Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological effects of peatland drainage for forestry.

Production forestry in peatlands, associated with drainage, is a controversial but widely applied forestry practice, especially in northern Europe. This paper aims to provide a synthesis of the ecological effects of forest drainage. Effects of the hydrological change, brought about by drainage on the chemical and physical properties of the surface peat, microbial activity, tree stand and ground vegetation, biodiversity, and faunal change, are reviewed. Finally, the role of forestry use of northern peatlands in the global climatic warming is synthesized.Key words: biodiversity, environmental impacts, forest drainage, global change, peatland hydrology.
Site, Competition, and Plant Stock Influence Transplant Success of Wyoming Big Sagebrush

Abstract Within the sagebrush steppe ecosystem, sagebrush plants influence a number of ecosystem properties, including nutrient distribution, plant species diversity, soil moisture, and temperature, and provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. Recent increases in frequency and size of wildfires and associated annual grass expansion within the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance have increased the need for effective sagebrush restoration tools and protocols. Our objectives were to quantify the success of Wyoming big sagebrush transplants relative to transplant stock (nursery seedlings vs. wildlings) across different ecological sites and vegetation types and to test the hypothesis that reduction of herbaceous vegetation would increase survival of transplanted sagebrush. We used a randomized block (reps = 5) design at each of three sites—1) cheatgrass dominated, 2) native plant dominated, and 3) crested wheatgrass dominated—near Elko, Nevada. Treatments included plant stock (nursery stock or locally harvested wildlings) and herbicide (glyphosate) to reduce competition from herbaceous vegetation. Transplants were planted in the spring of 2009 and 2010 and monitored for survival. Data were analyzed for site and treatment effects using mixed-model ANOVA. Surviving plant density at and 2 yr postplanting was generally highest (up to 3-fold) on the native site (P < 0.05). Density of surviving transplants was almost 3-fold higher for nursery stock on most sites for the 2009 planting, but differences in survival by planting stock were minimal for the 2010 planting. Glyphosate application increased surviving plant density up to 300% (depending on site) for both years of planting. High labor and plant material investments (relative to traditional drilling or broadcasting) may limit the size of projects for which sagebrush transplants are practical, but these costs may be partially offset by high success relative to traditional methods. Our data indicate that sagebrush transplants can be effective for establishing sagebrush on depleted sites.
Reference data for evaluating the growth of common riverine fishes in the UK

Summary Comparative assessments of population mean growth rates in length remain important aspects of stock assessment in river fisheries. To facilitate these assessments, for 15 fish species encountered in UK rivers reference data are provided on their expected lengths at age, maximum theoretical lengths (L∞), growth coefficient (K) and instantaneous mortality rate (Z). These data are also transferable to fish populations outside of the UK that experience a similar growth season (approximately April to October, mean water temperatures 12–22°C). Considerable plasticity was observed in the growth of all species examined, with length at age values revealing growth rates from very slow to very fast. Populations considered fast growing against reference data were coincident with a relatively low ultimate length, a high growth coefficient and a high instantaneous mortality rate, suggesting a trade-off exists between growth rate, ultimate length and life span.
Desempenho de ovinos em capim-tanzânia sob lotação rotativa com quatro proporções de suplementação concentrada

This study evaluated the performance of sheep raised on Tanzania grass under intermittent stocking with four supplementation proportions 0; 0.6; 1.2, and 1.8% of live weight (LW) and eight replicates, in a completely randomized design with tree grazing periods, and 21 rest periods. The average daily gain (GMD), the total weight gain (GPT), the days to reach 12kg (D12), the stocking rate (sheep/ha - TLO and animal unit/ha - TLUA), the live weight yield (RPV), and the concentrate: gain ratio (CAC) was evaluated. It was observed a square effect of supplementation proportions on GMD, estimated in 65.87 and 113.15g/day for male sheep that was not supplemented and received 1.8% LW supplement. It was observed a square effect of supplementation level on GPT. The D12 to 0% LW level was estimated in 204 days, decreasing to 113 days when the sheep received 1.8% LW supplement. It was observed square effects of supplementation proportions on TLO and TLUA. It was observed a negative linear effect of supplementation proportions on RPV. The CAC presented the best response for sheep that received 0.6% LW supplementation proportion. It can be concluded that sheep supplementation until 1.2% LW level provided improvement on performance of grazing sheep.
Biological validity of a morphological species Anopheles takasagoensis Morishita, 1946

