Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex determination of Iberian Azure‐winged Magpies Cyanopica cyanus cooki by discriminant analysis of external measurements

Like all corvids, the Azure‐winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus is sexually monomorphic in plumage, making it difficult to distinguish between males and females in the field. We examined sexual size dimorphism in a population of Iberian Azure‐winged Magpies C.c. cooki and used a discriminant function analysis based on five morphological characters to determine the sex of first‐year and adult individuals. Females were significantly smaller than males for all tested variables within each age class except for keel length of first‐year individuals. In both sexes, wing length of adults was greater than that of yearlings, but only males showed significant differences in tail length between age classes (longer in first‐year birds). Stepwise discriminant analysis indicated that tail length and head plus bill length were the most accurate variables in a discriminant function model, predicting the sex of yearlings with about 90% accuracy. Adding wing length to the model yielded the same level of accuracy for adults. We propose a simple system to sex Iberian Azure‐winged Magpies, using only two or three variables easily measured in the field, which provides classification with a high level of accuracy.
Life-history monographs of Japanese plants. 12: Asarum caulescens Maxim. (Aristolochiaceae).

The life-history characteristics of Asarum caulescens Maxim. (Aristolochiaceae) are described here. This typical summer-green perennial of the Aristolochiaceae is a unique woodland element distributed in central Honshu, that is, south of Fukushima Prefecture to Shikoku and Kyushu, Japan. It grows in the somewhat shady understory of temperate montane deciduous broad-leaved or mixed forests associated with conifers, such as Cryptomeria japonica and Abies firma. One of the unique features of A. caulescens is its rhizome structures in combination with aerial shoots, which play an important role in vegetative propagation. The perennation strategy of A. caulescens is exceedingly complex, producing various combinations of linear or branched rhizomes bearing different numbers of leaves. Rhizomes consist of two or three segments, each 5 mm to 5 cm long as a unit, connected linearly, but also occasionally branched. At the tip of the newly formed rhizome segment, a single leaf or a pair of cordate leaves are formed. Exceedingly complex branching patterns of the rhizome segments were also recognized, forming ramets in late June to early July. Vegetative propagation by ramet formation obviously plays a very important role in the maintenance of local populations.
Coastal niches for terrestrial predators: a stable isotope study

The purpose of this study was to identify the use of marine versus terrestrial food items by terrestrial arthropod predators on Baltic Sea shores. The inflow of marine nutrients in the area consists mainly of marine algal detritus and emerging aquatic insects (e.g., chironomids). Diets of coastal arthropods were examined using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis in a two source mixing model. The results suggest that spiders are the terrestrial predators mainly utilizing nutrients and energy of marine origin on Baltic Sea shores, whereas insect predators such as beetles and heteropterans mainly utilize nutrients and energy derived from terrestrial sources, possibly owing to differences in hunting behaviour. That spiders are the predators which benefit the most from the marine inflow suggest that eventual effects of marine subsidies for the coastal ecosystem as a whole are likely mediated by spiders.
The induction of reproductive activity in lactating ewes

In two experiments, Merino ewes that had lambed in either the autumn or spring were treated with various combinations of a progestagen (methylacetoxyprogesterone, MAP) and pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), from 3 days post partum. Irrespective of the season of lambing, the treatments resulted in ovulation in nearly all ewes before day 15 post partum; oestrus was observed in all ewes that had lambed in the autumn but in only half the spring ewes. Regular oestrus activity was not resumed after the induced oestrus and/or ovulation. After further treatments with MAP and PMSG (days 15–26 post partum), 29% of the ewes showed oestrus (autumn and spring), with 47.1% and 58.3% of ewes ovulating in the autumn and spring respectively. Cystic and/or persistent corpora lutea (CP) were noted in 24% of the treated ewes. In spring-lambing ewes, 42% of ovulations before day 15 were judged to be abnormal. Fertilization rates were low in ewes that mated. The best results, 56% of ova fertilized, were from matings between 26 and 30 days post partum in spring-lambing ewes. In two further experiments, the fertility of ewes was examined at matings induced at various times post partum in crossbred ewes that had lambed in the spring. The fertility was low (=17%) up to 30 days post partum, but it improved in later matings (=30%). The incidence of a second oestrus succeeding the induced cycle was low (29%), but fertility was higher (50%). Approximately 50% of the untreated ewes lambed to matings between 30 and 60 days after lambing.
THE INFLUENCE OF LOCAL CANNING PROCESS AND STORAGE ON PELAGIC FISH FROM TUNISIA: FATTY ACID PROFILES AND QUALITY INDICATORS

