Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PERFORMANCE OF SWINE WASTE LAGOONS FOR REMOVING SALMONELLA AND ENTERIC MICROBIAL INDICATORS

Swine lagoon liquid may contain numerous pathogens at concentrations that are a risk to human health through on–farm contact or through off–farm exposure, such as may occur if the pathogens are transported to ground or surface water resources through seepage or spray irrigation. In this study, liquid samples were collected year–round from lagoons on four swine farms and analyzed for Salmonella and six microbial indicators of fecal contamination (fecal coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens spores, somatic coliphages, and F–specific coliphages). Salmonella were measured at mean concentrations of 3.1 to 4.0 log10 MPN/100 mL in untreated flushed swine waste, 2.2 to 2.4 log10 MPN/100 mL in single–stage primary lagoon liquid, and 0.4 to 0.7 log10 MPN/100 mL in the secondary lagoons of two–stage lagoon systems. Salmonella, fecal coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, somatic coliphages, and F–specific coliphages were reduced by 1 to 2 log10 in single–stage lagoon systems, and by 2 to 3 log10 in two–stage lagoon systems. C. perfringens spore reductions were significantly lower than for the other microbes analyzed in primary treatment lagoons (mean reductions = 0.6 to 0.8 log10), suggesting that effective removal of environmentally persistent pathogens such as helminths and protozoan parasites (e.g., Cryptosporidium parvum) may necessitate the use of two–stage lagoon systems, or alternative waste management techniques. Temperature was significantly associated with treatment efficacy for reductions of fecal coliforms and coliphages in at least one of the primary lagoons studied. In secondary lagoons, temperature was significantly associated with reductions of all the study microbes. Linear regression analysis of Salmonella reductions versus temperature in the secondary lagoons yielded an r2 = 0.66. Based on statistical analysis of the magnitudes and correlations of their reductions, fecal coliforms and E. coli were determined to be the best microbial indicators of the reduction of Salmonella in swine waste lagoon systems. The results of this study indicate that single–stage, primary lagoons can substantially reduce concentrations of Salmonella, fecal coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, and coliphages in flushed swine waste, but were not effective for reducing concentrations of C. perfringens spores. Salmonella and other microbes can be further reduced in two–stage lagoon systems, yielding overall enteric microbe reductions that are more protective of public health.
Roosting Behavior and Roost-Site Preferences of Forest-Dwelling California Bats (Myotis californicus)

We followed nine radiotagged female California bats ( Myotis californicus ) to 19 roosts in trees at two study sites in southcentral British Columbia. Bats regularly switched roosts and the number of bats emerging from known roosts fluctuated widely. Logistic-regression analysis showed that reproductively active females preferred trees further away from other trees of the same height or greater, and closer to neighboring trees, relative to available trees in the immediate vicinity of the roost. Diameter at breast height and distance to the nearest tree of the same or greater height explained significant proportions of the variation between roost and available trees found in other areas of the same forest stand. Roost trees had significantly larger diameters and were further away from trees of the same or greater height. Percentage of canopy closure also explained a significant proportion of the variation between roost and available trees, such that roost trees were situated in areas with lower canopy closure than available trees in other areas of the same stand. Roost and available trees were classified correctly >70% of the time based on the above tree characteristics. However, roost trees were only correctly classified 39% of the time in the analysis of site characteristics. Our results, combined with those from other recent studies, lead to the general hypothesis that forest-roosting bats require a number of large dead trees of specific species, in specific stages of decay, and that project above the canopy in relatively open areas. For management and conservation reasons, there should be a strong incentive to evaluate this hypothesis for a variety of species in a variety of locations to test its generality.
High mountains of the Japanese archipelago as refugia for arctic–alpine plants: phylogeography of Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desvaux (Ericaceae)

According to previous phylogeographic studies, high mountains at low latitudes are important areas for the study of the evolutionary history of arctic–alpine plants in surviving the Pleistocene climatic oscillations. To evaluate this hypothesis, we elucidated the genetic structure of the arctic–alpine plant, Loiseleuria procumbens, in the Japanese archipelago, which corresponds to one of the southernmost limits of its distribution, using 152 individuals from 17 populations that covered the entire distribution of the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin, in addition to samples from Sweden. Based on 854 bp of chloroplast DNA, we detected eight haplotypes. Along with haplotype distribution, strong genetic differentiation between populations in central and northern Japan was elucidated by a neighbour-joining tree (100%) and spatial analysis of molecular variance (79%), which is consistent with other alpine plants in Japan, regardless of the species' range. In addition, the southernmost populations from northern Japan showed specific genetic structure, although the remaining areas of northern Japan and Sakhalin harboured an homogenous genetic structure. Our results suggest that the populations in central Japan persisted for a long time during the Pleistocene climatic oscillation and that genetic divergence occurred in situ, supporting our hypothesis in conjunction with a previous study of another arctic–alpine plant, Diapensia lapponica subsp. obovata. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 97, 403–412.
Diferentes fontes protéicas na alimentação de alevinos de curimba ( Prochilodus lineatus V.)

