Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Turbidity on the Foraging Success of the Eastern Painted Turtle

Abstract The effect of increased turbidity levels on aquatic organisms is an increasing concern for aquatic biologists. Recent studies show reduced foraging efficiency of drift-feeding fish species, which are highly visual predators, with increasing water turbidity. Similar to fish, many aquatic turtle species are highly visual aquatic predators that may be negatively affected by increasing water turbidity. We used Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) to test the hypothesis that increasing water turbidity would decrease prey capture efficiency. We classically conditioned eight C. picta to search for a food item when presented with a novel stimulus, and then measured the time it took each turtle to find a prey item under a range of 26 turbidity levels (≤40 nephelometric turbidity units, NTUs) presented in a random order. All turtles were successfully trained within 29 days to search for the food item when presented with the stimulus. Turbidity had no effect on the probability of successful prey capture. Turtles located the prey item in 97% of trials regardless of turbidity level. Turbidity had a minor effect on time to prey capture, increasing from an average of 30 seconds at a turbidity level of 2 NTUs to 55 seconds at 40 NTUs. Overall, turbidity level explained approximately 2% of the variation in the time it took a turtle to locate a prey item. These results contrast sharply with a nearly identical study, which showed that turbidity explained 70% and 90% of the variation in drift-feeding fish reactive distance and prey capture success respectively, and that a turbidity of only 9–10 NTUs reduced fish foraging performance by 50%. We suggest that resilience to turbidity effects on foraging proficiency among generalist species may be important to understanding their persistence in more degraded aquatic environments compared to more specialized species.
The extent of dryland salinity in remnant woodland and forest within an agricultural landscape

Dryland salinity is considered a significant and increasing threat to sustainable land management and biodiversity across large parts of temperate Australia. However, there is little information on the extent of this threat to terrestrial ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. This paper provides a quantitative assessment of the extent of dryland salinity in remnant native woody vegetation in the agriculture-dominated landscape of the Boorowa Shire located in the South West Slopes bioregion of south-eastern Australia. The amount and type of native woody vegetation in the Boorowa Shire affected by dryland salinity was assessed by analysing the extent of overlap between the following three spatial data layers: (1) woody vegetation mapping derived from high-resolution satellite imagery, (2) existing vegetation community mapping predicted from field data and expert opinion and (3) existing dryland salinity outbreak mapping derived from air photo interpretation and filed verification. There were more than 6000 patches of salt outbreak in woody vegetation in the Boorowa Shire, 383 (6%) of which were 1 ha or larger in area. Almost 2000 ha of woody vegetation were affected by dryland salinity, representing ~3% of the extant native woody vegetation in the Boorowa Shire. The vegetation type with the largest total area affected by dryland salinity was yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora Cunn. Ex Schauer)–Blakely’s red gum (E. Blakelyi Maiden) woodland. As a proportion of their current extent, vegetation communities lower in the landscape were significantly more affected than those higher up the topographic sequence, with 14% of riparian communities and nearly 6% of yellow box–Blakely’s red gum woodland exhibiting symptoms of dryland salinity. About 1% of white box (E. albens Benth) woodland, and of hill communities which are on mid- and upper slopes, were affected. The pattern of salinity outbreaks in relation to landscape position and vegetation type is significant for biodiversity conservation because the vegetation communities most affected by salinisation are those most heavily cleared and modified post-European settlement. Throughout the South West Slopes of New South Wales, remnants of riparian communities and yellow box–Blakely’s red gum woodland are highly cleared, fragmented and degraded. Dryland salinity represents an additional threat to these vegetation communities and their component species. Salinisation of woodland ecosystems poses significant problems for land managers. The long-term viability of these woodland remnants needs to be considered when allocating limited public funds for woodland conservation, whether on private land or in formal reserves.
Fire and non-native grass invasion interact to suppress tree regeneration in temperate deciduous forests

