Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Light and Soil Moisture beneath Several Companion Crops as Related to the Establishment of Alfalfa and Red Clover

1. Measurements were made of the penetration of light into six companion crops and of the available soil moisture under those crops as they advanced in maturity. Companion crops used were fall-sown winter rye and winter wheat and spring-sown oats, wheat, barley, and flax. The influence of the various companion crops on the establishment of alfalfa and medium red clover also was studied. 2. Winter rye and winter wheat were stronger competitors for light and soil moisture than the spring-sown companion crops and exerted these competitive effects over a much longer period. Consequently, the winter cereals caused reduced legume stands and hay yields. Winter rye was generally more competitive and less satisfactory as a companion crop than winter wheat. 3. Flax was least competitive of the spring-sown companion crops, and establishment of legumes was superior under flax. 4. The three spring-sown cereals furnished about equal competition for light and soil moisture, although barley was usually more competitive for light and oats for soil moisture. Spring wheat was generally less competitive for light than barley or oats. Legumes were slightly more vigorous under spring wheat than they were under barley and oats. Legume stands were essentially similar under the three spring-sown cereals with slightly thicker stands under wheat. Hay yields were slightly higher from legume stands established under barley than from stands established under wheat and oats and were slightly lower under oats. 5. The trends of both light and soil moisture beneath a given companion crop were quite similar. For example, a companion crop that caused early and extended shading also caused early and extended soil moisture stress. 6. Growth of weeds was always least in association with the companion crops that caused the most shading and the greatest soil moisture stress.
Climate change and the koala Phascolarctos cinereus: water and energy

We studied two groups of koalas during a drought in central Queensland to investigate potential impacts of climatic variability on the physiology and behaviour of this species. The tree use, water turnover, field metabolic rate and diet of koalas during autumn and spring were compared to a similar study of koalas in summer and winter, also in central Queensland, to generate a seasonal picture of the response of koalas to climatic variation. We also compared the microclimate temperature of a range of food and non-food tree species against daily ambient temperatures, to examine the benefit to koalas of using of non-food species. Field metabolic rate, adjusted for body mass, was significantly higher in spring than autumn and there was no difference between males and females. Neither females with pouch young nor those with back young had significantly different FMR to that of females without young, confirming that koalas may compartmentalize energy demands during lactation. Estimations of theoretical water in.
Morphology and ontogeny of Cretaceous ostracods with preserved appendages from Brazil

The Lower Cretaceous ostracod Pattersoncypris micropapillosa Bate is redescribed, and Reconcavona sp. indet. with appendages preserved is described for the first time. The morphology of the carapace and especially of the appendages of P. micropapillosa is compared in detail with that of the Recent Cyprididae Eucypris virens, which demonstrates that there are substantial similarities. In addition to the adults of P. micropapillosa, a number of juveniles have also been recovered and described, and these are compared with the juveniles of E. virens. The ontogenetic development of P. micropapillosa is shown to be very similar to that of Recent Cyprididae. This has highlighted that this group of ostracods has changed very little over the last 100 My. P. micropapillosa is tentatively placed in the subfamily Cyprinotinae, based on features of the upper lip. As the morphology of the appendages and the ontogeny of P. micropapillosa are very similar to those of Recent forms, it is postulated that the function of the limbs and lifestyle were also similar, i.e. it was nektobenthic and an opportunistic detritus feeder.
The Variations in Proximate Chemical Composition and Fatty Acid Profile in Different Parts of the Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) Caught from Black Sea, Turkey

Proximate chemical composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of different parts and sexes of ray (Raja clavata) were compared. The proximate values of liver samples significantly differed from other body parts (p < 0.05). Pectoral fin had the highest moisture, protein, and ash contents (78.6, 20.5, and 1.2%, respectively). The highest fat content (39.7%) was observed for liver samples. A significant variation was also observed between sexes in terms of proximate and FA values (p < 0.05). The levels of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) varied between 27.1–32.1, 14.9–19.0, and 34.3–39.5%, respectively, in total fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The highest total PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) values were observed in the edible portion of liver for both sexes due to high contents of fat, despite the low values of % total FAME in comparison with other body parts. Significant variations among FA levels were observed for different body parts (p < 0.05). The highest DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) values were found in the edible portion of the liver and calculated as 6.8 and 2.3 g/100 g, respectively, indicating the importance of utilizing the liver of this species.
Effects of Urbanization and Habitat Fragmentation on Bobcats and Coyotes in Southern California

