Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diet and food resource partition among benthic tadpoles of three anuran species in Atlantic Forest tropical streams

The study of the diet of tadpoles can provide important information about the maintenance and dynamics of populations and communities of tropical amphibians. Tadpoles are in general herbivores and consume mostly algae. Despite this, little is known about how specific guilds use resources that are available in the same space and at the same time. It is thought that species of tadpoles segregate based on food use, especially in lotic environments where food resources may be a limiting factor. Conversely, it is believed that the use of food resources is similar among tadpoles with the same ecomorphotype. This study examined the diet of Aplastodiscus cavicola, Aplastodiscus sibilatus and Bokermannohyla capra syntopic tadpoles, as similarities may exist between these benthic species, all of which are adapted to the flow of water. This study was undertaken in the Michelin Ecological Reserve, municipality of Igrapiúna, state of Bahia, Brazil. To analyze the diet of the tadpoles, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was performed to evaluate the similarity between the diets of the species. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) was carried out to detect whether diet differed among tadpole species. The diet of these tadpoles consists mainly of algae, especially diatoms, plants, protozoa, fungi and microscopic animals. The NMDS identified three clusters representing the three species studied. ANOSIM detected significant differences among the diets of the species, which indicates partition of food resources.
Pairing and breeding of Mute Swans in relation to natal area

A n intensive study h as been m ad e o f the p opu lation o f the M ute Sw an C ygnus o lor in an a rea o f 550 squ are m iles (1 ,4 4 0 square k ilom etres) in sou th S taffordshire. T he a rea is based on N a tio n a l G rid co-o rd ina tes S 0 9 0 0 900 an d extends 4 0 squares (kilom etres) n o rth and 36 squ ares east. T he s tu d y w a s s ta r te d in 1961 a n d up to D ecem b er 1977 a to ta l o f 3 ,785 sw ans h as been ringed w ithin the study area . T w o p re v io u s p a p e rs d e a lt w ith p a ir in g an d breed ing b eh av io u r (M in ton (1968) and w ith flocks, their size, age stru c tu re , an d sta tu s a t different tim es o f the y ear (M in to n 1971). T h e p resen t p ap er concerns th e behav iour o f b irds h a tch ed , ringed as pulii and la te r pa ired w ithin the s tu d y area. O f the 1,205 pulii ringed up to D ecem ber 1975, 196 w ere reco rd ed in la te r y ears as p a ired b ird s w ithin th e s tu d y a rea a n d 494 w ere reco rd ed in sub­ sequen t y ears b u t never as p a ired birds. O f the rem ainder, 383 w ere no t seen again after ringing, 132 w ere rep o rted dead during their first y ear o f life.
Internephron synchronization of renal blood flow autoregulation

Renal autoregulation is the system that maintains a constant renal blood flow when arterial pressure fluctuates. Failure of autoregulation leads to renal damage and subsequent failure. There are two mechanisms of autoregulation. First is the myogenic response, which is common to almost all microvascular beds. Second is tubuloglomerular feedback, which is a slower system that fine-tunes the delivery of solutes to each nephorn. Autoregulation is well studied. However, limitations in measurement techniques, and simplifying assumption, previously forced us to assume that all nephrons in the kidney act independently in response to local changes in blood pressure. The goal of this dissertation was to determine the presence, extent, and mechanism of network behaviour in renal autoregulation. In this dissertation I show that the mechanisms of renal autoregulation are synchronized over macroscopic regions of the renal surface, and that the spatial distribution of synchronization can be modulated by nitric oxide. Then I show that the patterns of synchronization of autoregulation on the surface of the kidney are governed by the underlying arterial anatomy. We show that the mechanism of internephron synchronization is chiefly dependent on gap junctional intercellular communication, and that removal of this communication pathway reduces the efficiency of autoregulation overall. Finally, impaired autoregulation in early diabetes is shown to coincide with a reduction in spatial smoothing of autoregulation. By the end, I have shown that internephron synchronization is present in the kidney, and 1) synchronization is modulated by an important hormonal modulator, nitric oxide, 2) that arterial anatomy determines divisions between synchronized clusters, 3) gap junctions mediate synchronization and contribute to autoregulation effectiveness, and 4) that network behaviour of autoregulation is reduced in early diabetes, linked with impaired autoregulation. Overall, this shows that internephron synchronization is an important aspect of renal autoregulation, and it must be considered in the future when studying this field.
Inferences from Spatial and Temporal Variability in Ecosystems: Long-Term Zooplankton Data from Lakes

