Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cavity-Nesting Wasps and Bees (Hymenoptera) of Central New York State: The Roy H. Park Preserve and Dorothy Mcilroy Bird Sanctuary

Abstract. From 2008–2010, as part of an ongoing inventory of assemblages of cavity-nesting wasps and bees of the Finger Lakes region of central New York State, we conducted trap-nest surveys at sites administered by the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT): the Roy H. Park Preserve (RPP) and the Dorothy McIlroy Bird Sanctuary (DMS). Over 200 nests were provisioned by 21 species, including 12 species of wasps and 5 species of bees at RPP and 14 wasps and 2 bees at DMS. Twelve species nested at both sites, but the most common at RPP (Trypoxylon frigidum Smith, Osmia pumila Cresson, and Megachile relativa Cresson) were not among those most common at DMS (Trypoxylon lactitarse (Saussure), Ancistrocerus antilope (Panzer), Passaloecus cuspidatus Smith, and D. sayi sayi Banks). The greater species richness of bees at RPP was also reflected in a greater ratio of bee- to wasp-provisioned nests. One or more natural enemies also emerged from ∼ 20% of nests, five species of brood parasites, three parasitoids, and two that we assumed are incidental cleptoparasites. The most common species of natural enemies was Caenochrysis doriae (Gribodo), which emerged from over half of T. frigidum nests and nearly one-quarter of its nest cells. Bees tended to produce more offspring per nest, partly because of higher levels of parasitism on wasps. We compare the results to that of an earlier survey we conducted at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex located northwest of the FLLT sites.
Five new dry-area South American Strymon species (Lycaenidae: Theclinae) and their biogeographic significance

Five hairstreak species (Eumaeini) are described that occur in dry areas of South America. They are Strymon ahrenholzi'Nicolay 8c Robbins, Strymon jacqwlineNicolay & Robbins, Strymon giffordiNicolay & Robbins, Strymon michelle'Nicolay 8c Robbins, and Strymon lamasi Nicolay & Robbins. Three inhabit the Atacama/Tumbesian/Rio Maranon areas of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, one the upper Rio Apurfmac in south-central Peru, and one the central plateau of Brazil. Evidence is presented concerning the closest relatives of each new taxon. The taxonomy of Strymon, which now contains 54 described species, is reviewed. To assess the biogeographic significance of the new taxa, the Strymon species with restricted distributions in various South American xeric regions are listed. The Atacama/Tumbesian/Rio Maranon area is currently the richest for Strymon endemics. The closest relatives of the Strymon species in the Atacama/ Tumbesian/Rio Maranon region occur in variety of other biogeographic areas, suggesting a lack of diversification within this region. This pattern is similar to that of bird distributions, but not to those of lizards and amphibians.
Pheromones and kairomones for detection and control of indoor pyralid moths

Three pyralid moths, the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella), the almond moth (Ephestia cautella) and the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), infest food products all over the world and cause severe problems in factories, shops and households. For health and environmental reasons chemical control becomes more and more restricted. We here present some promising results offering efficient detection and control of these species based on semiochemicals. The pheromone mating disruption technique (MD) was employed in three mills, a chocolate factory, a pet shop and in a pet food warehouse during 7-21 months, including localities with infestations of all three species. Catches of monitoring traps decreased instantaneously and measured air concentrations of the main pheromone component, released form the MD-dispensers, increased immediately. Fewer moths were observed in the localities and the number of complaints from customers of mill products decreased. In the chocolate factory, it was possible to use traps baited with water to obtain an additional and independent measurement of the E. cautella population level. Catches in these traps showed a decrease in population density. From the MD-experiments we can conclude that this technique has a large potential for controlling all three moth species. For more efficient monitoring and evaluation of control measures, we have done a series of studies to improve pheromone traps and to make trapping of E. kuehniella and P. interpunctella females possible (E. cautella females are readily caught by water traps). Improved pheromone baits for E. cautella and P. interpunctella and potential female attractant blends will be presented. (Less)
Characterization of a wilty sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) mutant III. Phenotypic interaction in reciprocal grafts from wilty mutant and wild-type plants

The present study was conducted to evaluate phenotypic interaction in reciprocal grafts between wilty (w-1) sunflower mutant and normal (W-1) plants. The w-1 genotype is a 'leaky' ABA-deficient mutant, characterized by high stomatal conductance, in both light and dark conditions, and high transpiration rate. In well-watered conditions, mutant scions grafted on to normal rootstock (w-1/W-1 showed higher leaf relative water content, leaf water potential and ABA levels than those of control grafts (w-1/w-1). In addition, detached leaves of w-1/W-1 exhibited lower water loss than w-1/w-1 grafts, while mutant rootstock did not affect the transpiration rate of detached W-1 leaves. When drought stress was imposed to potted plants by withholding water, the mutant scions grafted on to normal roots showed a partial phenotypic reversion. A rapid stomatal closure and a rise in ABA levels in response to a small decrease in leaf water potential was observed. By contrast, in w-1/w-1 grafts significant reductions in stomatal conductance and ABA accumulation were detected only in conjunction with a severe water deficit. W-1 scions on mutant stocks (W-1/w-1) maintained the normal phenotype of control wild-type grafts (W1/W-1).
Study of the genetic homogeneity of Albarino ( Vitis vinifera L.) growing in Galicia (Spain) using isozyme and RAPD markers

