Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Now Hear This! Orientation and Behavioral Responses of Hatchling Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta caretta, to Environmental Acoustic Cues

Although the visual and geologic orientation cues utilized by sea turtle hatchlings during seafinding, when they move from the nest to the sea after hatching, have been well studied, the potential for auditory stimuli to act as an orientation cue has not been well explored. Over the past several decades our knowledge of the auditory capacity of sea turtles has increased greatly, yet little is known about the biological significance of this sensory ability. To investigate whether hatchlings can use ocean sounds during seafinding, I measured the behavioral responses of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) collected from nesting beaches in North Carolina to the presence of beach wave sound recorded on a nesting beach during the summer of 2015. The highest sound energy of beach waves occurs <1000 Hz, which overlaps with the most sensitive hearing range of loggerhead hatchlings (range of frequency detection: 50-1600 Hz, maximum sensitivity: 50-400 Hz). In my experiment, I placed turtles in a V-maze that isolated them from visual, vibratory, and chemical cues. One end of the V held a speaker producing beach wave sounds recorded from nesting beaches, while the other end held sound-reducing foam. I examined the phonotaxic behaviors of the hatchlings at two sound pressure levels (68 dB re: 20μPa and 64 dB re: 20μPa measured directly in front of the speaker). In the presence of the higher sound pressure level (68 dB re: 20μPa), hatchlings exhibited no phonotaxic response (p=1.0); yet, at the reduced sound pressure level (64 dB re: 20μPa), hatchlings exhibited a negative phonotaxic response (p=0.005). In control trials, hatchlings oriented to the two sides of the V-maze equally (p=0.701), suggesting the hatchlings in the lower volume treatment group were responding negatively to the sound. These results indicate the need for further auditory orientation experiments to better understand hatchling behavioral responses to environmental acoustic cues and to address possible impacts of anthropogenic beach sounds that have the potential to disorient hatchlings during seafinding.
The role of traditional ecological knowledge in ecosystem services management: the case of four rural communities in Northern Ghana

ABSTRACT This study combines qualitative and quantitative research to examine perceptions held by rural households in Northern Ghana regarding the value of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in the management of ecosystem services. Key informant interviews (n = 14), household questionnaire surveys (n = 195), field observations, and dissemination meetings were employed to collect data. Results suggest the regular use of different but interrelated forms of TEK, i.e. taboos and totems, customs and rituals, rules and regulations, and traditional protected areas, to manage ecosystem services through existing sociocultural mechanisms. However, household awareness of TEK did not equate with compliance. A wide discrepancy in views on TEK was observed across surveyed households. A generalized linear model (GLM) regression analysis suggests age to be the most significant determinant of TEK awareness and compliance. Compared with mature and younger adults, the elderly appear more likely to be aware of and comply with characterized TEK systems. Notwithstanding these findings, the use of traditional protected areas as a form of TEK appears to be highly valued by the majority of survey participants. Demand-led research aimed at examining TEK’s role in the face of changing socioeconomic and environmental conditions can contribute to the formulation and implementation of policy-relevant strategies. EDITED BY Leni Camacho
Growth, yield and quality of sweet orange cv. Mosambi in response to INM in vertisols of central India

A field trial was conducted on 8-year-old sweet orange orchards grown on black soils. Different treatments involved application of FYM, vermi-compost, wheat straw and green manuring with sunhemp as singly or in combination with inorganic and biofertilizers like Azotobacter and PSB including control plots. The dose of organic manures was applied on nitrogen equivalent basis. The results indicated that maximum fruit yield coupled with an adequate tree volume of sweet orange is attainable through combined use of organics plus inorganic or bio-fertilizers. Combined application of these three classes of nutrient sources has proved far superior to their sole application. Application of FYM (to supply 50% N) along with 50% dose of inorganic fertilizers showed complete supremacy with benefit: cost ratio of 4.59. Green manuring with sunhemp along with 50% dose of inorganic fertilizers was also equally effective with highest benefit: cost ratio of 6.46. While substantial improvement in fruit quality could be achieved with the sole application of organic manures specially FYM.
Heterosis in Soybean

