Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The dominant exploiters of the fig/pollinator mutualism vary across continents, but their costs fall consistently on the male reproductive function of figs

1. Fig trees (Moraceae: Ficus) are keystone species, whose ecosystem function relies on an obligate mutualism with wasps (Chalcidoidea: Agaonidae) that enter fig syconia to pollinate. Each female flower produces one seed (fig female reproductive function), unless it also receives a wasp egg, in which case it supports a wasp. Fig male reproductive function requires both male flowers and pollinator offspring, which are the only vectors of fig pollen.
Effect of Delayed Mating on Oviposition Pattern, Fecundity and Fertility in Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Female codling moth (Cydia pomonella) were mated either on the day of emergence or 2 or 4 d after emergence. Oviposition was checked daily and fertility (% egg hatch) of eggs laid 1–4 d and 5 + d after mating was determined from a sub‐sample of females in each treatment. From these data, net reproduction rate (R0) was calculated. the effect of delayed mating of males was also determined. Mean fecundity, fertility and net reproduction rate of females mated 4 d after emergence were significantly lower than for females mated either on the day of emergence (day 0) or 2 d after emergence. There were no significant differences between the three treatments in terms of the proportion of females that mated or female longevity, although there was a trend towards increased longevity with increasing delays in mating. Mean longevity of unmated females was significantly greater than that of mated females. Oviposition pattern was similar in females regardless of when they were mated and in all cases maximum oviposition took place 2 d after mating. There was no effect on the fecundity of 2 d old females or on the fertility of their eggs when they were paired with either 2 or 6 d old males. the significance of these findings in relation to control of codling moth by mating disruption is discussed.
Predation by Nile perch Lates niloticus (L.) on Oreochromis niloticus (L.), Cyprinus carpio (L.), Mugil sp. and its role in controlling tilapia recruitment in Egypt

Vulnerability of three fish groups (tilapia, common carp, mullet) to predation by Nile perch Lates niloticus was evaluated. The study was conducted in aquaria and in cages placed in concrete ponds. Common carp Cyprinus curpio was the more vulnerable to predation by Nile perch followed in order by mullet (Mugil cephulus and M. cupito) and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloricus. Medium-size Nile perch (30–32 cm t.l.) were able to consume tilapia up to 14 cm t.l. , while tilapia of 15 cm total length were not eaten. Ratios of 1 : 10 to 1 : 15 between Nile perch and ready-to-spawn females of O. niloticus were found to be adequate to control tilapia reproduction.
Effect of short-term supply of farmyard manure on maize growth and soil parameters in pot culture

Farmyard manure (FYM) improves various soil parameters and to a large extent, the availability of water and nutrient to crops when it is applied to the soil. This study aims to further investigate the short-term effects of different levels of FYM on maize plants and soil parameters. Maize plants grown in pot culture were treated with no FYM (control), recommended NPK (inorganic fertilizers), and FYM at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 t ha−1 along with recommended NPK, and the cultures were analyzed 8 weeks after germination. Soil bulk density and soil pH decreased with the increasing levels of FYM, whereas soil porosity, soil organic matter (SOM), soil water content, plant height, root and shoot yield, and NPK uptake of maize were increased compared with the control or recommended NPK, respectively. The present results indicate that short-term application of higher FYM levels improves soil properties. Furthermore, the application of FYM at only higher rates significantly increases the nutrient uptake of maize plants due to improved soil properties. The supply of different amounts of nutrients increases biomass and nutrient uptake in plants.
Within population genetic differentiation in traits affecting clonal growth: Festuca rubra in a mountain grassland

Festuca rubra , a clonal grass of mountain grasslands, possesses a considerable variability in traits related to spatial spreading (rhizome production, length and branching; tussock architecture). Since these traits highly influence the success of the species in a spatially heterogeneous system of grasslands, a combined field and growth chamber approach was adopted to determine the within‐population variation in these parameters. Clones were sampled in a mountain grassland (The Krkonoše Mts., Czech Republic); the environment (mean neighbour density) of individual clones varied highly. Before the clones were collected, shoot demography and tussock architecture within these clones were recorded in the field for four seasons. Their clone identity was determined using DNA RAPD. Vegetatively propagated plants from these clones were cultivated in a common garden experiment to demonstrate variation in tussock growth and architecture. Their response to change in red/far red light ratio was determined in the growth chamber.
Role of Candidate Genes Regulating Uterine Prostaglandins Biosynthesis for Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in Domestic Animals

