Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comment: Temperature, nutrients, and the size‐scaling of phytoplankton growth in the sea

Chen and Liu (2010) investigated the effects of cell size on phytoplankton-mass-specific growth rate using a compilation of field measurements from surface waters around the world. After correcting for the effects of temperature, their analysis indicates that there is a modal size around 2.8-5.8 mm where mass-specific growth is maximal. As Chen and Liu (2010) acknowledge, their analysis contrasts with allometric scaling theories that predict a continuous decrease of mass-specific growth rate with increasing size (Brown et al. 2004; Lopez-Urrutia et al. 2006). In contrast, Chen and Liu's (2010) analysis shows that bellow the modal size, that is in the pico- to nanophytoplankton size range, growth rate increases with cell size. They argue that the unimodal pattern stems from picoplankton having evolved to have inherently low growth rates, independently of nutrient availability. Here we argue that the unimodal pattern they obtain might be due to an incorrect temperature correction and to an internal inconsistency in their database because a large portion of their picoplankton data contain a correction for photo- acclimation effects, while the rest of their data do not. To carry out their study, Chen and Liu (2010) used two data sets, one from 14 C incorporation and a second from dilution experiments. In both data sets, a unimodal pattern between mass-specific growth rate and cell size emerges. In these two data sets, however, cell size is correlated with nutrient availability, so it could be argued that, rather than a direct effect of cell size, the lower growth rates of smaller
Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) attacking cotton in the coastal plain of Israel

The dynamics of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) were followed during two years in treated and untreated cotton fields in three locations in Israel. Two parasite species, Encarsia lutea (Masi) and Eretmocerus mundus Merc. , were the only important natural enemies, but percentage parasitism did not rise with increase in the host population. The whiteflies reached peak populations at the end of the summer. Their distribution upon the plants was not uniform, rather, they tended to concentrate on a few leaves. The leaf bearing the maximal population was the sixth or seventh until mid-July. From then on, its location was variable according to the growth pattern of the foliage. Insecticide treatments, in particular with aldicarb, resulted in depression of both whitefly and parasite populations, but neither was exterminated.
Note on size variation of body and statoliths in the oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana hatchlings

Oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana hatchlings originated from maternally identical egg strings were incubated under constant temperature and examined with special reference to statolith formation. Statoliths of a hatchling already had an adult-like shape, and some increments were observed. In spite of the maternally identical origin and constant incubation temperature (25°C), dorsal mantle length and statolith length of the hatchlings varied from 4.70 to 6.26 mm and 320 to 410 μm, respectively (N=14). These variations had a positive correlation with the embryonic duration ranging from 22 to 27 d, which means that the size of body and statolith becomes larger in hatchlings hatching later.
Diapause in the Marsupial Macropus eugenii

Tammar wallabies show obligate delayed implantation with embryonic diapause terminating at the southern hemisphere summer solstice. Groups of wallabies were placed on a) normal daylight photoperiod, b) 15 L:9 D, and c) 12 L:12 Dat the vernal equinox. Groups band c were altered to 12 L:12 D and 9 L:15 D, respectively on January 19. A reduction of three hours in photoperiod resulted in the termination of embryonic diapause but this occurred independent of the previous light regimen. An analysis of field data suggested that the time of reactivation of development is related to the time of full moon relative to the summer solstice.
Morphological and anatomical analyses of rheophytic Rhododendron ripense Makino (Ericaceae)

The comparative morphology and anatomy of the leaves of the rheophytic Rhododendron ripense and the closely related inland species Rhododendron macrosepalum were examined. The leaf of R. ripense is thinner than that of R. macrosepalum, with leaf length to width ratios (leaf index) of 2.92 and 1.91, respectively. Moreover, the leaf of R. ripense consists of fewer cells than the leaf of R. macrosepalum, suggesting stenophyllization of R. ripense caused by the decreased number of cells. In addition, leaf thickness and the number of stomata per leaf of R. ripense were significantly greater than those of R. macrosepalum, but the density of the short glandular pilose hairs on the leaf of R. ripense was lower. The observed morphological differences between the two species may be explained by certain aspects of the riparian environment, such as high irradiation and frequent flooding after heavy rainfall, to which R. ripense is exposed.
Evaluation of neem Azadirachta indica seed extracts and oils as oviposition deterrents to noctuid moths

