Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urban and suburban deer management by state wildlife‐conservation agencies

Given an increase of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in many urban and suburban areas, deer management has become increasingly controversial. We surveyed deer biologists at state conservation agencies to compare opinions regarding urban and suburban deer management with those found in public surveys. We emailed a survey to deer biologists in 41 states to investigate what agencies are doing to control urban deer, which management techniques have been used in the past and are currently being used, and which techniques are believed to be most effective. Urban and suburban deer populations were increasing in most states (75.8%); accordingly, most biologists (97%) believed that urban and suburban deer were a problem in their state. Sixty-five percent of biologists have not surveyed local communities for their opinions on deer and deer management. Managed archery hunts (85% of states), sharpshooting (68%), and managed firearm hunts (59%) were the most utilized methods during the past 5 years. Biologists ranked managed firearm hunts (54%) as the most preferred method for deer control, followed by managed archery hunt (39%) and sharpshooting (39%). Ninety-one percent of biologists listed deer–vehicle accidents and damage to gardens as primary reasons for managing urban deer populations. Most biologists (88%) indicated that urban and suburban deer management in their state was overall effective. Biologists and public constituents agree on the primary reasons to manage deer, yet their preferences for management options vary greatly. We recommend state agencies survey constituents regarding their beliefs and concerns about deer management beyond questions that simply address the acceptability of management techniques. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
The effect of willpower workshop on anxiety, depression, and the excitement components in the students of Shiraz university of medical sciences

Introduction and Aim: The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of willpower workshop on anxiety, depression, and the Granovsky excitement components among the students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2016--2017. Materials and Methods: Students (140) were selected by the simple random sampling method and allocated into two equal groups of intervention (willing) and control, each of 52 individuals. Data collection instruments were the Garnefski cognitive emotion regulation scale and the Beck depression and anxiety inventories. The data were collected twice, before intervention and after the intervention (9 months after the study completion and holding the workshops). The control subjects received no intervention but were interviewed every 3 months. Results: The results of the current study indicated no significant differences in demographic variables and pretest scores between the groups, which indicate the homogeneity of the groups. In other words, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding demographic characteristics before the intervention (P > 0.05). In addition, to compare the intervention and control groups, the Mann--Whitney U test was used and the results showed a significant difference in posttest results between the study groups (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest results of each group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results of the current study indicated that training the stress, coping and willpower strengthening skills, based on the Granovsky excitement components, could promote psychophysical health and reduce anxiety and stress among the studied students.
Relative importance of water column vs zooplankton variables in the determination of late-stage larval fish assemblage structure in coastal waters of a coral reef lagoon

SUMMARY: The relationship between fish larvae and their zooplanktonic prey has not been fully explored for late-stage larvae of coral-reef fish in lagoonal environments. However, compared to most temperate taxa, these larvae are characterized by strong sensory and swimming abilities, which may influence their feeding behaviour in the water column. The present study aims to determine the relative importance of the water column and zooplankton variables for the structure of pre-settlement larval fish assemblages within a single season in three bays of the coral reef lagoon of New Caledonia, southwest Pacific. The structure of larval assemblages was found to be explained better by water column variables in two out of the three bays examined. Zooplankton variables only played a role in one bay out of the three, probably due to the lower variability in the water column variables. Moreover, the relationship between total larval fish abundance and zooplankton density was not significant in any of the three bays. These results suggest that the relationship between late-stage coral-reef fish larvae and their prey: 1) is difficult to detect at small spatial and temporal scales, 2) is probably complex and non-linear, 3) depends on environmental conditions, and 4) probably varies between fish taxa.
Rates of phosphate uptake by coral reef flat communities1

It has been suggested that the high productivity of coral reef flats is sustained by efficient recycling of phosphate (P) within the system, although there have been few investigations on uptake or release rates of P by coral reef communities. Rates of P uptake for subsamples of a barrier reef community were determined in aquaria and compared to the net rate of P uptake measured in the field for the entire reef flat. Both in the laboratory and in the field, uptake rates of P were directly proportional to concentration of P of the ambient water. Constants of proportionality between rate of P uptake (per respiration rate) and concentration of P were the same for the experimental communities and the reef flat. The reef flat was taking up P near the maximal rate measured in the laboratory. This rate of P uptake was slow compared to the advection of P across most barrier reef flats and compared to the rate of C fixation,
The Shape of Ideas Production Function in Transition and Developing Economies: Evidence from China

