Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE META‐ANALYSIS OF RESPONSE RATIOS IN EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGY

Meta-analysis provides formal statistical techniques for summarizing the results of independent experiments and is increasingly being used in ecology. The response ratio (the ratio of mean outcome in the experimental group to that in the control group) and closely related measures of proportionate change are often used as measures of effect magnitude in ecology. Using these metrics for meta-analysis requires knowledge of their statistical properties, but these have not been previously derived. We give the approximate sampling distribution of the log response ratio, discuss why it is a particularly useful metric for many applications in ecology, and demonstrate how to use it in meta-analysis. The meta-analysis of response-ratio data is illustrated using experimental data on the effects of increased atmospheric CO2 on plant biomass responses.
ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND BIONOMICS Biologia e Arquitetura de Ninhos de Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)

Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith is an indigenous solitary bee multivoltine widespread on Neotropical region. The aim of this study was to analyse aspects of its biology and structure of nests were investigated using traps nests made by wood, which were randomly distributed in a coastal sand dune environment, in Bahia, Brazil ( 12° 56' S e 38° 21' W). Nests were found in trap nests of 0.8 and 1.0 cm in diameter, but the latter was mostly used by females (68.7%). The bees constructed their nests with sand mixed with a substance, probably wax or oil. Completed nests had six to eight cells separated by a space filled with those mixture. From the 16 nests obtained, 55 males and 49 females emerged (sex ratio = 1: 0.89). The innermost cells of the nests produced females and the outermost cells males. Females were significantly (t = 1.679; P < 0.05) larger (x = 4.52 ± 0.11 mm) than males ( x = 3.94 ± 0.13 mm), and no dimorphism in males was found. In general the structural aspects of the nests presented in this work agree with the data found to the same species from others ecosystems.
Fine root biomass and morphology in an age-sequence of post-agricultural Pinus sylvestris L. stands.

The purpose of this study was to examine how stand age affects fine root biomass and morphology in different stages of first generation Scots pine forest development in post-agricultural fields. Stands of different ages (6-, 10-, 16-, 28-, and 47-yr-old) were studied at the same time to provide data on biometrical fine root features, i.e. biomass, length, surface area, volume, number of tips, root tip density, specific root tip density, specific root area, specific root length and fine root tissue density. Soil cores from the upper 20 cm of soil were used for the study. The results of the study show that fine root characteristics did significantly differ among stands of different age. Fine root biomass ranged from 0.9 Mg ha–1 (6-yr-old stand) to 2.3 Mg ha–1 (47-yr-old stand), whereas coarse root biomass ranged from 0.2 Mg ha–1 to 3.2 Mg ha–1, respectively. Fine root biomass in the older stands (10–47-yr-old) remains constant and is ca. 4 times higher than in the youngest stand (6-yrs-old). This shows that the fine root biomass of Scots pine in the upper soil horizons reached a constant biomass at a younger stand age than found in previously published papers, although at the same stage of stand development, i.e. canopy closure. Fine root length, surface area and volume expressed on per stand area basis were significantly different among stands; the highest values were found in the 10-yr-old stand, during the time of canopy closure. This means that stand age (i.e. age of trees in pure even-aged monocultures) is not a major factor influencing the fine root dynamics, instead stage of development and other stand and habitat characteristics may play an important role. Moreover, we found significant linear relationships among stand age and fine root length, surface area and number of fine root tips expressed on a per tree basis. Our study showed that stand age affects both fine root biomass and morphology in Scots pine forests when growing on post-agricultural fields. The differences revealed in our study indicate high plasticity of Scots pine fine roots in response to stand changes over age. Additional key words: Scots pine; basal area; root biomass; specific fine root length; specific fine root tip density; specific fine root area; fine root tissue density. Addresses: 1Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Dendrology, Parkowa 5, PL-62-035 Kórnik, Poland, e-mail: amj@man.poznan. pl 2Poznań University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Protection, Wojska Polskiego 71c, PL-60-625 Poznań, Poland 3University of Łódź, Institute of Ecology and Environment Protection, Department of Mycology, Banacha 12/16, PL-90-237 Łódź, Poland 2011, vol. 66, 71–84 72 Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Izabela Kałucka
Fourier transform IR study of enzymatically isolated tomato fruit cuticular membrane

