Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low‐level effects of inert sediments on temperate stream invertebrates

Summary 1. The delivery, entrainment and deposition of inert fine sediments are among the most significant contributors to stream and river impairment worldwide. Associated ecological effects have been observed frequently, but specific experiments to identify sensitivity and avoidance behaviour in stream organisms are few, particularly in headwaters. 2. In a field-experiment, we added fine sand at low levels (c. 4–5 kg m−2) to 10 m reaches of two replicate headwater streams in the Usk catchment (Wales, U.K.) over two periods (autumn and summer). Upstream reaches were used as control in a classic before-after-control-impact design. Invertebrate drift and benthic composition were measured for 2 days before and 1 day after sediment impact. 3. Sediment addition significantly increased overall drift density (by 45%) and propensity (by 200%), with effects largest on the night following addition rather than immediately (i.e. within 9 h). The mayflies Baetis rhodani, B. muticus and Ecdyonurus spp. , simuliid and chironomid dipterans, and helodid beetles were the strongest contributors. 4. There were no marked effects on benthic composition, but density declined in treated reaches by 30–60%, particularly in B. rhodani, Ecdyonurus spp. and Leuctra hippopus + L. moselyi. 5. All effects were consistent between both seasons and streams. 6. These data show how even low-level, short-term, increases in fine sediment loading to upland, stony streams can reduce overall benthic density through increased drift. We suggest that the likely cause of the delayed drift response was a change in habitat quality which prompted avoidance behaviour. Longer-term experiments are required to assess whether these effects reduce fitness or explain the losses of some types of organisms observed recently in sediment-impaired reaches of this and other catchments.
Comparing two fish sampling standards over time: largely congruent results but with caveats

Summary We sampled Lake Bourget (surface area = 44 km2) using CEN standard gillnet and provisional standard acoustic survey methods over 3 years (2005, 2010 and 2011) as the fish community responded to re-oligotrophication. A total of 16 species were caught in benthic gillnets and three species in pelagic gillnets. Lake Bourget results were consistent with a recent study (Emmrich et al., Freshwater Biology, 57, 2012, 2436) showing strong correspondence between average biomass-per-unit-effort (BPUE) in standard benthic gillnets and average acoustic volume backscattering when smaller lakes (0.25–5.45 km2) were treated as sample units. The BPUE of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) measured by benthic gillnets all declined significantly with increasing bathymetric depth; 93% of nets set at depths >50 m caught zero fish. Pelagic gillnetting indicated that small ( 20 m) increased significantly after 2005. Both surveys showed whitefish biomass increased significantly during the study, but whitefish ≥25 cm were poorly represented in benthic gillnet catches. Contrary to the acoustic findings, the BPUE of perch and roach in benthic gillnets did not vary significantly over time. This metric is insensitive to changes in size structure in that a high catch of small fish and a low catch of large fish in different years can provide similar average BPUE estimates. We examined correlations between BPUE in benthic gillnets and acoustic methods at fine spatial scales by averaging acoustic backscattering measurements encompassed by buffers of varying size (250–2000 m) around individual gillnets and by averaging samples collected from lake quadrants. Correlations at fines scales were generally poor, and only in 1 year was the quadrant correlation significant. The lack of correlation can be explained, in part, by the two gears sampling different components of the fish community. Conversely, in pelagic habitat, where the fish community was simpler, we found BPUE in pelagic nets to be strongly correlated with acoustic backscattering. With respect to large lakes like Lake Bourget, we hypothesise that the congruence in average biomass measurements provided by these two survey methods occurs because these different community components are responding similarly to a common driver like lake trophic status (or possibly multiple drivers operating in synergy).
Morphology and histology of the antenna of the male eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The number and distribution and the morphology of the various receptors on the male antenna of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), are described, using histological techniques and scanning electron microscopy. Receptors described include Bohm bristles, four types of sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensilla styloconica. Except for the sensilla chaetica, generally more receptors are found on the male than on the female antenna.
Processing yields and composition of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), a potential aquaculture species

Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) were processed and analyzed to determine yields and chemical composition. Dressed paddlefish yields with and without tails were 47.3% and 45.0%, respectively, and fillet yields were 33.5%. The lipid concentration of whole fillets was 1.53%, while white muscle fillets were 0.27 % lipid. Nonpolar lipids from whole fillets contained 71.37 % unsaturated fatty acids of which 78.62 % were monounsaturated. Polar lipids were composed of 60.92 % unsaturated fatty acids of which 79.58% were monounsaturated. The w - 3 fatty acid concentrations were 9.9% and 10.9% of the nonpolar and polar lipids, respectively. The production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was greater in whole fillets then in white muscle fillets during frozen storage (-15 "C), suggesting that the removal of red muscle could decrease lipid oxidation in paddlefish fillets.
Comportamento da laranjeira 'Pêra' sobre cinco porta-enxertos em ecossistema de tabuleiros costeiros, Umbaúba-SE

In an experiment set in a field in 1984 at the Experiment Station of Umbauba-SE, was studied the behavior of 'Pera' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], clone D6 , grafted on five rootstocks in a soil of Brazilian northeast coastal tableland ecosystem. The data from the 9th to the 13th year, after planting, indicated that the rootstocks - 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia Osb.), 'Volkamer' lemon (C. volkameriana Ten. & Pasq.), 'Catania 2' and 'Palermo' selections, 'Florida Rough' lemon (C. jambhiri Lush.) and 'Cleopatra' mandarin (C. reshni Hort. ex Tan.) did not show statistic difference related to productivity, juice percentage TSS, giving evidence that the rootstocks 'Catania 2', 'Palermo' and 'Cleopatra' can be used with the same performance of 'Rangpur' lime and 'Rough' lemon, the most grafted in Sergipe and north coast of Bahia state citricultures fields.
Polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metabolism as maternal risk factors for Down syndrome — meta-analysis

Folate metabolism deficiency has been related to increased occurrence of maternal non-disjunction resulting in trisomy 21. Several polymorphisms in genes coding for folate metabolism enzymes have been investigated for association with the maternal risk of Down syndrome (DS) yielding variable results. We performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies obtained through the PubMed database. The studies on polymorphisms in the MTHFR, MTRR, MTR, RFC1 and CBS genes were included. The summary OR demonstrated a statistically significant increased risk of giving birth to a child with DS in mothers carrying the mutant allele of the MTHFR/C677T gene polymorphism (both genetic models) and in mothers homozygous for the mutant allele of the MTRR/A66G polymorphism (recessive genetic model). Analyses of other polymorphisms, MTHFR/A1298C, MTR/A2756G, RFC1/A80G, and CBS/844ins68, resulted in borderline or no statistical significance. In conclusion, our meta-analysis showed the significance of genetic alterations in the folate metabolism genes in maternal susceptibility to DS offspring. Our results suggest that the importance of folate supplementation to women in reproductive age in prevention of non-disjunction be revised. Further genetic studies on a combined effect of multiple folate metabolism genes is recommended. Additionally, more thorough studies on the haplotype analyses of genes is recommended as well, especially in populations that have not yet been investigated thus far.
Fitness–related consequences of egg mass in nestling house wrens

The fitness–related consequences of egg mass, independent of confounding influences associated with parental quality, remain poorly understood for wild birds in general and for passerines in particular. We performed cross–fostering experiments to test the hypothesis that egg mass, independent of parental quality, is the primary determinant of fitness–related traits in nestling house wrens (Troglodytes aedon), an insectivorous passerine. Nestling mass was significantly correlated with the mass of the eggs from which nestlings hatched early but not late in the nestling period in early–season broods. In contrast, in late–season broods, nestling mass was correlated with egg mass until nestlings achieved asymptotic mass. Neither nestling growth nor survival to nest leaving was related to egg mass in either early– or late–season broods; however, nestlings in late–season broods grew more slowly than did nestlings in early–season broods. We propose that nestling mass and egg mass remained correlated throughout the nestling period in late–season broods because decreased arthropod food resources late in the breeding season constrain parents' ability to provision nestlings. We conclude that female house wrens in this population trade–off clutch size for greater egg mass to maximise reproductive success in late–season broods.
The disappearance of relict permafrost in boreal north America: Effects on peatland carbon storage and fluxes

