Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Denning ecology of two populations of Asiatic black bears in Nagano prefecture, Japan

Nous avons etudie les tanieres, la chronologie de l'hibernation, et le comportement dans les tanieres, de l'ours noir asiatique (Ursus thibetanus) dans 2 regions voisines du centre du departement de Nagano, au centre du Japon. Dans la premiere region, qui n'avait que partiellement ete affectee par l'industrie forestiere, 3 tanieres sur 4 etaient dans des arbres creux avec des entrees elevees. Dans la deuxieme region, qui avait ete a 100 % affectee par l'industrie forestiere et ou presque tous les arbres creux avaient ete detruits, 6 tanieres sur 6 etaient au sol. Soixante-douze autres tanieres d'ours equipes de radio-emetteurs etaient dans des endroits ou nous ne pouvions pas aller du fait du terrain tres pentu, de la neige, et de la distance les separant des routes d'acces. La periode d'hibernation etait d'environ 5 mois, de fin novembre-debut decembre a fin avril-debut mai. Aucun ours hibernant dans un arbre creux avec une entree elevee n'a abandonne sa taniere pendant nos visites. Les femelles sans oursons abandonnaient leurs tanieres au sol quand nous les derangions en decembre ou en avril. Les femelles avec ou sans oursons restaient dans leurs tanieres au sol quand nous les derangions au milieu de l'hiver. Les ourses avec oursons restaient dans leurs tanieres au sol quand nous les derangions en avril. Nos resultats suggerent que les ours noirs asiatiques du centre du departement de Nagano preferent hiberner dans des arbres creux avec des entrees elevees. Les services forestiers doivent proteger et assurer la conservation des arbres creux, ainsi qu'assurer l'isolement des ours pendant l'hiver en limitant les voies d'acces aux lieux d'hibernation.
Non-industrial private forest owners' willingness to supply forest-based energy wood in the South Savo region in Finland

The consumption of energy wood in Finland has increased dramatically since the early 2000s, and the region of South Savo is a bellwether for its usage across the country. This increase is partly due to the national policy of sustainable energy, region's wealth of forests but is also dependent on non-industrial private forest owners (NIPF) deciding to sell energy wood. In this study, a survey with a structured questionnaire was conducted among the NIPFs in the region of South Savo to enlarge the understanding of their willingness to sell energy wood in the future and adopt new approaches to forestry that involves energy wood thinning as well as their current production of energy wood. Moreover, the factors influencing forest owner's motivations relating to energy wood thinning as well as information needs were analysed with multivariate techniques. The results show that almost half of the forest owners in the South Savo region had not sold energy wood. However, forest owners within the region generally had positive attitudes towards selling small-sized energy wood and forestry methods that involve energy wood thinning. Moreover, forest owners' willingness to sell different types of energy wood varied, depending on their background. The study suggests that the increase in supply of energy wood presumes both intensified extension services for forest owners and markets that are better organised than at the moment. The results may also prove beneficial in informing policy-makers regarding which specific target group(s) to focus on when promoting energy wood sales among NIPFs and which aspects of energy wood harvesting and sales to promote.
Leporids (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) from the Diamond O Ranch Local Fauna, Latest Middle Eocene of Southwestern Montana

ABSTRACT Two species of lagomorphs are represented in the Diamond O Ranch local fauna of southwestern Montana. Mytonolagus ashcrafti, new species, is the most common mammal at Diamond O Ranch, and is comparable in evolutionary grade to Mytonolagus wyomingensis Wood, 1949, and more advanced than either Mytonolagus petersoni Burke, 1934, or Mytonolagus near M. petersoni. A second species of lagomorph is represented by only a few specimens from near the base of the Diamond O Ranch section. The teeth of this form tentatively assigned to Palaeolagus Leidy, 1856, are significantly more hypsodont than those of M. ashcrafti. The Diamond O Ranch local fauna falls very near the Duchesnean—Chadronian boundary in one of the most poorly documented temporal intervals during the entire Cenozoic of North America.
Edaphic Climax Pattern of the Pygmy Forest Region of California

