Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do physical plant litter traits explain non‐additivity in litter mixtures? A test of the improved microenvironmental conditions theory

The decomposition rates of plant litter mixtures often deviate from the averaged rates of monocultures of their component litter species. The mechanisms behind these non-additive effects in decomposition of litter mixtures are lively debated. One plausible explanation for non-additive effects is given by the improved microenvironmental condition (IMC) theory. According to this theory, plant litter species, whose physical characteristics improve the microclimatic conditions for decomposers, will promote the decomposition of their co-occurring litter species. We tested the IMC theory in relation to leaf litter and soil moisture in two contrasting moisture conditions in a dry subarctic mountain birch forest with vascular plant leaf litters of poor and high quality. The non-additive effects in mass loss of litter mixtures increased when moisture conditions in litter and soil became more favourable for plant litter decomposition. The sign of this increase (antagonistic or synergistic) in non-additive effects was more predictable for litter mixtures of poor litter quality. Although the specific mechanisms underlying the IMC theory depended on the litter quality of the litter mixtures, a standardized water holding capacity (WHC) was the litter trait most closely related to the nonadditive effects in mixtures of both poor and high quality litter types. Furthermore, we found that higher dissimilarity in WHC traits between the component litter species in a mixture increased synergistic effects in litter mixtures under limiting moisture conditions. However, under improved moisture conditions, increased antagonistic effects were observed. Thus, we found clear support for the IMC theory and showed that climatic conditions and leaf litter physical traits determine whether the non-additive effects in litter mixtures are antagonistic or synergistic. Our study emphasizes the need to include litter physical traits into predictive models of mixing effects on plant litter decomposition and in general suggests climate specificity into these models.
Ungulates as model systems for the study of disease processes in natural populations

Parasites and pathogens are a fundamental driving force in the ecology and evolution of mammalian populations, and understanding disease processes in natural populations is an urgent priority in the face of increased rates of infectious disease emergence. In this review, we argue that mammalogists are uniquely placed to contribute to addressing these challenges because in-depth knowledge of mammal species is fundamental to the development of wild model systems that could accelerate discovery in disease ecology. The use of animal models—species for which a broad range of diagnostic, molecular, and genetic tools have been developed—in tightly controlled laboratory environments has been instrumental in driving progress in the biomedical sciences. However, in natural populations, disease processes operate in the context of enormous genetic, phenotypic, and environmental variability. Understanding diseases in animal populations (including humans) thus requires investment in “wild animal models” that explicitly include individual variation and relevant environmental gradients. Wild mammal groups such as primates and rodents have already been identified as potentially useful models of infectious diseases in the wild. Here, we discuss the enormous potential that ungulates hold as candidates for wild model systems. The diversity, broad geographic distribution, and often high abundance of species in this group make them a highly accessible target for disease research. Moreover, a depth of background knowledge, close relationships to domesticated animals, and ongoing management of many wild ungulate species provide context, tools, and opportunity for cutting-edge research at the interface of ecological and biomedical sciences. Studies of wild ungulates are already helping to unravel some key challenges in infectious disease research, including the role of parasites in trophic cascades, the consequences of climate change for disease dynamics, and the systems biology of host—parasite interactions. Other areas where ungulate studies may provide new insight include research on the sources and drivers of emerging infectious diseases.
Genetic diversity studies in relation to seed yield and its component traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.)

