Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recreational diving and its impact in marine protected areas in eastern Australia.

Recreational scuba diving has generally been perceived as an activity with low environmental impact. With the rapid growth in popularity of diving, concerns have arisen that some heavily-dived sites may have diver visitation rates approaching the limit of ecological sustainability. The potential impacts of divers were assessed in underwater surveys at four major dive-sites in Eastern Australia. Recreational divers were followed for 30 minutes, and all contacts with and damage to the substratum or biota were recorded. Information on diver qualifications and experience was collected. The mean number of contacts with the substratum per 30 minute dive at each site ranged from 35 to 121, with a maximum of 304 in a single dive. The majority of contacts were made with fins. Breakage of coral ranged from an average of 0.6 per dive to 1.9 per dive. Most divers damaged no coral, but a small minority of divers broke between 10 and 15 corals each per 30 minute dive. The level of damage to the sites studied appeared to be sustainable at present levels of use by divers. However, at intensively dived, coral-dominated sites, the potential exists for considerable environmental impact as the number of recreational divers increases beyond present levels.
Phylogenetic analysis of wheat cultivars in Kazakhstan based on the wheat 90 K single nucleotide polymorphism array

The recent introduction of Illumina single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays is an important step towards comprehensive genome-wide studies of genetic diversity in wheat. In this study, 90 cultivars of hexaploid spring wheat growing in Kazakhstan were genotyped using the high-density wheat 90 K Illumina SNP array. The analysis allowed the identification of 30,288 polymorphic SNPs. A subset of 3541 high-quality SNPs were used for a comparison of 690 wheat accessions representing landraces and varieties, including those from Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Kazakhstan, USA and other parts of the world. Phylogenetic analysis showed a clear separation of wheat cultivars according to their geographic origin. In the phylogenetic tree, accessions from Kazakhstan and the USA formed two neighbouring clusters with a common node, and they were distinct from accessions from other regions of the world, including Europe. The results provide important new insights into the genetic relationships between diverse wheat accessions.
Resource quality and the colonisation and succession of coprophagous dung beetles

In order to examine the degree of resource selectivity in a north temperate dung beetle assemblage und to identify major parameters that influence such selectivity, the occurrence of adult dung beetles (Aphodius. Geotrupes and Sphaeridium) in up to five different types of dung over a period of up to 25 d was examined in a series of field experiments using standardised dung pats. There were significant physical and chemical differences in dung quality between dung types and over time during succession. Dung beetle species showed distinct preferences for particular types of dung which were generally similar in data sets from both pitfall traps and dung pat samples. Species also showed distinct patterns of successional occurrence. Ordinations produced by Canonical Correspondence Analysis, based on species occurrences in dung types and over time, usually selected dung pat age as the most important environmental variable influencing dung beetle assemblages. Dung quality parameters contributed a significant element of structure to the species ordinations but ordinations using dung types or dung quality parameter values as the environmental variables were very similar in terms of sample and species placement within the ordination for each data set. Most importantly the CCA ordinations clearly grouped species according to their breeding behaviour. Early-successional species laid eggs in the soil, or in silken egg cocoons, which allowed them to exploit wet dung. Mid and late-successional species laid eggs in the dung pat: late-successional species could exploit normally wetter dung types than mid-successional species, probably due to increased crust formation and drying as the dung pat ages. Thus, species appear to be differentially adapted to exploit varying types of dung microhabitats. Therefore, where two or more species of large herbivores are present, dung quality preferences probably constitute an important niche dimension.
High-tech or field techs: Radio-telemetry is a cost-effective method for reducing bias in songbird nest searching

ABSTRACT We compared the efficacy of standard nest-searching methods with finding nests via radio-tagged birds to assess how search technique influenced our determination of nest-site characteristics and nest success for Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera). We also evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using radio-tagged birds to find nests. Using standard nest-searching techniques for 3 populations, we found 111 nests in locations with habitat characteristics similar to those described in previous studies: edges between forest and relatively open areas of early successional vegetation or shrubby wetlands, with 43% within 5 m of forest edge. The 83 nests found using telemetry were about half as likely (23%) to be within 5 m of forest edge. We spent little time searching >25 m into forest because published reports state that Golden-winged Warblers do not nest there. However, 14 nests found using telemetry (18%) were >25 m into forest. We modeled nest success using nest-searching method, nest age, and distance to forest edge as explanatory variables. Nest-searching method explained nest success better than nest age alone; we estimated that nests found using telemetry were 10% more likely to fledge young than nests found using standard nest-searching methods. Although radio-telemetry was more expensive than standard nest searching, the cost-effectiveness of both methods differed depending on searcher experience, amount of equipment owned, and bird population density. Our results demonstrate that telemetry can be an effective method for reducing bias in Golden-winged Warbler nest samples, can be cost competitive with standard nest-searching methods in some situations, and is likely to be a useful approach for finding nests of other forest-nesting songbirds.
Body size, sexual size dimorphism, and Rensch's rule in adult hydropsychid caddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae)

