Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the utility of fishery and survey data to detect prey removal effects on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

One focus of mitigation for Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) declines in Alaska has been to restrict commercial fishery activity around sea lion rookeries and haul-outs. However, a variety of statistical hypothesis tests have failed to relate sea lion population metrics to fish and fishing variables, prompting speculation that regulations may be unwarranted. In this study, we use simulation to show that standard hypothesis tests often have overstated power to detect a relationship between Steller sea lion vital rates and fish or fishing variables. The power and utility of hypothesis tests largely depend on choosing appropriate dependent and independent variables. In particular, pup counts were the most effective for diagnosing fecundity effects, and successive ratios of adult counts were the most effective for diagnosing survival effects. Fish relative abundance was the most effective independent variable, with other choices (e.g., fishery catch) often resulting in misleading inferences. We argue tha.
Climate, competition and connectivity affect future migration and ranges of European trees

Aim Species ranges have adapted during the Holocene to altering climate conditions, but it remains unclear if species will be able to keep pace with recent and future climate change. The goal of our study is to assess the influence of changing macroclimate, competition and habitat connectivity on the migration rates of 14 tree species. We also compare the projections of range shifts from species distribution models (SDMs) that incorporate realistic migration rates with classical models that assume no or unlimited migration. Location Europe. Methods We calibrated SDMs with species abundance data from 5768 forest plots from ICP Forest Level 1 in relation to climate, topography, soil and land-use data to predict current and future tree distributions. To predict future species ranges from these models, we applied three migration scenarios: no migration, unlimited migration and realistic migration. The migration rates for the SDMs incorporating realistic migration were estimated according to macroclimate, inter-specific competition and habitat connectivity from simulation experiments with a spatially explicit process model (TreeMig). From these relationships, we then developed a migration cost surface to constrain the predicted distributions of the SDMs. Results The distributions of early-successional species during the 21st century predicted by SDMs that incorporate realistic migration matched quite well with the unlimited migration assumption (mean migration rate over Europe for A1fi/GRAS climate and land-use change scenario 156.7 ± 79.1 m year−1 and for B1/SEDG 164.3 ± 84.2 m year−1). The predicted distributions of mid- to late-successional species matched better with the no migration assumption (A1fi/GRAS, 15.2 ± 24.5 m year−1 and B1/SEDG, 16.0 ± 25.6 m year−1). Inter-specific competition, which is higher under favourable growing conditions, reduced range shift velocity more than did adverse macroclimatic conditions (i.e. very cold or dry climate). Habitat fragmentation also led to considerable time lags in range shifts. Main conclusions Migration rates depend on species traits, competition, spatial habitat configuration and climatic conditions. As a result, re-adjustments of species ranges to climate and land-use change are complex and very individualistic, yet still quite predictable. Early-successional species track climate change almost instantaneously while mid- to late- successional species were predicted to migrate very slowly.
Community Acquired Bacterial Ocular Pathogens And Their Antibiotic Resistance In Western India.

s: Background: Various type of ocular infections are responsible for increased prevalence of morbidity and blindness worldwide. Specific therapy of ocular infections often requires etiological diagnosis and antibiotic sensitivity profile for individual. Methodology : This study was conducted on 120 patients attending ophthalmology institute in tertiary care eye hospital. All patients were included consecutively after the initial clinical diagnosis of ocular infection. Brief clinical history and demographic data along with samples was collected and analyzed in proper manner in accordance with standard protocols. Results: Out of total 120 samples, 55 samples were positive for bacterial culture. Most common causative organism among gram negative isolates, was Pseudomonas (19/55) and in case of the gram positive isolates, was S. aureus (16/55). Maximum sensitivity was observed towards linezolid and vancomycin for gram positive isolates and for rest of others, imipenem and combinations antibiotics. Conclusion : The type and pattern of organisms that cause ocular infection changes over time. Antibiotics which have broad coverage, sensitivity and are effective enough to treat the common corneal pathogens should be used. [Patel P NJIRM 2015; 6(2):90-93] Words
Social status, behavior, and central serotonergic responsivity in female cynomolgus monkeys

The relationship between social status, behavioral characteristics, and central serotonergic function was examined in eight adult female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The subjects were housed in four‐member social groups for 6 months. Social behavior was observed three times a week. The early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle was determined based on the occurrence of menses, and the prolactin response to acute administration of fenfluramine HCl during the early follicular phase was used as a measure of net brain serotonergic responsivity. Delta prolactin responses (the prolactin response to fenfluramine minus baseline concentrations) were lower in dominant than in subordinate females. Dominant females were more aggressive and less submissive than subordinates. Likewise, females with the lowest delta prolactin concentrations were more aggressive and less submissive than females that had relatively large increases in prolactin. Delta prolactin responses also correlated negatively with percent time eating and investigating in close proximity to penmates, and correlated positively with percent time scanning anxiously while alone. The same pattern of correlation was noted between social status and the aforementioned affiliative behaviors. It was concluded that high central serotonergic responsivity may be associated with low rates of aggression, high rates of submission, and subordinate social status in female cynomolgus monkeys. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Competition and Allometry in Three Species of Annual Plants