The survivability and opportunity of successful development of an embryo are influenced directly or indirectly by factors controlling uterine microenvironment. Out of all factors, hormones such as prostaglandins (PGs) released during the preimplantation period influence molecular interactions involved in maintenance of pregnancy through reciprocal interactions between the conceptus and endometrium. PGs are important regulators of female reproductive functions, namely, ovulation, uterine receptivity, implantation, and parturition. Among different classes of PGs, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are main prostanoids produced by human and bovine endometrium for successful growth and development of the posthatching blastocyst. In ruminants, PGF2α produced by endometrium is the major luteolytic agent, whereas PGE2 has luteoprotective and antiluteolytic properties. Therefore, the development and maintenance of the corpus luteum (CL), as well as establishment of pregnancy, depend on the balance of luteolytic PGF2α and luteotropic PGE2. In this review, we discussed the expression and function of genes which predominantly regulate the synthesis and their secretion of PGF2α and PGES, namely, PGFS (AKR1B5/AKR1C3), PGES, PGFR, and COX-2.
In vitro antioxidant properties of Salvia verbenaca L. hydromethanolic extract

Objective: To investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity of the hydromethanolic extract of the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of Salvia verbenaca L. towards fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) and human, low density lipoproteins (LDL) peroxidation. Materials and Methods: Lipid peroxidation was carried out in the presence of the S. verbenaca L. hydromethanolic extract (10 and 100 µg of extract/ml). CuSO4 (10 µM) was used as the oxidation initiator. Conjugated dienes (CD) formation, oxygen consumption and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation were assessed to monitor the antioxidant properties of the plant extract. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at 50 µg/ml was used as a standard antioxidant. The quantification of total polyphenolic compounds was carried out, according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results: The hydromethanolic extract of S. verbenaca showed a significant antioxidant effect at 100 µg/mL. A strong inhibition of oxygen consumption (92%, P <0.001) and CD formation of LDL peroxidation (92%, P <0.001) as well as TBARS formation of linolenic acid oxidation (93%, P <0.001) were observed. The quantitative analysis revealed that the extract used contained a high amount of phenolic compounds, suggesting a possible role of these products in the observed antioxidant properties. Conclusion: S. verbenaca could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants.
An update on ascorbic acid in poultry

This paper provides a review of research on ascorbic acid as a nutrient in poultry published subsequent to a major review in this journal in 1986. Further experiments have confirmed the effects of a nutritional supply of AA in limiting the metabolic signs of stress and alleviation of the physiological consequences of stress is manifest in the performance, immunological competence and behaviour of birds. Birds under stress can recognise the stress-relieving properties of a diet containing AA and increase their intake of it, though they require a colour association to make the correct diet selection. Practical studies have generally confirmed the experimental findings, though the responses have been more variable, perhaps because of the greater difficulty in establishing the degree of stress experienced by birds under practical conditions. Optimum responses in growth, feed efficiency and/or liveability in broilers under heat stress seem to occur with supplements of about 250 mg AA/kg. Laying hens under stress, particularly climatic stress, have also shown responses to supplemental AA. This has resulted in improvements in liveability, food intake, egg production and egg quality with dietary AA concentrations in the range 250–400 mg/kg. AA can be beneficial in countering the adverse effects on shell quality of drinking water containing a high concentration of salts. The AA concentrations that have been found to be effective lie in the range 1–2 g AA/kg feed or /I drinking water, though it is possible that breed differences or additional stress factors might affect the response. Studies on the role of AA in the growth of poultry bone and connective tissues have suggested possible benefits of dietary supplementation in some stress or disease situations. AA has also been shown to interact with a number of other vitamins and minerals.
Anatomical Variation In Planted Kelempayan (Neolamarckia Cadamba, Rubiaceae)

