Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) of the Ndumo Game Reserve, Maputaland, South Africa

ABSTRACT Salticids from the Ndumo Game Reserve (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) are described. In total 72 species of 38 genera were found, of which one genus Aenigma gen. n. and 14 species are described as new: Aenigma incognita sp. n. , Bianor eximius sp. n. , Evarcha mirabilis sp. n. , E. striolata sp. n. , Habrocestum africanum sp. n. , Icius nigricaudus sp. n. , Massagris natalensis sp. n. , Phlegra arborea sp. n. , Ph. certa sp. n. , Pignus pongola sp. n. , Pseudicius venustulus sp. n. , Rhene pinguis sp. n. , Thyenula fidelis sp. n. , and Th. magna sp. n. Three specific names are synonymised: Cyrba armata Wesołowska, 2006 with C. lineata Wanless, 1984; Pellenes pulcher Wesołowska, 1999 (junior homonym of P. pulcher Logunov, 1995) with P. tharinae Wesołowska, 2006; and Thyene strandi Caporiacco, 1939 with Th. natalii Peckham & Peckham, 1903. A new combination, Evarcha annae (ex Habrocestum annae Peckham & Peckham, 1903) is proposed. Twenty species are recorded from South Africa for the first time: Asemonea Stella Wanless, 1980; Cyrba boveyi Lessert, 1933; Evarcha elegans Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000; E. ignea Wesołowska & Cumming, 2008; E. prosimilis Wesołowska & Cumming, 2008; Goleba puella (Simon, 1885); Heliophanus fascinatus Wesołowska, 1986; H. pauper Wesołowska, 1986; Hispo georgius (Peckham & Peckham, 1892); Menemerus minshullae Wesołowska, 1999; Modunda staintoni (O.P.-Cambridge, 1872); Myrmarachne lulengana Roewer, 1965; Nigorella plebeja (L. Koch, 1875); Pellenes epularis (O.P.-Cambridge, 1872); P. bulawayoensis Wesołowska, 1999; P. tharinae Wesołowska, 2006; Pseudicius alter Wesołowska, 1999; Schenkelia modesta Lessert, 1927; Thyene bucculenta (Gerstaecker, 1873); and Th. semiargentea (Simon, 1884). The rich diversity of Salticidae collected in this study, and the proportion of new species relative to the total jumping spider fauna (19%), highlight the need to maintain conservation efforts within Maputaland protected areas with management plans that also take invertebrate taxa into consideration.
Components of partial resistance to potato blackleg caused by pectolytic Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica and E. chrysanthemi

The various phases of the infection process in potato blackleg, caused by pectolytic Erwinia spp. , were interpreted as components of partial resistance and studied in detail. Mother tubers of glasshouse-grown plants of two potato cultivars were inoculated with antibiotic resistant marker strains of Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica (Eca) or E. chrysanthemi (Ech). Stem tissue samples of these plants were collected 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after inoculation and subsequently analysed for the presence of the bacteria. As soon as 3 days after inoculation, Erwinia bacteria were detected in the stem tissue of the plants. However, blackleg developed only when the rotting mother tuber tissue reached the sites where the stems were attached to the mother tuber. An inoculation method was developed for determining cultivar differences in the incidence and rate at which rot in tuber cylinders proceeds to sprouts on top of such cylinders. A set of 12 cultivars was screened for this putative component of resistance which was called 'stem base resistance'. Significant differences for stem base resistance were found among the cultivars. These differences were clearer when inoculation was carried out with Ech in contrast to Eca. Glasshouse-grown plants of the same set of cultivars were also screened for resistance of the above ground part of the stem. Cultivars differed significantly for this so-called 'stem tissue resistance', but results of some cultivars were not consistent among years of testing. Multiple regression analysis revealed that stem base resistance, stem tissue resistance, tuber tissue resistance and resistance of mother tubers in the field account for 63% (Eca) and 75% (Ech) of the variance found after screening for resistance to blackleg in the field. It was concluded that if results of this study are extrapolated to any set of potato clones, selection for resistance in breeding programmes under laboratory or glasshouse conditions, would be most efficient when directed to clonal differences for stem base resistance.
Fate of urea nitrogen applied at planting to grain sorghum grown under sprinkler and furrow irrigation on a cracking clay soil

