Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient limitation of woody debris decomposition in a tropical forest: contrasting effects of N and P addition

Summary Tropical forests represent a major terrestrial store of carbon (C), a large proportion of which is contained in the soil and decaying organic matter. Woody debris plays a key role in forest C dynamics because it contains a sizeable proportion of total forest C. Understanding the factors controlling the decomposition of organic matter in general, and woody debris in particular, is hence critical to assessing changes in tropical C storage. We conducted a factorial fertilization experiment in a tropical forest in South China to investigate the influence of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability on woody debris decomposition using branch segments (5 cm diameter) of four species (Acacia auriculaeformis, Aphanamixis polystachya, Schefflera octophylla, and Carallia brachiata) in plots fertilized with +N, +P, or +NP, and controls. Fertilization with +P and +NP increased decomposition rates by 5–53%, and the magnitude was species specific. Contrary to expectations, we observed no negative effect of +N addition on decay rates or mass loss of woody debris in any of the four study species. Decomposition rates of woody debris were higher in species with lower C : P ratios regardless of treatment. We observed significant accumulation of P in the woody debris of all species in plots fertilized with +P and +NP during the early stages of decomposition. N release from woody debris of Acacia (N-fixing) was greater in the +P plots towards the end of the study, whereas fertilization with +N had no impact on the patterns of nutrient release during decomposition. Synthesis: Our results indicate that decomposition of woody debris is primarily constrained by P availability in this tropical forest. However, contrary to expectations, +N addition did not exacerbate P limitation. It is conceivable that decay rates of woody debris in tropical forests can be predicted by C : P or lignin : P ratios, but additional work with more tree species is needed to determine whether the patterns we observed are more generally applicable.
New Discussion on Boysen-Jensen's Photosynthetic Response Curves Under Plant Canopy and Proposal of Practical Equations for Monitoring and Management of Canopy Photosynthesis

The name of Peter Boysen-Jensen brightly shines in the history of plant biology, especially as one of pioneering researchers studying the actions of plant hormones during phototropic responses as reviewed elsewhere (Pennazio, 2002; Enders and Strader, 2015), although the significance of some key experiments are questioned today (Yamada et al., 2000). Apart from plant growth regulation by light and/or plant hormones, Boysen-Jensen has two wellacknowledged contributions to photosynthetic studies, namely, a series of study on the photosynthetic assimilation and the study on the plant canopy structure. As reviewed elsewhere (Hirose, 2005), Boysen-Jensen have pointed out that the increase in dry mass reflects the photosynthetic assimilation of carbon dioxide (Boysen-Jensen, 1918; Boysen-Jensen and Müller, 1929a; 1929b), and he also deeply studied the photosynthesis under plant canopy structure in which the leaves of self and non-self origins are layered and compete for light (Boysen-Jensen, 1929; 1932). The most important factors to be discussed when relating the structural feature of plant canopy and functioning photosynthesis might be the utility of light at different positions within the canopy structure, as photosynthetic rate must be a function of light availability on site. The concept on the competition for light within plant community proposed by Boysen-Jensen is now the basis for understanding the eco-physiological behaviors of plants such as temperature-responsive onset of vegetation growth under competitive inter-species canopy (Dunnett and Grime, 1999).
Evaluation of potential genotoxic effect of trifluralin in Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower)

In this study, the genotoxic effects of the herbicide trifluralin on the root meristem cells of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) were investigated. The roots were treated with 5 10, 20 and 40 parts per thousand concentrations of trifluralin for 24, 36 and 48 h, with a control for each combination. The morphological changes occurring in sunflower roots with the different herbicide concentrations were monitored. The mitotic index and mitotic abnormalities were determined in both control and test groups. Mitotic index decreased with increasing herbicide concentration at each exposure time. The mitotic abnormalities were recorded as disturbed prophase, c-mitosis, stickiness, laggards and chromatid bridges. The micronucleus was observed at interphase and its frequency was calculated in different test solutions. Thus, the genotoxic potency of trifluralin with different tests was assessed by using root tip cells of Helianthus annuus.
INTEGRATION AND USE OF THE INTERDISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE IN THE FIELD OF SPATIAL AND ECONOMICS/BUSINESS SCIENCES

