Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FUNGI ISOLATED FROM SEA FOAM COLLECTED AT NORTH PADRE ISLAND BEACHES

Beach foam samples were taken from North Padre Island beaches each month dur- ing a 23-month period. Foam was placed directly on seawater nutrient medium and allowed to incubate for at least 10 days. Thirty-four taxa of fungi were identified. Most genera were terrestial Hyphomycetes, but three genera of Coelomycetes and single representatives of the classes Ascomy- cetes and Zygomycetes also were identified. Only two species, Dendryphiella arenaria and Varico- sporina ramulosa, are considered marine taxa. No apparent differences were found between the mycofloral populations from a heavily used bathing beach at Malaquite and a no-traffic, pedes- trian beach. Investigations of fungi associated with beach foam are relatively new. The first such investigation (Kohlmeyer, 1966) cited only arenicolous fungi. Kohlmeyer lists several marine Ascomycetes and Hyphomycetes and a marine representative of the Basidiomycetes. Other studies have investigated beaches in California (Dabrow et al., 1964), Hawaii (Kisimoto and Baker, 1969), and Florida (Wagner-Merner, 1972; Bergen and Wagner-Merner, 1977). Two sites along the Texas Gulf Coast on North Padre Island were com- pared in this study. Malaquite Beach, a heavily used swimming and sun- bathing beach 8 miles south of the Padre-Mustang Island junction was sampled and compared to Pedestrian Beach. Pedestrian Beach, located 3 miles north of Malaquite Beach, is available only to those people who wish to walk from the nearest access road, and only a few beachcombers wandered along this beach beyond the first mile. Using these beaches as collecting sites over a 23-month period allowed for these comparisons: (1) comparing species diversity of beaches on the western Gulf Coast with those of the eastern Gulf Coast at Tampa Bay; and (2) checking the populations for any fluctuations in species diversity through the cooler winter months as compared to the hot summer months.
A Hybrid Wavelet-Arima Model for Standardized Precipitation Index Drought Forecasting

ABSTRACT This paper proposes A Hybrid Wavelet-Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (W-ARIMA) model to explore the ability of the hybrid model over an ARIMA model. It combines two methods, a Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and ARIMA model using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) drought data for forecasting drought modeling development. SPI data from January 1954 to December 2008 used was divided into two - (80%/20% for training/testing respectively). The results were compared with the conventional ARIMA model with Mean Square Error (MSE) and Mean Average Error (MAE) as an error measure. The results of the proposed method achieved the best forecasting performance.
The Volatility Forecasting Power of Financial Network Analysis

This investigation connects two crucial economic and financial fields, financial networks, and forecasting. From the financial network’s perspective, it is possible to enhance forecasting tools, since econometrics does not incorporate into standard economic models, second-order effects, nonlinearities, and systemic structural factors. Using daily returns from July 2001 to September 2019, we used minimum spanning tree and planar maximally filtered graph techniques to forecast the stock market realized volatility of 26 countries. We test the predictive power of our core models versus forecasting benchmarks models in and out of the sample. Our results show that the length of the minimum spanning tree is relevant to forecast volatility in European and Asian stock markets, improving forecasting models’ performance. As a new contribution, the evidence from this work establishes a road map to deepening the understanding of how financial networks can improve the quality of prediction of financial variables, being the latter, a crucial factor during financial shocks, where uncertainty and volatility skyrocket.
An integrated model of demography, patch dynamics and seed dispersal in a woodland herb, Primula vulgaris

Primula vulgaris is a woodland herb often associated with canopy gaps. The canopy regeneration cycle results in a permanently changing environment which confers a dynamic character to the overall system of P. vulgaris populations inhabiting a forest. In order to describe the dynamics of this spatially structured population, we built a matrix model that incorporates both the spatio-temporal variation in its population dynamics and the dynamics of the forest habitat given by the opening and closure of canopy gaps. To build the model, we combined empirical data on 1) the demography of populations in various forest patches and 2) canopy closure rate. We then used the model to test the effect of disturbance rate and long-distance (i.e., off-patch) seed dispersal on overall population dynamics. Simulation results suggest that overall population growth rate of P. vulgaris would be enhanced by high gap opening rates, as this would increase the relative frequency of clearings, where population growth rate is maximal. Our analysis also predicts a negative effect of long-distance seed dispersal on overall population dynamics, since seeds dispersing out of occupied patches would have a high probability of landing in closed canopy patches. These results are an example of the costs of long-distance seed dispersal on overall population dynamics. Finally, the potential role of long-distance seed dispersal in the colonization of newly opened gaps is discussed.
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. New topics on atherinopsids of México

