Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SYSTEM PATHOGENS INHIBITING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE: DELIBERATE IGNORANCE PERSPECTIVE

Risks have emerged as one of the most significant project management concerns due to their effects on construction project performance. Several literature attributes the increasing consequences of risks to low awareness and ineffective management practices. This paper draws attention to the existence of latent pathogens affecting the efficiency of risk management performance (RMP). The objective was to determine whether construction stakeholders’ ‘deliberate ignorance’ of inherent risk management pathogens classified as complexity, complicatedness, mindlessness, and project pathologies affects RMP. A survey questionnaire administered to 135 certified construction project managers in Nigeria provided the data used for the study. Data analysis engaged descriptive statistics and Fuzzy Set Theory. The result revealed that ineffective RMP arise mainly from factors related to project complexity and mindlessness. Complexity increases project uncertainty without appropriate tools to address them; while the criticality of the relationships between risks elements continuously vary in practice. Mindlessness depicts stakeholders’ ‘wilful ignorance’, biased perception, and mind-set towards risk management. The results suggest that reducing project complexity, biased perceptions and improving stakeholders’ capacity would benefit RMP. Therefore, improving the capacity of stakeholders and developing appropriate tools to address the changing nature of risks are areas to improve RMP.
Biodiversity and Genetic Polymorphisms Against Scrapie in Sopravissana Sheep Breed

Scrapie is a neurodegenerative disease affecting ovine and it is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Scrapie is recognized as two forms – classical and atypical. Susceptibility or resistance to classical scrapie is strongly regulated by the polymorphisms at codons 136, 154 and 171 of the PRNP gene. Genetic role in atypical scrapie has been described at codons 141 and 154, these ones are involved in the occurrence of the disease at different risk degrees. The aim of this study was to assess the allelic and genotypic frequencies in Sopravissana breed, an endangered autochthon breed of central Italy; in addition, the presence and the frequency of potential protective ARQ allele variants able to increase scrapie resistance by preserving a higher variability of PRNP were evaluated. Three alleles (ARQ, ARR and AHQ) and seven genotypes were observed based on codons 136, 154 and 171 with different frequencies. Moreover, the entire coding sequence of prion protein (PRNP) of the ARQ/ARQ was sequenced; two non-synonymous L141F (23.8%) and H143R (16.7%), also two synonymous polymorphisms (codons 231 and 237) were found. The results showed that the ARQ/ARQ sheep should be considered as a genetic class, which may potentially include animals with different scrapie susceptibility because of the presence of additional polymorphisms. This may allow the application of alternative strategies for breeding programmes in this endangered breed.
Low fecundity insular blue tits do not survive better as adults than high fecundity mainland ones

1. Theoretical issues on the evolution of life-history traits of birds in predictable and stable insular environments predict smaller clutch size and higher adult survival rates than on the nearby mainland. 2. Prediction of higher adult survival rates of the blue tit Parus caeruleus L. on Corsica, where clutch size is 27% lower than in a habitat on the mainland, has been tested from capture-recapture studies using models which include both survival and recapture probabilities. 3. Average adult survival rates for both sexes combined were similar on the mainland and the island. Females survived slightly better on the island while males survived better on the mainland. 4. Such results do not support the assumption of a negative correlation between fecundity and adult survival and run counter to the dogma of higher survival rates of birds on islands. They are discussed in the light of the specific constraints of each environment, especially food resources. Other components than clutch size, especially post-fledging survival and age at first breeding must be involved in the trade-offs between fecundity and adult survival.
Genetic Structure and Effective Animal Population Size in the Conditions of Anthropogenic Changed Landscape.

