Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HISTOGENESIS OF THE FORESTOMACH OF RED SOKOTO GOATS

Data are presented on the prenatal development of the forestomach of red Sokoto goats. Three stages of fetal development were studied by gross and light microscopy techniques. The findings demonstrate that the primordia of all the components of the forestomach were present at 39 days of gestation. The mucosal surfaces of the rumen were smooth and later became granular at 30 and 96 days of gestation, respectively. Granules were observed on the mucosal surface of the omasum at 95 days of gestation. The rumen, reticulum and omasum differentiated into epithelium, blastemic tissue and serosa at 40 days of gestation. The epithelium of the entire forestomach consisted of superficial stellate cells and basal globus shaped cell layers at 53 days. The underlying bastemic tissue differentiated into disorganized arrays of myoblastic tissues at about 53 days. The primordia of the ruminal papillae appeared as protuberances of the stratum basale at 53 days. The ruminal papillae progressively increased in dimension with advance in age of the fetus. Reticular ribs were first observed on the mucosa of the reticulum at 65 days of gestation. In the reticulum, the lamina propria and submucosa were poorly demarcated throughout the study. The myoblastic tissues differentiated into isolated muscle bundles at the tips of the primary reticular folds at 124 days of gestation. Reticular cells were observed first at 145 days of gestation. Omasal leaves were first identified at 120 days. The forestomach of this goat differentiated earlier and developed faster than most of the other breeds.
Ranging behaviour and movements of the red fox in remnant forest habitats

Abstract Context. The Eurasian red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a widespread pest in mixed agricultural and remnant forest habitats in southern Australia, and is controlled most commonly with baits containing poison (1080) to protect both agricultural and ecological assets. An understanding of fox movements in such habitats should assist in the strategic placement of baits and increase bait encounters by foxes across the landscape, thus improving the success of control efforts. Aims. We seek to understand the ranges, movements and habitat use of foxes to aid the development of effective management plans. The fate of tracked animals was examined during a control program. Methods. We radio-tracked 10 foxes using VHF transmitters and three foxes using GPS receivers during control operations in a remnant forest area near Dubbo, New South Wales. We used VHF location fixes to estimate fox range areas and GPS fixes to describe temporal and spatial aspects of fox movements and range use, focal points of activity and potential bait encounters. Selection of forest versus cleared areas was assessed, as was the impact of control operations on collared foxes. Key results. Range areas (mean ± s.e.; 95% minimum convex polygon) for VHF- and GPS-tracked foxes were 420 ha ± 74 and 4462 ha ± 1799 respectively. Only small parts of range areas were visited on a daily basis, with little overlap. Animals were often within 200 m of roads and crossed or travelled on roads more than expected. At least 75% of collared foxes were probably poisoned in the control program. Conclusions. Foxes occupy large ranges and move long distances in the study region, with little daily overlap, so successful defence of range areas is unlikely. Control efforts successfully poisoned foxes but also limited data collection because of reduced tracking periods. Implications. The large and variable areas occupied by foxes suggested that control efforts need to be on-going, coordinated across the landscape, and use a minimum bait density of 0.5 baits per 100 ha in remnant forest habitat to ensure that gaps are minimised. Control operations should target roads and forest edges for bait placement, and increase the time that baits are available, to increase fox encounters and maximise the success of control efforts.
Case History for Weed Competition/Population Ecology: Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) in Corn (Zea mays)

According to Grime's model, velvetleaf can be classified as a competitive-ruderal species. Its biological and ecological characteristics make it particularly competitive and persistent in cultivated fields. Herbicide control is difficult and, once established, it is almost impossible to avoid seed production. The economic threshold, on a single year basis, varies between 0.3 and 1.7 plants m–2. When the competitive relationships and their effects are evaluated, it is very difficult to apply a weed management system based on a single-season threshold. When one considers the agronomic implications of the ecological characteristics of velvetleaf over a longer period, it can be concluded that the use of a single-season economic threshold is probably not the best management strategy.
Morphology and phylogeny of Pterosiphonia dendroidea (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) described as Pterosiphonia tanakae from Japan

