Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial patterns in benthic invertebrate community structure: products of habitat stability or are they habitat specific?

SUMMARY 1. The effects of habitat stability on benthic invertebrate community structure were examined at eleven sites (ten streams and a wind-swept lake shore) with similar physicochemical characteristics but differing stability. 2. Habitat characteristics were assessed to place the study sites within the framework of the disturbance-productivity-diversity model, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and a variant of the habitat templet model to examine their predictions with respect to community structure. 3. Many of the most common invertebrate species were present at all the study site, although their relative abundance and density differed markedly between sites. Thus, while stability did not appear to affect colonization of the study sites by these taxa, it did affect their relative success. 4. Communities at unstable sites were very similar and shared a number of taxa such as Deleatidium, Austrosimulium and several species of chironomid, presumably well-adapted to surviving and recolonizing after flood events. 5. Communities at the stable sites differed markedly, both from each other and the group of unstable sites. The characteristic fauna at each of the stable sites seemed to be a result of the site's intrinsic character and possibly biotic interactions. 6. Although stability was a pervading influence on community structure, acting as a bottleneck to the development of a site-specific suite of taxa, none of the above models could adequately explain the observed patterns.
Tagasaste forage production systems

Abstract Production from established rows of tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis) was measured over 2 years at Burnham and Springston in Canterbury, New Zealand using three cutting treatments (cut to 150 cm, 50 cm, or to 50 cm every alternate harvest) and four sheep-grazing treatments (“hard” and “lax” grazing with and without a post-graze trim to 50 cm). At Springston, annual edible production (leaf and stem less than 6 mm in diameter, in g dry matter (DM)/tree) was highest from cut (330 g) and graze/trim (360 g) treatments and lower from graze-only treatments (190 g) (P < 0.05). At Burnham, annual edible production was 450 g from cut treatments and 155 g from the lax graze treatment. The hard graze and graze/trim treatments at Burnham were abandoned when April grazing and subsequent frosts killed those trees without a protective canopy. Extrapolating from the most productive tagasaste treatment, a practical layout of 7500 trees/ha occupying 30% of the area would give annual yields of 2.5–3.4 t edible tag.
Canopy height and its relationship with leaf area index and light interception in tropical grasses

Photosynthetically active tissues, mainly green leaves, are the major component of forage growth and development. The amount of these tissues in a forage plant is influenced directly by cutting management, i.e. cutting frequency and stubble height. The normal recommendation is to cut (or graze) forage whenever it reaches a given stubble height. Brougham (1956) stated that the critical leaf area index (LAI) is reached when the forage canopy is intercepting 95% of the photosynthetically active radiation, and the forage is near its maximum growth rate without shading itself. Alternatively, the optimum LAI occurs when the forage reaches the maximum point of mass accumulation, indicating the time to start grazing or cutting. Generally, the critical and optimum LAI values are quite similar, but not necessarily the same (Brown and Blaser 1968). This trial evaluated the relationships among canopy height, LAI and light interception in 10 tropical grasses.
Habitat influences on urban avian assemblages

Urbanization is increasing across the globe and there is growing interest in urban ecology and a recognition that developed areas may be important for conservation. We review the factors influencing urban avian assemblages, focusing on habitat type and anthropogenic resource provision, and analyse data from a common bird monitoring scheme to assess some of these issues. The review suggests that (1) local factors are more important than regional ones in determining the species richness of urban avian assemblages, raising the potential for the management of urban sites to deliver conservation; (2) habitat fragmentation frequently influences urban avian assemblages, with the effects of patch size being greater than those of isolation, and (3) urban bird assemblages appear to respond positively to increasing the structural complexity, species richness of woody vegetation and supplementary feeding, and negatively to human disturbance. Data from Britain's Breeding Bird Survey, combined with habitat data obtained from aerial photographs, were used to assess a number of these issues at the resolution of 1-km squares. Green-space constituted 45% of these squares, and domestic gardens contributed 50% of this green-space, though their contribution to large continuous patches of green-space was negligible. There was no significant positive correlation between the densities of individual species in urban areas and surrounding rural areas. Rural species richness declined with increasing latitude, but urban species richness was not correlated with latitude. This contrast contributes to slightly higher avian species richness in rural squares in Southern England than urban ones. Occupancy and abundance were strongly positively correlated in urban avian assemblages, and some indicator species of conservation concern occurred in few urban areas and at low densities. Such species will require conservation action to be precisely targeted within urban areas. Of the urban indicators of conservation concern, only the House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris were more abundant in urban than rural areas. Moreover, the densities of these two species were strongly and positively correlated, indicating that they may be limited by shared resources, such as nest-sites or supplementary food. There was little evidence that high densities of nest-predating corvids were associated with reduced densities of their prey species. Species richness and the densities of individual species frequently declined with an increasing number of buildings. Current trends for the densification of many British urban areas are thus likely to be detrimental for many bird species.
Chengjiang arthropod Leanchoilia illecebrosa (Hou, 1987) reconsidered

