Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating predation mortality in the Georges Bank fish community

Multispecies virtual population analysis (MSVPA) is one of the most successful methods of including predation in fishery models. By applying MSVPA to nine important fish species on Georges Bank, we estimated predation mortality of prey species, fishing mortality, and population abundance from 1978 to 1992. One of the inputs to the MSVPA, relative stomach content, was estimated by fitting gamma distributions to the logarithmic predator-to-prey size ratios. Chi-square tests indicated that the gamma distributions fit the observed ratios well. Predation mortality was highest at ages 0 and 1. Total biomass of all species remained relatively constant with decreasing predator biomass and increasing prey biomass. MSVPA requires extensive input data, and the uncertainty in the inputs will propagate into the model output. The sensitiv- ity of MSVPA to perturbations in the inputs was assessed with a two-level fractional factorial design. Results of the sensi - tivity test indicated that MSVPA outputs were most sensitive to predator consumption rates and terminal fishing mortalities. With ±25% perturbations to the input parameters, MSVPA outputs varied within ±10% of the levels from the base run. Therefore, MSVPA appears to be relatively robust to uncertainty in the input data.
Metals concentrations in the riverine water, sediments and fishes from river Ravi at Balloki headworks.

The river Ravi has been one of the major recipients of industrial effluents and domestic sewage in Punjab. In this study concentrations of heavy metals, such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni were determined in riverine water, sediment and muscle of three fish species, Labeo rohita, Cirrhina mrigala, Catla catla procured from river Ravi at Balloki. The data obtained after water analysis reflected the order of occurrence of heavy metals to be Fe> Zn >Cu > Cr >Ni. The analysis of heavy metals in sediment indicated that among the five heavy metals tested; Fe was maximally accumulated followed by Zn, Cr, Cu and Ni. The trend of heavy metals accumulation in fish muscles was found to be similar to that observed in sediment and water such as Fe> Zn >Cu > Cr >Ni. Data indicated that Fe accumulated maximally in the sediment as well as muscles of the three fish species in comparison to other metals. In water Fe and Cr but in sediment Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni concentrations were significantly higher than some international limits for these metals. Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni values in fish exceeded almost all the international limits. Highest concentrations of all the metals were found in Cirrhina mrigala whereas Catla catla showed lowest accumulation in muscles.
Effects and Utility of Minimum Length Limits and Mortality Caps for Flathead Catfish in Discrete Reaches of a Large Prairie River

Abstract Populations of flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris in four reaches of the Kansas River, Kansas, were examined to evaluate the effects of three minimum length limits (305 (the minimum size that anglers are willing to harvest), 610, and 762 mm total length (TL)) on population size structure and number harvested over a 30-year simulation. We used electrofishing and hoopnetting to capture and tag flathead catfish throughout the Kansas River from 2005–2006. Current exploitation (u) based on tag returns was probably less than 10%, and total annual mortality A ranged from 14% to 28% across all reaches. Increased river access and promotion of this fishery may increase u in the future, so model simulations were conducted with conditional natural mortality (cm) and u ranging from 10% to 40%. Proportional stock density (PSD) and the relative stock density of preferred-length fish (RSD-P) substantially declined (by >25% and >15%, respectively) as u increased with the 305-mm TL limit over the 30-year simulat.
EFEITOS DA SATURAÇÃO POR BASES, RELAÇÕES Ca:Mg NO SOLO E NÍVEIS DE FÓSFORO SOBRE A PRODUÇÃO DE MATERIAL SECO E NUTRIÇÃO MINERAL DO MILHO (Zea mays L.)

