Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil and cotton responses to tillage and ameliorant treatments in a brown clay soil. 1. Soil responses and water use

Furrow-irrigated cotton was grown for two seasons on a previously uncultivated dense clay soil to which the following treatments had been applied :--normal ploughing (18 cm), precision ripping (30 cm), deep ploughing (40 cm), deep ripping (60 cm), and deep ploughing and deep ripping combined, with and without applications of gypsum at 10 tons an acre or organic matter at 2 1/2 tons an acre. The deep tillage significantly increased the porosity of the subsoil, but this extra porosity had largely been lost by the end of the second season. Neither the gypsum nor the organic matter addition had a significant effect upon its rate of decline. Despite the effect on porosity the deep tillages had only small and mostly non-significant effects upon water increment at irrigation. The gypsum treatment, but not the organic matter, increased water entry to the subsoil at irrigation, and this W-as apparently a result of improved hydraulic conductivity and aggregate stability, particularly in the surface layers. Considerable leaching of chloride occurred from the 30-60 cm subsoil zone in both gypsum treated and deep-tilled plots, but not in organic matter plots, and an accumulation of chloride occurred in the 0-10 cm layer (the hill) in gypsum treated plots. The increased water intake to the subsoil resulting from gypsum treatment was matched by increased water use in the following period, and hence a reduction in relative water deficit of Leaves during the peak period of water demand. Neither the organic matter nor the deep tillages had appreciable influence on water uptake. Water use during periods of peak demand was about 6 mm a day for gypsum treated plots, and this was probably lower than mould have been obtained with water freely available at all times. On the other treatments it can he inferred that water use was even further reduced by lack of available water.
REPRODUCTION DE LA TRUITE (Salmo trutta L.) DANS LETORRENT DE CHEVENNE, HAUTE-SAVOIE.UN FONCTIONNEMENT ORIGINAL ?

La reproduction d’une population de truite (Salmo trutta L.) de forme essentiellement mediterraneenne est decrite dans le ruisseau du Chevenne, un torrent a forte pente (10 %) entrecoupe d’obstacles et limite en substrat de frai, situe dans les Alpes savoyardes. Les reproducteurs (residents du torrent ou migrants issus du cours principal) different en taille et sexe-ratio. La majorite (58 %) des femelles migrantes entrent dans l’affluent deja ovulees. Il existe une fort gradient decroissant aval-amont dans la repartition des geniteurs et des frayeres. Les 157 frayeres decrites montrent une grande diversite de microhabitats (5 types principaux) utilises pour la reproduction, avec un pourcentage eleve (65 %) de frayeres construites dans des sites proteges ayant une faible vitesse de courant (< 20 cm/s). La reproduction debute en radier, l’habitat de frai classique, puis elle s’etend ensuite aux autres microhabitats avant que le frai en milieu radier ne soit acheve. Une evaluation de la disponibilite et de l’utilisation du substrat favorable au frai (taille de 1 a 3 cm) dans les divers microhabitats a ete realisee a posteriori. Le microhabitat « cote de pool » (inhabituel pour le frai) est autant utilise que le milieu radier. Les lentilles de substrat favorable, abritees en bordure de berge ou dans les courants sont preferees alors que les lentilles de substrat non protegees dans les courants sont evitees. Une crue en fin de la periode de frai a totalement detruit 36 % des frayeres avec un taux de destruction totale tres variable selon le type de microhabitat de frai. Les frayeres creusees en cote de pool et en bordure de berge protegees du courant ont ete moins detruites (15-17 % de destruction totale) que dans les autres microhabitats (50 a 67 % de destruction totale). La diversite des sites de frai pourrait donc etre une composante essentielle a la survie de la population de truite en milieu « torrent expose a des crues hivernales ».
ONTOGENY OF MOVEMENTS AND FORAGING RANGES IN THE AUSTRALIAN SEA LION

