Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The short-term impacts of implementing catch quotas and a discard ban on English North Sea otter trawlers

A key objective of the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy reforms is the elimination of discards and a reduction in unwanted catches. Combining a discard ban with catch quotas, where all fish, independent of size, count towards quotas could create economic incentives for more selective fishing, reducing unwanted catches. We use fishing activities data from English North Sea otter trawlers to examine the impact of these measures on this fleet. Initial impacts depend on the scale of increase and distribution of quotas and are unevenly distributed, depending on catch and discard characteristics of vessels. Selective fishing will be rewarded as vessels that currently have low discards could increase catches and profits. Fishing by less selective vessels will be curtailed, reducing profits by 1–14%. This could be partially mitigated through reducing regulated catches but will require changes to fishing patterns as using currently available selective fishing gears may impact on profitability. So, catch quotas and a discard ban create strong incentives for more selective fishing practices, but also for non-compliance with full documentation of catches. A high level of monitoring and enforcement will be required to ensure that fishers improve profitability through more selective fishing practices rather than illegal discarding.
A Novel Extractive Fermentation Process for Propionic Acid Production from Whey Lactose

An extractive fermentation process was developed to produce propionate from lactose. The bacterium Propionibacterium acidipropionici was immobilized in a spiral wound, fibrous matrix packed in the reactor. Propionic acid is the major product from lactose fermentation, with acetic acid and carbon dioxide as byproducts. Propionic acid is a strong inhibitor to this fermentation. A tertiary amine was used to selectively extract propionic acid from the bioreactor, hence enhancing reactor productivity by over 100 %. We also speculate that by selectively extracting propionic acid, lactose metabolism can be directed to yield more propionate and less byproducts. Other advantages of extractive fermentation include better pH control (by removing acid products) and a purer product. The propionic acid present in the extractant can be easily stripped with small amounts of an alkaline solution, resulting in a concentrated propionate salt. The extractant was also regenerated in this stripping step. Thus, the process is energy‐efficient and economically attractive.
Bioenergetics and the Determination of Home Range Size

The size of the home range is examined in mammals. It is determined, mainly, by the amount of energy expended by the species, and, therefore, the home range area may vary according to the direct and indirect influences of weather and climate on the animal. But the kind of food that is utilized will also influence home range size. Those species that must hunt for their food need larger areas for food gathering than those species that feed on the vegetation. As a result the largest hunters appear to have their food habits regulated by considerations of the efficient use of the food materials in their home range. Finally, the home range size affects population density, which in turn influences the behavior in the population.
First Record of Laurencia chondrioides (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean Sea

The occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea of Laurencia chondrioides, first described from the Caribbean Sea, is reported for the first time. The following characters: i) occurrence of secondary pit-connections between epidermal cells; ii) four vegetative pericentral cells produced per axial segment; iii) tetrasporangia produced by pericentral cells, in parallel arrangement, cut off from the mother cells abaxially; iv) spermatangial branches of trichoblast type; v) cystocarps urceolate to conical with carpostome prominent, are reported for the first time. On this basis, the species is attributed to the subgenus Laurencia. An earlier record from the Canary Islands suggests that this species is unlikely to be a recent introduction into the Mediterranean.
Growth and yield of a semi-dwarf and a standard height wheat cultivar in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

A semi-dwarf cultivar (WW 15) and a standard height Australian wheat variety (Timgalen) were grown at two nitrogen levels and under three irrigation regimes in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Numerous plant measurements were taken to determine which attributes were associated with the superior yield of semi-dwarf wheat in this environment. WW 15 yielded 42% more grain than Timgalen and nitrogen fertilizer increased the yield of both varieties. The irrigation treatments did not affect yield because rainfall was above average. Total dry matter production and leaf area of WW 15 were similar to those of Timgalen, but WW 15 put a much greater proportion of its dry matter into grain. A greater number of grains per spike was the yield component responsible for the higher yield of WW 15. The increase in grain yield with the addition of nitrogen fertilizer was due to a general improvement in all aspects of crop vigour (e.g. tiller density, leaf area, total dry matter). There was no interaction between cultivars and nitrogen rates in their effect on grain yield.
Genetic and environmental variance in cone size, seed yield, and germination properties of black spruce clones

