Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Low-input Turfgrass Species as Affected by Mowing and Nitrogen Fertilization in Minnesota

In Minnesota, most lawns and higher cut turfgrass areas consist primarily of species such as kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) that require signiﬁcant management inputs such as frequent mowing and nitrogen fertility. Several studies have shown that other species have the potential to be used more widely on home lawns in Minnesota; however, little is known about the management requirements of these species. In this study, we evaluated the performance of several alternative grass species under varying mowing and nitrogen fertility regimes at two sites in Minnesota in 2010 and 2011. Hard fescue [ Festuca trachyphylla (Hackel) Krajina] showed the most consistent performance across management regimes, seasons, and locations. Colonial bentgrass ( Agrostis tenuis Sibth.) showed good spring and fall turf quality, but suffered from excess thatch development and disease incidence. ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass [ Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult] maintained acceptable turf cover throughout the trial, whereas unimproved native prairie junegrass populations did poorly regardless of management level. Tufted hairgrass [ Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv. ] did not perform consistently in the trial due to summer stress. Our results show that hard fescue, colonial bentgrass, and ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass performed well regardless of mowing height or fertility treatment and could be used to a greater degree as low-input turfgrasses in Minnesota.
Food availability as a proximate factor in influencing individual growth rates in the iguanid lizard

Von Bertalanffy, logistic-by-length, and logistic-by-weight models of individual growth for 2 populations of Sceloporus merriami were estimated from 3 yr (1974-1976) of mark-recapture data using nonlinear regression. The logistic-by-weight model was found to provide the best fit to observed growth rates. Abundance of arthropod prey was estimated by 2 techniques and found to be serially correlated with seasonal precipitation. Prey abundance was also correlated with annual precipitation. Individual foraging success was found to be correlated with estimated prey abundance. Parameters of logistic-by-weight growth models were compared for the 3 yr of the study and revealed that variation in food availability resulted in predictable variation in individual growth rates. Individual growth rates were positively correlated with active-season and annual precipitation and with estimates of food availability. The limitations of using stationary growth models to describe a potentially nonstationary process such as individual growth are discussed.
Effect of dietary monensin supplementation and amino acid balancing on lactation performance by dairy cows

A replicated-pen experiment was conducted to determine effects of dietary monensin supplementation and amino acid balancing on lactation performance by dairy cows. Cows (n = 128) were stratified by breed, parity, and DIM and randomly assigned to 16 pens of 8 cows each. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: control (no monensin or amino acid balancing), amino acid balanced (AA), control plus monensin (CNMN), or AA plus monensin (AAMN) for a 2-wk covariate period followed by a 10-wk treatment period. The TMR contained, on average (DM basis), corn silage (37.5%), alfalfa silage (23.0%), and concentrate mixture (39.5%). The AA and AAMN treatments were supplemented with blood meal and ruminally protected methionine to achieve a 3:1 lysine:methionine ratio in the metabolizable protein. The CNMN and AAMN treatments were formulated to provide a monensin intake of 540 mg/d per cow. Data were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit. Dry matter intake was reduced (P < 0.01) by monensin supplementation (26.9 vs. 27.6 kg/d per cow). Feed conversion was greater (P = 0.03) for cows fed monensin (1.81 vs. 1.75 kg of milk/kg of DMI). Milk protein percentage and yield were increased (P < 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) by amino acid balancing (3.15 vs. 3.08% and 1.53 vs. 1.49 kg/d per cow, respectively). Component-corrected feed-conversion ratios were greater (P = 0.02) for cows fed monensin. Dietary monensin supplementation increased feed-conversion ratios through reduced DMI, and milk protein percentage and yield were greater for cows fed the amino acid–balanced diets.
Blood Metabolic Profile and Certain Hormones Concentrations in Egyptian Buffalo During Different Physiological States

