Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The need for genetic support in restocking activities and ex situ conservation programmes: the case of the Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte, 1836) in the Ticino River Park

Summary The Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte, 1836), endemic to the North Adriatic region, was recently reclassified by IUCN as ‘Critically endangered and possibly extinct in the wild’ since no natural spawning has been recorded in the last 20 years. Its survival relies on restocking activities originating from a single captive broodstock collected by a private aquaculture plant (V.I.P.) in the 1970s and is currently reduced to 13 individuals. Few alternative brood-stocks of F1 animals have been retained for use in the near future. Thus far, brood-stocks, as well as all stocks released in the wild, have been randomly chosen without regard to their genetic composition. The consequence of breeding programmes with no genetic input was evaluated in the Ticino River Park (TRP) in Italy. A parental allocation procedure based on microsatellite markers useful for tetraploids was used following a Band-Sharing approach. Levels of relatedness within the TRP F1 captive breeders (Stock_1) and among animals released by TRP in the past (Stock_2) were explored and compared with the stock of wild origin. The pronounced decrease in genetic diversity observed in the analysed sample suggests the need for complete reorganization and coordination of conservation efforts for this species, paying particular attention to the long-term preservation of the genetic diversity. Also identified is the only potentially suitable stock of F1 animals that should be used as source of future breeders.
Developmental Regulation of Low-temperature Tolerance in Winter Wheat

Vernalization and photoperiod genes have wide-ranging eAects on the timing of gene expression in plants. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine if expression of low-temperature (LT) tolerance genes is developmentally regulated and (2) establish the interrelationships among the developmental stages and LT tolerance gene expression. LT response curves were determined for three photoperiod-sensitive LT tolerant winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) genotypes acclimated at 4 8C under 8 h short-day (SD) and 20 h long-day (LD) photoperiods from 0 to 112 d. Also, three de-acclimation and re-acclimation cycles were used that bridged the vegetative/reproductive transition point for each LD and SD photoperiod treatment. A vernalization period of 49 d at 4 8C was suAcient for all genotypes to reach vernalization saturation as measured by minimum final leaf number (FLN) and confirmed by examination of shoot apices dissected from crowns that had been de-acclimated at 20 8C LD. Before the vegetative/reproductive transition, both the LD- and SD-treated plants were able to re-acclimate to similar LT50 (temperature at which 50% of the plants are killed by LT stress) levels following de-acclimation at 20 8C. De-acclimation of LD plants after vernalization saturation resulted in rapid progression to the reproductive phase and limited ability to re-acclimate. The comparative development of the SD (non-flowering-inductive photoperiod) de-acclimated plants was greatly delayed relative to LD plants, and this delay in development was reflected in the ability of SD plants to re-acclimate to a lower temperature. These observations confirm the hypothesis that the point of transition to the reproductive stage is pivotal in the expression of LT tolerance genes, and the level and duration of LT acclimation are related to the stage of phenological development as regulated by vernalization and photoperiod requirements. # 2001 Annals of Botany Company
MD 400: LHC emittance growth in presence of an external source of noise during collision

The interplay between head-on beam-beam interaction and external sources of noise can be a significant source of emittance growth, especially when considering large beam-beam tune shifts as for the HL-LHC upgrade project. In this experiment the emittance growth of colliding bunches with different brightness and therefore different beam-beam parameters in the presence of an external white noise source with different amplitudes is measured for different gains of the transverse feedback.
Humans as predators on rocky reefs in new south wales australia

