Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
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Critical loads for acidification and eutrophication and their exceedances were determined for a selection of ecosystem effects monitoring sites in the Integrated Monitoring programme (UNECE ICP IM). The level of protection of these sites with respect to acidifying and eutrophying deposition was estimated for 2000 and 2020. In 2020 more sites were protected from acidification (67 %) than in 2000 (61%). However, due to the sensitivity of the sites, even the maximum technically feasible emission reductions scenario would not protect all sites from acidification. In 2000, around 20% of the IM sites were protected from eutrophication. In 2020, under reductions in accordance with current legislation, about one third of the sites would be protected, and at best, with the maximum technically feasible reductions, half of the sites would be protected from eutrophication. Data from intensively monitored sites, such as those in ICP IM, provide a connection between modelled critical thresholds and empirical observations, and thus an indication of the applicability of critical load estimates for natural ecosystems. Across the sites, there was good correlation between the exceedance of critical loads for acidification and key acidification parameters in runoff water, both with annual mean fluxes and concentrations. There was also evidence of a link between exceedances of critical loads of nutrient nitrogen and nitrogen leaching. The collected empirical data of the ICP IM thus allow testing and validation of key concepts used in the critical load calculations. This increases confidence in the European-scale critical loads mapping used in integrated assessment modelling to support emission reduction agreements.
Genetic variation in the Afromontane tree Prunus africana, an endangered medicinal species

An understanding of the patterns of variation within and among populations of tropical trees is essential for devising optimum genetic management strategies for their conservation and sustainable utilization. Here, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to partition variation within and among 10 populations of the endangered Afromontane medicinal tree, Prunus africana, sampled from five countries across the geographical range of the species (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar and Uganda). Analysis of molecular variance ( AMOVA) employed 48 RAPD markers and revealed most variation among countries (66%, P < 0.001). However, variation among individuals within populations and among populations within Cameroon and Madagascar was also highly significant. Analysis of population product frequency data indicated Ugandan material to be more similar to populations from Cameroon than populations from Kenya and Ethiopia, while Malagash populations were most distinct. The implications of these findings for determining appropriate approaches for conservation of the species, particularly in Cameroon and Madagascar, are discussed.
Habitat use and selection by Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis in winter in Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, China

We report the distribution and habitat selection by the Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis in winter in the Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, China. Including original wetlands and artificial habitats, six types of habitat are used by the species: saltworks (salinas), fish ponds, reed beds, Wormwood Artemisia halodendron beaches, tidal grasslands and wheat fields. We compared the habitat availability with habitat use in each type. In winter, Red-crowned Crane preferentially used tidal grasslands and fish ponds. Saltworks, Wormwood beaches and wheat fields were avoided. The distribution of Red-crowned Crane in different types of habitat changed with the distribution of freshwater and with human activities.
Effect of Tides, River Flow, and Gate Operations on Entrainment of Juvenile Salmon into the Interior Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta

AbstractJuvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha emigrating from natal tributaries of the Sacramento River, California, must negotiate the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta (hereafter, the Delta), a complex network of natural and man-made channels linking the Sacramento River with San Francisco Bay. Fish that enter the interior and southern Delta—the region to the south of the Sacramento River where water pumping stations are located—survive at a lower rate than fish that use alternative migration routes. Consequently, total survival decreases as the fraction of the population entering the interior Delta increases, thus spurring management actions to reduce the proportion of fish that are entrained into the interior Delta. To better inform management actions, we modeled entrainment probability as a function of hydrodynamic variables. We fitted alternative entrainment models to telemetry data that identified when tagged fish in the Sacramento River entered two river channels leading to the interio.
Analysis of the demersal community of fish and cephalopods on the Agulhas Bank, South Africa

