Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional leaf traits, plant communities and acclimation processes in relation to oxidative stress in trees: a critical overview

Tropospheric ozone exercises pressure on vegetation in combination with other oxidative factors such as strong sunlight, UV‐B radiation, high temperatures and water shortage. The relationship established between these factors and the plants can be either antagonistic (cross‐resistance) or synergistic. Response mechanisms are activated involving physiological, chemical and morphological features. Overall sensitivity (or resistance) is determined by the amount of total oxidative pressure in relation to the plant's physiological plasticity [i.e. its ability (within its own resilience potential) to alter its structure and functions in order to react to the oxidative pressure]. Within different populations of the same species, functional leaf traits (leaf area and thickness, leaf mass per area or specific leaf area, tissue thickness) may vary in relation to the extent that the plant succeeds in acclimating to ambient oxidative pressure. The behaviour of a tree in an oxidative environment can be interpreted by means of leaf structure analysis. Leaves presenting high tissue density (and thus low intercellular space content) display a high degree of acclimation to stressors, react little to environmental changes and are characterized by remarkable longevity. Leaves of this type also have a high photosynthesis capacity per surface unit (due to the N content per surface unit) and a high PN/GW (or water use efficiency, WUE). Thus, they are able to support detoxification processes. These morphological traits are to be found in adult plants in late successional stands and, above all, in ambients that have already been subjected to oxidative pressure. However, in early successional species and during the dynamic stages of growth (e.g. in the renewal occurring along forest edges), it is the opposite leaf traits that prevail: low leaf density, high photosynthesis capacity per dry weight unit, low WUE, low leaf longevity. These traits make plants far more reactive to environmental changes (e.g. they exploit the light from sun flecks much more effectively), but enable them to achieve only a low degree of acclimation and a poor ability to support detoxification processes. Whereas adult forests display a high level of ecological resilience and have a relatively good tolerance of ozone, the renewal stages are (at least potentially) more vulnerable. In these environments, ozone can alter the competition among genotypes and favour more resistant ones. Among the sectors most at risk, we must include communities growing at the edge of their ecological range, for whom even a slight increase in oxidative pressure can trigger substantial degenerative processes.
The dynamics of five grasses and white clover in a simulated mosaic sward.

(1) Two types of simulated swards were constructed to investigate spatiotemporal changes and the importance of species interactions in creating and maintaining pattern among six grassland species: Lolium perenne, Agrostis capillaris, Holcus lanatus, Poa trivialis, Cynosurus cristatus and Trifolium repensv. (2) Neighbour effects were studied in mosaic swards consisting of twenty hexagonal patches. Each hexagonal patch was sown with a single species. A species never had itself as a neighbour. To study the colonization of empty space, each of six trapezia, surrounding an empty central hexagon, was sown with one of the same six species. After twenty-seven months, the swards were destructively harvested and the contents of each hexagon separated into species. (3) Each species had its own rate and scale of change. Trifoliurn was by far the most mobile species. Only 20%/o of its biomass was in native hexagons, i.e. in which it had been sown. The stoloniferous grasses Agrostis and Poa divided their biomass about equally between native hexagons and those in which they were not sown. The stoloniferous species were most effective in colonizing empty space. Cynosurus was the least mobile species with almost 90%/o of its biomass in native hexagons. (4) The hypothesis that the spread of species into adjacent hexagons is independent of the specific identity of neighbours was falsified. Evidence for cyclic regeneration on the scale of the patch as postulated by Watt was not found. In contrast, each species was invaded to the same relative extent by all the others. The decreasing order of preference of neighbours was established as: Trifolium > Poa > Lolium > Cyno,surus > Holcus > Agrostis. It is suggested that pattern in plant communities cannot be viewed on a single spatial or temporal scale.
Maximum Sustained Yields from Fluctuating Environments and Mixed Stocks

