken at depth of a tethered fish indicated the lower end. The dominant mode in the in situ data at "50 dB (which ranges from about "48 to "52 dB) was probably associated with orange roughy as well as myctophids. We concluded that the in situ target strength for a 35 cm standard length orange roughy is between "48 and "52 dB. Such a low target strength (compared to other species from the same depth that have gas-filled swimbladders) makes acoustic assessment techniques using echo integration very sensitive to the number of fish with gas-filled swimbladders. 1997 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
REDESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT STAGE OF HYPODERAEUM CONOIDEUM (BLOCH, 1782) (TREMATODA: ECHINOSTOMATIDAE) AND NEW RECORD IN SPAIN

Malacological prospections carried out in the Albufera Natural Park of Valencia (Spain) allowed the collection of Lymnaea peregra (MUlier, 1774) (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) naturally infected with larval echinostomes and shedding echinostome cercariae. Metacercariae were ob- tained experimentally from the renopericardial sac of laboratory raised snails: L. peregra, L. truncatula (MUlier, 1774), L. palustris (MUlier,1774) (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae), Physa acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) (Gastropoda: Physidae) and Gyraulus chinensis (Dunker, 1848) (Gastropoda: Planor- bidae). Adult worms were obtained experimentally from chicks and ducks, but not from rats, mice and golden hamsters, and classified as Hypode- raeum conoideum (Bloch, 1782). The adult morphology of this species is redescribed and compared, as well as differentiated from other Hypodera- eum species reported to date. This is the second record of this adult echinostomatid in Spain, and the first record of the cercaria in this country.
The Use of Intensive Behavioural Intervention for Children With Autism

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder with prevalence rates increasing yearly. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, specific language abnormalities, behavioural stereotypes, and a range of cognitive deficits. The presence of symptoms and the severity impairments vary from individual to individual with deficits ranging from non-verbal and severe intellectual disabilities, to high-functioning. Currently, there is no cure for autism. However, intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) is gaining worldwide popularity as the treatment of choice. Intensive behavioural interventions have roots in applied behavioural analysis. The efficacies of the methodologies that have been used worldwide have varied. This paper compares the original IBI program developed by Lovaas with the current program used by the Toronto Partnership for Autism Services. Research is needed to determine what aspects of IBI are most effective for children with autism, which children benefit the most, if IBI is needed on a continued basis to maintain gains that are made, and if IBI programs are cost-effective for
Nutritive value of diet containing dried lactic acid fermented fish silage and soybean meal for juvenile Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus

Resume Fagbenro O. , K. Jauncey, G. Haylor. Aquat. Living Resour. , 1994, 7, 79-85. Dry diets containing varying levels of dried fermented fish silage and soybean meal blend (FS: SBM) as replacement for 25,50 or 75 % of fish meal protein were fed to juvenile Oreochromis niloticus (8.210.1 g) and Clarias gariepinus (10.8k0.3 g) at 5 % body weight per day for 70 days. Diets containing CO-dried FS: SBM supported weight gains and growth rates similar to those in the control treatment without significant differences @>0.05). Feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio and protein productive values followed a similar trend with growth performance values. Apparent protein digestibility decreased in both fish species with increasing dietary level of CO-dried FS: SBM. Carcass composition of experimental fish were not affected by the diets and morphological defects were not observed. Results indicate that CO-dried FS: SBM can partially replace fish meal protein as well as establish the potential of utilizing wastehndersized tilapias as a protein feedstuff in dry aquaculture diets.