Comparisons between competing and noncompeting populations of three annual plant species demonstrate that plant allometry is altered by competition. When plants are grown in isolation, relationships between stem diameter, height, and plant mass generally show simple allometry (i.e., the relationships are linear on log-log scale). When plants are competing, however, these relationships are curvilinear or discontinuous. We attempt to clarify the relationship between interindividual allometry (the usual source of allometric data) and allometric growth. When plants are not competing, the allometric relationships among individuals of different sizes at one point in time and the allometry of individual plants as they grow appear to be similar, but these two classes of allometric relationships are very different for competing plants. We present a simple model that explains both static and dynamic patterns of plant allometry in terms of (a) the allometric responses of individual plants to competition, and (b) the size dependence of growth after the onset of competition. Our results illustrate the importance of reciprocal interactions between competition and allometry, and emphasize the difficulty in making inferences from one size measure to another. We conclude that the commonly held assumption that plant size is a single entity, which can be reflected by any of several measures, may not be justified.
New Zealand sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri, pup production—1995 to 2006

Abstract The New Zealand sea lion (NZ sea lion), Phocarctos hookeri, is New Zealand's only endemic pinniped. Classified as vulnerable, it is one of the world's rarest pinnipeds. During the 1994/95 austral summer, a long‐term population‐monitoring programme of the Auckland Island colonies was initiated using standard procedures to estimate annual pup production. This paper reports the pup production estimates for the known NZ sea lion population over the last 12 years (1994/95 to 2005/06), and the variation in pup production estimates for the Auckland Islands. sixty‐four percent of the pup production for the entire NZ sea lion population occurred at Dundas Island, followed by Enderby Island (19%), and Figure of Eight Island (3%). These three sites are all at the Auckland Islands, making this area the primary breeding site for this species with 86% of all pup production occurring here. The remaining 14% were born at Campbell Island, with otago Peninsula representing <0.1%. The pup production estimates for the NZ sea lion population varied considerably by year and breeding area. The most significant change recorded was at the primary breeding site for this species, the Auckland Islands, which had a 31% decline in pup production between 1997/98 and 2005/06 owing to a combination of disease events and incidental by‐catch from commercial fishing activity.
ROLE OF NITROGEN IN WOOD DETERIORATION: AMOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF NITROGEN IN TREE STEMS

Radial gradients in nitrogen content across stems of three hardwoods and two softwoods followed similar patterns. Sapwood and inner bark contained a higher proportion of the total nitrogen in cross sections than heartwood and outer bark, respectively. Nitrogen content of individual annual increments decreased progressively from the cambium to the transition zone between sapwood and heartwood, or, in species without heartwood, to the increments nearest the pith. In some cases, an abrupt decrease in nitrogen content was observed across the sapwood–heartwood boundary. The diminution of nitrogen content across the sapwood was associated with death of parenchyma cells. As the cells die, nitrogen in their cytoplasm apparently is retrieved for possible reuse elsewhere in the tree. Pith contained more nitrogen by weight than heartwood and in some cases more than sapwood. Nitrogen content was correlated directly with parenchyma volume for sapwood but not for heartwood of 16 species of angiosperms.Nitrogen extracta.
DIRECT ENUMERATION OF BACTERIA FROM MACROALGAE BY EPIFLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY AS APPLIED TO THE FLESHY RED ALGAE KAPPAPHYCUS ALVAREZII AND GRACILARIA SPP. (RHODOPHYTA) 1

This report describes a simplified method for direct counting of total bacteria associated with the fleshy red algae Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty and Gracilaria spp. A Nuclepore® polycarbonate membrane (0.2–μm pore size) fitted to a vacuum filtration apparatus was used to filter algal tissue homogenate after serial dilution and staining with the fluorochrome 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole. Using epifluorescence microscopy, it is possible to count bacteria without preseparating them from the algae. The technique requires homogenized algal tissue diluted with 0.2‐μm‐filtered, autoclaved seawater to a level appropriate for counting. Dilution reduces the amount of autofluorescent algal debris, which may interfere with Counting. The membrane filtration method yielded a bacterial count two orders of magnitude higher than that of the conventional agarspread plate technique. This method offers a more accurate approach to counting the total number of bacteria on macroalgae.
GSK3α exhibits β‐catenin and tau directed kinase activities that are modulated by Wnt

