Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production components and yield loss of garlic cultivars planted at different times in a field naturally infested with Sclerotium cepivorum

Four annual experiments with garlic (Allium sativum) were established in fields naturally infested with Sclerotium cepivorum, causal agent of garlic white rot, to investigate the effect of time of planting on yield. Initial stands were unaffected by time of planting. Final stands and yields were highest when garlic was planted approximately 1 month earlier (28 January-15 February) when soils were warmer than at the traditional time of planting (15 March-15 April). When garlic was planted at the traditional time, final stands and yields were reduced 56-92% primarily from the attack of S. cepivorum. A 100% loss in yield occurred in some crops planted in cool soils in late March. With an early planting (15 January), final stands were similar to the plantings of 28 January and 15 February, but yields were reduced by half because of a much lower mean weight of the harvested bulbs. In a late planting (15 May), the final stand was 75% lower with correspondingly lower yield than that obtained with the early plantings. The largest bulbs (21.6 g) were obtained from the planting on 28 February; however, the yields from this planting were reduced by half from the planting 2 weeks earlier because of the 50% reduction in final stand. Early planting of garlic is recommended as an important management strategy to avoid white rot in areas with soils infested with sclerotia of S. cepivorum.
Annual cycles in the African stonechat Saxicola torquata axillaris and their relationship to environmental factors

Seasonal changes in gonadal size, body weight, male song and the plasma titres of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and testosterone were investigated in a free-living population of African stonechats, Suxicola torquata axillaris, on Menengai Crater, Nakuru, Kenya. These were compared with the occurrence of nesting and moult in the population and a number of seasonally changing environmental factors including photoperiod, insect abundance and rain. Annual cycles in these stonechats appears to be regulated by endogenous events which are responsive to environmental factors on a seasonal basis. The dry season may play an important role in the synchronization of the population by inhibiting nesting in birds otherwise capable of reproductive activity. Rain is postulated as a time-giving cue for moult and gonadal regression. The possibility of photoperiodic changes at the equator acting as seasonal time-giving cues remains open.
Gene action and heterosis in lifetime traits of Friesian × Sahiwal crosses

Summary Gene action and heterosis in seven lifetime traits of Holstein-Friesian × Sahiwal crosses was studied by fitting genetic additive—dominance and Dickerson, Sheridan models. The additive—dominance model is found adequate for all the traits except ‘average milk yield per day of total productive life’. The heterosis measured from mid-parent varied from 15% in ‘total life’ to 108% in ‘milk yield from all available lactations’. Heterosis measured from superior parent ranged from 6% in ‘total milk yield of first three lactations’ to 75% in ‘milk yield from all available lactations’. The larger heterosis observed in some of the lifetime traits is attributed as the direct consequence of longer productive life in F1s compared to parental breeds. On the basis of the predicted performance of some of the nonavailable grades like 2/3 exotic, creation of synthetics is mooted. Zusammenfassung Genwirkung und Heterosis wird bei sieben Lebennsleistungsmerkmalen von Holstein-Friesen-Sahiwal Kreuzungen untersucht auf der Basis von Additiv-Dominanz Modell sowie den von Dickerson und Sheridan vorgeschlagenen Moellen. Das erstere ist hinreichend zur Erklarung der Variabilitat bei allen Merkmalen auβer “Durchschnittsmilchleistung pro Tag des produktiven Lebens”. Heterosis gemessen vom Elterndurchschnitt schwankt zwischen 15% fur Lebensdauer bis 108% fur Gesamtmilchertrag von allen erfaβbaren Laktationen. Vom besseren Elter aus geschatzt schwankt Heterosis von 6% fur Gesamtmilchleistung in den ersten drei Laktationen bis 75% fur Leistung in allen erfaβten Laktationen. Die hohe Heterosis in einigen Lebensleistungsmerkmalen ist eine direkte Konsequenz des langeren Leistungslebens der F1im Vergleich zu dem der Ausgangsrassen. Auf der Basis geschatzter Leistungen auch einiger nicht geprufter Kreuzungsgrade wie etwa von 2/3 Kreuzungen wird die Schaffung einer synthetischen Rasse erwogen.
Ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) of the Yemen Arab Republic. I. Species infesting livestock

