Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phosphorus distribution in Chinese albic black soil affected by land use

In last decades, large area of dry-farming field has been converted to paddy field in the Sanjiang Plain of the Northeastern China. It is assumed that this land-use change might impact the level, chemical forms, and availability of phosphorus in the soils. Five soil cores were collected separately in the paddy field and dry-farming field and were analyzed for pH, soil organic matter (OM), aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), total phosphorus (TP), and phosphorus forms. The topsoil of the paddy filed contained lower OM, Fe, Al, organic phosphorus (Por), and residual phosphorus and higher inorganic phosphorus (Pinor) and iron oxides-bound phosphorus (Fe-P) than that of the dry-farming field. However, TP and plant-available phosphorus (AP) levels were generally not affected by the landuse change. The bulk of soil phosphorus mainly exists in Por, Fe and Al-bounded phosphorus, and Cabound phosphorus, while AP was significantly correlated to Pinor, Al-bound phosphorus (Al-P), and FeP but not correlated to Por in the both fields. Therefore, the conversion of dry-farming field to paddy field did not impact TP and AP levels, but changed the phosphorus forms in the albic black topsoil, with increase of Pinor and iron oxides-bound P and decrease of Por.
OVARIOLE NUMBER AND FECUNDITY IN APHIDS

Ovariole number in both the sycamore aphid and the bird cherry‐oat aphid was shown to be a constant for a particular generation. This generation specific ovariole number remained constant, despite varied nymphal experiences. The number of embryos per ovariole in the sycamore aphid was dependent on the size of the adult aphid. In the bird cherry‐oat aphid, the number of embryos per ovariole was a constant, but the number of pigmented embryos present was a function of the size of the aphid at adult moult. Ovariole number, an index of reproductive potential, was thus concluded to be the result of an intrinsic and programmed factor.
Detection of genetic diversity in Moroccan durum wheat accessions using agro-morphological traits and microsatellite markers

Characterization of germplasm by agro-morphological, biochemical and DNA-markers provide powerful tools to precise germplasm identification, quantify the genetic diversity and to estimate the phylogenetic relationship among accessions in many crop species. The objective of the present study was to characterize a subset of 23 Moroccan relevant durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) accessions selected from the National Gene Bank of Morocco for their genetic diversity using agro-morphological and microsatellite markers, and to measure the genetic distance among these accessions using UPGMA cluster analysis. Durum wheat accessions were planted under field condition and their agro-morphological characters such as days to emergence, days to tillering, days to booting, days to head emergence, days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height, and thousands kernel weight were recorded. The same set of accessions was also analyzed for polymorphism with 7 genomic microsatellite markers. The results indicated that the evaluated germplasm comprises of useful variation for future breeding activities. Furthermore, the cluster analysis based on microsatellite data showed the closest correlation with the groupings of particular genotypes based on agro-morphological characters. The authors results suggest that the characterization based on agro-morphological traits and genotypic markers will be a useful tool to the breeders to choose genotypes with appropriate diversity. Key words: Durum wheat, Triticum germplasm, agro-morphological and microsatellite markers, genetic diversity.
Contrasting effects of hypoxic conditions on survivorship of planktonic larvae of rocky intertidal invertebrates

Hypoxia is increasing in coastal zones worldwide, with acute effects on demersal fish and benthic invertebrate communities in shallow coastal and estuarine habitats. Less studied are the effects of hypoxia on planktonic larvae of open coastal habitats. Climate change projections suggest intensified hypoxia in open coast upwelling systems, such as the northern California Current Upwelling System, where there has been a recent rise of seasonally persistent inner-shelf hypoxia (dissolved oxygen (DO) < 1.43 ml l �1 ) and anoxia (DO 0 ml l �1 ). We examined survivorship of larval invertebrates exposed to low oxygen conditions in controlled laboratory experiments. Multiple-day hypoxic conditions, resembling DO levels in nearshore Oregon waters, were gene - rated by bubbling seawater with nitrogen gas. Tolerance levels among species varied, from larvae of species with little tolerance to hypoxia (e.g. the shore crab Hemigrapsus oregonensis) to species with high tolerance (e.g. the California mussel Mytilus californianus). These contrasting responses among open-coast intertidal taxa suggest that chronic hypoxia or anoxia may have different effects on recruitment success among species and, consequently, on the structure and species composition of open coast intertidal communities.
Suppressive activity of some glucosinolate enzyme degradation products on Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani in sterile soil