This research arises from the importance of integration of knowledge of economics/business and spatial sciences for graduates who must think and act in interdisciplinary contexts.The systematic literature review revealed thatthis interdisciplinary field is richly present in original scientific research, and is undoubtedly topical and worthy of research efforts. Themain objective of this paper is toanalyse important factors that contribute to the attitudes of students towards interdisciplinary knowledge, and factors that shape their intentions to use and integrate this knowledge in the future. The conceptual model formed was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). Research results confirm the importance of integration of economics/business and spatial sciences knowledge, for graduates. As presented in the paper, results of thestudyhave important implications for higher education institutions, reforming and updating their study programs, as well as for educators in the field of spatial sciences and economic/business sciences, in research and in education.
Serotiny in California Oaks

Abstract Although prolonged seed retention, or serotiny, is believed to be an adaptation to highly variable environments such as the Mediterranean regions of California, no prior study has systematically investigated the prevalence of seed retention among California oaks (family Fagaceae), the dominant woody taxon in California foothill woodlands. We quantified the extent to which acorns were retained into and through the winter and spring within the canopy of five species of California oaks at Hastings Reservation, Monterey County. Significant serotiny was found in coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and, to a lesser extent, valley oak (Q. lobata), but was absent in blue oak (Q. douglasii), canyon live oak (Q. chrysolepis), and California black oak (Q. kelloggii). In both species where serotiny was observed, seed retention was primarily predicted by the size of the focal tree's acorn crop. In addition, serotiny in coast live oaks was more prevalent in dry years and when the overall acorn crop of coast live oaks was large. We found no evidence that acorn fall in these species is triggered by a specific environmental event. Prolonged seed retention in California oaks renders acorns available in the canopy to wildlife throughout the winter in some years with potentially significant effects extending beyond those of acorn abundance per se.
Seed Germination Response to Storage Conditions of Eriocaulon heleocharioides (Eriocaulaceae), an Extinct Species in the Wild

Seed germination experiments with Eriocaulon heleocharioides Satake (Eriocaula- ceae) were performed to investigate the effect of air exposure on seeds during the storage period. Although the seeds germinated both above and under water, the response and durability of germi- nation differed from each other. Moreover, the seeds that were dried for 1 month and sown in water showed the highest germination rate (84.4%) among all combinations of conditions. This result shows that treatment by drying prior to sowing promotes the germination of this species.
Fine-scale disturbances shape space-use patterns of a boreal forest herbivore

Abstract Natural disturbance is a key determinant of ecosystem structure and function. Disturbances can create novel resource patches and modify habitat structure, thereby inducing spatial heterogeneity in the trade-off between food acquisition and predator avoidance by prey. We evaluated how canopy gap dynamics in eastern Canadian old-growth boreal forest alter the spatial distribution of food and cover for snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and how hares responded to these spatial patterns. We 1st compared browse availability within canopy gaps and the surrounding forest. We then examined fine-scale habitat selection, movement patterns, and foraging decisions by hares during winter. Perception of risk within canopy gaps was assessed using foraging experiments. We found that browse availability was 4 times higher within gaps than under forest cover. Although hares acquired most of their browse from gaps, their use of space during winter was influenced by a greater perception of predation risk within gaps. Hares selectively used areas of higher canopy closure suggesting that they restricted their use of gaps to foraging activities. Furthermore, hares biased their movements away from gaps or increased their speed of travel in areas of relatively low cover. Hares consumed experimental browse stems more intensively under forest cover than in canopy gaps, indicating a trade-off between food and safety. When foraging within canopy gaps, hares also were less likely to use both experimental and natural food patches located far away from cover. Our study demonstrates how gap dynamics in old-growth stands can structure the fine-scale spatial organization of a key prey species of the boreal forest by creating spatial heterogeneity in their landscapes of fear and food. Spatial variation in browse use in response to predation risk may in turn influence patterns of sapling growth and survival within canopy gaps. Gap dynamics therefore may be a fundamental process structuring predator–prey interactions in old-growth boreal forests.
Bioremediation Of Soil Polluted With Copper (Cu