Hybridization tests were performed between a morphological species, Anopheles (An.) takasagoensis elevated by Peyton and Harrison (1980) and four other taxa of the An. balabacensis complex (Kanda et al. 1983). From these tests validity of An. takasagoensis could be assessed and its phylogenic relationships to the following taxa were revised. The taxa used were: A taxon from Taiwan (TSG), the same colony of which was used for morphological identification by Peyton and Harrison (1980), two taxa from Kanchanaburi (KCH) and Chantaburi (CTB) in Thailand, and two taxa from Perlis (IMR) and Kotabelud, Sabah (KTD) in Malaysia. From these tests, the crosses between TSG and KTD yielded both fertile sexes of F1 hybrids. This meant lack of reproductive isolation between these two taxa. Results of other crosses between TSG and the other three taxa, KCH, CTB, and IMR showed a similar divergence to those of the crosses within the An. balabacensis complex. Therefore, An. takasagoensis is not a separate species from the balabacensis complex.
Effects of winter undernutrition on body composition and physiological profiles of white-tailed deer

We examined the effects of undernutrition and recovery on body composition and blood and urinary profiles of 6 captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) between 18 December 1984 and 3 May 1985. Deer were weighed, and blood and urine were collected every 2 weeks from 10 January to 3 May. At weeks 2, 8, and 14, body composition was estimated by the dilution of tritiated water technique and standard predictive equations. Feed intake decreased and cumulative mass loss increased during nutritional restriction. Baseline body composition included 62.1±0.9 (SE)% water, 11.9±1.0% fat, 20.5±0.7% protein, and 4.5±0.0% ash. Percent protein loss was linearly related (r 2 =0.91, P<0.001) to percent mass loss. Peak mass loss from the beginning of the study (12.8±2.0%) occurred at Week 12; estimated protein loss was 12.5%. Fat reserves were 85% depleted from Week 2 to Week 14. Elevated packed cell volume (PCV), serum calcium (Ca), cholesterol, triglycerides, and cortisol; and diminished serum urea nitrogen, thyroxine (T 4 ), urinary urea nitrogen: creatinine and potassium: creatinine were associated with reduced food intake, characteristics reflected initiation of nutritional recovery after nutrition improved. Sequential data collection and the use of a combination of indices in blood or urine will yield the most useful assessments of animal nutrition and condition
Abundance, Distribution, Population Structure, and Substrate Use of Ambystoma altamirani along the Arroyo los Axolotes, State of Mexico, Mexico

—Ambystomatid salamanders in central Mexico are confronted by anthropogenic threats that can limit their distribution and abundance. Ambystoma altamirani (Mountain Stream Siredon) is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and as Threatened by the Mexican government. We report on the distribution, abundance, occupancy, population structure, and substrate use of A. altamirani, a stream dwelling salamander, along the Arroyo los Axolotes, Sierra de las Cruces, Mexico. We observed A. altamirani at least once during repeated surveys between February 2018 to December 2018 in 24 of 25 permanent 5-m long reaches separated by 40 m. The best model for occupancy had constant occupancy, detection, extinction, and colonization probabilities. Sites that dried at some time during the study had fewer observed individuals than those that did not dry. Size structure was relatively constant throughout the year, except for the appearance of small larvae in May, June, and July. Proportion of gilled individuals (larvae) peaked from March to May with very few or none from August to October. Mud substrates were the most commonly used, and rock related substrates were relatively rarely used. Our observations and those of previous studies suggest critical stream characteristics for A. altamirani include sites that do not dry, presence of mud substrates, and the absence of fish.
Effect of uneven emergence on rice yield, milling yield, and yield components

Establishing a uniform rice (Oryza sativa L.) stand is an important beginning to managing a rice crop and attaining high yields. Most rice management practices in the United States are timed according to rice growth stages. Non-uniform rice stands, and subsequently non-uniform growth stages, present problems for the timely application of management practices for attaining high yields. Our objective was the determination of the effects of uneven emergence on rice yield, milling yield, and yield components. Experiments were conducted in 1988 and 1989 on a Hebert silt loam (Vertic Hapludoll) at the Southeast Branch Experiment Station near Rohwer, Arkansas. Uneven emergence was simulated by delayed (18 days from emergence) interseeding of rice to achieve 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% uneven emergence. Each experiment was planted with the cultivars Lemont (semi-dwarf) and Tebonnet (tall) and was replicated 4 times. Rice yields for the uneven emergence treatment levels were significantly less than the rice yields seeded exclusively at PD1 (planting date 1), except for the uneven emergence levels 80-20 (80% planted at PD1 and 20% planted at PD2) and 60-40 for Tebonnet, and 60-40 in 1988 for Lemont. In 1989, there was a trend for head rice yields to decrease as uneven emergence levels increased. Average panicle density and number of grains per panicle for both Lemont and Tebonnet decreased with increasing uneven emergence, indicating a failure in the typical compensatory relationship between panicle density and grain per panicle. Lemont exhibited reduced average grain weights due to uneven emergence, especially at 80-20, 60-40, and 40-60 uneven emergence levels. Harvest indices were higher for PD1 than for PD2, except at 20-80 uneven emergence level. Essentially, the later emerging rice from the second planting acted much like a weed by competing against rather than contributing to rice yields. Late interseeding to enhance poor rice stands is unlikely to produce an economic return that could be expected from an adequate initial plant stand.
The way of teaching toward different students' learning styles / Teaching that takes into account different learning styles

