Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microhabitat use by fish in the lower Rio Matarraña, Spain, 1984–1987

We quantified microhabitat use in Barbus graellsii, Cyprinus carpio, Chrondostoma toxostoma, Esox lucius, Gobio gobio and Leuciscus cephalus during 1984–1987 in the lower Rio Matarrana, Spain. Fluctuations in numerical abundances of assemblage members increased during 1986–1987. These increased fluctuations were due to decreases in the abundances of Ch. toxostoma, E. lucius and G. gobio during the latter 2 years of our study. Only C. carpio increased slightly in abundance during this period. An analysis of microhabitat availability data indicated that 16 seasonal samples could be assigned to 1 of 6 groups ranging from: seasons with zero velocities, shallower depths and an algal/debris substratum to those with high velocities and depths and a substratum composed of algae/debris, rubble and gravel. Most seasonal changes in the substratum were attributable to conditions inhospitable to the growth of benthic algae (i. e., high velocities or low oxygen levels) rather than to actual changes in the underlying lithospheric substratum. Principle component analyses indicated that most species were overrepresented in deeper microhabitats with depositional substrata. Ch. toxostoma, however, tended to occur over rubble substrata in both shallow and deep microhabitats. Most seasonal changes in microhabitat use were produced by seasonal variations in microhabitat availability. However, all species except E. lucius exhibited seasonal variations in microhabitat use that typically involved velocity, depth and substratum composition. Although smaller specimens of most species were found closer to the substratum in 1984–1985, they tended to occupy shallow areas in 1986–1987. Canonical analyses of discriminants and univariate data demonstrated that the distance from the substratum was the best predictor of interspecific differences in microhabitat use. Species could be arrayed along a vertical gradient with L. cephalus and Ch. toxostoma occupying mid-water column positions, B. graellsii and C. carpio occurring in lower-water column microhabitats and E. lucius and G. gobio strongly associated with the substratum. Changes in interspecific microhabitat use were not correlated with changes in species abundances, and hence, interspecific competition did not appear to strongly influence microhabitat use during our study.
Ageing and decline of trembling aspen stands in Quebec

The onset of stand decline is a critical stand development characteristic that can affect both harvesting schedule and annual allowable cutting volume. The age at which stand decline begins was assessed in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands in the province of Quebec, Canada, by three different methods. The first used a data source consisting of 1081 temporary sample plots from which a segmented regression model was fitted to detect any deviation from the self-thinning line. This type of deviation was observed below densities of 720 stems/ha, which is normally attained around age 60 on good-quality sites. The second used a data source composed of 34 permanent sample plots that allowed us to calculate the age at which the periodic annual increment was equal to zero. The estimated age at which stands began to decline averaged 64 years, but the large variation around this mean was poorly explained by site factors. The third method used a data source consisting of 98 inventory plots. Volume of.
Exigência nutricional de lisina para codornas européias machos de 21 a 49 dias de idade

The trial was carried out to estimate the requirements of total lysine for male European quails (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) from 21 to 49 days old. Three hundred and fifteen quails averaging 80 g BW were fed diets with corn, soy crumb and corn gluten crumb. The basal diet was not supplementated with L-lysine, containing 20% of crude protein, 2,900 kcal of energy metabolizable/kg and 0.9% of total lysine, supplemented with 0.125, 0.231, 0.357, and 0.483 g of L-lysine (79%), resulting in 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3% of total lysine, respectively. The trial was analyzed as a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments, seven replicates and nine birds per experimental unit. The following variables were studied: feeding intake, final body weight, body weight gain, feed:gain ratio, productive efficiency index, breast yield and carcass. No significant effect was observed for all the variables. It concluded that the dietary total lysine requirement is of 0.9% for male European quails from 21 to 49 days old, corresponding to a daily intake of 207 mg of lysine.
Locomotion in Dromiciops-Australis (Marsupialia, Microbiotheriidae)

