Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Vegetable-Type Soybean for Sucrose, Taste-Related Amino Acids, and Isoflavones Contents

Vegetable soybean differs from the conventional soybean in its distinct taste. Genetic variability has been scarcely investigated in vegetable soybean for taste-related compounds viz. sucrose, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and isoflavones. In the present study, analysis of green seeds of 12 vegetable-type genotypes, between reproductive stages of R6 and R7 (i.e., when the pods were completely filled but the seeds and pods shell not yet turned yellow), revealed ranges of 1.28–7.12, 0.37–1.51, 0.64–2.82, 0.17–0.72, 0.11–0.51 g/100 g for sucrose, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine content, respectively, while a range of 8.64–33.19 mg/100 g was observed for total isoflavones content. Genotypes with high levels of sucrose, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and alanine scored high for taste. Results did not indicate any significant relationship between isoflavones content and the taste score.
THE TECHNIQUE OF NONINVASIVE DISTANT SEXING FOR FOUR MONOMORPHIC DENDROCYGNA WHISTLING DUCK SPECIES BY THEIR LOUD WHISTLES

ABSTRACT Here we present an acoustic approach for reliable sexing in four whistling duck species from the genus Dendrocygna and compare it with molecular and cloacal inspection techniques. In the four examined species, the White-faced Whistling Duck D. viduata, Fulvous Whistling Duck D. bicolor, Cuban Whistling Duck D. arborea and Red-billed Whistling Duck D. autumnalis, sexes are indistinguishable by appearance. However all the four species show strong sexual differences in the structure of their species-specific loud whistles. For 59 examined birds, an acoustic-based sexing showed 100% accordance to the DNA PCR analysis, while the cloacal inspection showed only 89.8% accuracy. The results demonstrate that acoustic sexing represents a feasible alternative to the two traditional methods as a noninvasive tool for the distant sexing of the four whistling duck species both in captivity and in the wild.
Efeito de doses de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio em duas cultivares de cupuaçu, com e sem sementes, na região da Amazônia central

The effects of N, P and K levels on yield and mineral nutrition of two cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum) cultivars were studied in an experiment on a Ultissol in Central Amazonia. A randomized block design with split-plots and three replications was used. The treatments applied on the plots were: N1P1K1; N1 P1 K0; N1 P0 K1; N0 P1K1; N1 P1 K2; N1 P2 K1 e N2 P1 K1; and on the split-plots: two cupuacu cultivars, seeded and seed-less. The 0, 1 and 2 levels of N, P and K were, respectively, 0, 60 and 120 kg ha-1 of N as urea, 0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1 of P2O5 as treble superfosfate, and 0, 80 and 160 kg ha-1 of K20, as KCl. Based on this study, it was not possible to make formal recommendations for fertilization of cupuacu, however, trends in mineral nutrient requirements for this crop were evident. Based on the 3year mean yield, nitrogen fertilizer had no effect on crop yields, neither P fertilizer at high levels. However, a positive linear yield response to K application was observed, principally for the seeded cultivar. The lowest yield occurred in the absence of P.
Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils of three endemic medicinal plants of Iran

Hydro-distillated essential oils (EO) antioxidant activity of three endemic medicinal plants of Iran namely, Heracleum lasiopetalum Boiss. , Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. , and Ferulago angulata (Schlecht.) Boiss were studied. The results indicated that the major components of the EOs were 2-ethylhexyl acetate (34.5%), n -octanol (6.5%), and hexanol (5.1%) for H. lasiopetalum fruits; Z- ? -ocimene (20.5), ? -pinene (11.6%), and ? -phellandrene (9.3) for F. angulata aerial parts; ? -pinene (20.1%), 1,8-cineole (18.2%), and Z ligustilide (15.5%) for K. odoratissima aerial parts. The three EOs having high antioxidant activity could be used as an alternative preservative instead of synthetic ones in food industry. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjb.v42i2. 18038 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42 (2): 327-332, 2013 (December)
Fish and game: a game theoretic approach to habitat selection by predators and prey*