Glucosinolate degradation products (GLDPs), mainly isothiocyanates, obtained by myrosinase-catalysed hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GLs), are an important group of natural bioactive substances. The fungitoxic activity of four GLDPs, chosen on the basis of their side-chain structures, was assayed against Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani. The effectiveness of the degradation products (DPs) of sinigrin (alkenyl GL), epi-progoitrin (hydroxy-alkenyl GL), glucoiberin and glucoerucin (thiofunctionalised GLs) in inhibiting P irregulare oospore germination and R solani soil colonisation were tested in a closed system, using an artificially infected soil. The fungitoxic activity of these GLDPs varied according to their side-chain structure. As in previous in vitro studies, the thiofunctionalised GLDPs were found the most effective, producing complete inhibition of P irregulare oospore germination (0.01 µmole g−1 soil) and R solani soil colonisation (0.5 µmole g−1 soil), but even sinigrin DP showed a fungitoxic activity higher than that of epi-progoitrin DP. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
FOOD LEVEL IN RELATION TO RATE OF DEVELOPMENT AND EYE PIGMENTATION IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

In the development of larvae of Drosophila melanogaster an organizational change takes place at about 70 hours after egg-laying (25° C.). This change is referred to as the "70-hour change. "Larvae deprived of all food for periods at any time up to the 70-hour change are retarded in development, the retardation being a function of the length of the starvation period.Larvae deprived of food after the 70-hour change are not retarded, but are probably somewhat accelerated in development.If deprived of food during a portion of the larval developmental period after the 70-hour change, the final size attained by the fly appears to depend largely on the proportion of this period spent on full food.Periods of complete removal of food from vermilion brown larvae are without apparent effect on eye pigment production. This is true whether the starvation period be short or long and whether it comes before or after the 70-hour change.Partial starvation (at intermediate food levels) of larvae, under certain conditions, g.
Breeding Season Diet and Prey Selection of the New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) in a Plantation Forest

Abstract We studied the diet of the endemic New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) in a pine plantation forest by identifying species occurring in pellets and prey remains collected from 37 nest sites during the 2003 and 2004 breeding seasons. We assessed bird species abundance along transects in different-aged pine stands and along stand edges. Diet and prey abundance were compared to determine whether birds were taken disproportionately or in proportion to their abundance in the environment. Birds composed the greatest proportion of the diet, 84% by frequency and 74% by biomass. Common Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) were taken most frequently, but Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) contributed more by biomass, although rabbits were not recorded at every nest site. Bird density increased significantly with stand age but was highest along stand edges. Chaffinches were the most abundant species and taken in proportion to their availability. Species that occurred in open habitat (e.g., Yellowhammers [Emberiza citrinella]) or were of medium size (e.g., blackbirds) were taken more than expected based on their availability. Very small species (e.g., Grey Gerygone [Gerygone igata]) were taken in lower proportions than expected from their abundance. Proportions of bird species preyed upon were correlated most closely with bird species abundance in young pine stands (P = 0.02, r2 = 0.52). In a pine plantation habitat, New Zealand Falcons took primarily the more abundant species, those intermediate in size (16–160 g), and those frequenting open habitat.
Interactive effects of water and nitrogen addition on soil microbial communities in a semiarid steppe

