Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond eight forms of rarity: which species are threatened and which will be next?

We tabulate three measures of rarity: local abundance, breeding range size and elevational extent for the passerine birds of the New World. We determine what fraction of species is threatened with extinction within the combinations of these three measures. Species with smaller ranges, lower abundances and narrower elevational bands suffer higher levels of threat across lowland, montane and island species. For a given range size, lowland species suffer higher levels of threat than island or montane species. (This is counter to the intuition that island species — and those isolated on mountain tops — might be ecologically naïve.) When all three factors are considered together, there is only a slight tendency for lowland species to be disproportionately more threatened. Simply, island and montane species tend to be relatively common within their restricted ranges and their increased abundance reduces their likelihood of being threatened. Elevation is a consistent but relatively unimportant factor in determining threat; abundance and range size are much more important, and have an interactive effect on threatened status. We calculate the number of humans with which each species shares its breeding range, and find that this number does not aid in predicting threat status.
Variation in migration propensity among individuals maintained by landscape structure

Metapopulation dynamics lead to predictable patterns of habitat occupancy, population density and trophic structure in relation to landscape features such as habitat patch size and isolation. Comparable patterns may occur in behavioural, physiological and lifehistory traits but remain little studied. In the Glanville fritillary butterfly, females in newly established populations were more mobile than females in old populations. Among females from new populations, mobility decreased with increasing connectivity (decreasing isolation), but in females from old populations mobility increased with connectivity. The [ATP]/[ADP] ratio of flight muscles following controlled activity showed the same pattern as mobility in relation to population age and connectivity, suggesting that physiological differences in flight metabolic performance contribute to the observed variation in mobility. We demonstrate with an evolutionary metapopulation model parameterised for the Glanville fritillary that increasing spatial variation in landscape structure increases variance in mobility among individuals in a metapopulation, supporting the general notion that complex landscape structure maintains lifehistory variation.
An introduced population of Chorda asiatica (Chordaceae, Laminariales) in Puget Sound, Pacific coast of North America

Northeastern Pacific Ocean and northwestern Atlantic Ocean populations of Chorda species, which have not been examined in previous phylogenetic studies, were investigated. All specimens that were collected in Hood Canal, Puget Sound, WA, USA, Pacific coast of North America, showed identical ITS‐5.8S rDNA sequences, and they were included in the clade of Japanese Chorda asiatica. With morphological data added to the molecular data, they were identified as C. asiatica and were concluded to be non‐indigenous populations, most likely introduced with oyster spat together with Sargassum muticum. Specimens collected in New York, NY, USA, Atlantic coast of North America, were genetically closest to C. filum from Newfoundland and were identified as C. filum. The genetic divergence of the North Atlantic populations of C. filum was relatively small compared to that of Japanese C. asiatica considering their broader distributional ranges on both sides of the Atlantic.
Pelvic organ prolapse management

Pelvic organ prolapse describes the loss of support and subsequent descent of pelvic organs into the vagina. It is common, affecting up to 50% of parous women, and can be accompanied by a number of burdening symptoms. Prolapse has been thrown into the spotlight secondary to mesh-related complications. There are a number of effective treatment options to consider when managing pelvic organ prolapse and most do not require mesh. Patients’ choice, comorbidities and likelihood of treatment success should be considered when making decisions about their care. Vaginal mesh surgery is currently on hold in the UK and even prior to this there has been a reduction both in the number of all prolapse surgeries and the number of women seeking surgery to manage their symptoms. This article reviews the current evidence for the management of pelvic organ prolapse, providing an update on the current state of mesh in prolapse surgery and summarises the key evidence points derived from the literature.
Evaluation of salicylic acid (SA) application on growth, osmotic solutes and antioxidant enzyme activities on broad bean seedlings grown under diluted seawater

Exogenously applied salicylic acid has been shown to be an essential signal molecule involved in both local defense reactions and induction of systemic resistance response of plants after salt stress. Our study was aimed at evaluating the foliar spray with different levels (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) of salicylic acid (SA) on broad bean (Vicia faba L) seedlings grown under diluted seawater on growth and some related physiological responses. Seawater irrigation negatively affected growth parameters, free amino acids and K + , while the contents of soluble sugars and protein, proline, Cl , Na + , ion leakage, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased. Foliar spray with SA improved all growth parameters and increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes. On the other hand, plants treated with SA had lower Cl and Na + , while K + had a reverse pattern. Based on our findings, the effectiveness of SA in inducing seawater stress tolerance depends upon the concentration of SA applied. The inducer effect of SA was greater with 1 than 0.5 mM treatment. This effect includes the stimulation of antioxidant enzyme activities and regulation of osmotic adjustment through accumulation of osmotic solutes and regulation of absorption and distribution of inorganic ions.
Emergence of Spring- and Summer-planted Onions following Osmotic Priming