Six plantation grown Kelempayan trees [Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, syn. Anthocephalus chinensis (Lamk.) A. Rich. ex Walp. , Rubiaceae] were sampled along their radii and at five different height levels to evaluate variations of wood anatomical properties. Analysis of variance indicates that between tree differences in all anatomical properties measured were significant. Vessel proportion increases while ray proportion decreases with height, while both fibre diameter and fibre lumen diameter decrease with height. No significant trend was found for fibre length vertically. Cell wall substance and vessel and ray proportion increase from pith to bark, while fibre proportion decreases. Fibre length and fibre wall thickness increase from pith to bark, while fibre diameter and fibre lumen diameter first increase and then decrease. Within-tree variations are more consistent radially than vertically.
Bakterien der Lüfte: Vom Winde verweht

Dass die Erdatmosphäre Überträger von Bakterien, Algen, Pollen und auch Pilzen ist, ist schon seit längerem bekannt. Auch, dass jene Organismen als Eis‐ oder Wolkenkondensationskeime fungieren können. Nun jedoch konnte man das erste Mal nachweisen, dass Mikroben dort sogar bei Temperaturen um und weit unter dem Gefrierpunkt überleben können [9, 10] und sich auch reproduzieren. Da die Erdoberfläche zu rund 60 Prozent von Wolken bedeckt ist, könnte die Atmosphäre als Lebenshabitat angesehen werden. Zudem werden Landschaften wie Schneeflächen oder Eiskappen, welche andererseits völlig von genetischem Austausch isoliert wären, durch diese Windverbreitung besiedelt und die dort ansässige mikrobielle Gemeinschaft wird durch den Transfer verändert.
Nitrogen metabolism and recycling in yaks (Bos grunniens) offered a forage-concentrate diet differing in N concentration

An experiment was conducted to characterise N use efficiency and quantify urea fluxes in yaks offered four levels of dietary N (1.43%, 1.97%, 2.45% and 2.90% of diet DM) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The incremental increase in N intake linearly increased N retention (P = 0.003) and the excretion of urinary N (P 0.05) in faecal N excretion was observed in growing yaks fed any of the four diets. Microbial N production had quadratic (P < 0.001) responses to dietary N, characterised by the highest microbial N production occurring in the 1.97% N diet (P < 0.05). As the N content of the diet increased, the urinary excretion of urea increased from 13% to 27% of urea entry rate (quadratic, P < 0.001), whereas gastrointestinal entry urea returned to ornithine cycling decreased from 46% to 40% (linear, P < 0.001), and the gastrointestinal entry urea used for anabolism increased from 50% to 56% (linear, P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal entry urea incorporated into bacterial N decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with incremental increase in N intake, and the greatest concentration (23.5%) of bacterial N originating from plasma urea N was in yaks fed the 1.43% N diet. As much as 87% of the urea synthesised in the liver was returned to the gastrointestinal tract when the yaks were fed a diet with 1.43% N (1.1 times the maintenance N level). Moreover, constantly greater urea production than the intake of digestible N, and the gastrointestinal-urea clearance than the kidney-urea clearance were observed, respectively, in the growing yaks, regardless of the level of N intake. These results suggest that yaks might be more efficient at utilising N under harsh environment than are cattle.
Prediction of the combined effect of various GM contamination sources of seed: A case study of oilseed rape under Danish conditions

Abstract The potential GM contamination at each step in seed production can be predicted for conditions that correspond to a worst-case scenario. When the combined effect of the various GM contamination stages is calculated, the worst-case predictions of the different stages are normally added. This additive procedure to estimate the combined effect of GM contamination may be relevant to estimate the combined effect where a single farm is concerned, but may result in estimation errors when harvested seeds from a large number of farms are mixed. In this study, the consequences of treating the different stages of GM contamination as independent stochastic effects on the combined GM contamination have been estimated. A case study of GM contamination in organic and conventional oilseed rape crops under Danish conditions indicated that the greater part of GM contamination occurred at farm level and much less during transport and storage. Generally, it may be concluded that it is important to consider this uncertainty in the estimates of adventitious presence at each seed production step and also whether the different steps are independent.
A portable system for continuous monitoring of bird nests using digital video recorders

