Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Nectar Reward: Is More Better? 1

Characters involved in pollinator attraction are likely maintained by selection. Plants that invest more in floral displays and/or rewards are expected to attract more pollinators than those that do not. A large number of plants, however, are severely pollen‐limited yet either produce small rewards or none at all. The orchid, Comparettia falcata, is a pollinator‐dependent, self‐compatible epiphyte distributed throughout the Greater Antilles, Central and South America. In Puerto Rico where it is pollinated by the hummingbird Chlorostilbon maugaeus, C. falcata presents a smaller nectar reward than most other plants pollinated by the same species. To determine whether or not selection would favor the production of higher nectar levels, we enhanced the quantity of nectar offered by flowers in a Puerto Rican population for two flowering seasons. We monitored visitation frequencies, pollen movement, and reproductive success at three sites with different canopy coverages. Daily censuses of hummingbirds provided estimates of relative pollinator abundance. A multiway contingency test employing Walďs statistic showed no overall differences in reproductive success between plants with enhanced rewards and unmanipulated controls. Site differences, however, were clear. Plants of the mid‐ and high‐light sites had greater success than those of the low‐light site, and the differences were usually at least two‐fold. There was a significant site‐treatment interaction in reproductive success that could be attributed to the overall trend whereby controls of both mid‐ and high‐light sites did better than the nectar‐enhanced plants. Most of the observed pollinations (85%) with stained pollinia resulted in self‐pollinations that did not differ among treatments. Seed crops from self‐ and cross‐pollinations revealed no differences in the number of viable seeds. Because we found little evidence of selection for increasing nectar reward via inbreeding depression or male and female reproductive success, and previous studies have indicated that meager natural levels of reward are better than none at all, we suspect that reward production in C. falcata may be driven by a combination of pollination‐limitation and resource constraints.
A sampling method to describe the Norway spruce ectomycorrhizal community at plant level

Abstract To verify the possibility of developing a sampling method to accurately describe the Norway spruce ectomycorrhizal community at plant level, research was conducted in four comparable monospecific forests on healthy, mature and coeval Norway spruce trees. The results showed that the lowest number of tips per root core can characterize the community changes from site to site, with tree species, age and sampling design being constant. This highlights the importance of ectomycorrhizal species distribution, which is not an intrinsic character of ectomycorrhizal species, and probably changes with the environmental and fungal community features. The research demonstrated, in accordance with a theoretical ectomycorrhizal distribution, the effectiveness of an encoded geometrical sampling design consisting of the collection of 24 root samples from each of the four unrelated plants, along four perpendicular directions and at six fixed distances from the collar, and with the observation of 10 randomly selected ectomycorrhizal tips per sample.
Assessing the Antioxidant Activity of the Ultrafiltration Fractions From Silver Carp Protein Hydrolysate by Different Antioxidant Methods

Silver carp protein hydrolysate (SH) was fractionated by 5- and 1-kDa cutoff ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, and three ultrafiltrates were obtained: SHI (>5 kDa), SHII (1–5 kDa), and SHIII (<1 kDa) which were screened for antioxidant activity by five in vitro assays. The SHIII showed higher 2, 2-azobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values, inhibiting effects for liposome oxidation induced by Fe3+/VC. The SHII showed higher ferric reducing power (FRAP) and inhibiting effects for liposome oxidation induced by 2, 2′-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH). However, the SHI showed the highest 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging activity. Therefore, the antioxidant activity of silver carp protein hydrolysates was mainly associated with their molecular weight distribution, and the antioxidant assays used to test different samples gave comparable results.
Sperm Ultrastructure of Tarsius bancanus(Tarsiidae, Primates): Implications for Primate Phylogeny and the Use of Sperm in Systematics

The ultrastructure of the epididymal sperm of Tarsius bancanusis described. The sperm possess the typical eutherian pattern of a dorsoventrally flattened, ovate sperm head, comprising a nucleus capped by a symmetrical acrosome, and a distinct midpiece and principal piece containing a 9 + 9 + 2 arrangement of outer coarse fibres and microtubules. However, unique features are also present. The overall head length (9 μm) equals the greatest for any primate yet examined, and the subacrosomal space ("perforatorium" or "pseudoperforatorium") tilted at 30° to the sagittal axis of the sperm, is described for the first time for mammals. The acrosome extends only a short distance beyond the length of the nucleus of the mature sperm, and a significant reduction in the acrosome to nuclei ratio appears to occur during the final stages of sperm maturation. In contrast to earlier predictions based on the spermatid of Tarsius syrhicta, the mature spermatozoa of Tarsiusshows greatest morphological similarity with the sperm of the Anthropoidea, which have a short symmetrical acrosome, than with the Strepsirhini, which have a relatively long acrosome that can be either symmetrical (Lemuriformes) or asymetrical (Lorisiformes). Four proposed phylogenies of the Primates are assessed using comparative sperm ultrastructure. Placing the Tarsiidae as a sister group to the Lorisidae appears the least likely. The sperm data are consistent with the Tarsiidae being a sister group to the Anthropoidea, to the Strepsirhini, or even to the extant primate groups as a whole. Use of sperm morphology to provide characters in phylogenetic systematics of the primates is discussed, and the principle of "total evidence" is preferred to the common practice of "hanging" sperm on phylogenetic hypotheses based on other evidence.
Feeding of the chaetognaths Sagitta elegans and Sagitta setosa at different seasons in Gullmarsfjorden, Sweden

