Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BIOMETRY OF CATFISH (CLARIAS LAZERA) OVARIES IN ISRAEL, WITH COMMENTS ON FECUNDITY AND METHODOLOGY

ABSTRACT Fecundity studies on Clarias lazera measured both number and size distribution of ova in the ovary. Ova were separated by size with a series of 12 sieves between 1.2 and 0.1 mm and counted by gravimetric and volumetric methods. The total length-ovary weight relationship resembled that of C. gariepinus and is: Y = 7.08 × 10−8 X 3.41 (n = 11, r 2 = 0.82), where Y is the ovary weight in g and X is the total length in mm. The total length (X mm)—total ovum number (Y) relationship is: Y = 1.28 × 10−4 X 3.44 (n = 11, r 2 = 0.89). It is suggested that environmental factors probably control fecundity (number of ova) by affecting ovum size. Two peaks occur in ovum size distribution, at 0.84 and 0.10 mm, indicating that C. lazera may be capable of multiple spawning under suitable conditions. Ovum number and size distribution per unit volume were found to be relatively constant throughout the ovary with greater variation between sides than within sides. Mean number of ova per ml on each sieve is a quick met.
Limited impact of irrigation on the phenology of Brachychiton megaphyllus: a deciduous shrub that flowers while leafless during the tropical dry season

Abstract: A suite of woody plants inhabiting the seasonally dry tropics flower while leafless during the dry season, raising intriguing questions about the role of moisture limitation in shaping their phenology. Brachychiton megaphyllus is one such species, a shrub of open forests and savannas in northern Australia. We documented leaf and reproductive phenology of 14 shrubs, and irrigated a further 15, to determine if soil moisture affected leafiness and reproductive activity. Brachychiton megaphyllus showed first flower buds shortly after the cessation of wet-season rains, and budded and flowered throughout the dry season. In some plants, leaf flush occurred prior to the first rains. Rates of fruit set and maturity were very low. Irrigation did not significantly influence leaf shoot or subsequent canopy development. Contrary to expectation, irrigation decreased the production of buds and flowers though it had no impact on the production of fruit, a response for which we suggest a number of hypotheses. Phenological responses to irrigation may have been limited because B. megaphyllus responds primarily to cues other than soil moisture and is buffered against seasonal drought by a large tap root. This suggests mechanisms by which flowering while leafless may occur in a range of species.
Characterizing Soybean Yield and Quality Response to Multiple Prophylactic Inputs and Synergies

There is little peer-reviewed information regarding prophylactic use of multiple inputs in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] production systems as a way to increase seed yield and profitability. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of multiple inputs on soybean yield and quality in Wisconsin (WI). Two separate studies were established from 2011 to 2013. The inputs examined included: trait [first (RR1) and second (RR2Y) generation Roundup Ready traits], rhizobia inoculant, fungicide seed treatment, foliar fertilizer, foliar insecticide, and foliar fungicide. In the first experiment, main effects and up to three-way interactions were evaluated; whereas in the second experiment, all inputs were combined in a high-management (i.e., intensive) treatment. In the first experiment, soybean yield was not consistently increased due to the used inputs. Trait and foliar fungicide use were significant factors with variable effect on soybean seed yield in three and four of the nine location-years, respectively. The foliar insecticide effect varied between traits in three location-years. The (rhizobia inoculant + fungicide seed treatment) × foliar insecticide × foliar fungicide interaction was a significant factor in three of the nine location-years. None of the examined factors significantly increased yield across all location–years. In the second experiment, high-management, trait, and their interaction did not consistently increase soybean yield, nor improved seed quality characteristics. Overall, these results suggest that WI growers should continue to use university-developed integrated pest management principles for making input decisions instead of relying on prophylactic input applications for maximizing soybean yield and profitability.
INHIBITION OF STREPTOCOCCAL BIOFILMS USING MORUS ALBA LEAF EXTRACT