Uptake of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and yields of grain by sorghum on Cununurra clay in north-western Australia have been found previously to be higher under sprinkler than under furrow irrigation. The cause of this was investigated using a 15N balance technique on field microplots. Additional data on sequential changes in the distribution of mineral-N in the soil, and on volatilization of ammonia, were collected from outside the 15N microplots. The improved effectiveness of N fertilizer under sprinkler irrigation was associated with less upward movement of 15N into the top of the ridge and thus out of the rooting zone of the crop. Furrow irrigation caused 22% of the 15N applied to move into the top of the ridge, sprinkler irrigation caused only 2% of the 15N to do this. The urea appeared to move upwards during the first irrigation, and this N became unavailable to the sorghum because of soil dryness, high temperatures, and osmotic effects in the surface soil. Loss of 15N from the soil-plant system was approximately 27% under both systems of irrigation. This loss was attributed to denitrification, because there was no evidence for large losses of N by leaching or volatization of ammonia.
First New World documentation of an Old World citrus pest, the lime swallowtail Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), in the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola).

Papilio demoleus L. , a well-known citrus pest in the Old World, is documented from eastern Dominican Republic on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Resumen. Se registra la especie Papilio demoleus , una reconocido plaga de los citricos en el Mundo Viejo, para la Hispaniola Republica Dominicana.
Comparing population response to contaminants between laboratory and field: an approach using Daphnia magna ephippial egg banks

1. The life-history responses of one field and two laboratory populations of Daphnia magna were studied under exposure to cadmium and ethyl parathion to assess by how much the response to toxic chemicals of laboratory populations with low genetic diversity differs from the response of genetically diverse field populations. 2. The field population was represented by at least 50 unique clones hatched from resting eggs (ephippia) collected at the beginning of the growing season from a temporary water-body located in the north-east Mediterranean Spanish coast. The laboratory populations were clonal lines established from two geographically and genetically distinct genotypes, which differed in their tolerance to cadmium and ethyl parathion. Toxicant effects on the mean and the variance of life-history responses of the laboratory and the field populations were determined. For the field population, toxicant effects on the components of variance of primary fitness traits were also studied. 3. In addition to lethal effects, exposure to cadmium had strong sub-lethal effects on clutch size and age at first reproduction whereas ethyl parathion only affected juvenile survival. The results reported for life-history responses showed that the field population had a similar or greater mean tolerance to cadmium and ethyl parathion than the laboratory populations, but the breadth of its tolerance distribution (measured as the coefficient of variation, CV) was higher. Furthermore in contrast with the field population, laboratory populations did not show increased phenotypic plasticity (measured as CV) under increasing toxicant exposure. A further analysis of the components of variability for life-history responses of the field population showed that increases in phenotypic plasticity with exposure levels were explained by increased levels of genetic variability. 4. These results support the conclusion that as the tolerance of a field population is strongly influenced by genetic factors, the use of genetically homogeneous laboratory populations has limited relevance in predicting long-term responses of field populations to toxic chemicals. However, this conclusion must remain tentative until further supporting evidence is obtained from this and other species.
Energetic strategies of shrews: ecological constraints and evolutionary implications

Data on various features influencing resource acquisition and allocation of energy in Soricidae are reviewed. The relationships between these features are examined at the three functional levels that constrain the energetic design of shrews: the maintenance of homeostasis (rate of metabolism and temperature regulation), the balancing of the energy budget (e.g. the influence of body mass, activity rate, various energy saving mechanisms and home range size), and the allocation of energy towards reproduction (e.g. the influence of litter size). Two major contradictory energetic designs may be recognized: one rather expensive design that is observed in cold and temperate climates with relatively predictable fluctuations in resource availability (e.g. in Sorex and Neomys), and another much less expensive design that is observed mainly in warm or unpredictable environments (e.g. in Crocidura, Suncus and Notiosorex). It is speculated that climate and resource availability impose narrow limits on the evolution of these energetic strategies, mainly because of the small thermal inertia and reduced energetic autonomy of shrews.
Conductive keratoplasty for the treatment of presbyopia: comparative study between post- and non-LASIK eyes