Genetic and environmental variances in cone size, seed yield, and germination properties were evaluated for Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P. using material from ramets of 19 clones in a northern Ontario seed orchard. Thirty-seven percent of the variance in cone volume (mean, 2.2 cm3) was accounted for by differences among clones (range, 1.3–3.5 cm3) and 19% was accounted for by ramets within clones. Clone means for number of seed per cone ranged from 49 to 100 and averaged 71; 18% of seed was filled. Clonal variances for number of seed per cone and percent filled seed were 31 and 23% of the total variance, while ramets accounted for 18 and 13%, respectively. Germination of filled seed averaged 68% and clone means ranged from 28 to 90%. Sixty-seven percent of the variation in germination percent was due to clonal differences and 18% was associated with ramets.
Characterisation of Pomegranate Juices from Ten Cultivars Grown in Turkey

Pomegranate juices obtained from ten pomegranate cultivars of Turkey were analysed for their sugars, organic acids and the other quality parameters including pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. Statistically significant differences were determined among the cultivars for parameters analysed. Citric acid was the predominant acid of all the cultivars studied. Cultivar “Zivzik,” one of the most popular cultivar in Turkey, showed best scores for total soluble solids (16.9 ± 0.06 °Brix), glucose (84.18 ± 0.42 g/l) and fructose (83.34 ± 0.81 g/l). Pomegranate juices were classified into three groups according to principal component analysis and cluster analysis.
Orientation of the parasitic wasp, Cotesia vestalis (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), to visual and olfactory cues of field mustard flowers, Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae), to exploit food sources

Cotesia vestalis is a solitary endoparasitoid that attacks the larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, one of the most important pests of cruciferous crops. Since the female parasitoids do not exhibit host-feeding behavior, successful feeding on other items enhances the efficacy of the parasitoids as a biological control agent in agro-ecosystems, where sufficient amounts of food sources may not be available; however, there is little information on how they find and exploit food sources. Under laboratory conditions, we demonstrated that C. vestalis females lived significantly longer on Brassica rapa flowers than on water alone. In a dual-choice test, starved C. vestalis showed a significant preference for an inflorescence over an inflorescence stem with flowers removed. When the inflorescence and the stem were covered by clear bags to block only olfactory information, parasitoids preferred the inflorescence to the stem. Even when both were covered by brown porous bags to shut out only visual information, parasitoids preferred the inflorescence; however, non-starved parasitoids showed no significant preference between any tested sets. These results indicate that parasitoids orientate to flowers using visual and olfactory cues, respectively, depending on their own dietary state.
Perda de nitrogênio por volatilização de amônia com o uso de dejetos de suínos em plantio direto

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as perdas de N por volatilizacao de amonia com o uso de dejetos de suinos em sistema de plantio direto. No outono, a aplicacao dos dejetos (0, 40 e 80 m3 ha-1) foi feita sobre os residuos culturais da vegetacao espontânea e da aveia-preta remanescentes de cultivos anteriores. No verao, os dejetos tambem foram aplicados sobre os residuos culturais dessas mesmas especies, mas logo apos serem manejados com rolo faca. Sobre os residuos culturais da vegetacao espontânea, a perda de N por volatilizacao de amonia chegou a 16,1% da quantidade de N amoniacal aplicada com os dejetos no outono e a 11,0% no verao. Sobre os residuos culturais da aveia-preta, esses valores foram de 12,7% no outono e 6,5% no verao. As primeiras 20 horas apos a aplicacao dos dejetos foram responsaveis por aproximadamente 50% da perda total de nitrogenio. Os resultados deste trabalho evidenciam que, em sistema de plantio direto, o uso de dejetos de suinos sobre os residuos culturais de aveia-preta reduz a emissao de amonia para a atmosfera, em relacao aos residuos culturais da vegetacao espontânea do pousio invernal. Essa reducao foi, em media, de 18,4% no outono e 34,5% no verao.
Monoamine oxidase inhibition and neuroprotection by N1‐propargylphenelzine

