Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regional versus Climatic Effect on Taxon Richness in Angiosperms: Reply to Qian and Ricklefs

Taxonomic richness varies strikingly over global spatial scales. Equally striking are the strong correlations between these broad-scale patterns of richness and climate. The number of species, genera, or families in broad taxonomic or functional groups that occur in quadrats spread over broad areas (continents to the globe as a whole) co-varies with temperature and/or water availability (or related variables) with coefficients of determination typically between 70% and 90% (Wright et al. 1993; Hawkins et al. 2003b). Richness-climate relationships have been documented for terrestrial plants (Currie and Paquin 1987; Adams and Woodward 1989; O’Brien 1993), terrestrial vertebrates (Turner et al. 1988; Currie 1991), insects (Turner et al. 1987; Kerr et al. 1998), aquatic invertebrates (Patalas 1990), freshwater fish (Guegan et al. 1998), human pathogens (Guernier et al. 2004), corals (Fraser and Currie 1996), and other taxa. Although these correlations suggest that contemporary climate somehow controls taxonomic richness, perhaps through an intermediary variable such as primary productivity (see Wright et al. 1993 for elaboration of the mechanism), it is possible that richness-climate correlations may be due to collinearity between climate and other unobserved variables that influence richness. Because the climatic hypothesis makes a number of other strong predictions, it can be tested further. The climate hypothesis predicts that similar relationships should be observed in essentially any large taxonomic group, which has been observed (as cited above). The climate hypothesis predicts
Phosphorus and Sulphur uptake and utilization efficiency in response to Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) productivity in central highlands of Ethiopia

Recently, one of the causes of the current stagnating yield levels of lentil is the deficiency or imbalance of essential plant nutrients. To provide insight on this phenomenon, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphorus and Sulphur fertilization on lentil productivity and determine the P and S uptake and utilization efficiency of lentil. The experiment consisted of four levels of P (0,10,20 and 30 kg P ha -1 ) and three levels of S (0, 20 and 40 kg S ha -1 ) in RCBD with factorial arrangement of treatment combinations and replicated three times. The results revealed that interaction of P and S at 20/20 kg ha -1 application enhanced grain yield, P uptake in grain and haulm and S uptake in haulm over the other interaction as well as the main effect. Similarly, grain S uptake, P and S recovery efficiency and harvest index of lentil were significantly enhanced among the combined of P and S fertilization. Individual agronomic efficiency of P and S were also improved at the lower rate of P and S, but it decreased with increasing P and S levels, respectively. Even if, the partial budget analysis suggested that separate P and S application were cost-effective as compared to combined application, the present finding signified that fertilizer use efficiency, nutrient uptake and grain yield of lentil improved by the joint application of phosphorus and Sulphur. Therefore, further trials are required to formulate comprehensive suggestions concerning accurate ratio of the P and S on lentil production.
Fungal root colonization responses in natural grasslands after long‐term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2

Arbuscular mycorrhizae, ubiquitous mutualistic symbioses between plant roots and fungi in the order Glomales, are believed to be important controllers of plant responses to global change, in particular to elevated atmospheric CO2. In order to test if any effects on the symbiosis can persist after long‐term treatment, we examined root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and other fungi of several plant species from two grassland communities after continuous exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2 for six growing seasons in the field. For plant species from both a sandstone and a serpentine annual grassland there was evidence for changes in fungal root colonization, with changes occurring as a function of plant host species. We documented decreases in percentage nonmycorrhizal fungal root colonization in elevated CO2 for several plant species. Total AM root colonization (%) only increased significantly for one out of the five plant species in each grassland. However, when dividing AM fungal hyphae into two groups of hyphae (fine endophyte and coarse endophyte), we could document significant responses of AM fungi that were hidden when only total percentage colonization was measured. We also documented changes in elevated CO2 in the percentage of root colonized by both AM hyphal types simultaneously. Our results demonstrate that changes in fungal root colonization can occur after long‐term CO2 enrichment, and that the level of resolution of the study of AM fungal responses may have to be increased to uncover significant changes to the CO2 treatment. This study is also one of the first to document compositional changes in the AM fungi colonizing roots of plants grown in elevated CO2. Although it is difficult to relate the structural data directly to functional changes, possible implications of the observed changes for plant communities are discussed.
Effect of Different Cooking Methods on the Nutritional Composition of Tilapia (Oreochromis Sp.)

Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) is a fish that is gaining ground in cultivation and sales because of its nutritional properties: high protein content, vitamins, and minerals with few unhealthy saturated fats as in red meats. In this work the cooking effects on the proximate analysis, water activity (aw), and pH, in addition to the electrophoretic, and fatty acid profile in Tilapia using an electric oven, microwave and steaming as cooking methods were evaluated. The results showed that the nutritional components of Tilapia changed significantly (p<0.05) at two temperatures and two potencies used. Microwave and steaming preserved better the proteins in the Tilapia after its cooking. Intensity and number of bands of proteins after electrophoresis were depending on the type of treatment used. On the other hand, the electric oven method at 2 temperatures (60 C and 80C) resulted with the highest increase in essential fatty acids (45% w/w and 36% w/w), with a slight decrease in the ω-6 family, because of probable hydrolysis or oxidation of the same. The steam cooking showed a slight increase in essential fatty acids (from 43.72% to 44.92/48.24) at 60 C and 80C respectively, but microwave oven preserved better the proteins, indicating that this could be a good method for cooking Tilapia.
Novel Au-Based Solder Alloys: A Potential Answer for Electrical Packaging Problem

With the development of electronical technology and the construction of the fifth-generation cellular networks, electronic devices with higher integrated level and power are widely applied. Hence, greater demands are being placed on electronic packaging materials. High-Pb solder alloys were widely used for low- and medium-temperature soldering for the past decades but have been prohibited due to toxicity. Au-based solder alloys with proper melting and mechanical properties show great potential to replace high-Pb solder alloys and are being emphasized recently. But in comparison with Pb-containing solder alloys, the investigation on novel Au-based solder alloys is quite insufficient, and their performance and reliability are still unclear. In this paper, the recent research studies on Au-based solder alloys with low temperature and medium temperature were reviewed and their microstructure, mechanical performance, and reliability were introduced and analyzed. Moreover, the novel processing technologies of Au-based solder alloys were discussed and compared.
Genetic relationships as assessed by molecular markers and cross-infection among strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Morphological characterisation allows isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum musae and Colletotrichum acutatum to be identified only to species level. Pathogenicity tests and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers distinguished a mango biotype of C. gloeosporioides from eight other isolates of C gloeosporioides obtained from five different fruit species. Using these procedures, it was also possible to distinguish C. acutatum and C. musae both from each other, and from the C. gloeosporioides isolates. In cross-infectivity studies, isolates of C. gloeosporioides displayed a wide host range with the exception of isolates from mango, which were highly virulent on mango only. Teleomorphic isolates of C gloeosporioides were clustered together by RAPD analysis. This work has demonstrated the existence of a biotype of C. gloeosporioides which shows specialisation to mango.
Effects of current velocity on byssal-thread production in the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

The effect of current velocity on byssal-thread production by adult zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) was investigated. The number of threads produced by 20 individuals at currents of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.27 m/s was recorded daily over 21 consecutive days, after which individual shell length and dry tissue masses were measured and the byssal complex was removed. Increasing the current velocity from 0.10 to 0.20 m/s significantly elevated rates of byssal-thread production, but the rate was reduced at 0.27 m/s. Current-induced suppression of byssal-thread production may be due to mechanical disturbance of attached mussels, interfering with their ability to press the tip of the foot against the substratum as the thread cures. The mean thread number in a newly formed byssal complex after 21 days was 52.5, 63.8, 73.3 and 60.4 at currents of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.27 m/s, respectively. Current velocity had no effect on thread width. The mean number of threads found in the byssal complex of individuals from th.
Characterization of grape seed oil from different grape varieties (Vitis vinifera)

