Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the availability of Ontario's non-industrial private forest lands for recreation and forestry activities

Privately owned forest lands contribute significant amounts of land for wood supply and recreational opportunities in various parts of Canada including areas within Ontario. The decisions that landowners make about permitting various activities on their lands can impact resource managers and current and potential users of forested environments. In this study, the willingness of Ontario's non-industrial private forest landowners to conduct forest harvesting and to permit hunting and wildlife recreational opportunities is examined. The study explores whether the willingness of landowners with large-sized landholdings (i.e., minimum 20 ha) is influenced by characteristics that describe the private lands and the owners of these private lands. The results show that trends towards land parcelization, afforestation and loss of agricultural lands may impact the availability of lands for forest harvesting and hunting. The models also suggest that northern Ontario landowners may make different decisions about condu.
Nutrition knowledge among a sample of urban black and white South Africans

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate gaps in nutrition knowledge and the relationship between nutrition knowledge and sociodemographic characteristics in an urban black and white South African population. The sample included 90 blacks and 90 whites living in former white and black urban areas in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, chosen by systematic random sampling via a telephone survey. Measures used included a general nutrition knowledge questionnaire. Results indicate that both blacks and whites seem to have a reasonable knowledge of dietary recommendations and sources of nutrients but have less knowledge on the diet-disease relationship, particularly with regard to choosing everyday foods that are healthier. Whites have significantly more general nutrition knowledge than blacks. Although there was no significant difference when comparing black and white men on general nutrition knowledge, black women had significantly lower nutrition knowledge than white women.
Temporal Discounting of Strategic Issues: Bold Forecasts for Opportunities and Threats

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of a strategic issue's temporal proximity on the identification of the issue as threatening or opportunity like. In Experiment 1, university students (N = 86) reacted to hypothetical threats or opportunities that differed in the degree to which they were immediate or delayed. Evidence was found for the asymmetrical discounting of strategic issues such that students discounted distant threats more than distant opportunities. In addition, it was found that, although immediate threats were viewed just as likely to occur as immediate opportunities, distant threats were seen as less likely to occur than distant opportunities. Experiment 2 (N = 222) showed that a manipulation of a threat's likelihood of occurring had no effect on the temporal discounting of the hypothetical threat. However, the perceived control of threats increased as temporal distance increased. This article concludes that perceived control plays an important role in the reduced plausibility of distant threats.
Photosynthetic characteristics of 10 Acacia species grown under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2

Ten contrasting Acacia species were grown in glasshouses with normal ambient CO2 or ele-vated to 700 µL L–1. Plants were grown in sand with a complete nutrient solution, including 5 mМ nitrate. Our objective was to determine the degree to which photosynthesis, and the efficiency of nitrogen and water use, were affected by growth under elevated CO2 in contrasting plant species that differ in specific foliage area (foliage area per unit foliage dry mass). Photosynthetic characteristics were measured at several stages. Growth and measurement of gas exchange under 700 mL L–1 CO2 resulted in enhanced rates of CO2 assimilation per unit foliage area in nine of the species. The degree of enhancement was independent of specific foliage area. The exception was the slow-growing A. aneura, which had lower rates of CO2 assimilation when grown and measured at 700 µL L–1 CO2 compared to plants grown and measured at 350 µL L–1 CO2, at 50, 78 and 93 d after transplanting. Leaf conductance was reduced by growth in elevated CO2 in only six of the species. Overall, elevated CO2 improved the ratio of CO2 assimi-lation to conductance by 78% and increased CO2 assimilation per unit of foliage nitrogen by 30% at a given specific foliage area. Detailed study of A. saligna and A. aneura revealed that the effects of the CO2 treatment were similarly evident on all fully expanded phyllodes, regardless of their age. Intercellular CO2 response curves were analysed on four species and revealed no change in the ratio of electron transport to Rubisco activities. However, for A. aneura and A. melanoxylon, both electron transport and Rubisco activities were reduced per unit foliage nitrogen, by growth under elevated CO2 . For A. saligna and A. implexa, these activities per unit nitrogen, were not altered by the elevated CO2 treatment. To relate CO2 assimilation rates to net assimilation rates (dry matter increment per unit foliage area per day) derived from growth analysis, between 30 and 50% of daily photosynthesis appeared to be consumed in respiration. This proportion was not altered by CO2 treatment for seven of the Acacia species, but appeared to be reduced in the other three. The increase in CO2 assimilation rate by growth under 700 com-pared to 350 µL L–1 CO2 that was measured (26%, mean of all species from two surveys), matched the increase in net assimilation rate that had been derived from destructive sampling (30%). We conclude that the increase in CO2 assimilation rate in the selected Acacia species was independent of species, growth rate and foliage area per unit foliage dry mass.
The effect of clove and cinnamon oils on growth of and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus

The effect of different concentrations of clove and cinnamon oils was studied on the growth of and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus in SMKY liquid medium. The effect of these compounds was also verified against aflatoxin production in maize. Significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the elaboration of aflatoxin in liquid culture after treatment with more than 100 μg ml‐1 of these compounds was recorded. Cinnamon oil exhibited maximum inhibitory action and reduced 78% aflatoxin formation on maize at 1000 mg kg‐1.
Somatic Embryogenesis of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) Using Seed Cuttings Obtained from Pre-Mature Fruit

Seed cuttings including zygotic embryo axis with its two cotyledon parts (2-5 mm2) were extracted from green-pre-mature cucumber fruit and used as seed explants, or they were used after dividing them (after 3 days culture) into embryo axis and cotyledon parts. Their embryogenic potential increased with the increase of fruit maturity, the maximum was obtained when 3 weeks old fruits were used. The most efficient explant type was the cotyledon segments. Efficient cucumber embryogenesis was obtained using a two steps procedure: 1-somatic embryos were initiated and multiplied on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4. 5μM 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), 90 mM sucrose and 0.8% agar (NMM medium), 2-embryo maturation and germination were accomplished using the same medium without 2, 4-D (MGM medium). The most important sign for successful transfer from the first to the second step was the appearance of slight greenish patches on the embryogenic mass (EMS), which appeared in 10 weeks.
The multi-entrance system in an aggregation of Andrena agilissima (Hymenoptera Andrenidae)

Andrena agilissima (Scopoli) is a communal bee that nests in aggregations. On an earth wall on the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy) individual bees use many nest entrances leading to subterranean tunnels (GIOVANETTI et al. 1999). Some females maintain one single nest entrance during the entire period of observation, having it in common with other bees that use other entrances as well. Multi-entrance use is not due to mistakes made by the bees and is probably related to the presence of subterranean random connections among tunnels. In fact, the nest entrances used by the same individual are usually very close to each other. Bees entering more than one nest entrance show distinct patterns of behaviour: prevalent use of only one entrance, subsequent or alternate use of different entrances. Bees may use the same nest entrance in a specialized way, just to enter or just to leave the nest, or for both activities. Specialized use of nest entrances is consistent with the use of underground connections. Different nesting strategies seem to be influenced by the local average nest density. A possible regulatory mechanism of the multi-entrance system of the aggregation is discussed.
Common reptiles unaffected by connectivity or condition in a fragmented farming landscape

Species need to disperse at a broad range of spatial scales, the recognition of which has spawned programmes such as Wildlands and WildCountry that aim to restore large-scale connectivity. To achieve connectivity, a first step is to understand how wildlife uses existing remnants. In this study we examine the effect of remnant isolation and condition on the reptile fauna of fragmented mallee habitats in southern Australia. In three replicate landscapes we use pitfall traps to survey reptiles in five landscape elements: Conservation Park, connected, disconnected and isolated fragments, and the agricultural matrix. Reptile species richness, abundance, abundance of snakes, skinks and the 10 most common species had no significant association with landscape elements, excluding the matrix. This was despite a substantial reduction in plant species richness in the fragments, particularly of shrubs. Only seven individual reptiles were captured in the matrix, most on one site with deep sandy soils. The farmland on clay soils appeared to be relatively impermeable for reptiles, although four species could traverse 100 m of cleared sand-dune. The lack of an isolation effect suggests that populations in remnants are persistent, or that occasional dispersal by common reptiles maintains populations. In contrast with common species, fewer rare species were captured in remnants compared with the Conservation Park, implying that some species may be entirely excluded from the remnants. Our study suggests that the spatial configuration and condition of the fragments sustain populations of many common reptile species. Remnants will therefore be invaluable as attempts are made to restore landscape-scale permeability. However, additional conservation effort should be made to restore plant species that have been lost from the agricultural landscape. Future research should aim to better define the suite of reptile species that may not be able to use the remnants at all.
Corewood in South African pine: necessity and opportunities for improvement