This article contributes to the empirical understanding of ideas production in transition and developing economies from an international knowledge spillover perspective. Based on an extended form of the ideas production function of a nonscale endogenous growth model, the article estimates the shape of the Chinese ideas production function using a time-series pattern of Chinese patenting. While the empirical results corroborate recent findings on the shape of the ideas production function for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development economies, the estimate also captures the positive evidence of foreign knowledge spillovers in the domestic production of new-to-China ideas. This evidence is important since it has empirically proved the possibility for the technological latecomer to grow depending on spillovers of the pioneer research and development (R&D). It also implies that Chinese R&D productivity growth depends on the simultaneous expansion of the domestic R&D-producing sector as well as the foreign knowledge stock in the Chinese market.
Ground vegetation in the Mongolian taiga forest-steppe ecotone does not offer evidence for the human origin of grasslands

Abstract Question: Is the vegetation of meadow and mountain steppes distinct from the ground vegetation of light taiga forests in the transitional zone between these biomes? Location: Western Khentey Mountains, northern Mongolia. Methods: Vegetation was recorded from 100-m2 plots from all dominant types of light taiga forest and dry grassland. Distinctness of ground vegetation was studied with Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). Results: Ground vegetation in the light taiga was significantly different from the herbal vegetation of meadow and mountain steppes. Clear separation was only absent for the Carex amgunensis meadow steppes that occur in a narrow strip along the forest edge and are partly shaded by trees. Forest and steppe communities followed a moisture gradient according to the DCA ordination with light taiga forests at the moistest sites and steppe communities at the driest sites. Ulmus pumila open woodlands diverged from this pattern, because of their close spatial and phytosociological relationship to mountain steppes. Conclusions: The present results do not support the assumption that grasslands in Mongolia's transitional zone between forest and steppe would generally resemble the ground vegetation of light taiga forests. This contradicts a published hypothesis stating that the vegetation of meadow and mountain steppes would not clearly differ from ground vegetation of light taiga forests in the forest-steppe transitional zone of Mongolia. Nomenclature: Gubanov (1996).
Childhood overweight and obesity – analysis of the risk factors, including the patient’s family’s lifestyle, based on research results collected from two academic centres in Poland

Introduction: Approximately 15% of school-age children in Poland are overweight or obese. This poses a huge problem, considering the health consequences of excessive body weight. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was an analysis of risk factors for the development of obesity including the family’s lifestyle, based on research results collected from two academic centres in Poland (Szczecin and Białystok). Material and methods: A self-made questionnaire was administered to a group of parents with children aged from two to 17 years. Eighty responses picked at random, 40 from each city, were qualified for further analysis according to the exclusion criteria. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. Results: In the study group, 24% of children had an excessive body weight. For the purpose of further analysis, only these children were evaluated. The analysis of nutritional habits showed that 63% of children ate more than five full meals a day, not including snacking. About 65% of respondents consumed high-calorie snacks between the main meals. Meals were often irregular and excessive. Half of the respondents did not consume an adequate amount of fluids. Physical activity analysis has shown that 74% of children were physically active a minimum of 3–4 times a week for at least 30 minutes a day. 47% of parents reported not to engage in any physical activity. Parents of overweight children, who admitted to not consulting a doctor, amounted to 84%. The main differences between the cities were associated with the daily amount of meals eaten by children. Conclusions: Obesity is not solely a result of unbalanced nutrition. The factors that primarily contribute to obesity involve the family’s daily habits.
Turnover of labile and recalcitrant soil carbon differ in response to nitrate and ammonium deposition in an ombrotrophic peatland

The effects of 4 years of simulated nitrogen deposition, as nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+), on microbial carbon turnover were studied in an ombrotrophic peatland. We investigated the mineralization of simple forms of carbon using MicroResp™ measurements (a multiple substrate induced respiration technique) and the activities of four soil enzymes involved in the decomposition of more complex forms of carbon or in nutrient acquisition: N‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase (NAG), cellobiohydrolase (CBH), acid phosphatase (AP), and phenol oxidase (PO). The potential mineralization of labile forms of carbon was significantly enhanced at the higher N additions, especially with NH4+ amendments, while potential enzyme activities involved in breakdown of more complex forms of carbon or nutrient acquisition decreased slightly (NAG and CBH) or remained unchanged (AP and PO) with N amendments. This study also showed the importance of distinguishing between NO3− and NH4+ amendments, as their impact often differed. It is possible that the limited response on potential extracellular enzyme activity is due to other factors, such as limited exposure to the added N in the deeper soil or continued suboptimal functioning of the enzymes due to the low pH, possibly via the inhibitory effect of low phenol oxidase activity.
RELATIVE EFFICACY OF DIETARY ADMINISTRATION OF 3,5,3'-TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3) TO DIFFERENT STAGES OF AN INDIAN MAJOR CARP, CIRRHINA MRIGALA (HAMILTON) : GROWTH AND ECONOMICS