Research Note An evaluation of the genetic diversity of cv. Albarino ( Vitis vinifera L.) was carried out. Centenarian and young plants were selected from vineyards, some of them showing slight ampelographic differences. Using ELISA tests 5 out of 24 plants were found to be infected with grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3). In order to evaluate genetic polymorphism, 10 enzyme systems and 42 RAPD primers were used. The 73 isozyme and 308 RAPD markers were common in the samples tested. The results show the existence of a genetic homogeneity within Albarino cultivated in Galicia. Minor ampelographic differences among samples could be due to external factors rather than to genetic differences.
Ewe nutrition in early and mid- to late pregnancy has few effects on fetal development

Maternal nutrition affects fetal development, with potential lifelong consequences. The study reported here compared the anatomical development (dimensions and organs) of twin fetuses at Day 140 of gestation, from 58 twin-bearing ewes fed at one of three different nutritional treatments in early pregnancy [Day 21–50, Low (LD21–50) versus Medium (MD21–50) versus High (HD21–50)] and one of two different nutritional treatments in mid- to late pregnancy (Day 50–140, Medium (MD50–140) versus High (HD50–140)]. There were no effects (P > 0.05) of either early or mid- to late pregnancy nutrition on placental weight and fetal bodyweight or size measurements at Day 140. Semitendinosus muscles from LD21–50-HD50–140 fetuses were heavier (P < 0.05) than those from LD21–50-MD50–140 and HD21–50-HD50–140 fetuses, and fetuses from LD21–50 dams had lighter (P < 0.05) mammary glands compared with those from MD21–50 and HD21–50 dams, even after adjustment for fetal weight. Maternal nutrition also affected (P < 0.05) the weights of the fetal thyroid and brain. These results suggest that farmers can limit ewe nutrition in early pregnancy with only minor effects on the fetus. To investigate potential lifetime effects, a larger cohort of these animals is currently being monitored.
Certain meat quality characteristics of Awassi and Turkish Merino × Awassi (F1) lambs

This study aimed to determine the meat quality characteristics of 2-way crossbred lambs that were obtained by mating Turkish Merino (Karacabey Merino) as a sire line with Awassi ewes, as compared to those of purebred Awassi lambs. In all, 8 male and 8 female single born lambs from each genotype (forming 4 groups and 32 lambs) were investigated. In Awassi purebred and Turkish Merino × Awassi (F1) crossbred lambs mean pH values at 24 h were 5.84 and 5.80, drip losses were 2.35% and 2.69%, cooking losses were 31.41% and 30.94%, Warner-Bratzler shear force values were 3.42 kg and 2.63 kg, P:S ratios were 0.14 and 0.16, and (n-6/n-3) ratios were 3.70 and 4.66, respectively. The results of the present study show that meat of Turkish Merino × Awassi (F1) lambs was more tender but less healthy than that of Awassi lambs, although the differences were probably not important enough to be significant at the market level.
Retirement Well-Being: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The objective of this systematic literature review was to investigate the variables that would improve well-being in retirement by analyzing relevant empirical studies. In the literature search, six keywords (retirement, positive psychology, well-being, satisfaction, happiness and quality of life) were used in six international academic portals. This search identifi ed 403 articles, and those meeting the preestablished inclusion criteria were extracted. The 55 articles selected were analyzed based on nine categories: language, year, journal, country, objective, dependent variable, instruments, independent variables and results. The studies had a longitudinal, transversal design or reported on instrument creation and validation. The literature review pointed out a large number of variables, confi rming the multidimensionality of the constructs. Aspects highlighted include health, economic situation, gender, marital status, interpersonal relationships, whether retirement was voluntary, retirement duration and leisure activities. A compilation of variables and an agenda for future studies are proposed based on the results of this review.
A method for inducing xylem emboli in situ: experiments with a field‐grown tree

A pressure collar, assembled around 25cm sections of 4-year-old willow twigs, was used to examine cavitation events under field conditions. When the air pressure inside the collar was raised to between 1–8 and 2–8MPa, ultrasound acoustic emission signals were triggered which indicated the breaking of water columns in the xylem. The hydraulic conductivity of the twig portion inside the chamber decreased markedly. As a result, water potentials and conductances in leaves at the end of the twig decreased. Similar changes were induced at comparable pressures in detached twigs. The equipment used is described in detail, and evidence is presented that the mechanism of this artificial production of emboli follows the air-seeding principle hypothesized for natural cavitation events.
Pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchusxylophilus on three species of pine