Aims Better understanding of microbial compositional and physiological acclimation mechanisms is critical for predicting terrestrial ecosystem responses to global change. The aim is to assess variations in soil microbial communities under future scenarios of changing precipitation and N deposition in a semiarid grassland of northern China. Methods In order to explicitly estimate microbial responses, a field experiment with water and N addition was established in April 2005 and continuously conducted for 4 years. Specifically, soil microbial community composition and microbial C utilization potential were determined by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and community-level physiological profiles, respectively.
Comparison of levels of genetic diversity detected with AFLP and microsatellite markers within and among mixed Q. petraea (MATT.) LIEBL. and Q. robur L. stands

Summary The aim of this study was to compare genetic diversity within and among Quercus spp. populations based on two contrasting types of nuclear markers. Seven mixed stands of Quercus petraea and Quercus robur were analysed using six highly polymorphic and codominantly inherited microsatellite markers as well as 155 dominant AFLP markers. Genetic differentiation and genetic diversity within each population were assessed. The intra- and inter-locus variances were calculated, and the results were used to compare the genetic diversity between populations. Both classes of markers revealed similar results: the genetic diversity within population and the genetic differentiation among populations is greater in Q. petraea than in Q. robur. The genetic differentiation is generally higher when AFLP markers were used in comparison to microsatellites. For AFLPs, the inter-locus variance is always much higher than the intra-locus variance, and explains why it was not possible to distinguish populations using this marker system. Finally, no significant positive correlation was found between the level of within-population diversity assessed with the two markers.
The fine structure of the male gamete of Ectocarpus siliculosus (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae). I. General structure of the cell

The ultrastructure of male gametes of Ectocarpus siliculosus is described and discussed in relation to the information available on other brown algal zoids. In general, the fine structure and the organelle associations agree with those of other brown algal cells. In particular, the male gametes typically contain a single chloroplast with a pyrenoid and a prominent concave eyespot, into which the swelling of the posterior flagellum (the photoreceptor) fits. The continuity of the chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear membrane, as well as the presence of a perinuclear Golgi consisting of several dictyosomes, is shown. The fine structure of microbodies, lipid bodies and different types of vesicles, including physodes and coated vesicles, is also discussed. Several specializations of cellular elements and their interactions are unique and have not been reported before. These features include the connection between the nuclear envelope, the Golgi and the flagellar bases mediated by fibres resembling int.
Effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the physiological and biochemical changes of five different tree seedlings grown under nursery conditions

The symbiotic association between certain plants and microorganisms plays an important role in soil fertilization, and improves their growth and mineral nutrition. The symbiotic association between vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and roots provides a significant contribution to plant nutrition and growth. VAM mycelium in soil results in greater efficiency of nutrient absorption particularly for slowly diffusing mineral ions, especially phosphorous. The present investigation aims at studying the effects of VAM fungi on the physiological changes of the selected tree seedlings viz., Cassia siamea, Delonix regia, Erythrina variegata, Samanea saman and Sterculia foetida. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein, nitrate, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content increased in VAM fungus treated seedlings compared with non-mycorrhizal tree seedlings. The total soluble sugars and soluble starch contents in the leaves of all the selected tree species in the present study showed a decrease in mycorrhizal seedlings than non-mycorrhizal seedlings.
Production structure, factor substitution, technical change, and total factor productivity in the Canadian logging industry

The production structure of the Canadian logging industry is studied using duality theory in production and costs. An unrestricted translog cost function and nine restricted cost functions are each estimated simultaneously with the cost share equations using the Iterative Zellner method. The Allen and Morishima elasticities of substitution among pairs of inputs and price elasticities of factor demands are computed. The difference between the rate of technical change and the total factor productivity is discussed, and both are calculated. Finally, an average cost equation is calculated and the impacts of factor prices are determined. The results indicate that the production structure is homogeneous, but it is not subject to the unitary elasticity of substitution, Hickis neutral technical change, or no technical change. The Morishima elasticities indicate that the substitution of capital by labour or energy is easier than the substitution of labour or energy by capital. Substantial economies of scale are observed in the logging cost. In the rate of technical change, the acceleration term dominates the input factors contribution, and the rate of technical change is negative in all the years. In the total factor productivity growth, in most of the years, the rate of technical change dominates the scale effect. Average cost is the most sensitive to material price followed by labour price, and the least sensitive to energy price.
Follicular morphology in yak in early pregnancy

