Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using California Gnatcatcher to Test Underlying Models in Habitat Conservation Plans

Abstract Habitat Conservation Plans are a widely used strategy to balance development and preservation of species of concern and have been used in southern California, USA, to protect the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica). Few data exist on gnatcatcher abundance and distribution, and existing data have problems with issues of closure (i.e., sampling occurs in a short enough time period such that abundance or distribution are not changing), detectability, and proper attention to probability-based sampling schemes. Thus, a habitat model has been relied upon in reserve design. California gnatcatchers are the flagship and umbrella species of many plans and we provide the first estimates that incorporate probabilistic sampling and test predictions from the habitat model. Probability of occurrence was 26% (SÊ = 0.06); however, occupancy varied by modeled habitat quality with slopes <40%, warm, and wet sagebrush habitat having higher occupancy probabilities. Interpreting abundance and occupancy probabilities by vegetation type was complicated by error detected in Geographic Information System vegetation metadata files. The slope (1.08, SÊ = 0.66), temperature (0.79, SÊ = 0.70), and precipitation (−2.62, SÊ = 1.21) variables associated with habitat models were stronger influences on occupancy than was patch size (0.48, SÊ =0.66). Previous models weight patch size equal to slope and climate. Our work demonstrates that probabilistic sampling can be carried out on a large scale and the results provide better information for managers to make decisions about their reserves.
Spring Meltwater Mixing in Small Arctic Lakes

Meltwater mixing in small arctic lakes at Saqvaqjuac (63°68′N, 90°40′W) was studied in 1980 and 1981 to evaluate the applicability of theoretical lake water renewal times to the modeling of ice-covered lakes. Two 370-GBq tritium additions were made to 7.09-ha P&N Lake. One was mixed with the unfrozen water at the time of maximum lake-ice thickness (May 1980) and the other was mixed with the lake immediately after freezing (October 1980). Dye experiments were also performed at four lakes to define the spatial and temporal distribution of the inflow and icemelt layers. Results from the tritiated water and dye addition experiments, as well as conductance and temperature profiles, showed that during ice-on, the cold low-density meltwater floated in a thin layer 0–100 cm beneath the ice, extended over the entire subice-surface area, and left the lake without mixing with the heavier subice water. These results imply that (1) lake models incorporating a lake flushing rate term need to be reevaluated to accommoda.
Soil nutrient regime classification for white spruce stands in the Sub-boreal Spruce Zone of British Columbia

Using mineralizable N (kg/ha) and C/N ratio measured within the rooting zone as differentiating characteristics, 93 white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) stands from the Sub-boreal Spruce Biogeoclimatic Zone of British Columbia were quantitatively classified into five soil nutrient regimes (i.e., very poor, poor, medium, rich, and very rich) by cluster analysis and discriminant analysis. Significant differences in soil chemical properties, frequencies of nitrogen indicator species groups, foliar nutrients, and site index were found among the five soil nutrient regimes. The classification compared favorably (60% match) with the field classification based on topographic and soil morphological features using a dichotomous key. By relating each soil nutrient regime to the quantities of soil nutrients available to plants traditional site classification units can be directly linked to resource availability, thus potential productivity, of the sites. It is recommended that further studies of soil nutrient regime classification in the Sub-boreal Spruce Biogeoclimatic Zone should concentrate on characterizing the regional gradient of soil available nitrogen. Resume : En utilisant comme caractOristiques distinctives liazote minOralisable (kg/ha) et le ratio C/N mesurOs dans la zone dienracinement, 93 peuplements diOpinette blanche (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) situOs dans la zone biogOoclimatique sub-borOale de liOpinette en Colombie-Britannique ont OtO quantitativement classifiOs en cinq groupes sur la base du rOgime nutritif du sol (c.-‡-d., trs pauvre, pauvre, moyen, riche et trs riche) par lianalyse de groupement et lianalyse discriminante. Il y avait des diffOrences significatives dans les propriOtOs chimiques du sol, la frOquence des groupes de plantes indicatrices diazote, les nutriments foliaires et les indices de site entre les cinq groupes de rOgime nutritif du sol. La classification se comparait favorablement (60% diappariement) avec la classification au champ basOe sur les aspects topographiques et morphologiques du sol en utilisant une clO dichotomique. En Otablissant un rapport entre le rOgime nutritif du sol et les quantitOs de nutriments du sol disponibles aux plantes, les unitOs traditionnelles de classification des sites peuvent Œtre directement reliOes ‡ la disponibilitO des ressources, donc ‡ la productivitO potentielle des sites. Les recherches futures sur la classification du rOgime nutritif du sol dans la zone biogOoclimatique sub-borOale de liOpinette devraient Œtre concentrOes sur la caractOrisation du gradient rOgional de disponibilitO de liazote du sol. (Traduit par la ROdaction)
Heritability Estimates of Winter Hardiness in White Clover Based on Field and Laboratory Experiments