Multifactorial sampling designs were used to describe the activities of humans on rocky reefs. Intensive s tudes around Sydney and broad scale surveys along 1000 km of the coast of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, recorded the amount of fish and exploitation of intertidal organisms by humans. Sparid and girellid fish were taken in large numbers by fishermen. Intertidal ascidians, crabs and gastropods were primarily used by fishermen as bait. The activity of humans affecting the shore was greatest from late morning to dusk on weekdays and weekends of school holidays. No major effects of tide were detected. Numbers of people affecting or not affecting the shore (e.g. sunbathers and walkers) were greatest in summer. The distribution of fishermen was patchy on scales of 50 and 100 m and the effects of fishlng and gathering bait may therefore be concentrated in particular small areas. Broadscale surveys along the coast of NSW in summer and winter detected no differences, in numbers of people affecting the shore, between widely separated locations at varying distances from highly populated areas. People in NSW are probably sufficiently mobile to create this pattern. Large differences were found among sites separated by 1 to 10 km at each location along the coast of NSW. Humans have a potentially important direct effect on populations of organisms and indirect effects on structure of inshore assemblages of species. Multiple sanctuaries are recommended to determine the effect of exploitation by humans. Moreover, additional informahon is required on the ecology of species particularly subject to predation by humans.
INFLUÊNCIA DA REDUÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE DE ÁGUA, ADIÇÃO DE CONSERVANTES E BRANQUEAMENTO NA PRESERVAÇÃO DA POLPA DE BACURI POR MÉTODOS COMBINADOS

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os parâmetros tecnicos para conservacao da polpa de bacuri ( Platonia insignis Mart.) pela aplicacao de metodos combinados. Os principais obstaculos utilizados foram pH de 3,12 (proprio da fruta), adicao de benzoato de sodio (0, 500, 750 e 1000 ppm) e metabissulfito de sodio (0, 200 e 400 ppm), branqueamento a 100oC por 0, 2 e 3 minutos, alem de reducao da atividade de agua (Aa) pela adicao de (0%, 17,44% e 28,66%) sacarose para obtencao de Aa 0,98, 097 e 0,95 que caracterizam alimentos auto-estaveis. Apos sete dias de armazenagem a concentracao de 1000 ppm de benzoato de sodio apresentou as melhores respostas na inibicao do desenvolvimento microbiano em todas as amostras analisadas. Com o mesmo tempo de armazenagem as amostras branqueadas por 2 e 3 minutos apresentaram significativas reducoes na tendencia ao escurecimento e na contagem de bacterias mesofilas aerobias e de bolores e leveduras quando comparadas com a amostra controle. A concentracao de 400 ppm de metabissulfito de sodio apresentou maior estabilizacao da cor apos vinte dias de armazenagem em temperatura ambiente nas tres Aa selecionadas. INFLUENCE OF WATER ACTIVITY REDUCTION, PRESERVATIVES ADDITION AND BLANCHING OF BACURY PULP BY COMBINED METHODS Abstract The objective of this work was to determine technical parameters for bacuri ( Platonia insignis Mart.) by the application of combined methods. The main obstacles utilized were pH of 3.12 (own of the fruit), addition of sodium benzoate (0, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm) and sodium metabisulfide (0, 200 and 400 ppm), blanching at 100o C for 0, 2 and 3 minutes, besides the reduction of water activity (Aw) by the addition of (0, 17.44 and 28.66%) of saccharose for the obtention of Aw 0.98, 0.97 and 0.95 that characterize shelf stable foods. After seven days of storage a concentration of 1000 ppm of sodium benzoate presented the best responses in the inhibition of microbial growth in all analyzed samples. With the same storage period the blanching samples for 2 and 3 minutes presented significant browning reduction and mesophilic aerobic bacteria and of moulds and yeasts when compared to the control sample. The concentration of 400 ppm of sodium metabisulfide presented higher color stabilization after twenty days of storage at room temperature on three Aw selected.
Morphological Description of the Cephalic Region of Bagrus Docmac, With a Reflection On Bagridae (Teleostei: Siluriformes) Autapomorphies