Viridans Streptococci are the pioneer microorganisms in dental plaque and they play a very important role in prognosis of plaque to carious diseases. Viridans Streptococci are recognized as early plaque formers, which initiate biofilm formation on the tooth surfaces and facilitates the attachment of other late stage plaque formers viz. Fusobacterium species. Biofilm formation induces resistance mechanism in the bacteria against the antimicrobial agents to which they were sensitive at their planktonic stages. The present study was intended to assess the antibiofilm activity of Morus alba leaf extracts against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis. The antibiofilm activity of Morus alba was studied, where the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) was estimated. The effect of MBIC of herbal extract on the dry weight of the biofilm, exopolysaccharide content and the bacterial load in the preformed biofilm were studied. The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration of hot ethanolic extract of Morus alba for S.mutans and S.sanguinis was found to be 15mg/ml. The MBIC was successful in achieving a total reduction in the dry weight and the polysaccharide content of biofilm in 48h of treatment, along with the 3 fold reduction in the bacterial load in the 24h of treatment.
Vegetation management influences habitat use by mammalian herbivores in shrub-encroached grassy woodland

Abstract Context. Restoration of disturbed vegetation communities commonly involves altering vegetation composition and structure, attributes that can influence the suitability of habitat for fauna. Feedbacks may occur whereby changes to the vegetation affect mammalian herbivores, and unintended changes may prevent managers from achieving conservation goals. Aims. To understand how vegetation management affects habitat use by five mammalian herbivores, namely eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), common wombat (Vombatus ursinus), European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hog deer (Axis porcinus). Methods. A management experiment (mechanical slashing of the encroaching shrub Leptospermum laevigatum) at Wilsons Promontory National Park, Australia, created slashed swales in addition to untreated dune and scrub woodland. In each vegetation stratum, we estimated the cover of L. laevigatum and quantified herbivore abundance by counting the standing crop of faecal pellets. Key results. Relative to untreated vegetation, mechanical slashing of L. laevigatum substantially reduced cover of this species above 200 cm, but increased its cover below 30 cm. On the basis of faecal-pellet counts, multispecies use of managed and unmanaged parts of the landscape differed substantially, with the differences principally driven by higher abundance of European rabbits and eastern grey kangaroos at slashed sites. Conclusions. The responses of three grazing species (kangaroo, rabbits and wombats) to vegetation management were predicted well by prior knowledge of diet and habitat preferences. This was not the case for the browser (swamp wallaby), nor for the grazer that consumes substantial amounts of browse in the study area (hog deer), and additional knowledge of the processes underlying their responses to vegetation change is required. Implications. Our findings highlighted that vegetation management can influence herbivore abundances in the managed system. An improved understanding of these associations will allow vegetation management plans to incorporate herbivore responses.
Evaluation of the Phytotoxic and Genotoxic Potential of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Using Vigna radiata and Allium cepa

Pulp and paper mill effluent induced phytotoxicity and genotoxicity in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and root tip cells of onion (Allium cepa L.) were investigated. Physicochemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity (EC), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total phenols of the pulp and paper mill effluent were beyond the permissible limit specified for the discharge of effluent in inland water bodies. Compared to control plants, seedling exposed to 100% effluent concentration showed a reduction in root and shoot length and biomass by 65%, 67%, and 84%, respectively, after 5 days of treatment. A. cepa root tip cells exposed to effluent concentrations ranging from 25 to 100% v/v showed a significant decrease in mitotic index (MI) from 32 to 11% with respect to control root tip cells (69%) indicating effluent induced cytotoxicity. Further, the effluent induced DNA damage as evidenced by the presence of various chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, chromosome loss, anaphase bridge, c-mitosis, tripolar anaphase, vagrant chromosome, and telophase bridge and micronucleated and binucleated cell in A. cepa. Findings of the present study indicate that pulp and paper mill effluents may act as genotoxic and phytotoxic agents in plant model system.
Estimating the efficiency of different explants for directin Vitromultiple shoots development in chrysanthemum