In this work, oil obtained from seeds of different red grape varieties, grown in the Autonomous Regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia (Spain), was characterized by determining physicochemical and sensory quality parameters, stability, and the composition in fatty acids and sterols. The physicochemical quality parameters (free acidity, peroxide index, K270 and wax) scored high (meaning low quality) compared with virgin olive oils, while the negative sensory attributes stood out over the positive ones. Therefore, the oil was not considered suitable for table use without undergoing a refining process. The samples showed high linoleic and low linolenic acid contents, while β-sitosterol was the main sterol found. Drying grape seeds with hot air before extraction gave higher physicochemical quality, total phenolic content and stability, and lower wax content in comparison to air-drying of seeds. The drying process affected the sterol composition but not the fatty acid composition.
Osteology and morphology of the characiform fish Alestes stuhlmannii Pfeffer, 1896 (Alestidae) from the Rufiji River basin, East Africa

The osteology of a population of the characiform fish Alestes stuhlmannii, from the Rufiji River basin of Tanzania, is described, and meristic and morphometric data from over 100 specimens, ranging from 15.5 to 218 mm standard length are given. Two allometric changes occur during growth of this fish: both the number of gill rakers and the interorbital width relative to the head length increase with size. There are also changes in tooth form associated with growth in A. stuhlmannii, with the unicuspid teeth of juveniles becoming almost molariform in adults. This change in dentition with age, and therefore size, may have implications for recognizing taxa, some of which (the fossil genera Sindacharax and Bunocharax, and the living dwarf petersiines) have been distinguished by jaw or dental characters.
Factors Affecting the Way Financial Consumers in Turkey Regard Internet Banking

Although the number of Internet users is ever increasing, the number of Internet banking users has not increase as expected. In order to get to the core of this problem, it is critical to understand how personal preferences and perceptions of customers affect the internet banking use. This study investigates the factors affecting the way financial consumers regard Internet banking, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). In this respect, four hypotheses were developed as part of the framework of this research. Surveys were developed in order to collect data; the data was then delivered to academics working in Turkish universities. Three hundred and forty two surveys were then analyzed. Data obtained was analyzed using the structural equality model. According to the findings of the analysis, the most important factor affecting the intention to use Internet banking for financial consumers is the perception of trust. Easeof-use, convenience and security considerations were among the other factors affecting the intention to use internet banking.
Lower jaws of two species of Menuites (Pachydiscidae, Ammonoidea) from the middle Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) in the Soya area, northern Hokkaido, Japan

The lower jaws of two pachydiscid ammonites Menuites soyaensis (Matsumoto and Miyauchi) and Menuites sp. are described on the basis of two specimens from the middle Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) in the Soya area of northern Hokkaido, Japan. They are preserved in situ in the body chamber and characterized by a widely open outer lamella with a nearly flat rostral portion. The outer lamella consists of an inner “chitinous” layer sculptured by a median furrow in the anterior to mid-portions and an outer calcareous layer with prismatic microstructure. The lower jaw features of the two Menuites species are shared by other species of the Pachydiscidae described in previous works, indicating that they are diagnostic characters of this family. In view of the shovel-like shape without a pointed rostrum, the lower jaws of the two Menuites species were likely used as a scoop to feed on microorganisms.
“Paedocannibal” Morph Barred Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium) from Eastern South Dakota

