Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Centrifugal organization in forests

To date we have three process-oriented models of plant community composition: the plant strategy model of Grime, the regeneration niche/ gap dynamics model of Grubb and Pickett and White, and the resource ratio hypothesis of Tilman. A fourth complementary model, the centrifugal organization model is based upon general empirical patterns in the distribution of species and vegetation types along gradients caused by different combinations of environmental constraints. In this paper we explore whether this model, developed in temperate zone wetlands, can be generalized to terrestrial vegetation with woody species. We find that the mechanism of competitive hierarchies for light as a limiting resource is widely-accepted in forestry. Current descriptions of forest distributions along biomass gradients are also consistent with the patterns of the centrifugal organization model. We explore some apparent differences between forests and herbaceous wetlands, particularly the possibility that small scale gap dynamics are more important in productive forests than in productive wetlands.
Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Sudanese White Soft Cheese Made by Direct Acidification Technique

The chemical and microbiological properties of Sudanese white soft cheese made by direc t acidification technique were investigated. Three kinds of acidulant, namely lemon, orange and grapefruit juices were used to assess some quantitative and qualitative properties of white soft cheese. The parameters evaluated included yield of cheese, physicochemical composition and microbiological analyses. Cheese made by the use of lemon juice recorded the highest yield (18.5%), but values of 16.0 and 14.8% were obtained for orange and grapefruit juices, respectively. Both kinds of acidulants and storage period imparted negative effects by causing highest loss of weight (28.35%), using lemon juice; lowest (25.79%) in case of grapefruit. The loss of weight (27.03%) accounted for orange juice occurred at an intermediate position. Storage period significantly (p<0.05) caused loss of weight that showed a trend of gradual increase until the end of the storage period, being the lowest (26.40%) after 15 days and highest (38.23%) after 60 days. The total solids recorded 53.32, 51.70 and 49.48%, for lemon, orange and grapefruit juices, respectively. Similarly, the storage period caused significant (p<0.05) and consistent increase as the storage period progressed. The protein content indicated significant amount being 22.91, 22.51 and 22.10%; for lemon, orange and grapefruit and interrupted by decrease after 45 days of storage, before that a stead y increase was attained. Significant increase in the fat content occurred at highest level (23.82%) when lemon juice was used but 22.10 and 20.08% were recorded for orange and grapefruit. The significantly enhanced fat concentration occurred from 19.38% at the beginning to 23.77% once the time elapsed after 60 days. The orange and grapefruit juices had similar leftover ash content lower than that obtained from lemon. The ash content increased with time until the end of the storage period. The highest pH-value (3.74) was recorded by adding grapefruit juice; other values got less 3.48 and 3.28 for orange and lemon, respectively. The storage period has given the highest pH-value (5.20) at the beginning and lowest (2.73) at the end. The total bacterial count decreased during storage of the three types of cheese, while the coliform, yeast and mould and Staphylococcus aureus recorded nil in all cheese samples during storage.
Studies on the Biological Control of Phytophthora cryptogea Pethybr. et Laff. II. Effectiveness of Trichoderma and Gliocladium spp. in the Control of Phytophthora Foot Rot of Gerbera

Bip T containing about 10 9 spores of Trichoderma viride, applied to peat 10 days before inoculation of substrate with Phytophthora cryptogea, effectively controlled Phytophthora foot rot of gerbera. The biocide in dosage of 300 and 600 g/m 3 inhibited the development of the pathogen in substrate. The other potential antagonists T. hamatum and T. viride applied into peat at a dosage of 600 g/m 3 , decreased Phytophthora foot rot development.
Food selection in the black howler monkey following habitat disturbance: implications for the importance of mature leaves

