Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial analyses of intertidal assemblages on sheltered rocky shores

Understanding processes in complex assemblages depends on good understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of structure at various spatial scales. There has been little quantitative information about spatial patterns and natural temporal changes in intertidal assemblages on sheltered rocky shores in temperate Australia. Natural changes and responses to anthropogenic disturbances in these habitats cannot be accurately measured and assessed without quantitative data on patterns of natural variability in space and through time. This paper describes some suitable quantitative methods for examining spatial and temporal patterns of diversity and abundances of highshore, midshore and lowshore intertidal assemblages and the important component species for a number of shores in a bay that has not been severely altered by human disturbance. Despite a diverse flora and fauna on these shores, the midshore and lowshore assemblages on sheltered shores were characterized by a few species which were also the most important in discriminating among assemblages on a shore and, for each assemblage, among different shores. The same set of species was also important for measuring small-scale patchiness within each assemblage (i.e. between replicate sites on a shore). Therefore, these data provide a rationale for selecting species that are useful for measuring differences and changes in abundance among places and times at different scales and, hence, can be used in the more complex sampling designs necessary to detect environmental impacts. There was considerable spatial variability in all assemblages and all species (or taxa) examined at scales of metres, tens of metres and kilometres. There were no clear seasonal trends for most measures, with as much or more variability at intervals of 3 months as from year to year. Most interactions between spatial and temporal measures were at the smallest scale, with different sites on the same shore generally showing different changes from time to time. The cause(s) of this apparently idiosyncratic variability1 were not examined, but some potential causes are discussed. These data are appropriate for testing hypotheses about the applicability of these findings to other relatively undisturbed sheltered shores, about effects of different anthropogenic disturbances on sheltered intertidal assemblages and to test hypotheses about differences in intertidal assemblages on sheltered versus wave-exposed shores.
Cytogenetic studies of two freshwater sciaenids of the genus Plagioscion (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) from the central Amazon

Cytogenetic characterization of two freshwater sciaenid species from the genus Plagioscion (P. squamosissimus and Plagioscion sp.) was obtained for the first time. Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR and C-banding revealed that both species presented 2n = 48 chromosomes (almost all acrocentric). Single NORs and heterochromatin were found mainly at the pericentromeric position. Karyotypic formulae and NOR location proved to be valuable in showing both interspecific and intraspecific differences. All chromosomes were acrocentric in P. squamosissimus. NORs were located at proximal positions on the long arms of the last chromosome pair of the complement, and were heteromorphic due to size differences. Such heteromorphic NORs seem to be associated with each population sampled. Plagioscion sp. presented two cytotypes: cytotype a (2M + 46A) and cytotype b (48A). In both cytotypes, NOR-bearing chromosomes were located at the proximal position on the long arms of the first chromosome pair of the complement. However, NOR-bearing chromosomes were metacentric in cytotype a and acrocentric in cytotype b.
The biting fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) in dairy herds in New Zealand

Abstract Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), the biting fly, is an important source of irritation to dairy herds in many North Island districts. In rural areas, uncovered ensilage stacks are the main breeding sites of the insect. Optimum breeding conditions occur in the presence of an adequate supply of moisture and favourable temperatures. Significant breeding sources in urban areas include open compost heaps, piles of grass clippings, and accumulations of other decomposing organic substances. In areas free of ensilage stacks and other breeding media there is no problem. Few flies will disperse farther than is necessary to secure blood meals. Generally, the presence of 15 flies/animal will cause restlessness, and subsequent interference with normal grazing habits. Daily fly activity in dairy herds is influenced to a great extent by prevailing weather conditions. Because of overriding factors closely associated with lactation trends, little relation between daily fly abundance and milk yield's was found. Covering i.
Effects of autumn temperature and oviposition date on timing of larval development and risk of parasitism in a spring folivore

Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) is a periodically fluctuating spring folivore which overwinters in the egg stage. The timing of its larval development can be highly variable, and the synchrony of larvae with parasitoids may affect their risk to be parasitized. We estimated the effects of both oviposition date and site on the timing of larval development by allowing experimental eggs, which were laid on various dates during the oviposition period, to overwinter both above and below snow level, and on both the northern and southern sides of tree trunks. Accumulation of thermal sum was used to quantify the effect of oviposition date on the timing of egg hatch. To assess whether the timing of larval development affected the risk of parasitism, the larval stages susceptible to parasitism and the length of the parasitoid flight period were detennined by exposing host larvae to parasitoids. Unlike previously assumed, the thermal sum required for egg hatching began to accumulate already in autumn, and autumn and spring temperatures additively determined the timing of egg hatch. The first-laid eggs accumulated 70% of the thermal sum required for hatching in autumn whereas the last-laid eggs accumulated less than 3%. Accordingly, because the oviposition period of E. autumnata is long and its timing is variable between years, the period of egg hatching also is long and can be variable between years. However, the flight periods of most parasitoid species exceeded the spread of hatching times and developmental stages of larvae. Only during years of low parasitoid density may the variability in egg hatching times create a temporal refuge for some larvae, contributing to the increase of E. autumnata populations.
Nutrient cycling in a microflagellate food chain : II. Population dynamics and carbon cycling.

Carbon cycling in a 3-member food web containing a diatom (Phaeodactylurn tricornutum), bacteria, and a herbivorous/bacterivorous microflagellate (Paraphysornonas jmperforata) was examined. Ingestion of prey by the microflagellate was the primary mechanism for remineralization of particulate organic material. Approximately 65 % of the particulate organic carbon (POC) initially present was lost over the course of the 8 d experiments in cultures containing microflagellates. No significant increase in remineralization was observed when bacteria were present. Bacteria were responsible for the uptake of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), but their overall contribution to carbon cycling was small relative to that of the microflagellate. Microflagellates incorporated diatom and bacterial biomass with equal efficiency (44 %) during exponential growth. Only 10 % of the POC ingested by microflagellates was released as DOC while 10 % was released as egested POC. The relatively high weight-specific respiration rate of the microflagellates (X = 2.67 X nl O2 h-') coupled with their relatively small release of DOC indicates that herbivory by heterotrophic microflagellates may be a major mechanism for the regeneration of nutrients from living phytoplankton which circumvents bacterial decomposition.
Diversity of rodent and shrew assemblages in different vegetation types of the savannah biome in South Africa: no evidence for nested subsets or competition

Identifying nonrandom species composition patterns predicted by assembly rules has been a central theme in community ecology. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of multiple drivers on species composition patterns in small mammal assemblages in the Old World. This study investigated seasonal changes in rodent and shrew diversity in eleven savannah vegetation types in South Africa. We tested whether species composition patterns are nonrandom with respect to predictions from Diamond's assembly rules, niche limitation hypothesis and nestedness hypothesis. Species richness estimators indicated that inventories for the rodents (80%) and shrews (100%) were relatively complete. Rodent (n = 11 species) diversity and shrew (n = 5 species) diversity were highest in summer and lowest in autumn. Rodent richness was highest in the Terminalia sericea bushveld and woodlands and lowest in the Drypetes arguta sand forest, whilst shrew richness was highest in the T. sericea bushveld and woodlands and lowest in the Acacia nilotica/Dichrostachys cinerea open shrub savannah. We found no support for the predictions of competition and nestedness hypotheses and suggest that this was probably due to the high seasonal and annual variability in rodent and shrew diversity. Resume Le fait d'identifier des schemas de composition des especes predits par des regles en matiere d'assemblages est un theme central de l'ecologie communautaire. Peu d'etudes ont etudie la prevalence de multiples facteurs sur les schemas de composition d'especes dans les assemblages de petits mammiferes de l'Ancien Monde. Cette etude s'est interessee aux changements saisonniers de la diversite des rongeurs et des musaraignes dans 11 types de vegetation de savane en Afrique du Sud. Nous avons teste si les schemas de composition d'especes sont non aleatoires par rapport aux predictions des regles d'assemblage de Diamond, l'hypothese de limitation des niches et l'hypothese d'« imbrication » (nestedness). Les estimateurs de la richesse en especes indiquaient que les inventaires des rongeurs (80%) et des musaraignes (100%) etaient relativement complets. La diversite des rongeurs (n = 11 especes) et des musaraignes (n = 5 especes) etait la plus elevee en ete et la plus faible en automne. La richesse en rongeurs etait la plus haute dans la brousse a Terminalia sericea et la foret, et la plus faible dans la foret sableuse a Drypetes arguta, alors que la richesse en musaraignes etait la plus elevee dans la brousse a T. sericea et la foret, et la plus faible dans la savane arbustive ouverte a Acacia-nilotica/Dichrostachys cinerea. Nous n'avons rien trouve qui vienne etayer les predictions des hypotheses de competition et d'« imbrication », et nous suggerons que c'est probablement du a la forte variabilite saisonniere et annuelle de la diversite des rongeurs et des musaraignes.
Assessing colorectal cancer heterogeneity: one step closer to tailored medicine