Cinematography was used to record locomotion in two adult male Dromiciops australis. Both animals were run on five horizontal dowels varying in diameter from 6.3 to 39 mm and on a horizontal board 89 mm wide. Film records were analysed to determine locomotor velocity, stride length and gait. Locomotor speed and stride length were not affected by substratum, but gait was. Truly symmetrical gaits were used by both animals across a range of speeds on the narrowest dowel. These were characterised by diagnoal couplets of support and a diagonal sequence of limb activition. During locomotion on the other substrata, gaits characterised by slight asymmetry were generally used. The most common of these was one in which diagonal support couplets predominated and each hindlimb was activated slightly ahead of the contralateral forelimb. At higher speeds on the 39-mm dowel the animals sometimes used the half-bound and transverse gallop. The duration of the locomotor cycle decreased exponentially with increasing speed and seemed not to be influenced by substratum diameter, once speed was taken into account. Stride length increased exponentially with speed and also appeared independent of substratum. With symmetrical gaits, the relative phase lag of forelimbs with respect to their ipsilateral hindlimbs changed with speed so that a moderate walkig trot was replaced either by a fast waling trot or fast diagonal sequence walk and ultimately by a slow diagonal sequence run. Two of the symmetrical gaits used by Dromiciops are similar to those used by arboreal didelphids and phalangeroids and by most primates, but are rarely used by other mammals. These gaits appear especially suited to locomotion on narrow branches, suggesting that this species may utilise such substrata to a significant extent in nature. The asymmetrical gaits used by Dromiciops, the half-bound and transverse gallop, are used by various other quadrupedal marsupials, although not commonly by arboreal didelphids. It is conjectured that the symmetrical marsupials, although not commonly by arboreal didelphids and phalangeroids were present in ancestral marsupials and that the latter forms also used the half-bound or transverse gallop. Absolute speed at the transition from symmetrical to asymmetrical gaits ('trot-gallop transition') exceeded that predicted by allometric equations derived from data for terrestrial placental mammals. Relative speed (as measured by the square root of the Froude number) was also higher at this transition than in placentals.
Long-Term Environmental Surveillance and Health Risks of Metals and PCDD/Fs Around a Cement Plant in Catalonia, Spain

ABSTRACT In this study, environmental data concerning the potential impact of a cement plant were updated, 10 years after a previous monitoring study. In 2011 and 2012, samples of soil, vegetation, and air were collected in the vicinity of a cement plant located in Santa Margarida i els Monjos (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain). The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and those of a number of metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl, V, and Zn) were determined. The results were compared with data from two previous sampling campaigns, performed in 2000 and 2001. Vanadium was the only element presenting a significant increase in the three monitors. In turn, a significant decrease of PCDD/Fs was noted in vegetation, from 0.2 to 0.1 ng WHO-TEQ/kg. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of exposure to all pollutants was below the safety limit, while cancer risk associated with the exposure to metals and PCDD/Fs was within the range considered as assumable (10−6–10−4). Despite the long period of time elapsed between campaigns (10 years) and the use of alternative fuels, the impact of the cement plant seems to be low, based on the emissions of the contaminants here evaluated.
Nitrogen fertilizer responses of pasture grasses in south-eastern Queensland

The results are reported of field experiments with nitrogen-fertilized pasture grasses at Samford and D'Aguilar in south-eastern Queensland. The main findings were :- 1. Nitrogen applied as urea or ammonium sulphate increased the annual yield of dry matter under mowing from 1,000- 5,000 lb up to 10,000-20,000 lb an acre, and rates of fertilizer in excess of 400 lb of elemental nitrogen an acre a year were required ,for maximum grass yields during favourable seasons. 2. Ammonium sulphate, applied at rates up to 400 lb N/acre/year, had relatively little effect on the percentage of nitrogen in Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.), Paspalum dilatatum Poir. , and P. commersonii Lam. , cut three times a year. Rates of urea above those required for maximum growth markedly increased the percentage nitrogen content of a Sorghum almum Parodi-blue couch (Digitaria didactyla Willd.) mixture. 3. In an experiment with Rhodes grass, P. dilatatum and P. commersonii, nitrogen recovery rose with increasing rates of ammonium sulphate. At 70 lb N/acre/year the average nitrogen recovery by Rhodes grass was 10 per cent; at 400 lb N/acre/year it was 47 per cent. 4. The residual effects of ammonium sulphate, measured on Rhodes grass during the growing season following two years of fertilization, were very small indeed. 5. Use of nitrogen fertilizers sometimes caused marked changes in the botanical composition of the sward.
Efeitos da substituição do milho pela raspa de mandioca na alimentação de frangos de corte, durante as fases de engorda e final

