Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bionomics and population dynamics of legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

Studies were carried out on biology and population dynamics of legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (G.) on pigeonpea at S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati during 2011-12. Laboratory studies on biology of the legume pod borer revealed that the mean longevity of the adult was 8.83 + 0.82 days. There were five larval instars which took 9.52 + 0.71 days to enter into pupal stage. Pupation took place in the webbed flowers/pods and the pupal period lasted for about 7.25 ± 0.82 days . The life cycle of M. vitrata was completed in 22.13 ± 1.25 days. Field studies carried out to observe the incidence of spotted pod borer in three cultivars viz., LRG 41, TRG 22 and TRG 38 revealed that the infestation started with the onset of flowering in first week of November and remained in the field till crop maturity. The peak activity in Tirupati region was observed during first fortnight of December in all the three cultivars. Among the three cultivars, LRG-41 has recorded the highest population (17.3 larvae/ plant) followed by the TRG-22 (14.4 larvae/ plant) and the lowest pest population was recorded in the TRG-38 (9.9larvae/plant).
Aspirin Inclusion in Antipsychotic Treatment on Severity of Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Randimized Clinical Trial

Background: Previous studies have suggested inflammation as the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the effect of adding aspirin to antipsychotic treatment on severity of symptoms in schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: This was a triple-blind, prospective clinical trial study that was conducted at Noor hospital of Isfahan University of Medical Science during year 2015. The patients were randomly, through a number table, were divided to three groups of 20 members labeled intervention 1, intervention 2 and control. Patients in each group were initially evaluated through the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) scale in terms of severity of schizophrenia symptoms. In addition to antipsychotic medication, the intervention 1 group received daily aspirin for six weeks at a dose of 325 mg, while intervention 2, in addition to antipsychotic medication, received daily aspirin with a dose of 500 mg for six weeks. Then PANSS scale was evaluated at the end of the intervention and the results were compared through repeated measure and logistic regression. Results: The results showed that the effect of adding aspirin to antipsychotic treatment was greater regarding the final outcome, positive and negative symptoms and general psychopathology in four weeks after discontinuation of the intervention compared to the other time points (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Regarding the effectiveness of aspirin in reducing the severity of positive, negative and general psychopathology of schizophrenia, results of our study reinforce the role of inflammation in the etiology of schizophrenia.
A genetic map of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) based on RAPD markers

Linkage analysis of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) was performed with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-markers. From three segregating populations, a combined genetic map was constructed which comprises 85 RAPD, five isozyme, one RFLP marker and the genes for resistance against the nematode Heterodera schachtii Schm. , one restorer locus for male sterility and the genes for annuality and hypocotyl colour. For mapping of the two unlinked restorer genes a statistical model was developed based on the maximum-likelihood function.
Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire in a cardiac sample: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Objective Even though continuity is essential after discharge, there is a lack of reliable questionnaires to measure and assess patients’ perceptions of continuity of care. The Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire (PCCQ) addresses the period before and after discharge from hospital. However, previous studies show that the factor structure needs to be confirmed and validated in larger samples, and the aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PCCQ with focus on factor structure, internal consistency and stability. Design A psychometric evaluation study. The questionnaire was translated into Swedish using a forward–backward technique and culturally adapted through cognitive interviews (n=12) and reviewed by researchers (n=8). Setting Data were collected in four healthcare settings in two Swedish counties. Participants A consecutive sampling procedure included 725 patients discharged after hospitalisation due to angina, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or atrial fibrillation. Measurement To evaluate the factor structure, confirmatory factor analyses based on polychoric correlations were performed (n=721). Internal consistency was evaluated by ordinal alpha. Test–retest reliability (n=289) was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The original six-factor structure was overall confirmed, but minor refinements were required to reach satisfactory model fit. The standardised factor loadings ranged between 0.68 and 0.94, and ordinal alpha ranged between 0.82 and 0.95. All subscales demonstrated satisfactory test–retest reliability (ICC=0.76–0.94). Conclusion The revised version of the PCCQ showed sound psychometric properties and is ready to be used to measure perceptions of continuity of care. High ordinal alpha in some subscales indicates that a shorter version of the questionnaire can be developed.
Chemical signals as a means of determining health status and selecting mates in humans.