Data from surveys in 1951, 1972, 1973 and 1978–79 showed that tick numbers are generally low on the miniature breed of cattle in the Yemen Arab Republic and tick-borne diseases have not been recognised as a serious problem. This breed should be investigated for properties of resistance to tick bite. Each tick species commonly infesting livestock has been recorded as transmitting viruses (and some also rickettsiae) causing human illness in Africa and/or Eurasia. Between 1300 and 2000 m in altitude, Amblyomma variegatum (F.) is more abundant on camels than on cattle and Boophilus annulatus (Say) infests cattle. Below 1500 m, B. kohlsi Hoogst. & Kaiser is more abundant on goats than on sheep. Haemaphysails sulcata C. & F. infests sheep in certain highland areas. Hyalomma dromedarii Koch is the most prevalent and abundant tick of livestock. H. anatolicum excavatum Koch is next in abundance on camels. The numbers of H. anatolicum anatolicum Koch vary greatly in collections from different years. Few examples of H. erythraeum Tonelli-Rondelli were taken. H. impeltatum Schultze & Schlottke and H. marginatum rufipes Koch are widely distributed; the former is most abundant in coastal lowlands, the latter in humid habitats. H. arabica Pegram, Hoogst. & Wassef is recorded from goats, and also sheep, in southern hills. Immature examples of Hyalomma spp. are especially abundant on camels and hares. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neum. is common in the highlands, as is R. simus Koch below 2000 m. Species of the R. sanguineus (Latr.) group occur on some livestock.
The cone of Cyclostigma kiltorkense Haughton, from the Upper Devonian of Ireland

Cyclostigma kiltorkense Haughton (Upper Devonian, Ireland) is preserved as a compression fossil in which the plant material has been replaced by chlorite. Surprisingly fine detail is observable when the material is immersed in xylene. Re -examination of old material, and specimens from a new exposure at Kiltorcan Hill shows that the leaf scar has parichnos cicatricules but no evidence of a ligule. The cone is heterosporous, with a, Lepidostrobus organization to the cone, and the sporophyll lamina has a fimbriate margin. The megaspores have an apical prominence and spines, and conform to the dispersed spore genus Lagenicula. One mega-spore appears to have germinated, to form a protruding gametophyte. Cyclostigma is closer to Carboniferous forms than to any Devonian lycopod.
Real effects of financial market integration: does lower home bias lead to welfare benefits?†

This paper proposes equity home bias as a proxy for financial integration in the ongoing empirical debate on the impact of financial integration on economic growth. In integrated markets, investors are expected to take full advantage of the potential for international diversification. The extent of equity home bias (i.e. overinvesting in domestic stocks and foregoing gains from international diversification) provides a relevant quantity-based measure of financial integration. Using different techniques to compute home bias, this paper investigates whether countries with lower home bias experience faster economic growth. Additionally, the analysis extends to the link between (decreasing) home bias and international risk sharing and income inequality. The results suggest that financial integration, proxied by the decreasing equity home bias, is positively associated with economic growth and international risk sharing. At the same time, it appears that higher financial integration pairs with higher income inequality.
The effect of Tarsonemus fragariae Zimmermann (Acarina: Tarsonemidae) on strawberry yields

SUMMARY Experimental plots, arranged within commercial strawberry fields, were used to study the effect of Tarsonemus fragariae infestations on strawberry yields. Yields and the mean weight of individual fruits were inversely related to mite infestation levels. Yield reductions of over 50% were attributable to this pest.
Longevity of windthrown logs in a subalpine forest of central Colorado