In the presence of a Wnt signal β‐catenin is spared from proteasomal degradation through a complex mechanism involving GSK3β, resulting in the transcription of Wnt target genes. In this study we have explored whether GSK3α, a related isoform, can also regulate nuclear β‐catenin levels and whether this and the tau‐directed kinase activity of GSK3α are modulated by Wnt. GSK3α or GSK3β and their substrates, β‐catenin and tau, were transiently expressed in mammalian cells. Immunoblotting revealed that GSK3α reduces nuclear levels of β‐catenin, whilst reporter gene assays demonstrated that GSK3α inhibits β‐catenin‐directed Tcf/Lef‐dependent transcription. Moreover, activation of the Wnt pathway was found to attenuate both the β‐catenin‐ and the tau‐directed kinase activities of GSK3α and GSK3β. By immunoprecipitation we also found that axin‐1, the β‐catenin destruction complex scaffold protein, binds GSK3α. In the light of these findings GSK3α warrants further investigation regarding its involvement in Wnt signalling and tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease.
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN SLUGS AND WILD GINGER: SOME EVOLUTIONARY ASPECTS'

Data collected on natural populations of Asarum caudatum in western Washington indicated that populations were polymorphic for growth rate, seed production, and palatability to a native slug. However, in habitats where slugs were not as abundant, populations of wild ginger were dominated by individuals allocating more energy to growth rate and seed production, and less to the production of an antiherbivore mechanism. On the basis of these data, I postulated that in the absence of grazing pressure, palatable, faster growing individuals would be at a competitive advantage over slower growing individuals that devote more energy to an antiherbivore mechanism. Under grazing pressure, however, fitness of the unpalatable individuals would be increased since smaller amounts of photosynthetic tissue would be consumed. See full-text article at JSTOR
Iron in Eutrophic Clear Lake, California: Its Importance for Algal Nitrogen Fixation and Growth

Clear Lake, California, is warm, shallow, polymictic, and eutrophic. During 1975, levels of dissolved (< 0.45 μm) iron in all three basins of Clear Lake were always low (15–30 μg∙L−1) and decreased to 2 μg∙L−1 during the major bloom of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) rates of the blue-green algal populations were stimulated as much as 500% above control levels by iron additions in laboratory and in situ large-volume bioassays. Carbon fixation rates and chlorophyll a levels were also significantly stimulated by iron additions, but usually less rapidly and to a lesser extent than N2 fixation. Additions of nitrate stimulated carbon fixation and chlorophyll production but inhibited increases in nitrogen fixation. Phosphate additions either had no effect or produced a mixture of stimulation or depression of all three variables. The bioassays indicate that the growth of blue-green algae and other algae in Clear Lake is usually directly limited by combined nitrogen and occasiona.
Seasonal variations in the physical and chemical characteristics of ponds: implications for biodiversity conservation

1. The natural evolution of ponds leads to the filling up of these small ecosystems, and human intervention may sometimes be necessary to ensure their continued nature conservation interest. 2. In the arid karstic region of the ‘Causses du Quercy’ (France), there are numerous ponds bored into parts of the calcareous rock where water cannot percolate. Without human management they are destined to disappear, although they constitute the only available surface water resource on this limestone plateau. 3. Little information is available about the physical and chemical changes occurring as ponds go through different successional stages. A comparative study of three ponds at various stages of succession allowed an analysis to be made of the seasonal changes in a number of abiotic variables. 4. There was evidence that the temporal and spatial variability of abiotic factors (such as temperature, water level and dissolved oxygen concentrations) increased as ponds progressed through successional stages. 5. This study indicated that ponds varied in terms of plant and animal species richness and rarity, temperature, and oxygen concentration at different successional stages. Each pond supported a distinctive fauna. The results suggest that biotic diversity is, in part, driven by local-scale physical and chemical heterogeneity. Management plans should be drawn at a scale that maintains the heterogeneity of such pond networks. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytoplasma transmission by in vitro graft inoculation as a basis for a preliminary screening method for resistance in fruit trees

In vitro grafting was tested as a technique for inoculating Prunus rootstock Prunus marianna GF 8-1 with European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) phytoplasmas and apple rootstock Malus pumila MM106 with apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasmas. In vitro shoot cultures of ESFY-infected Prunus marianna GF 8-1 and AP-infected Malus pumila MM106 were used as graft inoculum to transmit the phytoplasmas to the respective healthy rootstock. Phytoplasma transmission was assessed after a graft contact of 1, 2 or 3 months. Healthy autografts were used as controls to monitor parameters of in vitro grafting. Successful graft union formation ranged from 58 to 79% irrespective of the plant species and the sanitary state of the graft. Pathogen-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to test the inoculated rootstocks for the presence of ESFY and AP phytoplasmas, respectively. The rate of ESFY phytoplasma transmission in successful Prunus-grafts increased from 69 to 94% with the time of contact. AP phytoplasma transmission to Malus occurred in 80 to 97% of successful grafts. To our knowledge this is the first report of phytoplasma transmission by grafting in vitro. The results provide a good basis for the establishment of a preliminary in vitro screening method for phytoplasma resistance in Prunus and Malus.
Breeding Ecology of Mackinder's Eagle-Owls (Bubo capensis mackinderi) In Farmlands of Central Kenya