Die1 feeding regimes of Sagitta elegans and S. setosa were investigated by gut content analyses on 24 301 Sagitta, taken in hourly plankton hauls during 24 h sampling programmes at different seasons. Feeding was most intensive at night in both species except for S. elegans in wnter . Diet differed considerably between the specles, S. elegans taking almost only copepods and S. setosa taking small copepods, nauplii, appendicularians and other S. setosa: the dfference is believed to reflect differences in size (the larger S. elegans talung larger prey) and vertical distribution (S. setosa talung smaller prey in the surface layer). The cannibalism of S. setosa, found during the breeding period in autumn, is believed to contribute to the sharp decrease in numbers of S. setosa at that time. Daily feeding rates (in numbers of different prey categones) of S. elegans were estimated by combining gut content analysis with digestion time data obtained in the laboratory at 6°C. Mean digestion time varied from 9.3 to 4.9 h depending on prey category. Total feeding rate varied from 1.0 to 0.2 prey items d-', being highest for the breeding generation in spnng and lowest for the immature generation in autumn and winter. Total feeding rate of S. setosa in autumn was est~mated to be roughly 2.3 items d-l.
The contribution of nitrogen fertiliser to the nitrogen nutrition of rainfed wheat crops in Australia: a review

Very little nitrogen (N) fertiliser is applied to wheat crops in Australia. Currently, about 105 t of N fertiliser (less than 20% of Australia's total consumption) are used annually at an average rate of 2-3 kg Nha. This scant use of N fertiliser over much of the Australian wheat belt N is because the N derived from a legume-dominant pasture ley is thought to provide a wheat crop's N requirement. However, trends in the grain protein content of Australian wheat and some other indices of soil fertility suggest that legume-based pastures have not always been able to supply all the N required for adequate nutrition of the wheat crop and that there has been some occasional need for extra N from applications of fertiliser. Recent declines in the productivity and quality of pastures has further increased the need for supplementary applications of N fertiliser. The increase in grain legume production also has been partly based on the presumption that grain legumes contribute to the N economy of the following wheat crop. Many experiments throughout the wheat belt show a yield advantage of wheat grown after a grain legume, but these rotation trials also show that the level of productivity of the grain legume has little effect on the yield of the following wheat crop. A review of these experiments suggests that grain legumes, directly, contribute little to the N nutrition of a following wheat crop and their benefit may be from the legume acting as a disease break or providing the opportunity to control grassy weeds.
The long-term effect of artificial destratification on phytoplankton species composition in a subtropical reservoir

Summary 1. The response of phytoplankton to the installation of an artificial destratification system in North Pine Dam, Brisbane (Australia) was investigated over an 18 year period (1984–2002); 11 years before and 7 years after installation. 2. An overall increase in phytoplankton abundance was revealed for some groups (in particular, diatoms, cyanobacteria and chlorophytes), but not for others (chlorophytes). Changes in the abundance of chlorophyte functional groups was attributed to eutrophication. 3. A strong spatial gradient in phytoplankton abundance and chlorophyll a was observed, with low abundance in the downstream regions affected by the destratification system which was likely because of light limitation induced by vertical mixing. The upstream region acted as a surrogate for the unaltered state of the reservoir, particularly as an indicator of eutrophication without direct influence from the destratification system. Despite the continuous trend in eutrophication of the reservoir, there has been a definite decrease in the rate of eutrophication (approximately 30%) since the installation of the destratification system at the downstream locations. 4. Correlations of the dominant cyanobacteria Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii with other genera changed after destratification, indicating that prior to destratification the dominance of Cylindrospermopsis was because of its ability to compete for phosphorus, whereas after destratification its dominance was because of its ability to compete for light.
FIELD METABOLIC RATE AND FOOD REQUIREMENT SCALING IN MAMMALS AND BIRDS