The aim of this study is to determine the influence of physiological status on blood metabolic profile, enzymes and some hormones concentration in the blood of Egyptian buffalo. Investigations were carried out on 24 buffalo (12 pregnant buffalo cows on the 60th day prior to parturition and 12 lactating buffalo cow from 10th day of lactation during winter feeding season). The buffalo cow was average 3 years old and healthy. Buffalo were fed according to Mehlet Moussa Experimental Station which belongs to Animal Production Research Institute, north part of the Nile Delta, Egypt. The present study indicated that there was drop in calcium, sodium, phosphorus and potassium levels during early stage of lactation than pregnant period buffaloes, the opposite trend recorded in chloride levels. The concentrations of plasma glucose, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein were higher during pregnant period than in lactation period, the opposite trend recorded in creatinine level. The present study indicated that, the blood enzymes (AST, ALT and AlP) activities were insignificantly higher during pregnant period than in lactation period. The concentrations of plasma IGF-1, thyroid hormones and leptin were higher during pregnant period than in lactation period.
Flowering phenology and reproduction of the Solidago virgaurea L. complex along an elevational gradient on Mt Norikura, central Japan

This study examined the flowering phenology and reproductive traits of the Solidago virgaurea complex at four elevations in the subalpine zone in Japan using a bagging experiment. Flowering started earlier at higher elevations. Syrphid flies mainly visited flowers of the S. virgaurea complex, and the number of visits was considerably lower at the lowest elevation than at the three other elevations. Although the number of seeds per individual did not differ among the four elevations, total achene weight per individual was lower at the lowest elevation than at the three other elevations. The weight of an achene and seed germination rate of the control were much greater at higher elevations than at the lowest elevation. The weight of an achene and germination rate for the control were as low as the bagging treatment at the lowest elevation with infrequent flower visitors, which indicates that the S. virgaurea complex is a facultative outcrosser. The S. virgaurea complex is thought to produce seeds during a short growing season at high elevations by starting to flower earlier, and the large seed size is advantageous for seedling establishment at high elevations. Therefore, elevational changes in flowering phenology and reproductive traits are thought to be an adaptation to the short growing season at high elevations.
New records of freshwater fish for Uruguay

Based on National Collections records, this article presents the first report of eight freshwater fish species for Uruguay in the middle and lower Uruguay River basin, extending their current distribution: Cyanocharax alegretensis Malabarba and Weitzman, 2003; Leporinus lacustris Amaral Campos, 1945; Microglanis aff. eurystoma Malabarba and Mahler, 1998; Tatia boemia Koch and Reis, 1996; Lepthoplosternum pectorale (Boulenger, 1895); Crenicichla missioneira Lucena and Kullander, 1992; C. minuano Lucena and Kullander, 1992; Apistogramma borellii Regan, 1906. These species were previously recorded either for upper Uruguay River or Parana River.
Genetic marker studies of the Larix gmelinii complex and the development of genetic marker theory for plant populations

The thesis is composed of two parts that are related by the theme of genetic markers. The first part involves the application of genetic markers to investigate the mating system, population genetic structure, and evolutionary relationship of the three Chinese larch taxa: Larix gmelinii, L. olgensis and L. principis-rupprechtii. The second part of the thesis explores the development of populations genetic theory that is relevant to plant populations and follows the behaviour of uniparentally as well as biparentally inherited markers. Seventeen populations of the Larix taxa listed above were analysed using eight polymorphic allozyme markers. Results indicated that mating system was variable among taxa and among natural populations within taxa. Outcrossing rates were tm = 0.986 ± 0.081 for one population of L.ginelinii, tm =0.684±0.107 -4.203 ± 0.371 for six populations of L. olgensis, and tm = 0.792 ± 0.169 -, 0.930 ± 0.149 for two populations of L. principis-rupprechtu. Population differentiation of each taxa was very small, showing that less than 2% of total genetic variation occurred among populations. Spatial distribution of genetic variation of L. g,nelinii was random, but a weak pattern of isolation by distance was detected in L. olgensis. The genetic relationship among the three taxa elucidated by allozyme markers indicated that the genetic distances were very low between them. Nei's arithmetic genetic distance was about 0.01 between taxa and 0.002 among populations within taxa. L. gmelinii was more closely related to L. olgensis than to L. principis-rupprechtii. Analyses of PCR-RFLP and sequencing of three non-coding regions of cpDNA from genes trnL(UGU) to tm F(GAA) showed no differences at all between the three taxa. Thus it may be concluded that divergence among the three taxa has occurred within recent history. Based on morphological traits and the results obtained by allozyme and cpDNA sequence markers, it is reasonable to consider L. olgensis and L. principis-rupprechtii to be two varieties of L. gmelinii rather than two separate Larix species. In the second part of this thesis, theories of plant population genetic structure were developed to incorporate biparentally, paternally, and maternally inherited genes into a variety of models. Population differentiation for each of the three plant genomes was
Mangrove Ecology, Aquatic Primary Productivity, and Fish Community Dynamics in the Teacapan-Agua Brava Lagoon-Estuarine System (Mexican Pacific)