Three species of 11-year-old pine trees were inoculated with Bursaphelenchusxylophilus in the field. Four branches in single whorls on red, Scots, and jack pine trees were wounded and inoculated with 10 000 nematodes each or with water extracts from Botrytiscinerea cultures. Prior to field inoculations, the pathogenicity of the nematode isolate was confirmed on seedlings in the greenhouse. Fourteen weeks after inoculation, 27 of 80 and 13 of 52 branches were dead or dying on Scots and jack pine trees, respectively. No symptoms were observed on red pine trees inoculated with B. xylophilus or on any controls. Branch death was attributed to the formation of girdling cankers resulting from inoculation. An average of 9.14, 10.39, and 0.02 nematodes were extracted per gram of wood from branch samples collected from Scots, jack, and red pine trees at 14 weeks, respectively, and at 58 weeks an average of 13.82, 1.01, and 0.05 nematodes per gram of wood sampled were recovered. Proportions of branch samples with ne.
MEASUREMENT OF HEAT CAPACITY FOR BORAGE SEEDS BY DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY

Specific heat capacity of borage seeds was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range of 5 to 80C and moisture content range of 0.47 to 30.31% wet basis. The specific heat ranged from 0.57 to 2.48 kJ/kgK. A multiple regression model with interaction terms correlated well the specific heat to temperature (T) and and moisture content (M). It was found that the interaction terms T*M and T*M 2 were significant (α=0.01) and thus were included in the model, and the term M*T 2 was insignificant. Effect of measurement techniques with DSC were also investigated in this study to ensure that true specific heat values were obtained. Seal condition of the sample holders during DSC measurement had considerable effect on the specific heat of borage seeds. The difference between the specific heat of sealed and unsealed samples increased as seed moisture content increased, especially at higher temperatures. For the measurement of the specific heat of borage seeds by DSC in the above-mentioned temperature and moisture content ranges, an average of 5.75% deviation was found between the measurement with and without blank compensation.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN FIVE PTERIS SPECIES

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to find out the presence of phytochemicals in the methanol extracts of five ferns in Pteridaceae family such as Pteris argyreae T. Moore, Pteris confusa T.G. Walker, Pteris vittata L. , Pteris biaurita L. , and Pteris multiaurita Ag. , by both qualitative and quantitative screening methods. Methods: In qualitative analysis, the phytochemical compounds such as steroids, reducing sugars, triterpenoids, sugars, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthroquinones and amino acids were screened in five ferns extracts by using standard methods. Results: The methanol extract of the fern Pteris biaurita showed positive results for 10 phytochemical tests. Pteris vittata extract exhibited positive results for 9 tests. In methanol extracts of the Pteris argyreae, Pteris confusa showed positive results for 7 tests and in the extract of Pteris multiaurita 5 phytochemical tests were positive. In quantitative analysis the important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were tested in all the ferns extracts. The methanol extract of Pteris biaurita showed highest amount of phytochemicals when compared with other solvent extracts. Conclusions: More active compounds will be isolated from the selected ferns and they may be used for medicinal purposes in future.
Emerging Technologies for Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Electrically isolating the pulmonary veins from the left atrium by catheter ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drug therapy for maintaining sinus rhythm, but its success varies depending on multiple factors, including arrhythmic burden. Although procedural outcomes have improved over the years, further gains are limited by a seemingly zero-sum relationship between effectiveness and safety, which is largely a product of the available technologies. Current energies used to create contiguous, transmural, and durable atrial lesions can result in serious complications if they reach the esophagus or phrenic nerve, for instance—structures that can be adjacent to the atrial myocardium, often within millimeters of the energy source. Consequently, high rates of pulmonary vein-left atrium reconnections are consistently seen in clinical studies and in clinical practice as operators appropriately forgo ablation effectiveness to protect patients from harm. However, as ablative technologies evolve to circumvent this stalemate, safer, and more effective pulmonary vein isolation seems increasingly realistic. Furthermore, the innovative nature of these technologies raises the prospect of markedly improved procedural efficiency, which could increase patient comfort, reduce operator occupational injuries, and enhance the use of health resources—all of which are increasingly important considerations particularly as the demand for catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation continues to rise. We herein review 3 promising candidate ablation technologies with the potential to revolutionize the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: electroporation (pulsed-field ablation), expandable lattice-tip radiofrequency ablation/electroporation, and ultra-low temperature cryoablation.
Can plot edge bias be reduced by means of airborne laser scanning?