Ecosystem patterns and processes exhibit spatial and temporal variability. Analysis of this variability can reveal which aspects of a system are specific to sites or to years. Patterns in this variability yield insights into the forces structuring ecosystems. As an example of this approach, we examined an unpublished zooplankton data set collected by Birge, Juday, and coworkers in the summers of 1929 through 1941 from five neighboring northern Wisconsin lakes. Eight taxa were common to the five lakes: two rotifers (Keratella cochlearis and Kellicottia), four cladocerans (Daphnia pulex, Daphnia galeata mendotae, Diaphanosoma, and Bosmina), and two copepods (cyclopoid and calanoid). Taxa differed in their consistency in depth distribution and seasonal timing. For example, Diaphanosoma peaked at the same relative depth and time in each of our five study lakes. In contrast, Bosmina varied among lakes in the timing of its maximum abundance, and calanoid copepods varied in the depth of their maxima. In general, among-year variability was greater in zooplankton abundance than in seasonal timing, which, in turn, was more variable than depth distribution. Among-year variability in maximum abundance was related to a taxon's potential for rapid population increase, r$_\max$. Variability among years was greater in rotifer taxa than in cladoceran taxa, which were more variable than copepod taxa. The abundance and depth distribution of copepods and cladocerans exhibited relatively greater variability among lakes than among years, suggesting that conditions specific to lakes are important in controlling these parameters. This conclusion was supported by data from Lake Washington; except in one case, the same taxa that showed significant site specificity in Wisconsin changed significantly in abundance in Lake Washington after sewage diversion. In contrast, we inferred that variation in weather was an important determinant of seasonal timing for all eight taxa and of the maximum abundance and depth of maximum abundance of the two rotifers. An ability to predict general site-specific and year-specific ecosystem parameters has significant practical and theoretical importance. For example, taxa or parameters exhibiting large variability among sites are sensitive indicators of change in an ecosystem, whereas those parameters or taxa exhibiting large temporal variation should be studied to understand factors influencing seasonal or yearly dynamics. We suggest that similar analyses of spatial and temporal variability could provide useful comparisons of ecosystems ranging from aquatic to terrestrial habitats and comprising markedly different taxa.
Spore deposition of wood-decaying fungi: importance of landscape composition

The abundance of many species of wood-decaying fungi has decreased dramatically in Swedish boreal forests over the last century. Therefore, we have investigated the relationship between the spore dispersal of wood-decaying fungi and two key features of landscape composition, namely the amount and age of old forest stands at different spatial scales. Spore deposition was monitored in two regions, using sampling methods based on recording the dikaryotisation of monokaryotic mycelia on nutrient agar and wood discs. The studied species, all mainly confined to Norway spruce in the boreal forest zone, were Fomitopsis pinicola, Fomitopsis rosea , Gloeoporus taxicola , Phlebia centrifuga and Trichaptum laricinum . The study of forestry intensity showed for both regions, that the spore deposition for F. pinicola , F. rosea and G. taxicola was higher in circular plots (radius 2-km) with a high proportion of old Norway spruce forest ( � /80 yr) than in plots with a lower proportion of old forest. Analysis of the variation in spore deposition of F. rosea and P. centrifuga in relation to the proportion of old spruce forest within 1, 2 and 3 km of the spore sampling point showed that the proportion of old forest within a 3-km radius explained more of the variation than the proportions within 1- and 2-km radii. In addition, the proportion of forest older than 140 yr explained more of the variation than the proportion of younger forests. Thus, the results show that the spore deposition of the studied species strongly depends on the landscape composition at both regional and local scales. Further, the spore deposition at the local scale was best explained by the proportion of � /140 yr old spruce forest, which exceeds the common harvest rotation period.
Field studies of leaf development and expansion in the leek (Allium porrum)

