Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in Hamilton Harbour suspended sediment quality

Suspended sediment quality in Hamilton Harbour has been assessed as part of a long-term monitoring study (1987–2012). Sampling locations reflected a range of shoreline activities and sources of chemical contamination to the harbour. Temporal data showed a trend toward decreasing levels of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls over the period from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, with a subsequent leveling off over the next two decades. The highest concentrations of both contaminants were detected in areas impacted by industrial activities along the southern shoreline and Windermere Arm, and deep-water areas of the harbour where fine-grained sediments ultimately accumulate. Areas of the harbor discharging residential or rural parts of the watershed exhibited generally lower levels of contamination. In addition to the relatively higher contaminant levels, areas along the southern shoreline and Windermere Arm characterized by historical industrial activities and associated contaminated sediments exhibited chemical profiles indicating an impact on suspended sediment and bottom sediment quality throughout the harbour. Continued monitoring after scheduled remedial activities should provide an assessment of the overall efficacy of management actions to improve sediment quality in Hamilton Harbour.
Choice of quantitative characteristics of a radiation modifier affinity and the range of its pharmacological action (minireview)

: On the basis of the literature the necessity of using not only DMF and maximal protective or sensitizing effects, but also the affinity and the range of the pharmacological action of radiation modifiers is argued. The affinity is worth while to expressed as ED50 (the dose that produces a half of the maximal effect), and the range of the pharmacological action as a therapeutic index K = LD50/ED50.
Complete mitochondrial DNA and phylogenetic study of qionglai native black chicken

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the qionglai black chicken was measured by PCR-based methods, the molecular characterization and phyletic evolution analyzed in detail. Our result showed that the entire mitochondrial genome of the qionglai black chicken is a circular molecule consisting of 16,785 bp (GenBank accession number: KT958484). The contents of A, T, C, and G were 30.25%, 23.74%, 32.54% and 13.48%in the mitochondrial genome, respectively. The complete mitochondrial genome of the qionglai blackchicken contains a typical structure, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 1 control region (D-loop region). The phyletic evolution analysis shown that this chicken was evolution between the red jungle fowl and the special egg chicken white loghorn chicken.This complete mitochondrial genome sequence provides essential information in understanding phylogenetic relationships among Gallusgallus domesticus mitochondrial genomes and the breeding of native chick
Purification and properties of two xylanases from Aspergillus oryzae

Culture filtrates of Aspergillus foetidus VTT-D-71002, A. oryzae VTT-D-85248, and A. fumigatus VTT-D-82195 contained two proteins harboring xylanase activity and a single β-xylosidase. The two xylanases of A. oryzae were purified to homogeneity by two-stage ion exchange chromatography on DEAE- and CM Sepharose. Both xylanases hydrolyzed soluble 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan with apparently equal efficiency, but xylanase I (pI 7.0) was considerably more effective in the hydrolysis of insoluble, unsubstituted xylan than xylanase II (pI 4.9)
Full-season Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) interference with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Four field experiments were conducted in Oklahoma to measure full-season Palmer amaranth interference on cotton lint yield and fiber properties. Density of the weed ranged from 0 to 12 plants 10 m−1 of row. Cotton lint yield vs. weed density fit a linear model for densities ⩽ 8 weeds row−1 at Perkins and Chickasha in 1996 and at Alms in 1997. At Perkins in 1997, all densities fit a linear model. For each increase of 1 weed row−1, lint yield reductions were 62 kg ha−1 (or 10.7%) and 58 kg ha−1 (or 11.5%) at Perkins and at Chickasha in 1996, respectively. At Perkins and Alms in 1997, for each 1 weed row−1, lint yield was reduced 71 kg ha−1 (or 5.9%) and 112 kg ha−1 (or 8.7%), respectively. Lint yield vs. end-of-season weed volume fit a linear model except at Alms in 1997. For each increase of 1 m3 of weed plot−1, cotton lint yield in 1996 was reduced by 1.6 and 1.5% at Perkins and Chickasha, respectively. In 1997 at Perkins and Altus (⩽ 6 weeds), each increase of 1 m3 of weed plot−1 reduced lint yield 1.6 and 2.3%, respectively. Lint yield vs. end-of-season weed biomass fit a linear model in all four experiments. Lint yield was reduced 5.2 to 9.3% for each increase of 1 kg of weed biomass plot−1. Fiber analyses revealed significant differences for micronaire (fiber fineness) among weed densities in two experiments, marginal significance in a third, and none in a fourth. An intermediate number of weeds often resulted in improved fiber micronaires in these environments. No other fiber properties were influenced by weed density.
Irrigation, Mulch, and Double Row Planting Related to Fruit Size and Yield of ‘Bounty’ Strawberry

Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. ‘Bounty’) were planted in a loamy sand soil and grown in single or double rows with and without irrigation and a black copolymer film mulch in all combinations for 3 cropping seasons. Total marketable yield was increased significantly by mulch and double rows only in the 1st cropping season. Irrigation was the most important practice in the last 2 cropping seasons, increasing both fruit size and total yield.
Associations between litter size and medical treatment of sows during farrowing and lactation

ABSTRACT Sow litter sizes have increased recently, and there is a lack of data on the effect of litter size on sow health and sow medical treatment. This study investigated associations between litter size and medical treatment of sows, using data for a 10-year period from one Swedish research farm. The data comprised 1947 litters from 655 Yorkshire sows. Association between litter size and medical treatment of sows during farrowing and lactation investigated using a multivariable multilevel logistic regression model. We found that odds of medical treatment of sows decreased for each additional piglet born up to five piglets (odds ratio 0.50, p = .002). For litter sizes ≥5, the odds for each additional piglet born (odds ratio 1.11, p < .001). Problems with milk let-down in early lactation were the main reason for treatment. Results imply that sows with very small or very large litters may be less profitable.
Nitrogen uptake by summer phytoplankton in Lake Balaton

The contribution of ammonium, nitrate and N 2 to the nitrogen demand of summer phytoplankton has been estimated in two basins of Lake Balaton. The uptake rates of ammonium and nitrate were determined using 15 N methodology. N 2 -fixation rates were measured by the acetylene-reduction technique. The light dependence of uptake and N 2 -fixation was described with an exponential saturation equation. The decrease of I k values from mid-summer to autumn coincided with an increasing contribution of cyanobacteria to the algal population, suggesting a relatively lower light requirement than that of other species. The dark uptake velocity of ammonium and nitrate were 30-63 % and 1-40 % of light saturated uptake, respectively. The contribution of ammonium to the daily nitrogen supply of algae varied between 50-90%. Nitrate uptake was much less important with a maximum of 40 %. Nitrogen fixation was significant only in the western basin at the time of highest primary production and greatest N 2 -fixing cyanobacterial contribution. Nitrogen uptake experiments and loading data suggest, that nitrogen regeneration is by far the most important process in establishing and supporting the standing crop of phytoplankton in the lake during summer.
HISTORICAL APPROACHES IN THE STUDY OF PLANT-POLLINATOR INTERACTIONS

Interactions between plants and pollinating animals are well-known examples of interspecific mutualism, which involves reciprocal adaptations and can lead to coevolution. In plant-pollinator interaction the concept of coevolution is frequently inappropriate since the majority of interactions is non-obligate and makes conflicting patterns of association between species. Due to the diffuse nature of this kind of interaction, there is an attempt to divide the interactions in classes of specialization, such as the floral syndromes. Ecological approaches could be applied in the study of those interactions (for example, the floral visitor records and behavior and pollinator efficiency, among others), not necessarily based in the historical or evolutionary view of the interaction. In the present review two approaches in the historical view of the plant-pollinator interaction are presented according to their main methods and some examples. The first approach is regarding to the fossil record of interaction, which is rare and could be indirect, when a fossil animal presents morphological characters previously known for a particular kind of interaction; or direct, when the process of fossilization have occurred in the exact moment of the interaction, preserving together animals and plants (or parts of plants). The second part of the revision is regarding to phylogenetic hypothesis and is divided in four different approaches: (1) mapping characters in phylogeny; (2) estimating the age of interactions; (3) co-phylogenies and (4) association between phylogenetic and biogeographical hypothesis. Parsimony and/or model-based method are present in all revised papers and their efficacy is also discussed. The use of phylogenetic hypothesis is suggested as the most important approach in the study of evolution of those interactions and, within this line of thought, the ancestral state character reconstruction and mapping them in the phylogeny is the base of a main part of our knowledge about the evolution of plant-pollinator interactions. However all those approaches require the availability of good collected ecological data, which is a major challenge for the understanding of those interactions in the Neotropical biota.
Modelling kelp forest primary production using in situ photosynthesis, biomass and light measurements