The ability of N1‐propargylphenelzine and related N1‐propargylhydrazines to inhibit monoamine oxidase‐A (MAO‐A) and ‐B (MAO‐B) and to prevent N‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine (DSP‐4)‐induced noradrenergic neurotoxicity was examined. N1‐Propargylphenelzine strongly inhibited MAO‐A and MAO‐B in in vitro assays using rat brain or liver as the enzyme source. In ex vivo studies in rats, both intraperitoneal and oral administration of N1‐propargylphenelzine strongly inhibited brain and liver MAO‐A and MAO‐B. The extent of ex vivo MAO inhibition and increased levels of noradrenaline and 5‐hydroxytryptamine by N1‐propargylphenelzine was comparable to that of phenelzine. Unlike phenelzine, however, N1‐propargylphenelzine did not elevate γ‐aminobutryic acid (GABA) concentrations in rat brain. A single intraperitoneal administration of N1‐propargylphenelzine to mice, 1 week prior to sacrifice, reduced DSP‐4‐induced depletion of noradrenaline in the hippocampus. The brains of N1‐propargylphenelzine‐treated mice from the DSP‐4 neurotoxicity experiments had normal MAO‐B activity, but MAO‐A was significantly inhibited; this was in contrast to animals that had received (–)‐deprenyl, who showed normal MAO‐A activity but a decrease of MAO‐B. The present results indicate that N1‐propargylphenelzine may be a useful neuroprotective compound with a long‐term in vivo propensity to inhibit MAO‐A. Drug Dev. Res. 53:15–21, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE POLYMORPHIC DIATOM PHAEODACTYLUM TRICORNUTUM: ULTRASTRUCTURE OF ITS MORPHOTYPES 1, 2

The ultrastructure of the oval, fusiform and triradiate morphotypes of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin is described. The organization and structure of the cytoplasmic organelles is similar in all three morphotypes, except that the vacuoles occupy the extra volume created by the arms of the fusiform and triradiate cells. The frustule in fusiform and triradiate cells is organic; in the oval type it may be organic or one of the valves may have a silica frustule surrounded by an organic wall. In all cells, the organic cell wall has up to 10 silica bands (13 nm wide) embedded in its surface in the girdle region, lacks girdle bands, and has an outer corrugated cell wall layer, except in the girdle region. Cell division, organic wall formation and silica deposition are described in detail. Four types of oval cells are also described. The relation to other diatoms is discussed.
Neighbour manipulations in natural vegetation a review

This paper reviews the literature on neighbour manipulation experiments on species intemctions in natural of semi-natural vegetation. Three major approaches have been used: 1) introductions into vegetation, 2) trenching, and 3) vegetation removals. Some studies have used a combination of approaches, especially 1) and 3). The removal approach has been used most commonly and is given the greatest emphasis in this paper accordingly. Details of over 50 such studies are summarized here, 48 of which have appeared within only the last two decades. We compare and contrast the experimental designs of these studies and examine their contributions to the understanding of species interactions in vegetation. Evidence for competition is virtually universal among these studies. Several studies have also detected evidence of beneficence between plant species. Numerous factors may confound interpretations in removal experiments including: life stage dependent species responses, species-dependent timing and speed of response, inadequacy of controls due to temporal and/or spatial variability in site quality, indirect effects of treatment on soil moisture content or nutrient levels, or on the activities of predators or decomposers, and several constraints inherent in particular experimental designs. Another level of complexity arises as a consequence of several variables related to plant attributes that directly determine the nature of interactions between neighbours (e.g. relative competitive abilities, the magnitude of beneficial interactions, the extent to which neighbours make demands on the same resource units). These may interact in a complex manner to affect the response of a ‘target’ plant to the removal of neighbours. Recommendations for future studies are considered and a neighbourhood experimental design is proposed which enables analysis of the extent to which the fates of naturally established individuals following vegetation removal can be accounted for (in multiple regressions) by several variables that reflect different properties and circumstances of interaction with immediate Thiessen neighbours in the field.
Genetics of leg weakness in boars at the Danish pig breeding stations.