In order to study tolerance to shattering, 5 spring rapeseed genotypes including Option 500, Sarigol, RGS003, Hyola 401 and Hyola 60 were evaluated in a split plot experiment with 4 replications during two years. The main plots were included 4 harvesting dates including H1: harvesting at seed color changing of ninety percentage of pods in main stem (physiological maturity), H2: harvesting 10 days after the first harvesting of each genotype, H3: harvesting 20 days after the first harvesting of each genotype and H4: harvesting 30 days after the first harvesting of each genotype. Sub plots were included 5 studied genotypes. The differences of seed yield of each genotype in different harvesting dates with compare to its seed yield in first harvesting date (H1-Hi) were considered as indices of shattering. Combined analysis of variance based on split-plot experiment revealed significant mean squares for genotypes, harvesting dates and harvesting × genotypes interaction effects and also year and its interaction effects to each studied factors. In this study, Hyola 401 and Sarigol had 3994 and 3267 kg.ha-1, respectively. Significant mean square of genotype × harvesting dates revealed different ranks of shattering of genotypes in different harvesting dates. Amount of seed yield shattering was increased in third and fourth harvesting dates. On the basis of shattering index, Hyola-60 and Hyola 401 were more tolerant to shattering and Sarigol as well as Option 500 were more susceptible to shattering.
Critical condition of the jaguar Panthera onca population in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

The jaguar Panthera onca is threatened throughout its range and categorized as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. To inform conservation of the jaguar population in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica, population size was estimated using data from a 3-month camera trap study. Individuals were identified from their coat patterns. The resulting density estimate of 6.98 ± SD 2.36 individuals per 100 km2 was lower than expected. The sex ratio was 1.33 males per female, and the minimum home ranges of two males were 25.64 and 6.57 km2. Hunting pressure on jaguar and white-lipped peccaries Tayassu pecari, the jaguar's main prey in the Park, may be responsible for the low jaguar density as space does not seem to be a limiting factor. The numbers of females may have been underestimated because of sampling bias and therefore the sex ratio obtained in this and similar studies must be interpreted cautiously. Better protection of the corridor that connects the Park with other protected areas is essential to guarantee long-term survival of the jaguar in Costa Rica.
Evaluation of Impact of Phosphamidon on Protein Status of Freshwater Fish Channa punctatus

In present study, an evaluation of impact of Organophosphate pesticide Phosphamidon on protein content of fish Channa punctatus was carried out. After determination of LC50, the sublethal concentration of phosphamidon (0.005ml/lt) was used for toxicity experiment and soluble and insoluble protein content of different tissues such as muscle, liver, kidney and blood at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs exposure was studied. It was found that there was a decreasing trend of both soluble and insoluble proteins up to the end of experiment but maximum decrease was found at 48 hrs. This might be due to proteolytic activity after that there was some rise in level especially in blood and liver suggesting the increased enzyme synthesis to cope with toxic stress.
Antifeedant activity and growth inhibition effects of some plant extracts against larvae of Colorado potato beetle [Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Col: Chyrsomelidae)] under laboratory conditions

Bu calismada Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) , Heracleum platytaenium Boiss (Apiaceae), Humulus lupulus L. (Cannabaceae) ekstraktinin Patates bocegi ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, Col: Chyrsomelidae) uzerindeki beslenmeyi engelleyici ve larval gelismeyi engelleyici etkileri laboratuvar sartlarinda test edilmistir. Bitki ekstraktlarinin eldesinde H. lupulus ’un kozalaklari, H. platytaenium ’un govde ve yapraklari, A. millefolium ’un ise cicekleri kullanilmis ve maserasyon teknigi kullanilarak metanol ekstraktlari elde edilmistir. Bitki ekstralari (50 g/L) patates yapraklarina uygulanmis ve her bir bocegin tukettigi yaprak alani 24, 48 ve 72 saat sonra planimetre ile olculmustur. Tek doz tarama testlerinde tum bitki ekstraktlari 50 g/L konsantrasyonda beslenme engelleyici etkiye sahip olmus ve ortalama yaprak tuketim alani H. lupulus , H. platytaenium , A. millefolium icin sirasiyla 0.04 cm 2 , 0.05 cm 2 ve 0.30 cm 2 olarak hesaplanmistir. Doz-etki denemelerin de ortalama yaprak tuketim alani ile doz arasinda negatif bir iliski saptanmistir. En yuksek beslenmeyi engelleyici etki 10 g/L konsantrasyonda H. lupulus ekstraktinda 72. saat sonunda 0.68 cm 2 yaprak tuketim alani ile gorulmustur. H. lupulus ve H. platytaenium ekstraktlari larval gelisme indeksi uzerine benzer etkilere sahip olmuslardir. Her iki bitki ekstrakti 30 g/L konsantrasyonda 1.2 gelisme indeks degerine sahip olmustur. Bu sonuclar H. lupulus ve H. platytaenium ekstraktlarinin patates bocegine karsi beslenme engelleyici ve larval gelismeyi engelleyici etkilerinin oldugunu ortaya koymaktadir.
Comparative efficiency of different planting methods in intermediate deepwater (15–50 cm) rice