Visando avaliar o efeito da saturacao por bases, da relacao Ca:Mg e de doses de fosforo sobre a nutricao mineral e producao de material seco de milho (Zea mays, L.) foi realizado experimento em casa de vegetacao, utilizando o solo classificado como Areia Quartzosa que foi coletado na camada de 0-20 cm. O ensaio foi conduzido em vasos de 3 dm3, sob fatorial 2*4*3 inteiramente casualizado, com 4 repeticoes, sendo 2 saturacoes por bases (50 e 70%), 4 relacoes Ca:Mg no solo (2:1, 3:1, 4:1 e 5:1), obtidas pela aplicacao de CaCO3 e MgO, e 3 doses de P (0, 100 e 200 mg dm-3) pela aplicacao de fosfato monoamonico (MAP). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o aumento na saturacao por bases influenciou positivamente o crescimento e a nutricao do milho. Houve reducao na producao de material seco da parte aerea com aumentos na relacao Ca:Mg no solo, sendo as maiores producoes obtidas na relacao 3:1 de Ca:Mg, com a aplicacao de 100 mg dm-3 de P. Evidenciaram-se incrementos nos teores de P e Mg na parte aerea apos aumentos na saturacao por bases. As maiores relacoes Ca:Mg no solo aumentaram as concentracoes de Ca e diminuiram as de Mg. O P aplicado no solo promoveu incrementos significativos do material seco do milho, aumento da concentracao do elemento no tecido das plantas e diminuicao de Ca e Mg. Conclui-se que a saturacao por bases, as relacoes Ca:Mg no solo e a adubacao fosfatada do solo utilizado afetaram o crescimento e a nutricao mineral do milho. O teor nos tecidos foi influenciado pela disponibilidade dos nutrientes para as plantas, bem como pelo equilibrio entre os mesmos no solo.
Parental drought and defoliation effect on yield, grains biochemical aspects and drought performance of sorghum progeny

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of drought stress and drought with defoliation on yield parameters of three sorghum varieties (Giza 15, Dorado and Hybrid 113). Also, the effect of these parental stress treatments on drought performance of progeny of the most drought tolerant variety was investigated. Application of drought stress in the vegetative stage non significantly affected panicles number, grain yield and harvest index of all cultivars. Drought stress in the reproductive stage of Giza 15 and Hybrid 113 cultivars caused a two fold increase in length of lateral branch and panicles number. However, grain yield and total panicles weight were significantly reduced in all cultivars due to this stress. Application of drought with defoliation in the vegetative stage reduced shoot and straw weights, and grain yield in sorghum in comparison with drought stress only. Protein-N and polysaccharides content were decreased in parent grains in response to water stress. The stress intensity index (SII) of progeny from drought- subjected parents was about 30-fold greater than SII of progeny from control parents. Further, SII of progeny from parents exposed to drought stress in the reproductive stage was higher than the SII of progeny from parents subjected to drought stress in the vegetative stage. A strong negative correlation appeared between the stress intensity index of the progeny and polysaccharides content of parent grains. Based on our research parental defoliation did not improve the drought resistance of sorghum progeny.
Fecundity, Reproductive Rates, and Innate Capacity for Increase of Three Parasites of Therioaphis Maculata (Buckton)

Three species of hymenopterous parasites of the spotted alfalfa aphid were reared over a range of constant temperatures. At each thermal level, life—table data were obtained for each species. These data were used in computing certain statistics concerning reproduction and rates of potential population increase which are valuable in assaying the effectiveness of each species as an aphid parasite. The temperatures studied ranged from 10 to 35°C, and the relative humidity was held as constant as possible between 40 and 60%. Artificial illumination and photoperiods were identical in all studies. The studies showed that the braconid, Trioxys utilis Muesebeck, generally has the highest mean total fecundity of the three species, although the aphelinid, Aphelinus semiflavus Howard, produced more eggs in the temperature range of 18 to 22°C. The gross reproductive rate and net reproductive rate of T. utilis were also higher than the other parasites throughout most of the temperature range studied, although again A. semiflavus showed higher reproductive rates between 24 and 27°C. The innate capacity for increase, rm, of T. utilis was decidedly the highest of the three parasites at all temperatures. The braconid, Praon palitans Muesebeck, was inferior tot he other two parasites in nearly all phases of these life—table statistics. Its inclination to enter a facultative hibernal diapause at relatively mild temperatures, plus its intolerance of higher temperatures, which the other two species endured, limited its thermal range of effectiveness. Statistics such as total fecundity, gross reproduction, rate, net reproduction rate, and innate capacity for increase are discussed relative to their value in indicating the potential effectiveness parasites can be expected to possess in the field.
Identification of Muridae Species and Their Food Resources Using Dna Barcoding in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