SUMMARY An analysis of leek leaf development and expansion was carried out over three seasons using field-grown plants of three varieties which were directly sown at different dates or transplanted from controlled conditions. In all cases, successive leaves appeared (tip visible) at equal intervals of accumulated temperature. Detailed analysis of a single sowing in 1985 showed that the regularity of leaf appearance was a consequence of the coordinated response to accumulated temperature of leaf initiation (plastochron 100°C days > 0°C) and leaf blade and sheath extension. For each successive leaf, an additional 32°C days were required between initiation and appearance to allow for the linear increase in ‘sheath’ height, giving a phyllochron of 132°C days. Direct measurement of leaf extension before and after leaf appearance, and of the length of the leaf extension zone, confirmed that the rate of leaf extension, in terms of accumulated tempeature, was constant, and independent of leaf number. However, there were differences between seasons and between varieties in the responses of leaf appearance, leaf extension and ‘sheath’ length to accumulated temperature. It was concluded that the simple ontogenetic increase in leaf dimensions, which was a feature of all the crops studied, was a consequence of the progressive increase in the duration of leaf expansion.
Quantidade de metionina+cistina digestível para poedeiras semipesadas de 75 a 91 semanas de idade

Determinaram-se as exigencias nutricionais de metionina+cistina digestivel para poedeiras de linhagem comercial no segundo ciclo de producao de 75 a 91 semanas de idade, utilizando-se 150 aves semipesadas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Estas foram distribuidas em cinco tratamentos, seis repeticoes e cinco aves por unidade experimental, alimentadas com uma dieta basal contendo 2.859kcal/kg de energia metabolizavel e 16,30% de proteina bruta, suplementada com 0,132; 0,173; 0,215; 0,256 e 0,298% de DL-metionina (98%), de forma a proporcionar 0,588; 0,628; 0,669; 0,709 e 0,750% de metionina+cistina digestivel na dieta. A inclusao de metionina+cistina obedeceu, respectivamente, as proporcoes de 67, 72, 77, 81 e 86% com a lisina fixada em 0,872%. Avaliaram-se os consumos de racao e de metionina+cistina, a conversao alimentar por duzia e por massa de ovos, a taxa de postura, o peso e a massa de ovos, a porcentagem dos componentes dos ovos e a qualidade interna dos ovos e o ganho de peso. A inclusao de metionina+cistina digestivel nas quantidades indicadas nao exerceu efeito (P>0,05) sobre as caracteristicas de producao e qualidade interna e externa dos ovos. A exigencia estimada foi de 0,588% de metionina+cistina digestivel, correspondendo ao consumo de 654,73mg/ave/dia.
Evidence for Size‐Selective Mortality after the First Summer of Ocean Growth by Pink Salmon

Abstract Pink salmon Onchorhynchus gorbuscha with identifiable thermal otolith marks from Prince William Sound hatchery release groups during 2001 were used to test the hypothesis that faster-growing fish during their first summer in the ocean had higher survival rates than slower-growing fish. Marked juvenile pink salmon were sampled monthly in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska, and adults that survived to maturity were recovered at hatchery release sites the following year. Surviving fish exhibited significantly wider circuli spacing on the region of the scale formed during early marine residence than did juveniles collected at sea during their first ocean summer, indicating that marine survival after the first growing season was related to increases in early marine growth. At the same circuli, a significantly larger average scale radius for returning adults than for juveniles from the same hatchery would suggest that larger, faster-growing juveniles had a higher survival rate and that signifi.
Glyphosate-Resistant Kochia (Kochia scoparia) in Kansas: EPSPS Gene Copy Number in Relation to Resistance Levels

Abstract Reports of kochia control failure with glyphosate in western Kansas increased dramatically in the years following confirmed presence of glyphosate-resistant (GR) populations in 2007. In this study, progeny from 8 of 16 geographically dispersed kochia populations in western Kansas (seed collected in 2010) were confirmed to be resistant to glyphosate by conducting whole-plant dose-response (in greenhouse and/or outdoor environments) and shikimate-accumulation assays. Additionally, the relationship between 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene copy number and glyphosate resistance levels was investigated. A known glyphosate-susceptible (GS) kochia population from Ellis County, Kansas was used for comparison in all studies. Based on the herbicide rate that caused 50% reduction in biomass compared to untreated control (GR50) values, the 8 GR kochia populations were 4 to 11 times more resistant to glyphosate compared to the GS population. The GR50 values of kochia populations were 1.58 to 1.85 times higher under an outdoor environment compared to when grown in the greenhouse. Glyphosate-treated leaf discs of the GS kochia plants accumulated consistently higher amounts of shikimate than those of the GR plants. Additionally, the GR plants with higher levels of resistance to glyphosate had higher EPSPS : acetolactate synthase (ALS) relative gene copy number compared to those with low levels of resistance. Nomenclature: Glyphosate, kochia, Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.
The Genetics of Self-Incompatibility in the Genus Schlumbergera (Cactaceae)