Applications of three concentrations of oil‐free neem seed extracts (Azadirachta indica A. Juss; Meliaceae) to cabbage plants in cages did not deter oviposition by individuals of three species of noctuid moths, Trichoplusia ni, Peridroma saucia, and Spodoptera litura. The concentrations used corresponded to 10, 50, and 100 ppm of the main active ingredient, azadirachtin. The total number of eggs laid per female, female longevity, and median day of oviposition were not affected. Sprays of the neem oil‐based insecticide Margosan‐OR, and a 1% aqueous emulsion of a refined neem seed oil similarly had no effect on any of the parameters studied. However, a 1% crude oil emulsion significantly reduced the proportion of eggs laid by S. litura on treated plants. Our results suggest that literature reports of significant neem‐based oviposition deterrence to S. litura are the result of compounds that are removed by higher levels of processing and thus not likely to be found in most commercial neem seed formulations. Sprays consisting of highly processed neem seed extracts, used at concentrations that provide larval control, are unlikely to be generally effective as oviposition deterrents to noctuid pests.
A comparative study of fresh and frozen-thawed semen quality in relation to fertility of black bengal goats.

Semen from six adult male Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) was collected to compare the fresh and frozen-thawed semen quality and investigate its relationship with the fertility. Each collected samples was divided into two parts: One part of semen was used as fresh and another part was filled into 0.50 ml straws, sealed, cooled (5 ˚C) and equilibrated for freezing. In both cases, semen was diluted with commercial Triladyl diluent (a Tris based diluter). The motility and morphology of fresh and frozen-thawed semen was subjectively evaluated by one operator. It was revealed that motility and sperm abnormality of the frozen semen differed significantly (P<0.05), but differed insignificantly in fresh semen between males. Besides these, fresh and frozen-thawed sperm motilities also differed significantly (P<0.01) between males which varied from 70.83±1.54 to 74.23±1.59% and 44.17±2.39 to 52.31±1.08%, respectively. A significantly (P<0.01) higher sperm abnormalities was observed in frozen-thawed semen (11.18±0.42 to 16.55±0.09%) than that of fresh semen (8.82±0.24 to 9.71±0.52%). Cervical inseminations were performed with fresh and frozen-thawed semen in 997 and 1004 female goats, respectively, both at Nucleus Breeding Flock (NBF) and four project areas. Fresh semen showed significantly (P<0.01) higher kidding rates (59.8%) than that with frozen-thawed semen (43.9%). The motilities of fresh and frozen-thawed semen were positively correlated (0.526 and 0.987; P<0.01), whereas the proportion of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa was negatively correlated (-0.530 and -0.776) with fertility of Black Bengal goats. Males with a higher motility and lower proportion of abnormal spermatozoa provided better fertility.
Flowering and Seed Yield in Three Species of Prairie Plants

Schales, F.D. and F.M. Isenberg. 1963. The effect of curing and storage on chemical composition and taste acceptability of winter squash. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 83:667–674. Fig. 3. Total chlorophyll content (mg•liter–1) of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch. cv. Delica) treated with hot water at 50C for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 min and stored at 10 (A) and 20C (B) for 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Flowering and Seed Yield in Three Species of Prairie Plants
A mutualism's indirect costs: the most aggressive plant bodyguards also deter pollinators