Abstract We report characteristics of a previously unknown population of Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium (barred tiger salamander) from eastern South Dakota, a location that extends the formerly known range of this subspecies about 150 km north. This population contains paedotypic animals and a small percentage of cannibal morphs. At least one cannibal morph was paedotypic. The vomerine tooth hypertrophy characteristic of cannibal morphs described here differs from the cannibal morph A. t. tigrinum from nearby (about 160 km) northwestern Iowa; in particular the pair of caudolateral tooth ridges has smaller teeth in individuals from the A. t. mavortium population. The study wetland is located near the convergence of four recognized (pending revision) tiger salamander subspecies (A. t. diaboli and A. t. melanosticum in addition to A. t. mavortium and A. t. tigrinum), making it an excellent region to examine subspecific morphological features in light of shared ecological factors. We suggest creating a formal nomenclatural distinction between cannibal morph larval phenotypes and cannibal morph paedotypic phenotypes.
The Implications of Medicaid Expansion in the Remaining States: 2020 Update

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states have the option to expand Medicaid eligibility for nonelderly people up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). As of January 2020, 35 states and the District of Columbia had expanded and 15 states had not. One additional state, Nebraska, is poised to expand later in the year, the outcome of a ballot initiative. Amidst congressional efforts to repeal the ACA and recent administrative actions encouraging states to experiment with work requirements, time limits, and other previously prohibited modifications to the Medicaid program, nonetheless, political efforts to expand Medicaid continue in some of the states that have yet to do so.
CALCULATION THE AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX OF EUCALYPTUS PLANT IN BAGHDAD CITY

ABSTACT Air pollution from various sources is one of the most serious environmental problems, especially after pollutants are deposited on the surface of the soil and leaves of the plants and then transferred to the rest of the plant and entering food chains. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of air pollution on different biochemical parameters in Eucalyptus sp. and calculation the Air Pollution Tolerance Index. The selected plant leaves were collected from five sites, four of them within the city of Baghdad, namely Al-Jadriya, Al-Andlous, Al-Doura and close to the private generators to represent the urban areas and Abu Ghraib site to represent the rural area. The leaves were taken on a seasonal basis for the period from October 2016 to June 2017. Eleven biochemical parameters namely total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, leaf extract pH, relative water content, total nitrogen, total protein content, total sugar content, proline, electrical conductivity, cadmium and lead. Higher reduction of total chlorophyll content recorded in private generator site (6.195 mg/g). Ascorbic acid content, relative water content and pH recorded maximum reduction in Eucalyptus leaves (0.335 mg/g, 58.193 %, 5.540) respectively. In addition, values of air pollution index (APTI) of the Eucalyptus plant were calculated in order to determine the sensitivity of these plants to air pollution. Higher value of APTI (6.434) was recorded in Al-Doura site, while lowest value of APTI (5.343) was recorded in Abu-Ghraib site.
Developmental and territorial aspects of suckling behaviour in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa f. domestica)

The suckling behaviour of 327 piglets from 39 litters of primiparous domestic sows Sus scrofa f. domestica was analysed regarding the development of territorial suckling consistency during a 5-week suckling period. Additionally, the consistent use of a certain teat pair (1–7) during the whole suckling period was related to weight gain within the suckling period and to social dominance after weaning and mixing of the piglets. The piglets increased their suckling stability consistent with a three-parametric exponential model delivering a time-dependency that is typical for learning curves and which may be a useful methodological approach for studies on behavioural ontogeny. Thus, the development of suckling stability can be regarded as a continuous learning process. After extremely rapid learning within the first 4 days of life a moderate increase of suckling consistency with final stabilization occurred within the second week. After this time, the piglets maintained a high suckling consistency of about 95% up to the end of the observed suckling period. The anterior teats were preferred, whereas piglets suckling at the posterior teats showed a tendency to have lower weight gains and poorer dominance values. However, the lowest suckling stability (consistency) was found with piglets occupying the middle teats. The study shows that individual differences (e.g. weight gain, position in a social hierarchy) have their roots in early ontogenetic characteristics of the neonates (e.g. suckling behaviour, physical strength). The results are discussed with regard to findings and interpretations of behavioural ontogeny in pigs.
Relationship of Age at First Calving, Days Open, Days Dry, and Herdlife to a Profit function for Dairy Cattle