Many advances in understanding colorectal cancer heterogeneity and its impact on the variability of treatment efficacy have been achieved in recent years. New methods have also been introduced in colorectal cancer diagnosis and early detection, including molecular biology techniques as well as newly developed or improved imaging techniques. We are currently aware of some aspects of colorectal cancer heterogeneity, such as alterations in the epidermal growth factor receptor signalling or the different behaviours of tumours belonging to different genetic and epigenetic subtypes. In the future, greater attention should also be focused on other signalling circuits with the goal to treat patients individually, based on the characteristics of their tumours. This so-called personalised medicine will bring more benefits to patients, without unnecessary adverse side effects. Therefore, all new information regarding colorectal cancer biology brings us one step closer to accomplishing this goal.
In Vitro Development of Meristematic Centers in Cyclea peltata—A Pharmaceutically Important Plant

The callus derived from nodal explant of Cyclea peltata on Murashige Skoog medium supplemented with α-naphthalene acetic acid + benzyl amino purine (5.4 μM + 0.44 μM) was used for indirect shoot proliferation. The stem derived calli of 50–60 d old were inoculated to half strength and full strength Murashige Skoog media with different growth regulators at varying concentrations. The callus, upon subculture to the medium supplemented with either naphthalene acetic acid or indole acetic acid alone or in combination with cytokinins, led to the development of shiny, small, globular cells. Histological studies revealed the induction of callus from the cambial cells of the explant and the presence of numerous, actively dividing, darkly stained meristematic centers in the organogenic callus.
Seasonal patterns of breeding activity of Atlantic Rainforest anurans at Boracéia, Southeastern Brazil

Annual patterns of breeding activity of 28 anuran species were studied at Boraceia, an Atlantic Rainforest locality in the coastal mountains of Southeastern Brazil. Five patterns were evident: (1) species that call year-round; (2) opportunistic calling activity associated with rainfall; (3) explosive breeding; (4) winter activity; and (5) summer species with variable breeding seasons. The number of species with calling males was positively correlated with mean monthly temperature.
Effect of dietary lipid level on growth, feed utilization and body composition by juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of dietary lipid level on growth, feed efficiency and body chemical composition of juvenile grass carp. Seven isonitrogenous diets (400 g kg(-1) crude protein) containing seven dietary lipid level (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 g kg(-1) dry matter) were fed to triplicate groups of 40 fish with initial weight 6.52 g, for 70 days. No obvious and assured essential fatty acid deficiency symptom appeared in fish fed the lipid-free diet. Excess dietary lipid level (100 and 120 g kg(-1)) resulted in decreased feed intake. The best growth performance and feed utilization was observed in fish fed 20-40 g kg(-1) dietary lipid. The fish fed a lipid-free diet had the lowest protein efficiency and protein retention. Growth performance and feed utilization increased with the increasing dietary lipid levels up to 40 g kg(-1) dietary lipid. Higher dietary level (above 40 g kg(-1)) made growth performance and feed utilization decrease and no protein sparing effect was observed. Lipid retention decreased as dietary lipid level increased. Mesenteric fat index (MFI) increased, hepatosomatic index (HSI) decreased with dietary lipid level. The increased MFI and simultaneous decrease lipid retention can be explained by differences in growth. The effect of dietary lipid levels on the chemical composition of tissues was significant only for whole body and muscle. The excess lipid content of liver in all groups was regarded as a slight symptom of fatty liver, which was partly identified by microscopic structural study and lower plasma lipid indexes, comparing to the initial plasma data. In conclusion, grass carp is a fish with low energy requirement and excess dietary lipid level should be avoided.
A comparative study of success and failure of fishery cooperatives in the Aegean, Turkey