Summary 1. While many ecosystems depend on fire to maintain biodiversity, non-native plant invasions can enhance fire intensity, suppressing native species and generating a fire–invasion feedback. These dynamics have been observed in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, but fire–invasion interactions in temperate deciduous forests, where prescribed fires are often used as management tools to enhance native diversity, have rarely been investigated. 2. Here we evaluated the effects of a widespread invasive grass on fire behaviour in eastern deciduous forests in the USA and the potential effects of fire and invasions on tree regeneration. We planted native trees into invaded and uninvaded forests, quantified fuel loads, then applied landscape-scale prescribed fires and no-burn controls, and measured fire behaviour and tree seedling and invasive plant performance. 3. Our results show that fires in invaded habitats were significantly more intense, including higher fire temperatures, longer duration and higher flame heights, even though invasions did not alter total fuel loads. The invasion plus fire treatment suppressed native tree seedling survival by 54% compared to invasions without fire, and invasions reduced natural tree recruitment by 66%. 4. We also show that invasive plant biomass did not change from one season to the next in plots where fire was applied, but invader biomass declined significantly in unburned reference plots, suggesting a positive invasive grass–fire feedback. 5. Synthesis and applications. These findings demonstrate that fire–invasion interactions can have significant consequences for invaded temperate forest ecosystems by increasing fire intensity and reducing tree establishment while promoting invasive plant persistence. To encourage tree regeneration and slow invasive spread, we recommend that forest managers remove invasions prior to applying prescribed fires or avoid the use of fire in habitats invaded by non-native grasses.
Developmental Fates of Larval Tissues after Metamorphosis in AscidianHalocynthia roretzi

Cell lineages during ascidian embryogenesis are invariant. Developmental fates of larval mesodermal cells after metamorphosis are also invariant with regard to cell type of descendants. The present study traced developmental fates of larval endodermal cells after metamorphosis in Halocynthia roretzi by labeling each endodermal precursor blastomere of larval endoderm. Larval endodermal cells gave rise to various endodermal organs of juveniles: endostyle, branchial sac, peribranchial epithelium, digestive organs, peripharyngeal band, and dorsal tubercle. The boundaries between clones descended from early blastomeres did not correspond to the boundaries between adult endodermal organs. Although there is a regular projection from cleavage stage and larval stage to juvenile stage, this varies to some extent between individuals. This indicates that ascidian development is not entirely deterministic. We composed a fate map of adult endodermal organs in larval endoderm based on a statistical analysis of many individual cases. Interestingly, the topographic position of each prospective region in the fate map was similar to that of the adult organ, indicating that marked rearrangement of the positions of endodermal cells does not occur during metamorphosis. These findings suggest that fate specification in endoderm cells during metamorphosis is likely to be a position-dependent rather than a deterministic and lineage-based process.
Biogenic amine and polyamine contents in meat and meat products

Biogenic amines and polyamines in meat and meat products were determined by HPLC. Spermine and spermidine were the only amines always detected in meat and meat products, ranging from 6.4 to 62.1 mg/kg for spermine and from 0.7 to 13.8 mg/kg for spermidine. Tyramine, histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine contents varied greatly, especially in ripened products and even among samples from the same commercial brand. Biogenic amines in cooked products were, in general, lower than 10 mg/kg, whereas 40% of ripened products reached levels above 300 mg/kg. Amine content in dry-cured ham was similar to those found in cooked products. High amounts of biogenic amines in some cooked products could be related to the use of low hygienic quality meat. Besides the contribution of the raw materials, amine formation can occur during the fermentative-ripening process. Adverse reactions due to interaction between monoamine oxidase inhibitors drugs and tyramine are expected in ripened products. Keywords: Biogenic amines; meat;.
On f‐Vectors and Homology a