CHEMICAL SIGNALS AS A MEANS OF DETERMINING HEALTH STATUS AND SELECTING MATES IN HUMANS Amy M. Cavanaugh May 10, 2008 The objective of my dissertation research was to determine the role of chemical signals in conveying information regarding an individual's health status and suitability as a mate in humans and to examine the role that commensal microflora play in this system. Chemical signals in humans have been theorized to play a role in disassortative mating relative to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and in selection of mates based on fluctuating asymmetry. In addition, chemical signals have been shown to communicate health status in rodents. Commensal microflora are a necessary component of such chemical signaling systems since it is the microflora which ultimately create odor. Results from Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 revealed that, in humans, the axillary microflora are altered during periods of illness. Both a decrease in overall richness of microbes and an increased likelihood of possessing Micrococcus species during or following a period of illness was found. However, these alterations in axillary microflora were not found to result in an altered perception of the scent of men's body odor by
Effects of resource additions on species richness and ANPP in an alpine meadow community

Aims Theories based on resourceadditions indicate that plant species richness is mainly determined by the number of limiting resources. However, the individual effects of various limiting resources on species richness and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) are less well understood. Here, we analyzed potential linkages between additions of limiting resources, species loss and ANPP increase and further explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods Resources (N, P, K and water) were added in a completely randomizedblockdesignto alpinemeadowplots in theQinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Plant aboveground biomass, species composition, mean plant height and light availability were measured in each plot. Regression and analysis of variance were used to analyze the responses of these measures to the different resource-addition treatments. Important Findings Species richness decreased with increasing number of added limiting resources, suggesting that plant diversity was apparently determined by the number of limiting resources. Nitrogen was the most important limiting resource affecting species richness, whereas PandK alonehad negligible effects.Thelargest reductioninspecies richness occurred when all three elements were added in combination. Water played a different role compared with the other limiting resources. Species richness increased when water was added to the treatments with N and P or with N, Pand K. The decreases in species richness after resource additions were paralleled by increases in ANPPand decreases in light penetration into the plant canopy,suggestingthatincreasedlightcompetitionwas responsible for the negative effects of resource additions on plant species richness.
Acclimatization of 'VR043-43' (Vitis vinifera x Vitis rotundifolia) grapevine rootstock

The pre-acclimatization stage can be used to improve micropropagation protocols and increase the yield of produced plants. The influence of sucrose and photon flux density (PFD) levels on the acclimatization of in vitro-grown 'VR043-43' (Vitis vinifera x Vitis rotundifolia) grapevine rootstocks was evaluated. Rooted shoots were obtained from 4-week-old in vitro shoots cultivated in QL (Quoirin and Lepoivre, 1977) culture medium supplemented with 15, 30 and 45 g L-1 of sucrose. The experiment was kept in a 25 ± 2oC growth room, under 16-h photoperiod and PFD of 18 µmol m-2 s-1 or 43 µmol m-2 s-1. Plants were transferred to an intermittent misting system greenhouse for 10 d followed by 20 d of once-a-day watering routine using a handheld hose. Plant height was influenced by sucrose concentration, and shoots produced on media supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose were the tallest (5.0 cm). The largest leaf area was obtained with 31.3 g L-1 of sucrose, under the PFD of 43 µmol m-2 s-1 (13.3 cm2). Absence of sucrose in the culture medium led to a significant reduction in leaf area at both PFDs. Shoot (aerial part) dry matter was largest when 30 or 45 g L-1 of sucrose (17.5 and 16.7 mg per plant, respectively) were used. Microcuttings rooted in all sucrose concentrations tested. The highest survival percentage (100%) during ex vitro acclimatization was obtained for shoots cultured in media supplemented with 45 g L-1 of sucrose under both PFDs tested.
Implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management: from single-species to integrated ecosystem assessment and advice for Baltic Sea fish stocks

Theory behind ecosystem-based management (EBM) and ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) is now well developed. However, the implementation of EBFM exemplified by fisheries management in Europe is still largely based on single-species assessments and ignores the wider ecosystem context and impact. The reason for the lack or slow implementation of EBM and specifically EBFM is a lack of a coherent strategy. Such a strategy is offered by recently developed integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs), a formal synthesis tool to quantitatively analyse information on relevant natural and socio-economic factors, in relation to specified management objectives. Here, we focus on implementing the IEA approach for Baltic Sea fish stocks. We combine both tactical and strategic management aspects into a single strategy that supports the present Baltic Sea fish stock advice, conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). We first review the state of the art in the development of IEA within the current management framework. We then outline and discuss an approach that integrates fish stock advice and IEAs for the Baltic Sea. We intentionally focus on the central Baltic Sea and its three major fish stocks cod (Gadus morhua), herring (Clupea harengus), and sprat (Sprattus sprattus), but emphasize that our approach may be applied to other parts and stocks of the Baltic, as well as other ocean areas.
Variation in yield of narrow-leafed lupin caused by terminal drought

