Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and Variability in Crowded and Uncrowded Populations of Dwarf Marigolds (Tagetes patula)

To study the effects of competition on growth and variability, dwarf marigolds (Tageles patula) were grown in a greenhouse for 11 weeks, (I) individually in pots, and (2) at a density of 1500 individuals m"2 in flats. Both sequential harvests and non-destructive measurements were performed weekly. Relative growth rate decreased over time for both crowded and uncrowded populations. The growth in d. wt of crowded populations was close to linear, and the growth of uncrowded plants was intermediate between linear and exponential. The leaf area of crowded individuals reached a maximum after 6 weeks, but the leaf area of uncrowded plants continued to increase throughout the course of the experiment. Size variability increased greatly and then decreased somewhat in the crowded populations, whereas the size variability of uncrowded populations remained low over the entire period of growth. From the 3rd to the 11th week, growth increment was correlated with initial size within crowded populations, but there was no evidence of a relationship between initial size and growth increment for uncrowded individuals. Similarly, size rank at 3 weeks was highly correlated with rank at 11 weeks in crowded, but not uncrowded, populations. Our results point to the limits of relative growth rate as a descriptor of plant performance, and emphasize the need to develop models of plant competition and stand structure which are: (1) based on the behaviour of uncrowded plants, and (2) consistent with observed plant growth curves.
Cattle ranchers' attitudes to conflicts with jaguar Panthera onca in the Pantanal of Brazil

Across its range in Latin America the jaguar Panthera onca is threatened by habitat loss and through conflict with people. In the Pantanal of Brazil, where large areas of land are devoted to cattle ranching, jaguars often attack livestock and are persecuted by ranchers. However, the extent to which livestock predation and/or other socio-economic factors affect ranchers' tolerance of jaguars is unclear. This study examined ranchers' attitudes towards jaguars and conservation in the northern Pantanal in order to identify ways of resolving jaguar-rancher conflict. The results suggest that most respondents supported the conservation of the Pantanal but that attitudes towards jaguars were mixed and difficult to predict on the basis of socio-economic factors. Attitudes towards jaguars were more closely related to respondents' age and relative wealth than to jaguar-related benefits through tourism or costs through cattle predation. Whilst efforts to reduce cattle losses are needed, it may be equally as important for conservation initiatives to focus on the inherent appreciation of the natural value of the Pantanal within this ranching community.
Comparative study of phosphorus strategies of three typical harmful algae in Chinese coastal waters

China NSF [40576055, 40776081, U0733006]; National Basic Research Programme [2001CB409704]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University ; Fujian Major Basic Research Program [2005 YZ1018]; Guangdong Natural Sciences Foudation [7300662]
Expansion of Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia and Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis in rice fields in Valencia, eastern Spain

Summary Due to the rapid spread of two subspecies of Leptochloa fusca through the Valencia rice-growing region in the east of Spain, a 3-year field study was carried out to establish the frequency, distribution and infestation level of the two subspecies in rice paddies in the area. A total of 3650 fields were visited, of which 1235 were visited in each year of the study period. Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia and Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis were found to be widely distributed in the area, increasing from a frequency of 5.3% in 2008 to 20.1% in 2010. Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia was the largest contributor to the infestations, but subspecies fascicularis is now on the increase and represents a serious threat to rice crops, as it is found within the rice fields themselves. The irrigation system and the farm machinery used in the rice fields also contribute to the rapid spread of these weeds. Severe infestations have been caused by periodic water shortages, and the fact that new herbicides used to control Echinochloa spp. do not affect Leptochloa subspecies. Spatial differences in the distributions of the two subspecies are attributed to the different water management systems and also to differences in the germination and dormancy of both subspecies.
Prenatal Stress Induces Metabolic Impairment in Adolescent Male Wistar Rat

A large number of studies have reported associations between prenatal stress and offspring lifetime consequences. Chronic gestational stress alters maternal glucocorticids and subsequently disturbs intrauterine environment which may lead to metabolic disorders in the offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic prenatal stress on the metabolic parameters in adolescent male Wistar rat. We examined the effects of maternal 8 and 20 days foot-shock stress on body weight, plasma corticosterone, insulin, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations of dams and offspring. Stress was induced by a foot-shock box twice a day (1 h/session) for 8 consecutive days beginning on E8 in 8-day stressed group and for 20 consecutive days beginning on E1 in 20-day stressed group. The results obtained from this investigation indicate that gestational chronic foot-shock stress arises maternal plasma corticosterone concentration. In addition, maternal plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations significantly elevated following 20-day gestational stress. Prenatal stress induces lower birth weight and body weight gain in offspring. Furthermore, prenatal stressed offspring had significant elevation in plasma glucose concentration without marked alteration in plasma insulin, corticosterone, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations. These data suggest that prenatal stress could result in impaired glucose metabolism in the adolescent rats which is independent of timing of the stress exposure.
Writing Technologies and WAC: Current Lessons and Future Trends Writing Technologies and WAC: Current Lessons and Future Trends (Editor's Introduction)