Field metabolic rates (FMRs or HF), all measured using doubly labeled water, of 23 species of eutherian mammals, 13 species of marsupial mammals, and 25 species of birds were summarized and analyzed allometrically (log10-1og10 regressions). FMR is strong- ly correlated with body mass in each of these groups. FMR scales differently than does basal or standard metabolic rate in eutherians (FMR slope = 0.81) and marsupials (FMR slope = 0.58), but not in birds (FMR slope = 0.64 overall, but 0.75 in passerines and 0.75 in all other birds). Medium-sized (240-5 50 g) eutherians, marsupials, and birds have similar FMRs, and these are - 17 times as high as FMRs of like-sized ectothermic vertebrates such as iguanid lizards. For endothermic vertebrates, the energy cost of surviving in nature is enormous compared with that for ectotherms. Within the eutherians, marsupials, or birds, FMR scales differently for the following subgroups: rodents, passerine birds, her- bivorous eutherians, herbivorous marsupials, desert eutherians, desert birds, and seabirds. Equations are given for use in predicting daily and annual FMR and food requirement of a species of terrestrial vertebrate, given its body mass.
STRATEGIES FOR RESTORING SPRING FLOODING TO A DRYING NORTHERN DELTA

Delta ecosystems are often comprised of a myriad of channels and lakes, the latter of which can be subdivided according to the level of their connection with the main flow system. The dynamics of such lakes, in terms of their overall biological structure and productivity, depend on flooding and flushing during high-stage events. Major flooding of the Peace–Athabasca Delta—one of the world's largest and most productive deltas—has not occurred since 1974. Before this, the delta also experienced an extensive drying period from 1968 to 1971 as one of its main rivers became regulated. As a result, extensive changes have occurred in the vegetation regime and associated wildlife habitat. Two methods used in attempts to restore water to these systems are reviewed: rockfill weirs and artificial ice jams/dams. Recorded data since 1976 suggest that the weirs have been effective in restoring water on the large delta lakes to levels which would have occurred under an unregulated river regime. The weirs have not, however, replenished water in most of the perched basins. Moreover, even an historically high flow event in 1990 failed to flood them. Analysis of historical water level data revealed that ice-jam backwater is the only method by which these areas of the delta can be flooded. Although hydrometeorological conditions have not been conducive for the formation of major ice jams since 1974, attempts have been made to artificially induce an ice jam. The strategies, field trials and future applications of such an approach are reviewed.
Plant diversity is linked to nutrient limitation of dominant species in a world biodiversity hotspot

Questions What is the role of nutrient limitation of dominant species in maintaining plant species diversity at small spatial scales, particularly in biodiversity hotspots? Location Southwest of Western Australia. Methods The extent of nutrient limitation was determined by measuring variation in the foliar nutrients of dominant plant species and total above-ground biomass in relation to soil N and P across 16 plots. Plant species richness and evenness for the same plots were then regressed against foliar N:P and δ15N of the dominant species. Results Foliar N and P content as well as above-ground biomass increased, while foliar N:P decreased with increasing soil N and P, suggesting that dominant species are limited by both N and P in southwest Australia. In contrast, foliar δ15N values only increased with decreasing soil P, indicating that δ15N enrichment reflects low P availability. Species richness increased at sites where foliar N:P was higher and δ15N more enriched, suggesting that a relatively greater number of rare plant species co-exist where the growth of dominant vegetation is more nutrient-limited. Conclusions The mechanisms that allow an exceptionally high number of plant species to co-exist at small spatial scales in a southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot are linked to the extent to which the dominant plant species are limited in N and P. In addition, on nutrient-impoverished soils, a foliar N:P ratio >16 can reflect N as well as P limitation. While foliar δ15N also reflects availability of soil P, it is not necessarily a reliable indicator of nutrient limitation in southwest Australia, and perhaps in other environments where plants are highly adapted to low-nutrient conditions.
Effects of Mineral Supplementation on Milk Yield of Free-ranging Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northern Kenya