Different proteic sources were evaluated for curimba fingerlings ( Prochilodus lineatus ) to check performance and economical viability for fingerlings with an average weight of 10.47 ± 2.11g and a total initial length of 8.85 ± 0.64 cm, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications, in sixteen 1,000L ponds. Soybean meal + fish meal (SM + FM); soybean meal (SM); SM + canola meal (SM + CM) and SM + dry yeast (DY), with inclusion levels of FM, CM and DY of 19.60%, 32.00% and 39.20% respectively, corresponding to 50.55%, 48.19% and 61.30% of crude protein substitution by FM, CM and DY respectively, were used. There were no significant differences (P > 0.01) for survival and ration R$/gain kg between treatments. The fishes fed with SM + FM, SM and SM + CM showed values of final weight and total length with differences between them (P > 0,01), but higher than those that received SM + DY. For weight gain the fishes fed with SM + FC showed values higher than SM + DY, but both treatments did not show differences (P > 0,01) of SM + FM or SM. The proteic efficiency rate and apparent feed conversion of fishes that received SM + DY were lower than (P < 0,01 and P < 0,05 respectively) SM + FM or SM + FC, however SM showed similar values in all treatments. Water temperature was below the recommended one, the pH remained within the adequate levels and electrical conductivity was below the levels that were recorded in ponds. It was concluded that protein sources constituted by SM + FM; SM + CM or only SM provided the best performance however all alternative tested sources may be given to curimba fingerlings
A new metric for determining the importance of transient storage

A review of various metrics used to characterize transient storage indicates that none of the existing measures successfully integrate the interaction between advective velocity and the transient storage parameters (storage zone area, storage zone exchange coefficient). Further, 2 existing metrics are related to mean travel time, a quantity that is independent of the storage zone exchange coefficient, α. This interaction and the effect of α on travel time are important considerations when determining the mass of solute entering the storage zone within a given reach. A new metric based on median reach travel time is therefore proposed. Median reach travel time due to advection–dispersion and transient storage, and median reach travel time due solely to advection–dispersion are computed based on numerical simulations. These 2 travel times are used to determine Fmed, the fraction of median travel time due to transient storage. Application of the new metric to 53 existing parameter sets indicates that transient storage accounts for 0.12% to 68.0% of total reach travel time. Rankings of storage zone importance based on the new metric are substantially different from rankings based on storage zone residence time, storage exchange flux, and the hydrological retention factor. These differences result from the ability of the new metric to characterize the interaction between advective velocity and transient storage, and the resultant effects on reach travel time and mass transport.
Invertebrate fauna of three streams in relation to land use in Southland, New Zealand

Abstract A survey of benthic invertebrates and associated environmental factors was carried out in three Southland streams in relation to developed and undeveloped pasture over 15 months in 1985— 1987. In all three streams the invertebrate community changed in the sections within developed pasture in such a way as to suggest pollution, although no point sources were present. Numbers of Deleatidium spp. , Pycnocentrodes aureola, Olingaferedayi, Archichauliodes diversus, Aoteapsyche colonica, and Plecoptera tended to decrease in the developed pasture area, whereas numbers of Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Physastra variabilis, Gyraulus corinna and Oligochaeta tended to increase. Stepwise regression was carried out on six environmental variables vs seven of the more numerous taxa. Significant regressions at P < 0.01 were obtained for 7 out of 21 instances, but little consistency was apparent across streams or taxa. The significant regressions that were obtained did not explain readily the tendency towards a pollut.
Efecto de la clorosis férrica en el tamño y la concentración de aceite en el fruto del palto (Persea americana Mill.)

In order to determine the effect of iron chlorosis on fruit size and oil content, of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) a trial was conducted on a 22-year-old orchard cv. Hass located at Quillota, Chile (32o51? S lat., 71o6? W long.). Twelve trees with different degrees of iron chlorosis were selected, normal green foliage and others highly chlorotic. Fifteen fruit and 30 leaves per tree were taken on August 30. In this samples iron concentration was determined by spectrophotometry. Color by tri-stimulus colorimetry and chlorophyll concentration by ethanol extraction and spectrophotometer absorbance were measured on leaves and fruit peels. Fruit weight and oil content were measured by petroleum ether extraction. Fruit from normal trees had an iron concentration of 13.8 mg kg-1 (P £ 0,05) higher than that of chlorotic trees. A high correlation between the chlorophyll level of leaves and fruit peels was found (R2 = 0.74). The leaf chlorophyll concentration was also highly associated with the fruit weight (R2= 0.93) and oil content (R2 = 0.68). A similar relation was found between the fruit peel chlorophyll concentration and the fruit weight (R2 = 0.70) and its oil content (R2 = 0.86). It is concluded that iron chlorosis diminished fruit size and oil concentration in avocados.
Winter habitat requirements of White Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon and Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus in south-west China