This research was conducted to reduce the presence of heavy metals such as Cu 2+ on polluted lands using mix culture Thiobacillus sp. and bacteria Clostridium sp. as bioremediation substances. Currently, soil contamination due to heavy copper metals is a huge global responsibility. It is, therefore, necessary to innovate a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technique without secondary pollution to combat these metals. This is a follow-up research after Thiobacillus sp. and Clostridium sp. was found to have adequately lived on artificial media, such as Stone Mineral Salt solution containing metal polluters weighing about 100 ppm, with growth speed of cells/mL 21.580. Furthermore, both bacteria was used to describe the sterile soil containing 100 ppm heavy metal Cu 2+ , with pH 7, 27% average humidity, under a temperature of + 25 o C, from 48 to 312 hours. The final concentration was measured using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method. The results therefore showed that bacterial culture was able to mix the Cu 2+ in 24, 72, 120, 168, 216, 264 and 312 hours with each having 18.67%, 27.05%, 39.64%, 40.84%, 56.15%, 36.97% 32.64% respectively. However, the highest removal efficiency occurred for 216 hours, which was above 50%. Therefore, this research is expected to scientifically contribute to the environment, particularly in biotechnology, in order to provide an alternative eco-friendly atmosphere. Management-related efforts were also achieved, which was able to handle the contaminated media using the effective bacteria.
TISSUE CULTURE AND BIOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF NEW SMUT RESISTANT SUGARCANE VARIETIES

THE SMUT susceptible sugarcane cultivar Q117 has been the main commercial variety used for routine transformation research in Australia. With the recent smut incursion however, it is imperative that all future genetic modification (GM) research leading to commercial GM crop development should use smutresistant varieties. To this end, we recently initiated research to develop and establish routine tissue culture and transformation systems for important smutresistant Australian cultivars KQ228 A , Q200 A and Q208 A . Initial experiments tested the production of embryogenic callus using only 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at various concentrations in the tissue culture medium. However, biolistic transformation efficiency of this callus was very low. We therefore tested performance of these three varieties in various combinations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and either chlorophenoxy acetic acid (CPA) or 2,4-D in the culture medium. Results of the tissue culture experiments indicated that the addition of CPA in the culture medium was not suitable for the production of embryogenic callus in any of the three varieties studied. We have identified certain combinations of NAA and 2,4-D which produced prolific embryogenic callus. These media are being tested for the genetic transformation of the smut resistant varieties. One major problem with these new smut resistant varieties is precocious germination while still in the dark. This aspect of the work needs to be optimised further before any routine transformation experiments can be developed and implemented.
Development and reproductive performance of beef heifers supplemented with brown rice meal and/or protected fat on temperate grasslands

The response of energy supplementation was evaluated on the development and reproductive performance of beef heifers on temperate grasslands. Twenty-eight Charolais × Nellore heifers, with initial average age of 18 months and initial live weight of 274.9 kg were utilized. The animals were maintained on oat + ryegrass pasture and distributed in the following treatments: no supplementation (NS): heifers kept exclusively on pasture; MEG: supplementation with protected fat Megalac®; BRM: supplementation with brown rice meal; BRM+MEG: supplementation with BRM + protected fat. The average final weight of the heifers was of 403.4 kg and corresponded to 89.5% of the adult weight. The body condition of heifers increased linearly with daily increase of 0.012 points, correlating positively with the final weight. There was interaction between treatment and period for average daily weight gain. The highest daily weight gain, 1.395 kg, occurred in the first period when the animals were supplemented with BRM+MEG. In the last period, the NS animals presented the lowest daily weight gain, 0.888 kg. Supplementation with brown rice meal and/or protected fat does not interfere in the intake of pasture by heifers or increase the total intake of dry matter, not changing, therefore, the average daily weight gain at the end of the period of grazing. The daily weight gain does not change during supplementation. The use of temperate pasture with and without supplementation promotes the proper development of the structure and reproductive tract of heifers, benefiting the animal performance indexes in the first mating at 25-27 months of age.
Direct effects of elevated UV-B radiation on the decomposition of Quercus robur leaf litter