The dwarfed conifer forests occurring on the coastal terraces of Mendocino County, California, are oligotrophic communities containing edaphic endemics as dominants. Species distributions and community characteristics are traced along a gradient in podzolization of the soils from these pygmy conifer stands on highly weathered terrace spodosols, to redwood stands on weakly developed slope spodsols. Vegetation stature, canopy closure, species richness, litter biomass and pH generally decrease along the gradient as podzolization and nutrient impoverishment increase, whereas soil organic matter and available water capacity tend to be highest at the gradient extremes. Analyses of pygmy forest soils show low levels of macro— and micro—nutrients, and high levels of exchangeable aluminum. When ordinations of stands based on vegetational data are compared with rankings based on environmental data, changes in pH of the soil A horizon are found to correlate most highly with vegetation changes. Nutrient loss and acidification, initiated by varying rates of soil weathering in the pygmy forest region, may be aggravated, in the case of pygmy forest soils, by a series of feedback effects, including solubilization of possibly toxic amounts of aluminum by low pH, which may contribute to the observed plant stunting and shrinking pools of nutrients in the biomass. A ranking of stands along a soil nutrient gradient, based on field observations and presence data for species, correlated successively less strongly with ordinations computed by similarity—projection, Bray—Curtis method, importance—projection, principal components analysis, and factor analysis. Although these ordinations were expected to produce distortions in the interstand relations due to the modal and even polymodal nature of species response curves and to the presence of species not spanning the range of the data set, additional distortions due to variability in sample data were also highlighted.
Studies of the floral biology and reproductive system of Brassica napus L.(Cruciferae)

Studies of the floral biology of canola were accomplished with the objective of enlarging the system and reproductive strategies knowledge of its CTC-4 cultivar in Dourados, Centerwest, Brazil. Brassica napus is self pollinated, presenting however, many resources for the allogamy accomplishment, e.g., abundant pollen, nectar and scent production. The smaller anther were responsible for the production of fruit with smaller and less growth seeds, when compared to the autogamy, autopollination and cross pollination tests.
Effects of Dietary Probiotics on the Growth and Feeding Efficiency of Red Hybrid Tilapia, Oreochromis sp., and Subsequent Resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae

An eight-week trial was performed to evaluate three commercial/prototype probiotics supplemented in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp. diets. Triplicate groups of tilapia were measured for growth performance, feeding efficiencies, and whole-body composition. After the feeding trial, duplicate groups of tilapia were assessed for their resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae over 23 days. Six diets were supplemented with 0.1% or 0.3% PB1 consisting of Bacillus subtilis, 0.1% or 0.3% PB2 consisting of B. licheniformis or 0.1% MPB consisting of Bacillus sp. and Pediococcus sp. Probiotics had no effect (p > 0.05) on growth or feeding efficiencies, although whole-body crude protein was significantly higher in the PB1 0.3% treatment. Tilapia in the probiotic treatments had a higher resistance to S. agalactiae and, with the exception of the PB2 0.1% diet, were all significantly higher than the control treatment. Although the tested probiotics were not growth promoters, dietary B. subtilis was the most effective prophylactic against pathogenic bacteria.
Modulation of Plasma Antioxidant Activity in Weaned Piglets by Plant Polyphenols

