Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The comparison of sheep-tick populations (Ixodes ricinus L.)

Experiments in sheep-tick control require the comparison of tick counts on sheep pastured on an infested grazing or on a blanket dragged over the grazing. The former should include only attached females on axillae, forearms, head, neck and chest. The distribution of tick counts on a group of sheep is in general not fitted by the normal distribution, nor, although it is positively skewed, by the Poisson. There is evidence that the distribution could be derived from a population distributed according to a negative binomial. Unless the data are more than ordinarily skewed (in which case, a ‘normalizing’ square-root transformation may be necessary), the best available method for comparing mean tick counts on sheep is the direct t-test using actual tick numbers. Within the range 0.3–103.7 ticks per sheep, the regression of standard deviations on means is linear and was calculated as 5=0.477x+1.246 For estimating the significance of small differences between dips or ground population densities, tick counts on groups of five sheep are inadequate. Groups of twenty or more sheep should be employed according to the magnitude of the difference required to be proved significant. For showing the trend, only, of tick activity throughout a season on a particular section of land weekly counts on ten sheep are adequate provided the same ten sheep are always used. The sources of the large variation in the tick counts of individual sheep are pointed out, with suggestions as to how this variation may be reduced. In blanket dragging, counts of nymphs are best for estimating population densities. Drags may be. limited to 25 yd. A differential equation is given whereby the nymphs lost in the course of a drag are taken into account. This does not surmount the difficulty that uniformity of vegetation surface influences the efficiency of the blanket, which should therefore be used for comparisons only when the vegetation surfaces are of similar uniformity. A worn blanket picks up fewer ticks than a less worn blanket. The distribution of nymphal blanket counts is similar to that of female tick counts on sheep in that it is not in agreement with the Poisson law although positively skewed. It is in closer, though far from satisfactory, agreement with a ‘contagious’ distribution. Because of the effect of changing meteorological conditions on tick activity, the densities of tick population (tick activities) on different plots must be compared by dragging the plots simultaneously. A virgin stretch of ground is necessary for each drag in each season. In such comparisons, the precision can more easily be increased by increasing the number of ‘occasions’ (days) of simultaneous draggings than by increasing the number of drags per ‘occasion’. Two, or three, drags per plot are sufficient provided the number of, ‘occasions’ is not less than 20. The significance of plot differences in density may be calculated from the analysis of variance of drags. For plots less than 3 acres, the blanket method is easier; for large areas, especially with varied vegetation cover, tick counts on sheep are preferable.
Monitoring digestibility of forages for herbivores: a new application for an old approach

Ruminant populations are often limited by how well individuals are able to acquire nutrients for growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Nutrient supply to the animal is dictated by the concentration of nutrients in feeds and the efficiency of digesting those nutrients (i.e., digestibility). Many different methods have been used to measure digestibility of forages for wild herbivores, all of which rely on collecting rumen fluid from animals or incubation within animals. Animal-based methods can provide useful estimates, but the approach is limited by the expense of fistulated animals, wide variation in digestibility among animals, and contamination from endogenous and microbial sources that impairs the estimation of nutrient digestibility. We tested an in vitro method using a two-stage procedure using purified enzymes. The first stage, a 6 h acid–pepsin treatment, was followed by a combined 72 h amylase–cellulase or amylase–Viscozyme treatment. We then validated our estimates using in sacco and in vivo met.
Root Development of Nitrogen Catch Crops and of a Succeeding Crop of Broccoli

Abstract The root development of seven catch crop species, and of a broccoli crop following catch crops, was followed by a minirhizotron technique. Large differences in root growth patterns were found among the catch crops. Fodder radish already had a rooting depth of 112 cm 49 days after sowing, whereas Italian ryegrass did not reach this depth until 175 days after sowing. The catch crops with a fast establishment of deep rooting also reduced the mineral nitrogen content in the subsoil most. Broccoli showed a significantly higher root density in the subsoil when grown after narrow-leaved lupin and lower after winter rape than where no catch crop had been grown. The main reason for these differences appeared to be the distribution of mineral nitrogen in the soil.
Mathematical models in percutaneous absorption