The genetics of self-Incompatibility (SI) was studied in the genus Schlumbergera Lemalre. Nineteen F 1 progeny were intercrossed In a full diallel and reciprocally backcrossed to both parents (Schlumbergera Rocket and Buckleyi, 2n = 2x = 22). Four Intra-lncompatlble but reciprocally compatible classes were obtained in the diallel. All F, progeny were reciprocally cross-compatible with both parents. Three F, families were generated and 13 to 14 seedlings in each F 2 family were tested for their incompatibility responses. Results of all crosses were consistent with a one-locus, multiallelic SI system under gametophytic control. Schlumbergera has trJ-cellular pollen and dry stigmas with a papillate receptive surface and these features are typically associated with sporophytlc SI systems. This Is the first report on the Inheritance of SI for the Cactaceae, a family of *°1500 species that exhibits SI in at least 28 of its 98 genera (29%).
A consumer's guide to evenness indices

Many indices have been proposed for measuring species evenness in ecological communities, but there is no consensus on which are best. We assemble criteria for an appropriate index for the evenness of a biological sample. The most important criterion is that evenness should be independent of species richness. Twelve previously proposed indices and variants are considered, and two apparently new indices. Four indices are recommended as joint best buys: A) If symmetry between minor and abundant species is not important, or if it is required that the index be less affected by minor species: 1) If it is essential that the index be able to reach a minimum of zero with any particular number of species, or if the shape of the index response to an evenness gradient is important: E 1/D (based on a common form of Simpson's index). 2) If good mid-range behaviour is desired: E' (proposed by Camargo). B) If equal sensitivity to minor and abundant species is required: I) If the shape of the index response to an evenness gradient is not important, the clear winner is: E Q (a new index). 2) If the shape is important: E var (another new index). The overall recommendation for general use is E war .
Effect of herbage mass on the selection and use by cattle of fine-scale locations in a progressively grazed tropical grass pasture

This study quantified herbage mass and feeding behavior by animals at a fine spatial scale, in a 1.1-ha bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) pasture progressively (4 or 5 days) grazed by a herd of 32– 33 beef cows and 8– 13 calves in three seasons (spring, summer and autumn). Herbage mass was nondestructively estimated every day, using an electronic capacitance probe, at 91 fixed locations (50 cm × 50 cm ; approximating a feeding station scale) along a permanent line transect. At the same time, selection and use of the individual locations by cows were measured every day, in terms of the number of visits, number of bites and residence time. Vegetation of the pasture created a trade-off between availability (herbage mass) and quality (nitrogen concentration, dry matter digestibility) in summer and autumn but not in spring. There were always considerable location-to-location variations in the feeding behavior of animals ; that is, some locations were not visited and bitten at all or were visited infrequently (once or twice daily) and grazed only for a short time ( 30 s daily) receiving many bites (>30 bites daily). Although regression analysis showed a tendency for animals to select and use locations with higher herbage mass in spring and those with lower or intermediate herbage mass in autumn as a result of the seasonally different availability– quality relationships, neither herbage mass nor herbage quality was an absolute factor determining the choice and use of locations by animals. The results show that the choice and use of fine-scale locations by animals foraging in actual grasslands are not fully explained by major forage factors such as mass, nitrogen and digestibility.
Ground vegetation composition and heterogeneity in pure Norway spruce and mixed Norway spruce - birch stands