Given a choice between habitats differing only in food availability, prey are known to select the habitat providing the highest energetic return. They do so in a frequency-dependent manner, accounting for the reduction in food availability caused by the presence of other individuals; this results in the well-known ‘Ideal Free Distribution’, an equilibrium solution to a spatial game. When habitats also differ in predation risk due, for example, to different predator densities, prey also appear able to take this into account. However, in most theory (and most experiments) the predation risk levels in the available habitats are assumed to be fixed. Here we ask what will happen if predators are able to adjust their distribution in response to the habitat choice decisions of their prey, i.e. we model a generalized habitat selection game between predators and prey. We first develop a basic model which captures the essence of the problem, and then expand it to include risk dilution and interference among predators. The model produces several new insights, notably that, in the absence of interference effects, the density of prey in a habitat is determined solely by the inherent‘ riskiness’of that habitat (a habitat measure independent of predator density, which might reflect cover or light levels, for example) and is unaffected by habitat productivity (a measure of the food resource available to the prey). When interference exists between predators, ptey density is also determined by habitat productivity but to a lesser extent than by riskiness. Consequently, prey may not respond significantly to changes in relative food resource availability among habitats if their predators are also free to choose the habitat which maximizes their expected fitness. We consider briefly the potential applications of game theory to diel vertical migration and other fish predator-prey scenarios.
A Rasch-Validation Study of a Novel Speaking Span Task

Working Memory refers to the capacity to temporarily retain a limited amount of information that is available for manipulation by higher-order cognitive processes. Several assessment instruments, such as the speaking span task, have been associated with the measurement of working memory span. However, despite the widespread use of the speaking span task, no study, to the best of my knowledge, has attempted to validate it using Rasch Measurement Theory. Rasch analysis can potentially shed light on the dimensionality of a complex construct such as working memory as well as examine whether a collection of items is working together to construct a coherent and reliable measure of a targeted population. This pilot study reports a Rasch analysis of a novel speaking span task, which was administered individually to 31 Japanese junior high school students and scored using a newly developed scoring system. Two separate analyses were conducted on the task: an analysis of the individual items using the Rasch dichotomous model and an analysis of the super items (sets) using the partial credit model. The results indicate that the task measures a coherent unidimensional latent variable and is thus a useful tool for measuring the construct. Moreover, Rasch analysis was shown to be suitable method for evaluating working memory tests.
Esforços em ferramentas rompedoras de solo de semeadoras de plantio direto

A avaliacao individual de mecanismos de abertura de sulco de semeadoras de plantio direto auxilia as empresas no dimensionamento de ferramentas rompedoras do solo, que buscam menor requerimento energetico e a diminuicao da area de solo mobilizado. Portanto, objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar os esforcos de cinco diferentes mecanismos de abertura de sulco de semeadoras de plantio direto, variando a carga vertical. O experimento foi instalado num solo classificado como Nitossolo Vermelho Distroferrico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, constituidos dos seguintes fatores: cinco mecanismos de abertura de sulco (disco liso - DL, disco corrugado -DC, disco ondulado - DO, disco duplo - DD e haste sulcadora - F) e quatro cargas verticais (750, 1500, 2250 e 3000 N). Para mensurar as forcas nos tratamentos estudados foi utilizado um dinamometro com sensibilidade nas direcoes horizontal, lateral, vertical. A avaliacao mostrou que a interacao entre mecanismos de abertura de sulco e carga vertical nao foi significativa, entretanto os fatores foram significativos quando analisados individualmente. A haste promoveu a maior mobilizacao do solo com menor requerimento de esforco horizontal, atingindo as maiores profundidades de trabalho. O trabalho mostrou que a carga vertical influenciou a profundidade de trabalho dos mecanismos de abertura de sulco. Os mecanismos de abertura de sulco do tipo disco necessitam de maior forca vertical para penetrar no solo.
Rotational Cropping Systems to Reduce Cheat (Bromus secalinus) Densities1