On the basis of DNA-markers (RAPD, ISSR) it has been estimated the state of gene pools and determined the effective size of population of six species of animals inhabited in the conditions of anthropogenic changed landscape of the south of Central Upland (Russian). The following animal species have been involved into study: Bradybaena fruticum, Chondrula tridens, Cepaea vindobonensis, Helicopsis striata (Mollusca), Eurygaster integriceps (Insecta) and Apodemus flavicollis (Mammalia). The results have shown high genetic variability and large values of effective population size of common species in comparison with very protected species. It has been advanced the theory according to which genetic processes in the populations of endangered species are the best indicators of seral processes to be expected using, for these purposes, eurybiotic common species, that actively adapt to anthropic effect.
Effects of winter supplementary concentrate level on the performance of steers slaughtered immediately or following a period at pasture

The objective of the present study was to quantify the production responses to supplementary concentrates during the second winter in silage-fed cattle slaughtered at the end of winter or following a period at pasture. Sixty-four spring-born Charolais x Friesian steers (500 kg liveweight at the start of this experiment) were reared together from calf hood to the end of their second grazing season. Four animals, chosen at random, were then slaughtered to provide initial carcass data. The remaining 60 animals were assigned, on weight, to six treatment groups in a 3 (0, 3 or 6 kg concentrates per head daily with silage ad libitum in winter) x 2 (spring or autumn slaughtered) factorial experiment. Half of the animals from each concentrate level were slaughtered at the end of winter (spring slaughtered) and the remainder were slaughtered towards the end of the following grazing season (autumn slaughtered). The duration of the winter and subsequent grazing periods was 172 days each. Mean silage dry matter intakes and liveweight gains during winter for the 0, 3 and 6 kg/day concentrate levels were 8.3, 6.3 and 5.0 (s.e. 0.23) kg/day and 311, 664 and 893 (s.e. 24.0) g/day, respectively. Corresponding liveweight gains during the following grazing season were 908, 675 and 470 (s.e. 17.0) g/day. Carcass weights for the 0, 3 and 6 kg/day concentrate levels were 298, 336 and 363, and 385, 406 and 410 (s.e. 5.3) kg for the spring and autumn slaughtered animals, respectively. Linear regressions of daily liveweight gain in winter (y^, and daily liveweight gain at pasture (y2), on concen trate level in winter (x) were y, = 328 + 96 (s.e. 11.3) x and y2 = 903 - 73 (s.e. 8.6) x. It is concluded that, due to compensatory growth at pasture, the optimum level of supple mentary concentrates is higher for animals slaughtered at the end of winter than for animals destined to spend the following summer at pasture.
Efficacy of novel insecticides against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach)

An examination was carried out to study in randomized block design with three replications at Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during rabi 2014-15, the evaluation of novel insecticides viz., imidadoprid, acephate, chlorpyriphos, fipronil, thiamethoxam, dimethoate, and pymetrozine, against L. erysimi revealed that all the treatments schedule proved better than control at all the time intervals after each spray. The thiamethoxam 25% WG @100 g/ha was found most effective treatment in reducing the aphids population followed by acephate 75 SP @ 500g/ha. The pymetrozine 50 WG @ 250 g/ha was recorded less effective. Among conventional insecticides imidadoprid 17.8 SL @ 150 ml/ha was found more effective than dimethoate 30% EC @ 1000 ml/ha and fipronil 5 SC @ 1000 ml/ha. The higher yield was obtained from thiamethoxam 25% WG @100 g/ha with (17.15 q/ha) whereas, highest cost benefit ratio is obtained from imidadoprid 17.8 SL @ 150 ml/ha with (1:9.54).
Reproduction of the threatened Annual Killifish Austrolebias nigrofasciatus (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), confined in a natural environment

This study concerns the reproduction of Austrolebias nigrofasciatus, an endangered annual fish species endemic to the waters of the Sao Goncalo channel and its tributaries in southern Brazil. Three breeding pairs confined in small cages for four weeks in their biotope were observed to produce an average of 21.5 plus or minus 12.0 eggs/week/female, with a range of 3-39 eggs/female/week. Average egg diameter was 1.51 plus or minus 0.12 mm, with abrupt changes observed throughout the period of study. The mean oviposition observed was within the range found for other killifishes and demonstrates the high fecundity rate of the species even under confinement conditions.
Notes on Malesian Fabaceae (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae)

Summary Erythrina L. is reviewed for the Flora Malesiana region. Six species are recognised. Erythrina merrilliana is reduced to E. insularis and E. microcarpa Koord. & Valeton to E. stricta. A key to the species is presented.
龍眼 (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) 調節開花之研究

