Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partial control of grape powdery mildew by the mycoparasite Ampelomyces quisqualis.

Ampelomyces quisqualis normally infects senescent colonies of Uncinula necator in late summer. Our objective was to introduce the mycoparasite at the start of an epidemic, and thereby reduce the rate of disease increase. Prior to establishing field trials, isolates of A. quisqualis were evaluated for pathogenicity, virulence, and host range in greenhouse and laboratory assays. Infection of powdery mildew colonies only occurred when plants were kept wet and resulted in sporulation of A. quisqualis within 10 days. Two isolates of A. quisqualis (G5 and G273) were evaluated for pathogenicity and virulence against 18 monoconidial isolates of U. necator on grape seedlings and showed little evidence of pathogenic specialization. Three isolates (G273, SF419, and SF423) were equally pathogenic to Sphaerotheca fuliginea on cucurbit, S. macularis on strawberry, and U. necator on grape seedlings. All A. quisqualis isolates appear to have a broad host range and cause significant damage to powdery mildew colonies. Pycnidia of A. quisqualis G273 were produced on cotton wicks saturated with malt extract agar or wheat bran malt extract agar. Wicks were suspended above grapevines of Vitis vinifera «Riesling» and Vitis interspecific hybrid Aurore. Conidia were dispersed during rain to infect powdery mildew colonies while leaf surfaces were wet. Conidia were released for 3 months in 1990 from a single deployment of wicks. Higher numbers of conidia were released during the entire growing season in 1992 and 1993 due to replenishment of colonized wicks at monthly intervals. Wicks released conidia for 1 to 2 months in 1992 and 1993 before becoming depleted. Powdery mildew development was reduced on Riesling vines in 1990 following deployment of colonized wicks at 15 cm of shoot growth. Disease severity but not incidence was reduced on Aurore vines in 1992 under A. quisqualis-colonized wicks. High rainfall in 1992 provided ample opportunities for dispersal of inoculum of the mycoparasite and the wet conditions were conducive to parasitism. Disease development was late and much reduced in 1993, which was a drier season than 1992. Consequently, no differences were observed in A. quisqualis-treated and untreated plots in the same vineyard that year
Microhabitats of Merriam's turkeys in the Black Hills, South Dakota

Merriam's Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) are associated with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests in the western United States, but are not native to the ponderosa pine forest of the Black Hills, South Dakota. The Black Hills population was established by transplanting birds from New Mexico and Colorado between 1948 and 1951. Despite being outside its original range, this population provides a unique opportunity to assess mechanisms of habitat selection because the age of the population is known and literature indicates that it is more productive than other populations. We studied microhabitats of Merriam's Turkeys in the Black Hills, South Dakota between 1986 and 1991. We found few differences in microhabitats among diurnal time periods or between sexes. Cluster analysis of variables at turkey microhabitats indicated two groups, broadly interpreted as summer and winter microhabitats. Winter microhabitats of turkeys had less understory vegetation and more overstory cover than random sites, which in turn had less understory and more overstory cover than summer microhabitats. Both random sites and winter microhabitats had higher basal area of ponderosa pine than summer microhabitats. Summer microhabitats had trees with the largest dbh. Random sites had more small and large woody debris than sites used by turkeys. Tree density at random sites was more than two times greater than at winter microhabitats and more than three times greater than at summer microhabitats. Turkeys preferred southern exposures during winter. Production of pine seed, a major food item of turkeys, differed among years. There was a strong relationship between abundance of pine seeds and microhabitats selected by turkeys. Basal area of microhabitats between October and March was positively correlated with annual ponderosa pine seed production. Abundance of ponderosa pine seeds at turkey microhabitats during this period was at least four times the estimated average annual production. Management prescriptions for ponderosa pine of basal area ≤ 18 m²/ha will reduce winter habitat for turkeys. Summer habitats are more compatible with timber management goals for ponderosa pine in the Black Hills.
Volatiles Produced by Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus carnosus during Growth in Sausage Minces Part II. The Influence of Growth Parameters