Some important reproductive aspects of charal Chirostoma attenuatum were analysed for the annual cycle 1988-1989 in Patzcuaro lake, related to the phases of gonadal maturation based in Nikolsky and Peralta maturation scales; the gonadosomatic index were obtained for the maturation phases analysed. The size of first maturation was obtained as well as the minimal maturation size which were obtained by inter and extrapolation on the whole sample of matured individuals, the sexual ratio and the sizes structure. The results show a wide reproduction period from January to September; a sexual reproduction ratio of 2-3 males per female. Through the analysis of the maturation phases in each station it was possible to determined that Uranden, Zacuapio y
The reproductive biology of the Great Pipefish Syngnathus acus (Family: Syngnathidae) in the Aegean Sea

With the aim of determining the reproductive characteristics and mating periods specific to Syngnathus acus, a study was carried out from December 2001 to November 2002 in the Camalti Lagoon (Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea). Study material consisted of 605 individuals that were captured using a beach seine in areas with vegetation. 43% (n=261) of the captured individuals were female, 25% (n=154) were male and 31% (n=190) were juveniles that were not sexually mature. The female-male ratio was 1:0.58. Mean total length values in females and males were 113.1 and 111.4 mm, respectively. The abundance of females carrying oocytes and of pregnant males of the species was observed between March-August 2002, coinciding with the period of relatively warmer water temperatures in that year. Gonadosomatic index (GSI %) analyses of females found that the reproductive period was between March- September. The relationship of egg/embryo number with total length in pregnant males and the total length-batch fecundity relation in females was statistically insignificant. We found that there were three groups of oocytes in the ovaries of females. Average oocyte diameter varied between 0.4-1.8 mm (developing 0.4-0.5mm, 0.7-0.8mm and 1-1.8mm hydrated oocyte group); thus, there were three spawning events during a year. The ratios of annual fecundity (mean: 65) and partial fecundity (mean: 28) data support this result (three spawning a year). Average hydrated oocyte number of females was 28, average egg number in the pouch of a male was 24, and average embryo number was 31. Average egg diameter in pregnant males was 1.42 mm (min:1, max:1.85); average length value of pre-larva and post-larvae was 8.91 mm (min:3, max:14.29) and 13.29 mm (min: 9.71 max:15.29).
OESTROUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND OVARIAN ACTIVITY OF EWES TREATED WITH DIFFERENT HORMONAL TREATMENTS

Fourty ewes (1⁄2 Finnish Landrace 1⁄2 Rahmani) were used. Animals were divided into 4 groups, 10 ewes each. Ewes of the 1 group (G1, control) were bred naturally while those of the other three groups (G2, G3 and G4) undergun hormone treatment and were artificially inseminated. Ewes in G2 were i.m. injected with 4 g Buserelin (day 0), 175 g cloprostenol (day 7) and 4 g Buserelin (day 9), and artificially inseminated 24 h later. Ewes in G3 were intravaginally treated with 45 mg FGA impregnated sponge for 11 days. Ewes in G4 were intravaginally treated (day 0) with Control Internal Drug Release (CIDR) for 11 days. Animals in G3 and G4 were i.m. injected with 600 IU PMSG 48 h before and 175 g cloprostenol (day 11) at device withdrawal, then artificially inseminated 52 h later. Results showed that occurrence of oestrus was 30% in G2 and 100% in each of G3 and G4. Oestrus occurred (in average) earlier after end of treatment in G3 than in G2 and G4. Estrous duration was similar in the three treatment groups. Lambing rate was similar between control, G3 and G4 (70% in each) and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in G2 (50%). It was concluded that synchronization of oestrus in ewes by applying controlled FGA or CIDR plus PMSG and PGF2 might be a possibility to attain synchronized and early lambings in fall, to maximize the economic return.
Pharmacognostical, physico-chemical and phytochemical findings of different extracts of Capparis zeylanica Linn. (Capparidaceae)