The present study was designed to assess the effect of local canning process and storage time (up to 6 months) on tuna and sardine canned in olive oil and tomato sauce, respectively. The canning process affected tuna (P < 0.05) but not sardine lipid levels. Canned tuna and sardine absorbed coating oil during sterilization, inducing a higher oleic (C18:1 ω9) and linoleic (C18:2 ω6) acid content. Independent of fish species, the eicosapentaenoic (C20:5 ω3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6 ω3) acid concentrations ranged from 2.96–6.24% and from 5.16–40.26%, respectively. The peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid index increased significantly in tuna but not in sardine flesh following the cooking step. The histamine levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) during storage but remained lower than the threshold limits. Although tuna and sardine flesh were slightly affected by the canning process, they remained good sources of ω3 and ω6 fatty acids. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In the present study, we investigate the changes of the lipid fraction quality (fatty acids composition, peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid index) and histamine during processing and storage of two different fish species (tuna and sardine) processed during the same period. This would allow for the assessment of the different canning process steps (cooking and sterilization) and storage on fish meat, especially on its lipid quality. To our knowledge, such information is rather scarce. An evaluation of olive oil and tomato sauce effects on the enrichment of the nutritional oil quality of the tuna and sardine, respectively, and the stability of fish lipids oxidation were equally conducted. Finally, these data may supply some valuable information for other scientists working in the field of human nutrition.
Divergência genética entre acessos de açaizeiro fundamentada em descritores morfoagronômicos

The objective of this research was to estimate the genetic divergence among accessions of the assai palm, sampled in the germplasm collection of Embrapa Amazonia Oriental based on morphoagronomic traits, at Belem, PA. The 22 morphoagronomic traits were evaluated in 87 accessions, from 1995 to 2001. Among the 22 traits, seven were relative to the plant, three to the flowering, three to the fruit, and nine to the fruit production. The traits were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. The estimates of the dissimilarities were obtained by the average Euclidian distance with standardized data, and the groupings by UPGMA and Tocher methods. The accessions presented high variation index in the majority of the characters. Genetic distances among accession pair varied from 0.09 to 1.87, with average of 1.39. The method UPGMA divided the accessions into five groups, while the Tocher method formed 24 groupings. The five accessions indicated as more divergent must be used in breeding programs aiming at the obtention of superior genotypes.
The Domestication of Animals

Over the past 11,000 years humans have brought a wide variety of animals under domestication. Domestic animals belong to all Linnaean animal classes—mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and even, arguably, bacteria. Raised for food, secondary products, labor, and companionship, domestic animals have become intricately woven into human economy, society, and religion. Animal domestication is an on-going process, as humans, with increasingly sophisticated technology for breeding and rearing animals in captivity, continue to bring more and more species under their control. Understanding the process of animal domestication and its reciprocal impacts on humans and animal domesticates requires a multidisciplinary approach. This paper brings together recent research in archaeology, genetics, and animal sciences in a discussion of the process of domestication, its impact on animal domesticates, and the various pathways humans and their animal partners have followed into domestication.
Influence of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil on oxidative stability of sunflower oil