Abstract Recent phylogenetic studies of the genus Pterosiphonia suggest that Pterosiphonia dendroidea and Pterosiphonia tanakae are conspecific and show its wide geographic distribution in the Pacific. Pterosiphonia dendroidea was originally described as Polysiphonia dendroidea from Peru and later transferred to Pterosiphonia. Pterosiphonia dendroidea was characterized by diagnostic features such as its light cortication, the presence of trichoblasts, 8–12 pericentral cells, branches with the production of 3- to 5-order laterals, and congenital fusion of 2–3 segments. Pterosiphonia tanakae shares these features. Our phylogenetic analysis using rbcL sequences reveals a low gene sequence divergence (0.5%–0.7%) between the samples of P. dendroidea and P. tanakae. We propose that P. tanakae is a later synonym of P. dendroidea, and our study indicates the wide distribution of P. dendroidea in the northern and the southern Pacific Ocean.
Reduced Tillage Alternatives for Machine-harvested Cucumbers

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is grown using intensive tillage practices, which increase the cost of production and may lead to an increase in soil and water erosion. Research on alternative tillage practices for cucumber production has been limited pri- marily to exploring the benefi ts of no tillage. Alternative tillage practices, such as disking (one pass with a tandem disk) and zone tillage (one pass with a Trans-till) have not been investigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the infl uence of reduced tillage practices on the growth, development, and yield of cucumbers. Seedling emergence varied between years, but was unaffected by a reduction in tillage, while cucumber leaf number, leaf area index, and vine growth were reduced by no tillage (P ≤ 0.05). Total dry matter accumulation and days to 50% open fl ower varied with tillage. No-tillage plots produced an average of 34 g·m -2 of dry matter compared to 47 g·m -2 for conventional till- age plots and took 1 day longer to reach 50% fl ower. Although growth differences were observed under all reduced tillage treatments, no reduction in total yield was observed when compared with conventional tillage yields. Alternative reduced tillage practices, such as disking or zone tillage, were found to be viable options for successful cucumber production. These alternative practices will reduce the cost of production, provide grow- ers with greater time fl exibility and ease of land preparation, and reduce the potential for water and wind erosion.
Effects of a Foliar Neem Formulation on Colonization and Mortality of Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Collard Plants

A study was conducted to determine the effects of foliar sprays of a selected neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) product (GOS Neem 7-Way) on colonization and development by the Middle-East Asia Minor-1 (= B-biotype sweetpotato whitefly) Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on collard (Brassica oleracea variety acephala de Condolle) plants. GOS Neem 7-Way is marketed for use as an insecticide in organic and conventional crop production. Caged choice, caged no-choice, and Y-tube olfactometer assays were conducted on oviposition, survival and adult behavioral response to plant treatment with 1.25% azadiractin. In the caged choice experiment, colonization by the whiteflies was reduced and fewer eggs were deposited on neem-treated plants as compared with control plants (only treated with an adjuvant). Similarly, decreased numbers of adult whiteflies and reduced whitefly development were observed in no-choice assays for the neem-treatment, as compared with the untreated control. Both horizontal and vertical-orientated Y-tube olfactometer assays provided complementarily assessments that the neem had a repellency effect on the adult whiteflies. However, the repellency effect primarily dissipated within one day post treatment. Overall, the greatest benefit of the neem treatment appears to have been on whitefly mortality. The findings may be useful in providing a more ecologically sound way to manage populations of the B. tabaci whitefly in organic vegetable production.
Level of glycemic control and barriers of good compliance among diabetic patients in Al-madina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important health problem which necessitates long term follow up and control. Aim: This study is designed to determine the level of glycemic control among diabetic patients in Al-Madina and to explore which type of DM shows better glycemic control. In addition, we aim to define barriers of good compliance in diabetic patients who have a HbA1c test of 7% or more. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional analytic study was conducted and included diabetic patients participated in the campaign (Your Health is Your Life II) held in Al-Madina. Data collected by administering a questionnaire and measuring glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, weight and height for all participants. Results: Among 164 participants, only 24.4% achieved the recommended goal of HbA1c level (<7%). Higher percentage of achieving this goal is observed among type 2 diabetics (26.2%) than type 1(10.5%). Higher educational level, being on diet prescribed by a physician or a dietitian, duration of DM less than 5 years and visits of diabetic clinic within the past 3 months were associated with better HbA1c level while age above 50 and treatment with both (insulin+pills) or insulin alone were associated with lower level of control. Forgetfulness was the barrier in more than the half of patients with HbA1c of 7% or more while fear of insulin injection is the only factor which showed statistically significant difference between males and females. Conclusion: High percentage of patients did not attain the recommended target of HbA1c level which is nearly comparable to results reported from many countries. This may indicate the presence of a gap between recommendations of the international guidelines and the actual practices. Regular clinic visits and higher educational level of the patients may contribute to better glycemic control.
Integrated cage-cum-pond culture systems with high valued climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) in cages and low-valued carps in open ponds

