Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological significance of leaf life span among Central European grass species

Interspecific variation in leaf life span reflects the variation in nutrient conservation ability among different plant species and is considered to be associated with nutrient availability in the characteristic habitat. As defoliation interferes with nutrient conservation by the long-lived leaves, we hypothesized that disturbance rate is another important environmental factor working as a selective force on interspecific variation in leaf life span. In order to investigate this, we measured leaf life span of 32 grass species in mature garden-grown individuals. Variation in leaf life span was compared to measured leaf traits, to available data on species occurrence along gradients of nutrient availability and disturbance, and to published relative growth rates of the species. Leaf life span was associated positively with leaf tissue mass density and negatively with specific leaf area. Leaf life span correlated negatively with the disturbance rate in the characteristic habitat of a species, but not with nutrient availability. The latter relationship did not come about due to the long leaf life spans of species from nutrient-rich habitats with a relatively low disturbance rate, and to some extent also due to the short leaf life spans of annual species from relatively nutrient-poor sites. We conclude that although leaf longevity is an important means of reducing nutrient losses, this is a selective advantage only if the plant is not subjected to frequent defoliation. The frequently postulated association between leaf life span of a species and nutrient availability in its characteristic habitat may occur among species of habitats with positively correlated nutrient availability and disturbance rate. Leaf life span is negatively associated with seedling RGR, but there may be deviations in this relationship due to species with contrasting characteristics at seedling stage and at maturity.
TERRITORY SIZE AND SHAPE IN FIRE ANTS: A MODEL BASED ON NEIGHBORHOOD INTERACTIONS

Many aggressive animals form territory mosaics marked by distinct boundaries. This paper describes an approach to modeling territory size and shape within mosaics based on boundary disputes among neighboring animals. The model assumes that each resident applies pressure against its neighbors, as a result of aggression and display, and that boundaries form curves along which the pressure exerted by adjacent residents is equal. To illustrate, I predicted territory boundaries for populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta using several alternative mathematical descriptions of territorial fighting. According to the most successful formula, the aggressive pressure applied at any point on the territory perimeter increases linearly with the biomass of the defending colony but decreases with territory area and with the square of the distance to the colony’s nest. An iterative algorithm predicts the size and location of boundary segments given the positions and sizes of colonies. By all measured criteria, this.
Changes in the understory of Canadian southern boreal forest after fire

We investigated changes in the composition and abundance of understory species after fire in the southern boreal forest around Lake Duparquet, Quebec. Ten plots of 100m2 were sampled in each of eight sites varying in post-fire age from 26 to 230 yr, with 20 1-m2 quadrats in each of these 80 plots. Variation in the understory was described by DCA ordination and interpreted as a regeneration succession series. Thickness of the organic layers, stand age and canopy compo- sition were all correlated with vegetational change. This change was not constant throughout succession; some old sites showed an increase in the diversity and abundance of certain pioneer species. This was partly related to openings in the canopy resulting from a major outbreak of spruce budworm, which affected sites dominated by Abies balsamea. The ordinations were performed on both the 100-m2 plots and the 1-m2 quad- rats. Heterogeneity within sites was larger at the 1-m2 scale and there was a great deal of overlap in the position of the quadrats in ordination space. At the smaller scale of analysis, stand age and thickness of the organic layers were not corre- lated with the changes observed in the understory.
Emerging concepts in temporary‐river ecology

