Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant functional traits, herbivore selectivity and response to sheep grazing in Patagonian steppe grasslands

Summary 1 In some ecosystems there is a positive feedback between forage quality and grazing intensity. This involves three components of plant tolerance to grazing: functional traits, herbivore selectivity and response to grazing. We analysed the relationships between these components at species and community levels in Patagonian steppe grasslands. 2 We measured plant functional traits [height, specific leaf area (SLA) and foliar toughness] and estimated sheep selectivity and grazing response indices for 35 plant species. Sheep selectivity indices were obtained from microhistological and species’ availability data, and grazing response indices from species’ abundances in sites with contrasting grazing intensities. We performed correlations and multiple regressions among the three types of variables across the pool of 35 species. 3 To analyse data at the community level, we computed weighted averages of traits and sheep selectivity indices for 34 floristic samples taken from each side of 17 fence lines with contrasting grazing intensities. Correlations between mean trait values and sheep selectivity across the 34 samples, and paired comparisons of those variables between sides of the fences, were performed. 4 Taller plants had leaves with lower SLA and/or higher toughness. Short species of intermediate toughness were selected more often by sheep, while SLA was not related to sheep selectivity. Short species with high SLA increased with grazing, while toughness and sheep selectivity were unrelated to grazing response. 5 At the community level, short swards with high average SLA had high selectivity indices and were more abundant on the most intensively grazed sides of fence lines. Leaf toughness was unrelated to other traits or to sheep selectivity, and showed no significant response to grazing. 6 Synthesis and applications. Intensive grazing can increase the forage value of grasslands by the creation of lawns dominated by tolerant species. However, results from this study showed that some plant species that were avoided by grazers also increased, indicating a potential risk of a shift in composition of grazing lawns towards states of low forage value. This suggests that periodic resting of lawns could be a good management strategy to favour palatable species, thereby minimizing the risk of undesirable shifts in the overall species composition.
GROWTH AND FECUNDITY OF ANTHOCORIS SPP. REARED ON VARIOUS PREY (HETEROPTERA: ANTHOCORIDAE)

Rates of development and sizes of adults at 23 –2° were determined for six species of Anthocoris reared on a series of host insects. Relative food value of the test prey varied between species of Anthocoris. For example, Psyila mali Schmid. was suitable for all species, but Aphis fabae (Scop.) was suitable for Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi (DeG.), poor for A. nemorum (L.), and unsuitable for A. confusus Reut. , A. nemoralis (Fab.), A. sarothamni Douglas & Scott, and A. minki Dohrn. Growth rates of larvae of three species that are normally associated with psyllids were significantly greater when they were fed on psyllids than when fed on aphids. The host‐plant specificity of Anthocoris spp. is not solely influenced by the food requirements of the larvae because all species can be successfully reared on unnatural prey. There is some suggestion that the food requirements of newly‐emerged adults may be more critical than those of the larvae, as some prey allow continued reproduction while others may cause a reproductive diapause. Prey selection in nature is discussed in relation to the above results.
Cytogenotoxic Effects and Reproductive Abnormalities Induced by e-Waste Contaminated Underground Water in Mice

Indiscriminate disposal of electronic wastes (e-wastes) in Nigeria is on the increase. The release of hazardous substances from these wastes may have harmful consequences on the environment and public health. This study was designed to investigate the potential in vivo genetic and reproductive toxicity of e-waste contaminated underground (well) waters obtained from Alaba International and Computer Village electronic markets in Lagos, Nigeria, using the murine micronucleus (MN), sperm morphology and sperm count assays. The animals were exposed orally via free drinking of the water for one to five weeks. MN analysis showed a concentration-dependent induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes across the treatment groups. Assessment of sperm shape showed a significant increase in sperm abnormalities with significant decrease in mean sperm count in treated groups. The presence of Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd in the tested samples is believed to contribute significantly to these observations. The results are indications that e-waste contaminated well water is capable of inducing somatic and germ mutation in living cells, and should be of public health concern in countries with risk of e-waste exposure.
Selection indices for rabbit improvement