: Kelp forests are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Accurately quantifying net primary productivity (NPP) of kelps is challenging, as the carbon being produced is continually being lost through erosion of tissue and as dissolved organic carbon. Here, we use a physiological model that incorporates in situ estimates of photosynthesis vs. irradiance (P - E) parameters, biomass and underwater irradiance to estimate NPP of a subsurface Ecklonia radiata kelp forest in northern New Zealand over the seasonal cycle and depth range. Model testing found that predicted gross primary production (GPP) based on seasonal and depth-specific P - E parameters, biomass and underwater irradiance levels was strongly related to rates of GPP measured on individual kelp in the field (r 2 = 0.83). Sensitivity analysis indicated that NPP estimates were most sensitive to variation in biomass and photosynthetic parameters. Using this approach, estimated annual production (±SE) at 6 m (615 ± 183 g C m −2 yr −1 ) was found to be 1.6× greater than at 14 m depth (374 ± 102 g C m −2 yr −1 ), which was proportional to the difference in biomass between depths. This indicates that the greater photosynthetic abilities (higher maximum photosynthetic rates and photosynthetic efficiency) of deeper kelp offset the effects of reduced irradiance on overall NPP at depth. This study demonstrates how in situ P - E curves of adult kelp can be incorporated with biomass and irradiance data to estimate NPP of kelp forests, and highlights the importance of understanding depth-related variation in photosynthetic performance when estimating primary production of subsurface kelp forests.
Effects of Algae and Shell Pigment Extract-supplemented Diets on Shell Pigmentation and Growth Performance of Pacific Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai

To improve shell pigmentation and growth performance of Pacific abalone, five extruded diets were prepared by supplementing a formulated control diet with 3% each of three species of algae (Pacific dulse, Porphyra yezoensis, Spirulina) and a pigment extract from the abalone shells (0.02%). Each of the five diets and a commercial feed were randomly assigned to three containers each stocked with 1000 juvenile Pacific abalone (2 g per individual) in a flow-through seawater system for a 5-mo feeding trial. Test results showed: (1) all the supplements significantly (P < 0.05) increased percentages of dark-brown shelled abalone in the test treatments, relative to the control treatment; (2) the abalone fed the experimental diets achieved significantly (P < 0.05) greater final weight, shell-length growth rates, and higher meat protein contents than those fed the commercial feed (P < 0.05); and (3) the abalone fed the Spirulina-supplemented diet achieved the best overall growth, pigmentation performances, and feed conversion ratio; and the Pacific dulse supplement generated the highest protein content in abalone meat product (P < 0.05) among the tested diets. These results demonstrate the potential of locally made feed, which can generate desirable characteristics in abalone under aquaculture conditions.
The ecological significance of an arboreal nest of Bombus pullatus in Costa Rica

A Bombus pullatus nest 5.5 m above the ground in the foliage of a banana plant was collected at 1,400 m elevation near San Vito de Java, Costa Rica. Containing 36 presumably virgin queens, 259 workers, and 48 males, the colony has certain traits suggesting perenniality or mobility. It is postulated that the failure of bumble-bees to attain an abundance in the wet lowland tropics equivalent to that in temperate mesic habitats may be due to a shortage in tropical habitats of dry underground cavities plus the ephemeral nature of arboreal nest sites, increased predation on both individual bees and entire nests, and increased competition for arboreal nest sites by smaller social bees and ants.
Effects of prazosin and phentolamine on responses to field stimulation and to noradrenaline in vas deferens and anococcygeus muscle of the rat.

