Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnitudes and Timing of Seasonal Peak Snowpack Water Equivalents in Arizona: A Preliminary Study of the Possible Effects of Recent Climatic Change

ABSTRACT Field measurements and computer-based predictions suggest that the magnitudes of seasonal peak snowpack water equivalents are becoming less and the timing of these peaks is occurring earlier in the snowmelt-runoff season of the western United States. These changes in peak snowpack conditions have often been attributed to a warming of the regional climate. To determine if these changes are also occurring in Arizona, almost 75 years of water equivalent measurements on snow courses maintained by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service and their cooperators have been analyzed in a preliminary study of possible effects of recent climatic change. The results of this analysis agree generally with the findings of other studies in the Western states.
Starch and Sugar in Canes of Summer-Pruned Vitis vinifera Plants

Plants of Vitis vinifera, var. Chasselas Dore were summer-pruned at various times after harvest in order to secure a second, winter crop. Dry weight, starch content, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar-content in canes of such treated plants were determined from July 1953 until February 1954. As controls, normally winter-pruned plants were used. Highest fertility was found in the latest-pruned plants, which also gave the largest yields. The earliest-pruned plants had the lowest fertility and gave the smallest crop. Dry weight in the controls was highest during September, and dropped some what during January and February. In the summer-pruned vines dry weight decreased immediately after pruning and rose again at the time of the termination of the induced growth-period. Starch-content in the controls increased strongly from the time of beginning of the experiments until November, decreased afterwards and rose again in January. Starch-content of all the treated vines, independently of time of summer pruning, followed mostly the trend of the starch-content of the controls, but differed from it by being at a minimum in November and by not rising in January. The trend in the reducing and non-reducing sugar-content is similar in the treated and non-treated plants. However, there is always a temporary decrease in sugar immediately after the pruning. In all the plants there was an increase in the reducing sugars in February and at the same time a decrease in the non-reducing sugar. No starch-sugar conversion could be found during the winter period.
Seasonal and Diurnal Dynamics of Spiders (Araneae) in West Virginia Orchards and the Effect of Orchard Management on Spider Communities

Abstract Four West Virginia apple orchards under different management (unmanaged; horticultural management only; horticultural management with apple, peach, and cherry trees interplanted; and standard commercial management) were sampled for spider abundance. Sampling was done with limb jarring at four times during the season; samples were taken hourly over a 24-h period. A total of 1,926 spiders from 15 families was collected, and 44% of all spiders were Salticidae. More spiders were collected in August (37%) than earlier months, but the highest diversity of spider families was in July. Older, unsprayed apple trees had the greatest diversity of spiders. The family Oxyopidae was most abundant in the commercially managed orchard. Spiders in the families Anyphaenidae, Philodromidae, and Thomisidae were significantly more abundant during night samples than during the day. Philodromids were also significantly more abundant on peach and cherry trees than on apple, possibly being attracted to extrafloral nectaries. Comparisons with other published data sets found that regional differences were more important determinants of spider community structure in apple than insecticide use. Northwest European, sprayed Quebec, and sprayed Washington apple orchards were found to be dominated by web-building spiders; the other North American and Israeli orchards were dominated by hunting spiders. Abundance and diversity of the spider community in orchards suggests that spiders could be major contributors to biological control of many insect pests.
Effect of Fertilizer Source on Nitrate Leaching and St. Augustinegrass Turfgrass Quality

As a result of the coexistence of turfgrass and ornamentals in traditional landscapes, it is often impractical to separate fertilization and irrigation management among species. Furthermore, limited information is available on effects of turfgrass fertilizer on ornamental plants and vice versa. This research studied effects of two quick- release fertilizers (QRF) and one slow-release fertilizer (SRF) on quality and growth of turfgrass and ornamental plants and nutrient leaching. 'Floratam' St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum Walt. Kuntze) was compared with a mix of common Florida ornamentals, including canna (Canna generalis L.H. Bailey), nandina (Nandina domes- tica Thunb.), ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum Thunb.), and allamanda (Allamanda cathartica L.). All plants were grown in 300-L plastic pots in Arredondo fine sand. Less nitrate (NO3 - ) was leached from turfgrass than from ornamentals and more NO3 - leached from QRF 16N-1.7P-6.6K than from SRF 8N-1.7P-9.9K. Quick-release fertilizers produced higher plant quality. This controlled environment research provides preliminary data on which in situ research may be modeled. Further research is required to verify how nutrient release rate affects turfgrass and ornamental quality and nitrate leaching in an urban landscape.
Lower Pregnancy Losses in Lactating Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Enriched in α-Linolenic Acid