Potassium chlorate (KClO3) is important for longan off-season production in many countries but its mechanism on floral induction is still unclear. Thus, the effect of KClO3 on off-season flowering in Fenker longan was investigated in this study. Result was shown that percentage of budbreak and flowering of KClO3 treated plants in normal season of winter were less effective and inconsistent. The percentage of budbreak in KClO3 treated tree was not significant difference but KClO3 treatment delayed flowering around 9-10 days compared to untreated tree. Flowering percentage after KClO3 treatment were 60% for trees (80 g/tree) and 100% for potted plants (2 g/plant). The inconsistent flowering and late flowering were may be because of low temperature (below 20 C) which was not suitable for floral induction by KClO3 treatment. Percentage of budbreak in KClO3 treated potted plants in off-season of summer (100%) and autumn (70%) which were higher than in untreated plants (70% in summer; 6.2% in autumn). The KClO3 treatment induced off-season flowering in both season, flowering percentages in summer and autumn were 72.5 % and 68.1 % in new shoots, respectively as compared to no flowering untreated plant. In addition, it was found that girdling inhibited vegetative flush and improved percentage of leafless panicle after KClO3 treatment. Supplying 67% of water requirement (low irrigation) showed the negative effect including the reduction of budbreak percentage and tended to reduce flowering percentage after KClO3 treatment in autumn. Well water irrigation is necessary for floral induction by KClO3 treatment in autumn. Total soluble sugar in shoots of KClO3 treated plant was significantly increased on 21st day after treatment in summer and autumn, while, root viability was decreased. The high correlation coefficient was observed between total soluble sugar content in shoots during floral induction period and flowering percentage in both summer (0.91**) and autumn (0.579*). It is considered that the increase of total soluble sugar in shoots and the reduction of root viability enhance the floral induction.
LEAD CONTAMINATION LEVELS IN ROADSIDE VEGETATION ...... LEAD CONTAMINATION LEVELS IN ROADSIDE VEGETATION OF GHARIAN-TRIPOLI ROAD, LIBYA

This study was designed to determine the lead contamination in roadsides vegetation along 125 km of busy roads resulting from many sources such as the exhaust of cars that use gasoline. The area of this study was Gharian city center, and the sides of Gharian-Azizia, Azizia-Swani, Swani-Airport and Airport-Tripoli Roads. Samples were collected from the leaves of plants adjacent to public roads within the study area by distance of 2-5 km between samples within urban centers and 10-15 km within the roads, so as to give a true representation of the study area. Results of this study showed that the traffic volume caused a significant increase in Pb content in roadside vegetation. Higher Pb concentrations were found in sites with a higher traffic volume on main roads. Results showed that the rate of lead contamination varied within the study area, but generally less than 50.99 μg/100cm. It was found that the highest percentage of pollution within the city center of Azizia with 50.99 μg/100cm, followed by Gawasem center with 43.65 μg/100cm while the lowest polluted area was Azizia-Swani road with 11.58 μg/100cm. The presence of elevated levels of lead on/in the plants closer to the roads with high traffic density caused by the use of alkyl lead compounds as antiknock and freezing additives in fuel needs more attention and some necessary steps should be adopted. Keywards: lead, roadsides, Gharian, contamination
Structural Docking Studies of COX-II Inhibitory Activity for Metabolites Derived from Corchorus olitorius and Vitis vinifera

Dietary phenolics have remarkable attention as potential anti-inflammatory agents. This study investigated cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of nutraceuticals isolated from hydroalcohol extract of Corchorus olitorius L. (Co) and Vitis vinifera L. (Vv). Molecular docking calculations using AutoDock Vina was used to evaluate the binding mode of these nutraceuticals and its major derivatives in the active site of both cyclooxygenase enzymes. In vitro studies showed that quercetin derivatives exhibit a recognizable selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-II (60%) compared to cyclooxygenase-I (37%). Results showed quercetin ability to explore extra hydrophobic pocket present in the structure of cyclooxygenase-II enzyme, thus explaining its potential selectivity toward cyclooxygenase-II.
Madelung's Disease as Unusual Cause of Asthenia