Abstract The common Chengjiang arthropod Leanchoilia illecebrosa (Hou, 1987) has been restudied on the basis of more than 500 new specimens. Important news concern the eyes: (1) There is a pair of kidney-shaped compound eyes, or possibly two confluent eyes; (2) optical lobes appear to reach the eyes, leaving no space for any eye stalks. Important news on the ventral appendages include the presence of: (3) an ample, annulated body-basipod articulation membrane with two sclerotized folds; (4) a prominent basipod with a spinous medial edge; (5) an articulation between the two rami extending to the middle of the 3rd endopod podomere; (6) up to nine endopod podomeres; (7) a long spine forming the limb tip; and (8) an exopod composed of a sub-triangular proximal portion and a leaf-shaped distal portion, both with marginal setae. New reconstructions are presented. There is a notable intraspecific variability. We conclude that none of the additional proposed species of Chengjiang Leanchoilia can be positively identified as separate from L. illecebrosa (Hou, 1987). In the possession of pointed anterior and posterior body ends, all species of Leanchoilia differ from Alalcomenaeus Simonetta, 1970.
Uptake and Distribution of Nitrogen Derived from Hairy Vetch Used as a Cover Crop by Tomato Plant

One of the ways to reduce chemical fertilizer application is the use of cover crops, which improve soil properties and supply nutrition to subsequent crops. The application effect of a legume cover crop, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa R., HV), on N dynamics in fresh market tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.), 'House Momotaro,' was investigated using the N-15-labeling method. Tomato seedlings were transplanted into a 1/2000 a Wagner pot at 0, 80, and 240 kg.ha(-1) of N application (N0HV, N80HV, and N240HV) on June 9, 2011. Before transplanting, the labeled HV and chemical fertilizers were incorporated into the soil. Five tomato plants were collected 6 times in each treatment and then separated into leaves, stems, and roots. Fruits were harvested at maturity. HV-derived N uptake was recognized mainly in the first 4 weeks after transplant (WAT). Especially in N240HV, HV-derived N uptake ceased at 4 WAT. The uptake amounts of HV-derived N at 10 WAT were 587, 657, and 729 mg.plant(-1) in N240HV, N80HV, and N0HV, respectively, and were increased by decreasing N fertilizer application. The rate of N uptake derived from HV to total N uptake in tomato plants (%N-dfhv) was the highest at 2 WAT, and %N-dfhv in N80HV (52.1%) and N0HV (51.5%) were significantly higher than in N240HV (43.6%). After 2 WAT, %N-dfhv, decreased gradually in all N rates as tomatoes grew and decreased to 24.8%, 34.4%, and 37.1% in N240HV, N80HV, and N0HV, respectively, until 12 WAT. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) from HV-derived N was the highest at 10 WAT, and N0HV (55.3%) was significantly higher than N240HV (44.5%) and N80HV (49.8%). The partition rate of HV-derived N into fruits was 63.9%, and 39.7% of HV-derived N was distributed into 1st and 2nd fruit clusters. From these results, it was clarified that HV can be expected to be an alternative N fertilizer because HV-derived N was absorbed effectively with a small amount of N fertilizer. Further research on fertilizer management in tomato's early stage will be needed for an N-reduction system because HV-derived N was mainly absorbed for 4 WAT.
Effect of Flock Size and Position in Flock on Vigilance of Black-Necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) in Winter

Abstract Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) wintering at Dashanbao Nature Reserve in southwestern China were studied to document for the effects of flock size and position on the level of vigilance. The time spent on vigilance, scanning frequency and scanning duration decreased significantly with flock size for individuals positioned both in the center of the flock and at its periphery. However, the decrease in time spent on vigilance and scanning frequency following the increase in the flock size happened more rapidly for individuals in the center of the flock than those at the periphery. The decrease of the three parameters related to flock size significantly correlated with position. The time spent on vigilance and scanning frequency significantly correlated with the flock size and position, but not with scanning duration. Consequently, the number of individuals preferring central positions in the flock (a phenomenon known as “edge effect”) was increased by the increase in flock size for Black-necked Cranes in winter.
Changes in ecosystem functioning after replacement of forest by Lantana shrubland in Kumaun Himalaya

Lantana camara shrubland is compared with the adjacent Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii forests to understand changes occurring in net primary productivity and nutrient cycling, as a consequence of degradation of these forests. The total net primary productivity of Lantana camara shrubland was 17 t ha-1 yr-1, which is similar to the values reported for forests: 16 - 21 t ha-1 yr-1. Total nutrient content (N, P) in the soil in the L. camara shrubland: 2932 kg ha-1 N and 111 kg ha-1 P, was lower than that of the forest soils.
Precision of estimates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing when the functional response of grazers may be nonlinear