The objectives were to determine if a diet enriched in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) would influence ovarian function, early embryo survival, conception rates, and pregnancy losses in lactating dairy cows. Beginning 28 d before breeding, Holstein cows (55 +/- 22 d postpartum; mean +/- SD) were assigned to diets supplemented with either rolled flaxseed (FLAX; 56.7% ALA, n = 62) or rolled sunflower seed (SUNF; 0.1% ALA, n = 59) to provide approximately 750 g of oil/d. Diets continued for 32 d after timed artificial insemination (TAI, d 0) following a Presynch/Ovsynch protocol. Barley silage- and barley grain-based TMR were formulated to meet or exceed National Research Council requirements. Metabolizable protein and net energy for lactation concentrations were similar in the 2 diets. Based upon a mean dry matter intake of 22 kg/d, cows fed FLAX or SUNF consumed > 410 g or 1 ng/mL on d 21) rates to first TAI were greater in FLAX than in SUNF (72.6 vs. 47.5%). Pregnancy losses were lower in cows fed FLAX (9.8%) compared with those fed SUNF (27.3%). Including flaxseed in the ration of dairy cows increased the size of the ovulatory follicle and reduced pregnancy losses.
FREQUENCY OCCURRENCE OF PRONUNCIATION ERRORS OF ENGLISH VOWELS OF SAUDI STUDENTS OF ENGLISH -EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

This study addresses the occurrence frequency of the errors of English vowels which Saudi students of English make learning English pronunciation. The study aims at giving information about the most frequent errors of English vowels that Saudi students make attaining these vowels. The material of the study included English vowels which we embedded in meaningful English words read by ten Saudi students of English. Importantly, selecting these words we carefully considered the distribution of vowels’ positions on the words’ level. The study approached data through a quantitative method of data analysis which permits statistical analysis. Moreover, the study made some predictions regarding the frequent errors of English vowels that students make while learning the vowel sounds of English for comparison purpose. Results show that the errors which students make in the area of front, central and back English vowels form the highest percentage of occurrence frequency all through the data. Some substitutions of diphthong vowels with short and long vowels are also frequent. The more frequent the vowels are the more vulnerable to error making they are. Kew Words: Occurrence frequency, recorded material, phonological information, errors, English vowels .
A comparative analysis of marine fish species susceptibilities to discard mortality: effects of environmental factors, individual traits, and phylogeny

Hugues P. Benoit1,2*, Sebastien Plante3,4, Molly Kroiz1, and Thomas Hurlbut1 Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Gulf Fisheries Centre. Moncton, NB E1C 9B6, Canada Department of Biology. Dalhousie University. Halifax, NS B3H 4J1, Canada Institut de recherche sur les zones cotieres, Shippagan, NB E8S 1J2, Canada Present address : Universite de Moncton, Campus de Shippagan. Shippagan, NB E8S 1P6, Canada *Corresponding Author: tel: +1 506 851 3146; fax: +1 506 851 2620; e-mail: hugues.benoit@dfo-mpo.gc. ca
DEMOGRAPHIC MECHANISMS DETERMINING THE DYNAMICS OF THE RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF PHASES IN BIPHASIC LIFE CYCLES1