We report a case of benign symmetric lipomatosis, also known as Madelung's Disease among other names, whose first clinical manifestation was asthenia. It is a rare disease characterized by symmetric non-encapsulated lipomas distributed in the upper part of the body and limbs. It compromises/involves adipose tissue in deep structures of the neck, thorax, and abdomen. This case showed typical symptoms and signs of this syndrome such as altered thermalgesia and proprioceptive, vibratory, and autonomic sensibility. Typical hematological analytical variables have also been observed. Characteristically, lipomas were distributed around the neck, shoulders, upper arms and upper trunk. The case was relevant because the first symptom reported by the patient was asthenia, which was due to a very low hematocrit (7%). Another analytical abnormality was a low platelet count. A CT scan of the chest revealed symmetric lipomatosis in supraclavicular regions and mediastinal lipomatosis with fat pericardial infiltration. After two years of follow up he stopped going to the hospital.
Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oil from Achillea moschata Wulfen Growing in Valchiavenna and Valmalenco (Italian Central Alps)

Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) is an endemic species growing on the Alps and traditionally used in several medicinal remedies. For its aromatic properties, it is also collected for food purposes. Chemical content and biological activity of A. moschata oil are not extensively studied. We investigated whether the different lithological and geomorphological features of two alpine areas including Vallone dello Scerscen and Valle dei Ratti, located in the Sondrio Province (Northern Italy), can influence the essential oil (EO) composition and the related antioxidant activity of the respective A. moschata populations. The essential oils obtained by steam distillation from the dried aerial parts were investigated by GC/FID and GC/MS. Several compounds were identified belonging to different chemical classes, including monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as the most abundant constituents, together with ketones, alcohols, phenols, acids and esters. A variation in the quantitative composition of several constituents was recorded in the two oils. The main constituents were camphor (23.4-34.2%), 1,8-cineole (9.8-16.4%), trans-tujone (3.6-13.4%), sesquicineole (3.5-5.8%), borneol (1.1-4.8%), -caryophyllene (2.7-4.4%) and myrcene (1.3-4.2%). Their antioxidant activity was measured in vitro by the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⋅+) and 2,2-diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH⋅) stable radical assays. The essential oils showed similar and significant scavenger effects, possibly due to the synergistic action of all components including compounds present in small quantities.
Functional Equivalency of Created and Natural Wetlands in the Central Appalachians: Reproductive Success, Call Phenology, and Diet Composition of Amphibians

Evaluating the adequacy of created wetlands to replace the functions of lost natural wetlands is important because wetland mitigation is a major tool used to offset wetland losses. However, measurements such as vegetative cover and presence of wildlife may not provide sufficient evidence that created wetlands are functioning properly and thus examining the ecology of wetland biota such as that of amphibians may be a more useful surrogate for function. The objectives of this study were to compare the abundance of amphibian metamorphs and
Review of the distribution, status and conservation of musk deer in China

A b s t r a c t . There are five species of musk deer of the genus Moschus, in China, occurring in about 17 provinces. We estimate the total numbers in China to be between 220,000 and 320,000. In some areas the populations are in decline, and some are close to extinction due to over-hunting and habitat loss or degradation, the former being the primary threat to musk deer populations. To conserve musk deer, in situ protection should be improved, and the present unsustainable forest exploitation in the range areas should be halted. Poaching of musk deer, and smuggling of musk deer products, should be prevented. Domestic use of musk should be restricted. In some areas where musk deer have become extinct or are critically endangered, ex situ protection should be introduced. Musk deer farming should be revised and developed according to biological requirements.
How do size distributions relate to concurrently measured demographic rates? Evidence from over 150 tree species in Panama

Abstract: In stable populations with constant demographic rates, size distributions reflect size-dependent patterns of growth and mortality. However, population growth can also affect size distributions, which may not be aligned with current growth and mortality. Using 25 y of demographic data from the 50-ha Barro Colorado Island plot, we examined how interspecific variation in diameter distributions of over 150 tropical trees relates to growth–diameter and mortality–diameter curves and to population growth rates. Diameter distributions were more skewed in species with faster increases/slower decreases in absolute growth and mortality with diameter and higher population growth rates. The strongest predictor of the diameter distribution shape was the exponent governing the scaling of growth with diameter (partial R2 = 0.20–0.34), which differed among growth forms, indicating a role of life history variation. However, interspecific variation in diameter distributions was also significantly related to population growth rates (partial R2 = 0.03–0.23), reinforcing that many populations are not at equilibrium. Consequently, although fitted size distribution parameters were positively related to theoretical predictions based on current size-dependent growth and mortality, there was considerable deviation. These analyses show that temporally variable demographic rates, probably related to cyclic climate variation, are important influences on forest structure.
TAXONOMIC NOTES AND PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF CHEILOLEJEUNEA PLURIPLICATA (HEPATICAE, LEJEUNEACEAE)