Fourier transform ir study on enzymatically isolated tomato fruit cuticle has been performed. Assignments of the observed frequencies to functional groups present in the cuticular membrane yield information on the polyester cross‐links and the interactions among the different components that form this plant protective barrier. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Formulation of microbial biocontrol agents – an industrial perspective

Abstract One of the key components to the commercial success of a biological control agent for plant pathogens is formulation. Formulation of biocontrol agents can be used to: stabilize the organisms during production, distribution and storage; aid in the handling and application of the product; protect the agent from harmful environmental factors; and enhance the activity of the organisms (Jones & Burges, 1998). From a technical efficacy standpoint, an effective formulation requires thorough knowledge of the biocontrol organism, pathogen, environment, and interactions with other organisms. The development of a commercially-viable formulation also requires an understanding of common application practices and equipment, as well as the desires of customers for formulation handling. It is important to develop a clear vision of the product specifications before formulation research is started. Ingredients must be safe and acceptable to regulatory agencies in all areas where the product will be used. This review will focus on microbial biocontrol of plant pathogens, as seen from an industrial formulation-development standpoint.
Distribution of the endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium occultans in naturalized Italian ryegrass in western Japan and its production of bioactive alkaloids known to repel insect pests

Endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium that form mutualistic associations with grasses of the subfamily Pooideae are ecologically and agriculturally important, producing mycotoxins that affect grazing animals and some insect pests. After our first report of naturalized Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum, annual ryegrass) infected with a Neotyphodium endophyte in Japan, the identity of this endophyte, the nature of its association with host grasses and its distribution, as well as the possible presence of toxic alkaloids have been of interest. To answer these questions we conducted surveys covering the western part of Japan to determine the distribution of infected Italian ryegrasses. Further, to identify the endophyte we used microscopy to determine its distribution in infected grasses and we applied DNA analysis using the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) to compare strains of this endophyte obtained from different geographic locations. Finally, we examined seed obtained from endophyte-infected Italian ryegrasses using high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and gas chromatograph. These studies indicated that naturalized Italian ryegrass in all three islands surveyed; Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku, was frequently infected with N. occultans. N-formyl loline, an insect toxin, and peramine, a feeding deterrent were detected in the infected seed samples, but neither ergovaline nor lolitrem B (causal agents of grazing animal toxicity) were detected. These chemical analyses indicated that N. occultans infection of Italian ryegrasses may provide some influence on the insect fauna of the area through the chemicals active against insects, but was unlikely to be toxic to grazing animals.
Light-dependent damage to photosynthesis in olive leaves during chilling and high temperature stress

Abstract The leaves of olive are long lived and likely to experience both chilling and high temperature stress during their life. Changes in photosynthetic CO2 assimilation resulting from chilling and high temperature stress, in both dim and high light, are investigated. The quantum yield (φ) of photosynthesis at limiting light levels was reduced following chilling (at 5°C for 12 h), in dim light by approximately 10%, and in high light by 75%; the difference being attributed to photoinhibition. Similar reductions were observed in the light-saturated rate of CO2 uptake (Amax). Decrease in Amax correlated with a halving of the leaf internal CO2 concentration (ci), suggesting an increased limitation by stomata following photoinhibition. Leaves were apparently more susceptible to photoinhibitory damage if the whole plant, rather than the leaf alone, was chilled. On return to 26 °C, I he photosynthetic capacity recovered to pre-stress levels within a few hours if leaves had been chilled in high light for 8 h or less, but did not fully recover from longer periods of chilling when loss of chlorophyll occurred. Leaves which were recovering from chilling in high light showed far more damage on being chilled a second time in high light. Three hours in high light at 38 °C reduced φ by 80%, but φ recovered within 4h of return to 26 °C. Although leaves of Olive are apparently less susceptible to photoinhibitory damage during chilling stress than the short-lived leaves of chilling-sensitive annual? crops, the results nevertheless show that photoinhibition during temperature stress is potentially a major factor influencing the photosynthetic productivity of Olive in the field.
Cadastramento fitossociológico de plantas daninhas na cultura de girassol