Aquatic primary productivity, mangrove ecology, and fish community dynamics were investigated in the Teacapan-Agua Brava lagoon-estuarine system, the most extensive mangrove ecosystem on the Pacific coast of Mexico with three species of mangroves distributed heterogeneously (Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, and Avicennia germinans). Tree density was 3,203 trees ha-1 and basal area was 14.0 m2 ha-'. Litterfall was 1,417 g m 2 yr-1, characteristic of a productive riverine forest. The degradation constant for Laguncularia racemosa leaves varied from 1.71 to 4.7 yr-1 and mean annual net aquatic productivity was 0.41 g C m-3 d-1. There were high concentrations of humic substances (up to 150 mg 1-1) early in the wet season. Seasonal variations of the above parameters seemed closely related to the ecology of fish populations. There were 75 fish species distributed in two principal assemblages associated with wet and dry seasons. Diversity and biomass analysis indicated 18 dominant species. Total biomass of the community in this coastal system was estimated at 10 g wet wt m 2. The highest biomass occurred in the wet season. The most common fish species were Mugil curema, Achirus mazatlanus, Galeichthys caerulescens, Arius liropus, Diapterus peruvianus, Lile stolifera, Centropomus robalito, and Eucinostomus sp. , all of which have fishery importance. Primary productivity and fish community ecology are controlled by habitat char- acteristics, river discharge, and climatic seasonality.
Influences of irrigation, nitrogen and zeolite management on the physicochemical properties of rice

ABSTRACT The addition of zeolite (Z) to soils is increasingly being recognised as a way to enhance agricultural production and decrease fertilisation requirements and, hence, environmental costs. Meanwhile, the alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) has become widely applied to reduce the water requirements of rice cultivation. However, limited information is available on their impacts on rice’s physicochemical properties. This study investigated an integrated irrigation, nitrogen (N) and Z rice production system and assessed its effects on the milling, appearance, nutrition, taste and cooking qualities of the rice grain produced. Compared with conventional flooding irrigation (CF), AWD-grown rice had slightly decreased milling and appearance qualities. Addition of Z increased rice protein content and slightly decreased eating quality without affecting milling, appearance and cooking qualities. The highest yields achieved under AWD (9.8 t ha−1) and CF (8.9 t ha−1) were achieved using 105 kg N and 10 t Z ha−1, and 105 kg N and 5 t Z ha−1, respectively. Compared with the flooding untreated control (using 157.5 kg N ha−1 and no Z), these two treatment regimens required 27.8% and 8.1% less water, 33.3% less N fertiliser and increased yields by 10.6% and 0.6%, respectively, without measurably affecting rice grain quality.
Recent advances in the knowledge of Molina's Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus chinga and Striped Hog-nosed Skunk C. semistriatus in South America