Different explants of local chrysanthemum cultivars available in West Bengal including leaf, shoot tip and ray floret were employed to compare their efficiency for direct in vitro regeneration system. The explants were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with varied combinations of indole acetic acid (IAA), benzylaminopurine (BAP). The auxins indole -3-butyric acid (IBA) was used to induce rooting. Maximum multiple shoots production occurred at 1.0 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L NAA for leaf explants, 2.0 mg/L BAP and 0.2 mg/L NAA combination for shoot tip explants and BAP (4.0 mg/L) + NAA (0.1 mg/l) for ray floret explants. Among the treatments, IBA 1.0 mg/L for both leaf and shoot tip regenerated plants and 0.5 mg/L for ray floret regenerates proved to be the best for promoting root regeneration as compared to the other treatments tried. Among the various carrier substrates tested for acclimatization, soil + sand + FYM (1:2:1) fortified with ½ strength MS plant salt mixture proved to be ideal substrate as maximum plant survived and a maximum of 82.3% survivability was obtained from shoot tip derived plantlets. Therefore, shoot tip explants are the most suitable type of explants for plant regeneration of chrysanthemum through direct somatic embryogenesis. However, direct plant regeneration through ray floret explants will also be useful to recover the flower colour mutants.
Sweet Potato Heritability Estimates and Their Use in Breeding

Awareness that the continuous variation of morphological traits in sweet potato can best be explained and studied with quantitative genetics has increased during the last 20 years (10, 16). This paper has 2 purposes: 1) to summarize available heritability estimates for traits of sweet potato and 2) to alert breeders to their use and application in crop improvement.
Differential Declines among Nesting Habitats of Breeding Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Great Black-Backed Gulls (Larus marinus) in Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Abstract. Environmental conditions in eastern Newfoundland have changed considerably since the 1970s, as both bottom-up oceanographic and anthropogenic influences on seabird populations have fluctuated considerably. The diet, reproductive success, and presumably survival of gulls are intrinsically linked to these processes, and breeding populations have declined considerably through the 1980s and 1990s. To assess the populations of breeding large gulls in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve in eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, nests were surveyed and clutch size determined for Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Great Black-backed Gulls (L. marinus) breeding on Great, Gull, and Pee Pee Islands in 2011–2012. The total number of breeding gulls of these two species combined decreased by 41% on Gull Island, 78% on Great Island and 51% on Pee Pee Island since 2000. However, the declines differed among habitat type, with modest declines on puffin slopes (-15% to -52%) and the steepest declines in meadows (-70% to -88%), suggesting that large-scale causative factors are not solely responsible for changes in population size. Clutch size did not differ from that in 2000. Differential recruitment among highly philopatric gulls stemming from bottom-up diet-related variation in breeding success may be responsible for different changes in populations among different habitats.
Incorporating competition between life forms into the soil water submodel within STAND-BGC a vegetative process model

Voth, Ellen P. M.S. May 2000 Forestry Incorporating Competition Between Life Forms Into The Soil Water Submodel Within STAND-BGC, A Vegetative Process Model Director; Kelsey Milner STAND-BGC is a mechanistic forest model at the stand level that grows grasses, shrubs, small trees and large trees. It uses standard forest inventory data as input and outputs an updated tree list. It has been found to perform well for well-established stands, but its behavior for stands where the understory is expected to have a large impact on the overstory (for example, for stands o f small trees growing with high levels o f grass cover) is less realistic. This study focused on modifying the modeling o f belowground competition for soil moisture that takes place between life forms and size classes to improve the behavior o f STAND-BGC for these situations. The water balance o f the model was modified to reflect W alter’s (1971) two-layer theory o f resource partitioning. The behavior o f the revised model was improved over the original version. As small trees developed into large trees, they were able to decouple their water use from grass competition, i.e., they grew out o f the ‘zone o f competition’. The two-layer model produced seasonal patterns o f soil moisture which were in accordance with W alter’s twolayer hypothesis o f resource partitioning.
DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE FORMIGAS URBANAS EM UM HOSPITAL DA REGIÃO SUDESTE DO BRASIL