Summary The morphology of ovarian follicles of yak in early pregnancy was studied. The histological structure of ovaries of yak in early pregnancy was found to be similar with that of the cattle and the buffalo. The atresia of primordial follicles only took on the atretic oocytes characterized by chromatin agglomeration and cellular pyknosis. The atresia of growing follicles are divided into two stages of the early and late stages, characterized by the shrinking of oocytes, condensation of nuclei and plasmarrhexis of oocytes, with epithelial cells being separated from the wall and coming into antrum to form atretic bodies, respectively. The details of Graafian follicles atresia are described.
The phylogeographic architecture of the fucoid seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum: an intertidal ‘marine tree’ and survivor of more than one glacial–interglacial cycle

Aim Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis is a dominant fucoid seaweed occurring along sheltered, rocky shores throughout the North Atlantic (but not in the Pacific), where it is a foundational species of the intertidal community. Its large size and vulnerability to ice‐scour have led to the hypothesis that contemporary populations in the north‐west Atlantic may be the result of de novo recolonization from the north‐east Atlantic since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (c. 20 ka). We tested this hypothesis.
Dispersal of subadult moose (Alces alces) in a nonmigratory population

Dispersal of subadult moose (Alces alces) in a sedentary population in central Sweden was studied during 1983 – 1989 by radio-tracking individuals for up to 11 seasons after their abandonment by the cow. Linear distance between geometric centers of natal area and consecutive home ranges increased with time among males, but not by more than about 4 km. The main increase occurred in autumn, probably due to rutting activities. Females maintained a fairly consistent distance of approximately 1 km throughout the study period. Seasonal home range overlap of natal area was negatively correlated with time for both sexes, but the patterns in the decrease differed. For males, the overlap was 10–40% after the first year, whereas female home ranges never overlapped by less than 40%. Overlap of consecutive seasonal home ranges increased significantly with age in both sexes. Neither sex dispersed out of the study area, since the animals were highly philopatric. The absence of dispersal (high philopatry) in moose in Fen.
Environmental sex determination, external sex differentiation and structure of the androgenic gland in the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

Environmental eiects on sex determination in Litopenaeus vannamei were studied by rearing day 1 postlarvae at three temperatures, under three photoperiods, at high density and by starving. None of the environmental conditions aiected sex determination or diierential development of gender in this species. From day 50, the development of the endopodite of the ¢rst pair of pleopods revealed the ¢rst external diierentiation, showing a triangular structure with three setae in females, whereas a tubular structure remained in males. Juvenile shrimp sex diierentiation took place from days 50^90, independent of size, only if postlarvae reached a development threshold of 150 mg of body weight and 20 mm of body length previously. Histology and scanning electron microscopy of the vas deferens revealed that the androgenic gland (AG) is a single 2-mm cord attached in the subterminal ejaculatory region, just before the distal vas deferens narrows. The AG is composed of large oval cells containing vacuolated cytoplasm, and each cell has a prominent rounded nucleus, similar to all descriptions of the AG in Malacostracans, so we assume that it should have the same function in sex diierentiation.
Effects of freshwater availability on the summer distribution of otters Lutra lutra in the southwest coast of Portugal