Seventeen F1’s involving eight promising soybean varieties were studied to find out the extent and nature of heterosis. The better parent heterosis for seed yield ranged from -30.3% to 67.8% with a mean heterosis of 26.1%. The two primary yield components viz. seeds per plant and pods per plant also showed considerable better parent heterosis, but this was negative for seeds per pod and seed size. Hybrids Bragg × Clark-63 and Hardee × Punjab-1 exhibited maximum heterosis for seed yield, the value for which were 67.8 and 51.5% respectively.
Moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae) associadas às frutíferas nativas de Spondias spp. (Anacardiaceae) e Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) e seus parasitoides no Estado do Piauí, Brasil

Objetivou-se com este trabalho identificar especies de moscas-das-frutas e seus parasitoides, associadas as frutiferas de Spondias spp. (caja S. mombin L., umbu-caja Spondias sp., umbu S. tuberosa Arr. Câm.) e ameixa silvestre Ximenia americana L. , no estado do Piaui. Coletaram-se 63 amostras de frutos entre novembro de 2009 a julho de 2010, totalizando 4.495 frutos e 46.906 kg, dos quais obteve-se um total de 10.617 puparios de onde emergiram 4.497 tefritideos e 1.118 de parasitoides braconideos. Nas Spondias spp. foram obtidas Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) com frequencia de 100% para umbu e umbu-caja, e para o caja, uma media de 99,52% de A. obliqua, 0,46% de A. fraterculus (Wied.) e 0,97% de Ceratitis capitata (Wied.). Na ameixa silvestre 97,83% foi de Anastrepha alveata Stone e 2,17% de A. fraterculus . Os indices de infestacao foram de 429,2; 178,4; 158,9 e 43,3 puparios/kg em umbu-caja, caja, ameixa silvestre e umbu, respectivamente. A viabilidade pupal foi de 77,8%, 69,3%, 52,5% e 41,1% para o umbu, ameixa silvestre, umbu-caja e caja, respectivamente. Dos parasitoides, o percentual medio foi de 21,39% para a especie Doryctobracon areolatus (Szepligeti) e 78,61% para Opius bellus Gahan. Sao registrados pela primeira vez X. americana como hospedeiro de A. alveata no Brasil e D. aleolatus e O. bellus como parasitoides de A. obliqua e A. alveata no Piaui.
The Mechanism Study of Cordyceps Sobolifera Mycelium Preventing the Progression of Glomerulosclerosis

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Cordyceps Sobolifera Mycelium (CSM) preventing the progression in the rat glomerulosclerosis model. To observe and evaluate the results of CSM used to treat the experimental rats with CRF.Methods:The glomerulosclerosis model was produced in rats by 5/6 renal mass ablation. Cordyceps Sobolifera Mycelium (CSM) was used to treat the glomerulosclerosis in forty-two days. The arteriotony in the rat-tail and 24 hours' urinary albumin quantity were detected in forty-two days. The serum biochemistry assay (Scr,BUN,Alb,TG,TCH,Hb,Hct,RBC) and renal tissue samples were obtained after rats were sacrificed. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The percentage of injury area in the glomeruli was counted by the analytic system of pathological image. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed to detect the expression of PAI-1, u-PA,Col-Ⅳ,PAI-1 mRNA and u-PA mRNA in the glomeruli. The positive results were evaluated by a computer analytic system of pathological image. The relative analysis was made between control group and treated group for the expression of u-PA, PAI-1 and Col-Ⅳ protein in the glomeruli.Results:The renal weight/body weight, 24 hours' urinary albumin quantity and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) of rats in CSM treated group were lower than those in the control group (P0.01 respectively). The arteriotony in the rat-tail in the control group was higher than that in CSM treated group in the day 42 (P0.05). The RBC,Hb,Hct and Alb in CSM treated group were higher than those in the control group (P0.05 respectively). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of u-PA was upregulated and the expression of PAI-1 was downregulated in the CSM treated group compared with those in the control group (P0.01). The expression of Col-Ⅳ in the control group was higher than that in the CSM treatment group (P0.01). In situ hybridization results showed that the expression of u-PAmRNA and PAI-1mRNA localized in the mesangical area of glomeruli,capillary loops and part of visceral epithelial cells.The expression of u-PA mRNA in CSM treated group was higher than that in the control group (P 0.01). But the expression of PAI-1 mRNA was lower than that in the control group (P0.05). In the control group the expression of PAI-1 was closely related to that of Col-Ⅳ(r=0.932,P0.01)Conclusion:CSM treatment could alleviate the hypertrophy of glomeruli and accumulation of Col-Ⅳ, and prevent the progression of CRF. The mechanism might be linked with its upregulation of u-PA mRNA expression and downregulation of PAI-1 mRNA expression.
Climate and Erosion Signals in British Blanket Peats: The Significance of Racomitrium Lanuginosum Remains