Boreal peatlands in Canada have harbored relict permafrost since the Little Ice Age due to the strong insulating properties of peat. Ongoing climate change has triggered widespread degradation of localized permafrost in peatlands across continental Canada. Here, we explore the influence of differing permafrost regimes (bogs with no surface permafrost, localized permafrost features with surface permafrost, and internal lawns representing areas of permafrost degradation) on rates of peat accumulation at the southernmost limit of permafrost in continental Canada. Net organic matter accumulation generally was greater in unfrozen bogs and internal lawns than in the permafrost landforms, suggesting that surface permafrost inhibits peat accumulation and that degradation of surface permafrost stimulates net carbon storage in peatlands. To determine whether differences in substrate quality across permafrost regimes control trace gas emissions to the atmosphere, we used a reciprocal transplant study to experimentally evaluate environmental versus substrate controls on carbon emissions from bog, internal lawn, and permafrost peat. Emissions of CO2 were highest from peat incubated in the localized permafrost feature, suggesting that slow organic matter accumulation rates are due, at least in part, to rapid decomposition in surface permafrost peat. Emissions of CH4 were greatest from peat incubated in the internal lawn, regardless of peat type. Localized permafrost features in peatlands represent relict surface permafrost in disequilibrium with the current climate of boreal North America, and therefore are extremely sensitive to ongoing and future climate change. Our results suggest that the loss of surface permafrost in peatlands increases net carbon storage as peat, though in terms of radiative forcing, increased CH4 emissions to the atmosphere will partially or even completely offset this enhanced peatland carbon sink for at least 70 years following permafrost degradation.
Determination of Fatty Acid in Surfactin and Elucidation of the Total Structure of Surfactin

peptide and the elucidation of the total structure of surfactin. The surfactin-composing fatty acid was recovered from surfactin as its methyl ester and dimethyl N-acyl glutamate, both as methanolysis products of surfactin, according to the procedures shown in Fig. 1. The fatty acid methyl ester was completely homogeneous as judged by silica gel-thin layer chromato graphy in two solvent systems, chloroform-
Impact of sixteen chemical pesticides on conidial germination of two entomophthoralean fungi: Conidiobolus thromboides and Pandora nouryi

Effects of sixteen chemical pesticides on conidial germination of C. thromboides and P. nouryi were investigated at two concentrations (R and 0.2R, where R=the lowest manufacture's recommended concentration for field use). Of the fungicides tested, propamocarb hydrochloride did not significantly affect conidial germination of C. thromboides, but at R it completely inhibited conidial germination of P. nouryi. At 0.2R of procymidone, iprodione, haloxyfop-methyl and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, conidia of C. thromboides had some germination after 24 h, although they entirely restricted conidial germination of the fungus at the concentration of R. Tribenuron-methyl, one herbicide, had no adverse effect on conidial germination of C. thromboides and P. nouryi after 6 h at the two concentrations, whereas the other seven herbicides were strongly antagonistic to P. nouryi, except for carfentrazone-ethyl at 0.2R.
Population dynamics of fruit fly [Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendle)] on sapota.