Les auteurs ont examine l'effet sur la vegetation au sol de l'introduction d'arbres decidus dans un peuplement pur d'epicea. L'abondance et la composition de la vegetation au sol, dans des peuplements purs d'epicea commun (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) et mixtes d'epicea commun et de bouleaux (Betula pendula Roth et Betula pubescens Ehrh.), ont ete comparees dans quatre sites experimentaux de la Suede meridionale et centrale. Le recouvrement et l'heterogeneite des bryophytes etaient plus faibles dans les peuplements mixtes que dans les peuplements purs d'epicea plus eclaircis. Les differences entre les peuplements mixtes et purs etaient generalement petites en ce qui concerne la strate de vegetation au sol; cependant, le recouvrement de celle-ci diminuait avec l'augmentation de la surface terriere du peuplement. Lorsqu'ajustes aux differences dans la surface terriere, les recouvrements de la strate totale de la vegetation au sol et des plantes herbacees etaient plus eleves dans les peuplements mixtes que dans les peuplements purs d'epicea. L'analyse canonique des correspondances a revele que la composition en especes vegetales etait differente dans les peuplements mixtes et les peuplements purs. L'abondance des especes vasculaires etait plus elevee dans les peuplements mixtes, alors que celle des bryophytes etait plus basse. Ce changement dans la composition specifique est survenu le long d'un gradient d'augmentation du pH et de la saturation en bases de la littiere et de la saturation en bases de l'humus. Les auteurs suggerent que la littiere composee de feuilles de bouleaux etait probablement le facteur le plus important a l'origine des differences dans la composition de la vegetation.
Further Saponins from Phytolacca dodecandra L′HERIT

Three new bidesmosidic saponins 1–3 have been isolated from the berries of Phytolacca dodecandra L′HERIT (Phytolaccaeae). The structures have been established by spectroscopic (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FAB-MS, DCI-MS, and GC/MS) and chemical methods (acid, basic, and enzymatic hydrolysis). Saponins 1 and 3 are tetra- and pentaglycosides of oleanolic acid, whereas 2 is a tetraglycoside of bayogenin. The corresponding prosapogenins 1a-3a, obtained by cleavage of a glucose unit esterified at C(28), exhibited strong molluscicidal activity against schistosomiasis-transmitting snails.
Immune modulation effects of soya bean fermentation food evaluated by an animal model

A murine model was used to evaluate the role of soya bean fermentation broth (SFB) in immune-modulating a T helper type 1 (Th1)/T helper type 1 (Th2) response. The SFB feeding groups (0.1% and 0.4%) had significantly increased T-cell proliferation (47.4 ± 2.5% and 48.2 ± 5.6%, respectively) in the third week compared with the control group (43.3 ± 2.5%), and also significantly enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity (33.2 ± 4.2% and 35.1 ± 5.9%, respectively) compared with the control group (24.8 ± 4.8%). The IL-2 concentrations of sera were 236.3 ± 4.3 and 251.3 ± 35.4 pg/106 cells in the SFB feeding groups respectively, which were almost double higher than the control group 144.1 ± 23.1 pg/106 cells. Conversely, the IL-4 concentration in sera was significantly decreased when stimulated by the mitogen concanavalin A (2 μg/ml) in SFB feeding group. The ratio of IL-2 to IL-4 in the SFB groups was 10.4 and 17.6, respectively, which was higher than that in the control group (4.7). The SFB is proposed to have the potential to induce T-cell proliferation and enhance the function of Th1 cells, then increased the secretion of IL-2, which enhanced NK cell activity. We suggest that the SFB might be a good resource for modulating immunity in human health care.
Attractiveness of the Synthetic Sex Pheromone to the Males of the Armyworm, Leucania separata WALKER and the Lorey Leafworm, Leucania loreyi DUPONCHEL (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

in a ratio of 9:1 or 4:1 with the amount of a range of O.1 to 1 mg. Attractiveness of the samples in rubber caps were shown to be equal to that of thc trap baited with 10 females, The attractiveness of the compounds was shown in the field with l mg of the 9:1 mixture or the 4:1 mixture in the rubber cap and persisted more than 1 rnonth. On thc contrary, in the greenhouse test of the trap catch with the released male lorey IeafVvorm, L, lempi, a 9:1 mixture of (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate showed a high attractancy as sarne as the O.8: 8: 2 mixture of (Z)-7-dedecenyl acetate, (Z)9-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-hexadeccnyl acetate.