Body size influences most biological processes from metabolic rates to the outcome of interspecific interactions. Within a species, sexual size dimorphism (SSD) reflects either differential selection on body size of males and females or phylogenetic inertia. Among taxa, SSD should decrease as body size increases when females are the larger sex — a pattern known as Rensch's rule. We examined body size, SSD, and Rensch's rule among 29 species of adult hydropsychid caddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) and 12 closely related caddisfly species. Females were almost always larger than males in all species examined. Body size variation among genera was greater than variance among species. In contrast, the greatest variance in SSD was among species within a genus. Contrary to Rensch's rule, the degree of SSD did not change as body size increased among genera. Observed body size patterns suggest that hydropsychid caddisfly species within a genus may be subjected to similar selective pressures during the larval.
Grafting Fraser Fir onto Rootstocks of Selected Abies Species

Orthotropic shoots (tips of primary axes) from 3-year-old Fraser fir seedlings (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. ) were grafted onto rootstocks of Fraser fir, Korean fir (A. koreana Wils.), momi fir (A. firma Sieb. & Zucc.), Nordmann fir (A. nordmanniana (Steven) Spach. ), Turkish fir (A. bornmuelleriana Mattf.), and West Virginia balsam fir from Canaan Valley (Canaan fir) (A. balsamea (L.) Mill. var. phanerolepis Fern. ). First- year survival in the greenhouse was 92% to 98% except for momi fir (83%). The percentage of grafted plants with orthotropic shoots was 92% to 98%, except for Korean (81%) and momi fir (86%). Plants were subsequently established in replicated field experiments on three sites in the piedmont and mountains of North Carolina. In general, leader elongation of grafted Fraser fir scions was greater than leader growth on non- grafted transplants, including Fraser fir. Differences in survival appear to reflect interspe- cific variation in resistance to phytophthora root rot and/or tolerance of warm environ- ments. Grafting may offer the potential to grow Abies Christmas trees on previously unsuitable sites, or to reclaim or continue using sites already seriously impacted by root rot.
Laboratory Measurements of Eggshell Strength: 2. The Quasi-Static Compression, Puncture, Non-Destructive Deformation, and Specific Gravity Methods Applied to the Same Egg

Abstract Specific gravity, non-destructive deformation, puncture force, and compression fracture force measurements were obtained from 860 eggs collected from three flocks of Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Compression fracture and puncture force measurements indicated that tensile and shear fracture resistances of the shell material were related on a within egg basis and that the correlation between fracture shear stress and shell thickness was low. Linear relationships were found between specific gravity and both puncture force and fracture shear stress while there was an apparent curvilinear relationship between these force measurements and non-destructive deformation. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that non-destructive deformation accounted for the most variation in predicting compression fracture force (54%). It was found possible to measure puncture and compression fracture force, in that order, on the same egg. Deformation measurements obtained using horizontally applied forces closely matched those obtained with the forces applied to the egg vertically.
Effects of Pulsed Electric Fields on Anthocyanin Extraction Yield of Blueberry Processing By‐Products

In order to improve the comprehensive utilization of blueberries, extraction of anthocyanin from blueberry processing by-products (BPBs) by pulsed electric field (PEF) was investigated. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the conditions of the anthocyanin extraction yield (AEY) from BPB, and a regression mathematical model was established to describe the experimental data for AEY in the investigation. The optimized parameters of anthocyanin extraction were that solvent of 60% ethanol (acidified with 0.1% [v/v] hydrochloric acid), liquid to liquid ratio of 1:6 (mL/mL), pulse number of 10 ea and electric field strength of 20 kV/cm. The quantity extracted anthocyanin reached 223.13 mg/L BPB. Compared with the ultrasound extraction, PEF treatment as an emerging technology increased the AEY at a lower extraction temperature and at a shorter extraction time. Practical Applications Blueberries are a richer source of anthocyanin than other fruits and vegetables, but different processed products and production modes generate large amounts of blueberry by-products, resulting in a waste of resource. Extraction of these compounds from blueberry processing by-products may be a broad application prospect for food industry. Our results indicated that pulsed electric field method can not only improve the AEY but also reduce the extraction temperature and shorten the extraction time, improving the additional value of blueberries and the reference for the comprehensive utilization of blueberry.
Effects of delayed mating on the fecundity, fertility and longevity of females of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

