Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Priority Effects in Experimental Pond Communities: Competition between Bufo and Rana

The effect of order to hatching on the outcome of larval competition between two species of frogs breeding in 27 artificial ponds was studied. There were nine different treatments, each replicated three times: all combinations of various introductions of Bufo americanus hatchlings (none added, 500 added on day 0, or 500 added on day 6) and various introductions of Rana sphenocephala hatchlings (none added, 100 added on day 0, or 100 added on day 6). Response variables were the body size at metamorphosis, the length of the larval period of each individual, and the number of survivors of each species in each experimental pond. Bufo individuals and populations did best when alone. Also, they did better when introduced on day 6 rather than day 0. This may have been because the standing crop of food was greater in the communities that were 6 d older. When present with Rana, Bufo did better if added before Rana and worse if added after Rana, as compared to when both species were added at the same time. These results are consistent with a mechanism of size—specific competition. Rana also did best when alone and when introduced late rather than early. Rana did better when added after Bufo and worse when added before Bufo as compared to when both species were introduced at the same time. These results are not consistent with simple size—specific competition. When the species were together, both species did best when Bufo was added early and Rana was added late. These results suggest that optimal oviposition behavior is problematical for female frogs: the time that will be best depends on whether or not another species will be present at the time of hatching.
Determining the effect of negative allometry (length/height relationship) on variation in otolith shape in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), using Fourier-series analysis

Geometric mean regression analysis between log(length) and log(height) of otoliths from lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from six lakes revealed that the growth of this structure was negatively allometric, indicating that otolith shape varies throughout the life of the fish. Otolith shape was quantified using harmonic amplitudes 2-10 (A2-A10) extracted from Fourier-series analyses. We found harmonic amplitudes 2 (A2) and 5 (A5) to be associated with the length/height relationship. Some recent studies have suggested that growth of fish otoliths affects their shape. Our results indicate that part of this otolith-growth effect could be due to an intrinsic change in shape associated with allometric nature of the length/height relationship. There were no differences in otolith shape between males and females. Otolith shape was also compared among the six populations. Major differences were observed between Lake Normand (Saint Maurice River watershed) and the five lakes in the Ottawa River watershed, suggestin.
Sodium Exclusion and Potassium-Sodium Selectivity in Salt-Treated Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and Cleopatra Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) Plants

Seedlings of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. ) and Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) were grown under glasshouse conditions and supplied with dilute nutrient solution containing 0, 25, 50 or 100 mM NaCl. Trifoliate orange plants grown at 25 or 50 mM NaCl possessed an ability to restrict the accumulation of sodium in leaves. This ability was lost at 100 mM NaCl. For plants treated with 50mM NaCl, uptake of both sodium and chloride per unit root weight was higher for trifoliate orange than for Cleopatra mandarin. Root to leaf transport of chloride was also higher for trifoliate orange, whereas root to leaf transport of sodium was significantly lower. This ability to exclude sodium was unrelated to the flux of water (water flux) per plant, which was similar between the genotypes. Trifoliate orange appeared to possess a greater ability to withdraw sodium from the xylem in the proximal root and basal stem and to sequester it in both the wood and the bark of these regions. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in the concentration of potassium in these tissues, suggesting sodium-potassium exchange. Release of potassium into the xylem in exchange for sodium is implied by the significant increase in leaf potassium concentrations. This ability for sodium exclusion at low to moderate salinities (Ͱ4 50 mM NaCl) enabled trifoliate orange to maintain a relatively constant sodium : potassium ratio in leaves. Salt-treated Cleopatra mandarin plants, on the other hand, tended to show a marginal decrease in leaf potassium concentration and a substantial increase in leaf sodium : potassium ratio. Reducing the mean water flux in trifoliate orange from 38 to 26 µmol s-1 per plant by partial defoliation did not affect root to leaf transport of chloride. However, there was a marked reduction in root to leaf transport of sodium, suggesting an enhanced withdrawal of sodium from the xylem at lower water fluxes.
Transmission of Mal de Río Cuarto virus by first and third-instar nymphs of Delphacodes kuscheli

The ability of first and third-instar Delphacodes kuscheli Fennah (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) nymphs to acquire and transmit Mal de Rio Cuarto virus (MRCV), under controlled conditions, was investigated. First and third-instar nymphs were allowed acquisition feeding separately on infected wheat plants for 48 hours. The insects were then placed in groups of three for serial transmissions to healthy wheat plants, using inoculation periods of 24 hours. Both instars of D. kuscheli were demonstrated to acquire and subsequently transmit the virus. Nevertheless, transmission trials showed highest transmission efficiency and shortest latent period when MRCV was acquired by first-instar nymphs.
Behavioral and Environmental Factors in the Spatial Distribution and Popualtion Dynamics of a Yellow‐Bellied Marmot Population