SUMMARY 1. Temporary rivers and streams are among the most common and most hydrologically dynamic freshwater ecosystems. The number of temporary rivers and the severity of flow intermittence may be increasing in regions affected by climatic drying trends or water abstraction. Despite their abundance, temporary rivers have been historically neglected by ecologists. A recent increase in temporary-river research needs to be supported by new models that generate hypotheses and stimulate further research. In this article, we present three conceptual models that address spatial and temporal patterns in temporary-river biodiversity and biogeochemistry. 2. Temporary rivers are characterised by the repeated onset and cessation of flow, and by complex hydrological dynamics in the longitudinal dimension. Longitudinal dynamics, such as advancing and retreating wetted fronts, hydrological connections and discon- nections, and gradients in flow permanence, influence biotic communities and nutrient and organic matter processing. 3. The first conceptual model concerns connectivity between habitat patches. Variable connectivity suggests that the metacommunity and metapopulation concepts are applicable in temporary rivers. We predict that aggregations of local communities in the isolated water bodies of temporary rivers function as metacommunities. These metacom- munities may become longitudinally nested due to interspecific differences in dispersal and mortality. The metapopulation concept applies to some temporary river species, but not all. In stable metapopulations, rates of local extinction are balanced by recolonisation. However, extinction and recolonisation in many temporary-river species are decoupled by frequent disturbances, and populations of these species are usually expanding or contracting. 4. The second conceptual model predicts that large-scale biodiversity varies as a function of aquatic and terrestrial patch dynamics and water-level fluctuations. Habitat mosaics in temporary rivers change in composition and configuration in response to inundation and drying, and these changes elicit a range of biotic responses. In the model, aquatic biodiversity initially increases directly with water level due to increasing abundance of aquatic patches. When most of the channel is inundated and most aquatic patches are connected, further increases in aquatic habitat and connectivity cause aquatic biodiversity to decline due to community homogenisation and reduced habitat diversity. The
Effects of Neotyphodium endophytes on growth, reproduction and drought-stress tolerance of three Lolium perenne L. genotypes

Three Lolium perenne L. genotypes collected from different natural habitats were tested for the effects of their fungal endophyte Neotyphodium spp. on plant growth and seed yield. Half the clones of the originally infected plants were subjected to fungicide treatment to eradicate the endophytes. In an experiment, the clones were planted separately into pots and were either watered adequately or subjected to drought stress. In the genotype collected from a dry site, the endophyte infection reduced plant growth at an adequate water supply, but increased regrowth under drought. In the genotype from a periodically either flooded or dry site, endophyte infection significantly promoted the development of reproductive tillers and seed production (effects which are associated with adaptation to drought). In contrast, the genotype that originated from a wet site showed higher sensitivity to drought stress when endophyte infection was present. The results suggest that environmental conditions in the original habitat of the plants may influence the symbiotic interaction between plant and fungus, probably through natural selection. However, endophyte-induced increases in root dry weight and root/shoot ratio were recorded for all three genotypes. These features could be beneficial for plant persistence, especially on sites where water is the growth-limiting factor.
BIOLOGY OF PROPRIOSEIOPSIS ROTENDUS (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE) REARED ON TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE) OR POLLEN

Proprioseiopsis rotendus (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) developed and oviposited when provided with all life stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), and pollen of ice plant, Malephora crocea (Jaquin), live oak, Quercus virginiana Miller, or cattail, Typha latifolia (L.), as food sources under laboratory conditions of 26 ± 1°C and 75-85% RH. Developmental times on the different foods were 6.58 ± 0.36, 8.17 ± 0.92, 7.29 ± 0.51, and 7.41 ± 0.89 d (mean ± SD) for females, and 6.12 ± 0.49, 7.96 ± 0.94, 6.68 ± 0.72, and 6.75 ± 0.60 d for males, respectively. When T. urticae was provided as the food source, the highest net reproductive rate (Ro = 23.69), female longevity (45.7 ± 6.26 d), mean generation time (T = 19.54), intrinsic rate of increase (r m = 0.162), and finite rate of increase (e rm = 1.176) were obtained. Pollen of M. crocea was the superior food source with Ro = 21.73, female longevity = 44.1 ± 13.3 d, T = 22.57, r m = 0.136, and e rm = 1.46, followed by Q. virginiana. Cattail pollen was the least favorable food source tested with Ro = 15.08, female longevity = 56.1 ± 4.83 d, T = 23.96, r m = 0.113, and e rm = 1.120. The sex ratio was 57 ± 1:43 ± 1 (female:male) for all diets tested. Male longevity was 47.3 ± 6.08 d when fed T. urticae compared with 26.9-35.2 d when fed pollen. P. rotendus adult females cannibalized newly hatched larvae. The mean daily ovipositional rate was 1 per d (max. 2) when fed on T. urticae or 0.5 per d (max. 1) when fed on cattail pollen. Duration of the oviposition period was 5 times longer than the generation time (egg to egg) of P. rotendus.
Studies on Heterosis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