A number of mathematical models have been used to describe percutaneous absorption kinetics. In general, most of these models have used either diffusion-based or compartmental equations. The object of any mathematical model is to a) be able to represent the processes associated with absorption accurately, b) be able to describe/summarize experimental data with parametric equations or moments, and c) predict kinetics under varying conditions. However, in describing the processes involved, some developed models often suffer from being of too complex a form to be practically useful. In this chapter, we attempt to approach the issue of mathematical modeling in percutaneous absorption from four perspectives. These are to a) describe simple practical models, b) provide an overview of the more complex models, c) summarize some of the more important/useful models used to date, and d) examine sonic practical applications of the models. The range of processes involved in percutaneous absorption and considered in developing the mathematical models in this chapter is shown in Fig. 1. We initially address in vitro skin diffusion models and consider a) constant donor concentration and receptor conditions, b) the corresponding flux, donor, skin, and receptor amount-time profiles for solutions, and c) amount- and flux-time profiles when the donor phase is removed. More complex issues, such as finite-volume donor phase, finite-volume receptor phase, the presence of an efflux. rate constant at the membrane-receptor interphase, and two-layer diffusion, are then considered. We then look at specific models and issues concerned with a) release from topical products, b) use of compartmental models as alternatives to diffusion models, c) concentration-dependent absorption, d) modeling of skin metabolism, e) role of solute-skin-vehicle interactions, f) effects of vehicle loss, a) shunt transport, and h) in vivo diffusion, compartmental, physiological, and deconvolution models. We conclude by examining topics such as a) deep tissue penetration, b) pharmacodynamics, c) iontophoresis, d) sonophoresis, and e) pitfalls in modeling.
Effect of Temperature on Development and Fecundity of the Brown Mite, Bryobia rubrioculus Scheuten (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The brown mite, Bryobia rubrioculus Scheuten thrives on sweet cherry, sour cherry and plum orchards of Hamedan in the western region of Iran. Development and fecundity of this mite was studied on sweet cherry at nine constant temperatures (15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5 and 35 °C), 60 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (light:dark). The developmental time from egg to adult ranged from 43.4 ± 0.63 days at 15 °C to 14.5 ± 0.37 days at 32.5 °C. The average longevity of adult females was 14.0 ± 0.88 days at 15 °C to 6.5 ± 0.67 days at 32.5 °C The highest and lowest mean number of eggs laid by a female during life time was 13.8 ± 1.07 and 4.4 ± 0.88 at 20 and 32.5 °C, respectively. These results may be used to predict B. rubrioculus development and population fluctuations.
Relações interespecíficas entre parasitoides nativos de moscas-das-frutas e o braconídeo exótico Diachasmimorpha longicaudata em frutos de 'umbu-cajá'

Wasps parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) biological control important agents. This study aimed to know the effects of the release and interspecific competitive relationships of the exotic parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the native parasitoid complex of fruit flies in Spondias spp. in the region of Reconcavo Baiano. From April to July of 2006, 8.955 fruits (192.93kg) were collected before and after (24 and 48 hours) release of 9.600 females of D. longicaudata. Exactly 8.724 Tephritidae pupae were obtained, of which 3.963 Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) adults and 1.115 parasitoids of Braconidae family emerged. Three species of opiinae were identified before releasing. The higher relative frequency was of Doryctobracon areolatus (Szepligeti), followed by Asobara Anastrephae (Muesebeck) and Utetes Anastrephae (Viereck). 24 and 48 hours after release the exotic parasitoid D. longicaudata on the field, the parasitism rate increased from 15.86% to 20.42% and 45.19%, respectively. It was found that the release of exotic species D. longicaudata has no negative effects on the occurrence of native parasitoids and helps to complement the natural biological control of A. obliqua in fruits of 'umbu-caja' conditions of this study.
The role of nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and abiotic factors in the etiology of apple replant problems in the Granite Belt of Queensland