Understanding the habitat needs of White Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon and Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus is important for their conservation. We carried out field surveys of the two pheasants around Zhujie Monastery, Daocheng County, Sichuan Province, China, using line transects. In total, 172 200 × 200 m grid squares were obtained, including 56 active and 116 inactive ones for White Eared-pheasant and 45 active and 127 inactive ones for Blood Pheasant. We analysed the occurrence of both species by logistic multiple regression. The most important variables in model 1 for White Eared-pheasant were distance to nearest permanent water, shrub cover, tree cover, tree height and herb cover. In model 2 for Blood Pheasant, distance to nearest permanent water, shrub cover, herb cover and herb height were most important. The occurrence of both pheasants was negatively related to distance to nearest permanent water and herb cover, and positively related to shrub cover. The occurrence of White Eared-pheasant was positively related to tree cover and tree height, and that of Blood Pheasant to herb height. Water, food and predation risk were the main ecological factors affecting the species' distribution. Based on the two predictive models, conservation management was proposed, to include management of selectively-logged areas and substituting other energy sources, such as electricity, for firewood.
Seed Hydration Using the Drum Priming System

Drum priming enhances seed performance without the waste and additional materials associated with conventional osmotic or matric priming techniques. Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) se ('White D' Lite') and sh2 ('WSS-4948') endosperm seeds were hydrated using drum priming at 25 °C for 6 hours. During each cycle, 125-g seed samples were exposed to 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, or 6.0 mL of distilled water and then rotated in a drum for 1 hour to ensure uniform uptake. At the end of this period, samples of 100 seeds (each) were removed and moisture content was determined. Drum priming hydrated all seedlots gradually, with increasing time required at reduced water levels for individual seedlots to achieve the desired moisture content (25% to 30%). Drum priming may provide a better alternative to conventional systems of priming.
Taphonomic implications of polychaete jaws recovered from gut contents of the queen triggerfish

Remains of jawed polychaetes were recovered from stomach contents of queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula L.) collected by spearing from Came Bow Cay, Belize, Central America. Jaws in the nereidids, glycerids, and arabellids recovered are perfectly preserved, and might be passed by the fish without noticeable alteration. Jaws in the onuphids are fully articulated, but the outer wall-layer has been digested away, leaving only the inner aragonitic layer intact. A low fossilization potential for onuphid jaws is indicated, consistent with laboratory studies of jaw composition. Based on literature accounts, fish predation may have a considerable influence on polychaete jaw (scolecodont) assemblages in sediment.
Egg Quality in Wild and Broodstock Cod Gadus morhua L.

Problems concerning egg viability or egg quality have received increasing attention, in relation to cultivation as well as to the assessment of reproduction of wild fishes. One important aspect of this paper is to discuss the use of cell morphological characteristics as indicators of egg quality in cod. Early cellular malformation rates in egg batches show a positive correlation with their later egg and larval survival, and can be used as a rough prediction of normal development and mortality rates. The natural mortality rate offish eggs is not well understood, and observed egg viability of captive cod is are discussed in relation to egg viability in the wild. Results from recent work indicated that approximately 10% of naturally spawned cod eggs from both wild fish (planktonic samples) and from a broodstock had abnormal cleavages at the 2–128 cell stage. Eggs with observed early abnormal cell-cleavage showed very poor survival and hatching rates. For broodstock cod, egg viability was highest during the peak of the spawning season. The North Atlantic cod may provide a good model species for studies of egg viability variations in wild and captive individuals, as its reproductive biology is well studied. It is now documented that the egg production in cod is dependent on fish age, nutritional status, batch number, and stress factors.
Characterization of pine bud syrup and its effect on physicochemical and sensory properties of kefir

This study aimed to develop a value-added kefir by the addition of pine bud syrup. For this purpose, different concentrations of pine bud syrup [2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% (w/w)] were added to kefir formulation after the fermentation. The pine bud syrup used for kefir fortification is rich in polyphenols and terpenes and has a high antioxidant activity. The study was designed to evaluate the influence of pine bud syrup on the physicochemical and sensory properties of kefir. The addition of pine bud syrup resulted in an increase in total solids and a decrease in fat content, proteins, and pH. The kefir sample with 10% pine bud syrup was the most appreciated by sensory panelists. Its overall acceptability score was higher (6.71 points) than regular kefir (5.57 points). The addition of 10% pine bud syrup improved the texture and consistency of regular kefir.
Characterization of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants with defective secretion of extracellular proteins and comparison with other mutants

