Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PLANTING DENSITY AND NITROGEN RATES OPTIMIZATION FOR GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUNFLOWER ( HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) HYBRIDS

Planting densities and nitrogen application rates are the major production factors contributing to the final yield of crops especially for sunflower being a non branched plant. Experiments were conducted to assess the effects of planting densities & nitrogen rates and their interaction on growth and yield of two sunflower hybrids during spring season, 2010 and 2011. In treatments, there were two hybrids (Hysun-33 and S-278), two planting densities, 8.33 and 5.55 plants m(20 and 30 cm plant spacing) with three levels of nitrogen (100, 125 and 150 kg N ha). The Split split plot design was used for layout of trial. The results showed significant difference for both of the hybrids in all the studied parameters except, number of plants m in both years of experiments. In comparison of hybrids, S-278 was highest for yield and yield components while less in plant height. Averaged overall of both the years of trial, Maximum achene’s yield (3.39 t ha, 2.80 t ha) was recorded for S-278 and Hysun-33 hybrid, respectively. Increasing plant density increased the final achene, s yield whereas, head diameter, 1000achene’s weight and seed yield per plant decreased. The Nitrogen application markedly enhanced growth and yield by affecting plant height, head diameter and thousand achene’s weight. The interaction between hybrids x planting densities, and hybrids x nitrogen was significant for plant height, head diameter and achene’s yield ha but nonsignificant for 1000achene’s weight and plant population m. Among hybrids the overall yield response of S-278 was highest at plant spacing 20 cm (8.33 plants m), with125 kg ha nitrogen application levels in both years.
Photography of the sea floor

During the last sixty years many attempts have been made to take photographs underwater at depths varying from just below low-water to many thousands of feet. The pioneer work of Boutan (1893) showed clearly that the essential requirements were a relatively light apparatus fitted with a good source of illumination. Ewing, Vine & Worzel (1946) gave a list of workers who have obtained underwater photographs at wading or diving depths. In their own work Ewing, Vine & Worzel have designed a number of underwater cameras with which they have taken some thousands of pictures of the sea-bottom. In their free-floating cameras the apparatus is allowed to sink to the bottom with a ballast weight. On touching the bottom a trigger sets off the camera which takes two pictures with a time interval of 30 sec. After this the ballast is released and a float brings the apparatus to the surface. In their suspended cameras the component parts are mounted, as in the free-floating cameras, on a vertical pole, with the camera near the top and a trigger at the base. Activation of the camera occurs when the trigger touches the bottom. Their most satisfactory light source proved to be the photoflash bulb. With one or other of these cameras they have obtained large numbers of clear photographs in depths ranging from 10 to 2400 ft. , and have used these in studies of bottom deposits, sand ripples, and the distribution of animal life. (See also Ewing, Woolard, et al, 1946.)
Digenean Fauna in Marine Fishes from Taiwanese Waters with the Description of a New Species, Lecithochirium tetraorchis sp. nov.

Digeneans were recovered from 17 fish species among the 37 species examined. The digenean prevalence by fish species was 45.9% (17/37) in this study. Of 28 fish species taken from 3 investigated fishing zones, located on important fishing grounds of the Taiwan Strait, a similar prevalence of 46.4% (13/28) was also shown in fish species. Totally, 16 species of digeneans belonging to 11 genera and 8 families were collected and identified. Species of the family Hemiuridae were the most-common digeneans found, with 7 species of this family being identified. Within this family, species of the genus Lecithochirium were recorded 8 times. Suggrundus longirostris Shao et Chen, 1987 is a new host record for L. magnaporum Manter, 1940. One new species, L. tetraorchis sp. nov., parasitizing Sebastiscus marmoratus Curvier, 1829, is described in this study. http://www.sinica. edu.tw/zool/zoolstud/43.4/671.pdf
Egyptian Broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca) Control in Tomato with Sulfonylurea Herbicides—Greenhouse Studies1

