Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bird community characteristics as indicators of sustainable management in olive grove ecosystems of Central Greece

The role of breeding birds as indicators of sustainable management in olive groves was investigated. The data revealed significantly higher alpha diversity in organic and abandoned olive groves and maquis than in conventional ones. The highest beta diversity was found between the following pairs: organic olive groves–maquis, and abandoned olive groves–maquis. Breeding bird diversity, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera densities positively influenced bird species richness in organic olive groves and maquis, and additionally, manure application positively influenced bird species richness in organic ones. Bird species richness was negatively influenced by pesticide and inorganic fertilizer application in conventional ones. Moreover, isopod density was unimportant in explaining breeding bird richness in organic olive groves. Finally, our study suggests a difference in bird communities of various olive groves as a result of different management and practices, and concludes that birds might serve as indicators of overall olive grove health. Furthermore, these findings could be used as a tool for prediction of breeding bird species richness probability in different olive grove management systems and maquis. Finally, the results of the present study may contribute to highlighting some aspects of the effect of different farming practices on the dynamics of Mediterranean bird communities.
Do Top-Performing Companies Use Business Analytics Differently And Why?

It is suggested that companies that use business analytics perform better than those that do not in making strategic decisions and creating business value. However, little academic research based on theories exists to examine the extent to which companies differ in using business analytics and why this difference may contribute to company performance difference. To reduce this knowledge gap, this paper investigates the extent to which top and bottom performing companies differ in using business analytics by means of analysis of variance based on 232 responses collected from UK manufacturers, and seeks to explain how this use difference may be linked to performance difference drawing on the information processing view and path dependence theory. The research findings indicate that top-performing companies are three times more likely than bottom-performing companies to use business analytics and develop a data-driven environment simultaneously; and that the company differences regarding the use of business analytics and the resultant performance may be due to path dependence and how relevant organisational factors are designed. The study contributes to business analytics literature by providing empirical evidences and offering a theoretical-based understanding of business analytics, providing a foundation for future research. This study also has important managerial implications by demonstrating how business analytics can be used to improve performance.
Phytoplankton functional group dynamics explain species abundance distribution in a directionally changing environment

The mechanism underlying species abundance distribution (SAD), particularly the characteristics of “excess of rare species,” remains controversial. The current equilibrium theory cannot explain the transient dynamics of SAD, which is essential for predicting biodiversity response to environmental changes. Using a unique 32-yr-long phytoplankton community data set from a pelagic site of Lake Biwa, Japan, we show that the dynamics of functional groups driven by environmental variation explain the excess of rare species over time. First, most of the rare species belong to the littoral group supplied through dispersal, whereas the common species belong to the pelagic group. Second, the littoral group was negatively influenced by environmental changes (i.e., lake warming, water-level manipulation, and partial re-oligotrophication), mechanistically explaining truncation of the excess of rare species in the SAD associated with biodiversity loss in Lake Biwa. Our findings imply the significance of an ecological t.
Production of the amphipod Hyalella azteca (Saussure) in a northern Ontario lake

Annual production of the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, was estimated in three habitats of the upper littoral zone of Dock Lake, Ontario, over a 2-year period (1980–1981). Cohort production (P) by the size frequency method was 1.39 g/m2 (dry weight), mean annual biomass (B) was 0.36 g/m2, and the P/B ratio was 3.9 for the 1980 year class. Five other methods for estimating production were applied to this cohort, providing comparable estimates ranging from 1.21 (instantaneous growth) to 1.65 (cohort G) g/m2. Size frequency estimates of annual production for 1980 and 1981 were 1.24 and 1.40 g/m2, respectively. The annual P/ ratios of 3.9 and 4.0 for these 2 years agree with the cohort value. A comparison of production estimates for Hyalella azteca in the literature shows a gradient of production which correlates with the habitat temperature regime.
MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION AND GROWTH OF TRIFOLIUM SUBTERRANEUM: USE OF STERILIZED SOIL AS A CONTROL TREATMENT

SUMMARY Effects of mycorrhizal infection on the growth of Trifolium subterraneum have been studied by comparing plants grown in sterilized soil/sand mixtures with plants grown in untreated soil/sand mixtures. The original soil contained a high level of endomycorrhizal inoculum. The aim was to consider whether this approach is valid, bearing in mind the possible effects of sterilization (γ-irradiation or autoclaving) on soil properties. Plants in the untreated soil/sand mixtures became significantly larger than plants in the sterilized soil/sand mixtures about 4 weeks after planting. This response was associated with rapid infection by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; it still occurred when nitrate replaced N2 as the nitrogen source for the plants. Addition of soluble phosphate enhanced the growth of the non-mycorrhizal plants to a level similar to that of the mycorrhizal plants. Mixing sterilized and untreated soil did not depress mycorrhizal infection or growth. These results indicate that the growth difference was a classic mycorrhizal response, and did not reflect toxic effects of soil sterilization. The growth of Brassica oleracea (broccoli), which does not form mycorrhizas, was better on sterilized soil.
Changes in woody vegetation abundance and diversity after natural disturbances causing different levels of mortality.