Abstract: Primates commonly consume leaves that are high in protein but low in digestion-inhibiting fibre. Due to the fact that mature leaves do not meet these criteria, they are typically avoided and many leaf-eating primates select for leaves high in protein and low in fibre leading to the theory that food selection is based on protein maximization. However, feeding records for a population of black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in Monkey River, Belize, collected over a 5-y period, together with synchronous phenological data, indicate that this population does not meet the expectation and actually prefer mature leaves. This study aims to describe the nutritional composition of the food supply and investigate the possibility that, rather than to maximize protein ingestion, mature leaves are eaten to balance nutrient intake. Macronutrient analyses (moisture, lipids, protein, NDF, ADF and simple sugars) were conducted on a sample of 96 plant samples from 18 food species of this population of black howler. Results reported here show that mature leaves eaten by howlers in this forest contain sufficient protein to meet minimum metabolic requirements (range: 11.6–24%; mean: 16.4% ± 3.8%) and have significantly higher concentrations of simple sugars than young leaves (means of 7.2% ± 2.7% vs. 4.4% ± 2.3% respectively). Thus, it appears that mature leaf ingestion is likely serving to balance energy and protein intake. This result may be due to the disruptive effects of a hurricane in 2001 that resulted in a loss of 80% of the howler population, changed forest composition and may have affected plant chemistry. Despite this, the data reported here suggest that the accepted view that mature leaves are simply fallback foods for primates, eaten only in times of preferred food scarcity, may have to be revised.
Apparent Digestibility Coefficients of Carbohydrates for White Sturgeon

Abstract Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) were determined for white sturgeons (Acipenser transmontanus) fed purified diets containing different carbohydrates. White sturgeons were fed, at a rate of 1.0% body weight! d, diets containing one of nine carbohydrates, and feces were collected by manual stripping following a 2-week feeding period; chromium sesquioxide (Cr2O3) was used as an external indicator. The ADCs of carbohydrates, lipid, and protein were significantly affected (P dextrin > fructose and sucrose > lactose and raw corn starch > cellulose. Inclusion of dietary fructose and lactose significantly reduced lipid digestibility (P < 0.05). Although protein indigestibility was significantly affected, all ADCs were greater than 92%.
Case report: bacterial gill disease in goldfish Carassius auratus.

Three separate outbreaks of bacterial gill disease (BGD) were diagnosed in goldfish Carassius auratus L. purchased as food for larger piscivorous fish. Histologically, the fish from all outbreaks had large numbers of filamentous bacteria associated with the gill tissue. One outbreak displayed a m ~ l d necrotizlng response to the bacteria, suggesting BGD is not inevitably lnamfested as a proliferative lesion. When the gill tissue was cultured on Cytophaga agar, large numbers of yellow pigmented bacteria were isolated from all fish. These were identified as Flavobacteriurn and Flexibacter/Cytophaga using biochemical test methods. Bath treatment of surviving fish with nifurpirinol halted further mortalities.
Impact and management of visitor pressure on rocky intertidal algal communities

1. Human trampling was investigated in order to quantify the ‘recreational carrying capacity’ of two rocky intertidal areas in northeast England. 2. Estimation of ‘recreational carrying capacity’ was made by subjecting experimental plots in pristine areas of shore to different intensities of sustained trampling. The algal community was subsequently monitored for 16 months. 3. Changes in algal community composition occurred at both sites at all intensities. Compositional changes were rapid (1–2 months) and timing was dependent on both trampling intensity and site. 4. Trampling resulted in consistently reduced abundances of some species, for example fucoids, Phymatolithon lenormandii and turf species. 5. Open space was present in greater quantities in trampled than untrampled plots. In the summer months, this was subsequently colonized primarily by Enteromorpha spp. 6. ‘Recreational carrying capacity’ is being exceeded in some areas at both sites in the summer months. Possible management strategies are discussed in the light of these experimental results. copy 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological Characteristics and Conservation of the Protected Resurrection Species Haberlea Rhodopensis Friv. as In Vitro Plants Through a Modified Micropropagation System