Abstract The effects of delayed mating on the copulation duration, female fertility, fecundity, egg fertility, longevity and the number days alive after mating of females of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, were studied. When male mating was delayed, the female fertility, fecundity, egg fertility, longevity and number days alive after mating of DBM decreased, and there was a negative correlation between the age of the moth with those variables except copulation duration. When female mating was delayed, the female fertility, fecundity, percent egg fertility and number days alive after mating of DBM also decreased, but the longevity increased, which also showed a negative relationship between the age of the moth with the variables except copulation duration and longevity. When both males and females delayed mating, the female fertility and fecundity decreased; egg fertility was affected marginally, and the longevity of females increased. The moth age was negatively correlated with those variables.
Use of inbred seedling cold tolerance to predict hybrid cold tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.)

The ability of a corn genotype to emerge in the cold, and the development of hardier corn lines is important for reliable corn production in Southern Manitoba. The study sought to determine if inbred cold tolerance could be used to predict accurately hybrid cold tolerance. Eighteen single-cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were formed by crossing the known cold-tolerant inbred CO255 to each of 18 inbred lines. Following germination, five seedlings of each inbred and hybrid were arranged in a five-replicate RCBD and grown in a growth cabinet maintained at 10 °C. Weekly observations of colour and leaf viability, shoot growth, stage of development, and number of dead plants were averaged over the five replicates providing weekly mean values. By averaging weekly values over the 5-wk study, overall mean values were obtained upon which the genotypes were ranked for relative cold tolerance. Correlation coefficients between weekly measures and the final rankings suggested future estimates of cold tolerance could b.
Phylogenetic relationships within the Cantharellaceae inferred from sequence analysis of the nuclear large subunit rDNA

DNA was extracted from dried specimens of nine taxa of the Cantharellaceae. Approximately 325 bases near the 5′ end of the nuclear 28S ribosomal gene were sequenced, and the sequences were compared. Sequence analyses demonstrated that Cantharellus and Craterellus should be treated as distinct genera. The phylogeny generated using parsimony suggests that Cantharellus tubaeformis and Pseudocraterellus sinuosus should be considered species of Craterellus . As a result of this study, we recognize the first placement of these two species in Craterellus by Fries and Quelet. A reassessment of the morphological characters used to separate Cantharellus and Craterellus is indicated.
Anatomical Indicators for Assessing Age of Mosquitoes: Changes in Ovarian Follicles

Some changes in ovaries that occur with physiological aging are presented for Aedes nigromaculis (Ludlow) and the southern house mosquito, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). Differentiation of the oocytes took place in both species before blood-feeding, and follicular development was arrested in either Stage I or Stage II. Oocytes matured after a single blood meal independently of insemination. Rates of ovarian development at 3 temperatures are given for the 2 species, as are observations on digestion of blood. The formation and occurrence of dilatations on follicular pedicels are described; some exceptions to the direct correlation between numbers of dilatations and numbers of completed ovarian cycles are pointed out. Observations on some other species of mosquitoes are included.
Enhancing healthy ageing through music

Ageing is a process that sets in at birth and continues through the different stages of life culminating in death. The transitional periods in life are not devoid of attendant health encumbrances. This study investigated the opinions of ageingadults in 10 Federal Ministries located at the Federal Secretariat, Abak Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on enhancing healthy ageing through music. Three research questions guided the study. The population consisted of 750 ageingadults working in the 10 selected ministries with a sample of 150 of them selected through simple random sampling. A researchers-developed questionnaire (MHAQ) containing 27 items was used to collect relevant data. The results of data analysis, using simple percentages, revealed that listening to and participating in music and musical activities are strong strategies for enhancing healthy ageing in growing adults. Consequently, the study recommends, among others, that ageing-adults should get involved in music and musical activities to offset attendant health problems; Efforts should be made by parents to create a musically active home for the UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities 2 youth and adolescents to draw benefits from such even in their ageing periods.
A DNA-based description of a new nemertean (phylum Nemertea) species