The analysis of dilution experiments for determining rates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing needs to be reconsidered. Zooplankton grazing may saturate at high food concentrations, and therefore experimental data should be fitted with models that include this possibility. Such models will fit the data better; as a consequence, they will reveal some of the uncertainty in the rate estimates that linear analysis conceals. We illustrate this point with simulated and real dilution experiments.
Responses of great reed warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus to experimental brood parasitism: the effects of a cuckoo Cuculus canorus dummy and egg mimicry

Egg rejection behaviour towards parasitic eggs was studied in a great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus population in central Hungary, which was heavily (about 65%) parasitised by the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus. Clutches were experimentally parasitised during the egg-laying period with artificial, moderately mimetic cuckoo eggs or with conspecific eggs that were good mimics of the hosts' eggs. Great reed warblers rejected 76.2% of the artificial cuckoo eggs, mainly by ejection, but accepted most of the conspecific eggs (87.5%). Cuckoo eggs in naturally parasitised clutches were rejected at a lower rate (32%). When, in addition to the egg mimicry experiments, a stuffed cuckoo was placed near the nest, accompanied by the recording of a female cuckoo call, hosts' rejection rate of the artificial cuckoo egg increased from 76% to 96%. The sight of the cuckoo, on the other hand, did not influence host's rejection behaviour when a conspecific egg was used in the experiment. A stuffed collared dove Streptopelia decaocto, accompanied by its call, was used as a control, and did not cause any increased rejection. Great reed warblers were more aggressive towards the cuckoo than to the dove dummy. When the cuckoo eggs in naturally parasitised clutches were exchanged with artificial cuckoo eggs, we observed no increase in the rejection rate. We conclude that great reed warblers in our heavily parasitised population are capable of detecting brood parasitism in their clutch by identifying the parasitic egg. The efficiency of this identification depends mainly on the mimicry of the foreign egg. The sight of the cuckoo at the nest may increase rejection rate by stimulus summation, and this conditional effect is mainly affected by the degree of mimicry of the parasitic egg.
Assessing climate risks in rainfed farming using farmer experience, crop calendars and climate analysis

SUMMARY Climate risk assessment in cropping is generally undertaken in a top-down approach using climate records while critical farmer experience is often not accounted for. In the present study, set in south India, farmer experience of climate risk is integrated in a bottom-up participatory approach with climate data analysis. Crop calendars are used as a boundary object to identify and rank climate and weather risks faced by smallhold farmers. A semi-structured survey was conducted with experienced farmers whose income is predominantly from farming. Interviews were based on a crop calendar to indicate the timing of key weather and climate risks. The simple definition of risk as consequence × likelihood was used to establish the impact on yield as consequence and chance of occurrence in a 10-year period as likelihood. Farmers’ risk experience matches well with climate records and risk analysis. Farmers’ rankings of ‘good’ and ‘poor’ seasons also matched up well with their independently reported yield data. On average, a ‘good’ season yield was 1·5–1·65 times higher than a ‘poor’ season. The main risks for paddy rice were excess rains at harvesting and flowering and deficit rains at transplanting. For cotton, farmers identified excess rain at harvest, delayed rains at sowing and excess rain at flowering stages as events that impacted crop yield and quality. The risk assessment elicited from farmers complements climate analysis and provides some indication of thresholds for studies on climate change and seasonal forecasts. The methods and analysis presented in the present study provide an experiential bottom-up perspective and a methodology on farming in a risky rainfed climate. The methods developed in the present study provide a model for end-user engagement by meteorological agencies that strive to better target their climate information delivery.
Oviposition Patterns and Egg Mortality in Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), a Biological Control Agent of Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae) in South Africa

Deliberately introduced for agroforestry, the invasive tree Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (Fabaceae) is naturalized in several countries worldwide, including parts of South Africa. The seed beetle Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus (Schaeffer) (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) was inadvertently introduced to several countries via contaminated seed, but was released as a biological control agent in South Africa. Although widely established in South Africa, its efficacy may be curtailed because damage is reputed to be confined to canopy-held seeds, with dehisced seeds escaping damage on the ground. To clarify the beetle's potential, we investigated: (i) its selection of oviposition sites when presented with pods bearing seeds, loose seeds and empty pods in different locations (canopy-versus ground-held); and (ii) the effect of seed location on egg mortality. The beetles oviposited on pods bearing seeds, loose seeds and empty pods in both locations but showed significant preferences for pods bearing seeds, regardless of location. Egg mortality was high (66% overall) and caused largely by predation, but did not differ between canopy- and ground-held seeds. Dehisced seeds are thus more likely to escape damage due to the beetle's greater association with pods bearing seeds, which occur mostly in the canopy. While not affected by seed location, egg predation could affect beetle population densities. Although oviposition patterns and egg predation may constrain the efficacy of A. macrophthalonus, seed damage in relation to seed availability still needs to be quantified in the field.
Light and scanning electron microscope studies of leaf blotch of onion caused by Cladosporium allii–cepae