Narrow-leafed lupin is a rain-fed crop in southern Australia whose yields are limited by the amount and distribution of rainfall. Drought terminates the growing season, and the timing and intensity of development of this (terminal) drought is a likely cause of much yield variability. We investigated this yield variability by manipulating terminal drought with trickle irrigation. Despite comparatively high crop dry mass of nearly 9 t/ha in the absence of irrigation, seed yield was only 1¢2 t/ha with a harvest index of only 14%. Delaying the terminal drought and thus prolonging the period for crop ripening raised crop dry mass by 18{42%, with large increases in harvest index and seed yields, which rose by 45{75% and 95{135%, respectively. Pod set started 110 days after sowing (DAS) but appreciable pod fllling did not start until 140 DAS, by which time, in the unirrigated treatment, only about 15% of the plant-available soil water remained, leaf difiusive conductance had fallen by 75%, and leaf water potential was i1¢ 7M Pa. Leaf senescence and abscission had already begun; in the control treatment only 25% of the green area remained at 150 DAS, when net vegetative growth ceased and appreciable seed fllling began. During irrigation, plant-available soil water was maintained at 35{70% of that at fleld capacity, with correspondingly better plant water relations. Pod and seed fllling started at the same times as in the unirrigated control, and vegetative growth ceased at the same time. However, green area declined more slowly and reproductive growth continued for longer and at a faster rate. Yields were highly correlated with the number of productive pods (and seeds) at maturity, which in turn was associated with pod survival rather than pod set. Irrigation increased the number of surviving pods and seeds, both of which sometimes aborted at comparatively late stages of fllling. Average seed weights were stable across treatments, except where there was a period of drought before irrigation, in which case seeds were heavier, compensating for prior loss of pods. It is argued that a better ideotype for the Mediterranean environment of southern Australia would switch to reproductive growth earlier, before severe water deflcit develops, and with less overlap between vegetative and reproductive growth.
Health implications of toxigenic fungi found in two Nigerian staples: guinea corn and rice

A total of one hundred and forty eight fungi isolated from both guinea corn (67) and rice (81) in a previous fungal and mycotoxin survey in Niger State, Nigeria, were tested for toxicity potential in white albino mice. Of all these, 64.2% were found to produce toxic metabolites that were lethal to mice and were mainly species of Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp, Penicillium spp and Trichoderma spp. Others include Syncephalastrum spp, Alternaria spp, Phoma spp, Curvularia lunata, Colletotrichum spp, Geotrichum candidum and Helminthosporium spp, Cladosporium werneckil, and Mucor spp and the bacteria Cryptococcus neoformis. The novel, most toxigenic fungi found contaminating these two staples were Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg, previously known as F.moniliforme Sheldon (CABI Biosciences is IMI 392668). The extract of the fungus caused lethality to mice at 40 mg /kg b. wt. The health implications of these toxic microbes in our diets were discussed.
Evaluation of microorganisms for biocontrol ofBotrytis cinereain strawberry

Mycelial fungi, yeasts, and bacteria were isolated from strawberry plants and evaluated for biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea in strawberry. Comparative tests were done on leaf discs and detached petals in the laboratory and on attached leaves and flowers in the growth room, greenhouse, and field plots. In the various controlled environments, strawberry tissues were inoculated with the microorganisms (107 fungal spores or yeast cells, and 108 bacterial cfu/mL) and challenge-inoculated with the pathogen (106 spores/mL) after 24 h. After a further 24 h, inoculated tissues were transferred to an agar medium containing paraquat to kill the tissues and allow B. cinerea to sporulate within 5-7 d; sporulation density was estimated after 7 d for indirect quantification of infection and colonization. Biocontrol effectiveness of 230 isolates on leaf discs ranged from 0 to 100%; the organisms were grouped into five categories using cluster analysis of the observations, Eleven organisms, including representatives of eac.
Taxonomic status and conservation relevance of the raccoons (Procyon spp.) of the West Indies

Raccoons Procyon spp. from New Providence Island in the Bahamas and from Barbados and Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles have traditionally been recognized as distinctive species endemic to their respective islands. All three of these ‘species’ currently possess official conservation status of high concern. Bahamian and Guadeloupean raccoons are recognized as endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), which also considers the Barbados raccoon to be a recently extinct West Indian mammal. However, historical, biogeographic, genetic, and morphological evidence demonstrate that all three West Indian raccoon populations are the result of humansponsored introductions from the eastern U.S.A. that have occurred in the past few centuries. Accordingly, these animals should not be considered either conservation priorities or recent losses of biodiversity in the Caribbean. Instead, they may actually represent ecological threats to the insular ecosystems on their respective islands. Procyonid conservation goals must be re-examined and updated accordingly.
Improving predictions of the location and use of warrens in sensitive rabbit populations