The aim of the study is to investigate pharmacognostical, physico-chemical and phytochemical screening of the different extract of Capparis zeylanica It has total ash 3.1% w/w, water soluble ash 0.5% w/w, acid insoluble ash 0.5% w/w, water soluble extractives 3.8% W/W and alcohol soluble extractives 10.18% W/W. The plant showed loss on drying 9.2% W/W. The extractive values of Methanol, Pet ether, Chloroform and Ethyl acetate were 6.3%, 2.2%, 1.2% and 1.3% w/w respectively. In determination of leaf constant it revealed that stomata were present on upper epidermis of leaf having average stomatal number-9, stomatal number range- 8-10, average stomatal index-17.75 and stomatal index range-16-20. The leaf had average palisade ratio 1:7.95. And average vein-islet number is 58.4 having vein–islet range-50-63.The Fluorescence characteristic of powdered flower produce different colors with different reagents in visible and UV light. Qualitative phytochemical study of C. zeylanica showed different responses for alkaloid, glycosides, saponin, phenolic, carbohydrate etc.
The regular alternation of short and long foraging trips in the blue petrel Halobaena caerulea: a previously undescribed strategy of food provisioning in a pelagic seabird

The food-provisioning strategy of a pelagic seabird, the blue petrel Halobaena caerulea was assessed on Kerguelen Island by the simultaneous recording of individual trip duration, feed mass and change in adult mass. Dietary analysis provided information on the energetic value of meals and on the spatial distribution of adults at sea. Males and females brought large meals (average 62 g), representing 36% of their unladen mass, and contributed equally to the feeding of the chick. Adults regularly alternated long trips (LT, average duration 7.2 days) over oceanic waters with short trips (ST, 1.8 days) probably restricted to the Kerguelen shelf. They systematically gained mass during LT, but lost this stored energy during the following ST
Comparison of Harvest Scenarios for the Cost-Effective Suppression of Lake Trout in Swan Lake, Montana

Abstract Given the large amount of resources required for long-term control or eradication projects, it is important to assess strategies and associated costs and outcomes before a particular plan is implemented. We developed a population model to assess the cost-effectiveness of mechanical removal strategies for suppressing long-term abundance of nonnative Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush in Swan Lake, Montana. We examined the efficacy of targeting life stages (i.e., juveniles or adults) using temporally pulsed fishing effort for reducing abundance and program cost. Exploitation rates were high (0.80 for juveniles and 0.68 for adults) compared with other lakes in the western USA with Lake Trout suppression programs. Harvesting juveniles every year caused the population to decline, whereas harvesting only adults caused the population to increase above carrying capacity. Simultaneous harvest of juveniles and adults was required to cause the population to collapse (i.e., 95% reduction relative to unharvested.
Beak Trimming Effects on Performance, Behavior and Welfare of Chickens: A Review

Abstract Beak trimming is a management practice that has long been employed by the poultry industry to reduce the deleterious effects of cannibalism and feather pecking among flockmates of chickens. Most studies of beak trimming have concentrated on the production and economic performance aspects of this practice. Because of the current animal welfare debate, behavioral and physiological responses of animals exposed to this procedure have been examined recently in an effort to measure the effects upon “well being. ” These investigations have provided some interesting and useful results. Nevertheless, beak trimming continues to be a sensitive and difficult issue for the poultry industry due to the concerns of individuals who promote animal welfare. The purpose of this article is to review some of the research findings regarding beak trimming of chickens as related to industry usage and the animal welfare debate. Several avenues of research that could prove beneficial to the poultry industry in the future will be discussed.
Local Adaptation of the Tremadote Diplostomum phoxini to the European Minnow Phoxinus phoxinus, its Second Intermediate Host