Studies investigating the demographic traits that drive the patterns of phase dominance (the ploidy ratio) in isomorphic biphasic life cycles have not found an integrative solution. Either fertility or survival has been suggested independently as the main driver. Here, we provide a global theoretical framework on how demographic mechanisms determine the ploidy ratio, unifying previous numerical and observational attempts at this question. The analytical solutions of both the ploidy ratio and its elasticities to model parameters of a stage/size-structured model patterned after the life cycle of a marine alga were derived and analyzed. A complex interaction among vital rates determines the patterns of phase dominance of biphasic life cycles. Three co-occurring processes—growth, fertility, and looping—may dominate the dynamics of the population, determining both its growth rate and ploidy ratio. Our analyses show that in species where fertility is low, the ploidy ratio is highly elastic to looping transitions (survival, breakage, and clonal growth). Consequently, the subtle morphological, ecophysiological, and biochemistry phase differences that have been reported in isomorphic life cycles as not explaining the observed ploidy ratios, may, in fact, explain them if they translate into slight phase differences in looping transitions. In species where fertility is low, the looping dissimilarities between phases cannot be too high favoring simultaneously one phase, as the population structure would be completely dominated by that phase. In the case of ecological similarity between phases (equal looping and growth rates between phases), a ploidy ratio different from one can only be set by strong phase differences in fertility.
The acoustic identification of Atlantic mackerel

Korneliussen, R. J. 2010. The acoustic identification of Atlantic mackerel. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1749-1758.Calibrated, digitized data from multifrequency echosounders working simultaneously with nearly identical and overlapping acoustic beams were used to generate new, synthetic echograms which allow Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) to be identified acoustically. The raw echosounder data were processed stepwise in a modular sequence of analyses to improve categorization of the acoustic targets. The relative frequency response measured over as many as six operating frequencies, 18, 38, 70, 120, 200, and 364 kHz, was the main acoustic feature used to characterize the backscatter. Mackerel seemed to have a frequency-independent backscatter below ∼100 kHz, but significantly higher levels of backscattered energy at 200 kHz. Synthetic echograms containing targets identified acoustically as mackerel are presented and evaluated against trawl catches. Although catching fast-swimming mackerel is difficult, trawl catches from three Norwegian research vessels confirmed that the targets identified acoustically as mackerel were indeed that species. Separate experiments performed on mackerel in pens support the findings.
Explaining the global pattern of protected area coverage: relative importance of vertebrate biodiversity, human activities and agricultural suitability

Aim Twelve per cent of the Earth’s terrestrial surface is covered by protected areas, but neither these areas nor the biodiversity they contain are evenly distributed spatially. To guide future establishment of protected areas, it is important to understand the factors that have shaped the spatial arrangement of the current protected area system. We used an information‐theoretic approach to assess the ability of vertebrate biodiversity measures, resource consumption and agricultural potential to explain the global coverage pattern of protected areas.
An Unusual Chrysopid Larva: Identification, Description, and Taxonomic Implications

ABSTRACT Berchmansus is a small Neotropical genus in the green lacewing tribe Leucochrysini; its larvae and biology are unknown. Adults of Berchmansus adumbratus Navás were found in samples from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Upper Amazonian forest canopy project; these samples came from palms at each of two widely separated Peruvian localities. The same samples also yielded specimens of an unusual leucochrysine larva. For a variety of reasons, we conclude that the larvae are likely conspecific with the adults. If our reasoning proves correct, they would represent the first reported larvae from the genus Berchmansus. Their anatomical features are consistent with either specialized trash-carrying or a naked lifestyle. Here we describe the larvae, and because they have many attributes not previously reported from leucochrysines, we reevaluate the suite of larval features that characterize the tribe. Our analysis illustrates that in both larval morphology and perhaps trash-carrying habits, the tribe Leucochrysini displays a much broader range of variation than previously recorded.
The effect of the reproductive state on the growth rate of Cladonia portentosa