This article aims at reviewing the literature relates with many articles which have been published from difference scholars regarding the way of teachers teach in different students’ learning styles, from articles collection, which content the good strategies and techniques that teachers use in the classroom. It consists to difference category of theories and effective methods of teaching to use in suitable for different learning styles. There are theories, methods, techniques and strategies teachers use in the classroom. Here some theories, methods, techniques, and strategies can be matched with just some of students’ learning styles especially some aptitude method that teachers commonly use in a classroom like writing and reading, some kind of technique they have adapted with a different type of students, the strategy to be used by the teacher which it emphasizes on individual differences and to find out match and mismatch of teaching and learning styles. Regarding this concern, the more matching with students’ learning style, the better achieving into the educational goal.
Trade‐offs between growth and reproduction: an analysis of the quantitative genetic evidence

The assumption of a trade‐off between development time and fecundity, resulting from a positive correlation between body size and fecundity and between body size and development time, is a common feature of life history models. The present paper examines the evidence for such a trade‐off as indicated by genetic correlations between traits. The genetic covariances between traits are derived using a model in which maturation occurs when the organism achieves a genetically variable size threshold, and fecundity is an allometric function of body size with one genetically variable parameter (excluding body size itself). This model predicts that the heritabilities of the life history traits (growth rate, development time, fecundity) will not necessarily be less than the heritability of adult size (i.e. morphological traits). It is shown that if growth rate is genetically correlated with adult size then it is not possible, in general, to predict the sign of the genetic correlation between development time and fecundity. For particular cases the signs of the covariances between traits can be predicted. These predictions are tested using data drawn from the literature.
Immunofluorescence Study of Microtubule Organization in Some Polarized Cell Types of Selected Brown Algae

The microtubule (Mt) organization in apical cells of Sphacelaria rigidula. as well as in branch initials of S. rigidula and Ectocarpus siliculosus, was studied by immunofluorescence. The apical interphase cells of S. rigidula show an impressive cytoskeleton of Mts, converging on the centrosome(s). A number of Mt bundles are perinuclear, but most of them run in axial orientation from the centrosomes to the cell cortex. The anterior Mt system consists of numerous thin Mt bundles, whereas the posterior system contains fewer and thicker bundles. In cells entering prophase, the cytoplasmic Mts gradually disappear. This process is somewhat faster at the posterior than at the anterior pole of the premitotic nucleus. After mitosis, the cytoplasmic Mts of the apical region appear to be re-organized more rapidly than those of the basal part of the cell. The apical daughter nucleus retains a lobed shape and condensed chromatin for a longer time, and increases considerably in size between telophase and cytokinesis, compared to the basal one. Duplication of the centrosomes proceeds more rapidly in the anterior region of apical cells than in the basal part. During branch formation in S. rigidula and E. siliculosus, a new polarity axis is established, and the Mts extend towards the protrusion into which the nucleus migrates before mitosis. After nuclear division, one of the daughter nuclei is positioned at the tip of the branch, where the apical Mt focussing point is localized.
Mating behaviour and spermatophore transfer in the shrimp Heptacarpus pictus (Stimpson) (Decapoda: Caridea: Hippolytidae)

Summary Heptacarpus pictus, a small caridean shrimp inhabiting the low intertidal of southern and Baja California, breeds during the winter, spring, and summer months. Fall is a period of growth. Life span of an individual does not exceed 18 months, with fish predation as the most likely source of mortality. Females are multiple brooders, carrying developing embryos concomitant with increase in ovary size. Hatching of larvae is followed by a moult, after which the female is attractive to males and receptive to copulation. A distance pheromone does not appear to be involved in attraction of males to females. Males apparently respond to a non-diffusible substance on the exoskeleton of newly moulted females. Precopulatory behaviour is absent. Copulation can be divided into a series of relatively stereotyped events. Female rejection of the male or his spermatophore is the chief cause of unsuccessful matings. Males deposit the spermatophore on the underside of the female's first abdominal segment. Sperm packet.
Real-world evaluation of an intravenous iron service for the treatment of iron deficiency in patients with gastroenterological disorders

