Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using two retrotransposon-based marker systems (SRAP and REMAP) for genetic diversity analysis of Moroccan Argan tree

The Argania is an endemic genetic resource in Morocco holding an important ecological and socio-economical benefit. However, overgrazing and overharvesting lead to a serious downturn in the number of trees. To characterize genetic diversity within and among 24 populations, represented by 240 argan trees, four combinations of SRAP primers and eight combinations of REMAP primers were used. A total of 338 REMAP and 146 SRAP markers were amplified with a polymorphism of 100%. The average polymorphism information content value was 0.20 and 0.17 for SRAP and REMAP markers, respectively. The analysis of molecular variance showed that 26% of the genetic variation was partitioned among populations. The coefficient of gene differentiation was 0.2875 and gene flow was 1.2391. The average parameter diversity was: observed number of alleles (Na)=0.729, effective number of alleles (Ne)=1.131, Shannon’s information index (I)=1.143; Nei’s gene diversity (H)=0.093 and Percentage of Polymorphic Loci=35.68. The STRUCTURE and principal coordinate analysis revealed that the Argania spinosa L. populations were aggregated into 2 genetic groups. To detect outlier, baysecan software was used and 21 were detected (7 under selection, 14 under balancing selection) presenting posterior probability higher than 0.79. The current results can be explored in the design of management programs and to comprehend the adaptation mechanism of Argan tree.
Assessing changes in distribution of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia and its wild prey over 2 decades in the Indian Himalaya through interview-based occupancy surveys

Abstract Understanding species distributions, patterns of change and threats can form the basis for assessing the conservation status of elusive species that are difficult to survey. The snow leopard Panthera uncia is the top predator of the Central and South Asian mountains. Knowledge of the distribution and status of this elusive felid and its wild prey is limited. Using recall-based key-informant interviews we estimated site use by snow leopards and their primary wild prey, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Asiatic ibex Capra sibirica, across two time periods (past: 1985–1992; recent: 2008–2012) in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. We also conducted a threat assessment for the recent period. Probability of site use was similar across the two time periods for snow leopards, blue sheep and ibex, whereas for wild prey (blue sheep and ibex combined) overall there was an 8% contraction. Although our surveys were conducted in areas within the presumed distribution range of the snow leopard, we found snow leopards were using only 75% of the area (14,616 km2). Blue sheep and ibex had distinct distribution ranges. Snow leopards and their wild prey were not restricted to protected areas, which encompassed only 17% of their distribution within the study area. Migratory livestock grazing was pervasive across ibex distribution range and was the most widespread and serious conservation threat. Depredation by free-ranging dogs, and illegal hunting and wildlife trade were the other severe threats. Our results underscore the importance of community-based, landscape-scale conservation approaches and caution against reliance on geophysical and opinion-based distribution maps that have been used to estimate national and global snow leopard ranges.
Deficits of semantic control disproportionately affect low-relevance conceptual features: evidence from semantic aphasia

ABSTRACT Background The ability to efficiently select specific aspects of our semantic representations that are relevant for current goals or the context is supported by semantic control processes (controlled semantic cognition framework). This semantic control component is impaired in patients with semantic aphasia, who have multimodal semantic impairment following left hemisphere stroke and are highly sensitive to the control demands of semantic tasks. However, relatively little is known about how this control deficit interacts with aspects of semantic representation. Aims Here we tested whether the relevance of semantic features can influence the demands of control resources in the selection of information within the semantic store in patients with semantic aphasia. Methods & Procedure Participants performed a feature selection task, where they were asked to indicate which of three features was semantically related to a given concept. Outcomes & Results We found that patients with semantic aphasia had a greater impairment on low relevance features, suggesting that the selection of target features with low relevance requires greater semantic control than target features with high relevance. Conclusions Our results confirm the necessity of control processes for the selection of aspects of conceptual knowledge that are only weakly activated within semantic storage when these are task-relevant. The study therefore highlights that semantic cognition emerges from the interaction of control and representational systems.
Influence of Animal Factors on Milk Somatic Cell Count in Crossbred Cows Reared Under Hot-Humid Climatic Condition

The present study was undertaken with the objective of influence of various animal factors like parity, stage of lactation, production level and season of calving on milk somatic cell count (SCC) in Jersey crossbred cows reared under hot-humid climatic condition. Total 366 quarter wise morning milk samples were collected aseptically from the experimental cows maintained at cattle yard, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal and subjected to microscopic method of somatic cell count. The estimated overall arithmetical mean (±SE) of SCC (logarithmic) was 5.377 ± 0.039. There was significant (P<0.01) effect of all the animal factors and season of calving on Log10SCC. The SCC was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows of later parities and late stage of lactation. Medium milk producer animals had significant (P<0.05) lower mean SCC as compared to low and high milk producers. The SCC level was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows calved during the summer season followed by cows calved in rainy and winter season. It can be concluded that the animal factors like parity, lactation stage, production level and season of calving has noteworthy effect on milk SCC level in crossbred cows under hot-humid climatic condition and therefore, these factors can be taken into account while selecting dairy animals accompanied by SCC can be used as routine tests to achieve the best strategy for the treatment and prevention of intra-mammary infections (IMI) in dairy cows.Key words: Animal Factors, Somatic Cell Count, Crossbred Cows, Hot-Humid Climate
Some Theorems for Real Increasing Functions in Elementary Fixed Point Theory