Abstract Genetic relationships among leg and performance traits were estimated for 2495 Landrace and 1778 Yorkshire boars kept at the Danish breeding test stations between 1981 and 1983. The pigs were fed ad libitum from 25 to 90 kg. Each boar was clinically scored for 14 different leg traits on a scale from 1 (normal) to 4 (very severe changes) at a weight of approx. 90 kg. The estimated heritabilities were significantly higher than 0 for 5 of the traits in Landrace varying from 0.27 to 0.61, but in Yorkshire only “buck-kneed fore legs” had a heritability higher than 0 (h2=0.24). The heritability estimate for the overall leg score was 0.45 in Landrace but only 0.04 in Yorkshire boars. Unfavorable genetic correlations between meat percentage and several leg weakness traits were found for Landrace boars, whereas the correlations between daily gain and leg weakness characters in some cases were favourable. It was found that a long body predisposes the animal to leg weakness. The mutual genetic correlations .
Extreme bias in sex allocation in Eclectusparrots

We investigated extraordinary patterns of sex allocation in captive eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus). These birds are extremely unusual as they show reverse sexual dichromatism, they are the only cooperatively breeding parrot, and they are one of the few birds with nestlings that are easily sexed. They lay two eggs per clutch, but often only fledge one young, and the sex ratio of 209 fledglings did not differ significantly from parity. However, when two young are fledged together they are very likely to be of the same sex, and some females produce long unbroken runs of one sex (the maximum was 20 males) before switching to the other sex. Monte–Carlo simulations show that these runs of same–sex clutches defy expectation if we assume that the sex of chicks within each clutch is independent of the previous clutch. We use further simulations to show that the sex bias must occur at fertilization (i.e. the primary sex ratio), although the female may make further adjustments via infanticide. Control over sex allocation in eclectus parrots is one of the most extreme reported from birds.
The effects of feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on rat growth performance, serum lipoproteins and subsequent lipid composition of selected rat tissues

Four groups of 12 albino rats (six males and six females), at 4 weeks of age, were fed for 60 days a semi-synthetic diet containing graded amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) to determine its effect on growth performance and serum lipoprotein profiles and its incorporation into abdominal and muscle lipids. Rats fed CLA responded by significantly improved body mass gains; however, this effect was observed only with the 1.0% CLA-supplemented diet. It was also true for feed conversion efficiency. The changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and HDL cholesterol concentrations were insignificant and showed an opposite pattern. However, the resulting HDL cholesterol/TC ratio was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased. At the same time, serum triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) elevated, thus counteracting the potential antiatherogenicity of the improved HDL cholesterol/TC ratio. Feeding CLA to rats resulted in its substantial incorporation into both abdominal and muscle lipids. Generally, tissue lipids were enriched with CLA at the expense of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, eg linoleate and arachidonate. This effect is likely to correspond with reduction of arachidonate-derived eicosanoid synthesis. These data together suggest that CLA has a potent effect on lipid transport and metabolism in rats. Also, they confirm the potential of nutritional methods to provide CLA-enriched functional animal products, especially meat, for human consumption. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatial and Temporal Variability in Bull Trout Redd Counts