Summary This study assessed the performance of fishery cooperatives in six selected fishing areas along the central and southern Aegean coasts of Turkey during the 2002–2003 fishing season, in particular with regard to their stated objectives (e.g. member-fisher satisfaction recognition by fishery management authorities). A total of 127 member-fishers (72% of all active fishers in the study area) as well as fishery cooperative directors were interviewed. The results indicated the various strengths of these cooperatives as well as their limitations. Performance below full potential was due to internal factors such as lack of solidarity and qualified business management skills, as well as external factors relating to weak legislative support by the government, the tax system and the lack of training. However, through their contribution to local society and their function in assisting management bodies, cooperatives play a significant role in Turkish small-scale fisheries. They are therefore in need of further capacity building through specific encouragement from the government, academics, and fishers in order to improve their performance.
Distinct responses to copper stress in the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Selective gene expression allows the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum to survive a salt stress. To broaden our understanding of the environmental cues initiating diverse stress responses in this higher plant, unstressed and 0.4 M NaCl-stressed plants were compared to plants treated with several concentrations of copper (CuSO 4 ), an increasingly relevant environmental heavy metal pollutant. Comparisons of control and copper-stressed plants included germination, chlorophyll content, accumulation of proline, heat shock protein (HSP) 60 and a Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)-specific marker enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase). In germination and whole plant tests, M. crystallinum was significantly more tolerant to copper than Arabidopsis thaliana. Mature M. crystallinum plants stressed with 50 ppm CuSO 4 for 48 h became dehydrated. These plants produced a 4-fold increase in proline concentration and accumulated both the CAM-specific PEPCase and HSP 60 compared to controls. Higher levels of copper stress resulted in a 10-fold increase in leaf proline content, 10-fold HSP 60 accumulation but no detectable PEPCase protein compared to unstressed controls. HSP 60 did not accumulate under NaCI stress. Concurrent with copper-induced genetic responses to stress, copper was accumulated and concentrated in leaves (3 500 ppm). Together, these results suggest that this halophyte copes with copper metal exposure through distinct genetic mechanisms.
Metabolisable energy value and composition of rapeseed meal and of fractions derived therefrom by air‐classification 1

Synopsis It is possible to separate rapeseed meal into two fractions, one of lower hull and higher protein content, the other of higher hull and lower protein content than whole rapeseed meal. The low‐hull fraction was found to contain about 25% more, and the high‐hull fraction about 25% less, metabolisable energy than the whole rapeseed meal. Soluble tannins, oxazolidinethione, isothiocyanates and phosphorus were found to be concentrated in the endosperm rather than the pericarp of the seed while with calcium the reverse occurred. No consistent changes in amino acid distribution resulting from the air‐classification of whole rapeseed meal into low‐hull and high‐hull fractions were observed.
Effects of urbanization on genetic diversity, gene flow, and population structure in the ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata)