Suppose that a finite simplicial complex C has fi faces of dimension i . The sequence ( fo, fi, . . .) is called the f-vector of C. Suppose now that r is a class of simplicial complexes. Is it possible to characterize the fivectors of complexes in r ? This question has been often studied for various classes r, and a number of characterization theorems are known. These are (in roughly chronological order; details are given in the paper): (1) for all complexes, (2) for Cohen-Macaulay complexes, (3) for boundary complexes of simplicial convex polytopes, (4) for Leray complexes, and (5) for complexes having a given sequence of Betti numbers. For some other classes, partial information and conjectures are available. Most of the classes for which characterization efforts have been successful share the property that they can be defined in terms of homological conditions on all or some quotient complexes (links of faces). In this paper we review some of the advances in the study off-vectors from this common point of view. Some combinatorial and algebraic methods for “compression” and “shifting” of simplicial complexes seem indispensable for the results we discuss. These methods are reviewed in the third and fourth sections. Using these methods, complexes in classes (1), (4), and (5) [and probably also (2)] can be moved within the class into a special position where the characteristic properties of their f-vector can easily be read off. In the three classes that are homologically defined, the complexes in “special position” always belong to a combinatorially defined subclass: for (2) the shellable complexes, for (4) the &collapsible complexes, and for (5) a certain class of near cones. Also, class (1) can be considered to be homologically defined in a degenerate way. Its members in “special position” are the compressed complexes. It is conceivable that further research will extend the characterization theorem for complexes in class (3) to all homology spheres, in which case (3) would also become a homologically defined class, cf. Concluding Remarks and Open Problems.
The effects of suspended sediment on brown trout (Salmo trutta) feeding and respiration after macrophyte control

Sediment resuspension during and after mechanical excavation of macrophytes may have a significant impact on resident fish populations. Unfortunately, little is known about the influence of this sediment on the respiratory performance and feeding abilities of fishes in New Zealand waterways. We examined the effects of suspended sediment (SS) concentrations previously observed after a large-scale macrophyte removal operation on oxygen consumption (MO2) and feeding rates of brown trout (Salmo trutta). MO2 at 0 mg L−1, 150 mg L−1, 300 mg L−1, 450 mg L−1 and 600 mg L−1 of SS was measured using semi-closed respirometry. Feeding rates at the same SS concentrations were also measured using laboratory tank experiments. Results suggest that SS concentrations up to 600 mg L−1 have no effect on MO2. Conversely, feeding rates were significantly reduced at 450 mg L−1 (22% reduction) and 600 mg L−1 (31% reduction), indicating that sediment concentrations above 450 mg L−1 may negatively affect brown trout populations.
Endocrinology: Follicle stimulating hormone alone supports follicle growth and oocyte development in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist-treated monkeys

Both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are proposed requirements for follicular growth and steroidogenesis; however, the role of LH in primate folliculogenesis is unclear. Follicular stimulation by recombinant human FSH (n = 5) with and without recombinant LH (1:1; n = 6) following 90 days of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (Antide) treatment in macaques was evaluated. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was administered when six follicles > or = 4 mm were observed. Oocytes were aspirated 27 h later and inseminated in vitro. Chronic Antide reduced serum oestradiol and bioactive LH to concentrations observed in hypophysectomized rhesus monkeys. Multiple follicular growth required a longer interval following recombinant FSH (12 +/- 1 days) than recombinant FSH+recombinant LH (9 +/- 0.2 days), but the total number of follicles/animal did not differ between groups. The day prior to HCG, oestradiol concentrations were 4-fold less following recombinant FSH compared to recombinant FSH+recombinant LH. With recombinant FSH, more oocytes completed meiosis to metaphase II (51%) and fertilized (89 +/- 5%) relative to recombinant FSH+recombinant LH (12 and 52 +/- 11% respectively). Follicular growth and maturation in LH-deficient macaques occurred with FSH alone. Thus, LH is not required for folliculogenesis in primates. Higher fertilization rates following follicular stimulation with FSH alone suggest that the presence of LH with FSH (1:1) during the pre-ovulatory interval impairs gametogenic events in the periovulatory period.
The Establishment of Vegetable and Fruit Markets and Nurseries: A Case Study in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