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of conductive keratoplasty (CK) for the treatment of presbyopia and analyze the differences in the effects between post- and non-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eyes. Clinical preoperative factors that could affect the predictability of CK were also analyzed. Methods: The visual and refractive outcomes of CK for the treatment of presbyopia in 14 eyes of 13 post-LASIK patients (post-LASIK group mean age 50.9 ± 3.4 years) and those of 25 eyes of 25 non-LASIK patients (non-LASIK group mean age 52.4 ± 4.0 years) were studied. The clinical efficacy, safety, stability, and predictability of CK were statistically evaluated. Results: The mean (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] ± standard deviation [SD]) of preoperative uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) were 0.64 ± 0.25 diopter (D) and 0.35 ± 0.48 D, respectively, in the post-LASIK group, and 0.71 ± 0.20 D and 0.64 ± 0.61 D, respectively, in the non-LASIK group. At 6 months after CK, the mean UNVA and MRSE were 0.07 ± 0.13 D and −1.59 ± 0.86 D, respectively, in the post-LASIK group, and 0.07 ± 0.12 D and −1.06 ± 0.56 D, respectively, in the non-LASIK group. At 1 year after CK, the mean UNVA and MRSE were 0.30 ± 0.17 D and −0.58 ± 0.52 D, respectively, in the post-LASIK group, and 0.28 ± 0.34 D and −1.56 ± 0.62 D, respectively, in the non-LASIK group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in either factor at 6 months postoperative (Student’s t-test, P > 0.05). At 1 year after CK, all the treated eyes maintained corrected distance visual acuity better than −0.08 (logMAR). The mean cylindrical errors were within ±1.00 D in 100% of the post-LASIK and non-LASIK patients. As for the preoperative clinical factors evaluated for their potential relationship to the predictability of CK, none showed significant effect on the clinical outcomes. Conclusion: CK is demonstrated to be safe for the treatment of presbyopia in post-LASIK patients as well as in non-LASIK patients, though needed longer observation in terms of factors affecting predictability.
NUTRIENT FLUX IN SHORT-TERM ENCLOSURES OF INTERTIDAL SAND COMMUNITIES

The investigation was carried out in a shallow water area in the northern Wadden Sea where the euphotic zone reaches down to the bortom. The nutrient flux was measured monthly during 1980 in three communities (an Arenicola-f1at, a seagrass-bed and a Nereis-Corophium-belt) in connection with measurements ~f community metabolism. The nutrient fluxes of NH4+, N03-, N02-, Si(OH)4 were determined in light and dark bell jars in relation to temperature, O2 consumption and concentra­ tions of nutrients in the ambient water. Experimentally increased abundance of macrofauna (Arenicola marina) enhanced the regeneration ofNH4+, N03-, N02-. The plants took up NH4+ more intensely in the light than in the dark. A community dominated by Zostera noltii showed the highest rate of NH4+ uptake (-355 ",mol NH4+. m-2 • h-1 ). N03 - was mainly taken up by the communities (up to -354 ",mol N03-. m-2 • h- 1 ). Si(OH)4 was released as well as taken up by all the three communities. Highest rates of Si(OH)4 release were measured in the Arenico/a-f1at (up to +1493 ",mol Si(OH)4' m- 2 . h-1). This flux was correlated with the O2 consumption, mainly by macrofauna. The system of the three sand flat communities imports nitrate and nitrite and exports ammonia and silicate on an annual basis.
Increased γ‐globin gene expression in β‐thalassemia intermedia patients correlates with a mutation in 3′HS1

We report a novel set of genetic markers in the DNaseI hypersensitive sites comprising the human β‐globin locus chromatin hub (CH), namely HS‐111 and 3′HS1. The HS‐111 (−21 G>A) and 3′HS1 (+179 C>T) transitions form CH haplotypes, which occur at different frequencies in β‐thalassemia intermedia and major patients and normal (nonthalassemic) individuals. We also show that the 3′HS1 (+179 C>T) variation results in a GATA‐1 binding site and correlates with increased fetal hemoglobin production in β‐thalassemia intermedia patients. In contrast, the HS‐111 (+126 G>A) transition, found in three normal chromosomes, is simply a rare polymorphism. We conclude that the CH haplotypes are useful genetic determinants for β‐thalassemia major and intermedia patients, while the 3′HS1 (+179 C>T) mutation may have functional consequences in γ‐globin genes expression. Am. J. Hematol. , 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Innovative Non-contact Method to Determine Surface Free Energy on Micro-areas