The effect of osmotic priming on onion (Allium cepa L.) seedling emergence was evaluated in the field and in a controlled environment at 15C. Seeds of onion cultivars Bronze Wonder, Challenger, Big Mac, and White Keeper were primed in a solution of 300 g polyethylene glycol 8000/liter for 7 days at 10C 1 to 2 weeks before being planted in Spring 1986 and Summer 1987. Time to 50% of maximum emergence (T50) for seedlings from primed seeds averaged 10% to 12% less than for unprimed seeds in both seasons and in laboratory experiments. Maximum emergence was im- proved 7% by priming in one spring field experiment but not in the summer field experiments or in the laboratory. Differences in T 50 among cultivars in the 1986 ex- periments were small and significant only in one laboratory experiment. In 1987, cultivar differences in T 50 were significant but not consistent in all experiments. Cul- tivar T50 means from laboratory experiments were significantly (P = 0.05) correlated with those for field emergence in three of four experiments, but coefficients were low (r = 0.37 to r = 0.45). Values for maximum emergence in the laboratory were not correlated with maximum emergence in the field. Laboratory emergence tests at 15C were a poor predictor of field emergence. Seed priming may benefit establishment of spring-seeded onions emerging at soil temperatures ≤ 15C more than summer-seeded onions emerging in soils >24C. Onions are planted from late February to early April for dry bulb production in south- ern Idaho when soil temperatures at a 10-cm depth average 15C or lower and moisture levels are variable. Onions grown for seed production are planted in July when temper- atures at a 10-cm depth average 24C or higher and require frequent irrigation for successful germination and emergence.
Epidemiological survey of Gastro-intestinal Parasites of Non-descript dogs in Nagpur City

This study was conducted on gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in 1180 non-descript dogs in Nagpur using fecal examination during the months of January and February 2008 at SPCA center Nagpur, under an Animals Birth Control and anti Rabies Vaccnation programme run by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. All the animals were divided into two groups adult and puppy, each comprises of 590 animals. Of the 590 animals in adults 391 (66.2%) were found to be infected with at least one species of intestinal parasites and in puppy group out of 590 animals 496 (84.06%) were positive for parasitic infestation. Toxocara canis and Anchylostoma caninum (hook worm) are predominant one followed by the other species of parasites like Dyphylidium caninum, Diphyllolobothrium latum and Fasciola hepatica are rarely found.
Composição e caracterização da fauna de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em uma pequena reserva de cerrado em Mato Grosso, Brasil

This study was carried out at the 'Mario Viana' Municipal Biological Reserve in Nova Xavantina, MT, aiming to make an inventory and evaluate the abundance and diversity of terrestrial mammals of medium and large size. Thus, two monthly visits were made to a 2.820 m long transect throughout 2001 to assess tracking and other evidences of mammals. Twenty-nine species were recorded in the study area, with 22 in the transect and two individual tracking sequences being quantified for calculation of the Shannon-Wiener (H') abundance and diversity indices. According to the abundance indices, the species were classified as rare, common and abundant. Among other species, onca-parda (Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771)) and tatu-canastra (Priodontes maximus (Keer, 1792) were classified as rare; jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758)) and tamandua-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758) as common; and cutia (Dasyprocta azarae (Lichtenstein, 1823)) and tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758)) as abundant species. The H' index found was 2.40, which was considered significant. This work shows that despite being small (470 ha), the area studied plays an important role in the preservation of the mammalian fauna in the region of Nova Xavantina, MT.
An Improved Method for in Vitro Propagation of Gerbera

Effect of growth regulators and media on in vitro shoot regeneration and proliferation was studied using shoot tip obtained from ex vivo plants of gerbera cultivar IIHR Selection GJ-23. High concentration of growth harmones in MS media lead to the hyperhydricity of shoots. Three different media viz., MS, B5 and Quoirin and Lepoivre were tried to reduce the hyperhydricity. Among these Quoirin and Lepoivre media with 30g/1 of sucrose, benzyladenine (3.0 mgl/1) and indole acetic acid (0.5mg 1) were found to be the best with least hyperhydricity. The multiplication rate of 170.4 plantlets/explant was obtained after 150 days under these conditions. This system was also effective for multiplication of other lines indicating the suitability of this system for commercial multiplication for gerbera.
Enumeration of amino acid fermenting bacteria in the human large intestine: effects of pH and starch on peptide metabolism and dissimilation of amino acids