An on-farm trial was conducted over 150 days to determine appropriate stocking ratio, growth and production of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) in cages and carps in open water of ponds in eighteen farmers' ponds from Haluaghat Upazila at Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. One or two 1 m super(3) cage was suspended in each of 12 earthen ponds and other 6 ponds served as control without cages. Climbing perch of 2-3 g in size were stocked in cages while fingerlings of silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix), catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), mirgal (Cirhinus cirrhosus), rajputi (Puntius sarana) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were stocked at 1 fish/m super(2) with a species ratio of 5:4:4:4:2:1 in open water of all ponds to give cage to open-pond fish ratios of 1:1 (T sub(1:1)) and 2:1 (T sub(2:1)) and 0:1 (T sub(0:1)) as three treatments with six replicates each. Survival of climbing perch was higher in T sub(1:1) (61.67%) than that of T sub(2:1) (29.5%) and was significantly different (p>0.05) between the treatments. Stocking of small size climbing perch fry increased the mortality rate in cages. The net yields of Thai koi were 0.13±0.01 (t/ha) and 0.10±0.01 (t/ha) in treatments T sub(1:1) and T sub(2:1), respectively and both were significantly different (p>0.05). Survival of-open-pond carps was high, ranging from 50 to 91.67% with significantly lower in T sub(0:1) than that of T sub(1:1) and T sub(2:1) treatment. Net and gross yield of each carp species were significantly higher in the T sub(1:1) and T sub(2:1) treatment than that in T sub(0:1) treatment. Net revenues were positive but low in all treatments. Therefore, bigger size climbing perch with lower stocking ratio (T sub(1:1)) is suitable for integrated cage-pond culture of climbing perch and carps. However, more on-farm trials in different ecosystem with scientific interventions are necessary to develop the technology for further dissemination among the rural farmers.
Natural radioactivity and hazardous index of major South Indian river sediments

The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K have been determined by gamma ray spectrometry with an NaI(Tl) detector in sediments of Palar River, Tamil Nadu, India. The absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent concentration, external (Hex) and internal (Hin) hazardous indices are calculated from criteria formula and compared with the international recommended limits. The Radioactive Heat Production (RHP) rate and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) are also calculated. The observed dose rate from ERDM (Environmental Radiation Dosimeter) at 1 m above the ground level at each site of the river is measured and correlated with calculated absorbed dose rate. The distribution of quartz, feldspar, magnetic susceptibility and weight of the magnetic minerals is correlated with radioactivity results. From the observations, the weight of the magnetic minerals is an index to identify the sediments of low or high radiological risk.
First fossil tropiduchidae with a description of a new tribe Jantaritambiini from Eocene baltic amber (Hemiptera : Fulgoromorpha)