: Taking as a touchstone the 1998 publication of Electronic Communication Across the Curriculum (Reiss, Selfe, & Young), this introduction to the special issue traces the technologies and writing topics that have endured, emerged, and evolved in the last decade. "Oh, that is, like, so 20 minutes ago," laughs a group of undergraduates as they talk with me about the latest digital tools incorporated into our pilot, hybrid [1] writing courses. New Millennials, they are comfortable in a digital world defined by the Next New Thing. [2] Each next Next New Thing seems to arrive with dizzying speed, for digital technologies are introduced into the commercial and educational sectors with all the hype that American marketing can muster. Most of the latest Next New Things in higher education, as Susan McLeod and Eric Miraglia (2001) note, appear to promise administrators and faculty more efficient ways to deliver instruction to ever larger classes, and they tend to privilege a "banking model of education" (p. 8). Nonetheless, technologies and uses for existing technologies are myriad. Several Next New Things have been developed or adapted by faculty interested in Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and Writing in the Disciplines (WID) programs to create "cognitively rich" (McLeod & Miraglia, 2001, p. 8) activities, spaces, and media for and with students. In this digital culture that privileges rapid change, it may feel as though educators are the caucus attendees in Wonderland, running energetically just to keep in
Host plant suitability, population dynamics and parasitoids of the horse chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in southern Sweden

Abstract The spread of Cameraria ohridella in Sweden and population dynamics were monitored with pheromone traps during 2007–2009. The most northerly location where the moth was trapped and mines were observed was Uppsala (59°52′N, 17°38′E). The host plant range of C. ohridella and infestation levels of Aesculus spp. were assessed in southern Sweden. Aesculus hippocastanum and its varieties, A. turbinata and A. ×hemiacantha were the most susceptible. No damage was observed on A. ×carnea, A. parviflora and A. chinensis. Studies of the parasitoid complex of C. ohridella revealed that the dominant parasite species was the braconid Colastes braconius, followed by the eulophids Minotetrastichus frontalis and Pnigalio agraules.
The auditory region of Brachycephalus and its bearing on the monophyly of the genus (Anura: Brachycephalidae)

We surveyed the morphology of the auditory region of members of the anuran genus Brachycephalus. The sample included seven of the eleven known species; in addition, Brachycephalus ephippium and B . vertebralis were each represented by several specimens from different localities. All species lack a tympanum, tympanic annulus, stapes, and Eustachian tube. However, the operculum and the m . opercularis remain. The large operculum bears a robust process for the m . opercularis and covers most of the fenestra ovalis. The auditory apparatus of Brachycephalus is distinguished by the large size and the orientation of the fenestra ovalis, which faces posterior, rather than lateral. The morphology of these structures is compared to those of other minute brachycephalid frogs considered to be close relatives of Brachycephalus, and the importance of these characters as evidence of the monophyly of the genus is discussed. We also discuss the importance of other morphological features cited to support close relationships among small-sized brachycephalids, and consider the role of miniaturization in generating convergent pattern of loss of morphological features.
Araçá: biodiversidade, impactos e ameaças

Araca Bay (Sao Sebastiao, State of Sao Paulo), within one of Brazil's most beautiful coastlines, has small relict mangrove stands and a very diverse marine ecosystem. As such, the bay is a natural laboratory as well as important for local small scale fishing. In this study we summarize the large literature base to comprehensibly list the flora and fauna as a preliminary biodiversity inventory of Araca Bay. We place this in the historical context of human impact on the environment of the bay and we emphasize new, introduced and threatened species as bioindicators and natural resources. With this information, we provide a basis to inform conservation decisions as well as data for conservation management plans and call attention to the urgent need to protect this fragile environment and biota. We also emphasize that this small and uniquely biologically rich bay should be preserved, revitalized and integrated into the growing urban environment.
Comparison of antioxidant activity and total phenols of some date varieties

Background and the purpose of the study: Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L., Arecaceae) are one of the oldest cultivated plants which are used in folk medicine for treatment of various diseases. Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in this plant and the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of chronic diseases, the aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of date palm fruits extracts with water, methanol 50%, DMSO, and mixture of water-methanol-acetone-formic acid (20:40:40:0.1). Methods: Antioxidant activity of extracts were measured by two tests: inhibition of 1,1diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power). Results and major conclusion: Among 10 different varieties which were examined, the DMSO extract of Khenizi showed the highest antioxidant activity with the FRAP value of 3279.48 µmol/100 g of the dry plant and DPPH inhibitory percentage of 56.61%. DPPH scavenging radical and FRAP values of some varieties including Khenrizi, Sayer, Shahabi and Maktub showed a significant increase and were comparable to α-tocopherol (10 mg/L) when extracted by DMSO. Formic acid extract of Shahabi variety with 276.85 mg GAE/100 g of the dry plant showed the highest total phenolic content compared to other varieties. There was no correlation between accumulation of total phenol and antioxidant activity of extracts, explaining existence of other antioxidant components in date.
Nesting of the White-throated Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes albicollis