Decomposing Quercus robur L. leaf litter was exposed for 64 weeks at an outdoor facility to supplemental levels of UV-B radiation (280-315 nm) under treatment arrays of cellulose diacetate-filtered fluorescent lamps which also produce UV-A radiation (315-400 nm). Litter was also exposed to UV-A radiation alone under control arrays of polyester-filtered lamps and to ambient levels of solar radiation under arrays of unenergised lamps. The treatment corresponded to a 30% elevation above the ambient erythemally-weighted level of UV-B radiation. Litter was sampled after 11, 39 and 64 weeks and was examined for differences in mass loss, decomposition constants (k), chemical composition and the abundances of saprotrophic fungi. No effects of UV radiation on k values were recorded, but after 11 weeks, percentage mass loss of litter exposed to UV-B radiation under treatment arrays was 3% lower than under control arrays and 2% lower than under ambient arrays. After 39 weeks, litters exposed to UV-A radiation under control arrays had 10% lower total nitrogen contents and 13% higher C:N ratios than those litters exposed beneath ambient arrays. At the last sampling, litters exposed to supplemental UV-B radiation had 5% higher carbon contents than those under ambient arrays. A 2.4-fold increase in the frequency of lamina particles of litter that were uncolonised by fungi was recorded in litter exposed to UV-B radiation under treatment arrays, compared to ambient arrays. The abundances of the saprotrophic fungi Cladosporium spp. and Acremonium persicinum (Nicot) W. Gams were decreased by 50% and 91%, respectively, under UV-B treatment arrays compared to ambient arrays, and the abundance of coelomycete conidiomata recorded on leaves was increased by 12% under treatment arrays, compared to ambient. Dactylella spp. were not recorded on litter exposed to UV-A radiation under control arrays and UV-A radiation applied under control and treatment arrays apparently increased the abundance of Polyscytalum fecundissimum Riess. on litter. UV radiation had fewer effects on the abundances of decomposer fungi that develop in leaf tissues than it did on those that develop on leaf litter surfaces. We conclude that increased fluxes of UV-B radiation as a result of stratospheric ozone depletion will have subtle but wide-ranging impacts on the decomposition of litters in oak woodlands.
Summer activity patterns of nocturnal Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) of the southern tablelands of New South Wales

Australia has a rich diversity of Scarabaeoidea; however, little is known about the majority of them. Because adults of Anoplognathus, Automolius, Heteronychus, Heteronyx and Liparetrus in particular are reliant upon eucalypts, a number of bluegum plantation companies supported the commencement of research into the biology and ecology of scarabs of economic significance to them. Consequently, it was decided that the occurrences of species endemic to this area would be studied and it was assumed that information on the nocturnal species in the aforementioned genera would be obtained. From late November 2003 until late February 2004, the abundances of Scarabaeoidea caught in two light traps that partition insects caught on a given night into seven time periods each of 1.75 h duration were recorded. A total of 48 263 scarabs representing 21 genera were caught. Within the 14 species caught most often, six types of summer activity pattern were apparent: late spring to early summer (Austral- obolbus gayndahensis), early to mid-summer (Scitala sericans), mid-summer only (Sericesthis ignota), mid- to late summer (Acrossidius tasmaniae, Aphodius lividus, Heteronyx chlorotica, Het. praecox and Antitrogus morbillosus), late summer only (Ataenius picinus) and all summer (Anoplognathus pallidicollis, Phyllotocus macleayi, Sericesthis geminata, Ser. micans and Ser. nigrolineata). Abundances of nine species peaked between 21:30 and 23:15 h (Aph. lividus, Phy. macleayi, Het. chlorotica, Sci. sericans, Ser. geminata, Ser. micans, Ser. nigrolineata and possi- bly also Ant. morbillosus), three were most abundant between 19:45 and 21:30 h (Ano. pallidicollis, Ser. ignota and possibly also Ata. picinus), another two were most abundant from 19:45 to 23:15 h (Acr. tasmaniae and Het. praecox) and Aus. gayndahensis was most abundant between 23:15 and 01:00 h. Of course, it is not just a knowledge of the identity of the species and the timing of their occurrence that are important when making insect management decisions, but also the size of popu- lation needed to inflict economically significant loss. It is now beholden upon bluegum plantation companies to support further research to determine the relationships between light trap catches of eucalypt-feeding scarabs, tree age and/or size and level of defoliation in order to improve their confidence in this method of monitoring over ground surveys.
A Synopsis of the Italian Bryophyte Vegetation