Aseptic model minces inoculated with commercial samples of either Staphylococcus xylosus orStaphylococcus carnosus were prepared in accordance with an experimental design investigating the effect of seven parameters: fermentation temperature, pH, salt, nitrate, glucose, ascorbate, and the access of air. Volatiles produced by the cultures were collected during growth, identified and quantified. The data were analysed by partial least squares regression. The results showed that oxygen in general had more influence on the aroma producing capacity of Staphylococcus xylosus than ofStaphylococcus carnosus which was more affected by nitrate and glucose. The two strains differed mostly with regards to pH. Aroma production by both strains was strongly related to growth—either positively or negatively depending on compound. Potent aroma compounds such as methyl-branched aldehydes and acids arising from degradation of leucine, isoleucine and valine, and aromatic compounds arising from phenylalanine were produced in lower amounts when the bacteria grew well, that is, produced cell mass, whereas the opposite was the case for compounds such as sulphides and ketones.
Experimental Induction of Liver Tumours in Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) by Contaminated Sediment from Hamilton Harbour, Ontario

Sediments from Hamilton Harbour and an uncontaminated control site were collected and extracted for organic contaminants to investigate the putative association between chemical contaminants and high incidences of fish tumours in Hamilton Harbour. Sediment extract from Hamilton Harbour had high levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and was mutagenic in the Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay. In two sets of experiments using a trout sac-fry microinjection route of exposure, Hamilton Harbour sediment extract induced hepatocellular carcinomas in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).
Long-term development of fish populations in the Římov Reservoir

The inshore fish community of the Řimov Reservoir in the Czech Republic was evaluated over 21 years using shore seining at night. The development of the fish community was divided into two separate phases: a highly dynamic and unstable phase dominated by perch, Perca fluviatilis L. , was replaced by an extremely stable cyprinid phase dominated by roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), and bream, Abramis brama (L.). The abundance of both these species oscillated during the cyprinid phase, but with decreasing amplitude. The proportion of piscivorous fish species such as asp, Aspius aspius (L.), pike, Esox lucius L. , and pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), increased slightly with time but remained low. The biomass of large Cladocera was negatively correlated with fish biomass only during the perch phase. The Shannon–Weaver index of diversity increased during the fish community succession, mainly because of greater evenness amongst the species.
Numerical modeling of seasonal and mesoscale hydrography and circulation in the Mexican Central Pacific

Based on results from a ROMS numerical model, the dynamics of the Mexican Central Pacific was studied during three years (2003–2005). The model reproduces the mean and seasonal variability of sea surface temperature, as well as mesoscale eddies and meanders from satellite observations. The model adequately represents the main currents in the region: California Current, Mexican Coastal Current, and Gulf of California currents. The Gulf of California currents are linked to the intensificiation of the Mexican Coastal Current and interact in such a way that the lateral shear generates eddies at the entrance to the Gulf of California. The mesoscale eddies were found to have a depth of ~200 m. The eddies generated in the area (internal Rossby radius of deformation, Rd = 40 km) had a diameter L of ~300 km, an orbital speed of 20–30 cm s–1, and a westward translation speed of ~4 cm s–1. Eddies are considered from intermediate to big (L 7.5 Rd, Ro 1), show geostrophic dynamics, and present a westward drift due to Coriolis variation with latitude (beta effect). The size of the eddies seems to be related to the weakening of the meridional component of wind stress during the North American monsoon. Con base en resultados del modelo numerico ROMS, se estudio la dinamica en el Pacifico central mexicano durante tres anos (2003–2005). El modelo reproduce tanto la variabilidad media y estacional de la temperatura superficial del mar como los remolinos y filamentos de mesoescala observados por medio de satelites. Ademas, el modelo representa adecuadamente las principales corrientes de la region: la corriente de California, la corriente costera mexicana y las corrientes del golfo de California. Las corrientes del golfo de California estan ligadas a la intensificacion de la corriente costera mexicana e interactuan de tal forma que el corte lateral entre estas dos da lugar a la generacion de remolinos en la entrada al golfo. Se encontro que los remolinos son de mesoescala con profundidades de ~200 m. Los remolinos generados en la zona (radio interno de deformacion de Rossby, Rd = 40 km) presentaron un diametro L de ~300 km, una velocidad orbital de 20–30 cm s–1 y se desplazaron hacia el oeste con velocidades de traslacion de ~4 cm s–1. Los remolinos se consideran de intermedios a grandes (L 7.5 Rd, Ro 1), muestran una dinamica geostrofica y presentan un desplazamiento hacia el oeste debido al efecto beta de la variacion del parametro de Coriolis. El tamano de los remolinos parece estar relacionado con el debilitamiento de la componente meridional del esfuerzo del viento durante el monzon norteamericano.
The relative importance of autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial communities in the planktonic food web of the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario 2000–2007