The cephalic structures of Bagrus docmac (Forsskal 1775) are described and compared with those of other bagrids and out-group siluroids as the foundation for a phylogenetic analysis of the Bagridae autapomorphies. From the six characters usually accepted in the literature as bagrid autapomorphies - prominent posterior process of the posttemporal; presence of a retractor posttemporalis muscle; large heavily ossified posttemporal; well-developed posttemporal fossa with a postero-lateral exit; thickened dorso-medial limb of the posttemporal; large, crescentic vomerine head - only the first five can be considered as such, since the shape of the vomer is quite similar to that in some other out-group catfishes. However, one other morphological feature is shown to be a bagrid autapomorphy: the differentiation of the adductor mandibulae A3'-d into a large and a small sub-division, inserted on the posterior and postero-dorsal edges of the coronomeckelian bone, respectively. Bagridae autapomorphies are very likely related to the production of sound and to the reinforcement of the efficiency of mouth closure, and may explain the biological success of bagrids among Ancient World catfishes, and, particularly, on the Asiatic continent.
Direct canopy nitrogen uptake from 15N-labeled wet deposition by mature red spruce

We applied 15N-labeled ammonium and nitrate to individual branches of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) to examine the importance of canopy N assimilation in the field. Levels of labeled N were highest in the youngest foliage and youngest twigs, and twig ammonium assimilation exceeded nitrate assimilation. Approximately 5% of the ammonium and 1% of the nitrate applied to each branch was assimilated; because of throughfall interactions with multiple branches, canopy assimilation rates are expected to be 3–6 times larger. Twig 15N levels exceeded foliar levels for the younger age-classes in the ammonium-labeled treatments, suggesting that twigs play an important role in ammonium assimilation. Comparisons of these results with data from trees that assimilated 15N through their roots showed that the pattern of canopy N assimilation differs from root assimilation, primarily by the assimilation of large amounts of N by twigs. Our results directly demonstrate for the first time that canopy assimilation is a pathway.
GROWTH RATES OF THE SARDINES, SARDINELLA ALBELLA (VAL.) AND S. GIBBOSA (BLEEK.), IN THE MANDAPAM AREA

The monthly mean lengths of the 0-year-classes of S. albella and 5'. gibbosa were estimated for the Palk Bay seasons of 1952-56. They indicated that, for the greater part of the Pallc Bay season, the length of each species increased at a decreasing rate. But towards the end of the season it appeared to increase at an increasing rate. The von Bertalanffy equation was litted to the former part, the growth curve so obtained was extrapolated to the latter part of the season also, and the observed and expected mean lengths were compared. It was seen that the differences in the rate of change of the monthly mean lengths between years were statistically non-significant.
Comparison of soil quality parameters under different land use and management systems in the highlands of Ethiopia

In response to the prevailing low soil pH and associated problems in the highlands of Ethiopia, conversions ofnatural vegetations and agricultural lands to other land use and management systems have been in practice sinceseveral decades. A study was conducted to compare several soil physical, chemical and biological propertiesunder three land use (grassland, cropland, eucalyptus) and two management systems (limed land and fallowland) all existing adjacent to each other. Results showed that soil quality indicators were higher under grasslandthan under the other land uses and management systems considered. As compared to grassland a reduction of53, 45, 46 and 47% in soil organic carbon (SOC) was observed under cropland, eucalyptus, limed and fallowlands, respectively. However, cropland, eucalyptus and limed lands showed similar values for most of the soilchemical properties studied. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) werealso significantly higher under grassland, and significantly lower under fallow land. Soil depth only affectedavailable phosphorus, Mg 2+ , exchangeable acidity, ratios of MBC to SOC, and MBN to total nitrogen (TN). Therefore, our results suggest that SOC, MBC: SOC and MBN:TN could be considered to assess functionalcapacities of soils under soil acidity conditions in the highlands of Ethiopia.
Using Agent‐Based Models to Aid Reef Restoration: Enhancing Coral Cover and Topographic Complexity through the Spatial Arrangement of Coral Transplants