The demersal fish and cephalopod communities of the continental shelf and upper slope from 17 to 395m deep were studied during five annual cruises between Cape Agulhas and Port Alfred, South Africa. The cruises showed a consistent pattern of an inshore community ( 200m). These groups were identified by dendrograms and multidimensional scaling cluster analysis, which supported on-board observations of catch variation with depth. Although the boundaries are not clearly defined, examination of physical features at the clustered stations suggests that depth, temperature and, to a lesser extent, oxygen concentration are important in the grouping. Occasional, apparently anomalous associations of inshore stations suggested that water temperature and oxygen may over-ride the normal depth distributions of the species groups. This intimates that patterns offish and cephalopod distribution may be dynamic and in part related to the physical parameters of the water body.
Differential binding of endogenous steroids and chemicals to androgen receptors in rainbow trout and goldfish

Androgen receptors (ARs) from fish were characterized in order to evaluate differences in the binding affinities of steroids and environmental chemicals between mammals and fish, among species offish, and among target tissues within a species of fish. High‐affinity, low‐capacity ARs were identified in cytosolic fractions of rainbow trout brains (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the brains, ovaries, and testes of goldfish (Carassius auratus) using [3H]testosterone. The binding specificities of endogenous steroids to the ARs did not differ between goldfish tissues but did differ between goldfish and rainbow trout. Interspecies differences in binding specificities were also seen using cyproterone acetate, which bound to the ARs in the goldfish tissues, but not in the rainbow trout brains. The mammalian antiandrogens flutamide, vinclozolin and its metabolites 2‐(((3,5)‐dichlorophenyl‐carbamo‐yl)oxy)‐2‐methyl‐3‐butenoic acid and 3′,5′‐dichloro‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐methylbut‐3‐enanilide, along with procymidone did not bind to the ARs in any of the fish tissues tested. However, other mammalian antiandrogens including methoxychlor and its metabolite 2,2‐bis(p‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,1,1‐trichloroethane, o,p′‐DDT, o,p′‐dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and p,p′‐DDE did bind to the fish ARs, but only in the goldfish testes, demonstrating tissue differences in AR binding specificities of environmental chemicals. These results may be due to the presence of multiple AR isoforms in the different fish species and tissues. This study supports the growing evidence of species differences in the potency and actions of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals and suggests that multiple species need to be tested when screening the receptor binding ability of potential endocrine‐disrupting chemicals.
Whole body hyperthermia and preconditioning of the heart: basic concepts, complexity, and potential mechanisms

Whole body hyperthermia (WBH) is a distinctive pathophysiological condition with significant impact on tissue metabolism and organ functions. WBH has been investigated as a promising adjunct therapy to the conventional chemo- or radiotherapy for treating certain types of cancer. Numerous studies have shown that WBH is associated with induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which in turn modulate cellular survival or death. A brief period of WBH (40-42°C; 15-20min) can induce delayed protection against lethal endotoxemia as well as various forms of injury in brain, heart, liver, lungs, small intestine, and skeletal muscle. This review article focuses on discussing the WBH-induced myocardial protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Most recently, possible involvement of protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, nitric oxide, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and neural peptides in the signal transduction pathways has been demonstrated. On the other hand, whether HSPs or antioxidant enzymes are the primary end-effector of the cardioprotection continues to be a matter of ongoing debates. It has also been recognized that the complex nature of WBH may be the responsible factor for the discordant results among various studies, especially across different animal species or strains, in terms of the time course and potency of WBH-induced cardioprotection. Nevertheless, a better understanding of the WBH-elicited myocardial ischemic resistance may have a wide spectrum of clinical implications as well as insightful inputs into the hyperthermic biology.
The influence of web silk decorations on fleeing behaviour of Florida orb weaver spiders, Argiope florida (Aranaeidae)