Using numerical models, effects of environmental variability upon yield were tested for six single-age fish stocks characterized by different kinds and degrees of density-dependent reproduction potential. The two levels of variability examined had extremes of yield standing in the ratios 7:1 and 18:1, respectively. Close regulation of fishing to the optimum percentage for each year's stock improves the long-term average catch taken, the improvement being the greater, the more variable the environment. With the higher level of variability, improvement in average catch among five of the stocks ranged from 26% to 79% increase. However this increase in mean catch is achieved at the expense of increased variability in catch from year to year—in fact, for some kinds of stocks there must be complete cessation of fishing in some years in order to get the long-term maximum. The yield of stocks, in which reproduction per spawner declines at low levels of abundance, is particularly improved by a close adaptation of .
Induction of a thelytokous reproduction in the Aphidius colemani (Hym., Aphidiidae) complex

A thelytokous parthenogenesis has been documented in the course of hybridization tests between three populations of the Aphidius colemani Viereck complex, collected in Southern Brazil, La Reunion Island and Southern France. This kind of parthenogenesis is rare in the family Aphidiidae and previously unreported in the genus Aphidius. It was observed following mating attempts by the male, but rejection on the part of the female, in crosses between a male from La Réunion and a female from Brazil; and between a male from Brazil and a female from France. The female progeny showed the electrophoretic esterase pattern of the mother, which was distinctive for each of the three strains. When “courting” conspecific couples (A. colemani or other Aphidius species) were interrupted prior to copulation, no thelytokous reproduction was observed.
Character Association and Path Analysis of Grain Yield and its Components in Maize (Zea Mays L.) under Heat Stress

Globally, maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop, which is cultivated on nearly 197.19 million hectare of land with wider diversity of soil, climate, biodiversity and management practices with production of 1134.75 million tonnes and productivity of 5.76 tonnes per hectare (FAOSTAT, 2017). India is the sixth largest producer and the fifth largest consumer of maize in the world, grown on an area of 9.22 million hectare with production of 28.72 million tonnes and productivity of 3.12 tonnes International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 3 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Effect of age at first joining on lifetime production by Border Leicester × Merino ewes

Three hundred and fifty Border Leicester X Merino ewes, born March-April 1961, were drafted to two flocks, A and B. Flock A only was joined with rams on February 14, 1962. Subsequently both flocks were joined in November or December each year from 1962 to 1965. The flocks were depastured together on all occasions except for joining and lambing of flock A in 1962. There were negligible differences, between the flocks, in ewe deaths, wool cut, lambs born and reared, lamb birth weight and lamb carcase weight for the mean for the four years or in each of the years 1963 to 1966. Meat production in flock A was increased by 12 kg per ewe as a result of the extra lambing. On the other hand, 3 per cent of the ewes of flock A died in 1962 but no deaths occurred in flock B. Joining when 10-11 months old in early autumn did not disrupt the practice of joining when 20-21 months old in early summer, and, in the experiment, was the most profitable procedure.
The relationship of bryophyte regeneration to heather canopy height following moorland burning on the North York Moors

Abstract When managing heather (Calluna vulgaris) moorland by burning, the interval between burning must be long enough for successful bryophyte development, but not so long that excessive dry plant matter accumulates, as this can result in hot burns that damage the peat surface and cause peat erosion. Age and stage of heather development may not be the most informative and consistent indicators of recovery, as they vary considerably with different environmental conditions. A simple and reliable indicator as to when burning should occur was sought by measuring the abundance of bryophyte species on moorland plots with different phases of heather redevelopment after burning. Four dry heath (NVC community H12a) and three wet heath (NVC community M16d) sites with varying ages of heather between 1 and >25 years were selected on Spaunton Moor, North Yorkshire, UK. Overall vegetation height and the number of bryophyte growing tips were recorded. Thirty-nine bryophyte species were recorded; 23 in dry heath and 30 in wet heath. Vascular plant canopy height was negatively correlated with the number of stems of Campylopus introflexus and Sphagnum species, and positively correlated with Hypnum jutlandicum. On dry heath, the abundance of Campylopus introflexus was greatest at a canopy height under 30 cm; Hypnum jutlandicum increased in abundance at this canopy height, and declined when the canopy reached approximately 55 cm. On wet heath, the abundance of Sphagnum species and Campylopus introflexus was greatest at a canopy height under 30 cm; Hypnum jutlandicum increased in abundance at a canopy height of 20 cm, with maximum abundance at a canopy height of 50 cm. Based on the recovery of the bryophyte species, burning is indicated when the canopy height reaches approximately 41 to 54 cm on dry heath, and 25 to 30 cm on wet heath. These canopy heights span a range of ages and stages of heather development making it difficult to translate these into a burning rotation based on these variables. As a result, canopy height was a more reliable indicator of bryophyte recovery than the age or stage of development of heather on Spaunton Moor. Further research is required to investigate the consistency of height as an indicator for burning on moorlands with different environmental conditions.
Development of a Project-Based Learning Assessment System to Improve Students’ Competence