South Africa has made excellent progress in breeding plantation trees fulfilling the primary demands of improved volume growth, stem and branching characteristics, tolerance to pests and diseases, and general adaptability. This has had marked positive impacts on wood quality, as straight stems normally contain no or very little reaction wood, while problems associated with pith eccentricity and wandering pith are kept to a minimum. The breeding of trees with small, well-distributed branches, forming large angles with the vertical axis of the tree stem, reduced performance problems associated with knots and knot-associated features. However, tree breeding and intensive silviculture are causing the average corewood diameter to increase, creating a wood resource that is increasing in variability, especially when combined with earlier harvesting. Reducing the size and improving the properties of the corewood zone have therefore become of utmost importance to ensure that the South African pine timber resource continues to meet quality demands related to strength, stiffness and stability. Breeding programmes to date have created sound bases for further wood quality improvement of the various pine species, especially of the corewood zone. Opportunities for success are excellent as large variation in corewood properties still exists within the current breeding populations, combined with operationally important wood properties, such as wood density, microfibril angle, spiral grain and transitional age, all being under moderate to strong genetic control. Corewood properties seem to be inherited largely independently of tree and growth characteristics, making it possible to combine improvement in these characteristics with desirable wood properties. This paper discusses results from several young field trials, which have shown marked family, species and site differences in wood stiffness. This suggests that there is good opportunity to increase the dynamic modulus of elasticity of corewood by early selection and breeding, using highly reliable non-destructive acoustic technology. The results also proved that vegetative propagation through cuttings has no detrimental effect on corewood stiffness. The latter may even increase with increasing physiological age of the cutting.
Enthusiasm and Moral Commitment: What Sustains Family Caregivers of Those With Dementia

Elderly (n = 22) and young (n = 15) primary family caregivers of persons diagnosed with dementia and nonprimary caregivers (n = 13) were interviewed to assess their commitment to caregiving, internalization of the caregiving role (i.e., autonomy and self-determination), well-being, and appraisal of problematic situations. Primary caregivers reported a higher level of moral commitment than nonprimary caregivers. Young primary caregivers experienced more negative affect and less enthusiasm about caregiving and their relationship with the patient than other caregivers. Regression analyses suggest that greater identification with caregiving may generate enthusiasm, which in turn seems to foster well-being in primary caregivers and dampen their appraised threat of problematic situations. Finally, a tendency to appraise difficult situations as challenges when highly morally committed might explain primary caregivers' persistence.
Factors influencing dairy cattle longevity.

Summary Analysis of disposal records on 505 Holstein-Friesian and 489 Jersey cattle in the USDA herds at Beltsville, Maryland, showed that 41.3% of the Holsteins and 21.3% of the Jerseys were removed from the herd as nonbreeders. Udder troubles constituted the second largest group of reasons for disposal, the percentages being 10.5 and 9.6 for the two breeds, respectively. No cattle were culled for low production or poor type in these herds during the 40-yr. period covered by the data. Longevity of individual cows was measured in terms of age at last calving prior to disposal. The automatic selection differential for this trait averaged approximately 1½ yr. per generation for both breeds. Heritability estimates based on intra-sire daughter-dam regressions and paternal half-sib correlations did not differ significantly from zero. The correlations between longevity and first-lactation milk yield were . 18 in the Holstein and . 19 in the Jersey data. Similar values were obtained regarding butterfat yield. The results indicate that differences in longevity between individual cows are determined largely by nongenetic influences. Efforts to improve this trait genetically through direct selection or by improving dairy type probably would be ineffective. Also, the study indicates that no deleterious effects on longevity need be expected by concentrating selection of progeny-tested sires on the basis of first-lactation production records of their daughters.
Seed dispersal spectra: a comparison of temperate plant communities

We compare the dispersal spectra of diaspores from varied plant communities in Australia, New Zea- land, and North America, assigning dispersal mode to each diaspore type on the basis of apparent morpholo- gical adaptations. Species with ballistic and external dispersal modes were uncommon in most communities we surveyed. Ant dispersal was also rather uncommon, except in some Australian sclerophyll vegetation types. The frequency of vertebrate dispersal ranged up to 60% of the flora, the highest frequencies occurring in New Zealand forests. Wind dispersal ranged as high as 70% of the flora, with the highest values in Alaska, but usually comprised 10-30% of the flora. Many species in most communities had diaspores with no special morpholo- gical device for dispersal. Physiognomically similar vegetation types in different biogeographic regions usually had somewhat dissimilar dispersal spectra. The fre- quency of dispersal by vertebrates often increased and the frequency of species with no special dispersal device decreased along gradients of increasing vertical diversity of vegetation structure. Elevation and moisture gradi- ents also exhibited shifts in dispersal spectra. Within Australia, vertebrate- and wind-dispersal increased in frequency along a soil-fertility gradient, and dispersal by ants and by no special device decreased. Habitat breadths (across plant communities) and microhabitat breadths (within communities) for species of each major dispersal type did not show consistent differences, in general. Ant- dispersed species often had lower cover-values than other species in several Australian vegetation types. We discuss the ecological bases of these differences in dispersal spectra in terms of the availability of dis- persal agents, seed size, and other ecological constraints. Seed size is suggested to be one ecological factor that is probably of general relevance to the evolution of dispersal syndromes.
A CALCIUM‐DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE FUNCTIONS IN WOUND HEALING IN VENTRICARIA VENTRICOSA (CHLOROPHYTA)