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant polyphenols (PP) on antioxidant activity in weaned piglets. First, a uniform design, one optimising an experimental technique that can rationally arrange the concentrations of mixture components, was used to obtain the best PP mixture of apple, grape seed, green tea and olive leaf polyphenols based on in vitro antioxidant capacity and inhibitory action on bacterial growth. Second, the optimised PP mixture was tested in vivo with an efficacy trial on piglets. The optimal effects of the mix were observed in vitro when apple, grape seed, green tea, olive leaf polyphenols and a carrier (silicon dioxide) accounted for 16.5, 27.5, 30, 2.5 and 23.5%, respectively, of the mixture. Forty-eight weaned piglets were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments (6 replicates of 4 piglets each per treatment) and fed a control diet (CTR) or CTR supplemented with 0.1% of the optimised PP mixture. Dietary PP did not affect growth performance compared to the CTR group. Plasma total protein, urea nitrogen and lysozyme content were not affected by dietary treatment. No differences of E. coli or Clostridia counts in the faeces and caecum content between the CTR and PP groups were observed. A reduced malondialdehyde concentration in the PP group was observed on day 21 compared to the CTR group (P=0.02). In conclusion, the prepared PP mixture has the potential to improve plasma antioxidant activity.
Does seasonality explain the evolution and maintenance of delayed implantation in the family Mustelidae (Mammalia: Carnivora)?

Ferguson, S. H. , Higdon, J. W and Larivie`re, S. 2006. Does seasonality explain theevolution and maintenance of delayed implantation in the family Mustelidae(Mammalia: Carnivora)? Oikos 114: 249 256.Understanding the evolutionary pressures that may have led to the development andretention of delayed implantation in mammals remains an enigmatic puzzle forevolutionary ecologists. Recent studies suggest a strong role of environmentalconditions but other attributes of species, notably body size and life history traits,may obscure primary mechanisms. Following the recommendation of Lindenfors et al.,we examined environmental correlates related to the evolution of delayed implantationand its subsequent maintenance or loss in the family Mustelidae (Mammalia:Carnivora). We focused on the Mustelidae because evolution and subsequent loss ofdelayed implantation occurred most commonly within this group. Data on 34 species ofmustelids from around the world suggest that delayed implantation may have evolvedwhen optimal times for mating and birthing are separated by more than a gestationperiod, characteristic of environments with long winters that reduce the opportunitiesto find mates. Environmental characteristics (seasonality, temperature, snow, latitude,and primary productivity) were highly intercorrelated but seasonality was the bestpredictor of the evolution or loss of delayed implantation via population traits. Here,structural equations on phylogenetic independent contrasts revealed that highseasonality was correlated with low population density and large individual homerange size, which in turn was correlated with presence/absence of delayed implantation.We argue that the evolution of delayed implantation provides the reproductive meansto mate during the season (summer) with the greatest prospects for females to ‘choose’mates when living in high-latitude seasonal environments that generally reduce theseopportunities (i.e. low population density and large ranges). Body mass of femalemustelids did not differ between species with and without delayed implantation,refuting the hypothesis that loss of delayed implantation is an evolutionary by-productof evolving to smaller size. We conclude that understanding the environmental selectionpressures responsible for the evolution of life history traits related to density andspacing behaviour allows for a more complete picture of the evolution and subsequentloss of delayed implantation.S. H. Ferguson, Fisheries and Oceans, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, Canada,R3T 2N6 (fergusonsh@dfo-mpo.gc.ca). J. W. Higdon, Faculty of Environment, Earthand Resources, Univ. of Manitoba, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, Canada,R3T 2N6. S. Larivie`re, Cree Hunters and Trappers Income Security Board, 2700Boulevard Laurier, Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada, G1V 4K5.
Ontogenetic dietary shifts of fishes in an Australian floodplain river