Summary In rainfed lowland rice areas of intermediate deepwater (15–50 cm), transplanting in greater depths of water (50–60 cm) with clonal tillers (double transplanting) from 20 or 40- to 50-day-old-transplanted crops of similar environment increased grain yield significantly compared with seedlings of the same age (60 or 80- to 90-day-old) from a nursery. The grain yield did not decrease significantly when the clonal tillers were removed at 20 or 40 days after transplanting compared with that of the undisturbed crop. The practice of double transplanting (clonal propagation) increased tiller production and the number of panicles, and the crop could tolerate better the greater depths of water and thereby give greater grain yield.
Prey size and ingestion rate in raptors: importance for sex roles and reversed sexual size dimorphism

Compared to other birds, most raptors take large prey for their size, and feeding bouts are extended. However, ingestion rate has largely been overlooked as a constraint in raptors′ foraging and breeding ecology. We measured ingestion rate by offering avian and mammalian prey to eighteen wild raptors temporarily kept in captivity, representing seven species and three orders. Ingestion rate was higher for small than for large prey, higher for mammalian than for avian prey, higher for large than for small raptors, and higher for wide-gaped than for narrow-gaped raptors. Mammalian prey were ingested faster by raptors belonging to species with mainly mammals in their diet than by raptors with mainly birds in their diet, but the drop in ingestion rate with increasing prey size was more rapid for the former than for the latter. We argue that the separate sex roles found in raptors, i.e. the male hunting and the female feeding the young, is a solution of the conflict between the prolonged feeding bouts at the nest, and the benefit of rapid resumption of hunting in general, and rapid return to the previous capture site in particular (the prey size hypothesis). Thus, the sex roles differ more when prey takes longer to feed, i.e. from insects to mammals to birds. We then argue that the reversed sexual size dimorphism in raptors, i.e. smaller males than females, results from a conflict between the benefit of being small during breeding to capture the smallest items with the highest ingestion rate among these agile prey types (mammals and bird), and the benefit of being large outside the breeding season to ensure survival by being able to include large items in the diet when small items are scarce (the ingestion rate hypothesis). This hypothesis explains the observed variation in reversed sexual size dimorphism among raptors in relation to size and type of prey, i.e. increasing RSD from insects to mammals to birds as prey.
Production, fertility and hatchability of ostrich ( Struthio camelus ) eggs on a farm in the United Kingdom

The farming of ostriches is well established in South Africa and is gaining in popularity in agriculture around the world but few scientific data are available for rates of egg production and the factors affecting incubation and hatching. Production and hatchability of over 1200 ostrich eggs on a farm in the United Kingdom were recorded during the 1995 season. Females of breeding ages (no. = 43) were kept in 13 enclosures in sex ratios of 1: 1 or 1: 2 (M: F). Productivity of all ostriches over the laying season was 25·2% although when results from individual enclosures, and from individual birds, were examined higher rates of production were achieved although only one bird achieved her full laying potential. As group size increased productivity decreased. Overall fertility was 78·7% although fertility greater than 90% was achieved by females kept in pairs or trios. Larger group sizes had lower fertility. Mean weekly hatchability was only 24·1% with hatch of fertile eggs being 31·9%. Maximum hatchability of eggs produced from an individual female was 73% of fertile eggs. Microbial contamination of eggs was 32·6% and this was the biggest cause of failure to hatch, although rates of contamination varied between females. These results for productivity are similar to those published for ostriches in Israel and South Africa. Hatchability is lower, and microbial contamination is higher than published information although this is the most comprehensive study of ostrich production yet published. Future development of ostrich breeding programmes needs to concentrate on small breeding groups, preferably pairs, and on improvements in nest site hygiene and post-laying egg management.
Low seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors in central Namibia