We obtain some theorems for real increasing functions showing that elementary fixed point theory can bring to astonishing results by assuming only a few properties, some of which intrinsically possessed from these functions. An application is given for a theorem of quasi-compactness and a known result in posets is also recalled and applied to real intervals.
Influence of Growth and Yield Attributes of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) by Sulphur and Phosphorus Different Combination Fertilizer Levels under the Rainfed Condition

Implication of phosphorus and sulfur in soil assumes a key job in crop development and nature of protein what's more, oil substance, its sustenance in agro-biological system. The experiment was conducted at research farm, Rajoula, MGCGV, Chitrakoot, Satna (MP). This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency combined application sulphur and phosphorus on response of sesame impacts of the different growth parameter and crop productivity. Twelve different sulphur and phosphorus treatments along with one control were tested in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The plant growth parameters maximum recorded among the treatment under T12. P2S3 = 60 kg P2O5 + 45 kg sulphur ha -1 and minimum (T1) P0S0 = Control at 45, 60 DAS and yield parameters maximum recorded among the treatment under T12. P2S3 = 60 kg P2O5 + 45 kg sulphur ha -1 and minimum (T1) P0S0 = Control at harvest. This study showed that the application of different combination fertilizers sulphur and phosphorus produced maximum grain yield and stover yield in sesame under rainfed condition.
The Evolution of Flora in the Island of s. tomé – the social, economic and environmental impacts of colonisation

The Island of S. Tomé, located in the Gulf of Guinea, is part of one of the smallest countries on Earth, registering only 163,784 residents. It is also a very biodiverse equatorial environment, discovered by the Portuguese, in 1470. Exuberant native vegetation covers most of the island, even though it has suffered logging in order to give way to sugar plantations between 1494 and 1610, as well as coffee and cocoa plantations from 1780 onwards. Current submission stems from research conducted in the now independent country, in 2019, by the University of Lisbon. The objective was to find out if the depredation suffered in colonial times had any significant impacts on the environment, on food security and on the wellbeing of the Gulf of Guinea islanders. Methodology was three-fold: (1) examination of old manuscripts and recent literature about the history of plantations, so as to enumerate the plant species existent in the beginning of colonisation and the ones introduced during colonisation; (2) survey to fifty urban residents, in modern times, so as to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of Portuguese presence and economic management; (3) identification of flora. The in-depth interviews aimed four focus groups: (i) fruit, roots, staples, spices, and medicinal plant traders, found in markets and along the streets (74%); (ii) urban and peri-urban farmers that cultivated food plants, spices and medicinal flora (20%); (iii) traditional healers also involved in flora cultivation (4%); (iv) one touristic guide that traded medicines grown and processed in a botanical Garden, located further inland (2%). The survey accounted for 111 botanical species, some of which were native. The hope is to contribute for a better understanding of the evolution of flora consumption in Africa, and to explain why there was no serious depredation in this Gulf of Guinea Equatorial environment.
Seed germination of mudflat species responds differently to prior exposure to hypoxic (flooded) environments

Abstract Mudflats are exposed for short periods after flood water drawdown. They support fast-growing annual herbs with a ruderal strategy. To optimize their recruitment success, seeds of mudflat species germinate better under fluctuating temperatures, full illumination and aerobic environments that indicate the presence of optimal (non-flooded) conditions for plant growth and development. Here, we hypothesize that prior exposure of mudflat seeds to hypoxic (flooded) environment interferes with the germination process and results in more vigorous germination once aerobic conditions are regained. To test this hypothesis, seeds of five mudflat species were incubated in both aerobic and hypoxic environments at four (14/6, 22/14, 22/22 and 30/22°C) temperature regimes, reflecting different (seasonal) conditions when drawdowns may occur. All species responded positively to four temperature regimes; however, moderate 22/14 and 22/22°C temperatures were optimum for high percentages and rates (speed) of seed germination. Since seeds of four species germinated exclusively under aerobic conditions, they were moved from hypoxic to aerobic conditions. Prior exposure of seeds to hypoxic environment facilitated high percentages, rates and synchronization of germination of Limosella aquatica, Peplis portula and Samolus valerandi seeds compared to incubation under strict aerobic conditions. However, prior exposure to hypoxic environment induced secondary dormancy in non-dormant seeds of Hypericum humifusum but broke dormancy in Lythrum hyssopifolia seeds that otherwise required cold stratification to overcome physiological dormancy. All species that have a narrow ecological niche (strictly occurring in mudflat habitats) showed positive responses to prior exposure to hypoxic environments. In contrast, H. humifusum that has a wide ecological niche (from mudflats to moist sandy grasslands) showed a negative response. We conclude that the hypoxic environment may strongly affect seed germination behaviour once the aerobic environment is regained. The most striking effect is the acceleration of the germination process and, therefore, life cycle supporting the survival in an ephemeral habitat.
DETERMINANTS OF DIVIDEND SMOOTHING IN KUSCCO AFFILIATED SACCOS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY

The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinants of dividend smoothing in KUSCCO affiliated SACCOs in Kakamega County. Specific objectives were to examine the influence of firm size on dividend smoothing of KUSCO affiliated SACCOs in Kakamega County, investigate the influence of financial risks on dividend smoothing on KUSCCO affiliated SACCOs in Kakamega County, analyze the shareholder ownership influence on dividend smoothing on KUSCCO affiliated SACCOs in Kakamega County and to find out the influence of profitability on dividend smoothing on KUSCCO affiliated SACCOs in Kakamega County. To achieve the general objective of the study, a survey was conducted on SACCOs affiliated to KUSCCO and operational. Data on general information was collected using the questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Under inferential statistics correlation analysis and multiple regressions analysis was used. The findings indicated that profitability, firm size and shareholder ownership have positive and significant effect on dividend smoothing. This implied that their increase would result to increase in dividend smoothing. On the other hand, financial risk has negative effect on dividend smoothing of SACCOs affiliated to KUSCCO in Kakamega County. This postulated that increase in financial risk would result to reduction in dividend smoothing. Therefore, the study concluded that dividend smoothing is significantly influenced by shareholder concentration, profitability and firm size. The study recommended that there is need for Saccos to increase their profitability so as to achieve dividend smoothing over time. This can be achieved by increasing the rate of return of assets. In this case, management is recommended to utilize their assets in a profitable manner so as to achieve dividend smoothing. Key Word: Firm Size, Financial Risks, Shareholder Ownership, Profitability, Dividend Smoothing CITATION: Rutto, F. K. , & Miroga, J. (2020). Determinants of dividend smoothing in KUSCCO affiliated SACCOs in Kakamega County . The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management , 7(3), 1216 – 1232.
Non-hemoparasitic protozoa of the subdesert toad, Amietophrynus ( Bufo ) xeros (Anura: Bufonidae)

Eighty subdesert toads, Amietophrynus (Bufo) xeros, were collected in Shendi, Sudan, between August and December 2014 and examined for the presence of non-hemoparasitic protozoa. Fifty-four (67.5%) of the toads were found to be infected with one or more protozoa including, Nyctotherus sp. , Balantidium sp. Opalina sp. and Protoopalina sp. A higher prevalence of infection was found in female toads, while a higher intensity of infection was found in males. In addition, older toads harbored a higher prevalence and intensity of infection. No significant correlations were found between the gender of the toads examined and either the prevalence or intensity of infection of the protozoan species. Likewise, the prevalence and intensity of infection by protozoan species were not significantly correlated with the snout-vent length of the toads.
Utilization of Sunnhemp Meal in Beef Cattle Diet Supplemented with Urea-Treated Rice Straw

Received: December 4, 2019 Revised: February 15, 2020 Accepted: March 12, 2020 The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the utilization of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) meal (SM) in beef cattle diet in North-East Thailand. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effects of cutting intervals and height on the yield and nutrient composition of sunnhemp. The experiment was a 3×3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design ( RCBD) , in which factor A was the cutting intervals (30, 40 and 50 days) and factor B was the cutting heights (30, 40 and 50 cm) above ground level. It is concluded that a cutting interval of sunnhemp at 50 days achieves greater dry matter and nutrient yields than at 30 days. In terms of nutrient content, there is also a considerable increase in crude fiber, neutral-detergent fiber, acid-detergent fiber, and acid-detergent lignin in sunnhemp. In contrast, the results showed that cutting height at 30, 40 or 50 cm had no effect on the chemical composition values of sunnhemp. The second experiment was to study the effect of SM supplemented with ureatreated rice straw ( UTRS) on the growth rate of Brahman×Thai-Native beef cattle. Twelve cattle, averaging 218±14 kg body weight (BW) and approximately 14-17 months’ old were stratified randomly and assigned to RCBD in 4 treatments of 3 beef cattle each. The treatments were equal amounts of SM supplement with UTRS at 0, 25, 50 and 75% respectively. There were no significant differences in the live weight change, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake and rumen fermentation among treatments of CMU J. Nat. Sci. (2020)Vol. 19 (4) 880 0, 25 and 50% of SM supplement. However, the BW and ADG significantly decreased at 75% of SM supplement with UTRS.
Evaluation of Daily Precipitation Extremes in Reanalysis and Gridded Observation‐Based Data Sets Over Germany

