Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biology and ecology of a mesquite twig girdler, Oncideres rhodosticta, in West Texas.

Oncideres rhodosticta Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) causes severe pruning of small branches of mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa Torr. , in many areas of Texas. Adults emerge from galleries in girdled branches from late August through November. They feed on tender bark of mesquite around the buds, thorns, and small limbs. Eacli female girdles about one branch and deposits about 8 elliptically ovate eggs beneath the bark of the branch. Within 10–14 days, 98% of the eggs hatch and the larvae feed upon the sapwood, opening the oviposition scar to expel frass after about 3 months. Pupation occurs in late August and early September and is preceded by a prepupal stage. Each larva consumes about 1.44 cc of mesquite wood during its development. Parasites and predators kill 15–22% of the larvae while 34–55% die from undetermined causes. Larvae are attacked by parasites in the families Chalcedectidae, Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae, and Eurytomidae, as well as by predators in the family Cleridae. Twig girdler larvae may compete for space and food with other cerambycids and several species of bostrichids. About 31% of all girdled branches are broken off by wind storms and livestock before adults emerge, resulting in high mortality of the larvae from high temperatures in the branches near the soil surface.
Phenotyping of robustness and milk quality

A phenotype describes the outcome of the interacting development between the genotype of an individual and its specific environment throughout life. Animal breeding currently exploits large data sets of phenotypic and pedigree information to estimate the genetic merit of animals. Here we describe rapid, low-cost phenomic tools for dairy cattle. We give particular emphasis to infrared spectroscopy of milk because the necessary spectral data are already routinely available on milk samples from individual cows and herds, and therefore the operational cost of implementing such a phenotyping strategy is minimal. The accuracy of predicting milk quality traits from mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) analysis of milk, although dependent on the trait under investigation, is particularly promising for differentiating between good and poor-quality dairy products. Many fatty acid concentrations in milk, and in particular saturated fatty acid content, can be very accurately predicted from milk MIR. These results have been confirmed in many international populations. Albeit from only two studied populations investigated in the RobustMilk project, milk MIR analysis also appears to be a reasonable predictor of cow energy balance, a measure of animal robustness; high accuracy of prediction was not expected as the gold standard method of measuring energy balance in those populations was likely to contain error. Because phenotypes predicted from milk MIR are available routinely from milk testing, longitudinal data analyses could be useful to identify animals of superior genetic merit for milk quality and robustness, as well as for monitoring changes in milk quality and robustness because of management, while simultaneously accounting for the genetic merit of the animals. These sources of information can be very valuable input parameters in decision-support tools for both milk producers and processors.
Effect of Allelic Variation of Glutenin Subunits and Gliadins on Baking Quality in the Progeny of Two Biotypes of Bread Wheat cv. Ulla

Abstract During the determination of the HMW glutenin subunit composition of Finnish varieties, the variety Ulla was observed to contain two biotypes which differed from each other at two loci: Glu-A1 and Glu-A3/Gli-A1 . One of them, called Ulla 1, contained subunit 2* ( Glu-A1b ) and Glu-A3 o /Gli-A1 o, and Ulla 2 contained the null allele ( Glu-A1 c) and Glu-A3 a/ Gli-A1 c. In order to determine the effect of this allelic variation on quality, the two biotypes were crossed and random lines were produced from the progeny by single seed descent. In total, 95 F6 lines were analysed from four bulked Ulla progeny lines. Significant interaction between the allelic variants of HMW glutenins and LMW gluten proteins affected the SDS-sedimentation volume at the mean flour protein level of 13·1% (dmb); the effect of LMW gluten variants was larger in the lines deficient of a HMW glutenin subunit than in lines having a HMW glutenin subunit (2*). At the higher flour protein levels (mean=15·1%, dmb) the effect on SDS-sedimentation volume was additive; progeny carrying alleles b (subunit 2*) and o/o at Glu-A1 and Glu-A3/Gli-A1 had significantly greater sedimentation volumes than the progeny carrying alleles c (no subunit) and a/c, respectively. The SDS-sedimentation volumes indicated differences in the quantities of the polymeric glutenins, gel proteins which have been shown to reflect dough strength. In the four bulked Ulla progeny lines, the variation in HMW glutenin subunits affected the dough strength values of the Extensigraph. However, the variation in LMW glutenin subunits did not affect Extensigraph dough strength values, as was predicted by SDS-sedimentation volumes. In the Ulla progeny, adding a HMW glutenin subunit affected Extensigraph dough strength more than adding a LMW glutenin subunit, although both increased the SDS-sedimentation volumes. Moreover, the variation in LMW gluten proteins affected the dough mixing stability in the Farinograph and test baking results of the Ulla progeny.
Mechanical characterisation of a bamboo fibre/polylactic acid composite produced by fused deposition modelling