The cytoplasm around a wound made in the multinucleate unicellular green alga Ventricaria ventricosa ( J. Agardh) Olsen et West formed an aggregation‐ring surrounding the wound immediately after injury. A contraction of the ring then brought about wound healing in culture medium containing Ca2+. Involvement of a calcium‐dependent protein kinase (CDPK) as a regulator of wound healing was examined using an anti‐Dunaliella tertiolecta CDPK antibody. A 52‐kDa protein cross‐reacting with the antibody was detected by Western blotting. Protein kinases of 60 kDa and 52 kDa, which were markedly activated by Ca2+, and a 40‐kDa Ca2+‐independent protein kinase were detected by an in‐gel protein kinase assay using myelin basic protein as the substrate. A 52‐kDa band with Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase activity was immunoprecipitated from the cytoplasmic extract, indicating that these 52‐kDa proteins are identical and possess CDPK activity. Microscopic observation showed that the contraction of the aggregation ring was suppressed by application of the anti‐CDPK to the culture medium. A protein kinase inhibitor, K‐252a, and the calmodulin inhibitors, calmidazolium and compound 48 / 80, which inhibit CDPK activity, also suppressed the contraction of the aggregation‐ring. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed a similar distribution of 52‐kDa CDPK to the distribution of f‐actin, which was randomly distributed in an intact cell and formed a bundle during wound healing. Further, f‐actin was not recruited after injury in the presence of the antibody to CDPK. These results suggest that the 52‐kDa CDPK functions as a Ca2+ receptor in wound healing and simultaneously participates in the organization and contraction of f‐actin to heal the wound.
Microbial activity in the forestomach of free-living macropodid marsupials: comparisons with laboratory studies

Parameters of fermentative digestion were measured in five species of macropodid marsupials shot while feeding in the wild. These included details of microbiota, fermentation products (volatile fatty acids, gas, ammonia) and forestomach digesta pH. Ciliate protozoa and fungi, similar to anaerobic rumen fungi, were present in the forestomach of all species except Thylogale thetis. The bacterial flora was complex and numbers were similar to those in the ruminant forestomach. The forestomach gas contained more methane than found previously in captive macropodids, and in Wallabia bicolor hydrogen was present at 10- 11% of total gas. The pH of forestomach digesta was 5.7-6.7, indicative of animals actively feeding. Comparisons of stomach fill, ammonia and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and molar proportions, and rates of VFA production in the forestomach and hindgut, indicated that conclusions on digestive function in macropodids derived from studies on captive animals are generally applicable to free-living macropodids. The main differences probably lie in greater levels of feed intake in the field, and in greater opportunity for free-living macropodids to select from a more heterogeneous diet.
Diet dimorphism‘ within an Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus population– adaptive significance and effects on recent distribution dynamics

Of the 50 or so Oystercatcher pairs breeding on Skokholm in 1965 and 1966, 15% bred near the shore and 85% bred inland; 28% fed their young on limpets, and 72% on terrestrial arthropods and earthworms. ‘Terrestrial-feeders’ were three times more successful than limpet-feeders in fledging young, irrespective of variation in initial brood size and of hatching date but depending on differential losses to gull predation. This is because parents' vigilance is relatively low in limpet-feeders' territories, and limpet-fed young are on average undernourished and hence behave relatively carelessly. Since the 1930s the population of shore-breeding gulls has increased considerably on Skokholm. A certain increase of the Oystercatcher population during this period seems to have been associated with a shift inland, until the island became saturated at the late 40s. It is proposed that the increase in shore-breeding gulls has triggered a genetically based behavioural change in Oystercatchers, which has been responsible for the shift to inland habitats and to terrestrial food, which promotes a population increase. This interpretation for events on Skokholm may be applicable for the general trend of habitat shift and population increase of other British populations.
Frozen Homogenized Milk. IX. Freezing Characteristics of Homogenized and Unhomogenized Milk

Summary and Conclusions Except for fat movement, homogenized and unhomogenized milk showed similar freezing characteristics during freezing at −20° C. In both milks, there was a gradual but constant increase in the percentage of protein, total solids, and ash in the unfrozen portions. In the frozen sections (when divided into top, middle, and bottom), both milks showed a final increase in protein, total solids, and ash contents over the earlier observations. As freezing progressed, the bottom sections of both milks showed a final increase in fat content. The fat content of the homogenized milk increased in the middle section, whereas that of the unhomogenized milk decreased slightly. The top section of the homogenized milk showed slight variations in fat and that of the unhomogenized showed a constant increase. After freezing was completed, the homogenized and unhomogenized milks showed a similar concentration in the lower portion of the sample of protein and milk constituents that would constitute the ash. The fat content of the unhomogenized milk concentrated in the upper portion of the sample.