ABSTRACT Among the especially interesting and rare plants on the Balkan Peninsula are tertiary relics and endemics belonging to the tropical family Gesneriaceae: Haberlea rhodopensis Friv (Rhodope silivryak, Orpheus' flower) and representatives of the genus Ramonda. Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. is included in the European list of rare, in danger of extinction and endemic plants and in the Bulgarian list of endangered plants. In recent years, our team has extended in a new directions the traditions of many years' investigations of this interesting species at the Dept. of Plant physiology and Molecular biology. We started a thorough exploration of the various habitats and ecological characteristics of Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. Simultaneously, at the Plant Biotechnology laboratory at the University of Plovdiv we started the establishment of a live collection of in vitro Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. from various populations and habitats in Bulgaria. Such in vitro live collection with the aim of conservation and investigation of the natural population is created for a first time in Bulgaria. This is accomplished through an in vitro system for regeneration and propagation, modified by our research group. The live collection of in vitro Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. plants will be a donor for conservation and reintroduction of adapted in vitro plants in their natural endangered habitats and also for physiological studies of drough tolerance, and multidisciplinary comparative analyses.
A New Polymorphism of Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) of Indian Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) in Laos PDR

This work is the first description of a cytogenetic study of the Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) in Laos PDR. Blood samples were taken from 1 male and 1 female Indian muntjac kept in Laos Zoo, Laos PDR. Lymphocytes were cultured following standard methods. Cell harvesting was performed and followed by metaphase chromosome spreading on microscopic slides. Conventional staining, G-banding and high-resolution techniques were then applied using Giemsa's stain. The results showed that the number of diploid chromosomes (2n) of the Indian muntjac was 6 in female and 7 in male. The short arm of chromosome pair 3 referred to the X chromosome. Idiograms represent the banding pattern at the metaphase chromosome and prometaphase chromosome were 149 and 192 bands, respectively. The polymorphism of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) was found at 2 sites on chromosome pair 1, and 1 site on chromosome pair 3 (heteromorphic, 3a3b) in the female, whereas they were found at 2 sites on chromosome pair 1 and 2 sites on chromosome pair 3 (homomorphic, 3a3a) in the male. These results will be useful for providing basic genetic information and future studies of the breeding, conservation and chromosome evolution in this animal.
Amorphous mineral incrustations in the moss Homalothecium sericeum

Abstract Internal mineral deposits in stem and seta were found in living, healthy-looking specimens of the moss Homalothecium sericeum from a Spanish locality. The deposits consisted of an amorphous crust of smooth texture. After examination with EDS probes coupled to a transmission and a scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction analysis, the minerals were identified as mainly opal, carbonates, and Fe and Al hydroxides, although it is irregular throughout a given mineralized region of the moss. These mineral crusts are considered to be the product of biomineralization of ions taken from the substratum. A comparison is established between these deposits and the mineral crystals found in a previous study of Hookeria lucens.
Pathogenicity of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) to Amblyomma Americanum (L.) and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract Amblyomma americanum (L.) and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) were challenged with the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Deuteromycetes: Hyphomycetales). After two weeks 100% mortality was seen in A. americanum exposed to conidial concentrations of 3.04 x 107 and 3.04 x 108 respectively. None of the D. variabilis had been killed. After five weeks 100% mortality of D. variabilis was achieved at the same concentrations. B. bassiana has potential for inclusion in tick management programs
Disease severity and pathotype dynamics of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici in Denmark