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are root holoparasitic plants that cause severe damage to economically important crops, especially in Mediterranean countries. Egyptian broomrape is the most troublesome weed on tomatoes grown for processing in Israel. In the present study, we tested the efficacy and selectivity of four sulfonylurea herbicides in controlling Egyptian broomrape on tomatoes grown in pots under greenhouse conditions. MON 37500, rimsulfuron, HOE 404 and SL-160 were applied postemergence (POST) and preplant incorporated (PPI) followed by POST applications. MON 37500 and rimsulfuron were more selective to tomato and controlled the parasite more effectively than HOE 404 and SL-160. MON 37500 and rimsulfuron at 50 and 100 g ai/ha and at 100, 150, and 200 g ai/ha, respectively, applied on tomato foliage 14, 28, and 42 d after planting (DAP) and followed by sprinkler irrigation to field capacity, resulted in complete control of the parasite. However, a significant reduction in control efficacy was observed when the experiment was repeated with charcoal-topped pots, suggesting that the herbicides act mainly through the soil. Except for rimsulfuron, the PPI followed by two POST treatments was more phytotoxic to tomato plants than the POST treatments. The PPI plus POST applications controlled Egyptian broomrape effectively, but tomato plants were injured by HOE 404 at all PPI application rates and by MON 37500 at the high rate at 150 g/ha. The present study determined that three POST applications or a PPI application followed by two POST applications of MON 37500 at 50 or 100 g/ha, or rimsulfuron at 100, 150, or 200 g/ha were effective and selective in controlling Egyptian broomrape on tomato, under greenhouse conditions. Nomenclature: HOE 404, 2-ethoxyphenyl [[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl) amino]carbonyl]sulfamate; MON 37500, N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl) amino] carbonyl]-2-(ethylsulfonyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-sulfonamide; rimsulfuron; SL-160, N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino] carbonyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinesulfonamide; Egyptian broomrape, Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. #3 ORAAE; tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Additional index words: Activated charcoal, Orobanche control, parasitic weeds. Abbreviations: DAP, days after planting; POST, postemergence; PPI, preplant incorporated.
Transmission mechanisms shape pathogen effects on host–vector interactions: evidence from plant viruses

Summary 1. Vector-borne pathogens and parasites can induce changes in the phenotypes of their hosts that influence the frequency and nature of host–vector interactions and hence transmission, as documented by both empirical and theoretical studies. To the extent that implications for transmission play a significant role in shaping the evolution of parasite effects on host phenotypes, we may hypothesize that parasites exhibiting similar transmission mechanisms – and thus profiting from similar patterns of interaction among hosts and vectors – will have correspondingly similar effects on relevant host traits. Here, we explore this hypothesis through a survey and synthesis of literature on interactions among plant viruses, their hosts, and insect vectors. 2. Insect-vectored plant viruses that differ in their modes of transmission benefit from different patterns of interaction among host plants and vectors. The transmission of persistently transmitted (PT) viruses requires that vectors feed on an infected host for a sustained period to acquire and circulate (and sometimes replicate) virions, then disperse to a new, healthy host. In contrast, non-persistently transmitted (NPT) viruses are effectively transmitted when vectors briefly probe infected hosts, acquiring virions, then rapidly disperse. 3. Based on these observations, and empirical evidence from our previous work, we hypothesized that PT and NPT viruses will exhibit different effects on aspects of host phenotypes that mediate vector attraction to, arrestment on and dispersal from infected plants. Specifically, we predicted that both PT and NPT viruses would tend to enhance vector attraction to infected hosts, but that they would have contrasting effects on vector settling and feeding preferences and on vector performance, with PT viruses tending to improve host quality for vectors and promote long-term feeding and NPT viruses tending to reduce plant quality and promote rapid dispersal. 4. We evaluated these hypotheses through an analysis of existing literature and found patterns broadly consistent with our expectations. This literature synthesis, together with evidence from other disease systems, suggests that transmission mechanisms may indeed be an important factor influencing the manipulative strategies of vector-borne pathogens, with significant implications for managing viral diseases in agriculture and understanding their impacts on natural plant communities.
An Efficient and Robust Deep Learning Method with 1-D Octave Convolution to Extract Fetal Electrocardiogram