1 British and world distribution patterns of the moss Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid. are used to deduce the likely conditions governing the occurrence of its preserved leaves in the upper layers of British blanket peats. It is suggested that R. lanuginosum dominates in blanket mires only under conditions of lowered water table and high atmospheric humidity. 2 Detailed stratigraphic records from blanket mires in the Southern Pennines (Northern England) and the Berwyn Mountains (North Wales) show remains of R. lanuginosum preserved in the peat columns of both eroded and uneroded sites. At uneroded sites in the Southern Pennines, Racomitrium remains predominate between about AD1250 and 1450 and again in the mid-Eighteenth Century. At hummock sites in both regions, and at gullied sites in the Southern Pennines, Racomitrium remains are continuously present in the peat column from about AD 1250-1800. 3 It is concluded that the presence of Racomitrium remains in the peat column constitutes a clear proxy-climate signal, signifying, in uneroded areas, a prolonged period of drier climate succeeded by a return to a wetter, more humid climate (though that signal may be blurred by superimposed effects of burning and grazing of the mire surface). 4 The macrofossil record demonstrates the marked effects on the blanket mire vegetation of both study regions of the documented period of drier climate from c. AD 1150-1300 (the 'Early Mediaeval Warm Period'). 5 Possible consequences of that episode on the blanket mires of the two regions include the onset of gully erosion and the development of a 'stagnation complex' in pool-and-hummock systems. The extension of these findings to other blanket mire regions of the British Isles is discussed.
Leaf anatomy of the South African Danthonieae (Poaceae): XIX. The genus Prionanthium

The leaf blade anatomy of Prionanthium dentatum (L. f.) Henr. , P. ecldoni i (Nees) Stapf and P. pholiuroides Stapf is described and illustrated. The transectional anatomy is non-Kranz with diffuse chlorenchyma. The adaxial epidermis has dome-shaped stomata, dumbbell-shaped to nodular silica bodies and elongated microhairs. The three species differ in the presence or absence of macrohairs, abaxial stomata and marginal linear, sessile glands. The latter character is shared with Pentaschistis triseta (Thunb.) Stapf and its allies, and relationships with Pentaschistis are indicated rather than with any other extant arundinoid genus.
New sources of genetic resistance to race 3 of Fusarium wilt of tomato

Wild Lycopersicon accessions were screened for resistance to race 3 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Of the accessions examined, only L. hirsutum (LA 1777) and L. parviflorum (LA 2133) consistently failed to develop wilt symptoms after inoculation. Resistances in these two accessions were analyzed genetically. Results from these analyses suggested that the resistances were not monogenic dominant or monogenic recessive and, therefore, genetically different from the resistance observed previously in L. pennellii (LA 716)(.)
Techniques for detection of iso- and auto-antibodies to human spermatozoa.