Biological knowledge of South American hog-nosed skunks Conepatus remains scarce. Although common in several regions, even basic life-history aspects are poorly known, and important issues of taxonomy and biogeography are yet to be resolved. A better understanding of these species’ evolutionary history, biology and ecology would provide a solid basis for conservation planning. Here we provide an overview of current research efforts targeting these issues in Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus chinga and Striped Hognosed Skunk C. semistriatus. Preliminary data corroborating these species’ evolutionary distinctiveness, and concerning distribution, habitat use, food habits, spatial ecology, life history, and reproductive biology are provided. We hope that these will serve as a basis for in-depth studies targeting these species and the role they play in Neotropical carnivore communities.
Impact of Supplementing Propylene Glycol and Calcium Propionate to Primiparous Buffalo Cows During the Late Gestation and Early Lactation Period on Reproductive Performance and Metabolic Parameters

Eighteen primiparous Egyptian buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis) at late pregnancy (last 8 weeks of gestation) with an average live body weight of 500±25 kg and aged 35±5 months were used to assess the effect of supplementation propylene glycol (PG) and calcium propionate (CP) as a source of energy on some productive traits of Primiparous dams and some metabolic parameters related to fertility. Animals were divided into three similar groups (6/each) based on live body weight (LBW), body condition scores (BCS), expected calving date. The experimental animal in the 1st group control (C), were drenched 3 liters of saline solution (Nacl 0.9%) without any other supplementation, while in the 2nd group (PG) were drenched 300 ml of propylene glycol dissolved in 3 liters of a saline solution and in the 3rd group (CP), animals supplemented with 335g of calcium propionate dissolved in 3 liters of a saline solution. All treatments were administered through esophagus via esophagus feeder tube twice/weekly throughout the experimental period. Animals were fed individually allowances of concentrate feed mixture (CFM), berseem hay and rice straw which were adjusted according to the physiological and productive stage according to N.R. C (1988). Live body weight of Primiparous buffaloes and their calves at birth, Drop of fetal membranes (hour), First estrus post-partum (day), the interval from calving to first estrus were recorded. Number of service per conception, days open, calving interval and frequency distribution (%) were also calculated. Blood samples were collected from all buffalo cows for measuring non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose and Insulin concentration. Supplementation of (PG) and (CP) treatment revealed significant differences on live body weights, reproductive parameters as first estrus post partum, days open and number of service per conception and blood metabolites as NEFA, BUN and glucose concentration. In brief supplementation of (PG) and (CP) treatment during transition period to primiparous buffalo cows had a great impact on reproductive performance and some metabolic parameters related to fertility.
Growth Versus Storage in Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii Seedlings in Response to Changes in Nutrient and Water Availability

In this paper, growth and storage of carbon and nitrogen in seedlings of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) and chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) have been compared across different levels of nutrient and water availabilities. Four nutrient (144, 264, 384 and 504 mg of NPK fertilizer per kg soil) and three watering (21 days, 14 days and 7 days interval) treatments were applied to seedlings. At low watering levels, seedling dry mass of both the species decreased towards higher nutrient level. However, at high watering level, dry mass increased with increasing water availability. When water availability was increased in a constant nutrient environment, dry mass of seedling increased with increase in water availability. Both the species showed a similar pattern of storing nitrogen instead of increasing biomass particularly at low watering levels. However, at each nutrient level, growth and storage increased with increasing moisture availability. As compared to Q. leucotrichophora, seedlings of P. roxburghii favoured growth over storage (according to its more competitive strategy), although this species accumulated more carbon and nitrogen towards the higher nutrient level.
Fear and loathing in a Great Lakes forest: cascading effects of competition between wolves and coyotes

Larger predators can affect smaller predators through intraguild predation and competition, which in turn could have indirect effects on other consumers. We investigated whether gray wolves (Canis lupus) generate such effects by reducing predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) on snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). We also examined whether wolves indirectly affect abundances of deer mice (Peromyscus spp.) as part of a wolf–coyote–fox cascade. We compared habitat use by consumers in the high- and low-wolf-use areas of a Great Lakes forest (Wisconsin and Michigan, United States). Coyotes frequented high-wolf-use areas about half as much low-wolf-use areas, which coincided with a tripling of hare browse on saplings in high-wolf-use areas. Foxes (Vulpes vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus) frequented high-wolf-use areas almost exclusively. Fewer mice occurred in high-wolf-use areas than low-wolf-use areas in 2011 (approximately one-half) and 2013 (approximately two-fifths), but not in 2012, possibly due to increased food supply. We conclude that wolves may generate cascading effects through changes in coyote distribution that benefit hares and foxes, while also reducing the deer mouse population in some years.
Allelopathic effect of Santa Maria (Parthenium hysterophrous) mulch on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max).