Different stages of an Indian major carp, Cirrhina mrigala (Hamilton), i.e. hatchling, fry and fingerling, were fed diets supplemented with 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) at doses of 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg kg−1 diet for 60 days, and then reared on a hormone-free diet for 120 days to study the growth performance of fish during the treatment period (TP) and post-treatment period (PTP). Oral administration of T3 at all the stages resulted in a significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) and better food conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). However, the growth response of C. mrigala towards T3 administration appeared to be stage-specific. At the end of the experimental period of 180days (60days TP+120days PTP), the optimum dosage of T3 appeared to be 5.0 mg kg−1 diet for both hatchlings and fry, and 1.0 mg kg−1 diet for fingerlings, resulting in 62.08%, 30.22% and 13.33% higher weights than in the control group, respectively. The cost of hormone for production of 1 kg of fish was lowest in the case of hatchlings (Rs 0.54), followed by fry (Rs 7.00) and fingerlings (Rs 16.07). Hence, based on the degree of growth response of the fish towards T3 administration in addition to its economics, only incorporation of T3 in the diet of hatchlings appeared to be economical.
Evaluation of the Anti-obesity Activity of Platycodon grandiflorum Root and Curcuma longa Root Fermented with Aspergillus oryzae

In the present study, the phenolic compound level, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of lipid accumulation in Aspergillus oryzae-fermented water extracts of the Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root and the Curcuma longa (CL) root were determined. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were decreased after fermentation. However, the flavonoid content of the fermented PG (FPG) was increased by 2.9-fold that of the PG before fermentation. In addition, the antioxidant activities were significantly decreased following fermentation. The potential anti-obesity activity was assessed by determining lipid accumulation and mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in 3T3-L1 cells. Aspergillus-fermented extracts of PG and CL roots decreased lipid accumulation, and mRNA expression of SREBP-1c and PPARγ in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that Aspergillus fermentation augments the anti-obesity activity of PG and CL by regulating the expression of the genes involved in lipid accumulation and cell differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.
The feeding habits of Alestes baremose and Hydrocynus forskali (Pisces) in Lake Albert, East Africa.

The stomach contents of 1922 Alestes baremose Joannis and 1184 Hydrocynus forskali Cuvier caught in Lake Albert, East Africa were examined. The fish were caught in gill nets in three main different types of habitat; in lagoons, inshore in the main body of the lake and offshore. Zooplankton, ephemeropteran imagines and higher plant species constituted almost the whole diet of A, baremose, although the relative importance of these three items varied with habitat. In the lagoons and inshore Hydrocynus forskali was mainly piscivorous, but offshore where the largest specimens occur it was feeding mainly on Caridina nilotica. The role of Hydrocynus species as predators in Lake Albert is discussed and it is shown that in this lake predation intensity bythis genus must be considered entirely in terms of H.forskali.
Re-evaluation of Historical Rockhopper Penguin Population Data in the Falkland Islands

Abstract Over the past 70 years, three counts have been conducted on the Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) population on the Falkland Islands during the 1932/33, 1995/96 and 2000/01 breeding seasons. The results indicated a population decrease of more than 90% during this period, from more than three million breeding pairs in 1932/33 to less than 300,000 breeding pairs in the mid-1990s. However, a re-evaluation of these data revealed that the original population was substantially overestimated and the 1930s numbers were probably closer to 1.5 million breeding pairs. Modifications to the mid-1990s data produce a revised population estimate of about 263,000, rather than 297,000 breeding pairs. Based on these revised values, the overall decrease in the Rockhopper Penguin at the Falkland Islands between 1932 and 1995 still exceeded 80%, at a rate of ca. 2.75% per annum. In the most recent census, the population was estimated to be 272,000 breeding pairs, suggesting a stable population since the mid 1990s. These re-calculations of historical Rockhopper Penguin population trends in the Falkland Islands have important implications for the assessment of the global population size and long-term trends of this species.
Grain Yield and Quality of Durum Wheat Landraces in a Dry Mediterranean Region of Northern Syria