In the Southern Great Plains, producers of hard red winter wheat seek sustainable methods for controlling cheat and improving economic returns. Experiments were conducted at two sites in north-central Oklahoma to determine the effect of cheat management programs, with various weed control strategies, on cheat densities and total net returns. The cheat management programs, initiated following harvest of winter wheat, included conventionally tilled, double-crop grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) followed by soybean (Glycine max L.); and continuous winter wheat. Rotating out of winter wheat for one growing season increased yield of succedent wheat up to 32% and 42% at Billings and Ponca City, respectively. Dockage due to cheat in the succedent wheat was reduced up to 78% and 87% by rotating out of winter wheat for one growing season at Billings and Ponca City, respectively. Cheat management programs including a crop rotation with herbicides applied to the grain sorghum, except for an application of atrazine + metolachlor at Ponca City, improved total net returns over the nontreated continuous wheat option. Cheat panicles in the succedent wheat were reduced up to 87% by rotation out of winter wheat for one growing season. Nomenclature: Atrazine + metolachlor; cheat, Bromus secalinus L. #3 BROSE; grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ‘Pioneer 8500’, ‘Dekalb DK28E’; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. , ‘Dekalb CX367RR’; wheat, Triticum aestivum L. ‘2137’. Additional index words: Economics, net returns, Oklahoma. Abbreviations: Fb, followed by; NSD, no significant difference; OM, organic matter.
Secondary Phloem in Early Carboniferous Seed Plants: Anatomical Diversity and Evolutionary Implications

Premise of research. Secondary phloem produced by a bifacial vascular cambium is the distinctive feature of lignophytes, the group that comprises the seed plants and the progymnosperms. Because secondary phloem is rarely well preserved in the fossil record, our knowledge of the evolution of this tissue remains incomplete. Methodology. We illustrate the secondary phloem anatomy of nine seed plants of Mississippian (Early Carboniferous) age that represent to date the oldest representatives of the group in which this tissue is well preserved. In addition, we review the information available on the secondary phloem anatomy of Devonian progymnosperms and Late Carboniferous–Permian seed plants. Pivotal results. Secondary phloem anatomy was already diversified in the Mississippian seed plants, in terms of cell composition and spatial organization of the different cell types. We propose four models of secondary phloem anatomy and organization in lignophytes of Devonian-Carboniferous age. Conclusions. The diversity of secondary phloem anatomy in Mississippian seed plants parallels what is observed for other parts of their vascular system; it is most likely linked to the Mississippian diversification of seed plant growth architectures and habitats. The accumulated fossil evidence also demonstrates that several characters that have been considered as advanced on the basis of the study of extant gymnosperms (e.g., the presence of fibers in the functional phloem and the arrangement in alternate tangential layers of a same cell type) were actually already present in some early representatives of the lignophytes.
Biotic plant–soil feedbacks across temporal scales

Plant effects on soil biota can result in feedbacks affecting plant performance, with consequences for plant community and ecosystem dynamics on short and long time‐scales. In addition, the strength and direction of plant–soil feedbacks depend on temporal shifts in abiotic environmental conditions. We synthesize current knowledge on temporal aspects of plant–soil feedbacks and present new ideas to better understand and predict the effects of plant–soil feedbacks on community and ecosystem properties across temporal scales. Explaining short‐term temporal feedback dynamics requires us to better understand mechanistic linkages between plants, soil organisms and locally available resources. On the other hand, we need to refine our understanding of the context‐dependency of plant–soil feedbacks, as the strength and direction of feedback interactions are influenced by ‘external’ temporal ecosystem dynamics, such as variation in soil resource availability after disturbance or during succession. Synthesis. Based on our synthesis of temporal aspects of plant–soil feedbacks, we suggest three main avenues for future research: (i) how plant–soil feedbacks changes with ontogeny, (ii) how plant and soil organism traits drive temporal variation in plant–soil feedbacks and (iii) how environmental changes across temporal scales alter the strength and direction of plant–soil feedbacks.
Morphological evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the European ground voles (Arvicolidae, Rodentia)