This study tracked the movements of Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups, juveniles, and adult females to identify home ranges and determine if young sea lions accompanied their mothers at sea. Satellite tags were deployed on nine 15-mo-old pups, nine 23-mo-old juveniles, and twenty-nine adult female Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Females did not travel with their offspring at sea, suggesting young Australian sea lions learn foraging behaviors independently. Although home ranges increased with age, 23-mo-old juveniles had not developed adult movement capacity and their range was only 40.6% of the adult range. Juveniles traveled shorter distances (34.8 ± 5.5 km) at slower speeds (2.0 ± 0.3 km/h) than adults (67.9 ± 3.5 km and 3.9 ± 0.3 km/h). Young sea lions also stayed in shallower waters; sea floor depths of mean locations were 48 ± 7 m for juveniles and 74 ± 2 m for females. Restricted to shallow coastal waters, pups and juveniles are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by human activities. With limited available foraging habitat, young Australian sea lions appear particularly vulnerable to environmental alterations resulting from fisheries or climate change.
Intracellular Tryptophan Hydroxylase Activity Assessed by Metabolic Assay: An Interpretation of in vitro Activation of the Enzyme

Summary The intracellular actlvlty of tryptophan hydroxylase was assessed by applying NSD-1055, an inhibitor of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, to a monolayer culture of RBL2H3 cells from a serotonin producing rat basophilic leukemia cell line. Tryptophan hydroxylase activity was also measured in a cell-free system. In this system, enzyme activity was enhanced 14 fold by incubation with Fe2+ and DIT. Enzyme activity measured by the metabolic assay was similar to the non-enhanced activity measured in the cellfree system. When 30 MM hemin were added to the cell culture, intracellular tryptophan hydroxylase activity was enhanced 1.8 fold. Administration of desferrioxamine, a cell permeable chelator, suppressed enzyme activity to about 25% the normal activity even in the presence of hemin. The results are consistent with the idea that a large part tryptophan hydroxylase exists in a latent form which can be activated by iron either in a cell-free system or in living cells.
The relation between urinary cortisol levels and social behaviour in captive timber wolves

The relation between involvement in aggressive interactions and a physiological index of stress was examined in a captive timber wolf pack (Canis lupus). Urine samples from known individuals were collected from snow throughout the mating season and analyzed for levels of the stress responsive hormone cortisol. When expressed relative to creatinine concentrations in the sample (thereby correcting for differences in urine concentration and dilution in snow), individual differences in urinary cortisol levels were found. These differences were consistent with behavioural data on aggression collected during the same period. Although males engaged in intrasexual aggression more frequently, female aggression was more serious in that females were more likely to be the targets of group chases and attacks. The dominant and only breeding female also aggressed against the two highest ranking males during courtship and mating contexts. The lowest ranking female had a significantly higher cortiso1:creatinine (C:C) ratio than all other females, and the second-ranking (beta) and most aggressive male, whose social position was unstable, had significantly higher C:C ratios than most other males. The data also suggest that urinary C:C ratios increase during the mating season for at least some individuals and vary in response to acute social stressors. The C:C ratios presented are similar to those reported from the urine of domestic dogs and a small sample of wild wolves, suggesting that these data from captive animals are not unusual. Comparisons with literature on primates and potential applications of these techniques are briefly discussed. RCsumC : Nous avons examine la relation entre les interactions agressives et un indice physiologique du stress au sein d'une meute de Loups gris (Canis lupus) en captivitC. Des Cchantillons d'urine d'individus connus ont CtC recueillis dans la neige pendant toute la saison des accouplements et le cortisol, l'hormone de reaction au stress, y a CtC dosC. ExprimCes par rapport aux concentrations de crCatinine dans 1'Cchantillon (compensant ainsi les diffirences de concentration de
Spatial and seasonal distribution of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the Upper Paraná River floodplain environments ( Brazil)

AIM: Our aim was to identify dissolved organic matter (DOM) main sources in environments of the Upper Parana River floodplain and their seasonal and spatial variation. METHODS: Ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy were utilized. The samples were obtained from November 2007 to September 2008 in six lakes of the floodplain. RESULTS: DOM quality differs among environments and also between rainy and dry season. The environments connected with Parana River showed a high variation on the allochthonous/autochthonous proportion. Aquatic macrophytes might represent an important contribution to DOM in Garcas and Osmar lakes. CONCLUSIONS: In general, environments connected to Parana River have a greater influence of autochthonous DOC, while the others are most influenced by allochthonous inputs.
Comparison of activated sludge microbial communities using biologTM microplates

