Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dairy production revenue losses in New Zealand due to giant buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

Abstract Giant buttercup (Ranunculus acris L.), a species of European origin, is widespread throughout New Zealand, and is an intractable weed of dairy pastures in parts of the south Auckland, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki regions and in the districts of Southern Wairarapa, Horowhenua, and Tasman. In this study, the seasonal progression of the weed's ground cover in dairy pastures in the Tasman District was measured during 1989–90 and used, in conjunction with monthly weed‐free pasture dry matter production values, to estimate the annual percentage loss in pasture production due to a typical infestation of the weed subjected to typical control measures. Extrapolation to other infested regions and districts provided a national estimate of milk solids revenue loss due to giant buttercup in New Zealand dairy pastures of $156 million in the 2001–02 season.
Reintroduction Failure of Captive-Bred Oribi (Ourebia ourebi)

Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) are listed as endangered and one of the options to increase their numbers and populations is to breed them in captivity and subsequently reintroduce them into suitable habitat. A captive breeding facility for oribi in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, had been used to reintroduce captive-bred oribi on to the neighbouring agricultural/game farm for the previous 10 years. However, the success of these reintroductions was unknown. Consequently the aim of this study was to monitor the success of the reintroduction of captive-bred oribi. As in previous years, 10 captive-bred oribi were released by the owners of the facility onto the neighbouring farm. Using radio-telemetry and mortality sensors, survivorship of the reintroduced oribi was monitored, and the factors involved in a successful or failed reintroduction attempt Identified. Within two months of release, seven of the 10 oribi were dead. The causes of mortality varied, but predation by natural predators and humans was a major factor. Consequently no further reintroductions on to this property were advised. Several factors of concern were raised and need to be addressed in future captive breeding, reintroduction and management of oribi.
Los pingüinos de las costas argentinas: estado poblacional y conservación

En las costas de Argentina se reproducen tres especies de pingüinos: el Pingüino de Magallanes (Spheniscus magellanicus), el Pingüino Penacho Amarillo (Eudyptes chrysocome) y el Pingüino Papúa (Pygoscelis papua). El Pingüino Rey (Aptenodytes patagonica) se reproducía históricamente en Isla de los Estados y recientemente ha sido registrado allí un individuo incubando un huevo. Este trabajo recopila la información disponible a la fecha sobre la distribución y el estado poblacional de estas especies. Se presenta una síntesis de la información disponible sobre el ciclo reproductivo, la ecología alimentaria y los requerimientos de hábitat del Pingüino de Magallanes y del Pingüino Penacho Amarillo, y una evaluación sobre sus interacciones con actividades humanas y su actual estado de conservación. La revisión está orientada a los aspectos de relevancia para el desarrollo de programas de monitoreo, planes de acción y estrategias regionales de conservación. Finalmente, se presenta una lista de recomendaciones de investigación, conservación y manejo.
Synaptic Interactions in the Nervus Terminalis Ganglion of Elasmobranchs a

Although investigations of the nervus terminalis ( N T ) are continuing in a variety of species, many basic questions about the function of the nerve remain unanswered. One such fundamentally important question concerns the afferent or efferent nature of the nerve. From Locy's description of the nerve in elasmobranchs,' the N T ganglion could be considered as analogous to either of the two types of ganglia in the vertebrate nervous system, serving an afferent function like the dorsal root ganglia, or an efferent function like the autonomic ganglia. Instead of resolving this issue, additional investigations into the projections of the N T and the morphology of N T ganglion cells have provided evidence in support of both possibilities? ' Moreover, other researchers have suggested that the N T is a mixed nerve and contains both afferent and efferent
Thirteen-year growth of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) on rehabilitated bauxite mines in south-western Australia