A study on population dynamics of fruit fly, B. dorsalis infesting sapota was carried out at during November 2009 to October 2010 by using “Nauroji Stonehouse fruit fly trap”. The study indicated that the fruit fly population prevailed throughout the year. However, its maximum activity (172.1 flies per trap) was found during March to August. Population was found to be lower during month of December and January (11.1 to 21.3 flies per trap). The fly population coincided with the maturity and harvesting period of sapota. Correlation studies revealed that, the B. dorsalis population had significantly positive correlation with temperature (maximum, minimum and average) and morning relative humidity whereas, it has positive non-significant correlation with average relative humidity and rainfall. The data also indicated that, the fruit fly population had negative correlation with the maximum relative humidity.
Biology of Evechinus chloroticus (echinoidea: Echinometridae) from different localities

Summary During late December 1967 and January 1968, 310 Evechinus chloroticus (Val.) were tagged with anchor tags at four marked subtidal sites in Third Bay, Kaikoura. Tag recoveries after 3, 6 and 9 months were approximately 57%, 26% and 17%. Tagged urchins were recovered only at the marked sites and only small numbers (6% at 3 months and 10% at 6 months) had moved between sites; these urchins had moved ‘from the nearest neighbouring sites, the maximum distance between these being 4.8 m. Gonad condition and amount of food in the gut were compared for 50 tagged and 30 untagged urchins 9 months after tagging. Of tagged urchins, only five had gonads of normal size and appearance and only 18 could be sexed. Mean gonad indices of tagged and untagged urchins were 0.43 and 1.12. The amount of food in the gut of tagged specimens was generally less than that of untagged specimens. Tag insertion holes were not sealed by regenerated test and no significant changes in test diameter had occurred in tagged specimens a.
Methods for Predicting Age‐0 Crappie Year‐Class Strength in J. Percy Priest Reservoir, Tennessee

Abstract We evaluated the precision and efficiency of larval townets and trap nets and correlated estimates to hydrologic parameters (temperature and spring discharge) during 1998–2002 to determine the best method for predicting year-class strength of age-0 white crappie Pomoxis annularis and black crappie P. nigromaculatus in J. Percy Priest Reservoir, Tennessee. Both larval townet and fall trap-net samples effectively sampled age-0 Pomoxis spp. and accurately indexed year-class strength. The geometric mean density of larval Pomoxis spp. in townet samples for the 3-week period bracketing peak density provided a more precise estimate of larval crappie density than the geometric mean of the 1-week peak. Larval density in May was correlated to age-0 catches in fall trap nets, so density of larval Pomoxis spp. was positively related to year-class strength. However, fall trap-net samples of age-0 Pomoxis spp. provided a more precise and cost-effective index of year-class strength than larval townet samples. M.
A Pedigree‐Based Reaction Norm Model for Prediction of Cotton Yield in Multienvironment Trials

Genotype × environment interaction (G × E) plays a fundamental role in important agricultural traits such as grain yield or disease resistance. Therefore, modeling G × E is essential for the selection of high yielding and well-adapted varieties. The availability of new sources of genetic and environmental information (e.g., dense panels for molecular markers coupled with large numbers of environmental covariates [EC]) provides important opportunities for studying and exploiting G × E. However, incorporating high-dimensional genetic and environmental data and accounting for potential interactions is not an easy task. Recently we developed a genomic model that incorporates molecular markers, EC, and the interactions between them using co-variance functions. In this paper we demonstrate how the same approach can be applied in cases where genetic information is based on pedigrees instead of molecular markers. We evaluated the models using a collection of 7809 grain yield records obtained from 582 cotton lines evaluated in 2 yr (2011 and 2012) over nine locations. A total of 76 EC were available and used to model main and interaction effects. Estimates of variance components indicated that G × E explained a sizable proportion of the phenotypic variance, and two cross-validation analyses indicated that modeling G × E increases prediction accuracy by a considerable margin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study considering both pedigree and EC for the analysis of cotton yield. The models described here can be used for prediction of genetic merit and for selection for target environments.
Can the morphology of the integumentary spicules be used to distinguish genera and species of phyllidiid nudibranchs (Porostomata: Phyllidiidae)?