Terricolous mat-forming lichens in the genera Cladonia subgenus Cladina, Stereocaulon, Cetraria, Flavocetraria, and Alectoria are major components of the ground vegetation and major primary producers in the subarctic (Larsen 1988; Ahti & Oksanen 1990), and are also locally abundant in temperate heathlands (Brown et al. 1993). In view of the ecological importance of this group of lichens, several authors have measured their growth rates for the purpose of examining 1) differences among species (Kärenlampi 1971), 2) seasonal effects (Kytöviita & Crittenden 2002), 3) performance in contrasting climatic regions (Hyvärinen & Crittenden 1998), as well as 4) the effects of other experimental treatments (Ellis et al. 2005; Kytöviita & Crittenden 2007). When setting up growth experiments, apotheciate thalli have usually been avoided due to concerns that growth rates of fertile podetia might differ from those that are nonfertile and thus contribute to unnecessary variability amongst replicate measurements. Investment in sexual reproduction carries a high metabolic cost (Xu 2005). Jahns and co-workers ( Jahns et al. 1995, 2004; Jahns & Ott 1997) have suggested that apothecium production in Cladonia spp. can result in decreased vegetative growth. In the case of C. floerkeana, a species in which there is a large sexual reproductive effort, one to several apothecia are produced on the majority of podetia which subsequently die ( Jahns & Ott 1997). Production of apothecia in Cladina spp. is relatively infrequent, the principal means of propagation being thallus fragmentation resulting from physical damage when thalli are dry and brittle (Thomson 1967; Yarranton 1975; Crittenden 2000). As is typical of the subgenus Cladina, only occasional podetia within a population are fertile. For example, Ahti (1961) estimated that in continuous ground cover of Cladina spp. at least one fertile podetium is likely to occur per square metre. However, on these relatively infrequent fertile podetia there is synchronous production of numerous (e.g. >100) apothecia ( Jahns & Beltman 1973; Jahns & Ott 1997; Jahns et al. 2004) and, hence, the question arises as to whether such large scale reproductive effort might be associated with reduced growth rate. To address this question, we compared growth rates in abundantly apotheciate and nonapotheciate thalli of Cladonia portentosa (Dufour) Coem. , a common heathland lichen in the British Isles. The method employed for measuring growth has been used previously in several studies on mat-forming lichens (see references to Crittenden and co-workers above).
Pollination Ecology and Effect of Nectar Removal in Macleania bullata (Ericaceae) 1

The floral syndrome of Macleania bullataYeo (Ericaceae) reflects its adaptation to hummingbird pollination. Its flowers, however, are subject to high levels of nectar robbing. I examined the floral visitor assemblage of M. bullata in a tropical montane wet forest in southwestern Colombia, focusing on the behavior of the visitors. I also tested for the presence of nocturnal pollination and the effects of nectar removal on new nectar production. The principal floral visitors were the nectar robbing hummingbirds Ocreatus underwoodii (19.1% of visits) and Chlorostilbon mellisugus (18.9%). Only two species of long–billed hummingbirds visited the flowers of M. bullata as “legitimate” pollinators: Coeligena torquata (14.7% of visits) and Doryfera ludoviciae (14.3%). The remaining visits constituted nectar robbing by bees, butterflies, and other species of hummingbirds. Nocturnal pollination took place, although fruit set levels were 2.4 times higher when only diurnal pollination was allowed as opposed to exclusively nocturnal pollination. Nectar robbers removed floral nectar without pollinating the flower. Treatments of experimental nectar removal were carried out to examine if flowers synthesize more nectar after nectar removal. Nectar removal increased the total volume of nectar produced by each flower without affecting sugar concentration. Thus, nectar robbing can impose a high cost to the plants by forcing them to replace lost nectar.
Investigation of the nature of the methionine–π interaction in β‐hairpin peptide model systems

There are frequent contacts between aromatic rings and sulfur atoms in proteins. However, it is unclear to what degree this putative interaction is stabilizing and what the nature of the interaction is. We have investigated the aryl–sulfur interaction by placing a methionine residue diagonal to an aromatic ring on the same face of a β‐hairpin, which places the methionine side chain in close proximity to the aryl side chain. The methionine (Met)–aryl interaction was compared with an equivalent hydrophobic and cation–π interaction in the context of the β‐hairpin. The interaction between phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp), or cyclohexylalanine (Cha) and Met stabilized the β‐hairpin by −0.3 to −0.5 kcal mole−1, as determined by double‐mutant cycles. The peptides were subjected to thermal denaturations that suggest a hydrophobic driving force for the interactions between Met and Trp or Cha. The observed interaction of Met or norleucine (Nle) with Trp or Cha are quite similar, implying a hydrophobic driving force for the Met–π interaction. However, the thermodynamic data suggest that there may be some differences between the interaction of Met with Trp and Phe and that there may be a small thermodynamic component to the Met•••Phe interaction.
Surveying effects of fixation in formalin on the mo rphological characteristics of goldfish (Carassiusauratus )