The invasive method of fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) monitoring is widely used with electrodes directly attached to the fetal scalp. There are potential risks such as infection and, thus, it is usually carried out during labor in rare cases. Recent advances in electronics and technologies have enabled fECG monitoring from the early stages of pregnancy through fECG extraction from the combined fetal/maternal ECG (f/mECG) signal recorded non-invasively in the abdominal area of the mother. However, cumbersome algorithms that require the reference maternal ECG as well as heavy feature crafting makes out-of-clinics fECG monitoring in daily life not yet feasible. To address these challenges, we proposed a pure end-to-end deep learning model to detect fetal QRS complexes (i.e., the main spikes observed on a fetal ECG waveform). Additionally, the model has the residual network (ResNet) architecture that adopts the novel 1-D octave convolution (OctConv) for learning multiple temporal frequency features, which in turn reduce memory and computational cost. Importantly, the model is capable of highlighting the contribution of regions that are more prominent for the detection. To evaluate our approach, data from the PhysioNet 2013 Challenge with labeled QRS complex annotations were used in the original form, and the data were then modified with Gaussian and motion noise, mimicking real-world scenarios. The model can achieve a F1 score of 91.1% while being able to save more than 50% computing cost with less than 2% performance degradation, demonstrating the effectiveness of our method.
Molecular identification of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from fermenting cereals

The identification of a microbial isolate to genus level only amounts to a partial characterization of the isolate, but this can tell us a lot about that organism. Knowing the species allows the laboratory access to the body of knowledge that exists on that species. Identification schemes using phenotypic characteristics such as colony and cell morphology, Gram reaction and other staining characteristics, nutritional and physiological requirements for growth and metabolic characteristics have been developed and improved over many decades to a point where laboratories are able to identify isolates to species level using simple conventional methods. This phenotypic method however have some limitations apart from being laborious and time consuming, some organisms may however be misidentified either at genus or species level. This work aims at looking directly at the genome of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and from this identifies some species using its genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. These bacteria species were identified by sequencing specific sections of ribosomal DNA the 16S rRNA gene, after amplification by PCR, and then comparing the results to sequences stored on a related database. The results from both conventional and molecular methods were then compared. Twenty (20) Lactobacillus plantarum were isolated from spontaneously fermented cereals made into “Ogi” and identified using classical methods. They were further characterized using molecular methods by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rDNA genes to confirm their identities. The genotypic characterization however showed that 85% of the organisms identified using conventional method as L. plantarum correlated, while 15% did not correlate; 2 were identified as Lactobacillus pentosus and one unidentified Lactobacillus sp. The method is a rapid and reliable way of producing a large number of copies of a specific DNA sequence for the identification of LAB. This method is however, able to solve the problem of poor identification that is usually associated with the identification of this fastidious organism that is regularly used as probiotics, starter culture and biopreservatives in fermented foods that are consumed and in biotechnology because they are generally regarded as safe.
Challenges and results of sampling Chinese restaurant menu items for the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

The Nutrient Data Laboratory sampled Chinese restaurant entrées to increase the number of ethnic foods in the USDA Nutrient Database (SR). NHANES 2005–06 data helped determine which dishes were frequently consumed to set priorities for analysis. The top seven were sampled in 2010, and data for beef and vegetables, General Tso's chicken, kung pao chicken, and lemon chicken were included in SR23, and the others will be in SR24. The multi‐stage, probability proportional to size, sampling plan was adapted from the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program's sampling method for retail foods. One restaurant in each of 12 cities nationwide was sampled to reflect the large variability between restaurants found in a pilot study of local eateries. Some city substitutions and resamplings were needed. Composites of each of the seven entrées were sent to prequalified laboratories for analysis of proximates, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids. Protein ranged from 6 to 13 g/100 g and total fat ranged from 3 to 16 g/100 g. Some nutrients had a large range of variation: the CV for sodium ranged from 13% for General Tso's chicken to 60% for lemon chicken (n=12 for each dish). Identifying foods to analyze, determining sampling methods, and sample pickup problems contributed to challenges in this project. Variability of analyzed content should be considered when using the Chinese restaurant data. Funding: USDA/ARS & NIH
Content validity of an instrument about knowledge on nasogastric intubation = Content validity of an instrument about knowledge on nasogastric intubation