Proteins and trichloroacetic acid-soluble peptides were present in high concentrations in human intestinal contents and faeces. Free amino acids were also detected in millimolar amounts in proximal and distal colon contents, with hydroxyproline, alanine, lysine and valine predominating, showing that a wide variety of organic N-containing compounds was available for fermentation by intestinal bacteria. Measurements of products of dissimilatory amino acid metabolism (ammonia, branched chain fatty acids) demonstrated that these substances occurred in all regions of the large bowel. Amino acid fermenting populations were enumerated in faeces obtained from five healthy donors by most probable number analysis. Counts ranged from 1010 to 1011 per gram dry weight faeces. Acetate, propionate and butyrate were the principal fermentation acids in the most probable number tubes. Bacteria forming branched chain fatty acids as major end products of metabolism ranged from 0.6% (isovalerate/2-methylbutyrate) to 40% (isobutyrate) of total peptide and amino fermenting populations. Plate counts also gave high values for peptide fermenting communities in the region of 1011 per gram dry weight faeces, though considerably lower numbers of organisms grew on plates containing either single amino acids or Stickland pairs. Clostridia and anaerobic Gram-positive cocci were the predominant isolates in these studies. Physiological investigations on the effects of pH and carbohydrate availability on peptide and amino acid fermentation by intestinal bacteria showed that two environmental characteristics of the proximal colon (low pH, high carbohydrate availability), reduced the rate and net ammonia production from peptides, while carbohydrate (starch) was more important in this respect in amino acid fermentation vessels. Starch reduced initial rates of production of branched chain fatty acids by approximately 35% in peptide fermentations, however, culture pH was a more significant determinant affecting formation of these metabolites. Comparisons of branched chain fatty acid formation by faecal bacteria at pH 6.8 and 5.5 showed that their production was reduced by over 60% in pH 5.5 cultures. These data demonstrate that by increasing bacterial requirements for organic N-containing compounds for use in biosynthetic reactions, and through fermentation acid production, carbohydrate availability plays a major role in regulating dissimilatory metabolism of peptides and amino acids in the human large intestine.
Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): A New Threat to Tomato Production in Sub-Saharan Africa

In sub-SaharanAfrica, vegetable crops are an essential component of sustainable development, with a significant contribution to food security and nutritional balance, but also an important source of income for resource-poor growers, especially in urban and peri-urban areas (FAO 2012). However, a major constraint to growing field horticultural crops is the reduction in yield and quality caused by insect pests by direct feeding or as plant disease vectors (James et al. 2010; Ekesi et al. 2011). Chemical control is the main control strategy implemented by growers to cope with insect pests (Ngowi et al. 2007; Grzywacz et al. 2010). Extensive and sometimes inappropriate use of chemical insecticides to control insect pests increases production costs and negatively impacts food safety (residues), human health and environment, especially biodiversity and beneficial arthropods (Desneux et al. 2007; Biondi et al. 2012). The implementation of effective and ecologically-sound integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is needed to develop sustainable vegetable production.
Triumphant Transitions: Socioeconomic Achievements of the Second Generation in Canada

Articulated within the last decade, the revisionary perspective on second generation integration argues that the model of equal or above average success of the second generation in North America is historically specific, based on the postwar entry of a white second generation in boom economic times. One implication is that the past patterns of second generation success may not hold now and in the future for immigrant offspring. Using data from the 1994 Canadian General Social Survey for women and men, age 25–64, this article assesses the proposition of triumphant transitions in which the second generation experiences high levels of educational and labor market achievements. Multivariate analyses confirm second generation success with respect to educational levels and occupational status, thus contradicting verdicts of a new chapter to be written for the second generation in Canada. Although limited by the small number of cases in the General Social Survey, exploratory analysis finds variations in educational and occupational attainments exist within second generation groups distinguished by parental region of origin. These findings support the argument that degrees of success are not uniformly assured for all second generation groups.
Effect of herbicides on two species of clover underseeded into barley

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) producers on Prince Edward Island often underseed red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) into barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crops so as to have a forage crop in the third year of the 3-yr rotation of potatoes-grain-forages. Some producers would like to plant an annual legume that could be underseeded in barley to improve soil organic matter levels in a 2-yr rotation of barley-potatoes. We examined, over 3 yr (1996–1998), the effect of herbicides commonly used in barley on perennial red clover and annual berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) underseeded in barley. Based on clover plant stand after herbicide application, both red clover and berseem were killed by herbicide mixtures containing dicamba and were severely injured by bromoxynil. Red clover was severely injured by thifensulfuron/tribenuron mixture whereas berseem clover was only slightly injured. MCPA-Na generally caused little injury to either clover species whereas MCPB/MCPA caused less injury to red clover than to .
Acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia to milkfish (Chanos chanos) fingerlings

The acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia to milkfish (Chanos chanos) fingerlings was determined using a static bioassay system. Median lethal concentrations found show that milkfish fingerlings have a high tolerance to ammonia and it is unlikely that levels as high as those employed for the acute exposure would be found to occur under natural conditions. Although the threat of acute toxicological effects induced by ammonia are remote, such conditions might be encountered in stressed natural environments or in heavily loaded aquaculture systems.
Across-trophic variation of potassium, calcium and magnesium stoichiometric traits in a parasitism food chain across temperate and subtropical biomes