This paper highlighted the importance of the establishment of vegetable and fruit markets and nurseries in the Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This was achieved by taking a representative sample consisting of 57 agricultural projects, with 792 beneficiaries participating in this research. The following six local municipalities were visited: Lephalale, Thabazimbi, Mookgopong, Mogalakwena, Modimolle and Bela-Bela. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used including a detailed questionnaire written in English, focus group discussions, stakeholder’s discussions, and field observations as part of the data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 57 projects, in order to cover uniformity and homogenous characteristics such as infrastructure requirements, skills availability, production challenges, agricultural training needs, water source needs, and educational level. Data was coded, captured, and analysed with a software package for social sciences (SPSS version 20) using Descriptive Analysis and Univariate Regression Analysis. The results showed a significant association among the following variables: age, educational level, farming experience, land, land acquisition, crop planted, water source, water rights, agricultural training and market participation. It is recommended that fruit and vegetable markets be established, as well as the creation of a complete, viable agro value chain that will expand community driven agricultural production and processing.
Meat and bone meal replacement in diets for juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio): effects on growth performance, phosphorus and nitrogen loading

A 11-week growth trial was conducted in a flow-through system with juvenile gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio to evaluate the effects of gradual replacement of fish meal (FM) by meat and bone meal (MBM) on growth performance, phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) loading. Six isonitrogenous (crude protein: 410 g kg(-1)) and isoenergetic (gross energy: 18 kJ g(-1)) diets were formulated. FM was used as the control protein. In the other five diets, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% FM protein was substituted with MBM20, MBM40, MBM60, MBM80, MBM100, respectively. Total P content in the diets ranged from 16.0 to 28.3 g kg(-1) and the available P was 5.0-6.6 g kg(-1). The results showed that the best growth was achieved with fish fed on the control diet and MBM20. Final body weight, weight gain, feed efficiency, protein retention efficiency and energy retention efficiency decreased with increased dietary MBM. No significant differences were found in the feeding rate and hepatosomatic index between the groups. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter, protein and P decreased with increase in dietary MBM, while there were no significant differences in the ADC of energy. P and N retention decreased linearly while P and N loading increased linearly with the increased dietary MBM levels. No significant differences were observed in the activity of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as pyruvate kinase in liver or in serum. Total superoxide dismutase activity in MBM20 was significantly higher than that of MBM100.
Comparison of Female Reproductive Traits and Progeny of First-Generation Hatchery and Wild Upper Yakima River Spring Chinook Salmon

Abstract Hatchery and wild female spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the upper Yakima River were compared to determine whether their reproductive traits had diverged after a single generation of artificial propagation. Fecundity, relative fecundity, individual egg mass, and total gamete mass were all significantly correlated with body length, while reproductive effort (gonadosomatic index) was not. Regressions of trait versus body length often differed significantly among brood years. Hatchery spring Chinook salmon were significantly smaller than wild females over the four brood years examined. After brood year and body length (when necessary) were accounted for, wild females had an average of 8.8% more total gamete mass, 0.8% more individual egg mass, 7.7% greater fecundity, and 0.8% greater reproductive effort than hatchery females. Relative fecundity (the number of eggs per centimeter of body length) was on average 1.3% greater in hatchery females. We also compared body size at yolk ab.
Low‐temperature glass transition in proteins

The viscoelastic properties of solid samples (crystals, amorphous films) of hen egg white lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, and sperm whale myoglobin were studied in the temperature range of 100–300 K at different hydration levels. Decreasing the temperature was shown to cause a steplike increase in the Young's modulus of highly hydrated protein samples (with water content exceeding 0.3 g/g dry weight of protein) in the temperature range of 237–251 K, followed by a large increase in the modulus in the broad temperature interval of 240–130 K, which we refer to as a mechanical glass transition.
Breeding biology of the pallid harrier Circus macrourus in north-central Kazakhstan: implications for the conservation of a Near Threatened species

