Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence, Dynamics and Production of Picoplankton in Hungarian Shallow Lakes

Phototrophic picoplankton were detected in 105-106 cells/ml concentrations in seven water bodies of differing chemistry and trophic level. Dominant picoplankters were, at all sites, coccoid cyanobacteria of 0.8-1.2 μm dimensions, exhibiting red or yellow autofluorescence. Apart from the effects of water temperature their quantitative dynamics were significantly influenced by the nitrogen supply and the herbivorous zooplankton (Cladocera). Their maximum contribution to the total planktonic primary production was about 50%, both in mesotrophic and hypereutrophic environments. However during the bloom of filamentous nitrogen-fixing blue-greens their role became negligible. In phytoplankton communities the significance of picoplankton is overestimated several times, when based on the cell count, while it is underestimated on the basis of biomass. The most useful characteristics of phytoplankton size groups was the total surface area of their cells.
Development of assessment techniques for pelagic fish stochs: applications of daily egg production method and pelagic trawl in the Northestern Pacific Ocean

INTRODUCTION Small pelagic fishes such as the Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus and the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus are important fishery stocks in Japan. Stock abundances of these species are subject to both low and high frequency variability. With the ratification of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the SEA (UN 1983), the Japanese government introduced a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system in 1997. Currently, eight species are managed under the TAC system, and five of them have been assessed by virtual population analysis (VPA). For robust stock assessments and fishery management, fishery-independent biomass estimation is indispensable, because of the potential biases in fishery data and great uncertainties in the VIA estimates of abundance in terminal years and their proximity. In recent years, the stock abundances and catches of both species remain at low levels, and 0 and 1 year old fishes account for the majority of annual andings (after Fisheries Agency and NRIFS, Japan). Therefore, this situation strongly requires alternative assessment techniques to VPA. Also, forecasting the level of number of recruits before their exploitation is very important for the management of these species. As a fishery-independent index for the spawning stock biomass (SSB), the egg census had been performed since 1978 for mackerels Scomber japonicus and Scomber australasicus, the Japanese anchovy Englaulis japonicus, and the Japanese sardine.1 These species are multiple spawners and their spawning ecology (e.g., spawning frequency, batch fecundity, spawning area and spawning season) varied from year to year,2 which are required to be incorporated into the current egg production method.2 We investigated the spawning ecology of chub mackerel around Izu Islands, the major spawning grounds, in 1996 1998 and estimated the spawning biomass using the daily egg production method (DEPM). 2 We also performed a pelagic trawl survey in the Kuroshio extension (KE) and Kuroshio Oyashio transition region (KR) from May to June during 1996 2001 and estimated the abundance of small pelagic fishes. Finally, the applicability of these techniques for stock assessments was discussed.
Revalidation of Phrynobatrachus maculiventris Guibé & Lamotte, 1958 and description of its aposematic coloured tadpole

Abstract Phrynobatrachus maculiventris Guibé & Lamotte, 1958 is a valid species. Herein we clarify its taxonomic status, re‐describe it, and provide the first description of its tadpole. The tadpoles’ specific identity was assessed through DNA barcoding. Phrynobatrachus maculiventris adults differ from all other West African Phrynobatrachus species by a combination of smooth dorsal skin and a peculiar ventral colouration. The analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA revealed that P. maculiventris differs from other West African species of the genus by at least 4.7 % genetic differences. Their tadpoles are unmistakable due to their aposematic black and yellow colour pattern. Cardioglossa liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge, 1927 is a synonym of P. maculiventris. Phrynobatrachus maculiventris has priority over C. liberiensis as the genus Phrynobatrachus has a species named P. liberiensis Barbour & Loveridge, 1927, that was described earlier than C. liberiensis.
A Study of Knowledge and Attitude Towards Adoption Amongst Infertile Couples

Background : The incidence of infertility is on the rise in India. Adoption remains a largely under researched field. Modest success rate of ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) coupled with lower rate of adoptions in India intrigued the researchers to go for the study. Objectives : The study aims to find the knowledge, attitude and practice of the infertile couples about adoption as an alternate to ART. It also brings out the difference between the opinion of the husband and wife regarding adoption. Further it makes an attempt to analyze and enlist the reasons which are responsible for the low rate of adoption. Material and methods : Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study was carried out at a tertiary care ART center in Pune wherein 87 couples including 101 infertile subjects were interviewed using an objective and comprehensible questionnaire separately for husband and wife. The data was collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results : 89% of couples were aware about adoptions and 77% had a positive opinion about them, however only 54% were willing to adopt in case ART is not successful. 65% preferred an orphan child and rest preferred a child in relation. Only 12% were aware of any adoption center and only 8% had knowledge about the legal process of adoption. 68% couples wanted to adopt a child of less than 6 months of age. For 60% gender of child didn’t matter. Only 42% couples expected support from family and relatives. Only 26% couples thought that the Indian society has a positive attitude towards adoptions. Want of a biological child, fear of illegitimacy; social stigma and uncertainty about adopted child’s genetic traits were the 4 most common causes with couples disagreeing to adopt. Conclusion : There is a need for generating awareness amongst prospective adoptive parents about the process, procedures and laws related to adoption. The society needs to be sensitized to develop a positive attitude towards adoption to create enabling environment.
Brush control on forest-rangelands in East Texas.