The number of years since tree death for wind-thrown logs of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) was used to examine the longevity of this component of coarse woody debris in an old-growth subalpine forest in the central Rocky Mountains. Death dates of downed logs were determined by dendrochronological cross-dating methods. We were able to determine death dates for 73 logs from both species, the oldest being a lodgepole pine dead 139 years ago. Sound lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce logs lying on the ground persisted for many decades with a majority of their volume intact. No difference was seen in decay classes of logs collected from two primary study sites on opposite (north and south) exposures. There was also no significant difference in decay classes between the two species, although lodgepole pine logs were in general older than Engelmann spruce logs within any decay class. There was little decrease in the specific gravity of wood remaining in logs with time, although there was a corresponding greater loss of wood volume. Resume : Les auteurs ont utilise le nombre d'annees ecoulees depuis la mort des arbres renverses par le vent, dans le cas des billes de pin lodgepole (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) et d'epinette d'Engelmann (Picea engelmannii Parry), pour etudier la longevite de cette composante des debris ligneux grossiers dans une vieille foret subalpine de la region centrale des montagnes Rocheuses. Les dates auxquelles sont morts les arbres renverses ont ete determinees a l'aide de methodes dendrochronologiques de datation croisee. Nous avons pu determiner la date de la mort de 73 billes des deux especes, la plus vieille etant un pin lodgepole mort i l y a 139 ans. Des billes saines de pin lodgepole et d'epinette d'Engelmann reposant sur le sol ont persiste pendant plusieurs decades en conservant intacte la plus grande partie de leur volume. Il n'y avait pas de difference dans les classes de decomposition des billes prelevees sur deux sites d'etude primaires qui avaient des expositions opposees (nord et sud). Il n'y avait pas non plus de difference significative dans les classes de decomposition entre les deux especes, meme si les billes de pin lodgepole etaient generalement plus vieilles que les billes d'epinette d'Engelmann, peu importe la classe de decomposition. La masse specifique du bois encore present dans les billes diminuait peu avec le temps meme si la perte correspondante de volume de bois etait plus grande. (Traduit par la Redaction) Notes 936
Effects of pre‐feeding of a corn silage‐based supplement on the feed intake, milk production and nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows

Four Holstein cows were used to determine the effect of timing of the feeding of a corn silage (CS)-based supplement on the feed intake, milk production and nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows. The cows were fed the supplement 2 h before grazing (pre-grazing) or immediately after grazing (post-grazing). Cows were grazed for 5 h per day under a rotational grazing system. There was no difference in the herbage and total feed intake between treatments. The milk protein yield for pre-grazing tended to be higher than that for post-grazing, whereas the milk yield did not differ between treatments. The total nitrogen intake for pre-grazing tended to be higher than that for post-grazing (P = 0.06). There was no difference in the urinary nitrogen output between treatments, whereas the proportion of urinary nitrogen output : total nitrogen intake for pre-grazing tended to be lower than that for post-grazing (P = 0.06). The milk nitrogen output and nitrogen retention for pre-grazing tended to be higher than that for post-grazing (milk nitrogen, P = 0.06; nitrogen retention, P = 0.05). Nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows was improved by feeding a CS-based supplement before grazing.
The components of career capital for knowledge workers in the global economy

The impact of globalization, demographic changes and technological advancements among other factors, have been driving new forms of organization, new ways of working and new characteristics in individuals and employees (Ohmae 2001). The purpose and direction of a knowledge worker's career is no longer confined to a single employer boundary and is seen to be the responsibility of the employee. Therein lies the opportunity for individuals to understand, manage and leverage this dynamic context for career progression and growth through the accumulation and implementation of relevant and valued career capital. This research investigated empirically the components, formation, differentiating features and interplay between the components of career capital. A de facto model of career capital emerged from the research that represents an integrated view of the components of career capital that are recognized in the new global economy, thereby validating the literature review and contributing new insight. The outcome of this research could facilitate knowledge workers in enhancing their career capital and could provide a platform for the management of knowledge workers.
Otiorhynchus smreczynskii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) – a new to Estonia and Lithuania weevil species with notes on its occurrence and bionomy in the Eastern Baltic region