Behavioral and environmental factors in the spatial distribution and population dynamics of a yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) population were studied in 1971 and 1972 in Gunnison Co., Colorado. Yellow-bellied marmots are generally considered to be colonial; however, this is not their only option, depending upon the marmots' behavioral profile and the size and composition of the habitat. Of the adult-yearling group 75% lived as members of colonies, 16% lived at satellite sites, and 8% were transients. Satellite sites differed from colonies mainly in size and topographic diversity; they may be considered mini- habitats, with the most limited resource being burrow sites. Marmots can be classified, by means of mirror-image stimulation (MIS), as aggressive, social, and avoider. Aggressive females tended to occupy small harems at large sites, or to live as solitary individuals regardless of the size of the site. Social females occurred primarily at large sites, in harems. Avoider females lived in peripheral burrows at colonies, or in satellite sites. All behavioral types reproduced successfully, but reproductive fitness was cor- related with social structure. Aggressive females were most fit in small harems or at satellite sites, whereas social females were most fit in large social groups. Avoiders were least fit in all social situations. Data presently available fails to show that the behavioral profile of the female is reflected in the social tendencies of her young. In general, social behavior is a major factor affecting the distribution and dynamics of populations of yellow-bellied marmots, but dispersion is also related to the distribution of suitable habitat.
Phosphorus allocation and utilization in three grass species with contrasting response to N and P supply.

The growth of the grass Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) Beauv. in Dutch nutrient-poor chalk grasslands increases with enhanced nitrogen supply, whereas other grass species also require an enhanced phosphorus supply for a similar response (e.g. Dactylis glomerata L.), or are competitively suppressed at any increase in nutrient supply (e.g. Briza media L.). We investigated whether this interspecific variation in response to N and P supply is caused by differences in P productivity (PP), i.e. the instantaneous rate of biomass production per unit of P present in the plant. We hypothesized that PP is highest in Brachypodium pinnatum, in contrast to N productivity which is known to be the highest in Dactylis glomerata. Phosphorus productivity and its components were studied using a growth analysis with four exponential P addition rates of 0.03, 0.06, 009 and 0.11/0.15 mg P mg-1 P d-1 . Although Brachypodium pinnatum allocated more P to its leaf blades, it had a lower P productivity at high N and low P supply than did Dactylis glomerata. This was associated with a higher productivity per unit leaf P in Dactylis glomerata. Across all species and treatments, leaf PP showed a distinct negative correlation with P concentration per leaf area, regardless whether the variation in area-based leaf P concentration was caused by variation in leaf thickness, leaf tissue mass density or mass-based P concentration. A possible explanation for this would be a positive correlation between leaf chlorophyll concentration and P concentration, leading at high concentrations to shading within the leaf and to a low photosynthetic rate per unit leaf P. We conclude that a high pp is determined by the ability of a plant to distribute its P over a large leaf area, rather than by greater allocation of P to the leaves. Interspecific relationships for P productivity are similar to those known for N productivity.
Comparisons of FST and QST of growth-related traits in two populations of coho salmon

Abstract Understanding the mechanisms driving population divergence may be an important step in achieving conservation goals. Estimates of population divergence at neutral markers (F ST) can be compared with divergence at quantitative traits (Q ST) to determine whether population differentiation is being driven by neutral processes such as genetic drift or by selection. We examined growth-related fitness traits, specifically length, weight, and condition factor, at various life history stages in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch. Fish from two populations originating in different evolutionarily significant units and with different histories of selection were reared in a common environment, and weight and length measurements were collected for the alevin and juvenile stages during the first year of growth. Divergence at neutral markers was estimated from 10 microsatellite loci typed in each of the two populations (F ST = 0.089, 95% confidence interval = 0.056-0.0123). While Q ST tended to be greater than F .
Flightless insects: a test case for historical relationships of African mountains

Flightless insects give a clearer view of former distribution of montane habitat in Africa compared with highly mobile animals as birds and butterflies because passive long distance transport and long distance dispersal can be discounted. Only a few species in the twenty‐one genera under study are shared between neighbouring mountains which can be explained in all cases by a Pleistocene lowering of the montane habitat by 850 m. Therefore a montane forest cover connecting the mountains at colder times as suggested by the pluvial theory can be refuted which is in correspondence with palynological findings suggesting a dry corridor between the mountains. No montane refuge for flightless insects can be identified, because the most species‐rich mountain of a genus differs among the genera under study. Instead, each mountain served as a species refuge with a stable habitat. The requirement of a smaller habitat compared to vertebrates is indicated by endemic species on each single mountain suggesting pre‐Pleistocene speciation which results even in endemic genera to one mountain. Different small patches of suitable habitat on one mountain could also explain the radiations found in some genera of flightless insects. In some genera species are lacking on Mt Kenya which indicates—with the findings of no endemic passerine bird on the mountain—a probably very dry condition during colder times. On Mt Cameroon no species of the flightless insect genera occurring on the Eastern mountains are found. This contrasts with the existing patterns of birds, grasses and butterflies.
Morpho-Physiological Aspects of Productivity and Quality in Squash and Pumpkins (Cucurbita spp.)