Brunet-Lecomte, P. & Chaline, J. 1991 01 15: Morphological evolution and phylogcnctic relationships of the European ground voles (Arvicolidae. Rodentia). Lethaia. Vol. 24. pp. 45–53. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164. A new morphological study of the first lower molar M1 of European Quaternary ground voles (Arvicolidac. Rodcntia. Microtus (Terricola)) by means of multivariate analysis renews the systematics. phylogenetic relationships and their evolutionary group history. An Allophaiomyan origin of ground voles has been confirmed and the evolution of Mediterranean and middle Europcan groups has now been clarified. Primitive species of middle European groups display plesiomorphics. except for M. (T.) arvalidens, which shows certain apomorphies of the present species. The occurrence of M. (T.) multiplex in France at the end of the middle Pleistocene before the appearance of M. (T.) suhterraneus completely reverses previous ideas which considered that M. (T.) multiplex was a sibling species derived from M. (T.) subterraneus during the Wurmian glaciation. The Atlantic species M. (T.) pyrenaicus is probably derived from the middle Pleistocene species M. (T.) mariaclaudiue whose exact origin is unknown. M. (T.) sauii, M. (T.) tarentina. M. (T.) melirensis and M. (T.) henseli belong to the same geographic group. Perhaps M. (T.) savii derived from M. (T.) tarentina or shares the same ancestor with M. (T.) tarentina. M. (T.) duodecimcostarus probably indirectly derived from an Iberian specics of Allophuiomys such as A. chalinei, while M. (T.) lusitanicus was separated from M. (T.) duodecimcostutus about 60,000 years ago. A sketch of the stratigraphical records and geographical distribution of the Terricola species in Western Europe showing their phylogenetic relationships and migrations during the middle and upper Pleistocene is included. Morphometry, variance analysis, phylogeneric relationships. Mammalia. Rodentia. Arvicolidae. Microtus, Terricola.
Pilot assessment of depth related distribution of macrofauna in surf zone along Dutch coast and its implications for coastal management

Surf zones are highly dynamic, physically stressful parts of sandy beach ecosystems. The high wave energy of surf zones has in the past severely hampered ecological surveys of these systems. Here we used a novel technique to collect fauna from this environment along the Dutch coast. A large vehicle in the form a tripod that drives along the sandy seafloor and supports a sampling platform 11 m above the water line can collect both infaunal (grabs) samples and pull beam trawls for epibenthos. The distribution and diversity of macrofauna were studied at different depths in the surf zone along the Dutch coast. Species diversity and abundance increased with increasing depth of the water column. This increase was especially noticeable on the seaward side of the outer breaker bar. Within the surf zone, in the trough between the two breaker bars, there were spots of high diversity and abundance of macrobenthic infauna. Moreover, the area is also important for epibenthic and fish species, like the commercially important flatfish sole. Spatial patterns of species richness and abundance across an onshore-offshore gradient from the beach to seawards of the breakers suggest the presence of faunal zonation in this environment. The high abundance recorded in troughs was primarily caused by patches of juvenile Sand mason Lanice conchilega. The management implications of these results are that we suggest to protect the surf zone, including the trough between the two breaker bars, as a potential area of high diversity and abundance and to reconsider the objectives of the EU-Habitat Directive and the Water Framework Directive for the coastal area.
Genetic changes in protein, milk, and fat yields as a response to selection for protein yield in a closed population of Holsteins.

Abstract Three estimators of intrapopulation genetic change were used to quantify response to selection for protein yield in first lactations, of Holsteins from three herds of the Research Branch of Agriculture Canada. Selection began in 1972 and continued through 1985. For the first 3 yr (1972 to 1974), foundation cows were mated by AI to young bulls from the foundation herds and to progeny-tested bulls available in US and Canadian AI units. Progeny-tested bulls produced in this closed herd selection project were not available for selection before 1978. A mixed model analysis based on sire merit revealed an apparent curvilinear response to selection with the most pronounced improvement occurring during the last 5 yr. Sons produced by progeny-tested bulls selected within the project in 1978 and 1979 were superior to the progeny-tested bulls from AI units used in the foundation matings. This sire superiority for protein, milk, and fat yield was 7.3, 193.6, and 7.1kg, respectively. Genetic trend in the cow population was estimated by two regression procedures. Estimates of annual gain for protein yield were 1.0 and 2.2kg and protein equivalent to . 7 and 1.8% of mean yield. Corresponding estimates of correlated responses were 45.9 and 68.6kg milk and 1.3 and 2.3kg milk fat.
Evaluation of certain insecticidal plants for the control of vector mosquitoes viz. Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti

Petroleum ether extracts of 63 varieties of plant species, including 37 varieties of leaves, 14 varieties of seeds, 10 varieties of flowers and 2 varieties of fruits were tested for larvicidal activity against 3rd instar larvae of important vector mosquitoes i.e. Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). A 24 h bioassay showed that six plant extracts, Acacia nilotica, Argemone mexicana (leaves and seeds), Citrullus colocynthis, Jatropha curcas and Withania somnifera were toxic, with an LC50 value of less than 100 ppm against all three vector mosquitoes tested.
Morpho-anatomical properties of Pinus heldreichii needles from natural populations in Montenegro and Serbia

Variability of eight morpho-anatomical characters of 2-year-old needles of the Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii Christ.), collected from natural populations in Montenegro (Lovćen, Zeletin and Bjelasica) and Serbia (Zlatibor-Pešter) were investigated. The needles have 0–13 resin ducts, predominantly of the medial type (settled in mesophyll tissue). The average values were as follows: 7.86 cm (needle length), 1.44 mm (needle width), 0.85 mm (needle thickness), 20.82 μm (cuticle+epidermis thickness), 21.08 μm (height of hypodermal cells), 3.31 (number of hypodermis layers), 4 (number of resin ducts) 57.05 μm (resin duct diameter). Needle width and thickness were the most variable characters. Principal component analysis separation of the geographically most distant populations Lovćen and Zlatibor-Pešter from themselves and from other populations. Cluster analysis suggests biggest similarities between populations Lovćen and Bjelasica and biggest differences between Lovćen and Zlatibor-Pešter.
Rhodachlya madagascarensis gen. et sp. nov.: a distinct acrochaetioid represents a new order and family (Rhodachlyales ord. nov., Rhodachlyaceae fam. nov.) of the Florideophyceae (Rhodophyta)

J.A. West, J.L. Scott, K.A. West, U. Karsten, S.L. Clayden and G.W. Saunders. 2008. Rhodachlya madagascarensis gen. et sp. nov.: a distinct acrochaetioid represents a new order and family (Rhodachlyales ord. nov., Rhodachlyaceae fam. nov.) of the Florideophyceae (Rhodophyta). Phycologia 47: 203–212. DOI: 10.2216/07-72.1 A filamentous ‘acrochaetioid’ red algal epiphyte on Posidonia from Madagascar was isolated into culture. It reproduces solely by monosporangia and the spherical spores have gliding motility that differs from amoeboid spore motility seen with time-lapse video microscopy in most Acrochaetiales and Colaconematales. Electron microscopy reveals that a peripheral encircling thylakoid is absent in the chloroplast, Golgi bodies are associated with mitochondria, and pit plugs have platelike outer and inner caps and lack a cap membrane. Low-molecular-weight carbohydrates are floridoside and trehalose. Molecular evidence (small subunit, large subunit and EF2 sequences) resolved this taxon as a completely novel lineage of the Nemaliophycidae, and it is here described as Rhodachlya madagascarensis J.A. West et al., gen. et sp. nov. In light of the unusual combination of ultrastructural features and the lack of affinity to any of the currently recognized families and orders in molecular analyses, this alga forms the basis of a new family, Rhodachlyaceae G.W. Saunders et al., fam. nov., and order, Rhodachlyales G.W. Saunders et al., ord. nov., of the subclass Nemaliophycidae.
Perceptibility of Prairie Songbirds Using Double-Observer Point Counts

Few studies have evaluated techniques for estimating detectability of prairie songbirds. We conducted dependent double-observer point counts at 52 plots in prairie pastures in southern Alberta, Canada, in 2012, to test for species-specific, group-specific, and observer-specific differences in perceptibility. Although we did not find strong species or observer effects on perceptibility of most species in the study, we found evidence of differences in perceptibility when we pooled prairie songbirds into groups according to singing behaviors. Observers typically perceived only 40% of quiet songbirds singing from the ground (e.g., grasshopper sparrows and horned larks) but observed >89% of louder species singing from perch sites (e.g., Savannah sparrows) or in flight (e.g., Sprague’s pipits). Dependent double-observer methods would result in little increase in accuracy of abundance estimates for most species, but could be useful in studies where quiet species are more abundant or are targets for conservation management.