Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting forest stand variables from LiDAR data in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence forest of Ontario

Models were developed to predict forest stand variables for common species of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest of central Ontario, Canada from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. Stands that had undergone various ranges of partial harvesting or initial spacing treatments from multiple geographic sites were considered. A broad forest stratification was adopted and consisted of: (i) natural hardwoods; (ii) natural conifers; and (iii) plantation conifers. Stand top height (R2 = 0.96, 0.98, and 0.98); average height (R2 = 0.86, 0.76, and 0.98); basal area (R2 = 0.80, 0.80, and 0.85); volume (R2 = 0.89, 0.81, and 0.91); quadratic mean diameter (R2 = 0.80, 0.68, and 0.83); and density (R2 = 0.74, 0.71, and 0.73) were predicted from low density (i.e., 0.5 point m-2) LiDAR data for these 3 strata, respectively. Key words: light detection and ranging, LiDAR, airborne laser scanning, forest modelling, remote sensing, forest stand variables, Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest
Chemical constituents of Mikania glomerata Spreng and Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker

The species Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata, which are commonly known as guaco, are medicinal plant species widely employed for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In traditional medicine, both species have a long history of use. Currently, the medical use of these plants is widespread because pre-clinical studies have demonstrated their hypo-allergenic, antiasthmatic and antiulcerogenic properties. In recent decades, many studies have been conducted with the aim of isolating and identifying the metabolites of guaco from distinct extracts. Overall, making a correlation between a particular extract and its metabolic profile is difficult, because the reports from the literature are extensive and scattered. The present work provides an overview of the metabolic profiles of the guaco species, including extraction procedures, yields, analytical methods and the therapeutic potential of the main guaco metabolites. This review will contribute to the field by providing the historical context of the guaco species, which will be useful for guiding the design of new studies. Key words: Mikania glomerata, Mikania laevigata, guaco, review, metabolites, coumarin.
Double Captures of House Mice (Mus musculus) with Information on Genetic Relatedness

Abstract Catching two animals in the same trap, a double capture, can provide information on social organization. House mice (Mus musculus) have not been previously studied in terms of double captures. We examined rates of double captures and effects of age, sex and density on double captures. We used DNA-based parental assignment to examine the hypothesis that double captures would differentially involve related mice more than unrelated mice. House mice were involved in double capture events less frequently than several other rodent species. Double captures accounted for only about 0.2% of all house mouse captures and only 12.6% of eligible mice were involved in double captures. Season and density influenced the rates of double captures. Pairs of juvenile males were captured together significantly more than expected, possibly because these young mice have a greater tendency to be together more while foraging or entering traps, but, without direct observation, this can only be inferred. Adult female-adult male pairs also occurred more frequently than expected, as has been reported for Peromyscus and Microtus. Unlike other rodent species in which double captures have been examined, pairs of adult males occurred with significantly lower frequency than expected, as males in the house mouse social system apparently avoided one another. Related individuals were captured together significantly more often than unrelated individuals. Adult females were caught frequently with their progeny of both sexes. Adult males were never caught with male or female progeny. These data shed light on the social and spatial systems of house mice.
Coastal dispersal by pre-breeding African Black Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini

The African Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini, a “NearThreatened” shorebird (BirdLife International 2004) endemic to South Africa and Namibia, is considered to undertake partial juvenile “migration” (Hockey et al. 2003). It was estimated that 36%–46% of South African-hatched juvenile African Black Oystercatchers travel in their first year of life to traditional sites in Namibia, stopping at one or more sites along the way. Hockey et al. (2003) hypothesized that birds returned to natal areas in their third or fourth year, stopping at one or more sites during return, and that birds travelling further distances were in better body condition. This juvenile movement pattern is similar to that of some seabird species, including African Penguins Spheniscus demersus (Crawford et al. 1995, Whittington 2002) and gannets Sula spp. (Wodzicki 1967, Nelson 1978).
An Investigation into the Food and Feeding Habits of Sarotherodon Galilaeus (Pisces: Cichlidae) in a Shallow Tropical Reservoir

An investigation was conducted into the stomach content of Sarotherodon galilaeus in a shallow reservoir in the Northern Region of Ghana. Two hundred and seventy specimens were used for the study. Diet indices such as percentage composition by number and frequency of occurrence methods used to analyze the stomach contents showed that the food items covered a wide range of diatoms, desmids, algae, protozoan, detritus and accessory prey items suggesting that the fish species feeds on both surface water and bottom sediments. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in items ingested by both adults and juveniles. This suggests that the diversity of food items exploited by the adults is similar to that of the juveniles. However, the juvenile fish had preference for fish fry, diatoms and algae whiles the adults generally preferred diatoms and detritus, suggesting age specific dietary preference. There was also a high degree of feeding intensity during the study period since percentage of full stomachs in both adults and juveniles was higher than that of empty stomachs and this also indicates that food was abundant in the reservoir during the study period. The ability of Sarotherodon galilaeus to feed on a wide range of food items makes it possess a high aquaculture potential. This is particularly important for the culture of this species since it is possible to formulate artificial diets necessary for its mass production but this is yet to be realized in Ghana.
Linking Landscape and Water Quality in the Mississippi River Basin for 200 Years