AbstractAlthough emphasis has been placed on research relating to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis and malaria, several researchers in Africa are focusing on other threats to human health, such as neglected tropical diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is a possible neglected tropical disease in Namibia, although the country has a diversity of climate, ranging from tropical in the north to semi-desert in the south. Except for one study in 1978, no recent studies have determined the burden of T. gondii infection in Namibia. Three hundred and twelve convenience samples were collected from volunteer blood donors in central Namibia. Donors provided informed consent to participate in the study, and 5 ml blood was collected. Demographic information was collected by means of a questionnaire. Serum was analysed using Captia™ T. gondii immunoglobulin G (Ig) G enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Only samples that tested positive or equivocal for IgG antibodies were then tested for IgM antibodies us.
Reproductive Performance for Holstein Friesian × Arsi and Holstein Friesian × Boran Crossbred Cattle

The study was carried out at Agarfa ATVET College dairy farm to evaluate the reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian× Arsi and Holstein Friesian ×Boran cattle. For the study, records compiled from 1983 to 2012 at the Agarfa dairy farm were used as original data. The effects of breed, bloodlines, season and parity on the reproductive traits were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the general model of the SAS program. The overall mean ± SE of age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), days open (DO), calving interval (CI), number of service per conception (NSPC), breeding efficiency (BE) and longevity were 32.05 ± 0.57 months, 41.16 ± 0.56 months, 194.62 ± 3.42 days, 475.92 ± 3.44 days, 1.35 ± 0.03 service, 68.67 ± 0.01% and 7.77 ± 0.25 years, respectively. Breed had significant effect (P<0.05) on AFS and AFC. Bloodlines, season and parity had significant effect (P<0.01) on DO and CI. Breed, bloodlines, season and parity had significant effect (P<0.01) on breeding efficiency. Season of insemination significantly affect NSPC (P<0.01). Longevity was only affected by bloodlines.Generally reproductive performances found in this study were lower than the performance reported in many tropical regions. Therefore, due consideration should be given in calf and heifer management, heat detection, accuracy of artificial insemination, feeding and health care.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of seed from plants of the Mississippi river basin

Seeds of native and naturalized plants currently found in the Mississippi River Basin of the United States were evaluated as potential new sources of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Methanol extracts of seeds were tested for antioxidant levels using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay and for antimicrobial activity using a disk diffusion assay against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. A wide range of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were observed in the 158 species tested. Antioxidant levels ranged from 2,400 µM Trolox/100 gm (TE) to 261,384 TE. Lythrum salicaria L. (261,384 TE), Lythrum alatum Pursh (206,154 TE), Spiraea tomentosa L. (141,430 TE), Rumex verticillatus L. (123,423 TE) and Oenothera biennis L. (98,563 TE) had the highest levels of antioxidant activity. Extracts of seeds from 35 species had antimicrobial activity. L. salicaria L. , Rumex crispus L. , Rumex verticillatus L. and Spirea tomentosa L. had high levels of antioxidant activity and correspondingly high levels of antimicrobial activity against all four microorganisms. The correlation between seeds with high antioxidant levels and those with antimicrobial activity was quite low. In this study, we identified native and naturalized plants from the Mississippi River Basin as potential sources of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds.
A comparison of three indices of fishing power on some demersal fisheries of the North Sea