Abstract: Urbanization and habitat fragmentation are major threats to wildlife populations, especially mammalian carnivores. We studied the ecology and behavior of bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) and coyotes ( Canis latrans ) relative to development in a fragmented landscape in southern California from 1996 to 2000. We captured and radiocollared 50 bobcats and 86 coyotes, determined home ranges for 35 bobcats and 40 coyotes, and measured their exposure to development ( “urban association” ) as the percentage of each home range composed of developed or modified areas. Both species occupied predominantly natural home ranges. Adult female bobcats had low levels of urban association, significantly lower than coyotes, adult male bobcats, and young female bobcats. Home‐range size was positively correlated with urban association for coyotes and adult male and young female bobcats, suggesting that human‐dominated areas were less suitable than natural areas in some important way. Animals more associated with non‐natural areas had higher levels of night activity, and both bobcats and coyotes were more likely to be in developed areas at night than during the day. Survival rates were relatively high and were not related to urban association, at least for animals>6–9 months of age. Mortality rates from human‐related causes such as vehicle collisions and incidental poisoning were also independent of urban association. In this region, even the few animals that had almost no human development within their home range were vulnerable to human‐related mortality. Carnivore conservation in urban landscapes must account for these mortality sources that influence the entire landscape, including reserves. For bobcats, preserving open space of sufficient quantity and quality for adult females is necessary for population viability. Educating local residents about carnivores is also critical for conserving populations in urban areas.
Protection of lodgepole pines from mass attack by mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, with nonhost angiosperm volatiles and verbenone

A number of angiosperm nonhost volatiles (NHVs) and green leaf volatiles (GLVs) were tested alone and as supplements to the antiaggregation pheromone, verbenone, for their ability to disrupt attack by the mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), on lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engel. Preliminary experiments led to a refined NHV blend [benzyl alcohol, guaiacol, benzaldehyde, nonanal, salicylaldehyde, and conophthorin] and a refined GLV blend [(Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol and (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol]. In a 20‐replicate experiment, NHV and GLV groups both singly, and verbenone alone, significantly reduced MPB mass attack on pheromone‐baited trees and on trees within 5 m of the pheromone‐baited trees. Both blends in combination with verbenone reduced the number of mass attacked, baited trees to three out of 20 compared to 20 out of 20 of the baited controls. Each binary combination was also effective at reducing mass attack. In these experiments, all tested repellents were released from devices stapled to trees at the same point as the pheromone bait, suggesting that the repellency could have been to a point source, rather than to the whole tree. Therefore, in two further experiments bands of release devices were wrapped around the treated trees and the pheromone bait was removed from the treated trees. In one experiment, when the aggregation pheromone bait was suspended between pairs of trees treated with the NHV blend plus GLV blend plus verbenone, only three out of 25 treated pairs had mass attack on at least one member of the pair. In the other 60‐replicate experiment, with no pheromone baits present, attack occurred on 13 untreated and 11 banded trees, all in the path of a large advancing infestation. However, the mean attack density on the banded trees was significantly reduced to a level below the 40 attacks m−2 of bark surface required to kill a healthy lodgepole pine. As a result of these experiments, operational trials are recommended.
Analysis of Multifactor Affine Yield Curve Models

In finance and economics much work has been done on the theoretical modeling and statistical estimation of the yield curve, defined as the relationship between (−1/τ) log pt(τ) and τ, where pt(τ) is the time t price of a zero-coupon bond with payoff 1 at maturity date t+τ. Of considerable current interest are models of the yield curve in which a collection of observed and latent factors determine the market price of factor risks, the stochastic discount factor, and the arbitrage-free bond prices. The model is particularly interesting from a statistical perspective, because the yields are complicated nonlinear functions of the underlying parameters (e.g., those appearing in the evolution dynamics of the factors and those appearing in the model of the factor risks). This nonlinearity tends to produce a likelihood function that is multimodal. In this article we revisit the question of how such models should be fit from the Bayesian viewpoint. Key aspects of the inferential framework include (a) a prior on the parameters of the model that is motivated by economic considerations, in particular, those involving the slope of the implied yield curve; (b) posterior simulation of the parameters in ways to improve the efficiency of the MCMC output, for example, through sampling of the parameters marginalized over the factors and tailoring of the proposal densities in the Metropolis–Hastings steps using information about the mode and curvature of the current target based on the output of a simulating annealing algorithm; and (c) measures to mitigate numerical instabilities in the fitting through reparameterizations and square root filtering recursions. We apply the techniques to explain the monthly yields on nine U.S. Treasury Bills (with maturities ranging from 1 month to 120 months) over the period January 1986–December 2005. The model contains three factors, one latent and two observed. We also consider the problem of predicting the nine yields for each month of 2006. We show that the (multi-step-ahead) prediction regions properly bracket the actual yields in those months, thus highlighting the practical value of the fitted model.
Effects of ethylene on the production, elongation, and differentiation of endodermal cells in maize primary root: An integrative analysis of the developmental process of a particular cell type