The pre–penetration and post–penetration stages of infection by Cladosporium allii–cepae on onion foliage was examined on inoculated plants kept at 15° C and 80–90% r.h. The pathogen entered the leaf usually through stomata but occasionally by penetrating the cuticle. Invasion of the palisade and mesophyll tissues led to the formation of a leaf cavity after 7 days and after 30 days the pathogen sporulated on the leaf surface.
Forest ecosystem responses to artificially induced soil compaction. II. Selected soil microorganism populations

Soil microorganism populations were measured 1 year after 4 years of compaction treatments on 0.07-ha plots in a mixed oak – red maple forest on loamy sand. Four treatments were imposed on two plots each: (i) control; (ii) soil compaction; (iii) mulch before compaction; (iv) 3-year compaction followed by mulch. Three selective agar media were used to isolate soil fungi and bacteria. Nematodes and macroarthropods were also sampled. Total fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and arthropods had significantly higher populations on control plots, usually with mulch treatments intermediate and compaction (no mulch) plots lowest. Fusarium sp. were most numerous on unmulched, compacted plots and only rarely isolated from the controls. Microorganism population differences associated with treatment were still detectable 2 years after compaction occurred, but not 5 years after compaction.
Bioelectric and Biomagnetic Methods for Cancer Research and Therapy—A Survey

Possibilities and trends of adjuvant bioelectrochemical and bioelectromagnetic treatments of cancer on the cellular, animal, and patient levels are presented. Currently, DC electrotherapy, pulse electrochemotherapy, and pulse electrogenetherapy are used widely and successfully to treat tumors. However, needle electrodes have to be inserted into the tumor region for pulse applications (about E < 2 kV/cm). Only for skin carcinoma are caliper electrodes placed directly outside on the skin. Pulsating electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SEMF) (B > 5 mT) generated by Helmholtz coils or solenoids offer a novel noninvasive cancerostatic possibility. However, despite effective treatment of various cancer cells and cancerous animals the therapy of cancer patients, unfortunately, is still in the very beginning, partially because of impeding regulations. Nevertheless this adjuvant noninvasive therapy in synergistic combination with cancerostatic agents, hyperthermia, and photodynamics has great promise for the near future.
Suppression of luteinizing hormone release by the α1‐adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin in the ovariectomized female rhesus monkey

The effects of adrenergic antagonists on LH release were examined in ovariectomized female rhesus monkeys implanted with indwelling jugular catheters. While the α2‐adrenergic antagonist rauwolscine and the vehicle were without effect, the α1‐antagonist prazosin suppressed LH release. In 5 of the 8 monkeys tested, LH pulses were completely arrested; in the remaining 3 monkeys, small LH pulses were detectable after the administration of 0.2 mg/kg prazosin. In a second series of experiments, the effects of three different doses of prazosin were examined. Doses of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg suppressed LH release in a manner indistinguishable from that of the 0.2 mg/kg dose. Finally, the ability of the pituitary to respond to a bolus of LHRH during the prazosin‐induced suppression was tested. In all 6 animals, the injection of LHRH during the time when LH was suppressed by prazosin resulted in a marked increase in LH release. These results indicate 1) that α1‐adrenergic receptors but not α2 receptors are important for pulsatile LH secretion, 2) that varying the dose of prazosin administered does not alter the effect of the drug or LH release within the range of doses tested, and 3) the pituitary is able to respond to LHRH with an increase in LH release during the prazosin‐induced suppression period.
Genetic variations and migration pathway of Juniperus thurifera L. (Cupressaceae) in the western Mediterranean region

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and length variations in the chloroplast trnL-trnF intergenic spacer were used to analyze the geographic structure of Juniperus thurifera L. populations in Spain and North Africa. The chloroplast DNA analysis indicated three size classes of the spacer, but was uninformative of any geographic pattern. In contrast, the RAPD data based on 127 polymorphous bands clearly showed the existence of three population groups: (a) a group comprising two populations from northeastern Spain and two from southern Spain, (b) a group comprising the rest of the Spanish populations, and (c) a group which consisted of the two Moroccan populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 24% of the variation is found between groups of populations, 15% between populations within groups, and 61% within populations. The results are consistent with a hypothetical migration of J. thurifera starting from central Europe, passing through France and Spain, and finally reaching.