Investigations of apple replant failure in the Granite Belt suggested that the problem had a complex etiology. Soil fertility was an important factor because apple seedlings grew best in replant soils with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Consistent improvements in the growth of apple seedlings were obtained when typical orchard soils were treated with fenamiphos, confirming that lesion nematode was also an important component of the disease complex. Pratylenchus penetrans had been recognised as a pathogen of apples, and pathogenicity tests showed that P. jordanensis, another species widely distributed in the Granite Belt, had similar effects. Growth responses of apple seedlings were greater when soil was pasteurised than when it was treated with fenamiphos, suggesting that root pathogens other than nematodes were involved in apple replant failure. However, the primary cause probably differed between orchards because soils did not respond in the same manner to pasteurisation and nematicide treatments. Pathogenicity tests with 14 bacteria associated with apple roots showed no effect on the growth of apple seedlings. However, Fusarium tricinctum, Cylindrocarpon destructans, and Pythium sp. were implicated in the problem because they were consistently recovered from discoloured roots. In a factorial experiment involving nematodes and fungi in pots, P. jordanensis, P. penetrans, E. tricinctum, and C. destructans reduced the dry weight of apple roots but there was no interaction between nematodes and fungi.
Two apparently unrelated groups of symbiotic annelids, Nautiliniellidae and Calamyzidae (Phyllodocida, Annelida), are a clade of derived chrysopetalid polychaetes

Nautiliniellidae Miura and Laubier, 1989 is a small family of marine polychaetes with 20 currently described species in 11 genera, most of which are known to live symbiotically in the mantle cavity of bivalves, mainly from cold seeps and hydrothermal vents, while Calamyzidae (Hartmann‐Schröder, 1971) including only one described species, Calamyzas amphictenicola Arwidsson 1932 lives as an ectoparasite on ampharetid polychaetes in Swedish waters. Nautiliniellidae and Calamyzidae have both been considered to belong to Phyllodocida, but the few phylogenetic studies including these taxa have found their positions unstable. The internal relationships within Nautiliniellidae are also poorly understood. Using molecular information from both nuclear and mitochondrial genes and morphological data we assessed the systematic placement of Nautiliniellidae (seven species; collected from Pacific hydrothermal vents and cold seeps and one from Atlantic waters) and Calamyzas amphictenicola. Our results show that C. amphictenicola and Nautiliniellidae formed a well‐supported clade that is nested within Chrysopetalidae, a free‐living group of polychaetes. The chrysopetalid genus Vigtorniella Kiseleva 1992; a bacterial mat grazer found at methane seeps, anoxic basins and whalefalls, formed a paraphyletic grade with respect to the Nautiliniellidae–Calamyzas clade. The internal relationships within the Nautiliniellidae–Calamyzas clade as well as the relationships with their hosts are also examined. As a result we synonymize Calamyzidae and Nautiliniellidae with Chrysopetalidae, with the last as the oldest available family‐group name. Within Chrysopetalidae we refer to the subfamilies Chrysopetalinae Ehlers 1864; Dysponetinae Aguado, Nygren & Rouse, herein; and Calamyzinae Hartmann‐Schröder, 1971. Calamyzinae contains C. amphictenicola, all taxa formerly in Nautiliniellidae, and the chrysopetalid genus Vigtorniella.
Efeitos de carga animal, pastagem melhorada e da idade de desmame no comportamento reprodutivo de vacas primíparas

Ninety two primiparous cows at three years old (46 Braford - 46 Hereford), were assigned to stocking rates (SR) of 240 kg/ha (T1) and 320 kg/ha (T2) on natural pasture, from 09.01. 00 to 03.06. 01, or 400 kg/ha (T3) on improved pasture of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) during 80 days postpartum, and after, at same SR of T2 on natural pasture until the conventional weaning (CW; 03.06.01). The breeding season was from 11.23. 00 until 02.15. 01. Early weaning (EW) was imposed to 46 cows in 01.01. 01. Live weights at calving (LWC), beginning (LWB) and at the end of the breeding season (LWE) were not affected by the treatments. Treatments affected significantly the body condition at calving (BCC), beginning (BCI) and at the end of the breeding season (BCE). The Braford cows had higher LWC, LWB and LWE than the Hereford cows. The pregnancy rate (PR), calving interval (CI) and calving-conception interval (CCI) were not affected by EW. PR was not affected by the treatments (T1= 93.8%; T2= 90.6%; T3= 100%), neither by EW (EW= 97.8%; CW= 91.3%). However, at 21 days after the beginning of the breeding season, 15.6 and 17.9% of the cows in T1 and T3, respectively, were pregnant, while none cow (0.0%) in T2 was pregnant. At 42 days after the beginning of the breeding season, 46.9 and 71.4% of the cows in T1 and T3 were pregnant, respectively, and 37.5% of the cows in T2. Cows on T3 had CI (386.8 days) and CCI (101.8 days) shorter than cows on T2 (399.0 and 114.0 days, respectively). Cows on T1 had intermediary CI (390.9 days) and CCI (105.9 days), being similar to T2 and T3.
Long‐term change in vegetation and soil microbial communities during the phased restoration of traditional meadow grassland