This study was ubdertaken to investigate the content validity of an instrument about knowledge on nasogastric intubation, based on the Pasquali model of content validation. Methods: methodological study developped with 23 nurses judges, teachers from public higher education institutions in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, by the application of Content Validity Index (CVI) and the Kappa index. The majority of the research judges were female (87%), age between 25 and 57 years-old, teaching time experience between 1 and 34 years and experience in the discipline of Nursing Semiology and/or Semiotics between 1 and 32 years. Of the total judges, 78.3% had master's degree as the maximum degree and 69.6% exercised exclusively the teaching. In the overall evaluation, the instrument obtained CVI values above 0.75, 0.94 the total CVI and 0.88 the total Kappa. However, some changes were made and focused on the requirements: vocabulary, clarity, updating and accuracy. The instrument showed reliability and trustworthy to observe the nursing care quality, however requires the resubmission of instruments to the same judges to retest, beyond its clinical application, for a more precise and specific content validation.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITIY ON THE BIOLOGY OF COTTON MEALY BUG (PHENACOCCUS SOLENOPSIS TINSLEY)

A study on biology of cotton mealy bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) was conducted in the laboratory of Entomological Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2007-2008. Adult females were released in petri-dishes (9 cm dia) containing fresh leaves of cotton crop. Egg laying duration was checked after 8 hour intervals to record the hatching time. Biology of pest was studied at seven different temperatures and relative humidities viz. 20 o
Genetic parameters of the linear body conformation traits and genetic correlations with udder traits, milk yield and composition, and somatic cell count in dairy ewes

de la Fuente, L. F. , Gonzalo, C. , Sanchez, J. P., Rodriguez, R. , Carriedo, J. A. and San Primitivo, F. 2011. Genetic parameters of the linear body conformation traits and genetic correlations with udder traits, milk yield and composition, and somatic cell count in dairy ewes. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 585–591. This study was designed to estimate the inheritance of linear body conformation traits and their genetic correlations with linear udder traits, milk yield and composition, and somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy sheep. A total of 10 189 records of five body conformation traits, five linear udder traits, milk yield, protein and fat content, and SCC were obtained from 3977 adult ewes that were daughters of 268 sires belonging to 23 commercial flocks enrolled in the Churra breed selection nucleus. All type traits were scored on a nine-point linear scale. Genetic correlations and heritabilities were estimated using a repeatability multitrait animal model. Body conformation (stature, rear leg-rear view, feet .
The group Cortinarius paragaudis Fries in Sweden

The paper attempts to clarify the specific variety in the group containing C. paragaudis Fr. and C. haematochelis Bull.:Fr. An analysis of twelve collections from Central Sweden is presented, and it is shown that the material can be split roughly into two groups, separated mainly by spore size. Finally, a new species, resembling a C. paragaudis with a white veil, is described. Note: Comments appearing in brackets [] have been added after publication.
Forest pathogens with higher damage potential due to climate change in Europe