The scope of this study is to identify temporal dynamics in fishing power, by deriving three different indices (IFP1, IFP2, IFP3) based on three independent methods. IFP1 is derived from the GLM analysis of the relationship between fishing mortality and fishing effort, assuming that total fishing mortality estimates from XSA (eXtended Survivors Analysis) are accurate. IFP2 is derived from the GLM analysis of the difference between the Log-CPUE of a vessel and the average Log-CPUE of a set of reference vessels, which are chosen with regards to the stability of their Log-CPUE over time. IFP3 is derived from the GLM analysis of the Log-CPUE of a vessel relative to some external survey abundance index. Particular attention is paid to the horsepower and year effects in IFP1, IFP2, and IFP3. This methodology is applied to the Danish, Dutch, English and Norwegian demersal fisheries of the North Sea. The fishing power estimated by all indices increases with horsepower, particularly in relation to target species. Despite less consensus in the estimation of annual variations in fishing power, some important features are highlighted. First, there are cases where fishing power has consistently increased over the period of investigation, possibly through an overall increase in fishing efficiency. Second, there are examples where fishing power has increased relative to one species, and remained constant or even decreased in relation to another one. In the context of mixed-species fisheries, this feature might reveal a shift in fishing tactics. Copyright 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
IMMUNE RESPONSE TO CHEMICALLY MODIFIED FLAGELLIN

High and low zone antibody tolerance to bacterial flagellin can be induced in adult strain W Wistar rats by multiple injections of a cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digest of flagellin at two widely spaced dose levels. Intermediate doses of the CNBr digest produce enhanced antibody titers to flagellin rather than antibody tolerance. Studies reported in this paper revealed that both high and low zone antibody tolerance to flagellin were accompanied by heightened levels of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Conversely, when enhancement of the antibody response occurred, suppression of delayed hypersensitivity was observed. This inverse relationship between humoral and cell-mediated immunity was very striking in strain W Wistar rats but was not quite so clear-cut in another strain of Wistar rats (strain J). Strain J rats were resistant to the induction of antibody tolerance and gave higher immunological responses to flagellin than strain W animals. In addition, it was observed that, in contrast to adult tolerance, administration of the CNBr digest to neonatal rats induced complete tolerance at the level of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. These findings were discussed in the light of earlier studies with flagellin and provide further evidence for a previously described hypothesis.
Duckweed, A Useful Strategy for Feeding Chickens: Performance of Layers Fed with Sewage-Grown Lemnacea Species

Abstract Layer performance and egg quality were assessed in hens fed sewage-grown Lemna species (duckweed) in order to examine the safety and efficacy of this plant as a feedstuff for poultry. Dried Lemna gibba was included in the diets of two commercial strains of laying hens at 0, 15, 25, and 40% inclusion. Egg production and egg weights were compared with those of hens fed a standard isocaloric and isonitrogenous control diet At all levels of Lemna, hens maintained egg production and had mean egg weights similar to layers fed a control diet. Eggs from Leghorn hens fed 15 and 25% Lemna had higher protein content than control eggs. Also, the addition of Lemna to the diets significantly increased yolk pigmentation, an important commercial value for this plant. Lemna species may be a useful substitute for soybean and some fish meal in layer hen diets, especially in countries where some of these commodities are imported.
SEASONAL AND WITHIN PLANT DISTRIBUTION OF FRANKLINIELLA THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) IN NORTH FLORIDA TOMATOES

Abstract Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the western flower thrips, is the primary insect pest of tomatoes and other vegetable crops in northern Florida and the rest of the southeastern USA. However, it is not the only flower thrips present in the region nor is it always the most abundant species. To determine the seasonal and within plant distribution of these various Frankliniella species, experimental tomato plants, grown under different nitrogen fertilization regimes, were sampled during the fall and spring growing seasons. Contrary to expectations, different levels of nitrogen fertilization did not affect the abundance of thrips species. Thrips were much more abundant in the spring than in the fall. In the spring F. occidentalis was the most abundant species, while in the fall F. tritici (Fitch) was the most abundant species. In both the fall and spring, significantly more adults occurred in flowers in the upper part of the plant canopy than in flowers in the lower part of the plant canopy. The sex ratio tended to be female biased, but with a greater percentage of males occurring in the upper canopy flowers. In contrast, significantly more immature thrips occurred in the lower part of the plant canopy than in flowers in the upper part of the plant canopy. Differences in seasonal patterns and within plant distribution should be considered in developing sampling protocols and management plans for thrips.