The structure and function of the microbial and planktonic communities of the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario were studied for 8 years from 2000 to 2007. The bay has a long history of eutrophication and has undergone remediation efforts which included reductions in phosphorus loadings and the implementation of a long term research and monitoring program (1972–present) conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada along with other federal and provincial agencies. Microbial loop research was added in 2000 to the ongoing monitoring program which included nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos and fish so that a comprehensive picture of food web linkages would emerge. The structure of the microbial-planktonic food web was determined based on microscopic analysis of bacteria, autotrophic picoplankton (APP), heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF), ciliates, phytoplankton and zooplankton and was compared to a traditional grazing food chain consisting of phytoplankton and zooplankton. On a seasonal weighted mean basis, HNF biomass (fresh weight) of 1.7–8.4 g m−3 at Belleville and 1.1–6.3 C m−3 at Conway exceeded that of zooplankton in virtually all observations and was often greater than the combination of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Furthermore, the results showed that HNF contributed upwards to 85% of the organic carbon pool on a seasonal weighted mean basis. Various parameters in the upper bay relating trophic status to autotrophic communities were measured including: point source phosphorus loadings (>10 kg d−1); primary production (>300 g C m−2 y−1); chlorophyll a (>12 μg l−1) and phytoplankton biomass (>3 g m−3) which indicated that the upper bay remained eutrophic. This was also confirmed by the “battery of tests” strategy of ecological indicators developed in our laboratory to assess trophic status, health, and potential Beneficial Use Impairments. Based on our observations spanning 8 years, it was concluded that the microbial food web was dominated by heterotrophic communities which are still widely ignored in Great Lakes research and monitoring efforts. Our data clearly demonstrates that future studies and management strategies should include the “microbial loop” to obtain a holistic picture of the structure, function and dynamics of the lower food web.
Distribution pattern of zoanthids (Cnidaria: Zoantharia) on a tropical reef

Abstract Coastal reef environments support a great diversity of benthic species, which are physically arrayed according to their adaptations to biotic factors such as competition and to abiotic factors such as salinity and desiccation. Few studies have described adaptive strategies on rocky shores in tropical regions. This contribution deals with the spatial distribution of three species of zoanthids (Palythoa caribaeorum, Protopalythoa variabilis and Zoanthus sociatus) on flat sandstone reefs in north-eastern Brazil. Zoanthid distribution and abundances were determined as the percentage of cover along six transects, where 50 × 50 cm quadrats were sampled. Biotic data (influence of macroalgal cover) and abiotic data (relief, substrate type, temperature and salinity) were also taken along the transects to attempt to explain the zoanthid distribution. These species tended to colonize the middle and low intertidal zones, which are least exposed to air. Zoanthus sociatus apparently resists desiccation better than P. caribaeorum. Protopalythoa variabilis showed the highest abundance and frequency, occurring in the entire middle intertidal zone and colonized areas with high proportions of unconsolidated sediment. Desiccation was the main factor limiting the spatial distributions of the three species, although substrate composition and probably interspecific competition with macroalgae were also important. The results suggest that the zoanthids use a variety of these adaptive strategies, which account for their success on consolidated substrates. Continuous monitoring of changes in distribution patterns can be useful for indicating human impacts on marine biodiversity, providing insights for monitoring and conservation programmes.
Importance of ciliates as prey of the euphausiid Euphausia pacifica in the NW North Pacific

