Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE IMPACT OF FORESTRY ON DRAGONFLY DIVERSITY IN CENTRAL SWEDEN

Abstract A survey of 32 lakes for dragonfly larvae, aquatic plants and forestry regime in the surrounding boreal forests was performed. The highest diversity was found in undisturbed forests. Lakes rich in aquatic plants were shown also to be rich in dragonflies. A rich plant community is proposed to provide a wider range of microhabitats thereby increasing dragonfly biodiversity. If the forest surrounding a lake has been logged, a decrease in the species-richness of dragonflies with partivoltine life-cycles can be observed after a 5 year “lag phase. ” Increased fluctuations in water temperature and leakage of nutrients into the water are two possible causes. Univoltine species are not affected and appear to be less dependent on constant water conditions. The water plant community is only moderately affected, but a slight decrease in the number of species can be observed. A return to more species-rich conditions can be observed after more than 15 years, but whether the original community is restored or rep.
Colonization patterns at the substratum-water interface : how does surface microtopography influence recruitment patterns of sessile organisms?

The “rugophilic”; behaviour (e.g. the preference for settling in concavities) of barnacles is well documented. In contrast, little is known about settlement preferences of other species with regard to surface microtopography. In a randomized block design, five different rugosities (smooth, 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 5 mm) were exposed to natural fouling in the Baltic Sea. In four experiments, test panels were colonized by Mytilus edulis, Polydora dliata, Balanus improvisus, diatoms, hydrozoa, bryozoa, and several ciliates. Settlement densities and microtopographical preferences for pits or elevations as a function of grain size were evaluated. Rugosities influenced settlement densities and the microtopographical preferences of almost all investigated species. Settlement densities were generally lowest on smooth panels, with most species showing distinct preferences for different rugosities. While a preference for pits was frequent, in some species the proportion of individuals settling on elevations significantly increased with roughness. These data on microtopographical preferences of different species give new insights into interactions between settlement behaviour, surface roughness, boundary layer hydrodynamics and community structure.
Purification and characterization of lignin peroxidase from Loweporus lividus MTCC‐1178

Lignin peroxidase from the culture filtrate of Loweporus lividus MTCC‐1178 has been purified to homogeneity using Amicon concentration and DEAE cellulose chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified lignin peroxidase using SDS‐PAGE analysis has been found to be 40 kDa. The Km values for veratryl alcohol and H2O2 for the purified enzyme were 58 and 83 μM, respectively. The calculated kcat value of the purified enzyme using veratryl alcohol as the substrate was 2.5 s−1. The pH and temperature optima of lignin peroxidase have been found to be 2.6 and 24°C, respectively.
Combination of diatomaceous earth and powder deltamethrin for insect control in stored corn

The use of diatomaceous earth (DE) is a very efficient insect control measure in stored grain IPM due to its low cost, easy application, reduction of active ingredient residues, lower environmental contamination and operator safety. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of different dosages of DE mixed with powder deltamethrin for controlling Sitophilus zeamais in stored corn. Samples of 100 g of clean and dry corn, in three replicates, were submitted to the following treatments: DE (Keepdry®), at the dosages of 500, 750 and 1000 g/t; powder deltamethrin (K-Obiol®) at 0,5 g a.i. /t and 1,0 g a.i. /t; and combinations of the lowest and highest DE dosages with the two dosages of deltamethrin. Thirty adults of S. zeamais were placed in each vial with the treated grains and kept in environment chambers at 25oC. Mortality was evaluated from the 1st to the 28th day. In the treatments mixing DE with deltamethrin or deltamethrin alone, the mortalyti was registered since the first day. In the treatments using only DE, the first dead insects were recorded after the 3rd day, especially in the highest dosages. After the 7th day, however, there was no statistical difference among all treatments, except for the lowest dosage of DE which reached a satisfactory control level only by the 14th day. It was concluded that treatments using DE combined with low dosages of powder deltamethrin represent an efficient control measure against S. zeamais in stored corn because insect mortality is faster than in treatments using DE alone and residues of active ingredients are much lower than using the insecticide in high dosages.
Influence of the Environment On Development and Sex Differentiation of Root-Knot Nematodes

Maleic hydrazide (MH) sprayed on tomato or tobacco seedlings infected by Meloidogyne incognita or M. javanica reduced the rate of development and affected the direction of sexual differentiation of the nematode larvae. The highest male percentage was obtained when plants were sprayed immediately after inoculation. The most effective dose of MH-30 was 12 mg/plant. Nematode larvae freely entered the plant roots during the first 24 hours following MH application. Fewer nematodes invaded the roots during the second and third day following application and invasion was later inhibited completely. Immersion of larvae in a 10% solution of MH-30 for various periods of time did not affect the rate of development or sex differentiation of the larvae. Female intersexes of M. javanica were obtained for the first time from plants treated with high rates of MH. They probably developed from advanced second stage female larvae through incomplete sex reversal.
Density-dependent foraging in the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii on shallow subtidal reefs in New South Wales, Australia