Information on the distribution and bionomy of Otiorhynchus smreczynskii Cmoluch, 1968 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Eastern Baltic region is presented. This weevil species is reported from Lithuania and Estonia for the first time. A large population of the species was discovered in Daugavpils (Latvia), where it was observed on Syringa vulgaris, S. villosa, Ligustrum vulgare, Ribes alpinum, Spiraea chamaedrifolia, Cydonia oblonga and Aronia melanocarpa. Pictures of O. smreczynskii aedeagus are presented for the first time. Illustrations of typical leaf-edge-cuts made by this weevil are given.
On the Pollination Ecology of Ficus Sycomorus in East Africa

Pollination and seed setting in ficus sycomorus have been investigated in East Africa. Ficus sycomorus is monoecious, each fig bearing both male and female flowers. Inside the figs 6 sycophilous wasps develop: Ceratosolen arabicus, Ceratosolen galili and sycophaga sycomori (primary sycophiles), and Apocrypta sp. , Eukoebelea sp. and Sycoryctes sp. (secondary sycophiles). The structure and behavior of these wasps and their bearing on pollination and seed productionare studied. Ceratosolen arabiacus is the legitimate pollinator of Ficus sycomorus. It oviposits chiefly into short—styled female flowers, thus ensuring seed setting in the long—styled ones. It is a mutualistic symbiont of the fig. Sycophaga sycomori oviposits into both short— and long—styled flowers, and does not cause seed setting. It is a competitor of Ceratosolen, but a parasite of the fig. Eukoebelea, Apocrypta and Sycoryctes are inquilines, making use of galls induced by the activity of the primary sycophiles. They do not interfere with seed production in pollinated flowers not occupied by Ceratosolen or Sycophaga.
Changes in understorey plant species richness following logging and prescribed burning in shrubby dry sclerophyll forests of south‐eastern Australia

The impacts of prescribed burning and timber harvesting on species diversity have been the subject of considerable debate. The temporal and spatial scale of these disturbances often presents major limitations to many studies. Here we present the medium-term results of a planned long-term study examining the impacts of logging and prescribed burning on the understorey floristic richness in shrubby dry sclerophyll forest in the south-east of New South Wales, Australia. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the effect of environmental factors and disturbance variables on species richness at the coupe (∼30 ha) and plot (∼0.01 ha) scale. At the plot scale, fire effects on separate components of the vegetation were broadly consistent with other studies, with frequent fire resulting in a relative increase of species richness for species less than 1 m in height and a decline of larger species taller than this height. At the coupe scale, there was no decline in richness of larger shrub species, possibly owing to the spatial heterogeneity of fire frequency at this scale. Logging resulted in significantly greater species richness in the shrub layer, but had no significant effect on species richness in the ground layer. During the study period, there was a general decline in plant species richness at both coupe and plot scales which occurred independently of imposed management regimes. This is thought to be related to a natural succession following wildfire, and may be due to the absence of high-intensity fire in the study area since 1973, or to an effect related to season of burning.
Enzymatic synthesis of epoxy fatty acid starch ester in ionic liquid–organic solvent mixture from vernonia oil

In this study, epoxy fatty acid esters of cassava starch were synthesized by reacting cassava starch with vernonia oil methyl ester (epoxy ester) using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [C4C1Im][PF6] ionic liquid (IL) as a reaction medium and DMSO as co-solvent. Lipase Candida antarctica fraction B (Novozyme 435) was used as a catalyst for the esterification reaction. In the optimized reaction conditions, a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.95 was achieved, at a reaction temperature of 40°C within 72 h of reaction time. The new cassava starch esters were characterized by infrared (FTIR), solid state NMR (CP/MAS 13C NMR), SEM, XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and DSC. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy analyses confirmed the successful esterification of starch and the DS was calculated to be 0.95 by titration methods. SEM and XRD studies showed that the morphology and crystallinity of native cassava starch were significantly changed upon esterification producing a continuous and amorphous material. Finally, the thermal behavior of the native and the starch vernolate was investigated using TGA and DSC techniques. The results revealed a change in the characteristic melting point and decomposition pattern of the new polymer. The onset decomposition temperature of the new starch vernolate is similar to the native form.
Probing cilia-driven flow in living embryos using femtosecond laser ablation and fast imaging