Squash and pumpkins are important horticultural crops worldwide, but there has been relatively little research to systematically describe yield components and improve productivity in this species. This review outlines some of the basic growth-analysis techniques for describing different aspects of productivity and attempts to summarize investigations on physiological, morphological, and ecological aspects of productivity and the relationship of these factors to eating quality in the three most important domesticated species of Cucurbita—C. pepo, C. maxima, and C. moschata. The emphasis of this review is on components of yield that can be modified either by selective breeding or through use of cultural techniques. Increasing economic crop yield while also balancing the needs to maintain and improve culinary qualities of the edible product will also be discussed. The bush phenotype is being increasingly exploited in new cultivar development. Advantages and disadvantages of using bush genotypes in cultivar development are addressed. In addition, because of increasing use of Cucurbita seeds for vegetable oils, snackseeds, and pharmaceutical purposes, physiological components of seed yield are also discussed.
An evaluation of stable nitrogen isotopes and polychlorinated biphenyls as bioenergetic tracers in aquatic systems

This study investigated the relationship between stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) with respect to age, size, and diet. δ15N signatures in both species exhibited enrichment with increasing size and approached steady state with respect to dietary δ15N values by the second year of growth. Young-of-the-year fish, however, exhibited lower nitrogen isotope enrichment over the diet, indicating that the commonly held trophic enrichment factor of 3.4 is more suitable for older, slow-growing individuals. PCB accumulation in both species progressed from being dominated by uptake from water in small (<100 g) fish to dietary uptake in larger individuals as a function of bioenergetic constraints such as food energy conversion and contaminant assimilation efficiencies. Significant increases in PCB accumulation were attributed to decreased specific growth rates such that ≤60% of body mass was .
Use of an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) in the detection of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), antibodies to Edwardsiella ictaluri

The use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) for the detection of channel catfish antibody to Edwardsiella ictaluri is described. Changes in agglutination titre in fish immunized with Edwardsiella ictaluri heat killed whole bacterins or lipopolysaccharides were reflected by corresponding changes in elisa readings. Relatively high correlations were observed among elisa OD readings, computed elisa titres and corresponding agglutination titres.
ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC PROPERTIES OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA AND YEAST STRAINS

ABSTRACT Four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and three yeast strains isolated from a traditional Bulgarian cereal-based fermented beverage were assessed for potential probiotic properties. Acid and bile resistance, antipathogenic activity and antibiotic resistance of the strains were evaluated. Tolerance to low pH values (2.0–3.0) and high bile concentrations (0.2–2.0%) of the LAB and yeast strains varied, but all strains kept viable throughout the experiments. Antagonistic activity towards most of the eight test-pathogens was observed for one LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum B28) and two yeast strains (Candida rugosa Y28 and Candida lambica Y30). Antibiotic resistance (39 antibiotics) of the LAB strains was variable, but showed their potential for therapeutic application.
Isolation and molecular characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables using nested PCR analysis.

Aims: The study investigated the diversity and identities of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) isolated from different fresh fruits and vegetables using Molecular Nested PCR analysis with the view of identifying LAB with anti-microbial potentials. Study Design: Nested PCR approach was used in this study employing universal 16S rRNA gene primers in the first round PCR and LAB specific Primers in the second round PCR with the view of generating specific Nested PCR products for the LAB diversity present in the samples. Place and Duration of Study: Biotechnology Centre of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, between January 2011 and February 2012. Methodology: Forty Gram positive, catalase negative strains of LAB were isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables on Man Rogosa and Sharpe agar (Lab M) using streaking method. Standard molecular methods were used for DNA extraction (Norgen Biotek kit method, Canada), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification, Electrophoresis, Research Article British Microbiology Research Journal, 3(4): 368-377, 2013 369 Purification and Sequencing of generated Nested PCR products (Macrogen Inc., USA). Results: The partial sequences obtained were deposited in the database of National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Isolates were identified based upon the sequences as Weissella cibaria (5 isolates, 27.78%), Weissella kimchi (5, 27.78%), Weissella paramensenteroides (3, 16.67%), Lactobacillus plantarum (2, 11.11%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (2, 11.11%) and Lactobacillus pentosus (1, 5.56%) from fresh vegetable; while Weissella cibaria (4, 18.18%), Weissella confusa (3, 13.64%), Leuconostoc paramensenteroides (1, 4.55%), Lactobacillus plantarum (8, 36.36%), Lactobacillus paraplantarum (1, 4.55%) and Lactobacillus pentosus (1, 4.55%) were identified from fresh fruits. Conclusion: This study shows that potentially LAB can be quickly and holistically characterized by molecular methods to specie level by nested PCR analysis of the bacteria isolate genomic DNA using universal 16S rRNA primers and LAB specific primer.
Using birds to set conservation priorities for Pantanal wetland forests, Brazil