Twenty-two durum wheat landraces of various origins were evaluated for performance and stability of grain yield, protein content and gluten strength (SDS sedimentation volume) at two sites of Northern Syria situated in the drought-prone part of the local durum wheat belt. Yield was recorded in three seasons, while protein content and SDS volume were assessed in two seasons only. A high “entry X environment” interaction was observed for all traits, which was significantly attributable to heterogeneity of entry regressions on the environmental mean for grain yield only. Compared to the recently-bred, widely-grown variety ‘Sham I’, some landraces showed somewhat similar yield responses, whereas others proved more stable without being significantly lower yielding. Significant variation was found for SDS volume, though only few of the best-ranking landraces for this trait also possessed an acceptable yield level. The entries did not significantly differ for protein content. The broad sense heritability estimates obtained for grain yield (0.59) and SDS volume (0.89) highlighted the interest in some of the landraces examined for improving grain yield and quality in the region.
Effectiveness of Lumbar Support in Management of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Background: The lumbar support belt has been used routinely in the management of low back pain. However, conflicting evidence arose as to whether or not lumbar support belt usage was more effective than usual care. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the lumbar support belt in reducing discomfort and improving quality of life in patients with low back pain. Methods: This study searched relevant studies by using the keywords “lumbar support, lumbar belt, back support, back belt” and “back pain, lumbar pain and backache” from PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus from January 1995 to December 2017, in order to identify the effectiveness of the lumbar support belt for reducing discomfort and improving quality of life in patients with low back pain. Inclusion studies comprised only those on the lumbar support belt and non-specific low back pain in English language publications. The outcome focused on pain intensity, quality of life and the specific functional status of back pain. Furthermore, duplicated studies were excluded. Methodologic quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scales. If agreements were inconsistent, a third independent reviewer formed the consensus. The conclusion was based on high quality studies (PEDro scores ≥ 6/10) in order to report effectiveness and suggestions for clinical application. Results: Two hundred and ninety seven studies were searched from the electronic database, and 162 were screened for titles and abstracts. Eight studies were identified finally for systematic review; six for randomized controlled trials and two for quasi-experimental studies. Five of the six randomized controlled trials were of good quality, with all of them showing the use of lumbar support usually reducing discomfort and improving quality of life in individuals with low back pain. The prescription for wearing lumbar support for 6-8 hours per day for at least one month showed positive results. Conclusions: The support belt appeared to be as effective as additional intervention together with usual care in the management of non-specific low back pain.
Varietal Differences in the Occurrence of Hollowing and Lignification of Parenchymatous Cells in the Roots of Japanese Radish

To clarify the anatomical, physiological and varietal differences in the hollowing (internal cavity formation) in roots of the Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus L.), several cultivars were grown under different soil temperatures. Vessel arrangement in the roots, and lignin formation on the wall of parenchymatous cells facing the intercellular spaces in the central region with respect to hollowing were investigated.1. When grown under high soil temperatures, roots of 'Gensuke', 'Kiributo', and'Genko' which have dense vessel arrangement in the central region developed caveties. Roots of 'Kenseiaokubi' (syn. 'Kensei'), 'Kaishinsobuto' (syn. 'Kaishin'), and 'Seieiaokubi' (syn. 'Seiei') have sparsely arranged vessels and do not possess the propensity to develop a central cavity.2. When grown under moderate to low soil temperatures, those cultivars, i. e. 'Gensuke' and 'Wakayama' which tend to form cavities under high soil temperatures produced fewer vessels and did not form cavities. Contrarily, roots of 'Tokinashi' and 'Suikomininengo' (syn. 'Ninengo') produced sparsely arranged vessels and did not exhibit this disorder at any soil temperature.3. Under high temperatures, lignin was deposited in the walls of parenchymatous cells, and vessels were differentiated in the central region of roots of 'Gensuke' and 'Yamada'. Subsequently, the intercellular spaces in these cultivars enlarged and coalesced, forming a hollow cavity. In roots of 'Seiei' and 'Ninengo', vessels were sparsely distributed and no lignin deposits were observed on cells of the central region.From these results we assume varietal difference exist with respect to susceptibility to this disorder by roots when they are exposed to high soil temperatures. In susceptible cultivars with a dense vessel arrangement, the deposition of lignin is brought about by a reduction in meristematic activity of parenchymatous cells attributed to high soil temperature. This prevents the large thin-walled parenchymatous cells from protruding into the intercellular spaces, causing the spaces to coalesce into a large hollow cavity. Contrarily, in cultivars in which vessels are dispersed on account of active proliferation of parenchymatous cells, even under high soil temperatures, lignin is seldomly deposited in cells facing small intercellular spaces. Because the intercellular spaces are continually filled by newly formed parenchymatous cells, they do not coalesce to form a hollow gap.
Relação entre os constituintes do solo e seu comportamento espectral

The spectral soil reflectance is an expression that characterizes the electromagnetic radiation reflected by soil surface. Most of the soil constituents can be identified and sometimes quantified by the spectral behavior. The main soil constituents that influence its spectral behavior are the organic matter, iron oxides, mineralogy and clay content and moisture. The use of soil reflectance allows to obtain information to quickly identify and quantify the soil characteristics, both in laboratory and orbital levels, but it has been tested and used mainly in developed countries. In Brazil, the research interest for the study of the soil spectral reflectance started in the 1980’s, being a recent research area which needs research support to achieve a better understanding of the spectral interaction among the different components of the soil.