Laboratory models of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) provide controlled systems for studying chemical biodegradability and removal as well as WWTP microbial ecology and engineering. In this study, Continuous Activated Sludge (CAS, 3-L) and Semi-Continuous Activated Sludge (SCAS, 2.5-L) units were maintained for up to 17 weeks using feedstocks of either fresh WWTP sewage, a complex synthetic wastewater, or a simple glucose/peptone feed (SCAS only). The goal of this research was to evaluate the microbial communities of the WWTP and the CAS and SCAS units to determine which laboratory models, and which feedstocks, were able to maintain the complexity of the WWTP microbial communities in the laboratory. One endpoint evaluated in this study was microbial community metabolic profiles, as measured using Biolog MicroPlates. Biolog Microplates contain 95 different pre-dried carbon sources and a tetrazolium dye used to spectrophotometrically measure oxidation of carbon sources. The Biolog carbon source utilization patterns of the CAS communities were similar to the SCAS communities when both were fed WWTP sewage. In addition, the profiles for these laboratory models remained similar to the WWTP microbial communities, even over an extended cultivation time (16 weeks) in the CAS systems. Amendment with a complex synthetic wastewater (25% by chemical oxygen demand) did not affect microbial metabolic response in the CAS systems, but amendment (100% by chemical oxygen demand) with a simple glucose-peptone wastewater in the SCAS system resulted in a measurable shift in microbial metabolic response.
Fire extinguishment using a 4 m long flying-hose-type robot with multiple water-jet nozzles

Several ground-based robots have been developed to support dangerous fire extinguishing activities; however, in such cases, it is difficult to access the fire sources directly. The concept of a hose-type robot called ‘dragon firefighter’ (DFF) is proposed herein; it emits high-pressure water from a fire hose and floats it for direct transmission to the fire point. A stable levitation with 2 m length was realized; however, for practical use, we must extend the floating length of the robot. This study was aimed at extending the floating length of a hose-like body. Two primary issues need to be addressed for achieving this aim: lack of a sufficient reaction force for flying and torsion along the longitudinal direction of the body. Therefore, our robot was first extended using a middle nozzle. A flow channel model was constructed, and an injection hole was designed to achieve a cross-sectional area that could generate a sufficient reaction force. An adjustable jet direction nozzle was designed with four degrees of freedom to control the net force and torsion torque. Finally, a simple proportional-derivative control was incorporated to adjust the twist angle, float the DFF (3.6 m length), surmount a wall, and subsequently, extinguish the fire. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Vegetation dynamics in the emerging Atchafalaya Delta, Louisiana, USA.

1. The wetlands of the Atchafalaya Delta, Louisiana are characterized by a warm climate, highly fertile sediments, and an absence of moisture limitations. Consequently, vegetation succession (on islands that emerged in 1973) was expected to occur relatively rapidly. 2. From 1980 until 1986, annual surveys of vegetation cover and substrate elevation were conducted on 110 permanent plots along six transect lines crossing four islands. In addition, to evaluate the effect of herbivory (predominantly by Myocastor coypus, nutria or coypu), four 50-m × 40-m exclosures and four control plots were constructed on two of the islands
Immobilization of β-amylase using polyacrylamide polymer derivatives

Barley β-amlyase was immobilized on two polymeric materials; poly(acrylamide–acrylic acid) resin [P(AM-AAc)] and poly(acrylamide–acrylic acid–diallylamine–HCl) resin [P(P(AM-AAc-DAA-HCl) using two different methods: covalent and cross-linking immobilization. Thionyl chloride, used to activate the polymers for covalent immobilization, has the advantage that it is able to react with a number of surface groups of protein under very mild conditions. Cross-linking with glutaraldehyde gave a higher coupling yield (approximately 70%) than covalent immobilization (approximately 20%). The activity and stability of the resulting biopolymers have been compared with those of free β-amylase. The specific activity of the immobilized enzyme was significantly influenced by the amount of enzyme loaded onto the polymers, the optimal level being 3.5 mg g−1 polymer. It was found that the immobilized β-amylase stored at 4°C retained approximately 90% of its original activity after 30 days, whereas free β-amylase stored in solution at 4°C retained only 47% of its activity after same period. The difference in long term stability was more significant when the enzyme was stored at room temperature; the immobilized enzyme maintained 40% of its activity after 30 days, whereas the residual activity of free enzyme was only 10%. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
An Improved Embryo-Rescue Protocol for a Carica Interspecific Hybrid