Abstract Two centuries of land use in the Mississippi River watershed are reflected in the water quality of its streams and in the continental shelf ecosystem receiving its discharge. The most recent influence on nutrient loading—intense and widespread farming and especially fertilizer use—has had a more significant effect on water quality than has land drainage or the conversion of native vegetation to cropland and grazing pastures. The 200-year record of nutrient loading to offshore water is reflected in the paleoreconstructed record of plankton in dated sediments. This record illustrates that the development of fair, sustained management of inland ecosystems is linked to the management of offshore systems. Land use in this fully occupied watershed is under the strong influence of national policies affecting all aspects of the human ecosphere. These policies can be modified for better or worse, but water quality will probably change only gradually because of the strong buffering capacity of the soil ecosystem.
A contribution to a generic revision of the Neotropical Milesinae (Diptera: Syrphidae)

A revised generic classification of the Neotropical Milesinae is proposed. Twelve tribes, six subtribes and forty-two genera are recognized and keys to these taxa are provided. Detailed descriptions of the tribes and genera, along with a discussion of the new characters used; are included. The male genitalia and some of the other principal characters for almost all the genera are figured. One new genus (Notiocheilosia, type-species Chilosia nitescens Shannon and Aubertin) is described. The following new synonymies are made: Copestylum Macquart (= Apophysophora Williston, =Megametopon Giglio-Tos, Viereckomyia Currran, =Lepidopsis Curran, =Volosyrpha Shannon and = Volucellosia Curran); Dolichogyna Macquart (=Nosodepus Speiser); Habromyia Williston (=Edwardsietta Hull, = Lycopale Hull and = Criorthrix Hull); Meromacrus Rondani (= Thalamopales Hull); and Sterphus Philippi (=Crepidomyia Shannon, =Tatuomyia Shannon, =Senoceria Hull and =Mutillimyia Hull). Copestylum Macquart is recognised for the New World species of Volucella Geoffroy. Chromocheilosia Hull and Fluke is given full genewic status and transferred from Cheilosia (Cheilosini) to the tribe Chrysogasterini. Eristalis Latreille is partitioned into Eristalis, s.s. , Eoseristalis Kanervo and Palpada Macquart. Zoogeography of the Neotropical milesine fauna is discussed. The gross statistics of the fauna are compared to those of other regions and these statistics indicate a long-isolated fauna. The distributional patterns and phylogenetic relationships of the Neotropical genera are also analyzed and these patterns and relationships support a Nearctic origin for almost all of the South American milesine flies. Continental Drift and its possible effect on the Neotropical fauna is also briefly reviewed. Finally the transition between the Nearctic and Neotropical milesine faunas is examined and this transition appears to consist of predominantly Neotropical groups that have moved northward, whereas only one Nearctic group has moved southward in the transitional zone.
Laboratory behavior of adolescent and adult males of the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) (Brachyura: Majidae) mated noncompetitively and competitively with primiparous females

In the laboratory, virgin females of snow crab ( Chionoecetes opilio) were placed singly with one or two males to investigate mating behavior. Physiologically mature males, both adolescent (i.e., chelae undifferentiated) and adult (i.e., che lae differentiated), mated with females. Typically, matings comprised a precopulatory period, one or more copulations, and a postcopulatory period during which the female extruded eggs. Some females copulated after oviposition. In noncompetitive mating, adult males of 40-60 mm carapace width had repeated but brief copulations, while adult males of 120-140 mm carapace width had one long copulation. In pairs of competing adult males, large body size was an advantage both in taking over a female from a rival and in preventing female takeover by a rival. However, in competitions between an adult male and a larger adolescent male, the adult was more likely to dispossess his rival or prevent takeover. The variance in mass of ejaculate store d by females was explained (98%) by total copulatory time and number of copulations. Females with two mates obtained more copulations and larger ejaculate stores than females with one mate, suggesting that interannual variability in ejaculate stores reported for wild females is related to the level of male sexual competition. Resume : Au laboratoire, des femelles vierges du crabe des neiges ( Chionoecetes opilio) ont ete placees individuellement avec un ou deux mâles afin d'etudier le comportement d'accouplement. Les mâles physiologiquement matures, adolescents (i.e., pinces non differenciees) et adultes (i.e., pinces differenciees), se sont accouples avec les femelles. Les accouplements comprenaient normalement une periode precopulatoire, une ou plusieurs copulations et une periode postcopulatoire au cours de laquelle la femelle pondait. Certaines femelles ont copule apres la ponte. En situation non competitive, les mâles adultes de 4 0- 60 mm de largeur de carapace ont eu plusieurs episodes brefs de copulation, alors que les mâles adultes de 120-140 mm de largeur de carapace ont eu une seule longue copulation. Lorsque deux mâles adultes etaient en competition, une plus grande tail le etait avantageuse tant pour ravir la femelle au rival que pour empecher le rival de s'approprier la femelle. Cependant, dans le s competitions opposant un mâle adulte a un mâle adolescent plus grand, l'adulte etait plus susceptible de deposseder son rival o u de prevenir l'appropriation. La variance dans la masse des ejaculats entreposes par les femelles s'expliquait a 98% par le nomb re et la duree totale des copulations. Les femelles ayant eu deux partenaires sexuels ont obtenus plus de copulations et d'ejacula t que les femelles n'ayant eu qu'un partenaire, ce qui suggere qu'une des causes de la variabilite interannuelle des reserves en ejaculat observee chez les femelles sauvages est l'intensite de la competition sexuelle entre mâles.
Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of vegetable oils based on luminol chemiluminescence in a microemulsion