Herbicides were applied by a truck-mounted sprayer and airplane to stands of mixed brush in East Texas. Mixtures of 2,4,5-T + picloram gave the best brush control. Picloram was the best individual chemical but failed to kill white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), saw greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox L.) and redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng. ) Picoloram only partially controlled American holly (Ilex opaca Ait.), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), oaks (Quercus spp.), and yaupon (flex vomitoria Ait.). Dicamba, isocil, bromacil, and mixtures of 2,4,5-T had intermediate activity. Paraquat and diquat were least effective for killing woody species. Dense grass stands occurred within 2 years after treatment where the brush had been controlled.
Airborne limonene confers limited thermotolerance to Quercus ilex

The purpose of the study was to test the possible and controversial thermotolerance role of monoterpene production and emission and the related responses of antioxidants. Quercus ilex seedlings were exposed to a ramp of temperatures of 5°C steps from 25 to 50°C growing with and without limonene fumigation (7.5μll -1 ). Net photosynthetic rates, maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (F v /F m ), oxidation state of ascorbic acid, and lipid peroxidation estimated by malondialdehyde concentrations of limonene-fumigated (LF) plants did not significantly differ from control (C) plants. No consistent changes in emissions of the other monoterpenes, α-pinene, β-phellandrene, β-pinene or β-myrcene were found. However, slight differences were found in the concentration of antioxidants. The amounts of α-tocopherol did not change or even tended to decrease at high temperatures in LF plants whereas they tended to increase by approximately 60% at 45 and 50°C relative to 25°C in C plants. Ascorbic acid reached its maximum concentration only at 45° C in LF plants whereas it reached its maximum at 35°C in C plants. β-Carotene did not decrease at high temperatures in LF plants whereas it decreased by approximately 15% at 45-50°C in C plants. Brown pigment index (BP1), an optical indicator of tissue oxidative processes, was lower in LF plants than in C plants. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI), an optical indicator of photosynthetic light use efficiency, was higher for LF plants than for C plants at elevated temperatures. Visual leaf damage (browning) tended to be less in LF plants than in C plans although not significantly (26.5 ± 8.5 versus 16.2 ± 4.8%). These results show that limonene does not confer clear and strong thermotolerance but might have some minor role. These results are in agreement with previous indications of weaker thermotolerance effect of monoterpenes than of isoprene.
HIGH LEVEL OF SONG SHARING IN AN EASTERN POPULATION OF SONG SPARROW (MELOSPIZA MELODIA)

Abstract Using shared songs is believed to be an integral part of neighbor communication and territory establishment strategies among many avian species with repertoires. Previous studies of two western subspecies of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) reported a high level of song sharing among neighboring males, whereas studies of an eastern subspecies have reported a very low level. The purpose of our study was to investigate another population of the eastern subspecies to determine whether higher song-sharing levels existed within its range. Every song in the repertoire of 29 males was compared with the songs of all other males to assess the number of shared songs. For each male, we calculated the mean song-sharing level with neighbors and non-neighbors. Males shared, on average, 33% of their repertoire with neighbors, significantly more than they shared with non-neighbors (27% of their repertoire). Two first-year males learned whole song types from several individuals and preferentially learned the song types shared among those individuals. Our results suggest that the eastern and western subspecies may not differ genetically in the way they learn songs, because song-sharing levels and song learning in our population were more similar to those of the western subspecies than to those of other populations within its own subspecies. Song-sharing differences among eastern populations may be explained instead by factors acting at the level of individual populations. Niveau Élevé de Chants Partagés chez une Population de l'Est de Melospiza melodia
THE BALDWIN EFFECT

Characters individually acquired by members of a group of organisms may eventually, under the influence of selection, be reenforced or replaced by similar hereditary characters. That is the essence of the evolutionary phenomenon here called "the Baldwin effect. " The possibility of such an effect was noted independently and almost simultaneously by J. M. Baldwin 1 (1896), Lloyd Morgan (1896), and H. F. Osborn (1896). Lloyd Morgan (e.g., 1900) and Osborn (e.g., 1897a and b) made occasional later references to the effect (or factor, principle, or hypothesis, as you will). Baldwin (especially 1902) followed it up in greater detail. E. B. Poulton early joined the discussion, as did several others in the period 1896-1905, approximately. That three workers independently thought of the Baldwin effect at the same time demonstrates that the idea was in the air, that it was an inevitable outgrowth of the intellectual atmosphere of the time. That time was at the height of the neo-Darwinian versus neo-Lamarckian controversy and shortly before the rediscovery of Mendelism gave a radically different turn to biological thought. There was a sharp
Ant communities along a gradient of plant succession in Mexican tropical coastal dunes