Summary Alcoa's objective is to restore its bauxite mines in south-western Australia to a productive self-sustaining jarrah forest. This paper describes the growth and form of 13-y-old jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) trees established from seed and planted seedlings, and subject to various fertiliser, understorey seed and spacing treatments. Seeded jarrah had a mean establishment density of 2662 stems ha−1 and a density of 2300 stems ha−1 after 13 y, a survival rate of 86%. Sixty-two per cent of the seeded trees developed into saplings (> 1.5 m tall). The saplings had a mean height of 9.0 m and dbhob of 14.4 cm after 13 y. The mean density of potential sawlogs (trees with a single stem to at least 2 m) was 1297 stems ha−1 after 13 y. The presence of tall native legumes (acacias) decreased the percentage of trees that became saplings from 72% to 53%. When N fertiliser was not provided the legumes had a suppressive effect on the basal area and bole volume of potential sawlogs, reducing them to 60% and 57%, respectively, of the values without legumes. Planted jarrah trees had a mean survival rate over all treatments of 84% after 13 y. Closer tree spacing (particularly 1 m × 1 m) resulted in significantly lower survival (77%) than the wider spacings. Inclusion of tall native legumes with closer tree spacing reduced survival even more (69% at 1 m × 1 m). The mean sapling height across all planted treatments was 9.1 m. The mean dbhob was 15.2 cm with 67% becoming saplings. Closer tree spacing had the strongest effect in significantly reducing all of these parameters. Tall native legumes reduced the dbhob of the jarrah trees and reduced the overall mean height of all jarrah by limiting the proportion of jarrah that became saplings. Absence of added N fertiliser also significantly reduced these measures. Basal areas were similar in rehabilitated and unmined forest after 13 y. Mean annual growth increments (1.52 m2 ha−1 seeded, 2.72 m2 ha−1 planted) were similar to those reported for similar aged regrowth forest (2.62 m2 ha−1) and higher than older thinned (0.45 m2 ha−1) or unthinned (0.19 m2 ha−1) unmined forest. Basal area increments were higher from 8–13 y than 0–8 y, indicating that growth rates were not slowing down over this period. The optimum stocking rate for jarrah in rehabilitated bauxite mines will be a balance between growth rate, tree form, other environmental factors and cost considerations. The current rehabilitation prescription aims to establish 1300 stems ha−1 of ‘total eucalypts’ by broadcast seeding (jarrah and marri — Corymbia calophylla). This study indicates that an initial stocking of 1300 stems ha−1 is optimum and meets Alcoa's mine rehabilitation completion criterion of providing at least 300 potential sawlogs ha−1 at 15 y of age.
Chemical and physical properties of a sunflower oil with high levels of oleic and palmitic acids

thermo-oxidative stability and the physical properties of the HOHPSO were determined and compared with those of the conventional and high oleic sunflower oils and those of a liquid fraction of palm oil (olein). The major fatty acids of the HOHPSO were monoenes (57.7% oleic, 7.3% palmitoleic) and palmitic (27,8%), while the content of linoleic acid was low (2.3%). The saturated fatty acids were almost absent from the sn-2 position and, thus, the major triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular species were those with one or two saturated fatty acids at the sn-1,3 positions and oleic acid at the sn-2 position (mainly POO and POP). Total polar compounds and their distribution in oxidised TAG monomers and TAG polymers were determined after 10 h at 180 °C. The HOHPSO showed enhanced thermal stability, producing half the amount of total polar compounds, and much less TAG polymers, as the palm olein. The stability index (Rancimat ) of the HOHPSO was unusually high (19 h at 120 °C). The thermal properties of the HOHPSO (determined from the differential scanning calorimetry thermograms) were different from those of the palm olein. The HOHPSO presents lower solid fat contents than the palm olein above 15 °C and hence remains liquid at common working temperatures.
Effect of Fish Size, Temperature, and Amount Fed on Nutrient Digestibility of a Pelleted Diet by Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri

Abstract Comparisons were made of digestibility coefficients for nutrients in a dry pellet diet fed to three sizes (18, 207, 586 g) of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, at three water temperatures (7, 11, 15 C), and for three meal sizes (0.4, 0.8, 1.6% of fish weight) fed to one fish size (194 g) at one water temperature (11 C). No significant differences were apparent between body sizes at temperatures of 11 and 15 C. However, digestibility coefficients for all nutrients were significantly lower for 18-g trout acclimated to 7 C than 207- or 586-g trout at 7 C or 18-g fish acclimated to 11 and 15 C. The grand average coefficients for protein, lipid, and energy, excluding small fish at 7 C, were 93%, 89%, and 74% whereas values for the small fish were 20%, 9%, and 28% lower, respectively. No difference was apparent in the digestibility of protein or lipid at rations of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6% of the fish body weight. Future digestibility studies with rainbow trout may expect no effect of water temperature and bod.
Evidence for long‐distance, chemical gall induction by an insect