The availability of freshwater has been suggested to strongly influence the distribution of coastal otters Lutra lutra. The test this hypothesis, a study was undertaken on the relationships between otter distribution and freshwater availability in a coast where freshwater is a very scarce resource during the summer. In this area otters occur mostly in a few small coastal streams but feed largely in the sea. Twentynine streams were surveyed in the summer of 1990, and the presence/absence of otter signs was related to nine habitat variables. Freshwater availability was found to be the most important factor influencing the occurrence of otters in summer. It is suggested that otters favour large streams with good vegetation cover, for these are the most likely to maintain frestwater during the dry periods. The distribution of otter signs in streams was also analysed, and it was found that signs tend to concentrate particularly near the mouth of the streams. This habitat analysis has some conservation implications, indicating that the decrease of freshwater availability or quality of streams can make these unsuitable for otters, severely decreasing the areas suitable for the species in the southwest coast of Portugal.
Effect of Gamma Rays in Induced Morphological Mutants on M2 Generation of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Var K1

The present study was carried out to induce morphological mutation in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) var k1. The seeds were subjected to different treatment levels of gamma rays are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70Kr along with control. The treated and untreated seeds were raised in a randomized block design to observe the different morphological characters in M2 generation. Several unique and interesting mutants were isolated in this investigation, these independent mutants have differ from control, the most distinct mutants included tall, dwarf, bushy, flower, sterile and pod mutant, was observed in M2 generation.
The Impact of CO2 Enrichment on Water Relations in Maranthes corymbosa and Eucalyptus tetrodonta

Seeds of Maranthes corymbosa Blume and Eucalyptus tetrodonta F.Muell were sown under ambient or CO2 enriched conditions (two replicate tents per treatment) in tropical Australia and allowed to grow, rooted in the ground, for 20 months. For both species, periodic measurements of leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and leaf temperature were made on four replicate leaves on each of four replicate trees within each tent. Measurements were made in November (M. corymbosa) and June (E. tetrodonta). At the same time, atmospheric wet and dry bulb temperatures were recorded and hence leaf-to-air vapour presure difference (LAVPD) calculated. Measurements of pre-dawn leaf water potential were also made on E. tetrodonta. Leaves were also taken to the laboratory, rehydrated to full turgor and pressure-volume analyses undertaken. For M. corymbosa, leaf water potential was lower throughout the day for control leaves compared to leaves growing in CO2 enriched air. Similarly, pre dawn leaf water potential was lower for control E. tetrodonta trees than for trees grown with CO2 enrichment. However, mid-morning and mid-afternoon values of leaf water potential for E. tetrodonta were slightly lower for plants growing in CO2 enriched air compared to control plants. In both species, stomatal conductance was consistently lower for trees grown in CO2 enriched air than for controls. Whole plant hydraulic conductivity of both species was significantly lower for trees grown in CO2 enriched air than for control trees. For both species, maximum turgor and bulk volumetric elastic modulus increased and osmotic potential at zero turgor decreased for trees grown in CO2 enriched air.
Estimates of juvenile and adult raggedtooth shark (Carcharias taurus) abundance along the east coast of South Africa

A Cormack-Jolly-Seber model was developed to estimate abundance, survival, and probability of capture for juvenile ( 1.8 m TL) raggedtooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) along the east coast of South Africa. Model estimates were adjusted to account for tag loss, nonreporting, and after release mortality. The model was constructed using mark-recapture data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum cooperative tagging programs from 1984 to 2004. The adjusted estimate for juvenile survival was 0.56 and that for adult survival was 0.89. The adjusted estimate of probability of capture for juvenile sharks ranged from 0.06 to 0.17, while that for adult sharks was from 0.02 to 0.04. The mean annual abundance of juvenile sharks was 6800 (coefficient of variation, CV = 13%) and adult sharks 16 700 (CV = 9%). The accumulated effect of tag loss, nonreporting, and after release mortality were to reduce the overall estimate of juvenile and adult abundance by ap- proximately 50%. The adjusted estimate of population size for both juvenile and adult sharks over the last decade appears to have remained constant (P > 0.05).