In the present investigation, a study was conducted at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2011-2012 to identify potential parents and superior crosses for yield and yield related traits in okra. Fifteen hybrids (F 1 s) were developed by crossing five lines and three testers in Line×Tester mating design. Fifteen hybrids along with eight parents were used to estimate the heterosis for ten yield and yield attributing characters. The result indicated that significant standard heterosis for yield per plant was observed in Holavanalli Local×Mallapalli Local, Thirumala Local×Kattakada Local, Kunnapuzha Local×Punjab Phalgani, Thirumala Local×Punjab Phalgani and Thirumala Local×Mallapalli Local. The magnitude of heterobeltiosis for yield per plant was significantly superior in Holavanalli Local×Mallapalli Local and Thirumala Local×Kattakada Local. These two crosses also exhibited significant heterosis for days to first flowering, number of primary branches, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit girth. Among the fifteen hybrids, Holavanalli Local×Mallapalli Local and Thirumala Local×Kattakada Local cross combinations found promising for fruit yield and other traits. Hence, these hybrids need to be tested on larger scale for their commercial values.
The significance of microalgal blooms for fisheries and for the export of particulate organic carbon in oceans

Microalgal blooms are rapid increases in biomass, caused by locally enhanced primary production and resulting in abnormally high cell concentrations. Hydrodynamical processes may control blooms through the agency of irradiance and/or nutrients. In the oceans, phytoplankton blooms primarily governed by irradiance include the spring outburst, as well as the ice-edge, under-ice, winter, upwelling and estuarine blooms. Those primarily governed by nutrients comprise the tidal, summer, episodic and exceptional blooms. In addition, there are blooms of ice microalgae (.)
Productive behavior of strawberry from potted seedlings produced with application of prohexadione calcium in soilless cultivation

Use of national strawberry seedlings, produced in a system without soil, is an alternative to reduce the dependence of producers on using imported seedlings. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of applying different concentrations of prohexadione calcium (ProCa) in the growth control of strawberry seedlings and the productive behavior after planting these seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, four concentrations of prohexadione calcium (0, 150, 300 and 600 mg L-1) and two cultivars (Aromas and Camarosa). In the seedling phase, a completely randomized design was used, with 4 replications, with the experimental unit consisting of 12 seedlings. In the post-planting phase, a completely randomized design was used, with 5 replications and the experimental unit consisted of 4 plants. In the seedlings, the following were evaluated: number of leaves, crown diameter, petiole length, leaf area, chlorophyll content and dry matter of the aerial part. The parameters evaluated in the strawberry plants were: full bloom and fruiting, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, total fruit weight, length and diameter of fruit, dry weight of leaves and crowns. The application of 150, 300 and 600 mg L-1 of ProCa decreased the leaf area and petiole length for both cultivars, thus reduced the vegetative growth of the seedlings. On the other hand the chlorophyll a, b and total contents were increased in relation to the absence of ProCa for the two cultivars evaluated. The ProCa concentrations did not influence the number of fruits and the fruit mass per plant, and the results were related to the cultivar factor, where the cv Camarosa had the higher values.
The Effect of High Environmental Temperature on Growth Performance of Japanese Quails with Different Body Weights

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of high environmental temperature on live weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency, survivality and some carcass features of Japanese quails with different body weights. During such research, total 550 quail chicks were used in addition, two different temperature groups as being the control (18-24 C) and experiment (35 C) groups and two different body weight groups o o
Occurrence of antibiotics and antiretroviral drugs in source-separated urine, groundwater, surface water and wastewater in the peri-urban area of Chunga in Lusaka, Zambia