Abstract African owls are relatively little known and studying them is difficult due to negative effects of cultural beliefs and consumptive uses of owls. Over a 5-yr period from 2004–08, we studied the breeding ecology of 13 pairs of Mackinder's Eagle-Owls (Bubo capensis mackinderi), a subspecies of the Cape Eagle-Owl (B. capensis), inhabiting a densely populated farming community in central Kenya. Mean owl density was 0.24 pairs/km2 and mean nearest neighbor distance averaged over all years was 1.9 km. Most nests (65%) were located in a cave or on a covered ledge, and mean nest site elevation was 2191 m asl. Nests were located close to farms and grasslands, but far from forests. Initiation of breeding was associated with rainfall patterns. Mean breeding success was 51% and reproductive rate was 1.36 young fledged per successful pair. Increased reproductive success was associated with breeding after the long rainy season, nesting on cliffs or covered ledges, and nesting close to grasslands and human habitation. The majority (59%) of recorded owl deaths were caused by human activities and poisoning was the most common source of mortality. Compared to other populations of Bubo spp. , the birds in our study area had a high breeding density but a low reproductive output. Human-induced mortality may be negatively affecting productivity in this population.
Underground Organs of the Seedlings and the Systematics of Gramineae

The features of the underground organs of the seedlings have been examined in 219 species of 88 genera of the Gramineae. Six types have been recognized according to the morphology of the underground organs, and seven types have also been acknowledged in the mode of establishment of the seedlings. The features of the underground seminal organs have been symbolized in a formula with a combination of these types. Species of the same genus almost always have identical formulas, and the genera of the same tribe are usually closely related in the features of the underground seminal organs. When the features of the above-ground plantlet are combined with those of the underground organs, the grass seedling can be classified into six groups. They are bambusoid, oryzoid, festucoid, arundinoid, eragrostoid, and panicoid, all of which are often treated as subfamilies in modern grass systematics. It is pointed out that further studies should be made on the seedlings of the tribes Centotheceae and Ehrharteae. The evolution of grass seedlings is discussed.
Age at Maturity as a Stress Indicator in Fisheries

years, this fishery provided food and income for the many communities scattered along the east coast of Newfoundland. The Newfoundland fishing industry, based on the annual migration of cod from offshore spawning grounds of the Grand Bank to inshore feeding areas, had been the mainstay of the province's economy (Figure 1). In the 1950s, additional large winter aggregations of cod were located offshore of Newfoundland in water depths of 100-200 fathoms (Johnstone 1977). This discovery prompted the development of a large-trawler offshore fishery, which included foreign vessels, and annual landings increased through the 1960s. By the mid-1970s stock1 size had declined, but it subsequently increased after Canada began to exert control over fishing rights within 200 miles of its coastline on 1 January 1977. (Before 1977 Canada's jurisdiction was limited to within 12 miles of shore). Foreign landings declined over time
Modified Atmosphere Packaging Minimizes Increases in Putrescine and Abscisic Acid Levels Caused by Chilling Injury in Pepper Fruit

Bell pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Lamuyo) at two stages of maturity, mature green (MG) and mature red (MR), were stored at 2 and 10 °C to investigate physiological changes resulting from chilling injury. The MG fruit showed evidence of chilling injury (surface pitting) when stored at 2 °C, while MR fruit were unaffected by cold. At the same time, differences in the evolution of plant regulators were detected: In chilling-sensitive MG peppers, ethylene evolution and levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), putrescine (Put), and abscisic acid (ABA) rose significantly during storage, while in MG fruits stored at 10 °C and MR fruit stored at both 2 and 10 °C the values were low and no changes were observed. Spermidine (Spmd) content remained low in fruits at both maturity stages and at both temperatures. Chilling injury was reduced in MG fruits stored at 2 °C when modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was used, particularly with the less permeable film. MAP also led to less pronounced inc.
Impact of iceberg scouring on polar benthic habitats

In s j t u photographs and videos demonstrate that iceberg grounding in both polar regions causes considerable damage to benthic communities. Sessile organisms are eradicated and pioneer species begin to grow in high abundances on the devastated substratum. A preliminary quantitative analysis shows that the sea floor in the Antarctic and Arctic areas of investigation is disturbed by icebergs statistically once every 230 and 53 yr, respectively. Due to the extreme slow growth of many species, particularly in Antarctica, areas frequently disturbed in this manner are likely to be characterised by a continuous natural fluctuation between destruction and recovery. Increased perturbation by iceberg groundings through predicted global warming will result in considerable impairment of this environment.