SUMMARY Records on 884 litters and 3051 bunnies of the Bauscat (B) and Giza White (G) breeds were used to construct different selection indices. A series of selection indices and subindices were constructed for both B and G does. An index or subindex based on litter size at weaning, mean bunny weight at weaning, litter size at birth and litter weight at birth could be practically applied to improve the productivity of B and G does, under local Egytian conditions. Preweaning mortality did not contribute significantly to the different selection indices and subindices. Litter weight at birth made a large contribution to the different indices and subindices constructed. Litter size at weaning contributed little in the subindices to be used to select for mean bunny weight at weaning. Mean bunny weight at weaning made a lower contribution to the subindices to be used to select for litter size at weaning. The expected genetic gain in litter size at weaning was slight in all of the selection indices and subindices constructed because of low heritability values for this trait. Considerable genetic improvement for doe productivity of the G breed might be achieved through selection for mean bunny weight at weaning. Four selection indices and subindices were constructed for B and G rabbits. The index or subindex based on 6-week weight and 8-week weight was the best criterion for selection for the genetic improvement of 6-week weight and 12-week weight. Six- and 8-week weight contributed substantially while 12-week weight contributed little to the value of most of the selection indices and subindices constructed. The highest total genetic gain attributable to 6- and 12-week weight was obtained when the selection indices or subindices including 6-week weight and 8-week weight were used.
A Four-Year Follow-Up Study of the Sleep-Wake Cycle of an Infant

The sleep-wake behavior of a boy was investigated from 5 weeks up to four years of age. The protocol consisted of recording waking and sleep states by direct observation by his mother and eventually by the housemaid. Data were divided in 7-day segments and these segments were then divided in 10-minute binary information about asleep or awake. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was applied to obtain the frequency spectrum for each 7-day epoch, and the results were submitted to statistical test for the identification of significant component frequencies. Data were also divided in 21-day epochs and 30-minute windows in order to detect infradian periodicities. Overall rhythmicity increased during the four years with the circadian component as the major contribution after the fifth week of life. The semicircadian and the 8-hour components had maximum contributions during the second and third years, and the 6-, 5- and 4-hour components during the first year. After the beginning of his attendance to school, the boy sh.
Novel Germplasm Resources for Improving Environmental Stress Tolerance of Hexaploid Wheat

Wheat (Triticum spp. L.) breeders have significantly improved wheat adaptation to stress-prone environments around the world. This progress has largely been achieved using empirical selection and genetic variability within the primary wheat gene pool. As most stress tolerance traits are quantitatively inherited, expansion of the available genetic diversity for stress tolerance is necessary if rates of genetic progress are to be maintained. This review explores three sources of novel genetic variability, namely synthetic wheat, landrace cultivars, and alien introgressions and their applicability to applied wheat breeding. Synthetic hexaploid wheat, derived by crossing tetraploid wheat with Aegilops tauschii, provides new genetic variability for adaptation to drought, high temperature, salinity, waterlogging, and soil micronutrient imbalances from the secondary wheat gene pool. Synthetic-derived materials have performed well in many stressed environments globally. There is significant unexploited variation among landraces and modern wheat cultivars to improve the stress adaptation of cultivated wheat. The tertiary gene pool, with a few significant exceptions, has been more difficult to exploit due to complex inheritance, meiotic instability, and linked deleterious effects. Nevertheless, there is sufficient genetic variation in the wheat gene pool to ensure the continued improvement of wheat adaptation to abiotic stress.
The Crab Island Sea Turtle Rookery in the North-Eastern Gulf of Carpentaria

Crab I. in north Queensland supports a large all-year nesting population of Chelonia depressa and occasional nesting by Eretmochelys imbricata and Lepidochelys olivacea. Measurements of nesting turtles, eggs, nests, hatchlings are summarized. A preliminary model of C. depressa egg and hatchling mortality gave values for the proportion of eggs producing hatchlings into the sea ranging from 48% to 89% in different months. The nesting distribution of C. depressa is reviewed and Crab I. identified as its most significant breeding beach.
Growth inhibition and fruit distortion in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) induced by the flea beetle Podagrica uniforma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) herbivory

Inhibition of okra growth in response to flea beetle injury was studied in both the screen house and field. In the screen house or field, 0,5, 10,20,30 and 40 pairs of Podagrica uniforma (Jacoby), representing six treatments, were introduced into different cages containing five 3-week-old okra plants, replicated three times. Data were collected on the number of flowers and branches, plant height, stem girth and functional leaf area in both experiments. With increasing densities of P. uniforma, days to 50% flowering and fruit initiation were prolonged by 1–13 days and 2–15 days, respectively. The beetle did not exhibit florivory but caused distortion of okra fruits, i.e. bending of fruit tips at the point of flea beetle-induced damage. From the 20-pair level (eight beetles per plant), there were significant reductions in plant height (up to 50%) and stem girth (up to 43%) in both the screen house and field. The number of distorted fruits showing bent tips was significantly higher relative to the control from the 5-pair level, and was more than 90% at the 40-pair level. Regression analysis indicated that plant height was a linear function of flea beetle population. Third-degree polynomial models best described the relationship between insect density and the number of bent fruits. χ2 analysis showed that these models derived from the screen house data were not significantly different from the field data models.
Tree species effects on fine root decomposition and nitrogen release in subtropical forests in southern China