Abstract We report on the breeding biology of the White-throated Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes albicollis), a species endemic to the Atlantic forest of South America, based on 16 nesting attempts in 11 cavities (9 natural tree cavities and 2 nest boxes) in Misiones, northeastern Argentina. Natural cavities were 3.3–8.3 cm in diameter and 46–103 cm in depth, and generated by decay processes (not woodpeckers) at heights of 3–17 m in live trees 29–106 cm in diameter at breast height. White-throated Woodcreepers laid 2–4 eggs on alternate days, on a bed comprised of bark flakes, leaf fragments and seed pods. Incubation bouts (n = 3) were more than 1 hr 40 mins. Incubation lasted 17 days and the nestling period 18–22 days, shorter than the congeneric Great Rufous Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes major). Both adults brought nest material, incubated the eggs, fed the nestlings, and removed fecal sacs; however, we suspect that the male contributed more to fecal sac removal. Both adults roosted in the cavity a few nights before eggs were laid, but only one adult did so during the incubation and nestling periods. Nestlings were fed arthropods and small vertebrates at an average rate of 3 visits/hr with no change in delivery rate over the nestling period. Adults defended their nests from four bird species but shared one cavity with a roosting female Helmeted Woodpecker (Dryocopus galeatus) throughout their incubation period. We confirm that the White-throated Woodcreeper exhibits biparental care like the Great Rufous Woodcreeper, the Dendrocolaptes and the Lepidocolaptes, but in contrast to Sittasomus, Dendrocincla and Xiphorhynchus. We recommend studies with banded individuals to determine the relative contribution of each parent.
Stability analysis of yield and its component traits of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes in multi-environment trials in the north eastern plains of India.

Stability performance of 105 barley genotypes including commercial cultivars and elite lines (indigenous and exotic) were compared by using regression on environmental means for grain yield and its components under 3 different environments during Rabi 2012-2014. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits studied over all 3 individual environments. Genotype × environment interactions were highly significant for all the characters studied. The linear component of G × E interaction was preponderant for days to heading, days to maturity, effective tillers per plant, grains per ear and grain yield per plant. Most of the genotypes did not satisfy the stability criteria indicating the presence of non-linear component of G × E instead of the linear component for most of the traits studied. The genotypes RD-2618, PL-760 and NDB-1229 for days to heading; Lakhan, Clipper, JB-57, PL-760 and Maria for short duration; BH-688, BC-112, K-603, RD-2624 and BH-548 for dwarf stature; CIHO3510 for tiller number; JB-16 for peduncle length, DL-88, BCU-IC-437851, Karan-15, RD-2660, Lakhan and JB-15 for spike length; BCU-550, EIBGN-04-14 and RS-6 for flag leaf length; Manjula and EIBGN-04-14 for grains per ear; EIBGN-2-1 and Jyoti for grain yield per plant were found to be comparatively stable by meeting all the 3 parameters of stability over the environments. These promising genotypes may be utilized as donors in barley improvement program for target ecosystems.
Caractérisation des occurrences de sécheresse dans le bassin hydrologique de la Bia transfrontalier entre la Côte d’Ivoire et le Ghana : contribution des chaînes de Markov

This study seeks to analyze the occurrence of dry periods in the Bia River basin from 1901 to 2009 with the use of Markov chains. The analysis of the annual rainfall data from six stations (Ayame, Bianouan, Agnibilekro, Enchi, Buakuc, and Sunyani) through the test of sequential patterns with the standardized drought rainfall index confirmed the existence of three major trends over the last century: a humid period from 1901 to 1945, followed by a normal period from 1946 to 1970 and a dry period from 1971 to 2009. A comparison of order 1 and 2 Markov matrices between the three sub-periods (1901-1945; 1946-1970; 1971-2009) and the total period (1901-2009) shows a profound change in the distribution of droughts in different stations. The study of persistent drought, using Markov chains, showed that the probability of observing a dry year after a dry year was highest from 1970 onward and is accentuated in the center of the basin. Moreover, the probability of two successive dry years is higher in the north and center of the basin. The probability of three successive dry years is substantially higher (between 0.54 and 0.70) throughout the entire basin. The return period of so long a drought is between 10 and 20 years.
Feeding and egg production of Oithona spp. in tropical waters of North Queensland, Australia