Abstract. Potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are three macro-elements essential for plants and animals. The ratios K : Mg or K : (Ca + Mg) are viewed as indices of physiological status in livestock animals. In plants, Ca, Mg and K concentrations can vary with climate in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, with a widespread tree species (Chinese cork oak, Quercus variabilis Blume) and an acorn predator (the weevil Curculio davidi Fairmaire), we investigate how K, Ca and Mg vary in soils, plant tissues (leaves and acorns) and a consumer (herbivore insects) with climatic variables induced by latitude (LAT) across the temperate–subtropical areas of eastern China. Concentrations of K, Ca and Mg in soils, leaves, acorns and weevil larvae showed different degrees of variation across the study area, but only Mg concentration increased significantly with rising LAT across all four trophic levels, albeit with varying slopes. With rising mean annual temperature (MAT) and precipitation (MAP), soil Ca significantly decreased, as did leaf and acorn K concentrations, whereas all four tropic levels showed significant decreases in Mg content with both MAT and MAP (P < 0.05–0.001). Leaf and acorn Ca : Mg showed significant relationships with LAT and MAT (P < 0.05–0.01). The K : (Mg + Ca) ratio in soils and weevil larvae increased linearly with MAP (P < 0.05), and acorn K : (Mg + Ca) ratio varied in a concave manner (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that variations of Ca, Mg and K in plant tissues and weevil larva across a study area of 20° LAT range were largely driven by climatic factors, and that Mg concentration changes in all four trophic levels with climate (and LAT) largely drive changes in soil, plant and consumer ratios between Mg, Ca and/or K. These results provide information on possible effects of climate change on nutrient dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.
Zinc (Zn)-phosphorus (P) Interactions in Two Cultivars of Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Differing in P Uptake Efficiency

Abstract Zinc-phosphorus (Zn-P) interactions were investigated in two wheat cultivars (Brookton and Krichauff) differing in P uptake efficiency. The experiment was carried out in a growth chamber. Rock phosphate or CaHPO4were used as P sources, and ammonium nitrate or nitrate only as nitrogen sources. Two Zn levels were used: 0.22 and 2.2 mg ZnSO4.5H2O kg−1. The results confirmed that Brookton had a higher P uptake efficiency than Krichauff under low P conditions, irrespective of nitrogen and Zn supply. Zn supply had little effect on tissue P concentration and P uptake per unit of root weight in either cultivar, irrespective of nitrogen supply. An increase in P availability caused a significant reduction in Zn uptake per unit of root weight, and tissue concentration of Zn in both cultivars. The reduction in tissue Zn concentration cannot be explained entirely by a dilution effect. Zn uptake by, and Zn concentrations in, Brookton (with high P uptake efficiency) were significantly lower than those of Krichauff. Zn concentrations in Brookton were more sensitive to P uptake than those in Krichauff. It is suggested that high P uptake efficiency may depress plant uptake of Zn, and therefore cause a reduction in the concentration (density) of Zn in grains of wheats grown in low P (and possibly low Zn) soils.
Copepod abundance in the western Irish Sea : relationship to physical regime, phytoplankton production and standing stock

The distinct patterns of stratification in the North Channel and stratified region of the western Irish Sea influence the seasonal abundance of phytoplankton. The 3-4 month production season in the stratified region was characterized by production and biomass peaks in the spring (up to 2378 mg C nr2 day-' and 178.4 mg chlorophyll nr2) and autumn (up to 1280 mg C nr2 day-' and 101.9 mg chlorophyll nr2). Phytoplankton in the North Channel exhibited a short, late production season with a single summer (June/July) peak in production (4483 mg C nr2 day1) and biomass (-160.6 mg chlorophyll m~2). These differences have little influence on copepod dynamics. Both regions supported recurrent annual cycles of copepod abundance with similar seasonal maxima (182.8-241.8 x 10 3 ind. m~2) and dominant species (Pseudocalanus elongatus and Acartia clausi). Specific rates of population increase in the spring were 0.071 and 0.048 day1 for the North Channel and stratified region, respectively. Increased copepod abundance in the stratified region coincided with the spring bloom, and was significantly correlated with chlorophyll standing stock. Increased copepod abundance preceded the summer production peak in the North Channel. This increase was not correlated with chlorophyll standing crop, suggesting that a food resource other than phyto- plankton may be responsible for the onset of copepod production prior to the spring bloom. Hetero- trophic microplankton as an alternative food source, and advection of copepods from the stratified region, are proposed as possible explanations for copepod abundance increasing in advance of the summer peak in primary production.