Background In gastroenterological disorders, iron deficiency (ID) is often treated with intravenous iron. This real-world study assessed the effectiveness and safety of iron isomaltoside (IIM), a high-dose intravenous iron, for the treatment of ID in patients with gastroenterological disorders, as part of a service evaluation and improvement process. Methods Medical records of 117 patients with gastroenterological disorders, who received IIM, were examined retrospectively. Study outcomes included dose of IIM (estimated iron need versus actual dose received), number of appointments required to deliver the dose and changes in haemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin at ~1 month and ~6 months post-treatment. Safety was assessed through adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Results Overall, 76.1% of patients received their estimated iron need; 23.9% were underdosed. The mean (SD) iron dose was 1317 (409.7) mg; 62.4% of patients received their dose in one appointment. From baseline, mean (SD) Hb increased by 20.9 (15.4) g/L at 1 month post-treatment (p<0.0001) and by 22.0 (17.9) g/L at 6 months post-treatment (p<0.0001). Mean (SD) baseline ferritin was 26.6 (37.8) μg/L, which increased to 234.6 (142.9) μg/L at 1 month post-treatment (p<0.0001), and remained increased at 6 months post-treatment (122.8 (99.2) μg/L; p<0.0001). A substantial proportion of patients were non-anaemic at 1 month (57.5%) and 6 months (61.8%) post-treatment. At both post-treatment timepoints, the proportion of non-anaemic patients was higher in those receiving their total iron need versus those who were underdosed. No serious ADRs were reported. Conclusion IIM was efficacious and well tolerated in patients with gastroenterological disorders. This real-world study highlights the importance of administering the full iron need to maximise treatment response.
Estimates of Genetic Variance in Open-Pollinated Varieties of Cornbelt Corn 1

THE choice of method to be used for the genetic improvement of crop plants is dependent upon the type of gene action involved. In the case of a quantitatively inherited character such as grain yield, only the mass action of all the genes involved can be studied. However, generalizations can be drawn as to the important types of gene action taking place through a study of genetic variation. Total genetic variance can be divided theoretically into additive genetic, dominance, and epistatic variance (Fisher, 3; Wright, 15). The relative magnitude of these three genetic variances is of importance to the plant breeder in order to plan the most effective breeding scheme. Comstock and Robinson (1) presented theoretical derivations together with an experimental procedure applicable to corn which permits the estimation of additive genetic and non-additive genetic variance (including dominance variance) portions. Robinson et al. (9, 10) and Gardner et al. (5) presented results from advanced generations of hybrids from inbred lines of southern prolific origin and in general obtained estimates of appreciable dominance variance relative to additive genetic variance for grain yield. Genetic linkages as well as epistasis were considered to be possible sources of bias in these results. Robinson et al. (11) in studying open-pollinated southern prolific varieties estimated that additive genetic variance constituted the major portion of the total genetic variance for grain yield, with the conclusion that overdominant loci were not the single important source of genetic variability in the material studied. Sprague and Tatum (14) obtained estimates of the variances associated with combining ability for grain yield in corn. In previously selected material, the variance for specific combining ability (related to dominance variance) was found to be larger than the variance for general combining ability (related to additive genetic variance). In unselected
Dual roles of glutathione in silver nanoparticle detoxification and enhancement of nitrogen assimilation in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

Widespread use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as pesticides and fungicides in agriculture is a major environmental concern. In the present study, soybean (Glycine max L.) was grown in Ag NP (0–62.5 mg kg−1)-amended soil with or without the addition of glutathione (GSH). Ag NPs exerted severe phytotoxicity and caused the reduction of shoot and root biomass and total number of nodules or completely inhibited nodule formation at doses above 31.25 mg kg−1. Synchrotron-based techniques were applied to analyze Ag speciation in both the soil and the soybean root tissues at harvest. The results indicate that the majority of Ag remained in the form of Ag NPs and that 23% was present as Ag2S in soil; in both root and nodule tissues, Ag–GSH was the main component (40.6–88%) other than Ag NPs (12–59.4%), highlighting the important role of GSH in alleviating the Ag NP-induced toxicity. The addition of 0.8 mM GSH not only significantly increased fresh biomass by 85% in the 62.5 mg kg−1 Ag NP treatment but also decreased Ag accumulation by 24.8–27% in soybean tissues. Although the addition of 0.8 mM GSH reduced the nodule number and weight as compared to the control, the total nitrogen content in soybean co-treated with Ag NP and GSH was more than 5-fold higher than that in the Ag NP alone treatments, suggesting that GSH may be utilized as a nitrogen source while simultaneously alleviating Ag NP toxicity. The shoot and root contents of thiol compounds (cysteine and gamma-glutamylcysteine) in the GSH treatments were several folds higher than that in the control and Ag NP alone treatments. Further, higher levels of essential amino acids, particularly alanine, glutamate, and glutamine which play important role in N assimilation in plants, in soybean across all the treatments further confirmed that GSH was utilized as a nitrogen source, resulting in enhanced soybean growth. Taken together, this study clearly demonstrated the negative impact of Ag NPs on soybean productivity and N fixation and highlights the protective role of GSH against Ag NP-induced toxicity. These findings have significant relevance for developing future strategies to minimize crop loss in marginal or contaminated soils, subsequently enhancing global food security.