ABSTRACT A variety of photographic methods have been described for monitoring nest predation. All have limitations for studying active nests in remote situations, such as size, expense, volume of data recorded, and types of trigger mechanisms. We developed a digital video surveillance system using infrared cameras to monitor predation at bird nests. The main advantage of this system over other video recorders is the small size of the recorder that can run continuously at 29 frames/s for more than 3 days. The recorder's built-in monitor makes it more transportable and allows for easy setup. Digital data is compact, can be reviewed quickly, and requires less physical storage space than videotapes. We recorded nest predation by mammals, birds, and snakes as well as egg and nestling losses not caused by predation. System failure rates were low and the total cost was comparable to ($700 US) video cassette recorders that are often used to monitor nests. SINOPSIS Se han descrito una gran variedad de metodos fotograficos para monitorear la depredacion de nidos. Todos los metodos tienen limitaciones para estudiar nidos activos a distancia, como su tamano, costo, volumen de los datos grabados y mecanismos para activar el equipo. Desarrollamos un sistema digital de vigilancia, utilizando camaras infrarrojas para monitorear la depredacion de nidos. La ventaja principal de este equipo sobre otros similares es el tamano de la grabadora, la cual puede funcionar continuamente a 29 cuadros/s por mas de tres dias. El monitor integrado a la camara hace que el equipo que sea mas facil de transportar y permite que se pueda montar con facilidad. Los datos digitales son compactos, se pueden revisar rapidamente, y requieren menos espacio de almacenaje que las cintas de video convencionales. Grabamos depredacion de nidos por mamiferos, aves y culebras al igual que la perdida de huevos y pichones por otras causas. La tasa de malfuncionamiento fue baja y el costo del equipo ($700 US) es comparable a otros equipos de videograbacion a cassette que se utilizan frecuentemente para monitorear nidos.
Studies of Salvia reflexa Hornem. I. Possible competitive mechanisms

Summary: When grown in mixtures with equal numbers of wheat plants Satvia reflexa was found not to be a strong competitor. The height and inflorescence dry weight of wheat was increased by watering the mixtures from above ihe foliage. These effects were accentuated by moisture stress. Aqueous leachatcs oi S. refiexa foliage were found (o inhibit the germination and/or early growth of wheat grown on filter paper in petri dishes and in different soil lypes. Resume: Recherches sur Salvia reficxa Hornem. I Mecanisme possible de compeition. Lorsquelle est cullive en melange avec un nombre egal de plantes de ble, Salria refiexa ne manifeste pas un grand pouvoir de competition. La hauteur et le poids sec de I'inflorescence du ble onl ete accrus par arrosage des plantcs melangees pardessus le feuillage. Les effeis out ele accentues par Ic choc hydriquc. Des lavages avec de I'eau des feuilles de S. reftexa ont inhibi la germination et/ou la eroissante iniliale du ble cullive sur papier filtrc en boites de Peiri el dans differents types de sols. Zusammenfassung Studien uber Salvia reflexa Hornem. I. Mogliche Konkurrez-mechanismen In Mischbcstanden mit gleicher Anzahl von Weizenund Salvia reflexa-Pflanzen, war S. refiexa kein starker Konkurrent. Die Hohe und das Ahrentrockengewichl des Weizens nahm zu, wenn die Mischbestande von oben gegossen wurden. Diese Effckte wurden durch Wasscmiangel verstorkt. Wasserige Aus-zoge von S. reflexa-Blottern hemmicn die Keimung und/oder die Jugcndentwicklung von Weizen. der auf Filterpapier in Petrischalen bzw. in verschiedenen Boden wuchs.
Coral Diseases in the Indo‐Pacific: A First Record