Summary The Pantanal of Brazil, one of the largest wetlands in the world, is suffering severe threats, such as forest and grassland clearance on the surrounding plateau, conversion of forests and savannas for cattle ranching and effects of large development projects. We used richness, abundance and composition of bird species in four forest types to propose conservation priorities for the northern Pantanal. Birds from 11 sites (a total of 41 points) were sampled through point counts and mist-netting. In total 215 species were recorded in the forests. Two evergreen forest types (cambarazal and landi) had higher estimates of bird richness and abundance than two dry forest types (carvoeiro and cordilheira). The evergreen forests also had more species exclusive to them and were more similar to each other than the dry forests. Selection of forests to be conserved in the northern Pantanal should give priority to evergreen forests and secondarily to dry forests. Cambarazal should be the first forests to be conserved. If the Pantanal inundation cycle is altered by the construction of hydroelectric dams or the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, cambarazal and landi may no longer become flooded, decreasing local species richness. Before our recommendations are considered for conservation and management decisions, more studies on other groups of organisms should also be taken into consideration, and similar studies should be conducted in other regions of the Pantanal. Conservation of Pantanal forest birds depends on a deeper understanding of their use of several habitats, stronger protection of the forests with higher diversity, and public policies that guarantee the long term maintenance of natural flooding cycles.
Effects of water deficit on the dynamics of flowering and fruit production in Capsicum chinense Jacq in a tropical semiarid region of Venezuela.

The degree of crop sensitivity to water deficit, during the different developmental stages of a plant, is an important aspect to consider in tropical semiarid regions. The effect of water deficit on flowering dynamics and fruit production of sweet pepper (Capsicum chinense) was evaluated under several water regimes, during three consecutive years. A complete randomized block design with three replicates was employed. Flowering dynamics and fruit production were measured weekly, and water potentials were obtained twice during the experiments. For all years, flowering began at approximately 70 days after transplanting. In the most favourable year (trial 1996), there were no differences in total flower and fruit production in terms of irrigation frequency. For the other less favourable years, flowering and fruit production were significantly different between irrigation frequencies. Our results show that low water availability, prior to flowering, reduces the number of flowers produced and retards the occurrence of maximum flowering. On the other hand, a water deficit during the period between flowering and fruit development reduces final fruit production. This suggests that a water deficit during this last stage affects final yield to a greater extent.
Moving from organ dose to microdosimetry: contribution of the Monte Carlo simulations

When living cells are irradiated by charged particles, a wide variety of interactions occurs that leads to a deep modification of the biological material. To understand the fine structure of the microscopic distribution of the energy deposits, Monte Carlo event-by-event simulations are particularly suitable. However, the development of these track structure codes needs accurate interaction cross sections for all the electronic processes: ionization, excitation, Positronium formation (for incident positrons) and even elastic scattering. Under these conditions, we have recently developed a Monte Carlo code for electrons and positrons in water, this latter being commonly used to simulate the biological medium. All the processes are studied in detail via theoretical differential and total cross sections calculated by using partial wave methods. Comparisons with existing theoretical and experimental data show very good agreements. Moreover, this kind of detailed description allows one access to a useful microdosimetry, which can be coupled to a geometrical modelling of the target organ and then provide a detailed dose calculation at the nanometric scale.
Socioeconomic factors influencing plantain production in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State

Plantain production in Nigeria is highly constrained by certain socio-economic factors. The study investigated the socio-economic factors influencing plantain production in Khana local government area of Rivers state. Collected primary data was analysed using descriptive statistical tools and simple linear regression fitting in four functional forms. The results of analysis showed the socioeconomic factors influencing plantain production to include gender, age, household size and farm size. Furthermore, using a four-point type of Likert’s scale to measure factors militating against plantain production showed the major challenges to include poor processing and storage facilities, inadequate extension knowledge, unavailability of credit facilities, poor irrigation facilities, high perishability, high incidence of plantain disease and poor marketing system among others. It is suggested that farmers should be assisted through provision of adequate storage and processing facilities as well as loan facilities to enable them acquire necessary farm inputs, hire labour and acquire suitable farmland. Keywords: Plantain, Production, Socioeconomic, Smallholder Farmers, Nigeria