Spider web silk decorations may (i) act to attract prey, (ii) be decoys for predators, and (iii) make the web visible to prevent larger animals from destroying them. To disentangle the last two hypotheses, we examined the fleeing response and flight initiation distance (FID) of the Florida orb weaver spider (Argiope florida Chamberlin and Ivie, 1944). Spiders were ap- proached in one of two manners: (1) a "predatory" one mimicking a bird and (2) a "looming" approach mimicking the approach of a large animal. We predicted that if silk decorations had an antipredator function, then the extent of silk decoration would influence whether spiders fled from the predatory approach. However, if the function was primarily a signal to large animals, then all spiders would flee the looming approach, but FID would be influenced by the extent of silk decoration. We found no influence of silk decorations on fleeing behaviour and FID of spiders. Spider fleeing behaviour was, however, influenced by height of the web from the ground. The effects of web height might reflect an adaptive response to a more exposed position and therefore could support either of the two hypotheses tested; however, we have no evidence supporting the role of silk decora- tions on antipredator responses.
Aspects in spawning biology and migration of the mud crab Scylla olivacea in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Abstract Spawning biology and migration of the mud crab, Scylla olivacea (Herbst), in the Andaman Sea wereexamined from November 2002 to March 2004 at Klong Ngoa Mangrove area, Ranong Province, Thailand.Mature females were dominant from July to November. The changes in monthly gonadosomatic index of femalesranged from 1.9 (±3.3) to 8.2 (±5.8) and size at ﬁrst maturity was 9.4 cm internal carapace width (ICW). Fecundity (F) correlated ICW according to F¼3. 02 ·ICW 2.98 . A total of 1013 female crabs were double taggedwith spaghetti and bottom tags. The recaptured rate was 36.7% and showed that females migrated from coastalarea to the open sea during the spawning season. A closed season during the north-east monsoon season and aminimum legal ICW size of 10 cm are recommended for sustainable management of the ﬁshery. KEYWORDS: Andaman Sea, migration, mud crab, Scylla olivacea, spawning.IntroductionMud crab, Scylla species support important artisanalﬁsheries in south-east Asia, especially in Thailand andPhilippines (Moser, Macintosh, Pripanapong T Trin˜o & Rodriguez 2002). They live inthe inter- and sub-tidal mangrove habitats and arebenthic carnivores feeding predominantly on molluscs(Hill 1980). Keenan, Clive, Peter, Davie & Mann(1998) classiﬁed crabs in this genus, using morpholo-gical and genetic characteristics, into four species,Scylla serrata (Forska˚l), Scylla olivacea (Herbst),Scylla paramamosain (Estampador), and Scylla tran-quebarica (Fabricius), of which S. serrata andS. olivacea are the most common and commerciallyimportant species in Thailand (Moser et al. 2002). In Thailand, there are two main ﬁshing grounds formud crabs; the eastern region in the Gulf of Thailandand the southern region along the Andaman Sea coast.The highest catches are from the west coast area of thesouthern region, which account for more than 50% ofthe total country catch. However, yield of mud crabs inThailand have fallen dramatically since 1994. Thecontribution of small crabs (less than 9 cm in externalcarapace width, ECW) increased to as high as 87% ofcatch in 1998 (Moser et al. 2002). This is because of thehigh demand for crab culture, in which the small crabsare reared and sold during the molting stage. Thisculture is known as soft shell culture, which commandsa high price in Thailand.Female mud crabs migrate offshore to shed theireggs after mating (Hyland, Hill & Lee 1984; Moser
The assessment and achievement of proficiency in a native sign language within a sign bilingual program: The pilot Auslan receptive skills test

Abstract The assessment of sign language proficiency is essential for evaluating the outcomes of sign bilingual education. This paper reports an attempt to assess the sign language proficiency of children in a self-described sign bilingual program in Sydney by adapting a British Sign Language (BSL) test to Australian Sign Language (Auslan). The test appears to measure basic Auslan skills in young children and, in particular, appears to identify native-like signers. However, two qualifications need to be made regarding how standardized norms are established (and thus their interpretation) and the make-up and population size of this study. Namely, the original BSL test is not normed on native signers alone; and the number of subjects in the study is extremely small and varied. These factors limit the generalizations that can be made from the data. Further testing with a larger population of signers is essential before results could be confidently interpreted. However, due to the small number of potential subjects in Australia, such data may never become available. Despite these observations and qualifications, it does appear from this study that the sign bilingual program under investigation faces important challenges in ensuring that all children achieve early native-like proficiency in the community signed language.
Crocodylus johnstoni in the McKinlay River Area N. T, VI.* Nesting Biology