Most of Mexican coastal dunes from the Gulf of Mexico have been severely disturbed by human activities. In the state of Veracruz, the La Mancha Reserve is a very well preserved coastal community of sand dunes, where plant successional gradients are determined by topography. In this study we assessed species richness, diversity and faunal composition of ant assemblages in four plant physiognomies along a gradient of plant succession: grassland, shrub, deciduous forest and subdeciduous forest. Using standardized and non-standardized sampling methods we found a total of 121 ant species distributed in 41 genera and seven subfamilies. Grassland was the poorest site (21 species) and subdeciduous forest the richest (102 species). Seven species, with records in ≥10% of samples, accounted 40.8% of total species occurrences: Solenopsis molesta (21.6%), S. geminata (19.5%), Azteca velox (14%), Brachymyrmex sp. 1LM (11.7%), Dorymyrmex bicolor (11.2%), Camponotus planatus (11%) and Pheidole susannae (10.7%). Faunal composition between sites was highly different. Nearly 40% of all species were found in a single site. In all sites but grassland we found high abundances of several species typical of disturbed ecosystems, indicating high levels of disturbance. A species similarity analysis clustered forests in one group and grassland and shrub in another, both groups separated by more than 60% of dissimilarity. Similarity of ant assemblages suggests that deciduous and subdeciduous forests represent advanced stages of two different and independent successional paths.
Biological Flora of the British Isles: Pulmonaria officinalis

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Pulmonaria officinalis L. (Common Lungwort) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characteristics, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Pulmonaria officinalis is a distylous, perennial rosette hemicryptophyte that is naturalized in Britain. It occurs predominantly in the understory of broadleaved, mixed, open woods rich in hornbeam, beech and oak, but is has also been recorded from hedges, banks alongside streams, (sunken) roadsides, built‐up areas, gardens, rubbish tips, yew woodland and, less frequently, coniferous woodland. Its native range stretches from southern Sweden, in the north, to northern Italy, in the south, and from western Germany to Poland and Lithuania. It is most common in central Europe. Pulmonaria officinalis reproduces both by sexual and vegetative means. The underground parts consist of a slowly creeping rhizome with adventitious roots. Despite the presence of an elaiosome that is attractive to ants that likely facilitates seed dispersal, populations often show a significant fine‐scale spatial genetic structure and small neighbourhood sizes. The leaves and flowering stalks are covered in hairs of varied length and stiffness, and stems and inflorescences are sparsely covered with glandular hairs. Flowers of P. officinalis are heterostylous, with distinct pin and thrum morphs. The corolla varies from purple, violet or blue to shades of pink and red, or sometimes white. The flowers are mainly pollinated by solitary bees and bumblebees. Pulmonaria officinalis has significantly expanded its distribution in the British Isles since the 18th century, especially in southern England. P. officinalis is currently not regarded as threatened in Europe. Nonetheless, small, isolated populations of the species often show reduced reproductive success and lower genetic diversity, potentially affecting their long‐term survival. Preservation of local habitat conditions by regular opening of the forest canopy and restoration of gene flow among populations are required to maintain viable populations of P. officinalis in the long term.
Models of the evolution of some genetic systems

This paper reviews models of two aspects of genome evolution. The first is the problem of the conditions for establishment of chromosome rearrangements, as a result of their suppression of recombination between polymorphic genes that interact in their effects on fitness. The second is the spread of genomic elements either by their differential contributions to gametes, or by their ability to replicate and transpose themselves to new sites within the genome.
Evaluation of Herbicides for Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.)1

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate herbicides in pumpkin. Field experiments at three Illinois locations determined weed control and crop injury from clomazone, dimethenamid, ethalfluralin, sulfentrazone, imazamox, RPA 201772, flumiclorac, and halosulfuron applied preemergence. Clomazone plus sulfentrazone controlled redroot pigweed 78 to 99%, ivyleaf morningglory 80 to 97%, common lambsquarters 97%, common purslane 84 to 99%, and velvetleaf 55 to 99%. Imazamox plus clomazone commonly provided more consistent broadleaf weed control than did ethalfluralin plus clomazone. RPA 201772 when used on sandy soils killed the pumpkin. Sulfentrazone initially caused chlorosis and necrosis on pumpkin seedlings when soil organic matter was low (< 1%) or when soil moisture was high. However, plants recovered rapidly, and yields were not affected. In a greenhouse study pumpkin was more tolerant to clomazone plus sulfentrazone than to sulfentrazone. Nomenclature: Clomazone; dimethenamid; ethalfluralin; flumiclorac; halosulfuron, imazamox; RPA 201772 (proposed name, isoxaflutole), 5-cyclopropyl-4-(2-methylsulphonyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzoyl isoxazole; sulfentrazone; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. #3 CHEAL; common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L. # POROL; ivyleaf morningglory, Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE; velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti Medicus # ABUTH; pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo var. pepo L. ‘Howden’. Additional index words: Herbicide combinations, herbicide interactions. Abbreviations: DAT, days after treatment; PRE, preemergence.
Effects of Rearing Density on the Stress Response and Growth of Rainbow Trout