The early life of fishes is marked by rapid development when individuals are thought to optimise their success through ontogeny by altering ecological niches and resources. Since most fish larvae are thought to require small prey items at first feeding, competition for potentially limiting food resources may occur between species creating a juvenile bottleneck, which may, in turn, influence future recruitment strength. The diets of the early life stages of most Australian freshwater fish are poorly known. The present study investigated the ontogenetic dietary patterns of six species of fish in an Australian floodplain river. A large proportion of first-feeding larvae of three species (Murray cod, Australian smelt and carp) were able to feed externally while still retaining their yolk sac. All species demonstrated major dietary shifts from newly hatched larvae through development into juvenile stages and adulthood. Only a few minor overlaps in diet were found, with greater overlaps commonly occurring between sequential stages of the same species, reflecting subtle ontogenetic changes. Despite two co-occurrences of an introduced and a native species using the same rearing habitat as larvae, dietary preferences did not significantly overlap, suggesting that a recruitment bottleneck caused by competition for food resources is unlikely for these species.
Managing early leaf spot and stem rot with reduced fungicide inputs on disease-resistant peanut cultivars

Abstract Fungicide inputs are a costly but critical component of peanut production systems in the southeast U.S. Current strategies for reducing fungicide application numbers that are needed to control diseases on peanut include extending application intervals beyond a 2-wk schedule or implementation of a fungicide advisory, such as AU-Pnuts. In this study, fungicide programs with azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, and tebuconazole, using different application schedules, were compared for the control of early leaf spot and stem rot. Application schedules were the standard 2-wk calendar interval, extended 3- and 4-wk intervals, and applications were made according to the AU-Pnuts leaf spot advisory. Studies were conducted on the disease resistant cultivars DP-1 in 2003 and C-99R in 2004 and 2005. The numbers of fungicide applications for the 2, 3, and 4-wk schedules were 7, 5, and 4, respectively, in 2003 and 2004, and were 6, 5, and 4, respectively, in 2005. One less fungicide application was scheduled accordi.
Comparison of Four Methods of Isolating Salmonellae from Foods, and Elaboration of a Preferred Procedure

SUMMARY From comparative study of four methods of isolation of Salmonella from egg products, of six enrichment broths and five selective media, and of several secondary technical operations, a recommended scheme for isolation of salmonellae from foods was devised and shown to be effective for diverse foods containing as few as 0.15 salmonellae per g, even in the presence of extreme coliform and other bacterial contamination.
Vigilance of Mallards in the presence of Greylag Geese

Abstract I examined vigilance behavior of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding in flocks with Greylag Geese (Anser anser) on stubble-fields in northern Germany. I measured scans/min and total scan duration, and I calculated mean scan duration. There was an inverse correlation between group size and scanning for Mallards, but not when geese and Mallards were considered as a combined flock. Mallards did not benefit from the presence of geese in terms of reduced vigilance, and they seemed to adjust their vigilance according only to Mallard flock sizes. Vigilance was higher in the presence of geese and may have been directed towards geese as potential competitors. No differences in vigilance between male and female Mallards were found. In August, when males were in eclipse plumage, they showed reduced vigilance.
Reply to Heidenreich et al

We tend to agree with many of the positions expressed by Pierce (1) in his optimistic views about modeling and his more general comments. Biologically based mathematical models necessarily are and will always be far from giving a true picture of all the details of the carcinogenic process, but they can be a useful tool to connect quantitatively various hypotheses about the rate-limiting processes with epidemiological and experimental data. They are indispensable to obtain scientifically based, more reliable extrapolations from large, directly observable risks to the area of small risks which need to be quantified for the rational protection of humans and their environment against low doses of ionizing radiation (and other carcinogens). We agree with Pierce that the goals of our respective modeling efforts might be different. The TSCE model was developed to provide a general framework for analyses of data on different biological end points related to cancer, not just incidence data. Thus we are interested not only in the hazard function but also in the number and size distribution of intermediate lesions on the pathway to cancer. We have in fact used the model for analysis of data on intermediate lesions (2, 3). We want to point out that some of us considered multiple stages in carcinogenesis much before Pierce thinks we did, starting in a paper on colon cancer published in 1992 (4). However, we are convinced that any model that does not accommodate clonal expansion of intermediate cell populations is unrealistic. Pierce’s attempt to incorporate clonal expansion in their idealized version of the multistage model is only an approximation with very different properties.
Genecology of Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)