Abstract. Field surveys of species in the family Muridae and their food resources were conducted in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam in March 2011 and March and September 2012. Species were identified by DNA barcoding using polymorphic mitochondrial DNA sequences (COI, Cyt b, and D-loop) and external morphology. A total of four species, Maxomys surifer, Niviventer fulvescens, N. bukit, and Rattus sp. were identified. In order to identify which food resources were utilized by these species in the study area, total DNA was extracted from the gastric contents of the collected individuals. Sequence fragments of the chloroplast rbcL and the mitochondrial COI genes were amplified by PCR from the gastric contents and used to identify plant and animal food resources, respectively. We detected 34 plant families and seven animal orders by the homology search using the BLAST algorithm.
Exogenous jasmonic acid mimics herbivore‐induced systemic increase in cell wall bound peroxidase activity and reduction in leaf expansion

Summary 1. Jasmonic acid (JA), a ubiquitous regulator of the wound response in plants, is part of a long distance defence signalling pathway and when applied exogenously induces several defence related responses in many species including the activation of proteinase inhibitor (PIN) proteins and defence-related metabolites. 2. There is evidence for an induced systemic resistance mechanism linking increased cell wall peroxidase activity with reductions in leaf expansion rates in Rumex obtusifolius, following limited grazing by the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa viridula. We hypothesised that herbivory induces strengthening of cell walls in distal, non-damaged tissue through increases in peroxidase activity and that this mechanism was mediated systemically by JA. 3. JA was applied to the fully expanded fourth leaf of R. obtusifolius and expansion of leaf 8 was measured over 19 days. Treatment with exogenous JA induced a temporary reduction in the expansion rate of leaf 8 beginning 6 days after treatment. This reduction continued until day 7 and reduced final leaf areas in treated plants by approximately 20%. 4. Final epidermal cell areas in leaf 8 were reduced by approximately 25%, while epidermal cell numbers remained unchanged. 5. Cell wall bound peroxidase activity was measured in leaf 8 over a 6-day period following application of JA to leaf 4. Activity increased approximately 9-fold 2 days after treatment, before returning to control activities on day 3. 6. Treatment of leaf 4 with JA reduced the gregariousness of G. viridula larvae on the fully expanded leaf 8. 7. We postulate that JA acts as a signalling molecule in a long-distance pathway responsible for inducing resistance to future attack through increases in cell wall bound peroxidase activity leading to cell wall toughening, while incurring a potential ecological cost in the form of reductions in subsequent leaf expansion.
Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze submetidas a diferentes condições de armazenamento e a escarificação.

The seeds of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze are recalcitrants and, therefore, they lose rapidly the viability after the harvest, limiting their use for nursery production of seedlings. This work was carried out to investigate the effects of cold storage duration, conservation method, and escarification on germination and vigour of seeds of Araucaria angustifolia . The seeds were cold stored (0-1 o C/90-95% RH) for 0, 60, 120, and 180 days, under normal air condictions (NA), modified atmosphere (MA), and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. For each cold storage duration, after removal from cold storage, the seeds were submitted or not to scarification (by cutting a small portion of the apical seed tegument, avoiding the damage of the endosperm), letting the germinate in a chamber with controlled environment, in plastic trays filled with vermiculite, for 60 days. The experiment followed the completely randomized factorial design (4x3x2), with four cold storage durations (0, 60, 120, and 180 days), three storage methods (NA, MA, and CA), with or without escarification, and four replicates. There was a good preservation of physiological quality for seeds submitted to different conservation methods in cold storage along the 180-day period. However, there was a faster germination and initial growth of seedlings for seeds left in cold storage for 60 days than in seeds assessed at harvest or left in cold storage for 120-180 days. The NA storage of seeds in perfurated plastic bags was as efficient as MA and CA storage to preserve seeds quality. Seeds scarification increased vigor and promoted seedlings initial growth of Araucaria angustifolia after being removed from cold storage.
Feeding Value of Sugarcane Stalk for Cattle