We investigated the feeding of Euphausia pacifica on ciliates, especially naked ciliates, in laboratory and field experiments in which cultured Strombidium conicum, or natural food assemblages, or both were given, and estimated the importance of ciliates as prey. E. pacifica ingested cultured S. conicum at rates of 0.04 to 0.07 μgC krill -1 h -1 at low ciliate concentration and 1.01 to 3.24 μgC krill -1 h -1 at high ciliate concentration, when S. conicum was given as the sole prey. The daily ration on naked ciliates ranged from 0.02 to 1.8% of body carbon when natural food assemblages enriched with S. conicum were given, and from 0.05 to 2.3 % of body carbon when S. conicum was given as the sole prey. Our results provide indirect evidence that E. pacifica ingests naked ciliates and plays a role in linking microbial food webs to the classical grazing food chains.
Controle genético da eficiência de utilização de fósforo em famílias de meios-irmãos de Eucalyptus grandis, em casa de vegetação

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the genetic variability in the efficiency of phosphorus utilization in 18 half-sib families of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, submitted to three phosphorus levels (0, 200 and 400 mg/dm3 P2O5). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, following an 18 x 3 factorial scheme totaling 54 treatments and three replications of two plants per pot, containing 7 dm3 of soil grown until 120 days after transplant. Height, collar diameter; and dry matter of roots, stems, branches, leaves, shoots and total dry matter, shoot-root rate and P concentration, content and utilization efficiency in the leaves and in the stems were evaluated. The families responded positively to fertilization, differently for each characteristic, with a tendency to stabilize at the highest level. The highest P absorption was observed when 400 mg/dm3 P2O5 were added. However, this was not accompanied by increased dry matter production, resulting in lower P utilization efficiency under this condition. In general, the genetic material evaluated presented low genetic variability, but it was possible to identify promising materials for the characteristics evaluated.
Fine-root seasonal pattern, production and turnover rate of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands in Italy Prealps: Possible implications of coppice conversion to high forest

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of coppice conversion to high forest on the beech fine-root systems. We compared the seasonal pattern of live and dead fine-root mass (d < 2 mm), production and turnover in three beech stands that differed in management practices. Tree density was higher in the 40-year-old coppice stand than in the stands that were converted from coppice to high forest in 1994 and 2004, respectively. We found that a reduction in tree density reduced the total fine-root biomass (Coppice stand, 353.8 g m−2; Conversion 1994 stand, 203.6 g m−2; Conversion 2004 stand, 176.2 g m−2) which continued to be characterised by a bimodal pattern with two major peaks, one in spring and one in early fall. Conversion to high forest may also affect the fine-root soil depth distribution. Both fine-root production and turnover rate were sensitive to management practices. They were lower in the Coppice stand (production 131.5 g m−2 year−1; turnover rate 0.41 year−1) than in the converted stands (1994 Conversion stand: production 232 g m−2 year−1, turnover rate 1.06 year−1; 2004 Conversion stand: production 164.2 g m−2 year−1, turnover rate 0.79 year−1).
Efficacy of two different types of montmorillonite to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin in pigs