The effects of different mineral supplementations on the milk yield of free-ranging Somali camels were investigated in two phases in a semi-arid region of northern Kenya during the dry and wet seasons in 2002 and 2003. In phase 1, twelve (12) lactating camels were selected at random to form four (4) groups each consisting of three camels. The first group served as the control and as a result received no mineral supplementation. In addition to the control diet the other groups received oral doses of minerals as follows over a 60-day period: Tl (P), T2 (High Cu low Co) and T3 (Low Cu high Co). The daily milk yield and blood mineral profiles were measured during the wet and dry seasons. The mean daily milk yield increased from 3.4 L/d to 4.3±0.3 L/d and 5.2 L/d in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Fifteen (15) lactating camels were selected at random to form five groups each consisting of three replicates. The control group did not receive any mineral supplement. The other four groups in addition to the control diet, received the following treatments: T4 (Common Salt), T5 (High Co), T6 (High Co+P) and T7 (Low Co+P). Mineral supplement T6 produced significantly higher milk yield (5.4±0.5 and 6.5±0.7 L/d) during the dry and wet seasons. Both T6 and T7 had significantly higher milk yield than T4 and T5. During both phases, the blood Ca and P level significantly increased in camels receiving Tl, 6 and 7. Animals that received only the trace mineral supplements had lower blood P compared to the ones receiving supplementary P and also the control. Supplementation of lactating camels with Co and P significantly (p<0.05) increased milk yield). Effect of common salt, commonly given by farmers, on milk yield was insignificant. It was concluded that mineral supplementation to lactating camels was beneficial, and that mineral supplements should include P and Co. Further research is required to establish P and Co requirements of lactating camels.
Cold shock during liquid production increases storage shelf-life of Cryptococcus nodaensis OH 182.9 after air-drying

Abstract Fermentation, formulation and drying studies are necessary and important in order to simplify production, transportation, storage and application of biocontrol agents. Air-drying is a convenient and economical drying method for developing microbial biocontrol products. Experiments were designed to determine the effect of temperature shock during liquid cultivation on cell survival of a Fusarium head blight biocontrol agent Cryptococcus nodaensis OH 182.9 after air-drying. OH 182.9 cultures were grown at various temperatures in semi-defined complete liquid media, with cultures grown at 25°C for 48 h serving as the standard control culture condition. Harvested cultures were mixed with 10% diatomaceous earth (DE), vacuum filtered, air dried for 20 h at 60–70% RH, and stored at 4°C. In general, cells grown at 25°C for 20 h followed by cultivation at 15°C for 28 h survived air-drying better than control cells. The survival of cells subjected to heat shock at 31°C generally did not differ from control cells regardless of whether heat shock was applied at the late exponential or early stationary stage of growth. In another experiment designed to optimize the effect of cold temperatures during cultivation on subsequent survival of air-dried cells in DE at 4°C and room temperature (25°C), prolonged (28 h) cold shock at 10 and 15°C after incubation at 25°C for 20 h enhanced the storage stability (shelf-life) of a DE-formulated OH 182.9 product. In greenhouse tests, air-dried cells of OH 182.9 stored for 6 weeks at 4°C maintained a higher biocontrol efficacy than cells stored for 6 weeks at 25°C.
Book Review: Co-Creative Transactional Analysis: Papers, Responses, Dialogues, and Developments

Co-Creative Transactional Analysis by Keith Tudor and Graeme Summers represents a complete, in-depth presentation of one of the most interesting developments in transactional analysis theory and practice. The book is structured in chapters that, from one side, present a key concept of the cocreative approach to transactional analysis and, from the other, the cocreative process itself. There is a dialogical structure in which many chapters are in the form of a contribution followed by a rejoinder, thus showing the way theory develops through debates between coauthors. For example, a chapter titled ‘‘Co-creative Contributions’’ coauthored by Hargaden, Hawkes, Mazzetti, Newton, and Žvelc is followed by Summers and Tudor’s response. The structure of the book becomes a model of how to debate and develop theory by involving several coauthors in a creative process. Tudor and Summers both offer their own introductions to the book. Tudor involves the reader in his journey starting from the numerous concerns he had about transactional analysis (e.g., the many ways it was considered outdated). He then offers a time line showing the milestones in the development of the cocreative approach and shares the desire that inspired the project:
Taxonomic and ecologic relationships between Picea glauca and Picea engelmannii

Comparisons have been made of the morphologic characters of 30-tree populations of Picea distributed from near the Arctic Circle in Alaska, to near the southern boundary of Arizona. Included are 7 populations of P. glauca beyond the geographic range of P. engelmannii, 12 populations of P. engelmannii beyond the geographic range of P. glauca, and 14 populations in the area of sympatry. Hybridization is evident in all populations in the area of sympatry, despite the appearance of many low-altitude trees as pure P. glauca and many high-altitude trees as pure P. engelmannii. The geographic range of P. glauca influence has been extended farther south than previously recognized—to eastern Washington and northern Wyoming. Distinguishing characters commonly given in taxonomic keys are less reliable than absolute measurements of the ovuliferous scales. The Holocene history of Picea is speculated upon.
Environmental Heterogeneity and Plant Species Diversity: A Hypothesis

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