In this paper we stress the important role that immature parasites can play in the interaction with their hosts and the importance of looking at juvenile hosts when studying parasite effects. These results are discussed in relation to the evolution of host-parasite associations and to Hamilton & Zuk's (1982) hypothesis on the evolution of secondary sexual characters. We exposed juvenile European minnows Phoxinus phoxinus from two lake populations to sympatric and allopatric Diplostomum phoxini in a reciprocal cross-infection experiment. Parasites from both localities were more infective to the sympatric hosts than to the allopatric ones. During the first 4 weeks after infection, when the parasites grow within the host, minnows from both sympatric host-parasite combinations grew less quickly than minnows infected with allopatric parasites
Neonicotinoids in global agriculture: evidence for a new pesticide treadmill?

Overreliance on synthetic insecticides in global agriculture is the outcome of a “pesticide treadmill,” in which insecticide-induced pest resistance development and the depletion of beneficial insect populations aggravate farmers’ pesticide dependencies. Examples of the pesticide treadmill have been witnessed repeatedly over the past seven decades, prompting the question whether the rapid uptake and usage patterns of neonicotinoid insecticides and their associated environmental impact are in accordance with this recurrent phenomenon. We hypothesize a conceptual framework in which treadmills are enforced by enabling or disabling drivers within four domains: pest management decisions at the farm level, characteristics of farming landscapes, science and technology, and societal demands. These drivers then tend to create a self-enforcing pesticide “lock-in. ” We then analyze several post-1950s historical case studies with reference to this framework, e.g., those involving sprays of the highly hazardous DDT and methyl-parathion, in which the pesticide treadmill was initiated, sustained, and broken, and compare this with current patterns in neonicotinoid use. Historical case studies further illustrate how treadmills occur in three phases in which (i) a limited number of insecticides are routinely used, (ii) resistance development of pests results in the increased crop injury, prompting increased frequency of applications with a wider range of products, (iii) breaking out of the pesticide “lock-in” by policy change and adoption of alternative technologies that lowered chemical inputs and improved agro-ecosystem functioning. The analysis shows similarities as well as differences between neonicotinoid usage patterns and historic pesticide treadmills, and provides guidance on how to effectively avoid or dismantle pesticide treadmills in global agriculture.
Pollination ecology of alpine herb Meconopsis integrifolia at different altitudes

Aims We studied the breeding system and pollination ecology of Meconopsis integrifolia (Papaveraceae), which is an alpine herb, for two consecutive years. Methods Five plots (plot 1, 4 452 m a.s.l; plot 2, 4 215 m a.s.l; plot 3, 4 081 m a.s.l; plot 4, 3 841 m a.s.l; plot 5, 3681 m a.s.l) were established along an altitudinal gradient in the Balang Mountain. Flower longevity, stigma height and the highest stamen were measured and recorded. The stigma receptivity and pollen viability were tested by the Benzidine-H2O2 method and the TTC method, respectively. The breeding system was tested by experimental approaches, and flower visitors were observed over the life span of the flower. The temperatures of the flower and environment were also recorded. Important findings Flower longevity was greater in plots 1 and 2 than in plots 3, 4 and 5. The stigmas were higher than the anthers at the beginning of anthesis, and the distance between stigmas and the anthers then gradually decreased with the progress of flowing. The stigmas and anthers came into contact when the corolla wilted in 65% of the flowers sampled, indicating an incomplete herkogamy. The stigmas became receptive before the dehiscence of anthers (protogyny). Under natural conditions, stigma receptivity lasted for 8 d and pollen viability lasted for 2 d. Hand-pollination experiments indicated that M. integrifolia was self-compatible and did not exhibit 2 植物生态学报 Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology 2015, 39 (1): 1–13 www.plant-ecology.com apomixis. Seed set was significantly increased after a supplemental hand-pollination, suggesting the pollen-limitation of reproduction. The pollinators in plots 1 and 2 were flies, and in plots 3, 4 and 5 flies and Thripidae spp. We observed that flies moved and transferred pollen between plants, and that both flies and Thripidae spp. moved within flowers, the latter resulted in “facilitated selfing”. About 65% of the plants sampled set seed by autonomous self-pollination. There was a significant difference in the visiting frequency of flies between plots, with plot 1 being the lowest and plot 2 the highest. Pollen limitations were evident across all plots due to lack of sufficient outcrossing pollinators. Two different selfing mechanisms, unexplored here, may provide a partial compensation for the natural reproduction of this alpine species in the arid, alpine habitats. M. integrifolia could attract pollinators by providing a warm shelter.
The use of peroxidase polymorphism in the identification of Malling and Malling Merton apple rootstocks.

SummaryPolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to obtain peroxidase patterns of 37 Malling and Malling Merton apple rooistocks. Twenty-four different peroxidase bands were recorded, giving 17 distinct peroxidase patterns which could be used for rootstock identification.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHARLES C. CARPENTER: FACULTATIVE STRIKE-INDUCED CHEMOSENSORY SEARCHING AND TRAIL-FOLLOWING BEHAVIOR OF BUSHMASTERS (LACHESIS MUTA) AT DALLAS ZOO

Bushmasters (Lachesis muta) at Dallas Zoo demonstrated strike-induced chemo- sensory searching (SICS) and trail-following when feeding on relatively large prey (>25% of snake body mass). Smaller prey were usually held following predatory strikes. Facultative use of the strike-and-release pattern based on prey size has not previously been documented for any rodent- feeding viper. Experiment I documented the relationship between prey mass and post-strike holding or releasing. Experiment II showed that SICS occurred after large prey were released. Experiment III revealed that bushmasters followed chemical trails after releasing large prey, indicating that trailing behavior is a facultative component of predation in these snakes.
Elasmobranchs as living resources: advances in the biology, ecology, systematics, and the status of the fisheries. Proceedings

This report owes its genesis to the foresight and enthusiam of Dr. Kazuhiro Mizue. By happy circumstance, Professor Mizue contacted me in 1983 with his visionary ideas on cooperative programs. He noted that the time was right because the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the National Science Foundation had mutually given priority to cooperative programs in marine biology. I therefore agreed to act as the U.S. coordinator and proposed to NSF, a short trip to Japan to negotiate site visits and timing with ten previously appointed Japanese scientists and, if that trip were successful, to negotiate a joint research project, possibly followed by a joint seminar. (PDF file contains 528 pages.)
Base Temperatures for Growth Processes of Lychee, a Recurrently Flushing Tree, Are Similar but Optima Differ

Potted plants of cultivars 'Haak Yip' (Hei Ye), 'Tai So' (Da Zao) and 'Bengal' were grown in temperature-controlled glasshouse rooms at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35oC to determine cardinal temperatures for various growth processes. At other times plants of cvv. 'Brewster' (Chen Zi), 'Kwai May Pink' and 'Wai Chee' (Huai Zhi) were grown at various constant temperatures and cvv. 'Tai So' and 'Wai Chee' were grown at 27/21oC and 18/12oC (12 h day/12 h night). A modified Richards' function accurately described leaflet elongation with time. Functions fitted to derived parameters of maximum relative elongation rate and duration allowed the accurate determination of minimum and optimum cardinal temperatures for leaflet elongation. The maximum temperature for leaf elongation was well in excess of 35oC. Other processes studied included shoot elongation, increase in leaf area per plant, dry matter (DM) production, new shoot DM, DM partitioning between roots, shoots and leaves, flush periodicity, leaf morphology and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNSC) status. The minimum temperatures were similar for different processes whereas the optimum temperatures determined were different. These are compared, along with data from published studies on other physiological processes of lychee. Leaflet elongation occurred at a significantly higher optimum temperature than DM accumulation, a difference which could not be attributed to effects of temperature on partitioning, and is probably facilitated by the recurrent flushing mode of growth of lychee. There were few differences between the cultivars. 'Haak Yip' growth appeared to be more tolerant of high temperatures than 'Tai So' or 'Bengal' and 'Bengal' had higher leaf concentrations of TNSC at moderate to high temperatures. A model relating shoot periodicity to temperature (heat units) is suggested which could help in studying the relationship between flushing and flower initiation.