Premier Tropiduchidae fossile et description d'une nouvelle tribu, les Jantaritambiini, de l'ambre eocene de la Baltique (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha). - Jantaritambia serafini, espece d'un genre nouveau appartenant a une tribu nouvelle, les Jantaritambiini, est decrite de l'ambre de la Baltique (Eocene). C'est le premier representant de la famille des Tropiduchidae provenant de resine fossile. La position du genre et le statut de la tribu sont discutes.
THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT REGIMENTS OF EARLY NUTRIENT RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE AND ABDOMINAL FAT OF BROILERS

The study was carried out to examine the effect of different regiments of early nutrient restriction on the performance and abdominal fat of broilers. A total of 126 day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of the six dietary treatments, each with three replicate of seven birds. All birds were fed ad libitum to seven days of age on the control starter diet (ME 3,081.20 kcal/kg and 23.00% crude protein (diet 1). During the starter phase, birds in treatments 2 to 6 were fed a low energy (ME 2,800.00 kcal/kg) and low protein (18.40%) diet, that is diet 2 for 16 days in varying regiments, all starting at 7 days of age, alternated by feeding the standard starter diet, diet 1. All birds were then offered a standard finisher diet, diet 3 from day 35 to the end of the experiment (day 63). Feed intake and body weight of birds were measured on a weekly basis. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain were also determined. At the end experiment three chickens from each replicate were randomly selected, weighed, slaughtered and used to determine the abdominal fat weight and carcass weight. The completely randomized design was used in analysis of all data. Varying the regiments of early nutrient restriction did not significantly influence all the performance parameters measured and the abdominal fat of boilers. It was, therefore, concluded that a mild form of feed restriction can be embarked upon as early as 7 days of age without detrimental effect.
The Ecology of Yikes! Environmental Forces Alter Prey Perception of Predators

Hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria, are sessile, filter-feeding organisms that are heavily preyed upon by blue crabs, which find their clam prey using chemical cues. Clams may evade detection by blue crabs by reducing their pumping (feeding) behavior when a threat is perceived. The purpose of this study was to determine the type of signals that clams use to detect consumers. Clams decreased their pumping time in response to blue crabs and blue crab effluent, but not to crab shells, indicating that chemical signals, and not mechanical cues mediated the response of clams to distant predators. Since predator diet can influence prey evaluation of predatory threats, we compared clam responses to blue crabs fed a steady diet of fish, clams, or were starved prior to our experiment. In addition, we used injured clams as a stimulus because many organisms detect predators by sensing the odor of injured conor heterospecifics. Clams reduced feeding in response to injured conspecifics and to blue crabs that had recently fed. Clams reacted similarly to fed crabs, regardless of their diet, but did not respond to starved blue crabs. Since blue crabs are generalist predators and the threat posed by these consumers is unrelated to the crab’s diet, we should expect clam reactions to blue crabs to be independent of the crab’s diet. The failure of clams to react to starved blue crabs likely increases their vulnerability to these consumers, but clam responses to injured
Remarks on the genus Afrotrachytes Kontschán, 2006 (Acari: Uropodina), with description of two new species

In this paper two new species of the genus Afrotrachytes Kontschan, 2006 are presented: Afrotrachytes bercziki and A. mirabilis spp. nov. They represent the first records of the genus in South America (Ecuador) and West Africa (Cameroon), respectively.
Experimental evidence does not support the Habitat Amount Hypothesis