In the McKinlay River area most female C. johnstoni mature at 74-78 cm snout-vent length (SVL), and 11-14 years of age, whereas maies are about 87 cm SYL and 16-17 years of age. Adult sex ratios in the field are lM:3-4F. There is a well defined, brief nesting period in late August and early September, and the nests are typical 'hole' nests excavated in sand or other friable substrates close to permanent water. Mean clutch size is 13.2 ± 3.2 eggs (± SD) and mean egg dimensions are: length 6.64 ± 0.26 cm, breadth 4.19 ± 0.19 cm and weight 68.2 ± 8.0 g. There is a variable but significant increase in egg size with clutch size, and large clutches of large eggs tend to be laid earlier in the nesting season than small clutches of small eggs. From 2 to 4% of eggs are infertile. Nest temperatures show considerable daily variation and baseline levels differ between shaded and exposed nest sites. Incubation times are temperaturedependent and range from 9 to 14 weeks. Females excavate nests at hatching time, but attend the nests little, ifat all, during incubation. Hatchlings are 11.2 ± 0.5 cm SVL and weigh 42.0 ± 6.1 g. Formulae for predicting egg and hatchling dimensions from each other are presented. A preliminary method for aging C. johnstoni embryos is described. Artificial incubation at 26°, 30° and 34°C, respectively, resulted in 0, 63% and 21% survival; at 26 and 34°C physically deformed embryos were common. Hatching success is correlated with the age at which eggs are transported to incubators. Sex determinantion is influenced by incubation temperature, and at temperatures we tested between 26 and 34°C, females predominated; males were produced at 31-32°C. Histological examination of females from high-temperature incubation (34°C) indicated slight hermaphroditic tendencies in two of 35 animals examined; their status remains to be clarified. The temperature-sensitive period for sex determination appears to be between 20 and 57 days of age (30°C equivalent ages), but this may well vary with incubation temperature, as in Alligator mississippiensis. Egg losses due to predators (particular varanid lizards) were estimated as 64%, although they may have been increased by our interference with nests. Eggs are also lost to flooding and overheating, and a 60-70% annual egg mortality may be common. In one experiment, hatchling mortality was estimated at 98% within the first year. An egg and/or hatchling harvest balanced by a proportional return to the wild of raised 1-year-olds (5% and 10% of eggs and hatchlings collected respectively) is a potential strategy through which sustained-yield harvesting could be introduced into a conservation-management program.
Response of Different Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum Var. Durum) Varieties to Added Nitrogen Fertilizer

Twelve durum wheat genotypes were evaluated for their grain yield and related traits using two rates of nitrogen fertilizer application (69 kg N ha-1 and 115 kg N ha-1) in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment was done on Vertisol at Adet Agricultural Research Center in the main cropping season 2009. All agronomic traits respond positively to applied nitrogen rates. The highest grain yield (33.8 Qt·ha-1) was reported from Asassa variety. Grain yield increased by 8.8 Qt·ha-1 with the increase of nitrogen rates by 46 kg N ha-1. Studied traits, except days to heading, grain filling period and biomass production efficiency, others did not respond to the genotype by nitrogen interaction effect. Grain yield was positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.53), total plant biomass (r = 0.81).
The freshwater Cladocera (Orders Ctenopoda and Anomopoda) of Mexico, with comments on selected taxa

Knowledge of the composition and distribution of the freshwater Cladocera in Mexico is still limited. All the available literature was reviewed and added to our own new records in different states of Mexico to present here a revised and updated list of the 110 species of the orders Ctenopoda and Anomopoda recorded for the country, with separate state records. Ecological, biogeographical, and taxonomic comments are made for selected taxa of the commonest neotropical groups: Sididae, Daphniidae, Bosminidae, Macrothricidae, and Chydoridae.
Eficiência de Inseticidas no Controle de Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) e seus Efeitos sobre a Qualidade e Produtividade da Cana-de-Açúcar