The study aims to develop a project-based learning assessment system to improve students’ competence. Data were obtained using the Research and Development (R&D) methods adopted from Borg & Gall which comprised of 8 stages. The research products were tested by using the construct and content validations conducted by 2 lecturers and 1 teacher, respectively. Furthermore, students’ competence was analyzed by measuring their cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. The product developed obtained highly valid criteria in the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains with scores of 84.6%, 84.2% and 84%, respectively. In addition, the results of content validation obtained highly valid criteria in the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains with scores of 90%, 93.3%, and 92%. Furthermore, the results of field testing obtained a score of 82% by 1 archival teacher and 82.77% by 30 students which showed that the assessment instrument received a good response and feasible for use in learning. The improvement in competence was measured by projects made in the instrument, and it led to a significant improvement in competence before using the assessment as learning instrument.
EFFECTS OF WATER AVAILABILITY AND VINE HARVESTING FREQUENCY ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SWEET POTATO IN SOUTHERN MOZAMBIQUE. I. STORAGE ROOT AND VINE YIELDS

In Mozambique the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is often grown as both a leafy vegetable, the terminal shoots or vines being progressively harvested during the season, and as a root crop. This paper reports the results of experiments designed to evaluate the effects of drought and vine harvesting frequency on the productivity of both yield components (cv. TIS 2534). Experiments were conducted during the rainy and dry seasons, with supplementary irrigation treatments superimposed. As the frequency of vine harvesting (equivalent to the number of harvests) increased, the total fresh weight of vines increased. There was a corresponding reduction in the yield of storage roots, however, particularly under well-watered conditions. As a result, the total harvested yield (vines plus roots) was remarkably stable in both wet and dry seasons (43–45 t ha−1 fresh weight). The cumulative dry weight of harvested vines increased with the number of harvests at constant rates, depending on water availability (from +150 to +250 when rain-fed, up to +340 to +440 kg ha−1 harvest−1 when irrigated). The corresponding rates of reduction in storage root yields varied from −3 to −130 (rain-fed) down to 310 to 400 kg ha−1 harvest−1 (irrigated). Total dry weight yields under well-watered conditions were constant at about 11 to 13 t ha−1, or double this on an annual basis. Irrigation water-use efficiencies (by dry weight of harvested crop) were generally higher in the dry season than in the rains. For vine production they increased with the number of harvests from 1.6 to 3.5 (rains) up to 0.9 to 6.7 kg ha−1 mm−1 (dry season). The corresponding values for root production were 7.5 to 13.1 (rains) and 12.2 to 19.1 kg ha−1 mm−1 (dry season). For the combined dry weight yields the water-use efficiencies were, with one exception, independent of harvesting frequency at 11.2 (rains) and 19.0 kg ha−1 mm−1 (dry season). Irrigated plants harvested at weekly intervals yielded vine dry weights of about 0.5–0.6 t ha−1 week−1. Compensatory vine growth (reported elsewhere) was observed in previously droughted plants following a rainfall event. The practical implications of these results are discussed. Future papers describe in more detail the physiological aspects of the observed yield responses.
Growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens fed commercial finisher and cassava copra meal-based diets