High coral cover and topographic complexity are favorable qualities of a healthy coral reef. Because coral reef restoration is expensive and coral growth is naturally slow, there is a need to strategically arrange coral transplants to maximize coral cover and topographic complexity. Similarly, it is important to understand how differences in the life history characteristics of coral transplants can influence changes in the structural attributes of coral reefs. This study utilizes agent‐based computer modeling to explore the different spatial scenarios of coral transplantation using corals with contrasting r‐ and K‐selected life histories. Spatial indexes are used to compare coral cover and topographic complexity at incremental time scales, within which disturbance events are of minor importance in spatial structuring. The outcomes of the model suggest that even‐spaced grided transplanting arrangements provide the fastest increase in coral cover and three‐dimensional habitat space (topographic complexity) across large temporal scales (<30 years) for corals with r‐selected life history strategies.
Phylogeny of the African ball-rolling dung beetle genus Epirinus Reiche (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae:Scarabaeinae)

Recent phylogenetic analyses have pointed to the dung beetle genus Epirinus as the putative African ancestral roller group. Consequently, we tested the roller status of species in the genus with observational studies and constructed a molecular phylogeny based on partial sequences of two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes for 16 of 29 species. Tested species were confirmed to be dung rollers. Monophyly of the genus was confirmed, lending support to the synonymy of the wingless genus Endroedyantus with Epirinus. Moreover, the phylogenetic hypothesis was found to have a similar topology with a previously published one based on morphological data. A combined molecular and morphology analysis showed congruence between the molecular and morphological datasets. The loss of flight in some species and estimated divergence dates within Epirinus are discussed.
Gender Inequity at Workplace in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions

Gender inequality amongst a sample of higher education faculty in Pakistan shows that just over one half work in institutions where females enjoy full gender equality. A three element model of female inequality has been tested by a questionnaire survey of 180 faculty staff to provide reliable and valid measures of the five aspects of the working environment of decision making, professional development, and utilization of resources, academic affairs and job satisfaction. Data was collected from ten public and private universities of Lahore through random sampling technique. Results indicated that only in decision making, do males dominate. This supports the hypothesis of real movement in Pakistani higher education in the direction intended by the adoption of national equality policies. Cluster analysis distinguishes between the majority of Equality Positivists, who see no discrimination, and four types of Gender Concerned, who react to discrimination differently in terms of the socio-cultural norms of a conservative, patriarchal society. The cluster types have been validated by interviewing a representative sequential sample of faculty. By locating responses within the three elements of the inequality model, validation is also provided for the model itself.
Mature digenetic trematodes from New Zealand octopuses.

Mature specimens of the digenetic trematode Plagioporus maorum Allison, 1966 are reported from the renal sacs of two species of octopuses from two localities in New Zealand: Octopus maorum from Kaikoura and Robsonella australis from near Portobello. Allison's finding of sexually mature worms in 0. maorum is thus confirmed. A new host and locality record, and certain morphological details are also included. In December 1964 and January 1965 a number of octopuses were examined for parasites at two locations in New Zealand: The Edward Percival Marine Laboratory, Kaikoura; and the Portobello Marine Laboratory, Portobello. The primary objective was to study dicyemid mesozoans and many were found, but a certain number of the hosts also harbored digenetic trematodes in the renal sacs and adjacent body regions. Since these worms, without exception, contained eggs in utero and were otherwise also apparently mature, the finding was considered of some interest. The worms therefore were fixed and stored for later
Competitiveness of Canada prairie spring wheats with wild oat (Avena fatua L.)

Three spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (Neepawa, a hard red spring, and HY320 and HY355 both Canada Prairie Spring wheats) were subjected to four levels of wild oat density at two locations over 4 yr to assess the effects of wild oat competition on biomass production, culm formation and yield. Wheat biomass and culm production were reduced at all wild oat density levels in each of the three cultivars. There were no significant differences among cultivars. In general, yields of all cultivars were reduced as wild oat density levels increased. Actual yield reductions at comparable wild oat densities tended to be greater at Regina than at Scott. There was a significant cultivar-by-density interaction for yield with yield reductions in HY320 > HY355 > Neepawa. Key words: Triticum aestivum, wheat (spring), wild oat density, competition, plant biomass, culms
Are distribution patterns linked to dispersal mechanism? An investigation using pond invertebrate assemblages