Techniques for the detection of iso- and autoantibodies to human spermatozoa are discussed in detail. The in vitro sperm agglutination tests reviewed include the gelatin agglutination test the capillary tube agglutination test the tray agglutination test the slide agglutination test and the tube-slide agglutination test. Complement-dependent methods include sperm immobilization tests the determination of sperm immobilizing antibody in women the spermatotoxicity test the microtechnique for detection of immobilization and cytotoxicity and the capillary cervical mucus penetration. Tests utilizing labeled antibodies include the indirect immunofluorescent technique for spermatozoa the immunofluorescent staining technique on swollen sperm heads and the localization of antigens on spermatozoa using the immunoperoxidase technique. Immunoelectrophetic quantitation of sperm antibodies by counter immunoelectrophoresis and the leucocyte inhibition test are presented. The potential application of immunologic techniques in the control of fertility and general investigative methods are discussed.
Impact of Insecticide Treatment on Herbivory and Reproductive Success of the Federally Endangered Plant Clematis morefieldii Kral

ABSTRACT Herbivory is common on the federally endangered Clematis morefieldii (Ranunculaceae), but little is known about its effect on reproductive output. Over 3 yr, we applied the insecticide Sevin (0.26% carbaryl) or water (as a control) to 40 plants (20 per treatment) every 3 wk during the growing season. Herbivores destroyed fewer flower buds on insecticide-treated plants (18.4% fewer in 2010, 45.6% fewer in 2011, 39.7% fewer in 2012), but fruit production increased 3.7-fold on insecticide-treated plants only in 2011. High rainfall during peak flowering/fruiting (April–June) influenced the effectiveness of treatments by boosting achene production in 2011. We compared the amounts of vegetative herbivory (vertebrate browse damage, invertebrate browse damage, piercing-sucking herbivore damage, or leaf miner damage) within each year. Both vertebrate and invertebrate browse damage were significantly greater (1.2- to 2.2-fold) on control plants for all three years. Piercing-sucking herbivory was greater (25–40% more) on control plants during most of the growing season for all three years. Vertebrate damage was more frequent on insecticide-treated plants (25–40% greater) during 2012. During high rainfall years, invertebrate herbivory reduced reproductive output, either directly by attacking flower buds/flowers or indirectly by vegetative herbivory that reduces resources available for reproduction. Insecticide use during years of high insect infestation could be a viable option for managers seeking to increase seed output by this rare plant.
Response of Weaner Rabbits Fed Graded Levels of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc) Offal Diets

This study was conducted with sixty weaner rabbits to determine their response to graded levels of raw bambara groundnut offal diets. The five weeks old rabbits were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. The treatment groups designated 1,2,3,4 and 5 had six rabbits per treatment. Each treatment was replicated two times with three animals each. The inclusion level of bambara groundnut offal in the diet were 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% respectively. Parameters measured in the eight week old experiment included final live weight, weight gain, feed and protein intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency, feed cost and carcass quality. Result of the experiment showed significant (P<0.05) differences in almost all the parameters rabbits fed 15% bambara groundnut offal seems to be the best, had numerically higher daily weight gain (25.10g), final live weight (2.18kg), better feed conversion of 3.26, protein efficiency ratio 3. 43 and lowest cost per kg live weight gain (N100) than rabbits fed other graded levels.
A Rapid and Efficient Method for In Vitro Screening of Taro for Leaf Blight Disease Caused by Phytophthora colocasiae

Taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae presents the single biggest constraint for taro cultivation globally. To accelerate breeding and selection for disease resistance to leaf blight, it is important to develop bioassays which could differentiate resistant and susceptible cultivars efficiently. In this study, thirty taro accessions and four released cultivars were evaluated for resistance to leaf blight using a modified floating leaf disc assay. A novel method for mass production of P. colocasiae zoospores was developed and used as inoculum for the assay. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences among accessions in their response to P. colocasiae infection in the detached leaf assay. The accessions could be efficiently classified into various resistance groups based on a 0–4 score. Also, the assay results were consistent with the field evaluation scores of taro accessions. Thus, this study reports the development of a rapid, simple and repeatable assay that can be used to screen large numbers of taro cultivars for resistance to P. colocasiae.
Microhabitat and spatial variation at HK isozyme loci in Culex pipiens: testing isolation by distance and isolation by ecology model.