We report that a chemical stimulus from a herbivore, a galling insect, changes plant morphology and physiology to benefit the herbivore. Previous studies could not determine whether insect galls are induced by mechanical or chemical stimuli because feeding and oviposition both occurred at the site of gall formation. We report that the mouthparts of a spruce-galling insect, Adelges cooleyi, were inserted in stem phloem cells far from induced galls, that tissues between mouthparts and galls appeared normal, and that the ability to initiate galls was inversely correlated with distance from buds (potential gall sites). Thus the effects of chemical stimuli were unambiguously separated from any mechanical influence of probing stylets or ovipositors. Our results strongly suggest that galls were induced by a chemical stimulus transported to buds via vascular tissue and that its efficacy was dose-dependent.
Differences between the winning and defeated female handball teams in relation to the beggining of attacks

Trend Analysis is a statistical method often used in Kinesiology for tracking progress and predicting sport results. Tracking dynamics of present sport results and records provides information that can be used for predicting sport results in the future. Competitive bodybuilding has two main conditioning goals ; the first is to develop new, additional muscle mass during the off season period called “mass”. The second goal is to achieve definition”. During this period the effort is to maintain the maximum amount of muscle mass while body fat is reduced to a minimum level.In the current literature there is insufficient information showing the trend of morphological characteristics of elite athletes in general, especially in bodybuilding. Therefore the main objective of this study is to show such changes during conditioning cycles of mass and definition, and to determine their trend during one-year conditioning process of a top-level body builder. A series of regression analyses were performed to attain the relation between training program and certain morphological characteristics. Correlation coefficients showed that the training process had a great influence on the morphological characteristics of the subject. Regression analysis also provided the regression coefficients and time function of trends of morphological characteristics during mass and definition periods. During the mass period all morphological characteristic demonstrated a steep trend of growth in the first 10 weeks (best approximated as polynomial functions of a third degree). The remaining period of time shows a stagnation of morphological values. The definition period has a linear trend (linear functions) and affects the body equally during the whole period. Functions and trends of morphological characteristics of a top-level bodybuilder can be used as a model in future preparations for competitions of this athlete, and also for other competitors with the same or similar morphological characteristics.
Correlation between Growth Inhibitory Exhibition and Suspected Allelochemicals (Phenolic Compounds) in the Extract of Alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.)

Abstract Acidic fractions of the extracts from the three alfalfa cultivars Batasu, Rasen, and Yuba exhibited a varietial difference in the inhibitory effect on hypocotyls and radicle growth of alfalfa (cv. Nasuwakaba) and rice (cv. Koshihikari) seedlings. The extract from Rasen possessed the strongest inhibitory activity, and that of Batasu was the lowest. In a TLC bioassay with lettuce seedlings, inhibitory zones of the extracts were located at an Rf value of 0.6 -0.8, and maximum exhibitory zones at Rfs of 0.7-0.8. However, the extracts of Rasen and Yuba contained an additional inhibitory zone at Rf of 0.1-0.2. Inhibitory zones were analyzed by HPLC. Eight phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts from Rasen and Batasu, and six compounds in that from Yuba. However, the content of these phenolic compounds varied with the cultivar. The content of each phenolic compound was the highest in Rasen, followed by Yuba and Batasu, although the content of jft-hydroxybenzoic acid was equivalent in all cultivars. We suppose that the degree of inhibitory exhibition of allelopathy may be related to the presence and concentrations of allelochemicals (phenolic compounds), however, the allelopathic activity of the plant might be determined by interactions of all these compounds, not just a single chemical.
The role of the Aquarium of Rhodes (eastern Mediterranean Sea) on raising public awareness to marine invasions, with a note on the husbandry and trade of marine aliens