A three-week experiment was conducted to investigate the utilisation of a diet based on cassava root meal and copra meal by finishing broiler chickens. A total of ninety-six 21-day-old Cobb broilers were used for the experiment. The birds were weighed and allotted to six pens containing 16 birds each. A finisher diet based on cassava and copra meal and a commercial broiler finisher diet were fed each to three randomly selected pens for a period of 21 days. Results showed poorer (P < 0.05) final body weight, daily feed intake, daily gain and feed: gain ratio of birds fed the test feed compared to those fed the control commercial feed, but feed cost of meat production (WST$/kg live weight) was reduced (P < 0.05) on the test feed. Birds on the commercial feed had higher (P < 0.05) carcass and breast meat yields, while the yields of thighs and drumsticks were not affected (P > 0.05) by the diet. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.05) on the weights of the liver, heart and caeca, but birds on the test feed recorded higher (P < 0.05) weights of the pancreas, gizzard and small intestine. Birds fed the control commercial feed deposited more (P < 0.05) fat than those fed the test feed. It was concluded that cassava copra meal-based finisher diets could be used to reduce cost of meat production and abdominal fat content and thus meat quality of broiler chickens. Further research into appropriate combinations of these ingredients for optimum growth and feed utilisation by broilers is recommended.
Probing The Mechanisms Limiting Dissolution of Whey Protein Gels During Cleaning

The chemistry and kinetics of cleaning of whey protein gels in alkaline solutions is investigated by studying the dissolution of heat-induced β-lactoglobulin gels in sodium hydroxide. Below pH 13 dissolution is strongly influenced by the conditions under which the gel is formed. The dissolution rate decreases with extended gelation time and higher gelation temperature, and is strongly correlated to the fraction of crosslinked proteins present in the gel. Analysis of the cleavage kinetics shows that these reactions are not the main controlling step. At high dissolution pH (>13), relatively low dissolution rates are observed, which are almost independent of the gelation conditions. The dissolution rate decreases markedly in strong ionic solutions, most probably due to the reduction in swelling caused by the screening effect of the cations. The observations suggest that the disengagement of protein clusters is a key step in the dissolution process across the whole range of pH studied, 12.2 < pH < 14; this can explain the occurrence of an optimal NaOH concentration in cleaning. The dissolution of these gels at low temperatures and in the absence of erosion is limited by the disentanglement of protein aggregates through the swollen layer, and the cleavage of the disulphide bridges. The limiting mechanisms under other dissolution conditions are also discussed.
The cephalopods of the Boda Limestone, Late Ordovician, of Dalarna, Sweden

The late Katian, Late Ordovician Boda Limestone of Dalarna, Sweden contains a rich cephalopod assemblage. The assemblage consists of 61 species, of 31 genera, comprising almost all major Ordovician cephalopod orders. Most common and diverse are the Orthocerida. The Ascocerida are also remarkably comman and diverse. The new ascocerid species, Redpathoceras bullatum sp. nov., R. depressum sp. nov., R. magnum sp. nov., and Probillingsites scandinavicum sp. nov., give reason to revise current hypotheses on the origin an evolution of this group. An ascocerid origin from barrandeoceratids or aspidoceratids is hypothesised. The absence of actinocerids in the Boda Limestone is notable, and is interpreted as an indication of relatively cool or/and deep depositional environments. The dominance of orthocerids is provisionally interpreted as evidence for nutrient-rich waters during the time of the deposition of the Boda Limestone. Additionally, the assemblage contains the new barrandeocerids Schuchertoceras fryi sp. nov., Siljanoceras varians gen. et sp. nov., Warburgoceras gen. nov. (for Cyrtoceras longitudinale Angelin in Angelin & Lindstrom, 1880), the new endocerid Cameroceras turrisoides sp. nov., the new oncocerid Cyrtorizoceras thorslundi sp. nov., and the new orthocerids Dawsonoceras stumburi sp. nov., Isorthoceras angelini sp. nov., I. curvilineatum sp. nov., Nathorstoceras adnatum gen. et sp. nov., N. kallholnense gen. et sp. nov., Palaeodawsonocerina ? nicolletoides sp. nov., Pleurorthoceras osmundsbergense sp. nov., and Striatocycloceras isbergi sp. nov.
Genetic diversity in South Asian okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) germplasm collection