SUMMARY 1. Dispersal ability influences the distribution and abundance of organisms, but empirical investigations of the relationship between dispersal ability and the composition of ecological assemblages are scarce. Here, we compare between-site variation in the species richness and community composition of actively and passively dispersing pond invertebrates. 2. Coleoptera (active dispersers) and microcrustacea (passive dispersers) were sampled over a season from 16 ponds within a 4-km radius in south-west England. Species richness and community composition were related to environmental variables using regression and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), respectively. 3. Coleopteran species richness was significantly and positively correlated with pond permanence and maximum area, whereas microcrustacean species richness was relatively equal across sites and did not correlate with environmental variables. The frequency of species’ occurrence between sites was the same for both groups, which suggests that active and passive dispersers exhibited the same degree of dispersal. 4. Between-site variation in community composition was non-random for both groups, with pond permanence and area, together, explaining similar proportions of between-site variation for Coleoptera. Permanence was correlated most strongly with microcrustacean community composition and a high proportion (25%) of microcrustacean species were more numerous in smaller, more ephemeral ponds. 5. These data suggest that, at small spatial scales, Coleoptera which can undertake multiple dispersal events, are more likely to colonise large, more permanent ponds than passively dispersing microcrustacea. For microcrustacea, other traits (in this case those permitting existence in ephemeral habitats) may over-ride the influences of dispersal in driving between-site variation in species composition.
Incidence and Spoilage Potential of Isolates from Vacuum-packaged Meat of High pH Value

Meat of high pH value (6·6) showing dark-cutting characteristics was vacuum-packaged and stored for up to 8 weeks at 0–2°C. ‘Off’-odours were detected on opening the packages after 6 weeks of storage. Total counts at this stage were ca. 107/cm2 of which lactobacilli were the major component, with ca. 106/cm2 Gram negative organisms. Psychrotrophic Enterobacteriaceae represented a major proportion of the microflora only after the full 8 weeks of storage and were not detected previously. Aerobic storage of steaks cut from the vacuum packaged meat stored for 8 weeks resulted in a predominantly Gram negative spoilage flora. Inoculation studies on meat of normal pH value (5·4) and appearance using representative isolates from the vacuum-packaged meat microflora indicated that most of the test organisms were capable of causing spoilage under aerobic conditions but few under vacuum-packaging when incubated at 4°C. On meat of higher pH value (6·15) many of the Gram negative isolates did not grow as well, whereas the Gram positive isolates grew better than on meat of normal pH value when held under aerobic conditions. Under vacuum-packaging all but one isolate grew as well or better on meat of high pH value than on normal meat at 4°C and objectionable odours were more marked.
Electromyography for Experimentalists

The technique of electromyography, used to study the electrical currents generated by muscle action, has become invaluable to researchers in the biological, medical, and behavioral sciences. With it, the scientist can study the role of muscles in producing and controlling limb movement, eating, breathing, posture, vocalizations, and the manipulation of objects. However, many electromyographic techniques were developed in the clinical study of humans and are inappropriate for use in research on other organisms tadpoles, for example. This book, a complete and very practical hands-on guide to the theoretical and experimental requirements of electromyography, takes into account the needs of researchers across the sciences. "
A funnel trap for capture of small arboreal reptiles

Small arboreal reptiles can be difficult to capture, except in traps, and the physical trap characteristics, drift-fence and bait are critical factors that can influence the efficacy of any trap. We conducted experiments on marbled geckoes (Christinus marmoratus, Gekkonidae) and wall skinks (Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus, Scincidae) that examined bait preferences, attractiveness of different visual and acoustic cues and efficacy of different drift-fence materials to develop a trap for small arboreal reptiles. The experiments showed that both marbled geckos and wall skinks preferred crickets as bait, that wall skinks avoided darkness/cover and that both species had difficulty climbing flashing material covered in oil. This led us to develop an arboreal trap that was made from transparent material, used crickets as bait and had drift-fences constructed from flashing material. When used in the field, the final trap design was effective in capturing arboreal reptiles