Un total de 33 especes exotiques prelevees dans le milieu naturel a ete repertorie depuis le debut des annees 1980 dans les bassins de l'Aquarium public de Rhodes (Grece), surtout depuis 2000. La contribution essentielle de l'Aquarium a documenter l'intensification de l'introduction d'especes exotiques marines, a disseminer la connaissance et a sensibiliser le public sur les risques ecologiques et socio-economiques associee aux invasions biologiques est mis en evidence. La diffusion d'especes exotiques dans d'autres Aquariums de la Mediterranee orientale est signalee. L'utilisation potentielle de ces especes exotiques dans le commerce aquariophile et ses effets eventuels sur les ecosystemes marins sont discutes. Des details sur la collecte et les conditions de maintenance sont aussi fournis.
Population genetic structure and natal philopatry in the widespread North American bat Myotis lucifugus

Abstract Molecular genetics tools have been used recently to investigate aspects of bat biology, including the degree of male- and female-driven gene flow among populations. However, none of this work has focused on the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), one of the most common bats in North America. Previous work using mark–recapture suggests that like many mammals, including other temperate vespertilionid bats, gene flow in this species is largely driven by males, whereas females return to the roosts in which they were born to rear pups. To determine if this species displays a pattern of population genetic structure that is consistent with this hypothesis I sampled 182 female M. lucifugus at 12 maternity colonies throughout Minnesota. Using a portion of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and 10 polymorphic nuclear microsatellites, I found significant structure among colonies, and population differentiation was slightly higher for the mitochondrial locus. This supports the hypothesis that female M. lucifugus display some degree of natal philopatry, but the inferred female dispersal rate was high. The pattern of structure was complex and demonstrates that unequal gene flow among maternity colonies is occurring and that the co-occurrence of breeding populations within maternity colonies and/or inbreeding could be confounding estimates of population genetic structure among these colonies. The patterns of population genetic structure and natal philopatry imply that both seasonal migration and dispersal by females should be considered as possible factors in the spread of emerging infectious diseases such as white-nose syndrome.
Effects of Inoculations with Mycorrhizal Fungi of Soilless Potting Mixes During Transplant Production on Watermelon Growth and Early Fruit Yield

Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai, crops are contin- uously exposed to soilborne diseases. In many areas of the United States, greenhouse- raised watermelon seedlings are transplanted to the field to allow for early crop establishment and early fruit production. This practice can result in weakened root systems, which potentially make the plant prone to premature senescence and reduce crop productivity. Mycorrhizal fungi have been reported to improve plant growth in many crops through enhanced root growth and function. We hypothesized that amending potting mixes with commercial inocula of mycorrhizal fungi during seeding of watermelon in a greenhouse would improve watermelon production when seedlings were transplanted to the field. Colonization of watermelon roots with mycorrhizal fungi from three commercial formulations was compared with the colonization of onion roots to confirm the efficacy of the mycorrhizae. Two inocula of mycorrhizal fungi that resulted in colonization of watermelon roots were tested in the field and glasshouse for their potential to improve watermelon production. MycoApply improved early plant growth in two tests, one under Meloidogyne incognita-infested conditions in loamy sand and another at two phosphorus fertilizer levels (0 or 22 kgha -1 P) in a loam soil. Mycor Vam Mini plug improved early fruit yield in soil infested with M. incognita. Application of Myconate (formononetin), a potential enhancer of colonization with mycorrhizae, increased early fruit yield in M. incognita-infested soil. Myconate had positive effects when potting mixes were not amended with inoculum of mycorrhizal fungi, but reduced watermelon growth when mycorrhizal fungi were supplied in the potting mix. In glasshouse tests, inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi did not suppress disease. Mycor- rhizal fungi inoculations improved early plant establishment and increased the most valuable early fruit yield under some environmental stress conditions but did not increase total fruit yields.
Marine Reserves: Rates and Patterns of Recovery and Decline of Large Predatory Fish