Thirty-eight specimens belonging to four genera and 15 species of the nudibranch family Phyllidiidae were examined to investigate whether the morphology of their integumentary calcareous spicules and/or the occurrence of the spicules within the regions of the body could be used to distinguish genera and species. The spicules were studied separately from five regions of the body of each specimen—the foot, gills, mantle, dorsal pustules (or ridges in Reticulidia) and rhinophores. The mantle itself plus its pustules were found to possess the full complement of spicules in every individual. Four types of spicules were recorded overall—smooth diactines, centro-polytylote diactines, triactines and tetractines. Different regions of the body were found to possess different spicule types: (a) only smooth diactines in the gills, (b) both smooth diactines and triactines in the foot and (c) all of smooth diactines, centro-polytylote diactines and triactines in the mantle, dorsal pustules and the rhinophores. Among the genera, three types of spicules (smooth diactine, triactine, and tetractine) are present in Phyllidia, Phyllidiopsis and Reticulidia, but the form of the spicules is not diagnostic between these genera or between the constituent species. The fourth type of spicule (centro-polytylote diactine) is present exclusively in Phyllidiella, and is diagnostic for that genus. However, we failed to find any difference in spicule form, or composition, or location in the body between the three (closely related) species of Phyllidiella we investigated. Therefore, our key conclusion is that spicule morphology is an extremely important character to tell the genus Phyllidiella apart from all the other genera of the family, but it is not taxonomically informative at the level of species.
Nanoa, an enigmatic new genus of pimoid spiders from western North America (Pimoidae, Araneae)

The spider genus Nanoa gen. nov. (Araneae, Pimoidae) is described to place Nanoa enana, a new species of pimoids from Western North America. Parsimony analysis of morphological characters provides support for the monophyly of Pimoa plus Nanoa and corroborates the monophyly of Pimoidae and of the clade Linyphiidae plus Pimoidae. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145, 249–262.
Germination-related proteins in wheat revealed by differences in seed vigour

Abstract Artificial aging of wheat grains (Triticum aestivum cv. Mercia) for 3 d resulted in the gradual loss of seed vigour without loss of viability, but the latter decreased rapidly over the next 24 h. Loss of vigour was expressed as a delay in germination i.e. an increasing ‘lag’ period with aging before the onset of radicle emergence, but the subsequent rate of seedling growth was not affected. There was an overall decrease in the incorporation of 35S-methionine into protein in aged embryos, and associated with the aging-induced delay in the completion of germination (i.e. start of radicle emergence) there was a delay in the production of certain polypeptides. In embryos of both non-aged and aged seeds these polypeptides appeared just prior to radicle emergence but several of these were never synthesized in embryos from non-viable seeds. The synthesis of mRNA coding for in vitro translated polypeptides, or groups of polypeptides, was similarly delayed in lowvigour embryos. Furthermore, some polypeptides were identified which were induced by the accelerated aging treatment. It is concluded that a reduced level of protein and mRNA synthesis in the embryos of low-vigour seeds may result in the delay in the accumulation of specific of mRNAs and polypeptides which are needed for the normal completion of germination, i.e. radicle emergence.
Defoliation Timing and Severity in Sugar Beet

Defoliation produced by different biotic and abiotic factors can reduce sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) sugar content and final yield production. Four trials were conducted to study the effect on sugar content and yield production of systematic defoliations carried out during the sugar beet growing cycle, in the Central Ebro Valley in Spain. In two trials, defoliation was achieved using shears, a largely untraumatic defoliation method, and in the other two by blasting with a pressurized water jet, producing a traumatic defoliation. Defoliations were performed at seven different growth stages (defined by heat sums and days from sowing). For each growth stage, four defoliation levels (control, slight, moderate, and heavy) were imposed. The results revealed a relationship between yield loss, level of defoliation, and growth stage when defoliation took place. The most critical growth stage for the effect of defoliation on yield was between 1700 and 1800 degree-days, when 100% defoliation produced a 42% yield loss. The higher the level of defoliation, the higher the yield loss. This study produced a set of regression equations that can be used to assess final yield loss caused by defoliation of sugar beet by such different agents as hail storms, wind, insects, and other mechanical damage.