For testing of winter hardiness and to obtain estimates of heritability (h2) for this character, field experiments are the most common method. In order to develop a supplement to the field method, artificial freezing to test for freezing hardiness in the laboratory has been carried out. The purpose of the present study was to compare estimates of broad sense heritability (h2 b) for winter hardiness in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) based on an experiment in the field, and freezing hardiness based on a laboratory test. The plant material consisted of six local populations with origins between ca. 61°- and 70° northern Latitude. The northern related populations Nos. 06 and 22 showed the best winter hardiness in the field, while the more southern related population No. 38 showed the best freezing hardiness in the laboratory. The field data was generally more variable than the laboratory data. In the field, h2 b
Evaluation of different levels of potassium on the yield and protein content of wheat in the high Ganges river floodplain soil

Balanced fertilization with optimum potassium management may lead to maximize wheat yield. The experiment was carried out at the Farming Systems Research and Development (FSRD site, Pushpapara, Pabna during the rabi seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 to ascertain the effect of potassium application on wheat. Five different levels of potassium (K) were tested on wheat crop. Yield contributing characters and yield exerted significant variation due to application of different levels of K and the best performance of the crop parameters was recorded when 36 kg K/ha was applied. Remarkable increase in grain, straw and total biomass yield was recorded in the same treatment. Regarding the grain quality of wheat, the highest protein content was recorded from 36 kg K/ha, which was 6.86% and 4.98% higher over omission of K (control) and recommended dose (100% estimated K). The highest net benefit was obtained from 36 kg K/ha, which was 40.52% higher over omission of K (control). Key Words: Potassium; yield; protein content; wheat. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i1. 5759 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(1) : 97-104, March 2009
Foraging Behavior of Hatchery-Produced Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Smolts on Live Prey

We presented three groups of naive hatchery-produced, pellet-reared coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) with live, natural prey and observed their foraging behavior. Of 26 individuals examined, 20 captured one or more Crangon (sand shrimp) within 1 h of their first exposure to these prey. Six older accelerated smolts (underyearlings) displayed improved foraging performances with experience, capturing their first Crangon sooner during their second, compared with their first, exposure. Four of five of these fish successfully captured sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) within 1 h of their first presentation. Two groups of 10 recently smolted fingerlings (< 190 mm TL), one accelerated and one conventionally reared (yearlings), were used in choice experiments and simultaneously offered equal masses of Crangon and pellets. Six of the accelerated and seven of the conventionally reared fish ate larger amounts of Crangon than pellets, with all 20 fish striking more at Crangon than at pellets. Our results suggest tha.
Esterase activities of cell‐free extracts from ‘wild’ strains of leuconostocs and heterofermentative lactobacilli isolated from traditional Greek cheese

Cell‐free extracts from strains of leuconostocs and heterofermentative lactobacilli were tested for esterase activities using synthetic substrates. Results showed that esterases from both lactic acid bacteria groups preferentially degraded short‐chain fatty acids. Moreover, even though some similarities between strains of the same species were recorded, the observed differences were not strong enough to distinguish between species and therefore commend this technique as a tool for taxonomy of either leuconostocs or heterofermentative lactobacilli.
Is fruit size important in the selection of oviposition sites by cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii?