A major objective of the use of marine reserves in management of coral reef fisheries is protection of a critical spawning stock biomass to ensure recruitment supply to fished areas via larval dispersal. However, very little empirical evidence exists on the rates and patterns of increase of density and biomass of target species following the closure of a coral reef or part of a reef, nor on how quickly any gains potentially useful to fisheries can be lost if reserves are subsequently opened to fishing. This paper presents empirical evidence derived from the visual monitoring of density and biomass of large predatory coral reef fish (Serranidae (Epinephelinae), Lutjanidae, Lethrinidae and Carangidae as a group) in two small marine reserves and at two control sites in the Philippines from 1983 to 1993. At one reserve (Sumilon) a complex history of management allowed seven mea- surements of density and biomass at durations of reserve protection ranging from -2 (i.e., fished for 2 yr) to 9 yr. At the second reserve (Apo), seven measurements were taken at durations of reserve protection ranging from 1 to 11 yr. Density of large predators provided an excellent indicator of the effects of marine reserve protection and fishing. Density decreased significantly twice when the Sumilon reserve was opened to fishing (1985, 1993), and increased significantly three times following durations of marine reserve protection of 5 yr (Sumilon reserve and nonreserve sites, 1987-1991) and >6 yr (Apo reserve beyond 1988). Density of large predators at the Apo nonreserve site (open to fishing) did not change significantly, remaining low throughout the study. Significant positive linear correlations of mean density of large predators with years of reserve protection were observed at both reserves. The rates of increase were 1.15 and 0.72 fish-1000 m-2.yr-' at Sumilon and Apo reserves, respectively, with mean density ranges of -4-17 fish/1000 m2 (-2 to 9 yr of protection) at Sumilon and 0.5-9.5 fish/1000 m2 (1-11 yr of protection) at Apo. The pattern of increase of mean biomass with years of reserve protection was more curvilinear than that of mean density, particularly at Sumilon, where a slow increase was observed in the first 3-5 yr (reflecting delayed recruitment and a natural delay to the period of maximum individual mass growth), followed by an increasing rate over the next 4 yr. Mean biomass ranges were -1.5-18 kg/1000 m2 (-2 to 9 yr of protection) at Sumilon and 1-10.5 kg/ 1000 m2 (1-11 yr of protection) at Apo. At Sumilon reserve, 2 and 1.5 yr of unregulated fishing, respectively, eliminated density and biomass gains accumulated over 5 and 9 yr of marine reserve protection.
Learning to Reason About Ecosystems Dynamics Over Time: The Challenges of an Event-Based Causal Focus

Expert reasoning about ecosystems requires a focus on the dynamics of the system, including the inherent processes, change over time, and responses to disturbances. However, students often bring assumptions to thinking about ecosystems that may limit their developing expertise. Cognitive science research has shown that novices often reduce ongoing patterns and processes to events across diverse science concepts. A robust, event-based focus may exacerbate student difficulties with reasoning about ecosystems in terms of resilience and change over time. In this study, we investigated middle-school students' initial reasoning about ecosystem dynamics and analyzed promising shifts in their reasoning after they interacted with a virtual environment with features designed to support thinking about change over time. Some students adopted a domino narrative pattern—a sequential story about the events and processes. The findings suggest that educators should consider the possibility that novices will bring event-based framing to their ecosystems learning.
Effect of seeding date and seeding rate on malting barley production in western Canada

O'Donovan, J. T. , Turkington, T. K. , Edney, M. J., Juskiw, P. E. , McKenzie, R. H. , Harker, K. N. , Clayton, G. W. , Lafond, G. P., Grant, C. A. , Brandt, S. , Johnson, E. N. , May, W. E. and Smith, E. 2012. Effect of seeding date and seeding rate on malting barley production in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 321–330. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) growers in western Canada often have difficulty achieving malting grade. This is usually due to unfavourable climatic conditions, but sub-optimal agronomic practices may also be a factor. Field experiments were conducted in 2006, 2007 and 2008 at eight locations in western Canada (24 site-years) to evaluate the effects of seeding date (relatively early and late) and seeding rate (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 seeds m−2) on AC Metcalfe barley yield and malt quality parameters. Delayed seeding often resulted in negative effects including increased protein concentration, decreased kernel plumpness and yield. However, at 6 site-years, higher yields occurred at the late.