Background: Root decomposition is an important process that contributes to forest ecosystem carbon (C) flux and nutrient cycling. Aims: To determine how tree species affected fine root (≤ 2 mm) decomposition rates and nitrogen (N) release. Methods: Fine root samples of the coniferous Pinus massoniana, the deciduous Choerospondias axillaris and the broadleaved evergreen Cyclobalanopsis glauca tree species were collected from three secondary successional subtropical forests (P. massoniana–Lithocarpus glaber mixed forest, C. axillaris forest and C. glauca–L. glaber mixed forest) in southern China. Samples were incubated in situ, using the litterbag method for a period of 500 days to measure mass loss and changes in fine root C and N concentrations. Results: C. axillaris exhibited the fastest decomposition rate (k) during the 500 day decomposition period, followed by P. massoniana and C. glauca. Fine root mass loss was positively correlated with initial N concentrations and negatively correlated with initial C:N ratios. Initial fine root C concentrations had a significant effect on N release, but the effect varied over time. Annual fine root production released ca. 16.2–44.2 kg N ha−1 through decomposition. Conclusions: Fine root mass loss during decomposition differed considerably among tree species. The chemical quality of fine roots was a key driver in the rates of decomposition. Soil properties partly accounted for the differences in decomposition rates.
Avaliação ergonômica do posto de trabalho de modelos de "forwarder" e "skidder"

The logging mechanization process in Brazil means, most of the time, the use of adapted or imported machines from countries where the operators have different anthropometric characteristics. The objective of this work was the cab evaluation of four forwarders and two skidders, considering the position of commands and instruments and the operator visual area, based on the anthropometrics characteristics of a sample of Brazilians operators. The following machines were studied: forwarders Timberjack models 1210B and 1710D, Valmet 890.2 and Volvo A25C, and also the skidders Caterpillar 545 and Tigercat 630 B. The command position was determined in three dimensions (x, y and z), considering the operator's seat reference point as the origin. A qualitative evaluation with the operators was also carried out, showing their satisfaction with several ergonomic factors related with the forest machines. The operator anthropometric evaluation was performed using a special chair developed by the Fundacentro, resulting in areas of maximum and excellent access of command position. The machine presenting the best command positions, according to the biotype of the operator sample, was the forwarder Valmet 890.2, followed by the skidder Caterpillar 545, being the only tractors showing more than half of commands well positioned, 66.7% and 54.5% respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that, in terms of command position, the ergonomic design of these machines was not very favorable to the set of analyzed Brazilians operators.
Embryo production and gene expression in superovulated goats supplemented with de-oiled castor cake before and after detoxification treatment

The use of alternative protein sources that do not impair animal performance is a feasible option to reduce costs associated with animal supplementation. Previous studies indicate that castor cake has a high protein value and good ruminal degradability, making it an attractive alternative dietary source for ruminants. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects from ingestion of castor cake (treatment CC) or detoxified castor cake (treatment DCC) on serum IgG levels, in vivo production of goat embryos, and the expression profile of genes related to embryonic development, metabolism, and oxidative stress. The results showed the presence of IgG against ricin only in animals of the CC group. The ovulation rate and the production of transferable embryos in animals of the CC group were lower (P < 0.05) than in the animals fed without castor cake (WCC), but neither group differed significantly from the DCC group. There was no effect of type of diet on the expression of the IGF-IR, IGF-II, and GLUT-1 genes in goat embryos produced in vivo. However, the relative expression of mRNA for the HSP 70.1 gene was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the CC group than in the WCC group, but did not differ from that of the DCC group. In conclusion, this study showed that supplementation with detoxified castor cake can be used for goat feeding, but caution is necessary when providing castor bean meal in the feed of superovulated breeding females, because ricin in the diet, even at low concentrations, altered IgG levels and the expression of mRNA for HSP 70.1, effects that were accompanied by a lower rate of transferable embryos.
Size distributions and sex ratios of sharks caught by Oman's artisanal fishery

Oman's fishery resources are exploited by artisanal and industrial fisheries, but the former accounts for almost 90% of landings. Within the artisanal fishery, sharks have traditionally been harvested for their flesh, but the development of a valuable export market for shark fin has led to increased utilisation of this resource, and anecdotal information suggests that shark abundance has decreased in recent years. Whereas management of the shark fishery is desirable, the biological and socio-economical data on which to base any management plan are lacking. The present study was undertaken to collect size frequency and sex ratio information from the shark species most commonly encountered in the artisanal landings, namely Carcharhinus falciformis, C. limbatus, C. macloti, C. sorrah, lago omanensis, Loxodon macrorhinus, Rhizoprionodon acutus and Sphyrna lewini. The occurrence of large female sharks in the landings, combined with a high proportion of juveniles of certain species, suggests that species-specific size restrictions should be considered in any management plan for Oman's shark fishery.
Enhancement of growth of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in iso‐osmotic medium