Polymer matrices are usually reinforced with fibres giving a good strength/weight ratio. Currently, innovative research has been focussed in producing new composite materials using natural fibres as an alternative sustainable material. In the present work, the mechanical behaviour of a composite based on polylactic acid reinforced with bamboo fibre produced by additive manufacturing was evaluated. Specimens were manufactured using fused deposition modelling with different geometry depositions, layer thicknesses and fill densities. The results were evaluated performing an analysis of variance with a confidence level of 95%. The composites were subjected to mechanical testing to evaluate the influence of process parameters in tensile strength, strain, and elastic modulus. It was observed that the principal factors that influence the elasticity are the deposition geometry and fill density. Fracture zones and manufacturing defects were additionally studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The vertical orientation of the layers causes the premature rupture of the test samples due to the tension being reverted at the interface between the layers. The specimens showed slight adhesion between the polylactic acid matrix and the bamboo fibres. This effect was related with the presence of porosity, cracks and local deformations in the composite material.
Developing Creativity

a distinguished profession. When I was asked to address this group on the general topic of creativity and how to develop it, I was at first disturbed; Creativity has been a subject of loose conversation by me and around me for years, but I for one had never set down any hard, closely reasoned discussion of the matter. This invitation has caused me to attempt to do so. Also, I believe most industrial research and engineering operators operate pretty much on the same pattern-more concentration on identifying the creative person than on creating and fostering creative people. Accordingly, I shall attempt today a brief discussion of what creativity is, the current interest in creativity, and its recognition, development, and motivation.
Influence of oral administration of allyl trenbolone on subsequent litter size of primiparous sows

Abstract Sixty-eight primiparous sows from 3 farms were used in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, 14 Large White and 14 Landrace sows were either fed allyl trenbolone at a rate of 30 mg/day for the last 10 days of a 28-day lactation or served as untreated controls. There was no treatment effect on the number of sows showing oestrus, the weaning-oestrus interval, synchronisation of oestrus, or conception rate after first service. Mean litter size at birth in treated sows was increased, but not significantly so (P > 0.05), by 0.7 live pigs per litter. In experiment 2, 40 crossbred sows of Large White/Landrace breeding on two farms were either fed allyl trenbolone at 30 mg daily for the first 7 days after weaning or were untreated controls. Treated sows had only a slightly longer weaning- mating interval and the onset of oestrus was more synchronous. No oestrous behaviour was noted during treatment with the progestagen and there was no effect on the number of sows eventually displaying oestrus, or conception r.
Cranchiids of the South Atlantic Mid-Oceanic Ridge: results from the first southern MAR-ECO expedition

Cranchiids were the most diverse squid family collected during the first southern MAR-ECO expedition in late 2009, with nine taxa identified to species. A total of 45 young specimens were collected (mantle length 7.4–59.2 mm), allowing a survey of early ontogenetic tentacular morphology in cranchiids using scanning electron micrographs. Paralarval tentacular sucker morphology appeared similar among species within the same subfamily: in the Cranchiinae, the paralarval suckers possess relatively large, narrowly polygonal or ovoid-faced pegs in the innermost ring around the aperture, and the infundibular ring lacks the dentition observed in most taoniin genera. Hook development in Galiteuthis armata appears to vary widely among small individuals. Tissue samples were also collected from five genera (Cranchia, Galiteuthis, Helicocranchia, Leachia and Teuthowenia); phylogenetic trees (maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods) built using these cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences and others available from GenBank show some support for the subfamilies Cranchiinae and Taoniinae, and that within the latter, the hooked taxa group together. It is hoped that reporting this opportunistic systematic and genetic information may be of eventual assistance in helping to resolve this most problematic of squid families.
Flora of Pakistan