The objective of this work was to survey the weeds in the preharvest of the sunflower crop in growers field of the southwest regions of Goias State (Chapadao do Ceu, Jatai and Montividiu) and Chapadao do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Fifty one farms were evaluated, during the period of May to June, 2002, in a total of 583 m2 of area. The weeds were identified and counted inside a square (1.0x1.0 m), applied in each area, in order to determine the frequency, density, abundance and relative importance. Volunteer soybean (Glycine max) and corn (Zea mays) are part of the weed species in sunflower crop in the area. The botanical families Poaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae present larger number of species. The main weeds found in the area are, in decreasing order, Ageratum conyzoides, Chamaesyce hirta, Cenchrus echinatus, Bidens sp. , Euphorbia heterophylla and Commelina benghalensis.
Effects of ectoparasites on breeding success of great tits (Parus major) and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) in an air pollution gradient

Numbers of ectoparasitic blow fly (Protocalliphora azurea) larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae), adult and larval hen fleas, Ceratophyllus gallinae (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), and other nest-dwelling insects were counted from the nests of the great tit, Parus major, and the pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, in southwestern Finland around a factory complex emitting large quantities of sulphuric oxides and heavy metals. Protocalliphora azurea larvae were more frequently found in the nests of P. major than in those of F. hypoleuca. The prevalence of P. azurea larvae tended to be lower in polluted areas. The number of P. azurea larvae correlated positively with nest size and brood size of P. major. This may be caused by difficulties in sanitation of large and crowded nests. The numbers of fleas and their larvae were negatively affected by moisture in the nests. Nests of F. hypoleuca contained more adult fleas in polluted areas. This may indicate reduced resistance of birds exposed to heavy metals, but othe.
Molecular epidemiology of cassava mosaic disease in Madagascar

Cassava is the staple food for hundreds of millions of people in Africa but its cultivation is seriously constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Madagascar, and in Africa in general. This study identified the cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) involved in CMD in Madagascar and their associated epidemiological characteristics from countrywide surveys. Molecular characterization of CMGs in Madagascar revealed an unprecedented diversity and co-occurrence of six viruses: African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV), East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV) and the recently described Cassava mosaic Madagascar virus (CMMGV). Distinct geographical distributions were observed for the six viruses. While ACMV was more prevalent in the central highlands, EACMV and EACMKV were prevalent in lowlands and coastal regions. Both EACMCV and SACMV occurred in almost all the localities visited. PCR diagnosis revealed that mixed infection (up to four co-infected viruses) occurred in 21% of the samples and were associated with higher symptom severity scores. Pairwise comparisons of virus associations showed that EACMCV was found in mixed infections more often than expected while ACMV and SACMV were mostly found in single infections. A greater abundance of whiteflies was observed in lowland and coastal areas. Nevertheless, infected cuttings remain the primary source of CMD propagation (95%) in Madagascar. (Resume d'auteur)
Response to U.S. NRC comments