A metabolism trial with four castrated male Brahman cattle, average body weight 320 kg, was conducted in order to determine the nutritive value of chopped sugarcane stalk (CSS) for the establishment of feeding strategy in the dry season in Northeast Thailand. Animals were subjected to the following four dietary treatments: Treatment 1; 100% of CSS, Treatment 2; 70% of CSS and 30% of commercial complete feed (TMR), Treatment 3; 40% of CSS and 60% of TMR, and Treatment 4; 100% of TMR. The average CP, ether extracts, nitrogen free extracts, crude fiber and ash contents of CSS were 2.0, 0.9, 79.0, 16.1 and 2.2%, respectively. Although the amount of feed given was approximately at maintenance level, animals in treatments 1 and 2 refused a part of feed. The metabolism trial revealed that total digestible nutrient and metabolizable energy contents of CSS were 61.5% and 9.04 MJ/kgDM, respectively, when it was properly supplemented with protein sources. Nutritive value of CSS was lowered when animals were given CSS solely. This was due to the large loss of energy into urine and methane. Voluntary intake of CSS in cattle was not enough to satisfy energy requirement for maintenance. The CSS can be used as a roughage for feeding cattle in the dry season with proper supplementation of protein and energy. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 1 : 55-60)
Population Structure and Life History Attributes of Syntopic Populations of the Salamanders Desmognathus aeneus and Desmognathus wrighti (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)

Abstract We investigated population structure and life history traits in syntopic populations of Desmognathus aeneus and Desmognathus wrighti in the southern Nantahala Mountains, NC. The two species occupy similar microhabitats in the spring months, occurring in clumps of moss and damp leaf litter and under stones and logs in deciduous forests bordering streams and seepages. We examined the reproductive organs in living individuals taken in large samples in early spring. The goal was to determine sex and reproductive status. We confirmed these assessments by dissections of small numbers of preserved individuals collected in the same months of later years. The sample of D. wrighti included first-year juveniles (8 mo), second-year juveniles and adult males (20 mo), and third-year and older adults (≥ 32 mo). Similarly, the sample of D. aeneus contained first-year (11 mo), second-year (23 mo), and third-year and older (≥ 35 mo) individuals, in the same reproductive categories as identified in D. wrighti. The age differences reflect different oviposition times, estimated as 1 May in D. aeneus and 1 August in D. wrighti. In both species, we estimated that males attain sexual maturity in their second or third year, and that females usually oviposit initially at age 3 years. There is considerable overlap in body size between species. Within species, adult females average larger than males, in part a consequence of earlier maturation of males, but maximum sizes of males and females are similar.
Population Status and Internesting Movement of Leatherback Turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, Nesting on the Northwest Coast of Papua, Indonesia

ABSTRACT The northwest coast of the province of Papua in Indonesia is thought to host the largest remaining leatherback nesting population in the Pacific Ocean. We conducted a census of nesting activity at Jamursba-Medi from 2001 through 2004 and of Wermon from 2002 to 2004, and tracked internesting movements of female leatherbacks by using satellite telemetry during the nesting season in 2003. We recorded 1865–3601 nests each season at Jamursba-Medi and 1788–2881 nests at Wermon. Nesting occurred year-round, with a peak in activity between May and September at Jamursba-Medi, and between October and March at Wermon. Comparing these data with previous records of nesting activity from 1981 to 2001 indicates that, although there are indications of a long-term decline, this population has not been depleted to the extent found at other major rookeries in the Pacific. Satellite telemetry indicates that nesters frequent waters around the Raja Ampat Islands and coastal waters to the west of Jamursba-Medi, and may also nest outside the monitored area. We recommend establishing a marine protected area to ensure protection of this population in these critical nearshore marine habitats and implementation of conservation measures in partnership with local communities at these nesting beaches before this population becomes depleted.
Effects of incorporating cowpea in a subtropical grass pasture on forage production and quality and the performance of cows and calves