Recently, there has been an increased interest in bridging the knowledge gap in the occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals in African urban water cycles. In this study, the occurrence of 7 antibiotics and 3 antiretrovirals in source-separated urine, groundwater, wastewater and surface water of the peri-urban area of Chunga in Lusaka, Zambia, was studied. In groundwater, the pharmaceuticals were only sporadically present with 4 antibiotics and 1 antiretroviral detected. The concentration of the antibiotics ranged from below limit of quantification (<LOQ) to 880 ng/L, with sulfamethoxazole having the highest detection frequency of 42.3%. In the surface water, a comparatively high concentration of pharmaceuticals was measured with concentrations ranging from <LOQ–11 800 ng/L to <LOQ–49 700 ng/L for antibiotics and antiretroviral drugs, respectively. Similarly, the concentration of antibiotics in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent waters ranged from 100–33 300 ng/L and 80–30 040 ng/L, respectively. The concentration of the antiretrovirals was also relatively high in the wastewater and ranged from 680–118 970 ng/L and 1 720–55 760 ng/L in the influent and effluent, respectively. The concentration of the target analytes in source-separated urine were several orders of magnitude higher than in wastewater. Sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and lamivudine had the highest concentrations, of 7 740 µg/L, 12 800 µg/L and 10 010 µg/L, respectively. The high concentration detected in source-separated urine calls for precautionary measures to be undertaken when such urine is to be used as a fertilizer. However, urine source separation has a major advantage of pooling a significant proportion of excreted pharmaceuticals into small manageable volumes which can be effectively treated, minimizing environmental contamination. The high concentrations of antibiotics and antiretroviral drugs measured in this study necessitate creation of effective barriers to mitigate the possible environmental and human health risks.
A NEED-BASED APPROACH TO WELL-AND ILL-BEING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Bu calismanin amaci, universite ogrencilerinde iyi olusun ve hasta olusun yordanmasinda temel ihtiyaclar doyumunun farklilasan islevlerini secim kuramina dayali bir yaklasimla incelemektir. Arastirma orneklemini olusturun 1150 ogrenci Yasam Doyumu Olcegi, Pozitif ve Negatif Duygu Olcegi, Beck Depresyon Envanteri ve Universite Ogrencileri Temel Ihtiyaclar Olcegi’nden olusan oz-bildirim olceklerini tamamlamistir. Arastirma degiskenleri arasindaki yordayici iliskileri analiz etmek icin yol analizi yurutulmustur. Bulgular secim kuraminin ana hipotezini desteklemistir. Buna gore; universite ogrencilerinde temel ihtiyaclar doyumu arttikca oznel iyi olus artmis ve depresif belirtiler azalmistir. Bununla birlikte, temel ihtiyaclarin iyi olusu ve hasta olusu yordamadaki islevleri farklilasmistir. Esasen, temel ihtiyaclar doyumu, depresif belirtilere kiyasla, oznel iyi olusun yordanmasinda daha etkili bulunmustur. Ozgurluk ihtiyaci, hem oznel iyi olusun hem de depresyonun yordanmasinda en guclu degisken olmustur. Ek olarak, eglence ihtiyaci oznel iyi olusun yordanmasina ozgun bir katki sunmus olsa da, ozellikle ozgurluk ve sevgi-ait olma ihtiyaclari ile gosterdigi kismi korelasyonlarin birlesik etkisiyle birlikte, eglence ihtiyacinin depresyonu yordamadaki ilimli katkisi ortadan kalkmistir.
Application of Silica Aerogel in Composites Protecting Against Thermal Radiation