Plant defenses against herbivores may be costly if they exclude mutualists. Here, I test the hypothesis that aggressive ant bodyguards of plants deter pollinators, and explore mechanisms by which Ferocactus wislizeni, an extrafloral nectary bearing cactus, limits conflicts between its pollinators and bodyguards. Flower visitation by ants and pollinating bees differed among plants tended by four different ant species. The ant species most rarely found in flowers showed the strongest aversion to F. wislizeni flower petals in laboratory assays, suggesting that those structures may include an ant-deterrent. Species-specific estimates of mean ant abundance within flowers and aggressiveness towards other arthropods were used to distinguish the relative threat of ant attack in flowers on plants tended by each ant species. Pollinator surveys in 2003 and 2004 demonstrated that bee visitation rates and the duration of flower occupation differed among plants with different ant associates, decreasing as the threat of ant attack increased. Flowers on plants tended by Solenopsis xyloni, the best ant bodyguard, were more dangerous than those on plants tended by three milder species, due to that ants' greater aggressiveness and abundance within flowers. These flowers were visited by pollinators least frequently and for less time per visit, and produced fruits with significantly lower total seed mass, fewer seeds, and lighter individual seeds, relative to fruits from similarly-sized plants tended by three other ant species. As a result, the best bodyguard may indirectly constrain plant reproduction in some settings. Conflicts between mutualistic guilds may be particularly common in generalized systems, where there is variation in partner quality and in the relative importance of the protection and pollination mutualisms.
Relationship between antioxidant activity and maturity of peanut hulls

The effect of varied maturity on the antioxidant activity of peanut hulls was investigated. Methanolic extracts of peanut hulls of varied maturity exhibited a similarly marked antioxidant activity, 92.9-94.8% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid. The content of both luteolin and total phenolics increased significantly with maturity and seemed to show no correlation with antioxidant activity. However, the antioxidant activity remained constant after 1.671 mg/g of hulls of total phenolic content was reached. Total phenolics (1.671 mg/g of hulls) in peanut hulls seemed to be an initial point of maximum antioxidant activity. High total phenolic content in peanut hulls of varied maturity is associated with a high antioxidant activity and with an important role in the stability of lipid oxidation.
Genetic Variation among Four Species of Tilapia and Their Hybrid in Egypt Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Analysis

to characterize four Tilapia species and the hybrid (O. , , and Hybrid (O. niloticus x O. aureus) ). Three samples of each species were collected from River Nile. The DNA of fish samples were extracted using DNA extraction kit. RAPD analysis was carried out using eleven RAPD primers, while only eight primers were given detectable bands. A total of 186 scorable bands obtained by RAPD-PCR technique across four tilapia species and hybrid genomes with 166 polymorphic bands. The similarity indices were high among tilapia species, science it ranged from 0.920 between O. aureus and O. niloticus , to 0.907 between hybrid ( O. niloticus x O. aureus ) and S. galilaeus . Therefore the phylogenetic relationships among four tilapia species and the hybrid were clearly resolved in dendrograms. They clustered in five branches: the first one includes O. niloticus , the second branch includes O. aureus , the third branch includes S. galilaeus , the fourth branch includes hybrid ( O. niloticus x O. aureus ) and the fifth branch includes T. concluded that, the molecular patterns showed by RAPD bands, represent specific bands and apparently are suitable tool to distinguish among tilapia species and The results clearly revealed that the four tilapia and hybrid are distinctive species.
An Outcrossing Reciprocity Study Between Remnant Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Populations in the Carolinas