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of some insecticides for controlling root froghopper, Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stal), and their effects on sugarcane quality and yield. Two experiments were carried out under field conditions to test the insecticides imidacloprid at 480, 720 or 960 g of active ingredient (AI). ha-1, aldicarb at 1,200 or 1,500 g AI.ha-1 and thiamethoxam at 150 or 200 g AI.ha-1, in comparison with the control (without insecticide). In one of the experiment, the treatments were applied when root froghopper infestation was 3.4 insects per meter. In this experiment, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam reduced pest infestations for at least 121 days. In another experiment, the insecticides were applied when froghopper infestation was 9.6 insects per meter. Best control was obtained with aldicarb at 1,500 g AI.ha-1 while thiamethoxam and imidacloprid reduced pest infestations only when they were applied at higher doses. The reduction of pest infestation with insecticides applications did not affect the sugar content in the stalks or fiber, but increased the sugarcane yield, reaching values up to 15.3 t.ha-1.
Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy to Measure Apoplastic pH Change in Roots of Lupinus angustifolius L. in Response to High pH

Abstract A confocal laser scanning microscopy method to measure apoplastic pH in situ of the tap roots of Lupinus angustifolius L. is described. Pseudo-ratiometric imaging of cell walls of lupin tap roots was achieved by loading living roots with a pH-sensitive dye, Cl-NERF-dextran, and a pH-insensitive dye, Texas Red-dextran, as a reference. In 5-d-old tap roots which had previously been grown at pH 5.4, the apoplastic pH in the elongating zone was 5.2 ± 0.06. The apoplastic pH in roots grown at pH 7.5 increased to 5.5. The method was validated by supplying different forms of nitrogen in the nutrient solution. With NH _{4}^{\plus} nutrition the apoplastic pH was lowered by 0.3 units while when NO _{3}^{\minus} was supplied the apoplastic pH increased by 0.2 units. Causes of the poor root growth of L. angustifolius at high pH are discussed.
Age and growth of the dog snapper Lutjanus jocu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) in Abrolhos Bank, Northeastern Brazil

We determined the age and growth of the dog snapper (Lutjanus jocu), caught in the region of Abrolhos Bank, Bahia State, by the fishermen from coastal communities of Prado, Alcobaca, Caravelas, and Nova Vicosa. We examined 205 sectioned otoliths of fish caught by harpoon, longline, hand line, and gill nets (14.5 to 79.5 cm fork length). The formation of each ring was considered annual. The sectioned otoliths showed between 0 and 29 rings. Nearly half of the analyzed specimens had between 0 and 7 rings (88 of 205). Fish caught with nets in the estuarine region were the juvenile, while fish caught with lines and harpoons were the oldest. Two von Bertalanffy growth models were fitted to length-at-age data: one assuming constant variance of length-at-age (SVB) and another assuming constant coefficient of variation, i.e. variance increasing as a function of average size (CVVB). The SVB estimates were Loo = 87.82 cm, K = 0.10, and t0 = -1.486 and the CVVB estimates were Loo = 117.60 cm, K = 0.06, and t0 = -2.470. The largest Loo values estimated by the CVVB model are supported by reports from the literature of larger animals occurring in the deeper outer shelf of Abrolhos Bank. Growth parameters were also estimated for males and females separately (SVB model) (Loo = 92.80 cm, K = 0.099, and t0 = -1.680 for males, and Loo = 82.10 cm, K = 0.105, and t0 = -1.570 for females).
Diversity and Potential of Oryza glaberrima Steud in Upland Rice Breeding

Oryza glaberrima Steud, the indigenous domesticated Oryza species in West Africa, is a potential source of useful genes for a range of economically important characters. Progenies from interspecific hybridization of O. sativa and O. glaberrima show high sterility in the F1 hybrids and early generations. However, in some populations fertility was obtained(5-95%)and retained after two to four back-crossings. Although true intermediates between O. glaberrima and O. sativa were generally rare, their occurence in some populations was as high as 30%. Desirable morphological traits introgressed from O. glaberrima into segregating BC2 F3 populations included early maturity(75-100 days), rapid seedling growth and high tillering.