Culex pipiens L. (Diptera Culicidae) is of medical and veterinary importance as vector of various bacterial, filarial and arboviral disease pathogens, and is a major pest in urban areas. Understanding the population structure and gene flow among populations is critical for public health issues such as local dispersion pattern and spread of insecticide resistance. To determine the dispersion pattern of the Cx. pipiens samples across the southern part of the Pannonian Plain of Central Europe (testing Isolation by distance model), and at fine-scale level, between ecologically different larval habitats (testing Isolation by ecology model), we studied hexokinase (HK) genes. Because the polymorphism of HK genes is independent of insecticide use, spatial variation at HK loci provided valuable information on population connectivity of Cx. pipiens. Implementing STRUCTURE statistical analysis, a lack of structuring at individual level of “urban” and “rural” samples was observed. Landscape study rejected both ecological and isolation models which implies that different selection regimes of larval habitats and geographic distance do not influence on genotype portioning at HK system. Observed high genetic connectivity among samples throughout urban and rural environments indicated that gene flow is an important factor underlying genetic structure. This study pointed out that control measures restricted to urban areas are unlikely to be effective due to high gene flow between treated and untreated populations. Hence, designing a sustainable vector control strategy for the species with detectable gene flow, such as Cx. pipiens, must remain a regional effort.
A Survey of the Foliar and Soil Arthropod Communities in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Fields of Central and Eastern South Dakota

Abstract The long coevolutionary history between sunflowers (Helianthus annuus, Asterales: Asteraceae) and arthropods in the northern Great Plains has resulted in a commonly grown oilseed crop that harbors a large diversity of insects. A bioinventory of foliar and subterranean arthropods was performed in 22 sunflower fields over a period of three site years in central and eastern South Dakota. Overall, 467 morphospecies were collected. From foliage, 15 arthropod orders were observed. Those containing the greatest species diversity were Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Araneae with 80; 53; 53; 40 and 30 morphospecies each, respectively. Subterranean arthropods from 19 orders were collected. The five orders containing the highest number of morphospecies were Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Araneae and Diptera containing 77; 17; 14; 11 and nine morphospecies respectively. Although bioinventories can be expensive and time consuming, information gathered from them has many uses, including efforts to assess the implications of pesticide use, wildlife conservation, land use- and climate-change on community structure in sunflowers.
Correlation Co-efficient and Path Analysis in Okra Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench

The experiment was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad during the year 2006-2007. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that yield showed significant positive correlation with plant height and yield at both genotypic and phenotypic level, suggesting that selection of these characters may be useful for the development of ideal plant type of okra for the Allahabad agro-climatic condition. The correlation co-efficient and path co-efficient of various characters was significant in plant height, yield/ha, yield/plant, Vitamin C, number of leaf/plant, number of fruits per plant. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the character. Minimum variation between PCV and GCV was recorded for the character days to 50 % flowering, followed by plant height, yield/ha, yield/plant, Vitamin C, number of leaf/plant, number of fruits per plant and maximum variation in % plant affected by YVMV. Lower variation between PCV and GCV revealed greater stability of the character against environment fluctuation.
Phylogenetics, systematics and evolution of the temperate woody bamboos with an emphasis on the Kuruna clade

The subfamily Bambusoideae (bamboos) is one of 12 subfamilies in Poaceae (grass family) and is primarily associated with forest habitats. Bambusoideae, which include nearly 1,500 species worldwide, is classified into two tribes of woody bamboos (the tropical Bambuseae and the temperate Arundinarieae) and one tribe of herbaceous bamboos (the Olyreae). The Arundinarieae, with ca. 550 species, is well known for its taxonomic and phylogenetic complexity; to date, there are twelve major lineages found in Arundinarieae based on analyses of selected chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers, nuclear DNA genes and complete plastomes. The main objectives of this dissertation are to: 1) conduct molecular phylogenetic analysis for the temperate woody bamboo species using chloroplast DNA with particular emphases on testing the monophyly of Sri Lankan temperate woody bamboos, placing them in the correct genus or genera and perform a taxonomic revision for this group; 2) understand the phylogenetic relationships among and within the woody bamboo clades using complete plastome sequences and low-copy nuclear markers and evaluate morphological evolution of some important characters such as rhizomes and pseudospikelets; 3) develop a web-based multi-access interactive key for the Sri Lankan and South Indian temperate woody bamboos; 4) understand the population genetic structure of A. debilis, a highly threatened temperate woody bamboo