Abstract Experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of montmorillonite (M) and montmorillonite nanocomposite (MN) to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin (AF) in growing/finishing pigs. A total of 144 weaned pigs were assigned to six dietary treatment groups (0 g of adsorbents and 0 mg of AF/kg feed; 3 g of M/kg feed; 3 g of MN/kg feed; 0.11 mg of AF/kg feed; 0.11 mg of AF plus 3 g of M/kg feed; and 0.11 mg of AF plus 3 g of MN/kg feed). Compared to the control, AF alone decreased average daily gam (ADG) by 12.9% (P < 0.05), and increased feed/gain ratio by 7.54% (P < 0.05). Improvements in average daily gain and feed/gain ratio by 13.0 and 4.80% (P < 0.05) by the addition of MN to the AF diet demonstrated the ability of MN to reduce the toxic effects of AF. However, the addition of M did not diminish the growth inhibitory effects of AF (P > 0.05). AF intake increased relative weights of liver, kidney, spleen and pancreas by 8.24, 27.3, 41.2 and 42.9% (P < 0.05), and resulted in significant alterations of serum biochemical values and enzymatic activities (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the MN with AF diet had appreciable improvements in AF‐induced organ lesions and aberrations in serum profiles (P < 0.05), whereas pigs fed the M with AF diet had relative organ weights and serum profiles similar to those of pigs fed AF alone (P > 0.05), which indicated beneficial effects of MN and non‐protective effects of M. These findings suggested that feeding MN can effectively prevent the negative effects associated with aflatoxicosis in pigs.
Suplementação com vitamina C e E sobre o desenvolvimento e sobrevivência de girinos de rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana Shaw, 1802)

The effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on the development and survival of bullfrog tadpoles were evaluated. The animals received 50, 250 and 500mg vitamin C or E/kg dry ration. In the control diet, vitamins were not added. A fully randomized experimental design was utilized, with 3 replicates of each treatment. Vitamin supplemented tadpoles did not show significant difference on growth compared to the control. Furthermore, tadpoles with supplementation of 500mg vitamin C showed better survival (62.83%) than control (40.48%; p<0.05). The other levels of vitamin C and E did not affect the survival of tadpoles. The present study suggests that 500mg vitamin C/kg dry ration is a tool to improve the survival of bullfrog tadpoles.
The Reptile Fauna of the Gosau Formation preserved in the Geological Museum of the University of Vienna

The Gosau formation, nearly corresponding in age to the Upper Greensand of this country, is represented at Neue Welt, near Wiener Noustadt, by freshwater deposits full of such freshwater shells as Melania and Unio, and land-plants such as Banksia and Pecopteris. The formation and its fauna have been described by Profs. Suess, Zittel, and many others; but, although the late Dr. Stoliczka detected a tooth imbedded in the coal of the formation, no important knowledge was obtained of the vertebrate fauna of the Gosau beds until Prof. Suess was so fortunate as to obtain the assistance of Bergverwalter Pawlowitsch in conducting excavations. These were carried on with admirable skill; timber drift-ways were driven into the rocks, with the result that they penetrated into a perfect cemetery of the remains of Cretaceous reptiles. The remarkable collection thus obtained was intrusted for description to Dr. Emanuel Bünzel, whose memoir upon it was published in 1871 in the ‘Transactions of the Imperial-Royal Geological Institution. ’ Subsequently more specimens were discovered; and in Easter 1879 my honoured friend, Prof. Suess, invited me to visit Vienna to examine these specimens, with the object of making them available for the advancement of knowledge by publication. With the assistance of the Royal Society I gladly undertook this work, and spent a month in Vienna studying the thousands of fragments which had been obtained. The great, mass of these, mere comminuted bones, proved of but little value; or, rather, the time that I could give to their study enabled
Two new water mite species of the genus Lebertia (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Lebertiidae) from Turkey

Two water mite species new to science are described of the genus Lebertia, collected from running waters and springs in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Lebertia (Brentalebertia) anatolica Esen and Dilkaraoglu, sp.nov. as the fourth known species of the subgenus Brentalebertia Gerecke, 2008 and Lebertia (s. str.) erzurumensis Esen and Erman, sp. nov. as a sister species of L. pusilla. Lebertia (s. str.) subtilis Koenike, 1902 is recorded for the first time after the original description from Switzerland. It was found in a high-altitude spring, rich in gravel substrata and moss vegetation. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6D5992C0-CB77-4651-B93C-17AA5015F027