Surface free energy (SFE) is a property which depends on the chemical state and roughness of the surface and it is necessary to develop a reliable method to evaluate SFE value on a small area, taking into account these two different contributions. Today contact angle methods are the most used and they allow to evaluate the global mean value of SFE on areas of mm2 size. With these methods, it is not possible to evaluate the effects of roughness, surface defects, chemical contamination on SFE value. In addition, it is difficult to determine the surface free energy value on small components which have dimensions smaller than drop diameter. Nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy techniques provide alternative direct measurement methods to evaluate the SFE on small areas (on the order of μm2 or nm2) through a contact mechanism triggered by the contact of two bodies. In order to evaluate the adhesion properties, currently three models, Johnson– Kendall–Roberts, Maugis–Dugdale and Derjaguin–Muller–Toporov, use the value of pull-off force (force required to separate the indenter tip from the sample). All influences of surface morphology on SFE values are lost using these methods. In fact the adhesion value obtained refers to the energy balance between two conformal surfaces, which depends mainly on the morphology of the harder material (i.e., diamond tip). In this work we describe a new methodology for the SFE determination consisting in the modeling and quantitative evaluation of the interaction between the tip and sample surface during the approach phase in a nanoindentation test. During the test, the nanoindenter tip is attracted to the sample surface until the sample reaction forces become significant (in this case physical contact between two bodies is achieved). The SFE value is evaluated using experimental force of attraction and displacement of the nanoindenter spherical tip when it approaches the sample surface. In this method the sample surface is not altered by the tip, therefore unlike pull-off force method, it could be very useful to evaluate the actual SFE considering the effect of sample morphology (controlled roughness or pattern).
Horizontal and Vertical Dispersal of California Red Scale, Aonidiella Aurantii (Mask.), (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in the Field.

Field experiments with sticky traps in South Australia demonstrated that crawlers and males of Aonidiella aurantii (Mask.) were carried up to 312 m by the wind from a scale-infested lemon orchard. Generally, the numbers of scales trapped decreased with increasing height from ground level to 2.7 m, but the distribution of trap numbers at ground level or close to the vegetation was not consistent. Trap numbers decreased rapidly with increasing distance from the source to 19.5 m, then more slowly from 19.5 to 312 m. A linear regression of the logarithms of the trap catches against the square root of distance was shown to describe satisfactorily the density-distance relation for crawlers, males and mature females for distances up to 19.5 m. The use of potted lemon trees as traps demonstrated that crawlers carried by the wind are able to establish themselves on a suitable food-plant following dispersal.
Fall colony attendance and breeding success in the common murre

The visits of Common Murres (Uria aalge) to breeding sites were documented in each October 1982-1987. Individually-marked birds almost invariably returned to their own breeding sites. There was no evidence that immatures, or adults from other colonies, visited the colony. The most frequently occupied sites were those which had been successful the previous season. The numbers of visits to sites increased with increasing numbers of neighbors and were higher for sites in the center of the cliff than for sites at the top and bottom. Blocking sites for 4 months did not prevent birds breeding the next season. Fall colony visiting could be explained by (a) competition for the best sites, or (b) birds returning to maintain the pair bond.
Effects of carp, gambusia, and Australian bass on water quality in a subtropical freshwater reservoir

Abstract Freshwater systems are frequently compromised by excessive macrophyte biomass and cyanobacterial blooms associated with eutrophication and possibly exotic fish. The effects of piscivorous Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), planktivorous gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki [Girard]), and benthivorous carp (Cyprinus carpio L) on water quality in Emigrant Creek Dam (ECD), Australia, were studied in 20 experimental enclosures (depth 1 m, volume 3.2 m3), stocked at a density of 1875 kg/ha. Fish additions had immediate effects on water quality, except for bass, which merely recycled preexisting water column nutrients. Water turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations, and chlorophyll a (Chl-a), were all significantly higher in gambusia, but more so in carp enclosures. Assuming a linear relationship, mean daily Chl-a increases in carp enclosures were 4.6 μg/L/100 kg carp/ha. Moreover, Chl-a (>90 μg/L) was positively correlated with TP (r2 = 0.91), TN (r2 = 0.89), TFe (r2 = 0.96), and TMn (r2 = 0.83) in carp enclosures; however, Fe and Mn resuspension from sediments does not seem to be a principal mechanism affecting total phytoplankton biomass. Macrophyte, epiphyte, and periphyton biomass were also significantly lower in carp enclosures, a consequence of sediment and nutrient resuspension, dietary excretion, and macrophyte damage. In the absence of carp, epiphytes, periphyton, and macrophytes competed with phytoplankton for available nutrients, providing a critical stabilizing role. Exotic fish removal may prove to be an effective management tool in subtropical systems to maintain high water quality.
Effect of Epiphytic Algae on Photosynthetic Function of Potamogeton crispus