The so-called “band” diseases of reef corals, the White Band Disease (WBD) and the Black Band Disease (BBD), were observed in the Red Sea and in the Philippines. Since they were previously known only from the western Atlantic, this is the first record for the Indo-Pacific region. WBD is neither infectious nor contagious and the pathogen is unknown. BBD is highly infectious and contagious and is caused by the cyanophyte Phormidium corallyticum. Susceptibility to WBD occurs throughout the order Scleractinia, but the effects of the disease are most severe among Acroporidae. Susceptibility to BBD seems to be restricted to Faviidae, with Platygyra and Goniastrea species the most heavily afflicted. WBD cannot be influenced by any parameter tested so far. BBD can be enhanced by light and by water eutrophication, and its advance can be stopped by antibiotics. An active WBD seems to be a precondition for the origin of BBD.
DETERMINATION OF THE ASSERTIVENESS AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS OF BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL REFEREES

It is very important to determine sport officials’ problem solving skills and assertiveness as a manager on the court. The purpose of this study was to examine assertiveness and problem solving skills of basketball and volleyball referees. 214 basketball referees (186 males and 28 females) ranging in age from 21 to 48 years ( M = 28.58. SD = 4.69) and 177 volleyball referees (112 males 65 females) ranging in age from 23 to 55 years ( M = 39.21. SD = 6.36) participated to this study voluntarily (N= 391). Hypothesis was basketball referees assertiveness and problem solving skills are better than volleyball referees. Rathus Assertiveness Inventory (RAI) and Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) were applied to the referees. As a result, basketball ( RAI = 92.20±12.71; PSI = 94.14±10.39) and volleyball ( RAI = 89.34±13.15; PSI = 108.65±17.88) referees’ average score of RAI and PSI found as middle level. According to Mann-Whitney U test findings, statistically significant difference revealed in favor of basketball referees (p <0.05). From the point of information on high scores received from PSI shows one cannot find effective solutions in the face of problems, basketball referees ( = 94.14±17.88) can find more effective solutions than volleyball referees (= 108.65 ± 10.39).
Pathoecology and the Future of Coprolite Studies in Bioarchaeology

COPROLITE STUDIES IN BIOARCHAEOLOGY Human coprolites currently provide an expanding array of information about the diet, health, and ecology of prehistoric people in the Southwest, but for many years coprolites were not recognized or preserved, or they were not considered important and thus were not saved (Bryant and Dean 2006). With the expansion of archaeological field work during the last half of the twentieth century archaeologists have increasingly explored the " complete " potentials of sites, including the collection and analysis of geomorphologic, botanical, and faunal data. In some ideal habitats (e.g., very dry or frozen) this includes exploring the scientific potential of human coprolite studies. This is not easy to do: very few coprolites have what might be considered a " characteristic shape and size. " In our experience, the majority of coprolites are usually fragmented, flattened by age, or in many cases are preserved as amorphous masses of various sizes similar in shape to " paddies " left behind by cattle. These flat, amorphous human coprolites are especially common in sites used by foragers with diets very high in plant fiber. Coprolites and coprolite fragments are sometimes collected in situ during archaeological excavations, but most often they are found during screening, when dirt is being separated from artifacts. If unrecognized, coprolites may be crushed into dust, along with clods of dirt, and their contents lost. In the American Southwest the arid climate, protected sites, and dry rock shelters provide some of our best areas in North America for the preservation of human coprolites and the long record of biological history they help to reveal. Starting in the early 1960s with the pioneering efforts of Eric Callen (1963) and Martin and Sharrock (1964), but especially in the seventies and eighties, coprolites were the focus of many interdisciplinary research A large number of articles, chapters, and monographs were published as a result of this early As summarized by Reinhard and Bryant (1992) these works explored the application of many fields to coprolite analysis including archaeopalynology, archaeobotany, archaeoparasitology, zooarchaeology, biochemistry, starch analysis, and phytolith analysis. (Phytoliths are microscopic mineral deposits produced by plants within their cells. Phytoliths are extremely durable and their morphologies are frequently specific to family, genus, and even species.) Each research project offered new methodological innovations and several salient works came from this period. Williams-Dean's dissertation (1978) was a milestone in combining studies of modern feces with the …