Cheilolejeunea pluriplicata (Pearson) R. M. Schust. is a common species thought to be endemic to Africa. It is similar to Asian Cheilolejeunea khasiana (Mitt.) N. Kitag. , however, it differs in having fusiform perianths with (6-)7-10 keels. Recent studies reveal the occurrence of C. pluriplicata in China (southern Yunnan) and Nepal. The structure of the sporophyte, elaters, and spores of C. pluriplicata agrees well with that in other species of Cheilolejeunea. A complete description and illustrations of C. pluriplicata are provided. Cheilolejeunea is a large and diverse genus of approximately 80 species (Thiers 1997) most of which are distributed in the subtropical and tropical regions, with only a few species extending to temperate regions. The genus comprises 16 species in China (So & Zhu 1996), 23 in Africa (Grolle 1995; Wigginton & Grolle 1996), 17 including varieties in Australia (Thiers 1997), 12 in Japan (Mizutani 1982), 9 in India (Asthana et al. 1995), 13 in western Melanesia (Grolle & Piippo 1984), and 21 in Borneo (Menzel 1988). Recently, several taxa have been transferred to Cheilolejeunea (Gradstein et al. 1993; Grolle & Reiner-Drehwald 1997; He 1995, 1996a,b, 1997a,b; Thiers & Gradstein 1989). During our studies of the Lejeuneaceae of Yunnan, we were surprised to find Cheilolejeunea pluriplicata (Pearson) R. M. Schust. , which is a common African species previously known only from central and southern Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Chinese materials of Cheilolejeunea pluriplicata were collected by Xing-Jiang Li and Shu-Ying Zeng in 1974 and 1980, respectively. Additional materials of C. pluriplicata were borrowed from JE. Specimens of other related species were collected by the first author, or borrowed from BM, FH, HSNU, IFP, KUN, and NICH. Materials for scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies were dehydrated in a desiccator, mounted on metal stubs, and then coated with gold. SEM micrographs were made with a JEOL 1200 EX scanning electron microscope. Representative specimens of Cheilolejeunea pluriplicata that were examined are as follows. CHINA. YUNNAN. Xishuangbanna, Menghai, Li 3361 (HSNU, IFP, KUN); Cangyuan, Zeng 80-1211 (HSNU, IFP, KUN). MADAGASCAR. TAMATAVE. Route du Chrome, Tixier 11657 (JE); TANANARIVE. au de Mantasoa, Onraedt 74.M. 2274 (JE). NEPAL. Between Basantpur and Door Pani, Long 16457 (JE). SOUTH AFRICA. Kap-Prov. , bei Stellenbosch, Langkloof nahe dem Jonkershoel-Tal. Perold SA 71b (JE).
NONLINEAR DYNAMICS AND CHAOS OF THE DAISYWORLD EMPLOYED FOR GLOBAL WARMING DESCRIPTION

The mathematical modeling of ecological phenomena may describe time evolution and spatial distribution being capable to explain some importan t characteristics of ecological systems. Although t here are many difficulties related to the system descrip tion, their modeling may define at least a system caricature, which may be useful for different goals . This contribution deals with the modeling of the global warming in a nonlinear dynamics point of vie w. Mathematical modeling is based on the daisyworld that is able to describe the global regu lation that can emerge from the interaction between lif and environment. In brief, daisyworld represents li fe by daisy populations while the environment is represented by temperature. Here, two daisy populat ions are of concern, black and white daisies, and a n extra variable related to greenhouse gases is incor porated in the model allowing the analysis of the g lobal warming. Moreover, transient analysis of temperatur e evolution is of concern. Climate variability is represented by a sinusoidal variation of the lumino sity. Numerical simulations are investigated in ord er to present a qualitative description of the phenomenon . Daisyworld dynamics presents a rich behavior including chaos.