A flow injection analysis (FIA) methodology has been developed for the estimation of the radical scavenging activity (RSA) of edible oils as a measure of their antioxidant activity. The RSA determination was based on the inhibition of the luminol chemiluminescence (CL) induced by the Fenton's reagent in a microemuslion (n-hexane in water). At the optimum operational conditions, the RSA of gallic acid and buthylhydroxylanisol, usually employed as antioxidant in vegetable oils, as well as corn, sunflower, olive, soybean and sesame oils, were measured in terms of the IC 50 (the concentration required to reduce in 50% the CL emission measured in the absence of antioxidants in the organic phase). For this purpose, the percentage of the CL inhibition (%Inh) against the sample concentration was plotting. Virgin oils of sesame and olive showed the greatest RSA, which was associated to their elevated concentration of natural antioxidants, such as phenols, tocopherols and lignans. The refined soybean oil also has an important antioxidant activity due to the addition of synthetic antioxidants after the refining process, while the lower RSA activities were found in the refined corn and sunflower oils. The results of the proposed method showed good agreement with those obtained by the DPPH test, which suggests that it could be used as a complementary method for the evaluation of hydrophobic substances with antioxidant properties.
Estimating Survival of Song Bird Carcasses In Crops and Woodlots

Estimates of nontarget animal mortality due to the effects of agricultural pesticides may be biased by the removal of carcasses by scavengers. We placed intact songbird carcasses in ripening sunflower fields in late-summer, and in harvested corn fields and woodlots in early spring to assess carcass removal by scavengers. Removal curves differed among the three habitats (P < 0.001). One day after placement, 58% of carcasses persisted in the sunflower fields, whereas 82% and 90% remained in the corn fields and woodlots, respectively. Our results suggest that survival times for carcasses are variable and dependent on habitat and, perhaps seasonal factors. In most cases, searches for carcasses should be conducted within one day of the pesticide application.
CALLUS INDUCTION AND CALLOGENIC RESPONSE OF RAUVOLFIA SERPENTINA AND CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS BY USING VARIOUS GROWTH HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS SINGLY AND IN COMBINATION.

Rauvolfia serpentina and Catharanthus roseus, Linn. (Apocynaceae) are an important medicinal, ornamental and evergreen shrubs. Alkaloids of these plants have a great medicinal importance to treat cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, malaria, menorrhagia, cancer, etc. The members are wild as well as cultivated with milky saps that contain secondary metabolites which have medicinal value. In view of these facts the study was conducted for micropropagation of Rauvolfia serpentina and Catharanthus roseus. MS media supplemented with different concentrations (0.5–10.0 mg/l) of NAA, 2, 4-D, BAP and KIN were used singly and in combination. Among all the growth hormones 2, 4-D was the best for callus induction in Rauvolfia serpentina (93% in stem and 97% in leaf) and in Catharanthus roseus (85% in stem and 87% in leaf). In combination 2, 4-D and BAP in Rauvolfia serpentina (85% in stem and 95% in leaf) and in Catharanthus roseus (65% in stem and 71% in leaf). Day of callus induction started from 13 th to 37 th day. This variation is due to the differences in culture conditions and the age of explants. The fresh and dry weight and moisture content showed good growth of callus, which may be used for further studies in alkaloid production. Micropropagation of these plants allows production of clones at fast rate and in continuous manner. This work can lead to development of an efficient protocol for callus induction and other issues.
Forage yield and quality in intercropping of maize with different legumes as double-cropped.