URBAN ANTS DISTRIBUTION IN A HOSPITAL IN THE SOUTHEAST OF BRAZIL. Baiting studies in a small private hospital revealed 10 ant species. The prevalent one was Monomorium floricola, followed by Paratrechina longicornis. When M. pharaonis density was high P. longicornis was not observed but the opposite was found. Linepithema humile was not collected inside but its occurrence was observed in the external area, excluding other ant species.
The invasive Asian green mussel Perna viridis in South Africa: all that is green is not viridis

The Asian green mussel Perna viridis is an invasive Indo-Pacific species recently reported from South African harbours. To verify the invasion, a phylogenetic (and morphological) analysis of green-shelled mussels (n = 39), found in six South African harbours, was conducted using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). Estimates of genetic distances using the neighbour-joining analysis identified P. viridis only from Durban Harbour. All other green mussels were more than 3.2% divergent from P. viridis and were identified as green-shelled variants of indigenous P. perna. The only reliable morphological differences distinguishing the two species were the poorly developed mantle papillae and the wavy pallial line in P. viridis. The confirmed occurrence of P. viridis in a South African harbour suggests that there is a possible threat of the species becoming established and then spreading onto the open coast and competing with indigenous P. perna.
Genetic parameters for production and fertility in spring-calving Irish dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk production and selected fertility traits in Irish dairy cattle. Data were derived from 74 seasonal spring-calving dairy herds with a potential cow population of 6,783 in the 1999 calving season. The average 305-day yields (kg) of milk, fat, and protein, the concentrations (g/kg) of fat and protein were 6572, 245, 222, 37.6 and 33.9, respectively. Calving to first service interval (CFS), calving to conception interval (DO) and first service to conception interval (FSCO) averaged 72, 90, and 17 days, respectively, while pregnancy rate to first service (PRFS) and number of services/cow were 0.48 and 1.78, respectively. The proportion of cows conceiving within the first 21, 42, and 63 days after start of breeding (PR21, PR42, and PR63) were 0.36, 0.57 and 0.72, respectively. (Co)variance components were estimated for the complete data set as well as a separate analysis for pedigree and non-pedigree herds within the data set. Heritability estimates, using the complete data set, for milk production traits ranged from 0.22 (±0.042) for milk yield to 0.70 (±0.049) for milk fat concentration while heritability estimates for fertility traits ranged from zero for PR21 to 0.03 (±0.017) for CFS and SBFS (start of breeding to first service interval). Heritability estimates were numerically greater than zero for all fertility traits in the pedigree herd data set with the exception of PR21. Only two fertility traits had heritability estimates for the non-pedigree herds, namely, CFS (0.03 ± 0.030), SBFS (0.03 ± 0.030); analyses for the other fertility traits failed to converge. Genetic correlations between production and fertility traits were mostly antagonistic, for example, correlations between milk yield and number of services (0.98 ± 0.35) and PRFS (-0.51 ± 0.61). Results indicate that selection for yield alone may lead to a deterioration in fertility and that future selection programmes should include some measures of reproductive performance.
EGG PRODUCTION BY SAND CRABS (EMERITA ANALOGA) AS A FUNCTION OF SIZE AND YEAR CLASS (DECAPODA, HIPPIDAE)

The relationship between egg number, size, and year class was determined for sand crabs (Emerita analoga) collected at three California sites, including two different dates for two of those sites. Size frequency distributions of sand crab population samples collected in 1982 from San Clemente, Goleta (2 dates), and Pismo Beach (2 dates) were separated into three modal size/year classes before plotting the size and egg number data and calculating regressions for egg number as a function of size. The slope of the regressions for within year class data generally decreased with increase in age. Both seasonal and locality differences were found in comparisons of data for individual year classes. The technique can be used to compare egg production between female crabs of similar ages between sites and/or dates.
Interspecific Hybridization Between Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Giant Ragweed (A. trifida)