Questions: How does woody vegetation abundanceand diversity differ after natural disturbances caus-ing different levels of mortality? Location: Abies balsamea–Betula papyrifera borealmixed-wood stands of southeast Quebec, Canada.Methods: Woody vegetation abundance and diver-sity were quantiﬁed and compared among threedisturbance-caused mortality classes, canopy gap,moderate-severity disturbances, and catastrophicﬁre, using redundancy analysis, a constrained linearordination technique, and diversity indices.Results: Substantial changes in canopy tree speciesabundance and diversity only occurred aftercatastrophic ﬁre. Shade-tolerant, late-successionalconifer species remained dominant after canopygap and moderate-severity disturbances, whereasshade-intolerant, early-successional colonizersdominated canopy tree regeneration after cata-strophic ﬁre. Density and diversity of mid-tolerantand shade-intolerant understory tree and shrubspecies increased as the impact of disturbance in-creased. Highest species richness estimates wereobserved after catastrophic ﬁre, with several speciesestablishing exclusively under these conditions. Re-lative abundance of canopy tree regeneration wasmost similar after canopy gap and moderate-sever-ity disturbances. For the sub-canopy tree and shrubcommunity, relative species abundances were mostsimilar after moderate-severity disturbances andcatastrophic ﬁre. Vegetation responses to moder-ate-severity disturbances thus had commonalitieswith both extremes of the disturbance-caused mor-tality gradient, but for different regeneration layers.Conclusions: Current spatio-temporal parameters ofnatural disturbances causing varying degrees ofmortality promote the development of a complex,multi-cohort forest condition throughout the land-scape. The projected increase in time intervalsbetween catastrophic ﬁres may lead to reduceddiversity within the system.Keywords: Abies balsamea–Betula papyriferaforests; Canopy gap disturbance; Catastrophic ﬁre;Disturbance-caused mortality; Moderate-severitydisturbance; Natural regenerationNomenclature: Gleason & Cronquist (1991)Abbreviations: MSD, moderate-severity distur-bance; RDA5redundancy analysis; R5speciesrichness; H
In vitro evaluation of roots, seeds and leaves of Sesamum indicum L. for their potential antibacterial and antioxidant properties

It is important to exemplify different types of medicinal plants for their potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties as it has been evident that diverse nutrient and non-nutrient molecules which are produced from aromatic and medicinal plants display antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and can protect human body against cellular oxidation reaction and pathogens. Methanol and aqueous extracts of different parts (seeds, roots and leaves) of Sesamum indicum L. were screened to detect in vitro antioxidant [1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA)] and antimicrobial (disc diffusion and deep well diffusion) activity. On the basis of the results, different parts of S. indicum L. showed promising antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in methanol extract instead of aqueous extracts. It has also been observed that S. indicum L. has a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and can be used as accessible source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agent in pharmaceutical industry and as a possible food supplement. Key words: Sesamum indicum L. , 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), antioxidant, antimicrobial.
Importance of environmental and biological drivers in the presence and space use of a reef‑associated shark

As coral reef ecosystems come under increasing pressure from fisheries and climate change, understanding how species that rely on these habitats respond to changes within their environment is increasingly important. The presence and movement of 28 grey reef sharks Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos were monitored for 15 mo in the southern Great Barrier Reef in relation to environmental conditions and biological factors. Twenty-eight models including water temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, rainfall and time (week or month), size and sex were tested against presence and activity space data and compared using Akaike information criterion (AIC). Model results for presence of individuals in relation to environmental conditions indicated that temperature and wind speed had weak effects, likely related to detectability. Models using 3 different measures of activity space indicated no relationship between shark activity space and environmental parameters. Week was a significant factor in the top performing activity space models, with males showing increased activity space during weeks in September, when mating is believed to occur. These results suggest changes in movement were biologically rather than environmentally driven. It appears that C. amblyrhynchos are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions in coral reef habitats and that movement between or away from reef platforms is likely related to biological factors such as prey density, competition, reproduction or dispersal rather than environmental or seasonal changes.
Afinidades antigênicas de amostras de campo do vírus da bronquite infecciosa das galinhas com a amostra Massachusetts M41