Large-scale declines in North American box turtle (Terrapene spp.) populations have been attributed to habitat fragmentation as a result of urbanization. We compared microsatellite markers and mitochondrial control region sequences of Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata) in two populations (a natural and an urban habitat) to test two hypotheses. We hypothesized that urban populations of T. ornata experience genetic bottlenecks due to road mortality and habitat fragmentation, and that roadways represent a barrier to gene flow among turtle populations, resulting in increased fragmentation of gene pools. Both populations shared similar allelic diversity and observed heterozygosity, with eight and seven of twelve microsatellite loci exhibiting heterozygote deficiency in the natural and urban populations, respectively. The number of mitochondrial control region haplotypes in the urban population was nearly four times that of the natural population, although only one haplotype occurred in appreciable frequency in both populations. We did not detect conclusive evidence of a recent genetic bottleneck in the urban population, thereby rejecting our first hypothesis. We detected weak differentiation among populations on opposing sides of a large highway, but did not detect any evidence of population structure, thereby rejecting our second hypothesis. This study indicates that a population of T. ornata with moderate road mortality currently has high genetic diversity, moderate inbreeding, and displays some evidence of genetic differentiation, but no conclusive evidence of recent genetic bottlenecks or unique genetic clustering. We suggest this is primarily due to the species long generation time and is a positive aspect of their life-history.
Production and rheological characteristics of the microbial polysaccharide gellan

B. MANNA, A. GAMBHIR AND P. GHOSH. 1996. Sphingomonas paucimobilis was used for the synthesis of the microbial polysaccharide gellan. In a 60 h fermentation, polysaccharide yield and productivity obtained were 0.45 g gellan per g glucose consumed and 0.21 g I−1 h−1 respectively. The broth showed pseudoplastic behaviour with yield stress. The requirement of the solvent propanol to precipitate gellan from the broth depended on the volume of the broth rather than on gellan concentration. The addition of salt to the broth reduced the propanol requirement. Attempts to separate cells from the highly viscous broth by microfiltration were not successful. Ultrafiltration reduced the propanol requirement but appreciable membrane fouling and loss of gellan was observed.
Potential novel ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’-related strain associated with coconut lethal yellowing in Mozambique

In this study, phytoplasmas associated with coconut lethal yellowing disease in Mozambique were characterized. For phylogenetic analysis the 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. Apart from ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola’ 16SrXXII-A, phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of a double infection of ‘Ca. P. palmicola’ and a ‘Ca. P. pini’-related phytoplasmas. The second strain potentially represents a novel ‘Candidatus species’ and is closely related to ‘Ca. P. pini’.
Adaptive compressed sensing for estimation of structured sparse sets

This paper investigates the problem of estimating the support of structured signals via adaptive compressive sensing. We examine several classes of structured support sets, and characterize the fundamental limits of accurately estimating such sets through compressive measurements, while simultaneously providing adaptive support recovery protocols that perform near optimally for these classes. We show that by adaptively designing the sensing matrix we can attain significant performance gains over non-adaptive protocols. These gains arise from the fact that adaptive sensing can: (i) better mitigate the effects of noise, and (ii) better capitalize on the structure of the support sets.
Centralized Packaging of Beef Loin Steaks with Different Oxygen‐Barrier Films: Microbiological Characteristics

Vacuum packaged beef strip loins (n = 72) were stored (2° 1°C) for either 0,12 or 24 days before fabrication; steaks were packaged and displayed (2°C or 7°C) up to 6 days in oxygen-permeable film or up to 30 days in vacuum packages (medium or high oxygen-barrier film). For steaks displayed in oxygen-permeable film, Pseudomonas spp. were a considerable (25–49%) or dominant (>50%) part of the microflora. The microflora of vacuum-packaged steaks from 0 day loins was dominated by a combination of hetero- and homofermentative Lactobacillus spp. ; when vacuum-packaged steaks were from 12 and 24 day loins, the microflora was in most cases dominated by the heterofermentative Lactobacillus cellobiosus.