Accurate and reliable gridded data sets are important for analyzing extreme weather and climate events. Specifically, these data sets should produce extreme value statistics that are close to reality. Here we use various statistical methods to evaluate the quality of four gridded data products in representing daily precipitation extremes. The data products are the COSMO‐REA6 regional reanalysis, the ERA5 global reanalysis, and the E‐OBS and HYRAS gridded observation‐based data sets. The statistical methods we use offer a thorough insight into the quality of the different data sets by providing temporal and spatial extreme value statistics of daily precipitation. Our results show that all data sets except HYRAS underestimate the magnitude of daily precipitation extremes when compared with weather station data. Moreover, the reanalysis data sets give generally worse extreme value statistics of daily precipitation than the gridded observation‐based data sets. In particular, the reanalysis data sets often fail in reproducing the accurate timing of observed daily precipitation extremes.
Entrained audiovisual speech integration implemented by two independent computational mechanisms: Redundancy in left posterior superior temporal gyrus and Synergy in left motor cortex

Information integration is fundamental to many aspects of human behavior, and yet its neural mechanism remains to be understood. For example, during face-to-face communication we know that the brain integrates the auditory and visual inputs but we do not yet understand where and how such integration mechanisms support speech comprehension. Here we show that two independent mechanisms forge audiovisual representations for speech comprehension in different brain regions. With a novel information theoretic measure, we found that theta (3-7 Hz) oscillations in the posterior superior temporal gyrus/sulcus (pSTG/S) code speech information that is common (i.e. redundant) to the auditory and visual inputs whereas the same oscillations in left motor and inferior temporal cortex code synergistic information between the same inputs. Importantly, redundant coding in the left pSTG/S and synergistic coding in the left motor cortex predict behavior - i.e. speech comprehension performance. Our findings therefore demonstrate that processes classically described as integration effectively reflect independent mechanisms that occur in different brain regions to support audiovisual speech comprehension.
METAGENOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE MICROBIAL COMMUNITY ASSOSCIATED WITH THE ROOT NODULES OF THE ACTINORHIZAL PLANT CASUARINA GLAUCA

The symbiosis between Frankia and actinorhizal plants in the genus Casuarina are intentionally exploited in efforts to reclaim degraded lands and improve agricultural production through the practice of agroforestry, particularly in countries on the continent of Africa. Laboratory investigations have shown that some nonFrankia bacteria isolated from the root nodules of Casuarina plants can play active and positive roles in this symbiosis, but a culture-independent survey of the microbial community in system had not yet been conducted. To fill this knowledge-gap, a metagenomic survey of the endophytic microbial community of Casuarina glauca root nodules was performed at three sites in the country of Tunisia. The sites were chosen to evaluate the difference in community structure across a steep gradient of aridity. To complement this survey, a shotgun metagenomic analysis of the endophytic and epiphytic microbial community of C. glauca root nodules at these sites was also performed. Results of both analyses found a sharp decrease in the abundance of the symbiont Frankia in the semi-arid and arid samples. Other microbial taxa that were known to be active in the system as well as previously unobserved taxa were found in increased abundance in samples with decreased Frankia abundance. These results show a strong effect of climate on the endophytic community associated with C. glauca and provide insights for continued laboratory and field testing of this system.
Whale distribution in a breeding area: spatial models of habitat use and abundance of western South Atlantic humpback whales

GA Bortolotto PhD is funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico, CNPq; Science Without Borders, scholarship #208203/2014 - 1). Cetacean International Society granted GA Bortolotto with small grants which contributed to the development of this study.
Restoration of Missing Pressures in a Gas Well Using Recurrent Neural Networks with Long Short-Term Memory Cells

This study proposes a data-driven method based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) with long short-term memory (LSTM) cells for restoring missing pressure data from a gas production well. Pressure data recorded by gauges installed at the bottom hole and wellhead of a production well often contain abnormal or missing values as a result of gauge malfunctions, noise, outliers, and operational instability. RNNs employing LSTM cells to prevent long-term memory loss have been widely used to predict time series data. In this study, an RNN with the LSTM method was used to restore abnormal or missing wellhead and bottom-hole pressures in three intervals within a production sequence of more than eight years in duration. The pressure restoration was performed using various input features for RNNs with LSTM models based on the characteristics of the available data. It was carried out through three sequential processes and the results were acceptable with a mean absolute percentage error no more than 5.18%. The reliability of the proposed method was verified through a comparison with the results of a physical model.