We appreciate the concerns expressed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) about the use of the Radiation Exposure Information and Reporting System (REIRS) data in our recent paper (1) on multiple myeloma risk at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. However, we believe that their statement regarding REIRS data and our study is subject to misinterpretation and requires additional information for clarity and full disclosure. For our study, occupational radiation exposures from external sources were estimated using information obtained primarily from exposure records collected from the study facility, i.e., the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. We also examined other sources of exposure information, such as the Radiation Exposure Monitoring System (REMS) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and REIRS, to account for occupational exposures to our study participants that may have occurred during employment elsewhere. A search of REIRS revealed that NRC exposure records were not available for any of the study participants. Thus the sources of information on exposures from employment outside of the study facility included REIRS (as stated in our paper), although we did not obtain any identified exposure information from REIRS, as correctly pointed out by the NRC. As acknowledged by the NRC, we believe that REIRS data may have an important role in the continued epidemiological examination of the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation. Unfortunately, these data have been used only sparingly in existing studies (2, 3). A potential obstacle to future studies is the current NRC requirement for obtaining individual consent from each study participant to access exposure records. Although we commend the NRC’s efforts to protect the privacy of its workers, we are hopeful that other means will be considered in the future that improve access to these data for scientific purposes without unduly increasing the risk associated with the collection and distribution of sensitive information.
Partial characterization of 5′-nucleotidase from giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantle Caracterización parcial de la enzima 5′-nucleotidasa del manto de calamar gigante (Dosidicus gigas)

The most important cephalopod resource in the northwestern area of Mexico is the jumbo squid whose postmortem biochemical behavior has been studied in detail. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) degradation in this organism is different than the other species because of the fast degradation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) metabolite in mantle. In this research, AMP deaminase from jumbo squid mantle was partially characterized. The enzyme showed an optimum behavior at 50 °C, the enzyme lost more than 90% of its activity within 15 min from 55 to 60 °C, and the enzyme remained stable for 30 min from 10 to 50 °C. It was also stable within the pH range of 3.0–5.0 and exhibited an optimum activity at pH 4.5. Enzyme was strongly activated by Mg+2 and weakly activated by Ca+2. ATP was an excellent activator even in a low concentration, while adenosine diphosphate (ADP) did it at higher concentrations. These results suggest that enzyme might be regulated by the adenylate energy charge.
Effect of abiotic and biotic factors on incidence of pests and predator in cowpea[Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp.]

Field experiments were conducted during Kharif season of 2007-2008. The pest population was recorded in cowpea field aphids, jassid, thrips and pod borer and its highest population 116.20/15 cm shoots tip, 8.6/compound leaves, 5.87/flower bud and 0.73/flower bud and 1.8/pod, respectively. Abiotic factors like temperature, relative humidity, extent and distribution of rainfall, sunshine hour etc. influenced the infestation and stabilization of various insect pests in cowpea. The populations of aphids and pod borer influenced positively relative humidity while those of jassid was affected by temperature and sunshine hour. The negative correlation was found between aphid and maximum temperature, sunshine hour and wind speed; jassid and thrips with relative humidity and pod borer with maximum temperature and wind speed. Coccinella septempunctata was the most abundant predator of cowpea aphid and negatively correlated with aphid population.
Minimal Genetic Structure in the Cerulean Warbler Despite Evidence for Ecological Differentiation Among Populations

Abstract. The Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) is one of the most rapidly declining warblers in North America. Our previous genetic work suggested that this migratory songbird has no significant population genetic structure in the northern and western parts of its breeding range, and for conservation purposes we assigned all sampled populations to a single genetic management unit. Here, we expand this work to include the entire breeding range of the Cerulean Warbler, given recent evidence for morphological and ecological differentiation between the northern and southern sections of that range. We assayed variation in four microsatellite loci and an 841-base-pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region, finding support for low but significant population-genetic structure in the mitochondrial marker. Estimates of population-genetic structure for pairs of sampling locations did not detect a clear geographic pattern of differentiation, and a hierarchical AMOVA did not reveal significant structure between northern and southern locations. These findings, together with previously published evidence for high rates of contemporary dispersal among breeding locations, may support the hypothesis of a long history of gene flow among ecologically distinct Cerulean Warbler populations or may suggest that more recent anthropogenic dispersal has homogenized the genetic signature of differentiation that may have existed in pre-settlement populations.
Three species of native Thai honey bees exploit overlapping pollen resources: identification of bee flora from pollen loads and midguts from Apis cerana, A. dorsata and A. florea