Despite the acknowledged importance of small copepods of the genus Oithona in marine pelagic ecosystems, there is little information about their ecological role, potential food resources and egg production rates (EPR) in tropical environments. In the present study, feeding and EPR of adult females of two species of Oithona were determined in two different tropical marine food webs in North Queensland, Australia, during the 2011 austral autumn. Oithona attenuata was studied in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, and Oithona dissimilis was studied in a mangrove area. Oithona spp. ingested dinoflagellates and ciliates preferentially to other prey items of the nano- and microplankton assemblage. Oithona spp. clearance rates on dinoflagellates and ciliates ranged from 3.7 to 10.4 mL female^−1 day^−1, and from 4.3 to 18.1 mL female^−1 day^−1, respectively. The daily body carbon ingested per female was <1% when feeding on dinoflagellates, and varied from 1 to 10% when feeding on ciliates. Our results suggest that Oithona spp. feed on small flagellates (5–20 μm), although the contribution of carbon to the diet was low (2.5–3.2% body carbon). Egg production and weight-specific EPR ranged from 0.22 to 3.34 eggs female^−1 day^−1, and 0.2–4.5% day^−1 respectively. The ingestion rates measured in all the feeding experiments were too low to sustain metabolic and egg production costs, indicating that other food resources, not considered in this study, might contribute significantly to the diet of Oithona spp. in tropical environments.
Nutrient status and its assessment by pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry of phytoplankton at sites in Lakes Erie and Ontario

Variable fluorescence of chlorophyll a (Fv/Fm), as measured by pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry, has been proposed as a metric of nutrient deficiency in phytoplankton. However, not all studies use the same make or model of instrument, which may contribute to inconsistent findings. Three different PAM instruments (DivingPAM, WaterPAM, and PhytoPAM) were compared, testing the relationship between Fv/Fm and nutrient deficiency indicators (nitrogen (N) debt, phosphorus (P) debt, and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA)) in natural phytoplankton communities in Lakes Erie (all basins) and Ontario (two sites) in July and September 2011. Varying degrees of N and P deficiency were indicated in both lakes and months, with P deficiency most prevalent, though deficiency appeared to ease prior to the onset of a major cyanobacterial bloom. WaterPAM and PhytoPAM Fv/Fm were positively well-correlated, whereas DivingPAM was negatively but poorly correlated with the others. DivingPAM Fv/Fm was negatively correlat.
Molecular Simulation of Nonfacilitated Membrane Permeation

This is a review. Non-electrolytic compounds typically cross cell membranes by passive diffusion. The rate of permeation is dependent on the chemical properties of the solute and the composition of the lipid bilayer membrane. Predicting the permeability coefficient of a solute is important in pharmaceutical chemistry and toxicology. Molecular simulation has proven to be a valuable tool for modeling permeation of solutes through a lipid bilayer. In particular, the solubility-diffusion model has allowed for the quantitative calculation of permeability coefficients. The underlying theory and computational methods used to calculate membrane permeability are reviewed. We also discuss applications of these methods to examine the permeability of solutes and the effect of membrane composition on permeability. The application of coarse grain and polarizable models is discussed.
Minimum residence time, biogeographical origin, and life cycle as determinants of the geographical extent of naturalized plants in continental Chile

The geographical extent of exotic plant species is a major component of invasiveness, which has been explained by intrinsic attributes of the plants, such as growth rate, reproductive type, life form, and biogeographical origin. We assessed quantitatively life cycle and biogeographical origin as determinants of the geographical distribution of naturalized plants in continental Chile, using minimum residence time (MRT) as an estimator of introduction date. We assembled a database with information on 428 plants (principally herbs) in continental Chile, corresponding to 61% of the exotic naturalized flora. For each species we recorded: (1) minimum residence time (introduction date or first recorded date in the country); (2) biogeographical origin (American, Eurasian, others); (3) life cycle (annual, perennial, others); (4) number of Chilean regions occupied by the plant. We found that 82 species (19%) have been recorded in only one region of Chile, while only three species have been found in all 13 regions of the country. About 89% of the species (381) have been found only in central Chile (Regions IV to VIII), while the remaining 11% (47) are found only in the northern (Regions I to III) or southern parts of the country (Regions IX to XII). We detected significant differences in regional spread of naturalized plants according to minimum residence time: those species with shorter MRT had more limited spread ranges than those with longer MRT. Biogeographical origin and life cycle did not explain geographical extent in Chile. This study shows that historical factors are more important than biological ones in determining the geographical extent of naturalized plants in continental Chile. Thus, caution should be exercised when assigning value to biological attributes that may confer invasiveness to naturalized plants.