Common ragweed [Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. # AMBEL (2n=36)] and giant ragweed [A. trifida L. # AMBTR (2n=24)] are two abundant annuals that are widespread throughout northeastern North America. They are also the main cause of hay fever in Eastern Canada. The formation of a hybrid between the two species has been reported only once and just one type of hybrid was recovered; namely, common ragweed × giant ragweed. In order to create additional suitable material for future studies of the biochemical features characterizing the allergenic pollen, the production of reciprocal hybrids between common and giant ragweed was attempted. A number of hybrid plants derived from crosses of the type common ragweed × giant ragweed were easily obtained; the reciprocal crosses, however, failed to produce viable plants. In this last case, evidence of postzygotic barriers of interspecific incompatibility were shown by the presence of underdeveloped embryos contained in the few seeds recovered. Embryo culture techniques, therefore, were used in order to bypass such barriers. By this method fifteen plants of hybrid constitution survived to maturity.
New records of chimaeroid fishes from Greenland waters (North Atlantic), with description of juvenile Chimaera monstrosa and Hydrolagus affinis (Holocephali, Chimaeridae)

Depuis environ 15 ans, la seule chimere signalee du Groenland etait representee par l'holotype de Harriotta haeckeli Karrer, 1972. Entre 1988 et 2002, plusieurs specimens de quatre especes de chimeres ont ete captures dans les chalutages profonds (400-1500 m) des pecheries au fletan: 65 specimens d'Hydrolagus affinis (Cappelo, 1868), 1 specimen d'H. pallidus Hardy & Stehmann, 1990, 1 specimen de Chimaera monstrosa Linnaeus, 1758, et 2 specimens de Rhinochimaera atlantica Holt & Byrne, 1909. Ces nouveaux signalements etendent considerablement les distributions de ces especes vers le Nord et l'Ouest. Tous les specimens sont des adultes sauf deux: un juvenile de C. monstrosa (80 mm longueur du corps -BL) et un d'H. affinis (140 mm BL). Les juveniles de chimeres etant rarement captures, ces specimens sont decrits, et des commentaires sur les denticules cutanes, les allometries de croissance et la coloration sont donnes.
Probability of nucleation events and aerosol particle concentration in different air mass types arriving at Hyytiälä, southern Finland, based on back trajectories analysis

The probability of a new ultrafine particle formation as well as the spatial sources of the nucleation, Aitken and accumulation modes of particles measured in Hyytiala, southern Finland, were investigated using air mass history analysis. The studied period covered the years 1997-2003. We estimated the probability of a new ultrafine particle formation for nine sub-areas inside a domain limited by 50°N-80°N in latitude and 30°W-60°E in longitude. For all the seasons North Atlantic and arctic regions dominated as an origin of air masses that accompany nucleation events. The probability of nucleation events in Hyytiala reached its maximum in spring and summer with north and north-west air masses transfer directions. The highest concentration of nucleation mode particles was observed in arctic and polar air masses, whereas the highest concentration of accumulation mode particles was observed during intrusions of continental air masses.
THE OVARIAN CYCLE OF THE WATERSNAKE NERODIA SIPEDON, AND EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND GONADOTROPIN ADMINISTRATION

The number of previtellogenic follicles in adult Nerodia sipedon is approximately three times larger than the number of vitellogenic follicles or embryos present. Follicles less than 5 mm in length do not appear to have a seasonal growth pattern, but larger follicles undergo marked seasonal changes. Follicles greater than 5 mm are absent from the ovary during gestation, begin to appear after parturition, and reach a maximum length of 9 mm by the onset of hiber- nation. With the onset of vitellogenesis in spring, all follicles greater than 5 mm become vitel- logenic and are either ovulated or become atretic. Based on injections of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in immature and subadult snakes, follicles greater than 3.5 mm in length can re- spond to FSH and undergo vitellogenesis. However, few follicles between 3.5 and 5.0 mm normally respond, because enough follicles between 5 and 9 mm are present in the ovary to account for the projected litter size. Hypophysectomy does not result in immediate atresia of previtellogenic or vitellogenic follicles, but it does result in complete cessation of growth in vitellogenic follicles.