Aiming to the evaluation of antigenic relationships among isolates of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) through their reactivity against Massachusetts M41 S1 glycopolypeptide specific monoclonal antibodies (Mab) an ELISA was developed. Fourteen IBV isolates obtained from field cases of disease, reported from 1972 to 1989 in Minas Gerais, Brazil, were examined. The IBV isolates could be grouped into related or not to M41, based on the reactivity to M41 S1 specific Mabs. The unrecognized field isolates conform a diversity of representatives, which may range from Massachusetts vaccine strains to unrelated heterologous IBV serotypes. The detection of three M41-related isolates (208-1972, PM1-1987 and PM2-1987) indicate that, despite the high variability and pressure for changes in the S1 protein, M41 clones are still present in the field and may point out that the survival strategies for isolates should include mechanisms that preserve the best fits for cellular receptors.
Cytology of Elymus panormitanus and its F1 hybrids with Pseudoroegneria spicata, Elymus caninus, and Elymus dentatus ssp. ugamicus

Three accessions of Elymus panormitanus (Parl.) Tzvelev were introduced into the United States in 1967 from Iraq and Turkey. A study was undertaken to describe the cytological behavior, mode of reproduction, cytology and fertility of E. panormitanus and its F1 hybrids with "analyzer" species, and genomic formula. Chromosome pairing was studied at meta-phase I in a series of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids to characterize the genomic constitution of E. panormitanus. All plants of E. panormitanus studied were 2n = 28, and averaged 13.96 bivalents per cell, suggesting that E. panormitanus is an allotetraploid with two different genomes. Seed set under controlled pollination indicated that E. panormitanus is highly self-compatible. Hybrids between E. panormitanus and the following analyzer species (with known genomic constitution) were obtained: Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh.) A. Love, 2n = 14, SS; Elymus caninus (L.) L. , 2n = 28, SSHH; Elymus dentatus (Hook, f.) Tzvelev ssp. ugamicus (Drob.) Tzvelev,.
CD99 (E2) up‐regulates α 4β 1‐dependent T cell adhesion to inflamed vascular endothelium under flow conditions

CD99/E2 is an integral transmembrane protein which forms, together with Xga, a distinct family whose genes are located in the pseudoautosomal region. The number of T cells that firmly bound to vascular endothelial cells under physiological shear stress increased 2–14‐fold upon CD99 stimulation, and bound cells became much more resistant to detachment forces and spread. T cell arrest occurred within 1 min and was dependent on the α4β1‐VCAM‐1 pathway. In contrast, the αLβ2‐ICAM‐1 pathway remained unactivated. This was observed with T cell lines and with activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, and was limited within the resting peripheral CD4+ T cells to the memory subset, while virgin cells were unaffected. This discloses a stepwise regulation of the T cell extravasation cascade.
Characteristics and application of octenyl succinic anhydride modified waxy corn starch in sausage

Native and acid-hydrolyzed wx corn starches were modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) in aqueous slurry systems. The characteristics of the modified wx corn starches and their effects on chicken meat sausages were evaluated by means of FT-IR, rapid visco analyser, SEM, and texture profile analysis. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that the ester carbonyl groups in the OSA modified native and acid-hydrolyzed starches were characterized at 1725 cm -1 . The process of OSA modification could achieve starch derivatives, which had higher viscosities, better paste clarity and freeze-thaw stability than the native counterparts. Texture results showed that the hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness of the sausage increased as OSA-H0 was added (p < 0.05). SEM revealed that the sausages with native wx corn starch had larger and uneven pores, while it was comparatively compact for the sausages with OSA starches. The OSA modified wx corn starch offered a great potential to be used in meat products to enhance textural quality.
Improvement of potential therapeutic value of tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α) by charge modulation in the tip region

Analysis of published data reveals that the introduction of more basic amino acid residues in the flexible N-terminal region of the human tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) molecule indicates a weak but consistent trend towards increased in vitro cytotoxicity, especially when the effect of N-terminal length is taken into account. In our laboratory, a series of TNF analogues with a charge modification in the tip region of the molecule was prepared, and cytotoxicity measured. Similar trends in cytotoxicity with increasing basicity of the TNF analogue were found in this study for two mouse cell lines, L929 and WEHI-164 clone 13-1, as well as for the human line KYM-1D4. For the series of analogues as a whole, a general increase in in vitro cytotoxicity with increasing pI values was not apparent, but some analogues with charge reversal in the tip region, for example, the LK-805 analogue (E107K), exhibited significantly increased cytotoxicity in comparison to native TNF in a range of cell lines, including L929, KYM-1D4-K, WEHI-164 clone 13-1, HEPA 1-6 and EAhy926 cell lines. Experiments with heparinase-pre-treated cells demonstrated that the increased in vitro cytotoxicity of LK-805 is most probably due to interactions with cell surface heparan sulphates that effectively concentrate it before binding to TNF receptors occurs. Examination of structural models of TNF bound to soluble TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) indicates that simple mutations in the tip region most probably cannot interact with receptor binding sites, and therefore do not directly modulate cytotoxicity.
Chlorophyll fluorescence response of red spruce and balsam fir to a watershed calcium fertilization experiment in New Hampshire