Field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran, in 2005-2006 and 2006- 2007 growing seasons. Two maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (704, 301), vetch (Vicia villosa), bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) sole crops as well as intercrops of maize hybrids with each of the legumes were used to evaluate the effects of legumes on forage yield and quality. The experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that intercropping systems had a significant effect on the dry matter yield, crude protein (CP) yield, ash content, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration. The CP yield, dry matter yield and ash content of maize forage increased by intercropping as compared with the maize monoculture. Also intercropping of legumes with maize significantly reduced NDF and ADF content, thus increasing digestibility of the forage. The highest and lowest NDF and ADF content were achieved in maize hybrid (704) monoculture, intercropping of maize hybrid (301) with bitter vetch, vetch and bean, respectively. In all intercropping treatments, land equivalent ratios (LER) were well above 1 indicating yield advantages for intercropping. It can be concluded that maize-legumes intercrops could substantially increase forage quantity and quality and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with the maize monocultures.
Vocalizações e interações acústicas em Hyla raniceps (Anura, Hylidae) durante a atividade reprodutiva

The vocalizations of H. raniceps (Cope, 1826) and their functions are described, including an analysis of the influence of temperature, weight, or SVL (snout-vent length) of males on the acoustic parameters. The vocalizations were recorded in three areas in Fazenda Lagoa Grande, Municipality of Pontalina, State of Goias, central Brazil. Males began their vocalizations just before sunset, extending them, in some cases, to dawn of the following day. The peak of activities happened between 21h and 23h. The height of calling sites varied plenty, being the position horizontal in about 50% of them. Males defended sites in different areas during consecutive nights. Rain and strong winds interrupted the calling activities. Males emitted three vocalizations: advertisement, territorial and distress calls. The advertisement call has pulsionated structures and it is the most common, being emitted in the presence/absence of females. Significant correlation was found between number of notes and air temperature, notes duration and both male weight and air temperature, calling rate and both male SVL or weight, and frequency and male weight.
Evaluating How Hunters See and React to Telemetry Collars on White-Tailed Deer

ABSTRACT Fates of individuals outfitted with radiotransmitters commonly are used for estimating survival rates in populations of large animals that are hunted. Despite precautions, this practice may be subject to complex biases associated with hunter reaction to presence of radiotransmitters. To assess this potential bias we conducted an experiment using artificial deer (i.e., decoys) to measure hunters' abilities to see deer and determine if deer seen were wearing radiocollars. We used logistic regression to quantify probabilities that seeing deer and subsequently seeing radiocollars might be influenced by distance, percent visual obstruction, body orientation, hunter experience, and antler characteristics of deer. Additionally, we evaluated how experience and antler characteristics of deer might influence a hunter's decision to harvest a radiocollared deer. We found that 25.8% of the potentially observable collared deer (n = 663) were subsequently observed by hunters. Odds of observing deer and radiocollars increased 95% and 230%, respectively, for each additional log(yr) of hunting experience. Willingness to harvest radiocollared deer increased 89% for each additional log(yr) of hunting experience and 144% for large-antlered deer relative to antlerless deer. When hunting is an important source of mortality, analysts need to understand how potential biases associated with observing deer are associated with hunters' reactions to and subsequent decisions to harvest radiocollared animals. Our study suggested that presence of radiocollars may influence a deer's potential risk of being harvested and in turn bias telemetry-based estimates of survival, given that hunting mortality is the largest component of total mortality in hunted deer populations. Collar-based telemetry is used nearly universally by wildlife managers and researchers throughout North America and elsewhere to estimate and monitor the survival of big game populations that are managed through hunting. Our findings demonstrate that these estimates are likely subject to complex and systematic biases that managers should consider when evaluating future population-level effects of managed hunting.
The Effect of Vitamin A on Mucin2 Gene Expression, Histological and Performance of Broiler Chicken

2 Abstract: Vitamin A needs based on Ross manuals is 9500 IU/kg more than NRC (1994) recommendation, thus the effect of vitamin A on mucin2 gene expression, histological characteristics and performance were evaluated in Ross male broilers fed diets containing no vitamin A supplement, 1500 IU/kg vitamin A supplement (NRC requirement), 6250 IU/kg vitamin A supplement (average of NRC and Ross requirement) and 11000 IU/kg vitamin A supplement (Ross requirement). The dietary treatments consisted of an isonitrogenous corn-soybean meal- based diet. At t he first day of chicken age, 24 pens were equalized to 12 birds per pen, in a completely randomized design and dietary treatments were randomly distributed for the 14-d period. Live performance measurements improved (P< 0.05) as dietary vitamin A supplement increased from 0 to11000 IU/kg. The least performance was related to no vitamin A supplement containing diet. Histological assays showed that villi height, crypt depth and villi surface increased as dietary vitamin A supplement increased . There was no effect of threonine on mucin2 gene expression and goblet cells density. According to these results, vitamin A needs in starter period in Ross (308) broilers is more than NRC (1994) recommendation.