Disease severity of wheat yellow rust, Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, was analysed in Denmark from 1985 to 1999 in relation to the effects of weather on winter survival, distribution of host cultivars and pathotype dynamics. Below-average temperatures in January and February (midwinter) reduced yellow rust on the susceptible cv. Anja, and in three of four growth seasons following cold winters no yellow rust was observed on any cultivar under natural conditions. The agronomic consequences of dispersal of yellow rust urediniospores from external sources to Denmark, in a period during which large areas were planted with relatively few wheat cultivars, were demonstrated in several cases, most evidently when the Yr9 and Yr17 resistance genes became ineffective. Yr9 was overcome by the pathogen in a period with severe yellow rust epidemics on commercial cultivars, while virulence for Yr17 was first observed in a year with almost no yellow rust. In contrast, the resistance in cv. Kraka (Yr1, CV) was increasingly effective in controlling yellow rust, because pathotypes with the matching combination of virulence declined in the pathogen population. Pathotype frequency dynamics were thus influenced by selection forces within the country, and by selection forces in areas where spores were spread to Denmark from outside. The importance of a sufficient level of partial resistance in the wheat germplasm to prevent too much damage by yellow rust epidemics, in the event that the resistance genes are overcome by the pathogen population, is emphasized.
WORK-RELATED STRESS, RESTORATION AND PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS IN CONSTRUCTION

Work-related stress and consequent poor performance of workers require diligent application of innovative strategies on construction sites to achieve a viable labor resource. Humankind‟s desire for contact with nature serves an important adaptive function, in the form of psychological restoration that heals mental fatigue and the lack of motivation in the construction workforce. An underlying practical challenge is hereby offered in the “greening of the construction site”, or the biophilic design concept, as a relevant aspect of construction management and planning. The question explored includes the nature of the biophilic construction site model (BCSM), and the specific design of workplaces to include “dynamic healing gardens” tailored to the project, environment, and construction processes. The methodology surveys, compares, and analyzes construction sites in South Africa with or without the BCSM. Findings indicate that workers actually achieve restoration and rejuvenation in a natural environment in harmony with the promotion of health and safety, ergonomic strategies in construction, and attention-restorative therapy. We recommend that “informal dynamic therapeutic gardens” be included within the construction planning of worksites, the interior of site offices and welfare facilities to enhance productivity and quality in construction.
Deep vadose zone hydrology demonstrates fate of nitrate in eastern San Joaquin Valley

The sustainability of water resources is key to continued prosperity in the San Joaquin Valley and California. The vadose zone is an often-ignored layer of wet but unsaturated sediments between the land surface and the water table. It plays an important role in groundwater recharge and in controlling the flux and attenuation of nitrate and other potential groundwater contaminants. In a former orchard at the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center, we investigated the processes that control the movement of water, nitrate and other contaminants through the deep vadose zone. These processes were found to be controlled by the alluvial sedimentary geology of the vadose zone, which is highly heterogeneous. This heterogeneity should be considered when interpreting soil and deep vadose zone monitoring data and assessing of the leaching potential of agricultural chemicals. The transport of contaminants through the vadose zone may be significantly faster than previously assumed, while denitrification is likely limited or insignificant in the oxic, alluvial vadose zone of the eastern San Joaquin Valley.
Subtidal crabs of the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf: New collections and biogeographic considerations

Benthic sampling was performed along all Iranian subtidal waters of the Persian Gulf during the years 2003 and 2004. A total of 56 species of crabs were caught from 174 stations using a trawler fishing net and Peterson grab. These species belong to 12 families, 15 subfamilies and 37 genera. The results of the present study revealed that families Portunidae, Leucosiidae and Pilumnidae have the highest species richness with 14, 13 and 13 species respectively. Zoogeographical analysis shows that a high proportion (27%) of the Iranian subtidal crabs have world distribution in the Northern part of Indo-West Pacific region and only two endemic species were found.
A plot study of forest floor litter frogs, Central Amazon, Brazil