Decreases in soil exchangeable calcium (Ca) due to acid deposition have been linked with declines of forest species in the northeastern United States, particularly red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.). In 2005, chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were taken on red spruce and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. ) trees growing on two watersheds at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in New Hampshire. One watershed had been fertilized with CaSiO3 in 1999 to replace the soil Ca losses of the past 50 years, and the other was a reference watershed. In March, there were no differ- ences in any chlorophyll fluorescence parameter between sites or species. In August, however, dark-adapted ratios of vari- able fluorescence to maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) were significantly greater (p = 0.05) in the Ca-treated watershed for both spruce and fir, and spruce values were significantly greater than fir. No differences were found in the light-adapted fluorescence parameters. These results suggest that both spruce and fir respond to increases in Ca availability, even though fir does not exhibit the decline symptoms seen in spruce. It is unclear what physiological effect is responsible for the ob- served differences in Fv/Fm. The Fv/Fm values appear to respond to differences in Ca availability in forest tree species; thus, the ratio has the potential to be used in these two watersheds at HBEF to determine if other forest species are also re-
SALICYLIC ACID AND ACIBENZOLAR-S-METHYL INDUCED RESISTANCE AGAINST TOXIC EFFECT OF JUGLONE, A TOXIN OF MYCOSPHAERELLA FIJIENSIS CAUSAL AGENT OF BANANA BLACK LEAF STREAK DISEASE

Salicylic acid and its analogues are considered the most important compounds which can be activated a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants. The disadvantages and limits related to the usual methods in particular fungicide spray to the control of black leaf streak disease (BLSD) require research of approaches more respectful of the environment for this disease management such as the use of SAR inducers. The effects of Salicylic acid (SA) and Acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) on the interaction of two susceptible cultivars of banana (Orishele and Corne 1) with the hemibiotrophic fungal Mycosphaerella fijiensis and his toxin (juglone) were investigated. The results showed that SA and ASM at low concentrations (25 and 50 µg/ml) did not affect M. fijiensis development but have the capacity to induce protection into sensitive banana against juglone toxic effect. These SAR inducers reduced the intensity of the necrosis due to the juglone and lengthened the incubation period of M. fijiensis after inoculation of banana leaves. The expression of the resistance induced was related to the variety of banana. More significant effectiveness of protection was obtained with ASM in particular on Corne 1. A total protection against the induction of necrosis was kept up to 100 µg/ml of juglone 2 to 3 weeks after application of ASM on the soil and on the leaves of banana. ASM constitutes a viable and non-contaminant option in the fight against to BLSD because of his non-inhibiting action on M. fijiensis and excellent protection into banana when roots and leaves were treated.
Early establishment performance of local and hybrid maize under two water stress regimes

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major grain crop in South Africa where most subsistence farmers still plant landraces. The objective of this study was to compare two landrace selections of maize with two hybrids popular among small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, for seed performance and water stress tolerance during seedling establishment. Two variations of a local landrace, white (Land A) and dark red (Land B), were compared to two hybrids, SC701 and SR52. Standard germination test and electrical conductivity were used to assess seed quality under laboratory conditions. Seedling emergence was performed in seedling trays using pine bark at 25% and 75% field capacity (FC), respectively, over a period of 21days. All seed types showed high germination capacity (>93%). There were highly significant differences (p<0.001) among seed types with respect to daily germination and germination velocity index (GVI). Landraces germinated slower than the hybrids. Landraces showed a 20% better root length and 41% lower electrolyte leakage than hybrids. There were differences (p<0.001) in seedling emergence between 25%FC and 75%FC. Hybrids showed better emergence at 75% FC. At 25% FC seedling emergence was drastically reduced (>5% in all varieties). Hybrids emerged faster than the landraces in both water regimes. Landraces performed better than hybrids under stress conditions. This study showed that landraces may have the same viability as hybrids and a better tolerance to stress during early establishment of the crop.
Richness and similarity of helminth communities in the tropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma urophthalmus from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The composition, richness and similarity of helminth communities in a tropical freshwater fish were determined in samples of Cichlasoma urophthalmus collected from 7 localities of broadly similar age and character situated along the northern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. The component communities exhibited a unique combination of characteristics for a freshwater fish. They were dominated by digeneans, with all other helminth groups being numerically inferior. A common suite of species could be recognized, but many of its members were generalists and not cichlid specialists. Species richness and number of individuals per host were high, but diversity was low, reflecting high dominance by one species. Intra- and inter-locality similarity levels were low, and local variation high. In respect of species richness and digenean dominance, the communities resembled those in Australian tropical anguillids, but in respect of low diversity, similarity and high dominance they are more similar to helminth communities of northern temperate fish.