A unique integrative analysis is proposed to monitor changes in the develop- mental processes of a particular cell type in the root, i.e. the rates of cell differentiation, produc- tion, and elongation. As a model case, effects of exogenous ethylene on differentiation, division and elongation of endodermal cells were ana- lyzed in maize primary roots. The distance from the lowest position of the Casparian strip, a morphological marker for endodermal cell differentiation, to the root tip decreased in response to ethylene in a dose-dependent manner. The endodermal cell flux in a single cell file, an indicator for cell division, decreased in response to ethylene, although the estimated time required for an individual cell to complete the formation of the Casparian strip, as an indicator for the cell differentiation rate, did not. As indicators for cell elongation, the mature cell length did not change in the presence of ethylene, although the period for cell elongation increased. The Casparian strip formed after the endodermal cell had ceased elongation, irrespective of the presence of ethylene.
Seasonal Distribution of Artemia Salina and Branchlnella Spinosa in a Saline Astatic Pond in South West Sardinia, Italy (Anostraca)

La distribuzione stagionale di Artemia salina e Brancfainella spinosa (Anostraca) e stata studiata in una pozza temporanea salmastra della costa occidentale della Sardegna. Artemia e presente da sola a salinita superiori al 70%, mentre per valori inferiori e presente anche Branchinella. Uno studio dettagliato della fluttuazioni annuali dei parametri chimicofisici ha dimostrato che il ciclo vitale di quest'ultima specie e assai piu limitato in confronto a quello di Artemia. La biologia delle due specie e stata studiata in termini di schiusa, velocita di crescita, maturazione sessuale e riproduzione. Entrambe coesistono allo stadio di adulto per un lasso di tempo strettamente dipendente dagli eventi climatici. La breve sovrapposizione dei cicli osservata ha inoltre sollevato la questione di una possibile competizione, o di eventuali meccanismi per evitarla. Comunque le significative differenze rilevate per quanto concerne i tratti fondamentali del ciclo, e le differenze di dimensioni delle due specie in esame fanno ritenere che esista una separazione di nicchia. I risultati ottenuti vengono discussi e confrontati con altri casi segnalati in letteratura.
Propyl gallate and ascorbyl palmitate affect stability of canola oils in accelerated storage

The effects of propyl gallate (PG) with and without ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and monoglyceride citrate (MGC) on the stability during accelerated storage (Schaal and fluorescent light) of canola oil were determined by sensory, chemical and gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) evaluations. After 12 days of Schaal storage, analyses indicated that additions of PG + AP to oils at 200/200 ppm and 100/200 ppm were most effective in retarding oil deterioration. Sensory data showed that additions of either PG + MGC or PG + AP to oils, were ineffective in delaying deterioration in fluorescent light exposed samples. Chemical data indicated that 200 ppm PG + 200 ppm AP and 100 ppm PG + 200 ppm AP were somewhat effective in retarding oil photooxidation.
Cotton cultivar response to planting date on the southeastern coastal plain

Farmers in the Southeast are interested in growing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) following a winter cash crop or a legume cover crop. This results in a relatively late planting date. Late planting of cotton is now possible because eradication of the boll weevil in some locations has extended the effective period for boll production. Additionally, modern cotton cultivars are earlier in maturity than those previously available. Our objective was to determine the effect of five planting dates on yield, height, and fiber properties of six cotton cultivars: Coker 130 and DES 119 (early), Coker 320 and PD-3 (medium), and Deltapine 5415 and Deltapine Acala 90 (late maturing). Cotton was planted in mid-April, early- and mid-May, and early- and mid-June in 1991, 1992, and 1993. As planting date was delayed, yields decreased 2 of 3 yr, but were unaffected the third year when drought conditions limited yields. As planting date was delayed, lint percentage declined, plant height increased, fiber strength increased, fiber elongation increased, and micronaire declined. Over all years and planting dates, DES 119, Coker 130, and Deltapine 5415 had the highest yield. Deltapine 5415, a longer maturing cultivar, yielded less than the two other cultivars when planted on the later planting dates. Coker 130 had the highest lint percentage and lowest fiber strength, whereas Deltapine Acala 90, the tallest cultivar, had the lowest lint percentage and highest fiber strength. DES 119 had a lint percentage equal to that of Coker 130, as well as the highest fiber uniformity. Fiber elongation and micronaire were highest for Deltapine 5415 and DES 119. These data indicate cultivar selection is an important consideration when planting at a later than optimum date.
Stochastic Orders