Abstract A compilation of the bryophyte syntaxa known to date from Italy is presented. The 135 associations and 28 subassociations are included in 19 alliances, 42 orders and 12 bryosociological classes. All the syntaxa reported were critically revised from the nomenclatural and syntaxonomical point of view. In the syntaxonomical scheme, for higher phytosociological units (classes, orders and alliances), the ecological features are summarized. The synonyms used in Italy and the characteristic and differential species of each syntaxon are also included. Finally, the distribution of each association and subassociation in the Italian administrative regions is given using the numerical references assigned to the corresponding bibliographic source in References.
Nyctiphanes simplex (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) temporal association of embryogenesis and early larval development with female molt and ovarian cycles

Embryogenesis (single cell to twitching stage) and early larval stages (nauplius to calyptopis 3) internal morphology of the sac-spawning species Nyctiphanes simplex was investigated to explore its temporal association with gonad development and molt development cycles. Krill were collected and incubated shipboard in July 2007 and March 2010 in the Gulf of California. Cleavage patterns were similar to what is observed in broadcast-spawning species, suggesting a close phylogenetic consistency between krill species with distinct spawning strategies. Nyctiphanes simplex, like broadcast-spawning krill species, had eight Kranzzellen (K1–K8) cells during the blastula stage. The gonad of ovigerous females with embryos in the cell division stage is in the multiplication stage (Stage I). From the nauplius stage, most females are in previtellogenesis (Stage II). Only females with metanauplii occasionally have gonads in vitellogenesis (Stage III). Gonad maturity (Stage IV) occurs only after the release of the embryos from the ovigerous sac. Females with an ovigerous sac were invariably at the intermolt stage, suggesting a precise synchronization among processes of molting, gonad development and embryo release to produce consecutive broods. Lipid and carbohydrate storage decreased exponentially throughout embryonic and early larval development, depending on their endogenous reserves. When metanauplii leave the ovigerous sac, they have low storage lipid (,2%) and carbohydrate (,5%). These proportions suggest a theoretically short period-of-no-return (,2 days), when they transform into the first feeding stage (calyptopis 1).
Synchrony in the abundance trend of spear squid Loligo bleekeri in the Japan Sea and the Pacific Ocean with special reference to the latitudinal differences in response to the climate regime shift

Spear squid Loligo bleekeri is widely distributed in the Japanese coastal waters. The fisheries depend largely on four stocks: the southern and northern stocks both in the Japan Sea and the coastal regions of the Pacific. The catch per unit effort (cpue) for the northern stock in the Japan Sea decreased substantially during the 1980s but increased during the 1990s, while the abundance index for the southern stock showed the opposite trend. The cpue for the southern and northern stocks in the Pacific coast showed a similar pattern to that in the Japan Sea. The synchrony in the abundance trends between the Japan Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and latitudinal differences between the northern and southern stocks indicate the impact of the climate regime shift. Generalized additive model analysis identified significant effects of environmental factors. Increased water temperature had a positive effect on the northern