Under laboratory conditions, females of Acrobasis vaccinii (Riley) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) oviposit significantly more often on larger than on smaller cranberry fruit. This behaviour ensures that neonate larvae have access to maximum resources and are larger when moving to the next fruit. However, while there is some evidence that on a large spatial scale females may lay eggs in patches of larger fruit, there was no evidence of such an oviposition preference within patches in natural bogs. These results may be explained by the fact that the oviposition period for A. vaccinii begins early in the cranberry season, before fructification is completed, leading to potential competition among females for the first fruit present in the environment. Laying eggs on the first fruit available may be advantageous as this behaviour increases the probability that females select unexploited fruit. This strategy would be particularly effective for maximizing female fitness in grazer frugivorous species (such as the cranberry fruitworm) that live in environments where severe climatic conditions induce limited flowering/fruit formation and where hosts thus are rare.
Spontaneous bactericidal and complement activities in serum of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) genetically selected for resistance or susceptibility to furunculosis

Half-sib families of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) selected for heritable susceptibility or resistance to furunculosis and belonging to 3 successive generations were reared in a fish farm and blood samples were periodically collected. Pooled and individual sera were screened for the effectiveness of two kinds of activity generally assigned to the alternative complement pathway: bactericidal activity was assessed against suspensions of an avirulent form ofAeromonas salmonicidaand spontaneous haemolytic activity (SH50) was titrated using rabbit erythrocytes in the presence of EGTA and Mg2+. Significant differences in serum bactericidal properties generally occurred between susceptible and resistant families of trout, although transient variations could occur. Seasonal fluctuations, irrespective of the age of the fish, were also observed. However, whereas correlation between the bactericidal activity or alternative complement pathway and the fish resistance could be observed, it was more difficult to demonstrate between the bactericidal activity and the alternative complement pathway. It is concluded that the alternative complement activity, although significant in natural defences, accounts only partly for furunculosis resistance and that bactericidal activity of serum is a more reliable marker of this resistance in rainbow trout.
Direct Determination of the Thiobarbituric Acid Value in Trichloracetic Acid Extracts of Fish as a Measure of Oxidative Rancidity

The possibilities of the direct determination of the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value in trichloracetic acid (TCA) extracts instead of distillates were evaluated. Tests carried out on herring (Clupea harengus L.), redfish (Sebastes marinus L.), cod (Gadus morhua L.), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) and spurdog (Squalus acanthias L.) of varying degree of oxidation gave 95.3% recovery in the teleost species but only 75.2% in the elasmobranch spurdog, due to the urea present. With the distillation technique, recoveries were lower and averaged 66.1% for teleosts and 43.0% for spurdog. Addition of 0.1% of both propyl gallate and EDTA to the TCA solution lowered TBA values by 25 to 59%. When fish samples were submitted to a 4 hours′ forced oxidation period, TBA values increased to a greater extent with the direct extraction procedure than with the distillation method.
Seleção de matrizes e tipo de propágulo na enxertia de substituição de copa em Ilex paraguariensis

The objective of this research was to evaluate the technique of topgrafting in Ilex paraguariensis. For that reason, the influence of the position of the graft in the stock plant, the age and the stock plant, as well as, the definition of the best time for grafting evaluation and vigor of the grafts were evaluated. 13 years old trees located in Colombo - PR were submitted to the cut at 10 cm above the soil for sprouts induction, on which the grafting was accomplished by top cleft grafting. The grafts were collected from 10 year-old mother trees and from seven trees older than 80 years. From the selected trees grafts were taken from the top, medium and basal position inside the mother tree. The experiment was installed with three replications and 42 treatments, in a hierarchical factorial design 2 x 7 x 3 (two ages, seven mother trees for each age and three collection positions). The variables of interest were percentage of survival and number and length of sprouts. A differentiated performance of the mother trees when in different collection positions was observed. The individual heritability of the genotipic effects, estimated for the survival of the grafts, was superior to 74%, for all the evaluation periods, which is considered very high. The coefficient of genetic variation was 34%, for the observed periods same or superior to 90 days, indicating good genetic gain perspectives for the improvement of the genetic material. The coefficients of experimental variation, obtained for that same periods were between 78% and 94%. It can be observed that there were no differences among the genetic parameters indicating the possibility of evaluation of the survival of the grafts after 90 days. Based on those results it can be concluded that the Ilex paraguariensis topgrafting directly in the field is technically viable; better survival of grafting are obtained for young trees and with apical sprouts; mother trees have shown differentiated responses in respect to survival of grafting.
Recovery of Bioactive Flavonols from Onion Solid Wastes Employing Water/Ethanol-Based Solvent Systems