1. Restoration of high plant species diversity to sites where it has been reduced by intensive grassland management requires identification of appropriate management regimes. Understanding the combinatorial effects of management on above-ground vegetation and below-ground microbial communities will inform management prescriptions on how best to increase plant diversity, restore rare vegetation types and achieve agri-environmental objectives. 2. Changes in vegetation and soil microbial community structure are described from the second phase of a 1990-2004 field trial that investigated the interacting effects of fertilizer and farmyard manure (FYM) treatments imposed after 1998, in the context of previous hay-cut date and seed-addition treatments. 3. Hay-cut date was the main factor influencing plant species composition in phase 1, whereas FYM was the dominant factor in phase 2. 4. Poa trivialis and Lolium perenne increased in abundance with FYM application, particularly in combination with mineral fertilizer, and particularly in 2002 after the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic. The lowest Ellenberg fertility scores were associated with absence of FYM and mineral fertilizer but with addition of seed. 5. The highest plant species diversity in phase 2 was associated with seed addition and the absence of mineral fertilizer, an effect that had probably persisted from phase 1. Progressive development of the target traditional meadow vegetation occurred through phase 2. 6. Fungal:bacterial (F:B) ratios, a measure of changes in the relative abundance of fungi and bacteria in the microbial community, generally increased from 1996 to 2004, and were particularly high in the seed-addition treatments and in the absence of fertilizer. Here the high F:B ratios were associated with species (including legumes) typical of traditionally managed mesotrophic grassland in northern England. 7. Synthesis and applications. These results demonstrate that biodiversity goals for upland meadows need to plan beyond the typical 5-10-year management agreement period of agri-environment schemes. Combination treatments, in which seed addition is vital, alongside appropriate fertilizer, FYM, hay-cut date and grazing regimes, are needed for grassland restoration. However, even after 14 years the most effective treatment combinations had still not restored the target species composition and diversity. The demonstrated change in soil microbial communities, linked to the growth of legumes, might be important to facilitate future increases in plant diversity.
VERTICAL GROWTH RESPONSE OF PONDEROSA PINE INFESTED BY WESTERN PINE SHOOT BORER, EUCOSMA SONOMANA KEARFOTT (LEPIDOPTERA: OLETHREUTIDAE)

Abstract Incidence of the western pine shoot borer, Eucosma sonomana Kearfott, and tree growth measurements from 5687 ponderosa pines, Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. , were recorded in the Calf Pen plantation Payette National Forest, ID. The percentage of trees infested by shoot borer generally increased as tree height increased. Infestation of the tree’s leader usually resulted in reduced height growth especially where needle length was shortened in the leader. Height growth of infested leaders was less than uninfested leaders. This difference in height growth increased with the total height of the tree as measured in the previous year. Résumé La présence du perce-pousse occidental du pin, Eucosma sonomana Kearfott, a été enregistrée et des mesures de croissance ont été prises sur 5687 pins ponderosa, Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. , dans la plantation Calf Pen du Payette National Forest, ID. Le pourcentage d’arbres infestés par le perce-pousse a généralement augmenté au fur et à mesure que la croissance de l’arbre a augmenté. L’infestation de la branche principale a généralement résulté en une croissance verticale réduite, particulièrement lorsque les aiguilles de la branche principale étaient courtes. La croissance verticale de branches principales infestées a été inférieure à celle de branches principales non-infestées. Cette différence au niveau de la croissance verticale a augmenté avec la hauteur totale de l’arbre telle que mesurée l’année précédente.
Smooth pigweed interference in newly planted peach trees