Abstract We studied a breeding population of pallid harrier Circus macrourus in 2000 and 2006 in north-central Kazakhstan to evaluate the relationships between breeding parameters and breeding habitat in the species’ core breeding range. Pallid harrier nests were found in a wide variety of vegetation types and heights belonging to three main types: steppe, riverine and agricultural. The proportion of nests found in each habitat type (corrected for search effort) differed between 2000 and 2006, with agricultural habitats being more used in 2000, when fallow land was abundant, than in 2006. Highest densities were observed in riverine habitats but hatching success seemed to be lower there because of greater predation. There was apparently lower productivity (smaller broods) in agricultural than in other areas. Laying was spread over 2 months, with a bimodal pattern of laying dates. Birds laid earlier in agricultural and steppe habitats and later in riverine habitats. These differences may be linked to spatio-temporal habitat heterogeneity, and possibly to intra-population heterogeneity in wintering areas implying different arrival dates on the breeding grounds. We discuss the implications of the findings for the conservation of this Near Threatened species.
Activity patterns and body temperatures of two sympatric lizards (Tropidurus torquatus and Cnemidophorus ocellifer) with different foraging tactics in southeastern Brazil

Nos estudamos a biologia termal e comparamos os padroes termais e de atividade de dois lagartos simpatricos com diferentes taticas de forrageamento (Tropidurus torquatus e Cnemidophorus ocellifer) num habitat de restinga na Reserva Florestal Vale do Rio Doce, Linhares, Brasil. Os dados mostraram que as temperaturas corporais de ambas as especies relacionaram-se positiva e significativamente com a temperatura do substrato. A especie forrageadora ativa, C. ocellifer, teve temperaturas medias corporais significativamente maiores (37.6 ± 2.0°C) do que o senta-e-espera T. torquatus (35.6 ± 1.9°C), e permaneceu ativo no habitat numa porcao menor de tempo (entre 8:30 e 15:00 h) do que T. torquatus (entre 7:00 e 18:00 h). Nossos resultados estao de acordo com a premissa de que especies forrageadoras ativas teriam maiores temperaturas medias corporais e permaneceriam ativas no habitat por periodo de tempo relativamente mais curto do que especies forrageadoras sedentarias.
Antagonistic Effects of Hybrid Sorghum and Other Gramineous Plants on Two Species of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus

Antagonistic Effects of Hybrid Sorghum and Other Gramineous Plants on Two Species of Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus1. Eiiti YAMADA2, Ken HASHIZUME2, Minoru TAKAHASHI2, Mieko KITASHIMA3, Seiji MATSUI3 and Hideki YATSU3. Parasitism of Meloidogyne incognita, M. arenaria, Pratylenchus penetrans and P. coffeae was examined on five hybrid sorghum, other four gramineous plants (guineagrass, oat, sudangrass, Italian ryegrass) and crotalaria. Of all strains and plants examined, the sorghum strain SS701 named Tuchitaro was the most effective as an antagonistic green manure plant for the control of M. incognita and M. arenaria but not of P. penetrans and P. coffeae. Jpn. J. Nematol. 30 (1/2): 18-29 (2000).
Detection of a 3′, 5′-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase activity in the lichenized fungus Evernia prunastri

Abstract A 3′, 5′-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) was detected and measured in the lichen Evernia prunastri. The percentage of hydrolysis of tritiated 3′, 5′-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate ([3H]-cAMP) and 3′, 5′-cyclic-guanosine monophosphate ([3H]-cGMP) by the PDE enzyme into tritiated 5′-adenosine-monophospahte ([3H]-AMP) and tritiated 5′-guanosine-monophospahte ([3H]-GMP) was measured by treating the PDE products with a 5′-nucleotidase enzyme present in snake venom. The lysate fraction (L) (plasma membranes and cell walls) and the supernatant (S) (soluble fraction of the cells) were tested. In both fractions, competition of unlabelled cAMP, but not unlabelled cGMP, was revealed. Specific competitive PDE inhibitors such as IBMX inhibited enzymatic activity. Although it is thought that in this species cAMP is regulated by red/far red light through PDE activity, this is the first report that seems to suggest the presence of a PDE activity specific for cAMP in lichenized fungi. However, this work is at a preliminary stage and despite the high levels of enzymatic activity with cAMP found in both fractions, data are still insufficient to state the absolute specificity for this nucleotide.