SUMMARY Genetic diversity for a range of morphological characters within 260 accessions of okra collected from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka was investigated through the use of uni-, bi- and multivariate statistics. The pubescence and pigmentation of various plant parts, among qualitative descriptors, seemed to be most significant in the analysis of variability. The multivariate analysis, mainly on quantitative descriptors, using principal component and non-hierarchical cluster analysis suggested that days to flowering, plant height, and various fruit characteristics were important components of variability and contributed significantly to the total variation observed. Only two of the 10 principal components had eigen values more than 1 and together accounted for 54.52% of the total variation. The accessions were grouped into eight distinct clusters which further emphasised the relative contribution of various quantitative characters to the total variability. The pattern of genetic variation is of great importance both to germplasm collectors and plant breeders. Specific accessions were also identified that could be passed on to breeders for utilisation in crop improvement programmes.
The Vocal Repertoire of the Adult Senegal Bushbaby (Galago Senegalensis Senegalensis)

Acoustic structures, situations and proposed messages of vocalisations used by the nocturnal arboreal prosimian species Galago senegalensis senegalensis are described. Eighteen different sounds are identified which could be related to one of the following functional categories: contact, aggressive and defensive and attention and alarm behaviour. The call types within these behavioural categories show striking similarities in their acoustic structures. Vocalisations used during inter- and intragroup contact situations demonstrate harmonic spectra with low frequency fundamentals and formants and slight frequency modulations. Noisy spectra as well as an irregular repetition rate characterize sounds uttered by the aggressor during agonistic encounters. They can be intensified by visual threat displays. Harmonic spectra, high frequency fundamentals and formants, and rapid frequency modulations are typical for calls given by submissives during aggressive intraspecific interactions. Sounds which indicate social or external disturbance factors show noisy and harmonic spectra with broad dominant frequency range as well as a regular repetition rate. Factors that might have favoured the evolution of this call system are discussed.
The effect of advance regeneration height on future yield of black spruce stands

The advance regeneration often present following clear-cutting in black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands is generally composed of individuals of various heights. This initial height difference is hypothesized to affect the yield of the future stand. Height of the advance regeneration at time of release was determined on several black spruce trees within 33 stands distributed across the boreal forest of the province of Quebec, Canada. From these data, a regeneration structure index was developed and used to explain a part of the variation in subsequent stand yield. Dominant trees of stands developing for 38 to 65 years since clear-cutting generally originated from the tallest advance regeneration at time of release. Stands with the tallest regeneration at time of release produced the largest yields for a given site quality and number of years since harvesting. A 3-m increase in advance-regeneration height resulted in a similar yield gain as a 3-m increase in site index. Site indices calculated f.
Some Possibilities of Spatial Signal Processing in an Inhomogeneous Medium Based on DWFT

The integral representation for the wave field in a multiscale inhomogeneous medium, obtained using the double weighted Fourier transform (DWFT), takes into account different diffraction effects. Spatial radio signal processing based on the DWFT inversion eliminates these effects from received signals. This paper reviews the results of studies on spatial signal processing based on the DWFT inversion. This processing has been shown to reduce amplitude scintillation and improve the resolution in diagnostics of inhomogeneous media. Moreover, elimination of diffraction effects allows us to reduce the residual error in multifrequency global navigation satellite systems. This processing also increases the channel bandwidth and therefore its capacity.
Histiostoma papillata sp. n. (Acari: Histiostomatidae), a mite attacking fish in Australia

Histiostoma papillata sp. n. (Acari: Histiostomatidae) is described from Victoria, Australia. It was found in the fins and gills of juvenile Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), where it appeared to inflict injuries thought to be responsible for the mortality of fish in a diet trial.