This study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the substitution of the corn for cassava meal in broilers diets in the growing and finishing phases. A completely randomized design, with six treatments representing cassava meal (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) in replacing corn, six replicates and 25 broilers per replicate, was used. At the end of each phase, were analyzed feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion (FC). The analysis of the data shown quadratic effect for growing and final phases. According to the statistical analysis the adequate cassava meal levels for each phase was determined. It was conclude that, in the growing phase, the broiler shown that up to 10.24% of corn should be replace by cassava meal , without affect the broilers performance, therefore for the final phase, any substitution level of cassava meal should be recommended due to reduction on the performance with the use of this manioc by-product.
Population Status of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in El Cajon Reservoir, Honduras

Abstract During 2005 and 2007, we examined status of populations of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in three rivers at El Cajon Reservoir in central Honduras. Number of crocodiles per kilometer of survey varied by river and time of study. Most observations were of hatchlings and yearlings, but juveniles, subadults, and adults also were observed. Sex ratio in the reservoir was 1∶1.4 male∶female. Assuming that sex ratio and size-class structure were representative of the overall population, our study suggests that the population in El Cajon Reservoir is stable.
Generation of Constitutively Active p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinasein Vivo

p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs), containing two distinct kinase catalytic domains, are phosphorylated and activated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). The amino-terminal kinase domain (NTD) of RSK phosphorylates exogenous substrates, whereas the carboxyl-terminal kinase domain (CTD) autophosphorylates Ser-386. A conserved putative autoinhibitory alpha helix is present in the carboxyl-terminal tail of the RSK isozymes (697HLVKGAMAATYSALNR712 of RSK2). Here, we demonstrate that truncation (Δα) or mutation (Y707A) of this helix in RSK2 resulted in constitutive activation of the CTD. In vivo, both mutants enhanced basal Ser-386 autophosphorylation by the CTD above that of wild type (WT). The enhanced Ser-386 autophosphorylation was attributed to disinhibition of the CTD because a CTD dead mutation (K451A) eliminated Ser-386 autophosphorylation even in conjunction with Δα and Y707A. Constitutive activity of the CTD appears to enhance NTD activity even in the absence of ERK phosphorylation because basal phosphorylation of S6 peptide by Δα and Y707A was ∼4-fold above that of WT. A RSK phosphorylation motif antibody detected a 140-kDa protein (pp140) that was phosphorylated upon epidermal growth factor or insulin treatment. Ectopic expression of Δα or Y707A resulted in increased basal phosphorylation of pp140 compared with that of WT, presenting the possibility that pp140 is a novel RSK substrate. Thus, it is clear that the CTD regulates NTD activity in vivo as well as in vitro.
Towards a Conceptual Framework for Restoration Ecology

Heightening human impacts on the Earth result in widespread losses of production and conservation values and make large-scale ecosystem restoration increasingly urgent. Tackling this problem requires the development of general guiding principles for restoration so that we can move away from the ad hoc, site- and situation-specific approach that now prevails. A continuum of restoration efforts can be recognized, ranging from restoration of localized highly degraded sites to restoration of entire landscapes for production and/or conservation reasons. We emphasize the importance of developing restoration methodologies that are applicable at the landscape scale. Key processes in restoration include identifying and dealing with the processes leading to degradation in the first place, determining realistic goals and measures of success, developing methods for implementing the goals and incorporating them into land-management and planning strategies, and monitoring the restoration and assessing its success. Few of these procedures are currently incorporated in many restoration projects. The concept that many ecosystems are likely to exist in alternative stable states, depending on their history, is relevant to the setting of restoration goals. A range of measures, such as those being developed to measure ecosystem health, could be used to develop “scorecards” for restoration efforts. Generalizable guidelines for restoration on individual sites could be based on the concepts of designed disturbance, controlled colonization, and controlled species performance. Fewer explicit guidelines are available at the landscape scale, beyond nonquantitative generalities about size and connectivity. Development of these guidelines is an important priority so that urgent large-scale restoration can be planned and implemented effectively.
Potential effect of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) on Anthonomus signatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in strawberries