Embryonic development strictly depends on fluid dynamics. As a consequence, understanding biological fluid dynamic is essential since it is unclear how flow affects development. For example, the specification of the left-right axis in vertebrates depends on fluid flow where beating cilia generate a directional flow necessary for breaking the embryonic symmetry in the so-called left-right organizer. To investigate flow dynamics in vivo proper labeling methods necessitate approaches that are compatible with both normal biology and in vivo imaging. In this study, we describe a strategy for labeling and analyzing microscopic fluid flows in vivo that meets this challenge. We developed an all-optical approach based on three steps. First we used sub-cellular femtosecond laser ablation to generate fluorescent micro-debris to label the flow. The non-linear effect used in this technique allows a high spatial confinement and a low invasiveness, thus permitting the targeting of sub-cellular regions deep inside the embryo. Then, we used fast confocal imaging and 3D-particle tracking were used to image and quantify the seeded flow. This approach was used to investigate the flow generated within zebrafish left-right organizer, a micrometer scale ciliated vesicle located deep inside the embryo and involved in breaking left-right embryonic symmetry. We mapped the velocity field within the vesicle and surrounding a single beating cilium, and showed that this method can address the dynamics of cilia-driven flows at multiple length scales. We could validate the flow features as predicted from previous simulations. Such detailed descriptions of fluid movements will be valuable in unraveling the relationships between cilia-driven flow and signal transduction. More generally, this all-optical approach opens new opportunities for investigating microscopic flow in living tissues.
Reviving the Caliphate in the Nusantara: Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia's Mobilization Strategy and Its Impact in Indonesia

Hizbut Tahrir (HT) is a transnational Islamic movement operating in over forty-five countries. Literature on HT has focused mainly on its activities in Central Asia and Europe. As such, when the HT chapter in Indonesia organized the largest-ever political gathering staged by HT, many observers were caught by surprise. Yet despite the importance of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), little is known about the organization in the English-speaking world. This paper is an attempt to present empirical data on this group. The paper argues that HTI's usage of different mobilization strategies has resulted in its ability to effect policy changes in Indonesia.
A reappraisal of Utegenia, a Permo-Carboniferous seymouriamorph (Tetrapoda: Batrachosauria) from Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT Several specimens of the seymouriamorph Utegenia from the Upper Carboniferous or the Lower Permian of Southern Kazakhstan are described and illustrated for the first time. Utegenia is represented by several larval and post-metamorphic individuals, but a fully mature specimen has not been discovered. Comparisons to other seymouriamorphs indicate that Utegenia is a valid genus characterized by seven diagnostic characters: narrow postorbitalsupratemporal contact; narrow dorsal flange of the postparietal and tabular; absence of a maxilla-quadratojugal contact; presence of an extensive shagreen of denticles on the parasphenoid; broad cultriform process; high presacral count; and presence of gastralia. Other characters previously used to diagnose Utegenia may reflect the juvenile condition of the known specimens. The taxonomic position of Utegenia is problematic but preliminary evidence suggests that it may be the sister-group of most other known seymouriamorphs.
Article isolation of a calcium-binding peptide from enzymatic hydrolysates of porcine blood plasma protein

A calcium-binding peptide was purified from hydrolysates of porcine plasma protein. Porcine plasma protein was hydrolyzed using Flavourzyme, and the hydrolysates were filtered using YM-3 membrane. The membrane filtered solution was fractionated using Sephadex G-15, normal phase high-performance liquid, ion exchange chromatography, and fast protein liquid chromatography for a calcium-binding peptide. The sequence of the purified calcium-binding peptide was analyzed using liquid chromatography/electron spray ionization tandem mass spectrum and identified to be Val-Ser-Gly-Val-Glu-Asp-Val-Asn. The calcium- binding peptide can be used as a food ingredient or feed for calcium deficiency.