An experimental manipulation of density in the diadematid sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersij demonstrated that the species has a large impact on the abundance of large brown algae, lirnpets and crustose coralline algae. Significant non-linearities were observed in these variables in response to the removal of all, 66 %, 33 % or no sea urchins from naturally occurring patches of Barrens habitat in New South Wales. Removal of all sea urchins caused the loss of the Barrens habitat and the development of an assemblage of foliose algae. Foliose algae did not successfully colonize treatments in which only some sea urchins were removed. Partial removals caused reductions in the size of patches that were not linearly related to density. Changes in size of patches were interpreted as being a complex product of the size and shape of crevices containing sea urchins.
Potential of Botulinum toxin A to treat upper extremity spasticity in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract Botulinum toxin type A has been used extensively to treat spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Although the effectiveness of the toxin in the lower limbs is well established, its effectiveness in upper limbs has not been proved yet. Many studies published so far report conflicting results in terms of spasticity, function, activity and participation improvement. The scope of this review is to present the evidence from published studies, focusing on the effectiveness and the safety of botulinum toxin A.
Length–Weight Relationships for Short-Finned Squid in Newfoundland and the Effect of Diet on Condition and Growth

Abstract Relationships of growth in weight to mantle length were examined for short-finned squid Illex illecebrosus collected near Holyrood, Newfoundland, from 1964 to 1985. For lengths typically encountered in the commercial fishery, males generally were significantly heavier than females at a given length. Fish appeared to be the most suitable prey type for promoting growth of inshore short-finned squid, whereas crustaceans appeared to be the least suitable prey type in that respect. Relatively high weight at length during July in years of high short-finned squid abundance was related to a high level of predation on fish. Seasonal change in condition was also directly related to prominence offish in the diet. Incidence of cannibalism increased dramatically after July in years of high short-finned squid abundance as predation on fish declined sharply. In contrast, there were no seasonal changes in the diet during years of low abundance. In such years, the diet was mixed throughout the season and cannibal.
Recruitment Dynamics and Size Structure in Experimental Populations of the Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis

Abstract Experimental populations of the cannibalistic livebearer, Gambusia affinis, were exposed to varying degrees of shelter for juveniles vulnerable to cannibalism by adults. High densities of shelter significantly reduced the effects of cannibalism and effectively maintained reproducing populations throughout the experiment (380 days). Population densities continuously declined in medium and low refuge density treatments due to a lack of recruitment. The size distributions of fish in these treatments narrowed with time, although the rate at which this occurred was greater in the low refuge density treatment.
Viability of Human Follicular Oocytes Collected from Unstimulated Ovaries and Matured and Fertilized in vitro

Immature human follicular oocytes were collected from unstimulated ovaries, matured and fertilized in vitro and then transferred to patients with no ovarian dysfunction such as premature ovarian failure. From 11 1 consenting donors, 422 immature oocytes were collected from 97 ovaries between January 1990 and October 1991. The number of oocytes collected from ovaries and their development were recorded so that comparisons could be made among donors of different ages and ovarian condition, such as menstrual cycle, cyclic and non-cyclic ovaries. The rate of fertilization in vitro showed a peak in the 31-40-year age group; however, there was no statistical difference in the rate of oocyte maturation and cleavage among the donors in the different age groups. Immature oocytes of the luted phase had a significantly higher maturation rate than those of the follicular phase. There was no significant difference in the number of recovered oocytes, or in the development of immature follicular oocytes, between cyclic and non-cyclic ovaries. Mature follicular fluid and peritoneal fluid had a significant effect on the development of immature follicular oocytes. Also, it was found that fertilized eggs cleaved more frequently in the medium containing hypoxanthine compared with the medium without hypoxanthine. Finally, from 21 transfer cycles, viable embryos were derived from immature follicular oocytes, resulting in two pregnancies, both leading to the birth of normal babies. These findings suggest that culture in vitro of immature follicular oocytes, from unstimulated ovaries, to a suitable condition, could be used optimally for clinical applications such as human ovum donation programmes.
Correlated changes in skeletal muscle connective tissue and flesh texture during starvation and re‐feeding in brown trout (Salmo trutta) reared in seawater