ABSTRACT Abundance and distribution of frogs inhabiting the litter layer of an area of primary lowland rain forest in Central Amazonia were studied over a period of 15 months by sampling 498 plots each 5m × 5m. The litter frog fauna of the area consists of 23 species, but only 12 of these were encountered in the plots, and 84% of the frogs encountered belonged to only six species. Total abundance and diversity within the plot data are strongly seasonal and peak in the late wet season. Both are positively correlated with litter volume and moisture. Most of this variation is due to seasonality of reproduction, as indicated by patterns of occurrence of juveniles of the most abundant species. These results indicate that the plot sampling method docs not sample the entire fauna adequately. Since this technique has been used to study other tropical forest litter herpetofaunas, however, comparison with other studies may be useful. Species diversity of litter frogs appears to be approximately the same in lowland primary forest sites studied, averaging around 20 ‘regular’ species. Abundances, however, vary widely. Central American communities contain 14–15 frogs (100m)-2, African 9–10, South American 4–6, and South-east Asian 1–2. These differences may be due to differential nutrient availability in forests of different ages and/or on different soils.
Identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in plastic products using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS)

Plastic materials are widely used in daily life. They contain a wide range of compounds with low molecular mass, including monomeric and oligomeric residues of polymerization, solvent-related chemicals residues, and various additives. Plastic products made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) are currently employed as food containers. This study therefore sought to identify volatile organic compounds released by EPS from food packages and utensils used in Cartagena, Colombia. EPS-based plates, food and soup containers were subjected to various temperatures and released chemicals captured by solid phase microextraction, followed by on-column thermal desorption and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed the presence of at least 30 different compounds in the EPS-based products examined; the most frequently found were benzaldehyde, styrene, ethylbenzene and tetradecane. The release of these molecules was temperature-dependent. It is therefore advisable to regulate the use of EPS products which may be subjected to heating in order to protect human health by decreasing the exposure to these chemicals.
Chrysochromulina tenuispina sp. nov. from arctic Canada

Chrysochromulina tenuispina sp. nov., has been described with the aid of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy on dry preparations set up in situ from very cold water (-1°C) at one locality in arctic Canada. The cells are exceptionally large, with a highly characteristic periplast dominated by circular or oval plate-scales, some carrying a centrally attached stiff, slender, spine, up to 3 µm long and not more than 0·1 µm thick, indistinctly twisted through approximately two and a half turns from base to tip and underlain by larger more oval plates without spines. The patterning on the two faces of both types of plate is described in sufficient detail to demonstrate the presence of two sublayers building up the structure of each scale-face, the four superposed sublayers of a complete scale being interconnected in various ways.
Linking light attenuation and suspended sediment loading to benthic productivity within an Arctic kelp‐bed community 1

Annual growth and productivity of kelp in the Stefansson Sound Boulder Patch, located along the Arctic coast of Alaska, is regulated almost entirely by PAR received during the summer open‐water period. Increased water turbidity during summer, often in response to storm activity, has been linked to low levels of ambient PAR and measurable decreases in kelp elongation. However, the relationship between PAR and water transparency has not been quantified, which compromises efforts to assess the effects of changing climate and weather conditions on kelp production. During the 2001–2002 summer periods, the inherent optical properties (IOPs) of Stefansson Sound waters were measured in conjunction with total suspended sediments (TSS) concentrations, which differed significantly between the 2 years, for input into a radiative transfer equation (RTE). In both years, the highest TSS levels (24.2 and 18.5 mg · L−1 in 2001 and 2002, respectively) occurred in nearshore areas and were coincident with increased beam attenuations (13.8 and 8.3 m−1). Lower TSS concentrations and attenuations were measured offshore. Data input to the RTE provided a TSS‐concentration‐specific attenuation coefficient that was used in a productivity model to estimate annual kelp productivities throughout the Boulder Patch based on modeled irradiance and averaged site‐specific TSS concentrations. Production estimates varied across the Boulder Patch but were lower in 2001 (0.12–0.34 g C · g dwt−1 · year−1, where dwt stands for dry weight) compared to 2002 (0.24–0.80 g C · g dwt−1 · year−1). Production in both years was greater in offshore locations with lower TSS loads. Results suggest that PAR availability during the summer is heavily influenced by TSS concentrations, and that changes in storm intensity and frequency, associated with current warming trends, may have significant effects on the primary production of these unique benthic algal communities.