During the 2007–08 growing seasons we conducted an outcrossing reciprocity study with ramets from 5 big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) populations from North and South Carolina. We established 15 treatments each at 4 garden sites. Seed germination was low and not significantly different for outcrossed (4.6%) and selfed (2.4%) treatments. However, germination was significantly higher for both outcrossed and selfed seeds from ramets from the Suther Prairie population. The overall mean percent seed set for the outcrossed treatments was 5.9%, and 3.6% for the selfed treatments. There were no significant differences in seed set (maternal effect) for the 5 populations. In addition, there were no significant differences in parental effect in either seed germination or seed set among the 5 populations. Ramets from the BlackJacks Heritage Preserve population ( paternal) x Suther Prairie population (maternal) and its reciprocal SP x BJ had the highest combined percent seed germination (21.3% and 5.8%, respectively). Ramets from the Suther Prairie population ( paternal) x Buck Creek Serpentine Barren (maternal), and its reciprocal BC x SP, had the highest combined percentage of seed set (22.7% and 9.6%, respectively). Results from this study suggest that viable seed production is low or absent in big bluestem populations in the Carolinas, particularly in smaller populations. We recommend vegetative material or seeds from the Suther Prairie big bluestem population for potential restoration and establishment of local big bluestem populations.
Acquired Natural Enemies of the Weed Biological Control Agent Oxyops vitiosa (Colepotera: Curculionidae)

ABSTRACT The Australian curculionid Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe was introduced into Florida in 1997 as a biological control agent of the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake. Populations of the weevil increased rapidly and became widely distributed throughout much of the invasive tree's adventive distribution. In this study we ask if O. vitiosa has acquired natural enemies in Florida, how these enemies circumvent the protective terpenoid laden exudates on larvae, and what influence 1 of the most common natural enemies has on O. vitiosa population densities? Surveys of O. vitiosa populations and rearing of field-collected individuals resulted in no instances of parasitoids or pathogens exploiting weevil eggs or larvae. In contrast, 44 species of predatory arthropods were commonly associated (>5 individuals when pooled across all sites and sample dates) with O. vitiosa. Eleven predatory species were observed feeding on O. vitiosa during timed surveys, including 6 pentatomid species, 2 formicids and 3 arachnids. Species with mandibulate or chelicerate mouthparts fed on adult stages whereas pentatomids, with haustellate beaks, pierced larval exoskeletons thereby bypassing the protective larval coating. Observations of predation were rare, with only 8% of timed surveys resulting in 1 or more instances of attack. Feeding by the pentatomid Podisus mucronatus Uhler accounted for 76% of all recorded predation events. Podisus mucronatus numerically responded to fourth instars but no response was observed for other life stages. Damage to M. quinquenervia plants from feeding by O. vitiosa, however, was not influenced by P. mucronatus densities, indicating that predation does not alter plant suppression.
Glyphosate resistance in Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. from different origins and polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles

Glyphosate-resistant populations of Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. were found in 4 areas in Malaysia that had received repeated applications of glyphosate for a period ranging from 5 to 15 years. The resistance ratios calculated from dose-response experiments were 2.9 (Chaah), 2.1 (Lenggeng), 3.3 (Bidor), and 2.8 (Temerloh). Two point mutations were detected in position 875 within the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene resistant population, causing a C to T transition leading to Pro106 to Ser106 substitution in Bidor and Temerloh or C to A transversion leading to Pro106 to Thr106 substitution in Chaah. Sequence comparisons of the 3115 bp of the EPSPS gene revealed identical sequences in both the susceptible (S) and resistant (R) populations of Lenggeng. The identical sequences in both the Lenggeng populations, S and R, suggest that the resistance mechanism found in Lenggeng R may be different from Chaah R, Bidor R, and Temerloh R. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific alleles (PASA) was developed to detect 2 distinct single-point mutations, probably conferring herbicide resistance in Chaah R, Bidor R, and Temerloh R. PASA profiles showed only one DNA fragment for the entire S population and 2 different additional fragments, each specific for one resistance allele, for the R population. AR C. H. Ng et al PCRi a ge
Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier) infestation and its chemical control in Sindh province of Pakistan