An improved embryo-rescue protocol was developed for embryos (90 days old) of Carica papaya L. (Clone 2001), and subsequently was utilised for efficient production of interspecific hybrids of C. papaya × C. cauliflora Jacq. from 90- to 120-day-old embryos. Pre-incubation of C. papaya embryos for 7 days on a germination medium containing half-strength De Fossard nutrients supplemented with gibberellic acid (10 μM), 6-benzylamino-purine (0.25 μM), alpha-naphthalene-acetic acid (0.25 μM). sucrose (58 mM) and agar (8 g L-1) supported 100% germination. Subsequent transfer of germinated embryos to a nutrient medium that was identical, except that it was free of plant growth regulator, allowed good growth but induced shoot etiolation and callus production. Reducing the pre-incubation of C. papaya embryos on this medium to 5 days before transfer to the medium free of plant growth regulator produced similarly high germination (96%), but allowed for the production of good quality seedlings that were unetiolated and free of unwanted callus. For interspecific hybrids, a 5-day pre-incubation of the embryos on a liquid formulation was better than the solid formulation as it promoted better growth and vigour of the normally abortive interspecific hybrid embryos. Using the improved protocol, 1981 of 2100 (94%) interspecific hybrid embryos consisting of single and multiple forms were germinated. In all cases, the germinating multiple embryos underwent further embryogenesis that allowed for the production of 485 (25%) morphologically normal hybrid plants grown in soil in the glasshouse.
Neoliberalism and Urban Change: Stretching a Good Idea Too Far?

Abstract Does neoliberalism matter for cities, urbanization processes, urban governance and policies? How and to what extent? What does this even mean? These questions are important as neoliberalism is a contentious and powerful political project and paradigm. This paper argues that: (1) it may be fruitful to be clearer about the meaning of neoliberalism rather than adopting an encompassing constructivist framework; and (2) that neoliberalism may not explain that much about the current transformation of urbanization processes and cities. Instead, these mechanisms need to be better specified and their limits defined: urban worlds and the urbanization processes of cities do not change all the time, in all ways. Rather than embracing the multiple, ever-changing forms of neoliberalism and the contructivist framework underpinning this position, this paper identifies a set of central points to define neoliberalism by contrast to liberalism, as one possible working definition of neoliberalism. Secondly, it discusses the neoliberalization of cities and urban policies, recognizing that cities change for many reasons, of which neoliberalism is just one.
The aromatic cytokinins

After the discovery of kinetin (Miller et al. 1956, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 78: 1345–1350) there was a flurry of syntheses that led to the finding of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), an active and easily obtainable cytokinin. Much research into cytokinin physiology was subsequently done with this substance. Further, the isolation and unequivocal identification of natural BA and the high biological activity of its meta-hydroxylated analogues stimulated the search for other natural aromatic cytokinins. Screening was accomplished by ELISA of HPLC fractions using antisera against ortho- and meta-hydroxybenzyladenosine. Subsequent isolation and decisive identification by mass spectrometry led to discovery of a broad spectrum of endogenous plant growth substances structurally similar to a highly active compound, meta-topolin (6-[3-hydroxybenzyl-amino]purine), and to its less active analogue, ortho-topolin (6-[2-hydroxybenzyl-amino]purine). The structures of such aromatic cytokinins suggest considerably different biosynthetic pathways from that of zeatin and related isoprenoid cytokinins. From a physiological viewpoint, aromatic cytokinin metabolism can be classified under four main headings analogous to isoprenoid cytokinins: interconversion, hydroxylation, conjugation, and oxidative degradation. This review attempts to put into context what is known about 9-alkyl-BAs and compares their metabolism in regard to the practical use of cytokinins in agriculture and biotechnology. The recently discovered unusual specificity of additionally C2,N9-disubstituted aromatic cytokinins toward cell cycle kinases, suggests that these cytokinin-derived growth regulators may selectively inhibit certain steps of the cell cycle. The functional overlap of the aromatic cytokinins with those of their isoprenoid counterparts and cytokinin inhibitors, in relation to growth and developmental processes in plants, has yet to be determined.
Attempts to measure the influence of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on the field mortality of the bush fly Musca vetustissima Walker (Diptera: Muscidae) in south-eastern Australia