Abstract The strawberry bud weevil, Anthonomus signatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious pest of strawberry crops in Canada. The results of previous laboratory screening and bioassay experiments showed that A. signatus adults were susceptible to several isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsmo) Vuillemin. Based on these results, the INRS-IP and INRS-CFL isolates were selected for field trails. Using a randomized block design with four replicates, three applications of the INRS-IP and INRS-CFL isolates were applied at a rate of 1×1013 conidia/ha at 7-day intervals. The multiple applications of B. bassiana triggered a significant reduction of A. signatus adult populations in strawberries. Twenty-four days after the first application, a significant difference was observed between the mean numbers of surviving adults in all B. bassiana-treated plots compared to control plots. During the field experiment, the persistence of insecticidal activity and the viability of B. bassiana conidia were also monitored. Results showed the presence of viable and infective conidia on strawberry foliage up to 6 days after each application. Moreover, the multiple applications of B. bassiana at a rate of 1×1013 conidia/ha resulted in a significant reduction of damaged strawberry fruits compared with control plots, where fruit loss was caused by A. signatus feeding and egg laying.
Sex ratios of waders at the northern end of the East Atlantic flyway in winter

Capsule Sex ratios were determined for 11 wader species at the northern end of the East Atlantic flyway in winter. The ratio was even for six species, there were more males for four species, and more females for one species. Aims To describe the sex ratio of adult waders in northern Scotland and examine departures from parity. Methods Molecular sexing and biometrics were used to estimate the sex ratio (percentage male) in adult populations of 11 waders wintering on estuaries and open shores in northern Scotland (Moray Firth and Orkney), at the northern part of the East Atlantic flyway. Departures from parity were examined in relation to three possibilities: (1) that there was local variation in the distribution of the sexes; (2) that the sexes differed in their winter ranges and (3) that there was an uneven sex ratio in the entire population. Results The percentage of males did not differ significantly from 50% for Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot, Sanderling and Turnstone. There were significant differences from parity for Oystercatcher, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew at some sites, suggesting local segregation of the sexes that may be related to habitat. It was difficult to examine possibilities 2 and 3 due to the lack of data from other parts of the flyway. Only some populations of Purple Sandpipers and perhaps Bar-tailed Godwits exhibited an uneven sex ratio in favour of males across the flyway. For these species, the uneven sex ratio in favour of males was already apparent in first-year birds, showing that higher mortality amongst juvenile females, rather than higher mortality amongst breeding females probably causes the imbalance. Conclusion Some waders showed significant deviations from parity in their sex ratio. These may be due to sex-dependent habitat selection and differential mortality rates.
Extreme tolerance to cadmium and high resistance to copper, nickel and zinc in different Acidiphilium strains

An Acidiphilium cryptum strain and two Acidiphilium symbioticum strains exhibited extremely high tolerance to CdSO4, growing at a concentration of 700 mmol l‐1 or more in MGY medium (g l‐1 composition: KCl, 0.1; MgSO4.7H2O, 0.25; (NH4)2SO4, 2.0; K2HPO4, 0.25; glucose, 1.0; yeast extract, 0.1) of pH 3. Fairly high concentrations of ZnSO4 (200 > 125 mmol l‐1), NiSO4 (50 > 20 mmol l‐1) and CuSO4 (25 > 15 mmol l‐1) were also tolerated by these strains. Acidiphilium multivorum grew in the presence of NiSO4 (400 > 350 mmol l‐1), ZnSO4 (50 > 40 mmol l‐1), CdSO4 (40 > 20 mmol l‐1) and CuSO4 (20 > 10 mmol l‐1) while an Acidiphilium strain GS18h tolerated ZnSO4 (100 > 60 mmol l‐1), NiSO4 (50 > 30 mmol l‐1), CuSO4 (30 > 15 mmol l‐1) and CdSO4 (20 > 10 mmol l‐1) in the same medium. Acidiphilium angustum, on the other hand, was found to be metal sensitive—growth inhibition being observed at concentrations of 10 mmol l‐1 ZnSO4, 10 mmol l‐1 CuSO4, 20 mmol l‐1 NiSO4 and 0.2 mmol l‐1 CdSO4 in MGY medium. Acidiphilium organovorum also exhibited tolerance to these metal sulphates in this medium at the levels of 70 > 60 mmol l‐1 for Zn, 20 > 10 mmol l‐1 for Cd and Ni, and 10 > 5 mmol l‐1 for Cu. This strain, interestingly enough, showed a much higher level of tolerance in MAGY medium (g l‐1 composition: KCl, 0.15; MgSO4.7H2O, 3.36; K2HPO4, 0.15; (NH4)2SO4, 0.15; Al2(SO4)3.18H2O, 2.25; CaCl2.2H2O, 0.97; MnSO4.H2O, 0.12; glucose, 1.0; yeast extract, 0.1) of pH 3 than in MGY medium. Replacement of carbon source, however, did not affect the tolerance levels to any great extent.
Shortfall Surprises