&NA; For a half century, habitat configuration – the arrangement of habitat patches within a landscape – has been central to theories of landscape ecology, population dynamics, and community assembly, in addition to conservation strategies. A recent hypothesis advanced by Fahrig (2013) would, if supported, greatly diminish the relevance of habitat configuration as a predictor of diversity. The Habitat Amount Hypothesis posits that the sample area effect overrides patch size and patch isolation effects of habitat fragmentation on species richness. It predicts that the amount of habitat in a local landscape, regardless of configuration, is the main landscape‐level determinant of species richness. If habitat amount is indeed the major, landscape‐level driver of species richness, the slopes of the species–area relationship (SAR) for otherwise similar fragmented and unfragmented landscapes should be indistinguishable. We tested the Habitat Amount Hypothesis with data from two replicated and controlled habitat fragmentation experiments that disentangle the effects of habitat amount and configuration. One experiment provided time‐series data on plant species richness and the other on micro‐arthropod species richness. We found that, relative to less fragmented habitats, the SARs for fragmented habitats have significantly higher slopes and that the magnitude of the difference in slopes increased over time. Relatively more species were lost in smaller areas when fragments were more isolated. In both experiments, the proportion of species lost due to increased habitat fragmentation was nearly identical to the proportion lost due to reduced habitat amount. Our results provide a direct and experimentally derived refutation of the Habitat Amount Hypothesis, supporting the long‐held view that in addition to area, patch isolation and configuration are important determinants of species richness. Differences in species richness between fragmented and non‐fragmented habitats increase over time, demonstrating that long‐term studies are needed to understand the effects of fragmentation, above and beyond the amount of habitat lost.
The prevalence of dog erythrocyte antigen 1 in relation to breed in the Daejeon area

This study was performed to collect the basic data of DEA 1.1 in four small breed (Maltese, Shih-tzu, Poodle, Yorkshire terrier) and in three large breed (German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Jindo) dogs in the Daejeon area. 105 dogs from 7 breeds (Maltese=20, Shih-tzu=19, Poodle=15, Yorkshire ter-rier= 11, German shepherd=10, Labrador retriever=10, Jindo=20) were selected and tested using the dog blood typing Kit® (Korea Animal Blood Bank Inc., South Korea). The prevalence of DEA 1.1 was 83%, that of DEA 1.2 was 17%, and there was no DEA (－) blood type identified in this study. Prevalence according to breeds was Maltese (DEA 1.1, 85%; DEA 1.2, 15%), Shih-tzu (DEA 1.1, 95%; DEA 1.2 5%), Yorkshire terrier (DEA 1.1, 91%; DEA 1.2, 9%), Labrador retriever (DEA 1.1, 90%; DEA 1.2, 10%). One hundred percent of DEA blood type 1.1 was discovered in all of the Poodles and German shepherds, and a higher prevalence of DEA 1.2 was found (DEA 1.1, 40%; DEA 1.2 60%) in Jindo dogs. The prevalence of DEA 1.2 in the Jindo dogs was significantly higher than in other breeds (P＜0.01). German shepherds and Labrador retrievers may be more suitable as donor dogs than Jindo dogs in the Daejeon area. Larger scale studies are necessary from more dogs and other areas in South Korea.
Establishment of a Self-Sustaining Population of a Long-Lived, Slow-Breeding Gecko Species (Diplodactylidae: Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) Evident 15 Years after Translocation

Abstract Duvaucel's Geckos (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) are large-bodied, long-lived, and slow-breeding geckos endemic to New Zealand. Translocation is considered an important tool for conservation of this species. The first translocation of these geckos occurred in 1998 when 40 geckos were released on a pest-free island. Despite multiple survey efforts within the decade after release, captures were too sparse to determine whether the population had successfully established. We revisited the population to investigate establishment over a longer time period (11–15 yr post release). We utilized a recently developed outcome assessment framework that assesses a translocation's success as a progression through four, time-bound ‘Stages. ' We recaptured 12 founder animals and all were larger than at release (Stage 1). Recruitment was evident (Stage 2) with 91.7% of all geckos captured between 2009 and 2013 being island-born. Mark–recapture results from 144 individuals estimated that 245 geckos (95% confidence interval: 179–336) were present in the population by February 2013, an approximately 6-fold increase in number since 1998 (Stage 3). Population viability analysis indicated the population has become self-sustaining, with an average population increase rate of 6.35–10.14% per year and a negligible probability of extinction within 50 yr (Stage 4). In this case, a 10–15 yr time period appeared to be a sufficient time frame for identification of translocation success by both traditional and time-bound criteria. Fulfilment of each time-bound indicator of short-term success therefore appears to have been a reliable predictor of ultimate translocation success in this long-lived, slow-breeding lizard species.