Quantitative and qualitative changes to muscle and collagen were analysed following starvation and re-feeding of brown trout (Salmo trutta) reared in seawater. Fish were submitted to starvation for 2 months followed by re-feeding for 1 month and compared with a control group continuously fed. Classical effects of starvation on growth and morphometrics traits were observed with only a partial recovery of these parameters after 1 month of re-feeding. Muscle composition of starved fish was significantly affected (lower dry matter content and higher post-mortem pH) compared with control fish and was partially recovered in re-fed fish compared with continuously fed fish. Muscle structure and composition were affected with thinner muscle fibre and higher connective tissue content for the starved fish but similar thickness of myosepta compared with the control group. No difference was observed after 1 month of re-feeding. Characteristics of the connective tissue were significantly affected by starvation (more high weight molecular collagen form, higher thermal stability of skin collagen). These differences remained significant after the re-feeding period. Starved fish showed also higher mechanical resistance of the raw flesh compared with the control group, but no difference in rheological measurements was observed after 1 month of re-feeding. The changes in texture and their relationships with muscle composition, muscle structure and collagen characteristics are discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Strong density dependence in a predatory insect: large‐scale experiments in a stream

Summary 1 Empirical information about the intergenerational dynamics of stream insects is scarce, and most field experiments are conducted at small temporal and spatial scales that are inappropriate for assessing effects upon population dynamics. We performed a large-scale, intergenerational population manipulation of an abundant, stream-dwelling predator, the alderfly Sialis fuliginosa, by altering its recruitment over 3 consecutive years (it has a 2-year life cycle). 2 Experimental treatments were assigned to three contiguous 150-m stretches. Each year at least 92% of S. fuliginosa eggs, that are laid on the streamside vegetation, were removed from an upstream ‘removal’ stretch and transferred below an adjacent ‘control’ stretch to a downstream ‘addition’ stretch, where recruitment was thus effectively doubled. 3 Although manipulations were successful initially, the effects were transient. Strong density-dependent survival stabilized the population at a similar density in all three stretches within the first 4 months of life for the 1997 cohort and somewhat later for the 1998 cohort. Survey data suggested that intraguild predation (including cannibalism) and/or starvation, particularly early in the life cycle, might be regulating the S. fuliginosa population. 4 It is intriguing that this abundant predator, which is linked very richly within the complex Broadstone Stream food web, has a strongly stabilized population, even in the face of such a dramatic perturbation in recruitment.
Decision-making processes in group departures of cattle.

To keep social cohesiveness, group-living animals have to reach consensus decisions through recruitment processes. This implies that decisionmaking depends on the behaviours and social relationships of several group members at different stages of movements. We tested these assumptions in a group of fifteen 18-mo-old Charolais heifers (Bos taurus) at pasture, in which two observers continuously videotaped social interactions and group departures after resting periods. These departures were preceded by a phase of preparation characterized by an increase in activity. The number of heifers participating to a movement increased with the number of group members oriented in the direction of the movement before departure. The first moving animal also recruited a higher number of mates when it had a greater number of close neighbours, the first individuals to follow being mainly its preferential partners. Coercive interactions such as pressing behaviours were observed within the 5 min preceding or following departure. After departure, the numbers of walks and restarts of the first two movers were still operative in recruiting others. The frequency of pauses of the first mover was significantly higher when it was not followed, meaning that it adjusted its behaviour to that of other group members. Decision-making was distributed among group members, with any individual being liable to move first. The behaviour of cows and their spatial distribution before departure, at departure and after departure significantly affected the number of participants in the movement, demonstrating that decisionmaking was time-distributed in the studied cattle group.
SOME COMMENTS ON A RECENT PAPER BY D. G. R. McLEOD AND G. R. DRISCOLL CONCERNING DIAPAUSE IN THE CABBAGE MAGGOT

Several statements and conclusions in the recent paper on diapause in the cabbage maggot by McLeod and Driscoll (1967) are quite misleading and require clarification. In my paper (1965), I was not in a position to critically appraise the results of earlier workers and I therefore simply presented my data as factual information. In their paper, McLeod and Driscoll present data to support the findings of earlier researchers in England, France, and Russia and they concluded that these records did not agree with the results of studies at Charlottetown. The disagreements were obvious but McLeod and Driscoll give no valid explanation as to why the results were different.
Geographical Patterns of Variation in the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection: I. Morphological Traits

In order to use, maintain, and increase germplasm collections efficiently and effectively, it is important to characterize the diversity of the collection. Our objective was to describe phenotypic diversity of a large sample (2250 accessions from 78 countries) of the USDA soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] germplasm collection
Evaluation of a 254-mm Minimum Length Limit for Crappies in Two Southeast Nebraska Reservoirs