Abstract We analyzed redd counts of bull trout Salvelinus confluentus in northern Idaho and northwestern Montana and found evidence of stronger correlation in the number and year-to-year change in number of redds between streams that were closer together than between streams that were far apart. The pattern was weak, however, indicating that spatial heterogeneity in habitat, in population demographics, or in life history at a local scale is important to stability of regional populations. The weak correlations also indicate that monitoring only a few index populations may not clearly represent the dynamics of larger regional populations. If synchrony is weak and not masked by sampling error, conservation management should favor the maintenance of high-quality habitats and strong local populations in proximity to each other to facilitate dispersal and demographic support. Common declining trends among all streams within a single lake basin show that even well-dispersed regional populations face important ri.
The Impact of Structured Input-based Tasks on L2 Learners’ Grammar Learning

Task-based language teaching has received increased attention in second language research. However, the combination of structured input-based approach and task-based language teaching has not been examined in relation to L2 grammar learning. To address this gap, the present study investigated how the structured input-based tasks with and without explicit information impacted learners’ grammar learning. The participants were 60 adult learners of English, assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. The two experimental groups were exposed to structured input-based tasks in two types of explicit and implicit information. A pretest-posttest design was employed in order to detect any improvement in participants’ grammar learning. The results revealed that (a) the experimental groups significantly outperformed the control group, (b) participants’ grammar learning significantly improved in both the experimental groups, (c) structured input-based tasks with explicit information was significantly superior to structured input-based tasks without explicit information.
Relationship between carbon isotope discrimination, water use efficiency, and evapotranspiration in Kentucky bluegrass

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) is negatively correlated with water use effidency (WUE) in several C 3 grass species and was proposed as a selection criterion for improving WUE. Out objectives were to determine the relationship between Δ and WUE in cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., KBG) maintained as turf, and to determine the relationship between cultivar Δ and evapotranspiration (ET) rate measured under non-limiting soil moisture conditions. We view Δ as a potential index of ET and an alternative to weighing lysimeters in selecting C 3 turfgrass for reduced ET. WUE of 11 cultivars was evaluated in 25-cm-diam. , fritted clay filled lysimeters, over two 4-d harvest periods. Clipping dry weight accumulated above a 50-mm base mowing height for each 4-d period was used as the productivity component in calculating WUE. Gravimetric water loss determined by the water balanced method was used as the transpirational component. Cultivars differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in WUE, Δ, and ET, depending on the harvest period. Also, the reliability of Δ in predicting WUE and ET was dependent on the harvest period. During the first harvest period, Δ was inversely related with WUE (r = -055**, significant at P ≤ 0.01) and cultivar ET varied significantly with Δ (r = 0.64*, significant at P ≤ 0.05). During the second harvest period, no significant relationship (P > 0.05) developed between Δ and WUE (r = -0.21), or between Δ and cultivar ET (r = 0.32). Observations for the first and second harvest periods varied considerably in canopy temperature, with temperature ranging from 20.5 to 22.0 ± 1.3°C, and 27.3 to 36.0 ± 3.4°C, respectively. Theory predicts under the assumption of equal leaf temperature, A and WUE are correlated. It was likely that leaf temperature differences during the second harvest contributed significantly to the breakdown of the relationship between Δ and WUE. This assumption was likely met during the first harvest period only, therefore Δ and WUE (and ET) were related. Selecting for low A appears to have potential for identifying cool season turfgrass for reduced ET. However, further research is needed to determine the reliability of Δ in predicting ET under non-limiting and water limiting conditions.
The costs of male courtship and potential benefits of male choice for large mates in Phidippus clarus (Araneae, Salticidae)

Abstract Despite a wealth of research on the benefits of mate choice, empirical evidence for the costs of courtship is scarce. Understanding the interplay between the costs and benefits of reproductive behaviors is critical to our understanding of sexual selection. I present a study designed to explore the potential reproductive benefits of male choosiness for large mates as well as the costs of courtship in the jumping spider Phidippus clarus (Keyserling 1885). My findings suggest that a positive relationship between female tibia length and the number of emerging spiderlings may underlie male choice for large females. However, this benefit may be mitigated by the longevity costs of courtship. Further investigation of the potential trade-offs between the benefits of male preferences for large females and the costs of courtship in this species is required.