Formalin is one of the important fixator in fish st udies, and has many effects on morphological indice s of fishes, so in this study the effect of this fixation was examined. The present study was done to investigate the effects of fixing and preserving in 10% formalin on the morphological characteristics o f goldfish ( Carassiusauratus ). For this aim, 30 specimens of goldfish were collected from the Researches Center of Aquaculture, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Na tural Resources, Gorgan, Iran. After initial evaluation on morpholog ical characters such as Total Length (TL), Standard Length (ST) and Head Length (HL), samples were fixed and preserved in 10% w/v formalin for 11 weeks. After this period, sam ples were removed from formalin and measurement and evaluation of color features were done once again. The results showe d shrinkage was common in all of the specimens and changes in body color were clearly distinguishable with fresh fish such a way that the body and fins color were opaque but color pattern is acc eptable but the intensity is reduced.
Inactivation of NF-κB Involved in Osteoblast Development through Interleukin-6

Abstract Osteoblasts undergo a process of proliferation and differentiation and are responsible for bone formation. In this study, we examined the relation between NF-κB, a key transcription factor in bone metabolism, and osteoblast maturation. NF-κB activity and expression of p50, a subunit of NF-κB, decreased during development of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The secretion of IL-6 by osteoblast, which in combination with soluble IL-6 receptor induces conversion of fibroblasts to alkaline phosphatase-positive cells, also increased. p50 antisense oligonucleotide increased IL-6 mRNA expression. These results suggest that p50 regulates transcription of IL-6 and indirectly controls osteoblast maturation.
Development of symptoms caused by Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica under field conditions and their effects on the yield of individual potato plants

Infection of seed tubers by pectinolytic Erwinia species can lead to the development of various symptoms during vegetative growth of potato crops, including non-emergence of plants, chlorosis, wilting, haulm desiccation and typical blackleg. The relationships between types of symptoms and yield are poorly documented, and are investigated by following the development of symptoms in potato plants grown under field conditions from seed tubers artificially inoculated with E. carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), and measuring the yield of each plant. Symptoms were classified into five main types (non-emergence, wilting/chlorosis, blackleg, haulm desiccation and plant death). Each plant was scored for types of symptom on four successive dates; plants without visible symptoms were scored as healthy. The method of inoculation and inoculum concentration proved major factors for the subsequent development of symptoms. Disease development was more severe after vacuum infiltration of bacteria into seed tubers than after shaking tubers in contaminated sand. Disease usually progressed from chlorosis and/or wilting to partial or total desiccation on a given plant. Yield losses varied according to symptom type, but the relationship between symptoms recorded and yield also depended on scoring dates. The data suggest that the beginning of tuber growth might be the most suitable stage for predicting yield losses from symptom observations. In both cultivars studied (Bintje, highly susceptible, and Desiree, moderately resistant), the yield of symptomless plants growing from inoculated seed tubers was significantly less than that of control plants, indicating that the presence of bacteria on the seed tuber was detrimental, even in the absence of visible symptoms. Differences in symptom expression in the field between cultivars matched the level of visible infection of tubers at harvest, as Bintje tubers showed a higher incidence of rot than Desiree tubers.
Effect of pH on the Conformation and Biological Activity of Clostridium septicum Alpha-toxin, a Pore-forming Hemolysin

The effects of pH on the pore-forming Clostridium septicum alpha-toxin that causes myonecrosis was assessed at pH 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 by measuring circular dichroism and its biological activity. Incubation of the toxin at pH 5.0 increased the hemolytic activity measured in murine red blood cells. On the other hand, incubation of the toxin at pH 9.0 drastically reduces the biological activity of the toxin by five-fold. This study presents the first evidence of the effect of pH on the functional properties of alpha-toxin directly related to the common disease caused by C. septicum in animals and humans i.e. traumatic and non traumatic gas gangrene.