To determine the effect of Santa Maria (Parthenium hysterophrous) mulch on growth and yield of soybean, a study was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory as well as in the greenhouse. Parthenium surface mulch and soil incorporation was practiced at different levels in laboratory as well as in greenhouse. Higher allelopathic potential was found by the treatments of Parthenium soil incorporation, especially when soil incorporation of Parthenium herbage @ 5 ton ha-1 was practiced. This could be because of the presence of soil moisture that enhanced the decomposition of Parthenium therefore, retarded the growth and other parameters. The study showed that Parthenium hysterophrous considerably reduced the emergence, seedling growth and yield of soybean.
Micro-CT as a novel technique for 3D reconstruction of molluscan anatomy

X-ray micro-CT is demonstrated to be a novel technique to examine soft-tissue anatomy and is used here to reconstruct images of molluscan soft-tissue for the first time. Two micromolluscs ( 1.8 mm diameter) were imaged using micro-CT, and then reconstructed to form 3D models of the tissues. Discrete organs of the alimentary system of large gastropods were also imaged. Osmium tetroxide and phosphomolybdic acid were identified as useful stains and a specimen preparation protocol is presented. Micro-CT is a rapid, non-destructive technique which complements and may in some circumstances replace traditional 3D reconstruction of molluscan specimens from histological sections. Micro-CT is faster and more spatially accurate than reconstruction from histological sections, but organs of a similar density are difficult to distinguish due to a lack of cellular detail.
Ocorrência e caracterização de galhas de insetos em um fragmento de mata semicaducifólia do Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, GO, Brasil / Occurrence and characterization of insect galls in a fragment of semidecidual forest in the Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, GO, Brazil

In an area of semidecidual forest called “Mata da Veterinaria”, located at the Campus Samambaia of the Universidade Federal de Goias, 42 morphotypes of insect galls were collected in 22 species and 20 families of host plants. The botanical families with higher gall richness were Styracaceae (7), Burseraceae (7), Fabaceae (5) and Siparunaceae (4). The leaf-galls were the most common, the majori- ty occurred in isolation and, regarding the morphology, globoid and glabrous galls were more frequent. There was a greater emergence of Hymenoptera than Diptera (Cecidomyiidae). Studies in other forest fragments in the region as well as in the forest canopy should be implemented.
Effects of pork differentiation strategies in Canada on pig performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract: Performance and quality traits were measured in carcasses from combinations of genotype, diet supplement, slaughter weight, and carcass chilling regime. Iberian-crossed pigs had lower live animal performance than Duroc and Lacombe. From 70 to 115 kg, Lacombe pigs grew slightly faster than Duroc. Duroc carcasses had a higher lean percentage, heavier ham and picnic primals, and lighter loins and bellies, compared with Lacombe and Iberian. Heavier carcasses had lower lean yield, except those from Iberian-crossed pigs, and bigger bellies. Meat from Duroc-crossed pigs was lighter in colour and higher in marbling, with intermediate values for fat hardness. Iberian carcasses displayed dark meat with intermediate marbling and the hardest fat. Meat from Lacombe pigs was the leanest although, like in all three breeds, marbling scores were higher in heavier carcasses. Generally, supplementing with canola and flax decreased and blast chilling increased fat hardness values. Dietary canola also seemed to affect meat colour traits, but these effects were not consistent among breeds and slaughter weights. The commercial combination of Duroc breed, control diet, and 115-kg slaughter weight showed a balance in terms of performance, carcass, and quality traits. Other combinations evaluated in this study showed potential to efficiently produce differentiated pork.