In this article we use a large sample of order executions to better understand “shortfall surprises”: the difference between actual and expected trading costs. On average, only 20% of actual shortfall is predictable pre-trade. We investigate five possible reasons for the shortfall surprise: the underlying stock-specific price move (alpha), the market move, and the volume, volatility and spread surprises. We find that the underlying price move (alpha and market) is by far the most important factor explaining the shortfall surprise. For orders in large-cap stocks that take more than an hour to execute, for example, the price move explains 73% of the shortfall surprise. We also find that the alpha component dominates the price move. Surprisingly, volume surprises explain very little of the shortfall surprise: higher-than-expected volume does not reduce trading costs. Similarly, the volatility and spread surprises have little explanatory power. Our findings have important implications for post-trade analysis, pre-trade tools, the development of algorithms and the choice of the right execution strategy.
Effects of Anthropogenic Sounds on Fishes

Abstract There is increasing concern regarding the effect of human-generated (anthropogenic) sounds on marine organisms. While most concern is focused on marine mammals, many of the lower frequency (under 1,000 Hz) sounds are also likely to affect fish. Anthropogenic sounds can range from very intense signals such as noise generated by ships and their sonars to far less intense signals such as background sounds in hatcheries and oceanariums. The sounds may affect behavior and/or physiology, although very little is specifically known about how sounds affect fish. Limited data suggest that short- or long-term exposure to loud sounds may alter behavior, and also result in temporary or permanent loss of hearing. In order to better understand this issue, a series of studies are needed that systematically explore both behavioral and physiological effects of different types of sounds on a select group of species at different stages of their development.
The use of discriminant analysis for the estimation of sampling biases for female tsetse

ABSTRACT. 1 In this paper we investigate whether the technique of discriminant analysis can be used to estimate sampling biases for female tsetse. 2 Discriminant analysis was first applied to laboratory samples of female tsetse, Glossina morshans morsitans Westwood, to test whether flies of known history could be assigned to the correct day of the pregnancy cycle on the basis of their fat, haematin and corrected residual dry weight. 3 Following the satisfactory results from the laboratory samples, the same technique was applied to field samples of G.m. centralis Machado captured by electric traps and hand nets in Zambia and of G.palpalis palpalis (Robineau‐Desvoidy) captured in biconical traps at five sites in Ivory Coast. The results show that flies on day 1 of the pregnancy cycle were most likely to be caught, with a second peak of day‐6 and day‐7 flies, while very few day‐8 or day‐9 flies were caught. 4 These major peaks in fly trappability coincide with the known feeding habits of female tsetse, and indicate synchrony of feeding by many members of the population immediately after larviposition and again as the larva in utero moults from the second to third instar. G.palpalis is relatively more available at this later stage of its pregnancy cycle to the capture methods used than is G.morsitans. A third feed may be taken at a more variable point in the pregnancy cycle. 5 This method of estimating the sampling biases of female tsetse could allow an estimate of total population size, as long as the absolute sampling efficiency of flies on any one day of the pregnancy cycle could be established by, for example, mark‐release‐recapture experiments.