Abstract Relationships of breeding and management factors to economic return for dairy cows were studied in lifetime records from 933 Holstein cows. A profit function was defined from milk production, body weight, reproductive performance, herdlife, and prices for feed energy, milk, calves, salvage value, and fixed costs. Statistics on individual cows were milk yield, days in milk for each lactation, fat percent, weight at first calving and maturity, number artificial inseminations, and age at each calving and at disposal. Values of each trait maximizing a second trait are defined as optimal. Optimum percent days open and days dry were 31.0 and 10.5 for profit per day-herdlife. Slightly larger percentages were optimal for total performance traits, profit-life, milk-life, and herdlife. Optimum age at first calving for total lifetime performance was 22.5 to 23.5 mo. Profit per day of herdlife was $. 05 larger for cows calving during the 25th mo of age than those calving earlier. Days open, days dry, and age at first calving accounted for 10.0, 4.5, and . 9% of variation in herdlife; for 4.3, 18.8, and . 6% in milk per day-life; and 8.1, 8.3, and 5.2% of variation in profit per day-herdlife. Correlations between age at first calving with percent days open and herdlife were . 05 and −. 10. Maximum profit per day-herdlife was expected for cows with 25 mo of age at first calving, 124 days open, and 42 days dry while maximizing milk per day-life and herdlife.
Phylogenetic Relationships Among Taxa in the Jahnulales Inferred From 18S and 28S Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Sequences

Jahnulales is an order of freshwater, lignicolous, bitunicate ascomycetes characterized by wide (10-40 mm), brown, septate hyphae, stalked and (or) sessile ascomata, ascomal walls of 2-6 layers of large cells, and 1-septate ascospores. A variety of ascospore modifications are represented among the species in the order, including wall roughening, gelat- inous sheaths, appendages and (or) pads, and apical caps or spines. To clarify generic boundaries and phylogenetic re- lationships within the Jahnulales and to assess the taxonomic significance of various morphological characters, a molecular study was carried out using 18S and 28S rDNA sequence data from 15 species representing the four genera in the order. In addition, Brachiosphaera tropicalis Nawawi and Xylomyces chlamydosporus Goos, R.D. Brooks & Lamore, two mitosporic species that co-occur with Jahnula Kirschst. , species and have wide (>10 mm), brown, septate hyphae were included in the study to determine whether these species are members of this order. Maximum likelihood analyses confirmed the monophyly of the Jahnulales and resolved four clades. Two robustly supported clades comprise the genera Aliquandostipite Inderb. and Megalohypha A. Ferrer & Shearer. A third well-supported clade encompassed species of Brachiosphaera, Jahnula, and Xylomyces. The fourth clade contained isolates of the type species of the ge- nus Jahnula, Jahnula aquatica (Plottn. & Kirschst.) Kirschst. , and two other members of this genus, but this clade was weakly supported. Our data suggest that the presence of very wide, brown, septate hyphae is an important character defining the Jahnulales. Based on molecular and morphological data, we propose the transfer of Jahnula siamensiae Sivichai & E.B. G. Jones and Patescospora separans Abdel-Wahab & El-Shar. to Aliquandostipite and emend the de- scription of the Jahnulales.
Decadal temperature changes in the Tasman Sea

Abstract Ocean temperature changes between 1991 and 2005 in the eastern Tasman Sea were analysed. This area was chosen because of a combination of data availability, low mesoscale variability and because of its importance in determining the climate of the downwind New Zealand landmass. A large warming extending to the full depth of the water column (c. 800 m) was found to have occurred between 1996 and 2002. This warming was seen in measurements by expendable bathythermographs and also in satellite sea surface temperature and sea surface height products, and has a clear impact on New Zealand's terrestrial temperature. The nature of the warming is discussed, together with likely forcing mechanisms. No local forcing mechanisms are consistent with the observed warming, leading to the conclusion that the signal seen in the Tasman Sea is part of a larger South Pacific‐wide phenomenon.