Food processing by-products and wastes represent in many instances major polluting agents, since they bear a significant load of organic bio-molecules and particularly high chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD and BOD) levels. In this regard the development of processes that will aim at reducing the polluting load by removing added-value phytochemicals from agriculture-food wastes becomes imminent. In the present study, a first approach regarding the efficient recovery of bioactive flavonols from onion solid wastes has been attempted. Major flavonols were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques and recovery was achieved by using environmentally friendly and food-compatible solvent systems, composed of water/ethanol, and acidified with either acetic or citric acid and HCl. Initial screening of various mixtures showed that significantly higher recoveries (P<0.001) can be attained by using 60% ethanol containing 0.1% HCl. The assessment of factors affecting yield, including extraction time and temperature, was accomplished using a series of extractions on the basis of a 3 × 3 factorial design model. The results obtained showed that maximization of yield is dependent upon increasing both extraction time and temperature.
Effects of Live-Well Conditions on Mortality and Largemouth Bass Virus Prevalence in Largemouth Bass Caught during Summer Tournaments

Abstract We evaluated the effect of improved live-well conditions and the interaction of tournament stress and largemouth bass virus (LMBV) on tournament-associated mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides caught during 12 summer tournaments. Improvements in live-well conditions (reduction in water temperature by 2–5°C; addition of NaCl; continuous aeration) significantly reduced initial mortality of largemouth bass from 7% to 3% (F 1,11 = 10.29, P < 0.01). However, postrelease mortality of fish held for 5 d in net-pens or raceways was not reduced by the improved live-well conditions and averaged 76% for all tournament fish (F 1,11 = 0.09, P = 0.77). The percentage of angler-caught fish infected with LMBV at the end of tournaments (14%) was significantly higher (P = 0.05) than the percentage infected in the general population (7%). The percentage of LMBV-infected fish increased during the post-tournament retention period to 64% for fish from live wells with improved conditions and 70% for fish f.
Sustainability Indicators Used to Compare Properties of Organic and Conventionally Managed Topsoils

ABSTRACT Differences between organic and conventional management were investigated for 14 paired topsoil sites (28 fields) from around the south and east of England, the majority being in arable management. Parameters used were soil organic matter content, total nitrogen content and available phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, pH, topsoil depth and shear strength. The aim was to assess differences in management and to draw inferences for sustainable soil management practices. Organically managed topsoils were found to be characterized by deeper plough horizons and higher percentage organic matter, total nitrogen and available P. They had lower shear strengths and were substantially lower in available K than their conventional counterparts. No significant differences in available Mg or pH were found between management classes. It is concluded that soil organic matter content, total N, available P and K, topsoil depth and shear strength were effective ‘sustainability indicators’.
Analysis of growth during phototropic curvature of cress hypocotyls

Abstract. Growth rates throughout an organ curving phototropically under continuous, unilateral while light were monitored by lime-lapse photography of cress hypocotyls marked into 1 mm sections by two rows of ion-exchange beads. Curvature resulted from an integrated sequence of changes in growth rate on each side of the organ, but the actual patterns of change and, therefore rales of curvature, differed within even this one species, depending upon the immediate pretreatment of the seedlings. Transference of seedlings from darkness to unilateral irradiation gave immediate growth inhibition on both sides of the organ. Curvature resulted from differential recovery of growth rate, being seen first on the shaded side, most prominently in the apical regions; only 2h after initial exposure to light did growth recover on the lit (lower) side. On the other hand, transfer of seedlings from omnilateral to unilateral irradiation of the same intensity resulted in simultaneous growth inhibition on the irradiated side and stimulated growth on the shaded side: this growth stimulation of the shaded side was greater than occurred in totally darkened control plants.
Optimum conditions for making lactic acid beverage by using broccoli powder: development of lactic acid beverage by using vegetable part I.