Abstract Nemerteans (Nemertea) are traditionally described from internal characters obtained from histological sections of serially sectioned animals. The procedure is time-consuming and requires careful preparation of specimens. The preparations often suffer from artefacts caused by the handling of the animals, since they contract extensively when fixed. It is commonly stated that nemerteans can only be reliably identified using internal characters and the taxon is therefore viewed as ‘difficult’ and, as such, often overlooked in e.g. marine inventories because nobody has the time, facilities or skills to do the sectioning. Contrary to this often-stated ‘fact’, our experience is that many nemerteans can be identified from external characters, although there of course are exceptions. The risk for fixation artefacts in combination with an ascertained high (natural? ) intraspecific morphological variation make us pose the question whether anatomy is in fact the best and most efficient basis for phylogeny and classification. There is undoubtedly a large number of undescribed/unnamed nemerteans. To cope with this, we pragmatically propose that nemerteans can be described by a combination of external characters and DNA sequences. We apply this concept on one recently found species new to science, Pseudomicrura afzelii gen. et sp. nov.
Phylogenetic relationships within the moss family Bryaceae based on chloroplast DNA evidence.

Abstract The Bryaceae are a large cosmopolitan family of mosses containing genera of considerable taxonomic difficulty. Phylogenetic relationships within the family were inferred using data from chloroplast DNA sequences (rps4 and trnL-trnF region). Parsimony and maximum likelihood optimality criteria, and Bayesian phylogenetic inference procedures were employed to reconstruct relationships. The genera Bryum and Brachymenium are not monophyletic groups. A clade comprising Plagiobryum, Acidodontium, Mielichhoferia macrocarpa, Bryum sects. Bryum, Apalodictyon, Limbata, Leucodontium, Caespiticia, Capillaria (in part: sect. Capillaria), and Brachymenium sect. Dicranobryum, is well supported in all analyses and represents a major lineage within the family. Section Dicranobryum of Brachymenium is more closely related to section Bryum than to the other sections of Brachymenium, as are Mielichhoferia macrocarpa and M. himalayana. Species of Acidodontium form a clade with Anomobryum julaceum. The grouping of species with a rosulate gametophytic growth form suggests the presence of a 'rosulate' clade similar in circumscription to the genus Rosulabryum. Mielichhoferia macrocarpa and M. himalayana are transferred to Bryum as B. porsildii and B. caucasicum, respectively.
Biometria, armazenamento de sementes e emergência de plântulas de Talisia esculenta Radlk. (Sapindaceae)

Estudos de biometria de frutos e sementes sao importantes para o entendimento da variabilidade existente nas especies nativas. Apesar da importância ecologica e economica de Talisia esculenta, nao se conhecem as caracteristicas biometricas dos frutos e nao ha informacoes sobre a emergencia das plântulas. Objetivou-se caracterizar fisicamente frutos e sementes e estudar os efeitos do armazenamento sobre a emergencia das plântulas. Analisou-se a biometria de 260 frutos e sementes. A emergencia de plântulas foi avaliada a partir de sementes recem-coletadas e armazenadas por 15, 30 e 60 dias. As medias de massa de materia fresca, comprimento e diâmetro dos frutos foram, respectivamente, 15,02 g, 32,59 mm e 26,33 mm e para as sementes 4,49 g, 25,08 mm e 13,62 mm. A massa de materia fresca do fruto foi proporcional a quantidade de polpa (rS = 0,826; P < 0,05), indicando potencial para a selecao e melhoramento genetico da especie. A emergencia das plântulas de Talisia esculenta obtidas de sementes recem-colhidas foi de 88%. As sementes possuem longevidade curta, com ausencia de germinacao apos 30 e 60 dias de armazenamento.
Selenium and vitamin E enriched diet increases NK cell cytotoxicity in cattle 1

Latorre A.O. , Greghi G.F. , Netto A.S. , Fukumasu H. , Balieiro J.C. , Côrrea L.B. & Zanetti M.A. 2014. Selenium and vitamin E enriched diet increases NK cell cytotoxicity in cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(11):1141-1145. Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte 255, Pirassununga, SP 13630-000, Brazil. E-mail: giselegreghi@usp.br A number of studies has shown that antioxidants, fatty acids and trace minerals may modulate different immune cell activities, and that their deficiency may be associated with diseases and impaired immune responses. In innate immunity, natural killer (NK) cells have a central role, killing virally infected and cancerous cells, and also secreting cytokines that shape adaptive immune responses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of enriched diets in selenium plus vitamin E and/or canola oil on complete blood count and on NK cell cytotoxicity from blood lymphocytes of Nellore bulls. Bulls that received selenium plus vitamin E had (P=0.0091) higher NK cell cytotoxicity than control bulls. This result positively correlated with serum selenium levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that showed immunostimulatory effects of selenium plus vitamin E on NK cell cytotoxicity of Nellore bulls.