The effect of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) on the growth of newly planted peach (Prunis persica [L.] Batsch var. Persica) trees was investigated at the Rutgers Research and Development Center, Bridgeton, NJ, in 1985 and 1986. Intraspecific and interspecific competition were evaluated for two consecutive years. Full season weed interference treatments at 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 weeds/sq yd were established in May, and compared with populations of 2 weeds/sq yd established in June, July, or August. Intraspecific competition occurred in full season weed populations both years. Weed dry weights per plant decreased as the weed population increased in 1985. Both weed height and dry weight were lower in 1986, however, weed height increased as the population increased [. ]
Efecto Toxicológico del "Sachayoco", Paullinia clavigera (Sapindaceae) sobre Daphnia magna y sobre Dos Controladores Biológicos de Plagas Agrícolas

Toxicological effect of soapberry, Paullinia clavigera (Sapindaceae) on Daphnia magna and on two biological control of agriculture pests Soapberry, Paullinia clavigera Simpson (Sapindaceae) is used as a craft insecticide in Peruvian Amazon. The aim of the current research was to evaluate the toxicological effect of P. clavigera proceeding of Pucallpa, Peru, on Daphnia magna Strauss, 1820 (Crustacea: Daphniidae), and on two biological controls of agriculture pests: Copidosoma koehleri Blanchard, 1940 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and Chrysoperla externa (Hagen 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). In D. magna (LC 50 at 48 h exposure), the highest effects were found with leaves (LC 50 = 237 mg L –1 ) and stem cortex (LC 50 = 398 mg L –1 ) chlorophormic extracts. In C. koehleri (LC 50 at 48 h exposure and emergence of adults), only hexanic extracts of leaves (LC 50 = 145 mg L –1 ; 38.9%) and stem cortex (LC 50 = 298.6 mg L –1 ; 16.8%) produced effects on mortality and emergency of adults, respectively. Toxicological effects of stem cortex chlorophormic botanic extracts on larvae of C. externa (at 96 h of exposure) were not found. Leaves and stem cortex ethanolic extracts had the most potential for use in an integrated pest management (IPM) because they were less toxicand selective to biological control and for D. magna in the freshwater environment.
Floral Development and Phylogenetic Position of Schismatoglottis (Araceae)

In the inflorescence of Schismatoglottis, atypical sterile flowers are present between the male and female zones. Contrary to what occurs in Cercestis and Philodendron, where the atypical flowers are bisexual, in Schismatoglottis the atypical flowers consist of aberrant male or female flowers. These atypical unisexual flowers have different forms depending on their position in the inflorescence. The atypical flowers located near the male zone share characteristics with staminate flowers, and those located near the female zone have features in common with pistillate flowers. The developmental pathway of atypical flowers in Schismatoglottis is already channeled in the direction of female or male flowers before the appearance of aberrant appendages. Interpistillar sterile structures located in the female zone correspond to modified female flowers. The systematic position of Schismatoglottis is not fully resolved on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 45 genera of Araceae, on the basis of chloroplast trnL intron and trnL‐F intergenic spacer sequences. The floral ontogenetic pattern in Schismatoglottis represents a different pathway in the evolution of unisexual flowers in the subfamily Aroideae.
Plant growth in controlled environments as an adjunct to field studies experimental application and results

1. Field studies on Impatient parviflora DC. in shaded situations indicated the need for experimental investigation of the effects on growth of varying single factors of the aerial environment in otherwise constant conditions. 2. The use of cabinets which allow accurate control of the aerial environment for studies in physiology, morphogenesis, pathology and plant selection is discussed. 3. By comparison of the development and assimilatory ability of the leaves of I. parviflora, it is shown that plants may be grown in wholly artificial conditions which are substantially identical with those grown under comparable conditions out of doors.