Abstract One-year-old rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were reared for 8 weeks at a density of either 56 or 267 g fish/L (based on the volume of net-pens), equivalent to density indexes of 2.3 and 11.1 g fish/L-cm total fish length), respectively. The fish were held in 0.6 × 0.3-m netpens submerged to a depth of 0.15 m. Two net-pens for each fish density were suspended in each of three 3,040-L circular tanks provided with sufficient flow to maintain loading rates in the tanks at less than 800 g/(L-min). The fish were then subjected to an acute handling stress by being removed from the water for 60 s. No differences in the time course of changes in serum cortisol levels or hematocrits were observed over a 12-h period between fish in the two density groups. There were also no differences between the two groups of fish in weight, length, body condition factor (weight/length3), interrenal nuclear diameter, or the percentage of the anterior stomach that was mucosa. These results indicate that if high water qu.
Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Ethoxyquin Used As an Antioxidant

Ethoxyquin (EQ; 6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline) is widely used as an antioxidant in animal feed and may be carried over to food products of animal origin. It is believed that there are no adverse effects to human health resulting from exposure to EQ as long as it is used at the permitted concentrations. Nevertheless, some harmful effects in animals were observed in the 1980s and some studies were undertaken to evaluate EQ toxicity. This paper reviews EQ’s potential pro-oxidant activity and the ability to cause DNA damage and chromosome aberrations, which may have negative biological consequences. Food safety aspects are also discussed.
Freshwater turtles of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: taxonomy, natural history and conservation

Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state of Brazil with peculiar flora and fauna associated to the morfoclimatic characteristics of the region. The diversity of Testudines from Rio Grande do Sul is represented by six freshwater turtle species and five sea turtle species. This study reports on the freshwater turtle diversity of Rio Grande do Sul, based on a compilation of published and some new data on their biology and conservation status.
Hexa‐, hepta‐ and nonaprenylhydroquinones isolated from marine sponges Sarcotragus muscarum and Ircinia fasciculata inhibit NF‐k B signalling in H4IIE cells

Objectives Marine organisms have proven to be a rich source of potent pharmacologically active compounds. Three polyprenyl‐1,4‐hydroquinone derivates (hexaprenyl‐1,4‐hydroquinone, heptaprenyl‐1,4‐hydroquinone and nonaprenyl‐1,4‐hydroquinone) were isolated from the Zoobenthos‐inhabiting sponges Sarcotragus muscarum and Ircinia fasciculata from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (phylum: Porifera; class: Demospongiae).
Effect of experience with piscivory on foraging behavior and growth of walleyes

Abstract We compared juvenile walleyes Stizostedion vitreum fed pellets (naive) with those fed minnows (experienced) to determine the effects of previous experience on feeding and growth. In aquarium experiments (72 L), foraging behaviors were compared for walleyes (115–180 mm total length; N = 57 each) feeding on golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas. Less than 60% of naive walleyes initially converted, and time to prey capture was higher than for experienced fish. In pool experiments, naive walleyes had high initial rates of conversion to minnows, but they captured and consumed fewer prey than experienced walleyes. Foraging behaviors improved with time in laboratory experiments, and naive walleyes learned to forage at rates comparable to experienced walleyes in less than 5 d. Experiments in ponds were designed to determine the effects that differences in conversion to minnows and foraging experience might have on growth and survival. Naive and experienced walleyes did not differ in growth and survival,.
Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) associated with mass mortalities in cage-reared sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

Mass mortalities of the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), occurred in different ongrowing units in Greece. A presumptive diagnosis of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) was made on the basis of the light microscopic observations of a vacuolating encephalopathy and retinopathy. Positive peroxidase reaction with VNN antiserum confirmed nodavirus as the causative agent. Usually recorded in larvae and juvenile stages of different marine fish species, VNN is described in adult sea bass and sea bass reared in floating cages in the Mediterranean for the first time. The horizontal transmission of the disease has been strongly suspected. Histological analyses clearly demonstrate that cells other than nerve cells are also infected. Some epidemiological aspects of the disease are described and their implications for the establishment of prophylactic guidelines are discussed.