Abstract Most atmospheric scientists agree that climate changes are going to increase the mean temperature in Europe with increased frequency of climatic extremes, such as drought, floods, and storms. Under such conditions, there is high probability that forests will be subject to increased frequency and intensity of stress due to climatic extremes. Therefore, impacts of climate change on forest health should be carefully evaluated. Given these assumptions, several fungal diseases on trees may become more devastating because of the following factors: (i) abiotic stresses, such as drought and flooding, are known to predispose trees to several pathogens; (ii) temperature and moisture affect pathogen sporulation and dispersal, and changes in climatic conditions are likely to favour certain pathogens; (iii) migration of pathogens triggered by climatic change may increase disease incidence or geographical range, when pathogens encounter new hosts and (or) new potential vectors; and (iv) new threats may appear either because of a change in tree species composition or because of invasive species. If infection success is dependent on temperature, higher mean temperatures may lead to more attacks. Pathogens that have been of importance in southern Europe may spread northward and also upward to mountains. Pathogens with evolutionary potential for greater damage should be identified to estimate the magnitude of the threat and to prepare for the changing conditions. A review of the above-mentioned cases is presented. Some priorities to improve the ability to predict impacts of climate change on tree diseases are discussed.
Fish and Blue Crab Assemblages in the Shore Zone of Tidal Creeks in the Delaware Coastal Bays

Abstract Spatial and temporal dynamics of shore zone fish and Callinectes sapidus (Blue Crab) densities in tidal creeks of the Delaware Coastal Bays were examined during the spring/summer nursery period and in the winter of 2004, 2005, and early 2006 to identify underlying abiotic conditions driving the structure of species assemblages. Distinct spring/summer species assemblages were identified within separate tidal creeks, correlated with dissolved oxygen range. Differences were driven by the dominance of hypoxia-tolerant species in the intensely developed White Creek watershed and hypoxia-sensitive species in the less-developed Miller Creek watershed. In winter, species assemblages were somewhat homogenized and were less influenced by abiotic conditions. Results of this study indicate that the fish and Blue Crab assemblage in the shore zone of tidal creeks in the Delaware Coastal Bays is affected primarily by location-specific influences, such as anthropogenic alteration and associated hypoxia, particularly in the spring and summer.
PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED SEAWEEDS FROM GULF OF MANNAR REGION

Abstract The antifungal activities of six important seaweeds namely the green seaweed Cladophora glomerata , Ulva lactuca and Ulva reticulata , the red seaweed Gracilaria corticata and Kappaphycus alvarezii and the brown seaweed Sargassum wightii were screened against fungal pathogens Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatous, Saccharomyces cervisiae and Mucor indicus. The zone of inhibition ranged between 56 - 8mm in aqueous extract and 56 – 4mm in methanolic extract. The maximum activity (56mm) was recorded from 200mg of aqueous extract of Ulva lactuca against Aspergillus flavus and minimum (8mm) by Gracilaria corticata against Mucor indicus at 50 mg level whereas, the methanolic extract showed the maximum activity (56mm) was recorded from 200mg of U. lactuca against Aspergillus niger and minimum (4mm) by 50 mg of Ulva reticulata against Aspergillus flavus. Keywords : Seaweeds, Antifungal activity, Methanolic extract, Aqueous extract, Pharmacognosy
Climate-induced variation in vital rates of an unharvested large-herbivore population

Variation in vital rates of an unharvested elk (Cervus elaphus) population was studied using telemetry for 7 consecutive years, 1991-1998. We found pronounced senescence in survival rates, but no evidence for reproductive senescence. Prime-age females (<10 years old) experienced very high annual survival rates (mean = 0.97, SE = 0.02), with lower survival rates for senescent animals (≥10 years old; mean = 0.79, SE = 0.06). There was evidence that the severity of snowpack conditions had little effect on survival of prime-age animals except during the most extreme win- ter, while survival of senescent animals was progressively depressed as the severity of snowpack conditions increased. Reproductive rates remained essentially constant, near their biological maxima (mean = 0.91, SE = 0.02). Annual re- cruitment was highly variable. Snowpack had a pronounced effect on recruitment (r 2 = 0.91), the most severe snowpack conditions resulting in the virtual elimination of a juvenile cohort. Population estimates and recruitment rates obtained during this investigation and historic data collected from 1965 to 1980 support the premise that the population has been maintained in a dynamic equilibrium for at least three decades despite the stochastic effects of climate variation on vital rates. We conclude that the population is resource-limited, with variation about the equilibrium caused primarily by variable recruitment driven by stochastic annual snowpack.