ABSTRACT This paper presents new methods for plot edge bias (PEB) correction of individual tree competition indices (CIs) using airborne laser scanning (ALS) as auxiliary information in multivariate ratio and multivariate regression models. I applied the methods to 557 plots from the Norwegian National Forest Inventory located in Hedmark County in South East Norway and compared them to the benchmarks methods linear expansion and simulated annealing by studying the individual tree growth predictions before and after PEB correction. Generally, the simulated annealing method seemed to improve growth prediction most and overall the existing methods performed better than those based on ALS. All PEB-correction methods tested gave minor changes in growth predictions and the absolute change in percent in adj. R2 and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) was numerically small, with an average percentage change for the tested CIs between 1.8 for adj. R2 and 0.6 for AIC of the observed values in the original data. The small differences in the results between the original data and the PEB-corrected data show that on average PEB remains a minor problem for individual tree growth prediction. Whether the results are valid for forests with significantly different spatial composition than that of this database remains to be confirmed.
Range extension of the invasive freshwater fish species, gibel carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) in western Turkey

Gibel carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) has become an important non-native fish in all regions of Turkish inland waters with its wide distribution, high prevalence and impacts on native fish species through mainly reproductive and feeding interactions. This paper presents the first record of gibel carp caught on 15 December 2011 from Tersakan Stream in Mugla Province in SW Turkey. Size range of the species, possible introduction pathways and structure of the stream suggest that the species could well fit in its new environments and that further spread is likely.
Ontogenesis, Differentiation and Precocious Germination in Anther-derived Somatic Embryos of Grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.): Embryonic Organogenesis

Abstract Somatic embryos of Vitis vinifera L. ‘Grenache noir’ develop abnormally and form viable plantlets at very low frequencies. They grow continuously and, after the torpedo stage, they form giant structures which do not undergo further organogenesis. Morphological, histological and cytochemical data were used to study development from the globular to the giant-embryo stage. Histological organization of somatic embryos until the torpedo stage was similar to that of zygotic embryos. Somatic embryos formed bipolar axes, which differentiated precociously and simultaneously a root and a shoot meristem. However, they differed from their zygotic homologues by forming a cotyledonary crown or multiple cotyledons and by their rapid cellular differentiation. At the end of the torpedo stage and up to the giant-embryo stage, somatic embryos underwent some characteristic events of germination: the radical grew, tannins accumulated, and protodermal cells suberized. However the shoot apex was rapidly disorganized and disappeared. This peculiar behaviour is discussed in comparison with the phenomenon of precocious germination often observed for immature zygotic embryos in in vitro culture.
Dry Matter Accumulation and Associated Changes in Biochemical Parameters during Wheat Grain Development

Field experiments were conducted in Rajkot, Gujarat, India comparing three cultivars of wheat, viz. Raj-1555, Lok- 1 and Sonera, all differing in their grain yield. Apical grain of the seventh spikelet from the main spike was selected as a representative grain in each cultivar and analyzed at 4-day intervals from anthesis to maturity for dry matter, starch, sugars and protein content. The data for dry matter accumulation and starch content were fitted to a quadratic polynomial exponential which revealed a close correspondence between these two parameters. The absolute rates of starch and dry matter accumulation were highest in Lok-1 followed by Sonera and Raj-1555, respectively; however, the duration of the grain-filling observed from these curves was highest in Raj-1555. The maximum weight of the grain at harvest was in Lok-l (80mg) followed by Raj-1555 (71 mg) and Sonera (50mg), respectively. Increase in the starch content coincided well with dry matter accumulation. Reducing and nonreducing sugars were high during early stage but declined with advances in growth up to almost middle of the grain growth; high levels were even found at later stages. Although protein increased with increasing grain growth in Raj-1555 and Sonera, no clear trend was observed in Lok- 1 in relation to dry matter accumulation. The results are discussed in relation to the use of polynomial functions and the contribution of photosynthate supply from various plant parts in relation to grain growth and yield in wheat.
Coliform Bacteria and Salmonella Spp. From Oyster (Crassostrea iredalei)

Oyster is a plankton feeder. Ninety freshly harvested oyster, Crassostrea iredalei were obtained from three important rivers in the East Coast Malaysia namely Merchang, Gong Batu and Semerak. Salmonella spp. , Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. which are well known as foodborne pathogens were screened from the oyster for the purpose of isolation, enumeration and identification. All Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella spp. showed negative result in hemolysis test. 66.67% Escherichia coli isolated from Se merak River showed ‚ hemolysis on the 5% human blood agar. The preferable growth temperature of all tested bacteria were from 27°C to 28°C while preferable salinity were 0% and 2% sodium chloride. Based on the most probable number (MPN) test, the bacteria contained in the oyster sample were more than 2400/g which indicated that those oysters were highly contaminated.