We have isolated 2 new pleiotropic mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO with defective secretion of extracellular proteins (Xcp mutants). One of these mutants was compared to 2 different, previously isolated secretion mutants. All had similar phenotypes and were unable to release at least 4 exoproteins (lipase, elastase, alkaline phosphatase, and phospholipase C), whilst alkaline protease was still secreted. The exoproteins appeared to be blocked in the periplasmic space. No difference in molecular weight was detected between cell-bound forms of elastase and alkaline phosphatase in the different mutants and the corresponding extracellular forms from the wild-type strain. Genetic mapping showed that the mutations were located in the 55′ region of the chromosome.
Pancreas disease in Atlantic salmon: serum neutralisation and passive immunisation

Abstract Antisera raised in fish following experimental infection with pancreas disease either by intraperitoneal injection of infective kidney homogenate or by cohabitation with infected fish was found to give up to 100% neutralisation when incubated with PD infective kidney homogenate and then injected into fish. Complete neutralisation occurred with antisera obtained four, eight and 15 weeks after infection by injection and eight and 15 weeks after infection by cohabitation. When antisera, taken from fish eight weeks following infection by injection, was diluted up to 1:100, 100% neutralisation occurred. Significant levels of neutralisation still occurred at a 1:1000 dilution. Following passive immunisation of Atlantic salmon parr and post-smolts with week 8 antisera either one, two or three days before or at the same time as or one, two or three days after an i.p. injection of pancreas disease infective kidney homogenate, fish were 100% protected against the disease.
Some like it hot: the effect of temperature on brood development in the invasive crab Hemigrapsus takanoi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae)

The duration of brood development in the introduced crab, Hemigrapsus takanoi in the Oosterschelde, The Netherlands, was compared at three different water temperatures. At 12, 18 and 24°C the females took an average of 32, 11 and 8 days respectively to lay eggs, which took 86, 28 and 18 days respectively to complete development. Five stages of development were identified, with each brood stage comprising a similar proportion of the duration time at different temperatures. The duration of each brood stage was also somewhat proportional to the number of females found carrying each brood stage in the field at the beginning of the breeding season. There appears to be a trigger for the breeding season in H. takanoi in the field at around 15°C above which ovary development begins. The results suggest that an increase in water temperature as a result of climate change may result in an increased net reproductive rate in H. takanoi due to earlier onset of the breeding season and increased number of broods per inter-moult period resulting in population growth. Increased temperatures may therefore lead to increased invasiveness of H. takanoi where it is already present, and range extension into locations where its establishment is currently excluded by unsuitable temperature.
Does environmental heterogeneity affect species co‐occurrence in ecological guilds across stream macroinvertebrate metacommunities?

Null model analyses have greatly improved our understanding of species co-occurrence. Null model analyses have shown, for example, that cold-blooded animals show less segregated distributions than warm-blooded animals. This topic has rarely been studied simultaneously across multiple metacommunities. We analysed data on 10 stream metacommunities (with 10 communities in each metacommunity) of a cold-blooded animal group, benthic macroinvertebrates, and examined co-occurrence within five ecological guilds. We found that the segregated species co-occurrence was not the rule in stream invertebrate guilds. This was evidenced by the finding that only 10% of the 50 guild matrices we analyzed showed significant segregation and no matrices showed significant aggregation in the within-stream analyses. However, in the across-streams analysis, all guilds showed significant segregation. We neither found differences in the degree of segregation among the guilds, the degree of species segregation did not increase with overall environmental heterogeneity, and there were no differences in the relationships between species segregation and overall environmental heterogeneity among the guilds. Expanding the spatial extent from single stream metacommunities (i.e. within each stream) to the whole study region (i.e. across the streams) increased significantly segregation in all guilds. Because environmental heterogeneity across streams was much higher than within single streams, overall environmental heterogeneity may nevertheless have effects on species segregation. It also seems that the effects of overall heterogeneity on species segregation were masked by mass effects in the within-stream analyses.
A NEW FAMILY OF DACNONYPHA (LEPIDOPTERA) BASED ON THREE NEW SPECIES FROM SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, WITH NOTES ON THE AGATHIPHAGIDAE

A new family Lophocoronidae is proposed in the Dacnonypha for the new genus Lophocorona, with three new species from southern Australia, L. pediasia, L. astiptica, and L. melanora. Comparative notes are given on the adult morphology of this and other families referred to the Dacnonypha, especially the Agathiphagidae.