ビタミンCを豊富に含み,抗酸化作用及び抗変異原作用があると報告されているブロッコリー粉末を原料とした乳酸菌飲料の開発を行うため,乳酸菌の選抜,原料濃度,殺菌条件及び発酵条件の検討を行った. この結果,乳酸菌はStreptococcus lactis subsp. cremoris H-61を用い,ブロッコリー濃度,脱脂粉乳濃度,黒糖濃度及び上白糖濃度を各々3. 2%,5%,4%,5%で仕込み,70°C⋅15分で殺菌した後,30°C⋅36h前後で発酵すると官能的に良好な飲料が試作できた. また今回作成した乳酸菌飲料は牛乳と同程度のカルシウムと約3倍の鉄(0.3mg/100ml)を含み,一般の乳酸菌飲料成分にはみられないビタミンC(1.9mg/100ml)が含まれていた. よって無機成分が多く,栄養価の高い乳酸菌飲料が開発できた.
Potential of agricultural by-product-based activated carbons for use in raw sugar decolourisation

The physical (bulk density and hardness) and chemical (pH and mineral content) characteristics of granular activated carbons (GACs) made from rice straw, pecan shells and hulls of soybean and rice were determined. The adsorption properties (iodine test, molasses test and raw sugar decolourisation efficiency) of these by-product-based carbons were also evaluated. A commercial decolourising carbon (Calgon CPG LF) was used as a comparison. Pecan-based carbons had bulk densities and hardness numbers higher than Calgon CPG LF. They also showed a mineral content and pH similar to or lower than the commercial carbon. The adsorption properties of the pecan-based carbons were, however, about 40% below that of the reference carbon. In contrast, rice (hull and straw)-based carbons exhibited good adsorption properties similar to the reference carbon in both iodine test and molasses test, but their ash content and their inherent pHs were higher than Calgon CPG LF. Both types of rice-based carbons were also more friable and had lower bulk densities than the commercial carbon. However, rice-hull-based carbon was statistically as effective as Calgon CPG-LF in decolourising raw sugar solutions at the 5% confidence level. Of the by-product-based carbons evaluated, pecan-shell-based GACs would be most suitable as raw sugar decolourisers if their adsorption efficiencies could be improved.
Sexual differentiation and germ cell transfer in the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri

The sexual differentiation in the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri was considered with respect to colony sexualization and sexualization of the single zooids of the same blastogenic generation. The colony sexualization was investigated histologically in a series of young colonies reared in the laboratory and fixed periodically throughout a sequence of blastogenic generations. The newly set colonies lack gonad blastemata; next, germ cells appear and several generations are involved in various phases of hyposexuality prior to the appearance of generations in which mature both eggs and sperm. The sexual contribution of the zooids of the same generation was found to vary according to an intrinsic bilateral asymmetry (the gonadogenic potential differs both contralaterally in each zooid and between zooids of a different, dextral or sinistral, parental origin) and in proportion to the quantity of germ cells that have been transferred from preceding generations. The transfer of germ cells from one to the following generations was investigated by fusing colonies of opposite pigment genotypes, then crossing the separated parabionts to a common genotype, and scoring the offspring pigment phenotypes. This experiment has shown that not only immature oocytes but also undifferentiated cells were exchanged between the parabionts and then gradually matured as eggs or sperm in a prolonged series of generations. The primordial germ cells differ in size from hemoblasts, the source of hemocytes. However, further experiments are needed in order to decide between the two contrasting hypotheses of germ cell origin: either segregation from the atrial epithelium of buds or development from hemoblasts.