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) kept in 15 ppt sea water (roughly iso-osmotic salinity) had higher growth rates than fish kept in 0 ppt (freshwater) or 30 ppt seawater, but circulating level of growth hormone was highest in fish exhibiting the poorest growth rate (30 ppt seawater). Serum thyroxine concentration was highest in 15 ppt seawater. Intestinal trypsin may play a role in promoting growth in iso-osmotic salinity since its activity was highest in fish cultured in 15 ppt seawater. The results indicate that changes in the digestive power, coupled with changes in thyroxine secretion, may account for the variations in growth rate in tilapia reared under different salinities.
Exogenous glycinebetaine enhances grain yield of maize, sorghum and wheat grown under two supplementary watering regimes

Drought occurring at critical growth and developmental stages in cereals affects productivity by reducing biomass accumulation, grain set, and grain yield and quality. Maize (cv. SR-73), sorghum (cv. Trump), and wheat (cv. Spear) were established in drought-prone field conditions in Perth, Western Australia, in 1994. The plants were then subjected to optimal and suboptimal supplementary watering regimes at growth stages that were sensitive to water availability. Glycinebetaine in aqueous solution was applied to leaves at three rates (2, 4 and 6 kg ha-1 and a control) to establish whether its application could ameliorate the effects of drought on the yield of the crops. Aboveground biomass production was measured at the beginning and at termination of the watering regimes. Leaf tissue glycinebetaine concentrations were determined 1 and 3 weeks after application. At physiological maturity, grains from the crops were harvested and grain yield, number of grains m-2 and single grain weight were recorded. Drought significantly reduced above-ground biomass production in maize (P = 0.047), but not in sorghum and wheat. Grain yield of maize, number of grains m-2 of maize and sorghum, and single grain weight of sorghum were significantly depressed by drought. Foliar application of aqueous glycinebetaine marginally enhanced biomass production in the three crops and significantly increased grain yield of maize (P = 0.001) and sorghum (P = 0.003). It also resulted in more grains m-2 of maize, sorghum and wheat (P = 0.001, 0.001 and 0.003, respectively), with interactions between water and glycinebetaine treatments for sorghum and wheat (P = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Residual tissue glycinebetaine levels remained high 3 weeks after application to the crops. The positive effects of glycinebetaine treatment appear to be linked to its physiological role as a plant osmoticum that improves drought tolerance. The results of these studies suggest that foliar application of glycinebetaine may be used to improve drought tolerance and economic yield of maize and sorghum, but not of wheat. Increased grain yield was associated with more grains m-2 rather than greater single grain weight.
Variability in phylogenetic diversity (PD) estimates illustrated with plant data for the high Andes of South America

Abstract Phylogenetic diversity (PD) is commonly calculated by adding together the branch lengths or ages of a subset of taxa present in an area, using a single phylogeny as a backbone. However, a phylogenetic hypothesis is the consensus of a range of equally likely trees, inherently variable in branch lengths and sometimes in topology. This study incorporates confidence intervals into PD calculations in order to account for such variability. Using the genera of Fabaceae and Solanaceae present in the high Andes, we calculated PD for three macro-zones (Puna, Paramo and Southern Andean Steppe) and studied its correlation with generic richness for these areas. We found a similar pattern between PD and richness in the Fabaceae, but not in the Solanaceae. Variability proved useful in interpreting the results, especially in the Solanaceae which showed alternative topologies. Further studies are needed to address the possible effects of this variability on the PD index.
CYTOGENETIC STUDIES IN THE GENUS HORDEUM: I. CHROMOSOME MORPHOLOGY

The morphology of the chromosomes of 16 Hordeum species was studied in considerable detail. No obvious trend in evolution is apparent from a study of the karyotypes of the species nor are any definite relationships with common barley (H. vulgare) indicated, except for two species, usually considered as being related, H. spontaneum and H. agriocrithon. On the basis of similarities of karyotype and morphological features of the plants seven groups were formed in which relationships are evident. The groups are: vulgare, marinum, murinum, californicum, stenostachys-pusillum, bulbosum, and jubatum. The plants within each group are identified by assigned numbers and by the specific names under which they were received. Within these groups are chromosome numbers of 14 and 28 and in one case 28 and 42. Allopolyploidy is indicated for most groups but H. bulbosum exists both as a diploid and as an autotetraploid.