Plants of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) from seed collected from native trees throughout the natural range show considerable morphological variation. Characteristics usually as- sociated with xeric conditions, such as increased pubescence, thicker and smaller leaves, and efficient stomatal geometry, are correlated with evapotranspirational trends over the natural range, reaching extremes in western populations. Photoperiodic growth response, time of initiation of dormancy, rate and extent of acclimation, and chilling requirements of dormant buds also vary over the natural range. Plants of southern origin continue to grow under shorter photoperiods than northern plants, and are slower to enter dormancy under short days. Plants of northern origin acclimate more rapidly than southern plants. Degree of acclimation in a fixed time is correlated with climatic parameters as well as latitude and, in the case of first-stage acclimation, longitude as well as latitude. Chilling requirements for breaking bud dor- mancy increased with latitude, with Florida plants showing no dormancy or chilling requirement.
Does natural deposition of pine pollen affect the ovipositional behavior of Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella fusca?

Tree pollen, especially Pinus spp. (Pinaceae), is shed in large quantities every spring in North America. Pine pollen deposition onto leaves was found to significantly influence the ovipositional behaviors of certain thrips species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in peanut and tomato leaf choice and no‐choice tests. Pine pollen (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) increased the oviposition rate 2.9‐fold for Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (western flower thrips) and 1.6‐fold for Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (tobacco thrips) in choice tests averaged over both plant species. These results support the idea that pollen has a greater impact on F. occidentalis behavior than on F. fusca behavior. The most dramatic increase was in peanut, where F. occidentalis only oviposited on leaves dusted with pollen, suggesting that the addition of pollen stimulated this flower thrips to lay eggs on a poor host‐plant part. The impact of pollen on the rate of oviposition by thrips is important because it is the early‐instar nymphs that acquire tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), which these two thrips species vector. In a laboratory bioassay, the addition of pine pollen to TSWV‐infected peanut foliage increased the percentage of infected F. fusca after one generation.
Genetic (co)variances between wrinkle score and absence of breech strike in mulesed and unmulesed Merino sheep, using a threshold model

Heritability estimates for, and genetic correlations among neck wrinkle score, body wrinkle score, breech wrinkle score and the absence of breech strike were determined on 2918 16-month hoggets from a selection experiment with South African Merinos. Data were obtained from the lamb drops of 9 years between 1998 and 2007, born as the progeny of 247 sires and 1250 dams. All progeny born until 2002 were subjected to the Modified Mules operation as lambs (n = 1799). However, due to international pressure to phase out the Mules operation, animals from 2003 onwards were not mulesed (n = 1119). During both periods, the experimental animals were maintained in single flocks (separated on sex) after weaning. Progeny were subjected to visual appraisal of wrinkle scores (range) on the neck (1–6), body (1–5) and breech (1–6) at an age of ~16 months. The occurrence of blowfly strike in the breech area (breech strike) was recorded in all animals during the wool growth period of a year from shearing as weaners. Two four-trait animal models were fitted to obtain (co)variance components and ratios from the separate datasets with neck wrinkle score; body wrinkle score, breech wrinkle score and the absence of breech strike, all defined as threshold traits. Estimates of heritability for breech wrinkle score amounted to 0.27 and 0.45 for the mulesed and unmulesed groups, respectively. The absence of breech strike on the underlying scale was also heritable for the mulesed (0.33) and unmulesed (0.46) groups; translating to heritability estimates of 0.074 and 0.157, respectively, on the observed scale. The genetic correlations of wrinkle scores with absence of breech strike were generally favourable, but significant only for neck wrinkle score (–0.57) and breech wrinkle score (–0.45) in the unmulesed group. It was concluded that South African Merino sheep would respond to selection against breech strike under conditions of adequate challenge. Based on results from unmulesed sheep, selection for plainer sheep is also expected to result in a favourable correlated response in breech strike.