Abstract Wehrspann and Zorinsky reservoirs are located near the largest population center of Nebraska, which has contributed to high fishing pressure and overharvesting of resident populations of black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus and white crappie P. annularis. To protect these popular fisheries and increase angler catch rates, a 254-mm minimum length limit was established on both reservoirs in 1994. Fall trap-net catch rates of black crappies increased 535% in Wehrspann Reservoir (1994–1998) and 721% in Zorinsky Reservoir (1993–1998). Angler catch rates from 1994 to 1998 increased from 0.26 to 2.55 crappies/h in Wehrspann Reservoir and from 0.13 to 0.82 crappies/h in Zorinsky Reservoir. Harvest rates declined below 0.03 crappies/h in both reservoirs. Growth rates declined, age structure increased, and annual mortality remained high in both reservoirs after the limit was implemented. The length limit was successful at protecting the populations and increasing angler catch rates; however, a shift in siz.
The epidemiology of parasitic gastro-enteritis of cattle

Observations on parasitic gastro-enteritis of cattle are recorded with particular reference to its epidemiology under conditions existing in Queensland. The most important species of nematodes associated with this disease are Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia punctata, C. pectinata, and Bosicola radiatus. All of these are serious among dairy cattle, but only H. contortus, Bosicola radiatus, and rarely Bunostomum phlebotomum among beef cattle. Ostertagia ostertagi and Trichostrongylus urei are common, but occur in pathogenic numbers only occasionally. Strongyloides papillosus and Moniezia sp. , probably M. benedeni, are also discussed. The incidence and prevalence of these parasites are recorded and also the age of the calf when infestation was first detected. Pathogenic infestations are for the most part confined to young cattle 3 to 24 months of age. In dairy cattle, the most susceptible age is from 4 to 12 months; in beef cattle, the majority of outbreaks occur a few months after weaning. Outbreaks are usually seen during the winter and early spring, although on occasion, losses may commence in the autumn and occur also in early summer. Seasonal fluctuations in the populations of these helminths were followed by means of regular faecal egg counts. It was usual for the egg count of each species to increase to a peak, then to decline fairly rapidly, and to remain on a low level during the remainder of the period the animals were under observation, i.e. up to 18 months of age. The ages at which these peaks occurred are recorded and their relationship to the season of birth of the host is discussed. The influence of temperature and rainfall on the prevalence of these helminths has been studied and some preliminary observations are recorded on the development and behaviour of their preparasitic stages in the dung pad. Evidence is brought forward to show that cattle develop a strong resistance to infestation during the first 18 months or so of life. In young animals this reaction depends on exposure to infestation and is somewhat specific in nature in so far as it may be manifested against one species, but populations of other species may continue to increase. Thus, most animals became resistant to infestation with Cooperia spp. at about five months of age, but not to H. contortus and the other species until several months later. This resistance is considered mainly responsible for the light infestations usual among adult cattle. It appears strongest against B. phlebotomum and weakest against H. contortus, which is the most common and prevalent species among adult animals. Outbreaks of parasitic gastro-enteritis are considered to occur under conditions of high larval prevalence and poor nutrition, when resistance against infestation fails to be effective.
Online medical consultation: A review of literature and practice

Background: While the internet has long been a source of medical information, it has only recently been used for online private patient-doctor consultations. Online Medical Consultation (OMC) is now offered by many providers internationally with diverse models and features. Method: This study reports a review of the literature on OMCs and an empirical analysis of 28 existing OMC web sites to explore their major themes, modalities, costs, and geographical coverage. These features have been studied for a better understanding of the promise on which these services operate. Results: Regardless of the different labels given to OMC, academic works have reported several advantages and raised multiple concerns regarding particular OMC practices. OMC is a growing phenomenon featuring several interaction modalities, serving various medical consultation purposes, and accessible to consumers throughout the world. The contribution of this work is to present the current status and synthesize features of available OMC services.
Influence of Water and Temperature on Oogonium and Oospore Formation of Downy Mildew Fungus, Peronospora manshurica, in Soybean Lesions

Oospores of downy mildew fungus, Peronospora manshurica, of soybean, Glycine max, were well formed when the lesions were immersed in water or under humid condition. Oospores were not formed when the lesions were submerged in water or kept under dry condition. In the immersion treatment at 5 C neither oogonium nor oospore was formed and at 25C only a few oogonia were formed. At 10 C oogonia and oospores were formed, but in small number. At 15 and 20 C abundant oogonia and oospores were formed. At 15 C oogonia were abundantly formed after 3 day-immersion and reached the maximum number after 4 day-immersion. Oospores developed after 2 days following oogonium formation. At 20 C oogonia were formed after 3 day-immersion and reached the maximum number after 4 day-immersion, as well at 15 C. Oospore development at 20 C was, however, 1 day earlier than that at 15 C. Size of oogonium thus obtained was 36.0×40.2 μm, and that of oospore was 27.6 μm in diameter on the average.