ABSTRACT The effect of blooming epiphytic algae on the leaf traits and photosynthetic function of the submersed macrophyte Potamogeton crispus was investigated under different epiphytic conditions and nutrition levels. Epiphytic algae growth was promoted at a rate of 0.16 chl a μg. cm−2.d−1 on leaf surface area under eutrophic conditions (N: 1 mg.L−1; P: 0.1 mg-L−1) and at a rate of 0.004 chl a μg-cm−2.d−1 under mesotrophic conditions (N: 0.1 mg-L−1; P: 0.01 mg-L−1). In the presence of the algae eaters Macrobrachiurn nipponense and Radix auricularia, the growth of epiphytic algae was markedly suppressed. In the absence of algae eaters, the growth of epiphytic algae for 42 days under the eutrophic and hypereutrophic conditions resulted in 25.2% of decrease of chl a, more than 50% decrease of the electron transport rate, harmful change in content of leaf nitrogen, photosystem II activity and photochemical quenching, and a lower production in the plant.
Discussion of the structural setting and tectonic significance of the Glen Dessary Syenite, Inverness-shire

Mr A. W. Baird writes: Roberts, Smith & Harris (1984) have produced a significant piece of structural mapping in Glen Dessary but I cannot agree with their interpretation of its regional significance. I propose an alternative which does not involve the unlikely situation of regional scale vertical extension, and is more in keeping with the structural history obtained from studies nearby (e.g. Baird 1982; Powell et al. 1981). Roberts et al. describe a series of D3 major folds with sub-vertical axial plane traces. The D3 Glen Dessary Synform has an intensely curvilinear hinge line with a sub-vertical extension (X) direction within its fold axial plane. All the D3 major folds east of the Glen Dessary Synform have sub-horizontal fold hinge lines. They attribute the change of hinge line orientation and development of curvilinear folds to a rapid increase in the amount of D3 strain westwards, and they link this strain variation to the generation of the ‘steep belt’, with the Loch Quoich line representing the eastern limit of intense D3 strain and upright reworking. The post-D2 Glen Dessary Syenite was intruded at 456 ± 5 Ma. (van Breemen et al. 1979). Elsewhere in the Western Moine schists, D2 is regarded as a Precambrian (Grenville) tectonic event (Brook et al. 1976; Brook et al. 1977; Brewer et al. 1979; Powell et al. 1983). Therefore Roberts et al. argue that the production of the steep belt during D3 deformation must represent the first Lower Palaeozoic structural reworking of the Moine rocks. However
The influence of phosphorus fertilization, drought, fungal species, and nonsterile soil on mycorrhizal growth response in tall grass prairie plants

In a series of experiments, factors effecting mycorrhizal growth response in prairie plants were examined. Two prairie grasses (Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash) and two forb species (Petalostemum purpureum (Venten) Rydb. and Liatris punctata Hook) benefited significantly from Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerd. inoculation in fumigated or steamed soil. This benefit from mycorrhizae is probably related to phorphorus availability, since addition of 100 ppm phosphorus overcame the mycorrhizal growth response. No stimulation of growth occurred from additional vesicular–arbuscular, mycorrhizal inoculum to nonsterile soil. Neither was growth in nonsterile soil comparable to that achieved in inoculated, sterilized soil, suggesting a suppression of mycorrhizal growth response in nonsterile soil. In a related experiment addition of 1 or 10% nonsterile soil to sterilized, inoculated soil resulted in significantly reduced plant growth and greatly diminished mycorrhizal root colonization. Thu.