Summary In this study, we investigated the bee flora utilised by the Thai honey bees, Apis cerana, A. dorsata and A. florea in Nan province, northern Thailand, through the identification of pollen grains from their pollen loads and midguts. We compared the pollen grains morphologically to match with local flowering plants and determined their protein concentration using a Bradford assay. The results showed that 8 families and 15 species were found by pollen load analysis whilst 12 families and 25 species were found from pollen grains of the bee midguts. The greatest number of bee flora was found from pollen loads of A. cerana, (11 species), while there were fewer for A. florea (10 species) and the fewest with A. dorsata (6 species). The highest number of bee flora species identified from pollen was found in the midgut of A. cerana, with 19 species, while A. florea had 13 and A. dorsata with only 11. The results show that the major pollen source plants of the three native honey bee species of Thailand were Mimosa pudica L. , M. pigra, Celosia argentea L. , Zea mays L. , Wedelia trilobata L. and Syzygium malaccense L. The protein content ranged from 31.85 ± 0.83 to 48.44 ± 0.81 mg/100 mg pollen. The most abundant pollen source was from M. pudica L. , perhaps because of the flower structure, shape, size, long blooming season, wide distribution, high protein concentration (43.31 ± 0.79 mg/100 mg pollen) or a combination of these characteristics.
New Armenian Wood-Associated Coprinoid Mushrooms: Coprinopsis strossmayeri and Coprinellus aff. radians

Abstract: Coprinoid mushrooms grown on wood of broad-leaf species were collected for the first time in Armenia and dikaryotic mycelial cultures were established. ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequences identified one species as Coprinopsis strossmayeri and the other as a species closely related to Coprinellus radians . Mycelial growth and morphological features on different media are described. The pearl-white-silky colonies of C. strossmayeri are characterized by mycelial strands and by a light-yellow agar colorization. The species forms chlamydospores intercalary in its hyphae. Some hyphal ends form hyphal loops. Colonies of C. aff. radians have a characteristic yellow pigmentation and stain the agar yellowish. Hyphae are mostly clampless but at some septa, pseudoclamps are seen from which side-branches develop growing along the parental hyphae. In the mycelium of C. aff. radians , hyphal loops, hyphal swellings, cystidia and typical allocysts were observed. Both new species from Armenia show growth optima at
Epibiosis in decapod crustaceans by stalked barnacle Octolasmis lowei (Cirripedia: Poecilasmatidae)

Stalked barnacles Octolasmis lowei Darwin, 1851 are frequently found attached to decapod crustaceans. Their epibiotic association depends on many factors, which are mainly related to characteristics of the host's biology. This study evaluated the infestation and distribution of stalked barnacles in the branchial chambers of crabs, and analyzed the data with respect to the host's sex, maturity stage, molt cycle and size. The crab species Arenaeus cribrarius Lamarck, 1818, Callinectes danae Smith, 1869, Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863, Hepatus pudibundus Herbst, 1785, Libinia ferreirae Brito Capello, 1871, and Persephona punctata Linnaeus, 1758 were sampled and found to be infested by O. lowei. No juvenile crabs were infested. The prevalence of infestation by O. lowei was significantly different among C. danae, C. ornatus, and H. pudibundus males and females. All infested hosts were in the intermolt period. The mean size of infested crabs was larger than that observed for non-infested individuals. Internally, stalked barnacles were concentrated on the central gills or walls and floor of branchial chambers, suggesting that these gills provide more favorable conditions for the settlement and development of these epibionts. These results highlight the relationship between epibiont infestation and host biology, as well as the role of decapod crustaceans as a suitable substrate for the development of stalked barnacle O. lowei.