have seen rapid development of SEM methodology dealing with, for example, nonlinear terms, multiple levels, mixtures, and so on. This book presents the state-of-the-art SEMs from mainly a Bayesian viewpoint. The author aims to introduce a Bayesian approach for developing efficient and rigorous statistical methodologies in SEMs and applying them to practical problems. The book is intended to serve as a reference for researchers and a textbook for graduate students in several disciplines. The book has several attractive features. The presentation is lucid and clear, the discussion of various topics in SEM is thorough and up to date, and an expert interweaving of theory and examples in each topic make the book a pleasure to read and learn from. The variety of topics and the depth to which they are covered and referenced makes this an extremely useful resource for research in any topic relating to SEMs. As the author remarks, “it is very common in practice to encounter ordered categorical data with missing data, hierarchical data and/or heterogeneous data, and hence developments of sound statistical methods to cope with such practical situations are useful. ” It is clear throughout the book that “sound statistical methods” have been topmost in the author’s mind. The standard SEMs based on normality assumption and computer software implementing such SEMs have limited capabilities and are inadequate for analyzing complex data sets. Thus the Bayesian development presented in this book should be attractive to any serious researcher using SEMs. After the introductory chapter, Chapter 2 presents some basic SEMs and provides a gentle introduction to the subject matter. Chapter 3 is an off-beat chapter that provides rigorous technical detail about some non-Bayesian methods of SEM. This is a welcome development, because necessary rigor often is sidestepped in application-oriented texts. Chapters 4 and 5 introduce the reader to the Bayesian viewpoint of SEMs. The remaining chapters discuss different frameworks for SEM and their analysis. This book is a welcome addition to any library and should be a valuable resource for research and teaching.
Effect of temperature and host stage on performance of Aphelinus varipes Förster (Hym., Aphelinidae) parasitizing the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom., Aphididae)

Development time, mummification, pupal mortality, host feeding and sex ratio of a Norwegian strain of Aphelinus varipes Förster parasitizing the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover were studied at 20, 25 and 30°C in controlled climate cabinets. Petri dishes with cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) leaves on agar were used as experimental units. Cotton aphids in different larval instars and as adults, reared at the three different temperatures, were presented to A. varipes in a `no‐choice' situation for 6 h. These presentations were done at 25°C in each experiment to avoid an influence of temperature on parasitization rate. More first instar aphids were parasitized than third and fourth instars among the aphids reared at 20°C. Pupal mortality of the parasitoid was not influenced by temperature. It was lower in aphids parasitized as adults than in aphids parasitized in second instar. The sex ratio of A. varipes was female‐biased, and varied between 92% females developed from aphids reared at 25°C and 70% from aphids reared at 20°C. The sex ratio was not significantly influenced by host stage. The development time of A. varipes ranged from 17.5 days at 20°C to 9.8 days at 30°C.
Estimation of additive, maternal and non-additive genetic effects of preweaning growth traits in a multibreed beef cattle project

Data from purebred and crossbred calves, consisting of Afrikaner (AF), Charolais (CH), Simmental (ST) and Hereford and Aberdeen Angus combined (HA), were analyzed to estimate breed additive effects, breed maternal effects, average individual heterosis and average maternal heterosis. The traits studied were birthweight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and preweaning average daily gain (ADG) (kg). A multiple regression procedure was used for the estimation of these genetic effects and for predictions for breed crosses that were not included in the data set. Crosses containing higher proportions of CH or ST were heavier at birth and weaning than the other crosses and purebreds. The direct effects of BW were negative and significant (P < 0.05), except that of the CH, which was the highest. The regression coefficients were −24.87, −18.16, −22.80 and −27.02 for AF, CH, ST and HA, respectively. The maternal effects were not significant. Both average individual and average maternal heterosis regression coefficients were also not significant for BW. Regression coefficients of both direct and maternal effects for WW were not significant and were characterized by large standard errors. Average individual heterosis and average maternal heterosis regression coefficients were, however, significant (P < 0.01) and the values were 5.34 and 2.19, respectively. A similar pattern was observed for ADG, except for the regression coefficients of the maternal effects, which were significant, with larger estimates for AF and ST reflecting their superior mothering ability. The values were 0.01, 0.13, 0.13, 0.03; −0.82, −0.85, −0.85, −0.81; 0.03 and 0.01 for direct effects and maternal effects of AF, CH, ST and HA; and average individual heterosis and average maternal heterosis, respectively. Means and standard errors of purebreds and their F1 crosses not included in the dataset were predicted.