: The effects of phentolamine (10(-6)M) and prazosin (10(-7)M) on contractile responses, in the presence of cocaine or nortriptyline, were investigated in vas deferens and anococcygeus muscle of rat. Cocaine (10(-5)M) and nortriptyline (10(-6)M) had no effect on maximum responses to field stimulation, (--)-noradrenaline, methoxamine, and acetylcholine in anococcygeus muscle. However, both cocaine (3.3 x 10(-5)M) and nortripthline (10(-6)M) potentiated maximum responses to (--)-noradrenaline without altering the maximum response to field stimulation in vas deferens. In vas deferens, phentolamine potentiated or inhibited the responses to field stimulation depending on the frequency whereas prazosin inhibited all responses to field stimulation. In anococcygeus muscle, both phentolamine and prazosin inhibited all responses to field stimulation. In vas deferens and anococcygeus muscle, prazosin was a more potent antagonist of responses to (--)-noradrenaline than phentolamine. These results show that prazosin is a more potent postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist than phentolamine and suggest that prazosin has little or no affinity for presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors.
Springs ecosystem distribution and density for improving stewardship

Springs support some of the most diverse and unique ecosystems on Earth, but their stewardship has been hindered by the lack of knowledge of the distribution and density of springs across landscapes. Death Valley National Park (DEVA) and the State of Arizona in the USA are 2 landscapes for which significant knowledge exists about the distribution and density of springs. We used data on springs in DEVA to test the application of accumulation curves for estimating spring density. We used a spring-specific database in Arizona as an example of how to compile geospatial information for a large landscape. In both landscapes, springs are nonrandomly distributed because they emerge in topographically and geologically complex terrain and in clusters of multiple sources. Thus, estimates of their density depend on the spatial scale of inquiry and the extent to which sources are considered independent. For example, based on the current inventory, density in DEVA is estimated to be 0.033 to 0.074 springs/km2 depending on whether springs are defined as individual orifices or as complexes (groups of related spring orifices). The best data for springs as individual orifices yield an estimated 0.035 springs/km2 in Arizona. These densities are based on current data sets, and an unknown number of springs remain unmapped in both landscapes. To predict the total number of springs in DEVA, we used a modified density accumulation curve, involving the number of springs detected in surveys over the past century. The analysis indicated that undocumented springs may exist across the landscape. Knowledge of the distribution and density of the springs can help land and resource managers develop unbiased prioritizations of spring ecosystems for stewardship actions. Management actions could benefit further from an understanding of the emergence environment of a complex of springs, instead of each emergence point of a spring in a complex.
Intergalactic HI and OVI:

Modern astrophysics still lacks a strong understanding of the Intergalactic Medium (IGM), particularly the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM; T = 10 – 10 K). To better understand the distribution and temperature of this gas, absorption-line observations along AGN sight lines from the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (COS/HST) were analyzed (see Danforth et al. 2016). Here we present the largest analysis to date of IGM systems detected in both HI and OVI: 259 absorbers along 52 sight lines. We separate these systems into aligned and non-aligned categories based on the velocity separation of the HI and OVI absorption features. For the aligned HI and OVI absorption, we derive a median temperature of logT = 4.65 (with a ±1σ range of 4.22 – 5.03 in Kelvin) and a median value for the non-thermal motions in the clouds of bNT = 22 km/s (with a ±1σ range of 17 – 34 km/s). This temperature is lower than expected for collisional ionization equilibrium and suggests that most aligned IGM OVI absorbers are either photoionized or originally shock-heated but then cooled (non-equilibrium ionization). After finding no difference in the distribution of the other physical parameters (e.g. column density) between the aligned and non-aligned systems, we use the distribution of non-thermal b-values to statistically derive temperature for the HI and OVI absorbers in the non-aligned cases which results in logTHI = 4.80 (with a ±1σ range of 4.44 – 5.11) and logTOVI = 5.99 (with a ±1σ range of 5.50 – 6.31). The higher OVI temperature distribution found here points to these non-aligned clouds being more likely collisionally ionized.
Skull shape variation in extant and extinct Testudinata and its relation to habitat and feeding ecology