The immature stages of Musca vetustissima Wlk. in dung pads in south-eastern Australia suffered a high mortality through the actions of a complex array of dung organisms, including dung beetles (scarabaeids), predatory beetles (hydrophilids and histerids) and predatory mites ( Macrocheles glaber (Mull.)). At times of high dung beetle numbers, it was possible to demonstrate a relationship between fly mortality and dung beetle numbers. Single-species dung beetle populations appeared to be as effective as multiple-species populations in reducing fly numbers, except that some benefit was derived from a combination of day- and night-flying species. When dung beetle numbers were low, their influence could not be measured because of the high mortalities already caused by the other dung fauna. It is suggested that in those circumstances any mortality caused by the dung beetles may simply have become substituted for an existing mortality caused by other fauna without adding to the total mortality.
Contribution to the flora of Asian and European countries: new national and regional vascular plant records, 4

Abstract The paper presents new records for 20 vascular plant species from 13 Eurasian countries. Four taxa (Calamagrostis sichuanensis, Klasea dissecta, Ptilagrostis milleri and Stipa klimesii) are reported from China, four (Aconogonon valerii, Carex siderosticta, Poa tanfiljewii and Potamogeton × subobtusus) from Russia, three (Amorpha fruticosa, Carduus acanthoides and Plantago minuta) from Tajikistan, two (Achillea sergievskiana and Delphinium barlykense) from Kazakhstan, one (Calamagrostis effusiflora) from Bhutan and India, one (Campanula wolgensis) from Mongolia, one (Orobanche coerulescens) from Georgia, two (Dysphania geoffreyi and Ptilagrostis milleri) from Nepal, one (Stipa × alaica) from Afghanistan, one (Stipa × manrakica) from Kyrgyzstan, one (Ranunculus × gluckii) from Poland and one (Sporobolus cryptandrus) from Italy. Four of the taxa presented (Amorpha fruticosa, Carduus acanthoides, Carex siderosticta and Sporolobus cryptandrus) are regarded as alien to the studied areas, whereas the remaining 16 are native elements to the flora of the countries. For each species synonyms, general distribution, habitat preferences, taxonomy with remarks on recognition and differentiation of the species from the most similar taxa occurring in a given country, as well as a list of recorded localities (often far from the previously known areas) are presented. Based on the spikelet morphology, we have proposed in Ptilagrostis a new section Barkworthia M. Nobis, A. Nobis & A. Nowak, which comprises two species Ptilagrostis yadongensis and Ptilagrostris milleri, with distinctly unequal glumes, lemmas and paleas.
Amphibian and Reptile Communities Associated with Beaver (Castor canadensis) Ponds and Unimpounded Streams in the Piedmont of South Carolina

ABSTRACT We used drift fence arrays with pitfall traps to compare amphibian and reptile assemblages at the peripheries of beaver (Castor canadensis) ponds of two age-classes (“new”: ≤ 5 yr old, and “old”: ≥ 10 yr old) and unimpounded streams in the Piedmont of South Carolina. The richness and total abundance of amphibians were not significantly different among new beaver ponds, old beaver ponds, and unimpounded streams, although several species of anurans were captured predominantly or exclusively at beaver ponds. Amphibian community overlap and diversity also were similar among the three habitats. In contrast, the richness and total abundance of reptiles were significantly higher at old beaver ponds when compared to new beaver ponds and unimpounded streams. The degree of reptile community overlap also was relatively low, with significant differences in diversity among all three habitats. Differences in amphibian and reptile community attributes between beaver ponds and unimpounded streams likely were rel.