The location and use of warrens is a key factor in the population dynamics of the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L. , which can influence stability and persistence in the long term. Within the species' original distribution range, its numbers have declined sharply in recent decades, which is a serious problem for the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems. Artificial warrens are commonly used to bolster rabbit populations and the characterization of natural warrens in those areas might improve their efficiency. In this study, we use binomial generalized linear models to identify the factors associated with the location and use of warrens in a low‐density area and we evaluate the effect of including the spatial structure of the data in the model. In addition, we generate a map that predicts the most suitable areas for artificial warrens. Contrary to what was expected, habitat variables are only secondary factors, and the location and use of warrens is influenced mainly by spatial factors, such as proximity to nearby warrens. Furthermore, the aggregated spatial pattern of warrens suggests that, at the local scale, for example, the hunting estate, intra‐specific interactions might be playing a primary role in these low‐density populations. To identify the most suitable sites for artificial warrens and, thereby, improve the efficiency of artificial warren building for conservation purposes, information about spatial structures should be included in models predicting natural warrens of European rabbits.
Reproductive Periodicity in a Population of Crested Terns, Sterna bergii Lichtenstein, in South-Western Australia

Crested terns breeding in the Fremantle area of south-western Australia nest over an 8-month period, from early April to early November. However, laying is markedly bimodal, with subseasons in autumn and spring. Observations of individually marked breeding crested terns indicated a sedentary population utilizing a number of alternative, traditional colony sites all of which were within the study area. Individual crested terns tended to lay in the same part of the season as in the previous year. Colonies made up of terns with similarly phased reproductive cycles formed at different times within the protracted laying period. Individuals completed only one nesting cycle within a season, remaining in breeding condition for approximately 11-13 weeks. Breeding cycles were broadly circannual but potentially sub-annual. Despite superficial similarities at the populational level, this laying pattern differs markedly from that recorded for the silver gull in the same area. The pattern of breeding shown by crested terns therefore provides a second model to explain the double-nesting phenomenon observed in a number of seabird species on the western Australian coastline.
Natural selection for ozone tolerance in Populus tremuloides

Relative ozone sensitivity was evaluated among populations of Populustremuloides Michx. from each of five national parks differing in air quality. Eleven to 15 clones from each population were greenhouse grown and fumigated twice during 2 years of screening, each time with 180 ppb ozone for 6 h. The average injury for clones was significantly less for the most polluted park than for the least polluted park and there was a high negative association between average injury and ambient ozone levels. Differences in ozone sensitivity among clones within populations were highly significant and larger than differences among populations. These results suggest natural selection for tolerance in P. tremuloides may have occurred in some areas of eastern United States.
VARIATION AMONG BRITISH COLUMBIA AND NORTHERN ALBERTA POPULATIONS OF RASPBERRIES, RUBUS IDAEUS SUBSPP. STRIGOSUS MICHX.

Several population samples of Rubus idaeus subspp. strigosus Michx. (raspberries) were collected in British Columbia and northern Alberta and a number of characters were studied and compared with the cultivar Trent. Significant differences between populations were found for cane length, number of buds per cane, percentage of buds growing, number of inflorescences and flowers per bud, fruit and seed weight. There was a positive correlation between the total seed weight and the number of seeds, and between the total seed and fruit weight. No distinct types could be established based on location or elevation. None of the populations showed significantly better winter hardiness than the cultivar Trent, and although some had a specific character that was superior, none was found to have overall superiority.
Spatial variation in the magnitude and functional form of density‐dependent processes on the large skipper butterfly Ochlodes sylvanus

Understanding the underlying ecological processes that govern population dynamics is essential for identifying the risk of extinction faced by a population. Ecological processes are driven by a number of different density‐dependent and density‐independent factors. Influential factors may vary between species and are often classified for large areas of a species' geographical range. Here we test the hypothesis that these factors vary on a relatively small spatial scale across a species' range. The population dynamics of the large skipper butterfly Ochlodes sylvanus is investigated for each 100 km2 region within its British range. Different forms of density dependence, including Allee effects, and different density‐independent factors are found to influence population change significantly in different regions. The possible underlying mechanisms responsible for each are discussed. In addition to this qualitative spatial variation in influencing factors, the relative contribution of density dependence and density‐independent factors to temporal dynamics within each region is quantified. As the range of O. sylvanus is crossed from north‐west to east, there appears to be a switch from density independence being more influential to density dependence having a greater impact on population change.