Turtles (Testudinata) are a diverse group of reptiles that conquered a broad set of habitats and feeding ecologies over the course of their well-documented evolutionary history. We here investigate the cranial shape of 171 representatives of the turtle lineage and the relationship of shape to different habitat and diet preferences using two-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The skull shape of extant turtles correlates with both ecological proxies, but is more affected by habitat than diet. However, the application of these correlations to extinct turtles produces mostly flawed results, as least when compared to external data such as sedimentary environment, highlighting that the morphospace held by extant turtles is not necessarily the optimal location in tree space for a particular ecology. The inability of this study to correctly predict the ecology of extinct turtles is likely related to the fact that the shape of turtle skulls is dominated by the emarginations and jaw closure mechanisms, two shape features unrelated to habitat or feeding ecology. This indicates that various specializations that are apparent in the skull only contribute little to overall shape.
Breeding biology of Royal and Cayenne terns at a mixed-species colony in Patagonia

-We studied the breeding biology of Royal (Sterna maxima) and Cayenne terns (S. eurvgnatha) at Punta Le6n, Patagonia, during 1989-93. In all years, both species bred in a single colony with their nests intermingled. Colony size varied between 1,150 and 1,830 pairs. Colony formation occurred during the first or second week of October. Nesting densities were relatively high (9.8 to 1 1. I nests/m2). Both species started to lay eggs during the second and third week of October in all years. During 1993, clutch size for Royal and Cayenne terns was 1.3 + 0.5 and 1.1 + 0.3, respectively. The length of the incubation period was 25.7 t 0.9 and 29.1 + 3 days for Royal and Cayenne terns, respectively. During 1993, hatching success was 0.72 + 0.34 and 0.68 + 0.42 chicks per nest for Royal and Cayenne terns, respectively. Egg losses (45.3%) were mainly from predation. First-hatched chicks were observed during mid November. Chick survival to 10 days of age was 90% and 66.7% for Royal and Cayenne terns, respectively. At approximately 20 days of age, some tern chicks started to abandon the colony to form creches at the beach. Royal and Cayenne terns generally fed out of sight from the colony and preyed upon the same species, including Odontestes spp. , Stromateus brasiliensis, Entgraulis ancuhoita, and Sprattus fueguensis. Received 16 Jan. 1997. accepted 3 June 1997. Royal (Sterna maxima) and Cayenne (S. eurygnatha) terns are two widely distributed species. Royal Terns breed from eastern North America to Patagonia (Escalante 1985, Yorio and Harris, in press) while Cayenne Terns, considered by some authors as a race or color morph of the Sandwich Tern (S. sandvicensis) (Buckley and Buckley 1984, Gochfeld et al. 1994), breed from the southern Caribbean to Patagonia (Olsen and Larsson 1995, Yorio and Harris, in press). In Argentina, both species breed at a few locations on the Patagonian coast (Zapata 1965, Korschenewski 1969, Daciuk 1972, 1976, Yorio et al. 1994). As in other regions (Bent 1921, Ansingh et al. 1960, Buckley and Buckley 1972a, Blus et al. 1979, Antas 1991), Patagonian Royal and Cayenne terns nest with each other or in association with other tern species (Zapata 1965, Daciuk 1973, Yorio and Harris, in press). On occasion, Royal and Cayenne terns breed in a single colony with their nests intermingled (Korschenewski 1969, Yorio et al. 1994). Like other species of the crested tern group, Royal and Cayenne terns have natural history traits distinguishing them from other tern species. In I Centro Nacional Patag6nico, CONICET, Blvd. Brown s/n 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina. 2 Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, New York 10460.