The increasing cost of N fertilizer has stimulated an interest in sourcing protein from warmâseason legumes among beef cattle producers in the tropical/subtropical areas of the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of two strategies of incorporating cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ] into bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum FlA¼gge) pastures on the herbage characteristics and performance of grazing cowâcalf pairs. The study was conducted in Ona, Florida, USA, from May to August in 2007 and 2008. Experimental units were 1Â·0âha. Treatments were bahiagrass pasture alone (control), 50:50 bahiagrassâcowpea pasture (cowpea), bahiagrass pasture with a cowpea creep grazing area (0Â·1âha, creep grazing) and bahiagrass pasture with a creepâfed concentrate [(creep feeding; 10âgâkgâ1 body weight (BW)]. The cowpea pastures had lower herbage mass [HM, 1Â·8 vs. 3Â·7âtâhaâ1] and herbage allowance [HA, 0Â·8 vs. 1Â·4âkgâDMâkgâ1 live weight (LW)] compared with the other treatments. Cowpea had greater CP (CP, 160âgâkgâ1) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), (600âgâkgâ1) than bahiagrass (110 and 490âgâkgâ1 respectively); however, cowpea HM was only 0Â·9 tâhaâ1 in May and 0Â·7âtâhaâ1 in June, but it did not persist in July and August. Calves receiving the creep feeding treatments had greater average daily gain (0Â·8 vs. 0Â·7âkgâdâ1) than calves in other treatments. Further research is necessary to exploit the superior nutritive value of cowpea in grazing systems in the southâeastern USA.
Rhizobacteria of pepper (Piper nigrum) and their antifungal activities

The purpose of this study is to isolate and select indigenous soil Bacillus bacteria capable of developing multiple mechanisms of action related to the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi affecting pepper vines (Piper nigrum). The screening procedure consisted of antagonism tests against a panel of phytopathogenic fungi, in vitro detection of the antifungal products and root colonization assay. Four isolates, identified and designated as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (WW6), Bacillus atrophaeus (MPB), Bacillus subtilis (CBF) and Bacillus vallismortis (WW14) were selected for further studies. All bacterial isolates obtained where effective for the in vitro control of the growth of phytopathogenic fungi, where the control mechanisms used by the bacteria involved the secretion of protease and cellulase enzyme that are responsible for fungal cell wall hydrolysis. The bacteria also produced volatile as well as diffusible substances. Malformation of hyphae occurred in the presence of both bacteria. Hyphae were thickened, vacuolar and many swellings occurred in them or at the tips of hyphal strand. On the other hand, all bacteria grew well in conditions similar to those that can be found at the field level (considering pH, salinity, and temperature) and showed a good capacity of pepper root colonization. These results suggest that all the bacterial isolates studied have an excellent potential to be used as biocontrol agents for controlling phytopathogenic fungi greenhouses at the field level.
Embryos of therizinosauroid theropods from the Upper Cretaceous of China: diagnosis and analysis of ossification patterns

Exceptionally complete, in ovo dinosaur embryos from the Upper Cretaceous of China are analysed. Ossification patterns of these embryos suggest that they died during the final third of their development. The therizinosauroid identity of the embryos follows from: (1) an edentulous premaxilla with a sharp downturned edge; (2) dentary with a lateral shelf; (3) teeth with fan-shaped crowns, with a few marginal cusps; (4) humerus with a massive deltopectoral crest extending proximally, with a pointed proximomedial tuberosity; (5) ilium with an expanded and hooked preacetabular process; (6) strongly curved hypertrophied manual unguals tapering to sharp points. These embryos are closest to two Chinese therizinosauroids, Neimongosaurus yangi Zhang et al. 2001 and Erliansaurus bellamanus Xu et al. 2002. An elongated narial opening, reduced basipterygoid process, low cervical neural spines, a transversely narrow pubic apron, and a pubic foot expanded anteriorly are found in these embryos and are synapomorphies uniting the Therizinosauroidea and the Oviraptorosauria. Fusion of cervical and caudal neural arches and centra, complete ossification of thoracic ribs and ilium, possible co-ossification of tibia and fibula, fused pubes, complete meta-and acropodial elements, together with small portions of unossified epiphyses of long bones suggest an advanced precociality of these embryos.