In this study, the influence of the application of 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.075% of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil (EO) on oxidative stability of sunflower oil was examined and the EO was compared to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) during storage at 37°C and 47°C. The main components of EO were identified as carvacrol (45.6%), p-cymene (18.1%) and thymol (16.3%). Peroxide value (PV), anisidine value (AnV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value measurement in sunflower oil showed that all concentrations of EO had a lower antioxidant effect in comparison to BHA and BHT. Samples supplemented with EO concentration of 0.075% were the most stable during storage at both temperatures (p<0.05). Furthermore, Totox value, antioxidant activity (AA), stabilization factor (F) and antioxidant power (AOP) determination confirmed efficacy of this EO as antioxidant in sunflower oil. EO also was able to reduce the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH.) with a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of 34.3 ± 0.8 µg/mL. The results indicate that EO could be used as a natural antioxidant in oils for food uses.
Enhancement of freezing stability in mashed potatoes by the incorporation of kappa-carrageenan and xanthan gum blends

BACKGROUND: To ameliorate the detrimental effects of freezing and thawing, blends of κ-carrageenan (κ-C) and xanthan gum (XG) were added to frozen/thawed mashed potatoes (F/TM potatoes). Product was tested by textural and rheological measurements, other quality parameters and sensory analyses. The effects of variation in levels of κ-C (1.5–4.5 g kg−1) and XG (0.5–2.5 g kg−1) concentrations were studied. RESULTS: Instrumental measurements and sensory analyses indicated that 4.5 g kg−1κ-C and 2.5 g kg−1 XG provided better thickening. κ-C provided the appropriate texture, while XG imparted creaminess to the product, which could be associated with an increase in the amount of XG–water interactions. Addition of κ-C had a major impact on textural properties, gel strength and viscoelastic behaviour, whereas XG influenced steady properties, colour, water-holding capacity (WHC) and overall acceptability (OA). CONCLUSION: The OA of F/TM potatoes was mostly improved by addition of cryoprotectant blends, which is ascribed to improvement of F/TM potatoes texture by retarding starch retrogradation, increasing WHC, and enhancing the principal characteristics determining consumer acceptance. Creaminess was the most crucial factor for OA of the products. Addition of both polysaccharides at a low concentration (each cryoprotectant at 1.5 g kg−1) is recommended. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Simulation of management and soil interactions impacting SOC dynamics in sugarcane using the CENTURY Model

Newer methods of management and harvesting of sugarcane are being considered to improve soil and water conservation in Brazil. Our aim in this study was to evaluate soil C dynamics under sugarcane cultivation as influenced by the use of conservation management, using measurements from four different management systems and land use histories, i.e. conventional management with preharvest burning, no burning with residue retention and two systems without burning plus additional organic amendments. Field sites also differed in terms of soil texture. We compared field measurements of soil C stocks, 13C and microbial biomass with simulated results from the Century ecosystem model for each of the sites and management histories. We also did long‐term simulations of the management treatments and sites to approximate steady‐state SOC levels, to explore potential management‐induced differences in SOC stocks and interactions with soil texture. The model accurately represented treatment and site differences for total SOC stocks, in which SOC stocks were strongly affected by both rates of organic matter input to soil and soil clay content. However, the model tended to underestimate the relative contribution of sugarcane‐derived C to total SOC for sites with high residue and external organic matter amendments. Measured microbial biomass C across the sites was closely aligned with relative amounts of organic matter input but did not appear to be strongly affected by soil texture, whereas the model predicted that both texture and organic matter input rate would impact microbial biomass C. Long‐term simulations of the conservation management alternatives suggested that SOC stocks could be maintained at or above levels in the original native Cerradão vegetation, whereas conventional practices using residue burning would result in a reduction of SOC to ca. 60% of native levels. Our results support the use of the CENTURY model as an aid to assess the impacts of different soil management practices on SOC stocks under sugarcane in Brazil.
Retention and Nonlethal External Detection of Calcein Marks in Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon

Abstract An osmotic induction method was used to apply calcein marks to Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and the Kamloops strain of rainbow trout O. mykiss (both migratory strains used for stocking into tributaries of Lake Superior). Preliminary exposure to a saline solution followed by immersion in a 0.5% calcein solution encouraged rapid infusion of calcein into fish tissues. Four-month-old Chinook salmon were exposed to a 1.5% or 5.0% salt solution to evaluate tolerance of different salinities and effects on mark intensity and retention. Rainbow trout were marked at three ages (2 weeks, 3.5 months, and 16 months posthatch) to evaluate the effects of age at treatment on mark intensity and long-term retention (a 5.0% preliminary salt bath was used). External detection of marks in scales, head, and fin rays was accomplished with a hand-held detector. The marking technique we used was well tolerated by both Chinook salmon and rainbow trout, and marks persisted into adulthood for rainbow trout treate.
Analysis of the relationships between species of the genus Prosopis revealed by the use of molecular markers

Parmi les 44 especes du genre Prosopis L. plusieurs sont utilisees comme des arbres ou des arbustes a usage multiple, dans leur biotope naturel ou comme plantes exotiques ailleurs. Cependant, la domestication et l'exploitation de ce genre sont freinees par notre faible connaissance de sa taxonomie. Les polymorphismes d'ADN amplifies au hasard (RAPD) a partir des cotyledons ont ete analyses pour etudier les relations taxonomiques entre 15 especes de Prosopis originaires du Senegal, d'Inde ou d'Argentine. Des marqueurs moleculaires ont ete identifies presents dans toutes les especes examinees, presents uniquement dans les especes americaines, specifiques de la section Strombocarpa, ou specifiques de la section Algorobia, P.kuntzei excepte. Les profils RAPD de P.kuntzei suggerent un faible degre d'homologie avec les autres Prosopis analyses. Les marqueurs RAPD permettent de distinguer clairement les cinq sections du genre. Les profils presentes par P.argentina de la section monospecifique Monilicarpa confirment le caractere particulier de cette espece. Cependant, les resultats obtenus suggerent que des regroupements d'especes au sein de la section Algarobia pourraient s'averer necessaires.
Interactive effects of soil warming and fertilization on root production, mortality, and longevity in a Norway spruce stand in Northern Sweden

The effects of soil warming and nitrogen availability on root production, longevity and mortality were studied using minirhizotrons in irrigation (C), fertilized (F), heated (H), and heated‐fertilized (HF) plots in a Norway spruce stand in northern Sweden from October 1996 to October 1997. Irrigation was included in all treatment plots. Heating cables were used to maintain the soil temperature in heated plots at 5°C above that in unheated plots during the growing season. A Kaplan–Meier approach was used to estimate the longevity of fine roots and Cox proportional hazards regression to analyze the effects of the H, F, and HF treatments on the risk of root mortality.
Mineral concentrations in herbage and soil in a Pinus radiata silvopastoral system in north‐west Spain after sewage sludge and lime application

Summary Silvopastoral systems in north-west Spain can reduce the risk of fires and promote multi-purpose forest land use. Fertilizer application is important for optimal pasture and tree production. The application rate of sewage sludge as a fertilizer is regulated and is based on its nutrient concentration, especially nitrogen. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of three consecutive years of application of different application rates of sewage sludge and inorganic fertilizer, with or without lime (2·5 t CaCO3 ha−1) on the ammonium, nitrate and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg contents in soil, and on the crude protein (CP), K, Ca and Mg concentrations in herbage in a silvopastoral system established under a 5-year-old Pinus radiata D. Don plantation with a density of 1667 trees ha−1. The experiment was started in autumn 1997, when a pasture mixture was sown (25 kg ha−1Lolium perenne, 10 kg ha−1Dactylis glomerata and 4 kg ha−1Trifolium repens). Changes in ammonium and nitrate content in the soil in response to liming and sewage sludge application reflected the initial pH of the soil. In general, liming increased the available Ca and Mg content in soil, and CP and Ca concentrations in herbage, but reduced exchangeable K content in the soil in the first year. Application of sewage sludge increased all of the measured nutrients in both soil and herbage.
Macrofungus communities correlate with moisture and nitrogen abundance in two old-growth conifer forests, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA

We characterized the epigeous macrofungus communities in two old-growth conifer forests by collecting sporocarps. Despite the similarity in dominant tree species in the two forests, the macrofungus communities were very different. At the drier, nitrogen-poor Deer Park area, the macrofungi were dominated by ectomycorrhizal species in the genera Cortinarius, Tricholoma, Hydnellum, Suillus, and Sarcodon. At the wetter, higher nitrogen Hoh Valley, the macrofungi were characterized by ectomycorrhizal species in different genera, such as Inocybe, Russula, Amanita, Bo- letus, and Phaeocollybia, and saprotrophic fungi accounted for a greater proportion of the community. Species richness was similar at the two areas, but sporocarp production was much higher at Deer Park. We propose that (i) these com- munity differences developed over a long time; (ii) they are largely related to differences in ecosystem moisture and nitrogen abundance; and (iii) within the ectomycorrhizal fungi, possible causal mechanisms involve mycelial morphol- ogy and carbon allocation within the symbioses. The apparent response to relatively small but presumably long-term differences in nitrogen abundance suggests that sporocarp production by macrofungi could be an effective bioindicator and should be considered in determination of critical loads for atmospheric nitrogen deposition to temperate and boreal forests.
A New Balaenopterid Whale from the Late Miocene of the Stirone River, Northern Italy (Mammalia, Cetacea, Mysticeti)

ABSTRACT The new genus and species Plesiobalaenoptera quarantellii is established and compared to other living and fossil mysticete taxa. The new taxon belongs to the family Balaenopteridae (rorqual and humpback whales) and represents the oldest balaenopterid taxon of the Mediterranean basin coming from Tortonian sediments of the Stirone River, northern Italy (11–7 Ma). Plesiobalaenoptera quarantellii has a wide rostrum, dentary with postcoronoid fossa, periotic with triangular anterior process and raised central portion, tympanic bulla with ventral keel, and high Eustachian opening. From a phylogenetic view, it is closely related to the Late Miocene Parabalaenoptera baulinensis of California, a taxon used to establish the subfamily Parabalaenopterinae. Both Plesiobalaenoptera and Parabalaenoptera are sister taxa of the clade that includes Megaptera, Balaenoptera, and other crown balaenopterids. The presence of the postcoronoid fossa in the dentary of Plesiobalaenoptera quarantellii suggests that the intermittent ram feeding as performed by living balaenopterids was not fully developed in this extinct species.
QUACKGRASS COMPETITION EFFECT ON POTATO YIELD

The effect of different periods of quackgrass (Agropyron repens L. Beauv.) competition after crop emergence was studied for potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ’Russet Burbank’). Delaying quackgrass removal for 2 wk after crop emergence reduced small-sized tuber yield, marketable tuber yield and total yield by 6%, 27% and 21%, respectively, averaged over 4 yr. Successively longer delays in quackgrass removal showed progressively greater reductions in yield.Key words: Quackgrass, potato, competition
LiDAR A new tool for forest measurements

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology with strong application potential in forest resource management. It provides high measurement precision that can be used for tree and stand measurements. Although LiDAR has not been used widely as an operational measurement tool, there is a significant body of research and a number of projects at Mississippi State University (MSU) that illustrate the potential for this technology to be incorporated into operational forest assessments. This paper provides basic background on the capabilities of LiDAR in a forest measurement context that illustrates specific examples of LiDAR use including: 1) individual tree assessments, 2) a forest inventory protocol currently being operationally tested, 3) forest structure analysis, and 4) forest typing. Key words: LiDAR, remote sensing, tree identification, tree measurements, forest inventory, forest types