Abstract Aerogels are characterized by excellent insulation properties and a good resistance to high and low temperatures. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of silica aerogel on thermal properties of textile–polymer composites. Aerogel was applied in protective clothing fabric to improve its heat resistance. The composites were produced by coating a fabric made of meta-aramid (polyamide–imide) yarns with a dispersion of polychloroprene latex and synthetic resins or an acrylic–styrene dispersion with aerogel (100–700 μm particle size). The composites were subjected to thermal radiation (20 kW/m2) and their thermal properties were determined by thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). Scanning electron microscopy/X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to characterize the microstructure and study the elemental composition of materials. The thermal conductivity and resistance of composites were measured with an Alambeta apparatus. The tests indicated an increase in resistance to thermal radiation by approximately 15–25%. In TG/DTG analysis, the initial temperature for an unmodified fabric was 423.3°C. After modification, it decreased to 361.8° and 365.3°C for composites with 7 and 14% of aerogel, respectively. SEM images revealed a reduction in aerogel particle size.
Cestodes of the Antarctic fishes

The paper comprises the review of all known species of cestodes parasitizing the Antarctic and Subantarctic fishes along with synonyms and keys based on morphologi− cal features. Also, the review of larval forms of cestodes occurring in bony fishes and provi− sional identification of them with adult forms is given. In total, 11 valid species (and 3 un− named forms) of the order Tetraphyllidea and Diphyllidea occur in skates, whereas 3 spe− cies of the order Pseudophyllidea were reported from bony fishes. Six morphological forms of larvae, 5 belonging to the Tetraphyllidea and one to the family Tetrabothriidae as well as undetermined plerocercoids of Diphyllobothriidae were recognized.
Experimental trampling and vegetation recovery in some forest and heathland communities

Abstract Over the past decades outdoor recreation has become progressively more important and as a result human-induced potential damage has increased. In this study, short-term effects – a 2-yr period – of human trampling on some common forest and heath communities in Central Belgium were studied experimentally. Vulnerability to disturbance was compared among plant communities in terms of resistance, resilience and tolerance, which are based on cover measurements. The herb layer of the examined mesophilous forest communities appeared to be more sensitive than the heath and dry forest community, which were dominated by more resistant graminoid (Molinia caerulea, Deschampsia flexuosa) and dwarf-shrub species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix). The analysis showed that site structure and vegetation were already affected by low intensities of trampling, while vegetation recovery during the first year after trampling was limited in most plant communities. Recovery during the second year in vegetation cover as well as height was most pronounced in mesophilous forest communities. Occasional trampling clearly can lead to increased visual evidence of previous use and continued recreational disturbance. Therefore management plans should discourage hiking activity off paths and restrict recreation activities to the least vulnerable communities. Nomenclature: Lambinon et al. (1998). Abbreviations: RVC = Relative vegetation cover; RVH = Relative vegetation height.
Boron Maintenance Sprays for Apple: Early-season Applications and Tank-mixing with Calcium Chloride

The recommendations for boron (B) sprays in deciduous tree fruit orchards have changed little over the past 50 years. We conducted two 3-year field studies evaluating the effect of two modifications to the existing recommendation for B maintenance sprays on apple (Malus ×domestica) tree nutritional status. A widely recommended Na polybo- rate-based commercial B spray product was used as the B source. Postbloom sprays of B applied at the recommended annual B maintenance rate of 0.56 kg·ha-1 to 'Scarlet Gala∑ apple trees consistently increased fruit B concentration but had a weaker effect on leaf B concentration in early August, the recommended timing for sampling leaves for mineral element analysis. Applying half or all of the annual B maintenance rate in a spray at the pink flowering stage increased flower cluster and early-season leaf B concentrations as well as having positive effects on fruit and leaf B concentrations. The pink sprays increased flower cluster Na concentration but had no effect on leaf and fruit Na concentrations. In the second study, one-quarter of the annual B fertilizer requirement was tank-mixed with each of four biweekly CaCl2 sprays applied starting in early June for bitter pit con- trol. This treatment consistently increased 'Scarlet Gala∑ fruit B concentration but had a lesser effect on August leaf B concentration. It did not interfere with fruit Ca status, and increased both fruit and leaf Na concentrations. Leaf Na concentration in all treatments was substantially lower than levels associated with specific Na toxicity of deciduous fruit trees. The results of these experiments indicate that applying B sprays at the pink flower- ing stage timing and tank-mixing B with CaCl2 sprays applied for bitter pit control are useful practices to enhance B spray efficacy and convenience of application.