The survey on various parameters showed that the degree of orchard infestation fluctuated by time period/seasons, so attack of red palm weevil varied on different months of the year during the study period. It was observed that this insect pest had significantly higher (16%) infestation in the months of June, July and August, during experimental period. The least attack (8%) of the weevil was in the months of January, September, October, November and December in both the years (2007 and 2008). Place of infestation of weevil on date palm stem revealed that the pest infestation was mostly concentrated at the base of trunk (up to 50 cm height) and 75 to 82% of total weevil infestations were located at the base of palm trunk. Spirotetramat insecticide was found most efficient treatment to control red palm weevil infestation/damage, which recovered (43%) damaged date palm trees, followed by Fipronil (33%), Chlorpyrifos (26%) and Methidathion (19%) during the year 2007 and 2008. Key words: Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, chemical control, date palm
Partial Incubation in Birds: Its Occurrence, Function, and Quantification

Early studies of incubation behavior acknowledged the existence of a less regular form of incubation that can occur from the beginning of egg laying to shortly after clutch completion. It has been variously termed “partial incubation” (Putnam , Seel , Ashkenazie and Safriel ), “brooding” (Barth ), “intermittent incubation” (Samuel ), “irregular incubation” (Beer ), or “nonrhythmic incubation” (Morton et al. ). This form of incubation has been described from visual observations of adults sitting on the nest less regularly, and from egg temperatures that are lower and more variable than those typically attained after clutch completion (Barth , Brackbill , Kendeigh , Barrett , Morton and Pereyra ). We refer to this little-understood behavior as “partial incubation” because it is characterized by a reduced amount of time during egg laying that parents sit on and warm their eggs, compared with the amount and intensity of incubation they provide later in the nesting cycle after the clutch is complete. Partial incubation is a common way for birds to initiate incubation. The onset of incubation, the moment at which a bird begins to incubate a clutch, is a critical event in the avian nesting cycle because it has important effects on fitness, as noted more than half a century ago by David Lack (). Incubation onset can affect hatching success and hatching patterns (Nilsson and Svensson , Wang and Beissinger ), nestling growth and development (Slagsvold et al. , Bitton et al. ), fledging success (Hebert , Hebert and McNeil ), and postfledging survival and recruitment (Cam et al. ). Not only can the onset of incubation affect adult reproductive rates, but it also influences and is influenced by parental body condition and survival (Hanssen et al. ). Yet the onset of incubation is rarely described and even less commonly quantified, and methods of determining incubation onset have not been standardized among studies or species. In this review, we () clarify terminology for the onset of incubation, refine the concept of partial incubation, and summarize the prevalence of partial incubation. We then () examine the potential functions of partial incubation, () map individual-level patterns of partial incubation from previous studies onto a recently developed typology of patterns for the onset of incubation (Wang and Beissinger ), and examine intraspecific variability and compare interspecific data with respect to taxonomic and ecological diversity. We also () provide a standardized method for determining the individual onset of full incubation, using complete records of nest attendance or incubation from the start of laying to beyond clutch completion. Our goal is to show how data from disparate studies can be used to test hypotheses about the function of partial incubation. Finally, we () offer questions that may prove to be fertile areas of research and suggest ways to standardize future data collection and analysis to benefit common research goals. TERMINOLOGY FOR THE ONSET OF INCUBATION
Effect sizes

Researchers assessed the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve the mother-infant relationship and the security of infants in their attachment with their mother. A randomised controlled trial study design was used. Participants were pregnant women in a South African peri-urban settlement with adverse socioeconomic circumstances. The intervention, support and guidance in parenting, was delivered from late pregnancy and for six months post partum by community workers. Women in the control group received no therapeutic input. The main outcome measures included the quality of mother-infant interactions at six months post partum, as measured by the parent/caregiver involvement scale. The scale measured the responses of the mother to her infant’s needs and initiations—in particular, maternal sensitivity and intrusiveness. The intervention was associated with significant benefit to the mother-infant relationship. At sixmonths post partum, compared with the controls, the intervention group were significantly more sensitive (mean difference 0.77 (SD 0.37), P<0.05, effect size d=0.24) and less intrusive (mean difference 0.68 (SD 0.36), P<0.05, effect size d=0.26) in their interactions with their infants. Which of the following statements, if any, are true? a) Effect sizes are always positive in value.