This book, shedding light as it does on the unique edible fruits of southern Oceania, is long overdue. It treats in detail 50 species of indigenous fruits, with a tabular summary presented at the back of the volume for 157 species (including the 50 covered in the text) that are eaten on islands between New Guinea and the Cook Islands. While not covering the full geographic breadth of Oceania (thus rendering the title overly ambitious) this slim, flexi-bound volume does cover in depth four specific island groups—Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, and New Guinea (specifically, the Ankave people)—as exemplars of the places where tropical fruits are eaten and used in the broader region of Oceania. It does an admirable job. Opening chapters provide a glossary, introduce the four study regions, introduce the book, explain traditional alimentation and arboriculture in Oceania, and then lead into the main text. In the main text, or ‘‘ethnobotanical inventory of fruiting species,’’ the 50 species are arranged alphabetically by scientific name; synonymy is minimal. Each species account begins with a box that includes family name, common names, consumption, part eaten, and toxicity, followed by a brief botanical description, a map, illustration, and paragraphs for ecology and exploitation, alimentary uses, other uses, and related species with notes. There are copious illustrations, both line drawings and color photographs, which depict the plants, fruits, and ethnobotanical practices. And what sorts of fruits will one find covered here? Not your typical tropical fruit medley! Even the genera will be unfamiliar to many exotic fruit enthusiasts and ethnobotanists. Ever hear of Aceratium, Burckella, Finschia, Pipturus, or Pometia? Likely not, for those living outside the Oceanian region. Each of these, and many others, has a fascinating story told within the pages of Fruits of Oceania. Following the main text are a series of indexes and lists: synonyms for the accepted names used in the text, vernacular names in detail, index of scientific names, index of common names, a list of herbarium specimen vouchers, and indexes of distribution maps, botanical illustrations, and photographs. I could not find anything to quibble with in the book itself, but I do have a complaint about getting access to it. Like many government agencies, ACIAR is set up to spend public funds, not to make money, so they tend to be unresponsive to requests for their products. My email inquiry about Fruits of Oceania has never been answered. Fortunately, I was offered a review copy so the lack of reply from ACIAR did not prevent me from obtaining this book. But would that it were in commercial production, where any inquiry from a prospective buyer brings prompt attention! I hope others will be luckier than I in finding ways to obtain it. This reference is well worth pursuing and I encourage anyone with an interest in Pacific cultures, peoples, and plants, exotic fruit species, or arboriculture to seek it out. My copy now occupies, and deservedly so, a place in the first rank of references closest to my work station.
The effect of boar breed type on reproduction, production performance and carcass and meat quality in pigs

Pietrain). There were no effects of purebred versus crossbred boar breed type on reproductive performance or on production performance of progeny. The only car-cass evaluation parameter affected was V measurement (backfat thickness at the edge of the eye muscle) which was 2 mm thicker (P < 0.05) for the progeny of crossbred boars. Meat from pigs of purebred boars breed had a higher proportion of intramuscu-lar fat than that from crossbred boars breed (26.5 v 21.1 g/kg, respectively, P < 0.05). There were inconsistent effects of individual boar breed type on performance, carcass quality and meat qua lity. Producers should consider the variation between the progeny of individual boars to achieve improved production performance. There was also a lack of relationship between backfat at the P
APPEARANCE OF JUVENILE HUMPBACK WHALES FEEDING IN THE NEARSHORE WATERS OF VIRGINIA

In the western North Atlantic, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from summer feeding grounds off the coasts of the northeastern U.S., Canada, Greenland, and Iceland to winter breeding grounds in the Greater and Lesser Antilles (Leatherwood et al. 1976, Katona et al. 1983, Martin et al. 1984, NMFS 199 1). The end points of the breeding migration are well documented (Katona 1986, Mattila et al. 1989, Katona and Beard 1990); however, exact routes are not known. It is believed-that these humpback whales migrate well offshore in deep ocean waters (Winn and Reichley 1985, Stone et al. 1987, Clapham and Mattila 1990, NMFS 199 1). It has also been suggested that during the breeding migration and residency on the breeding grounds, humpback whales engage in little, if any, feeding activity (Dawbin 1966, Baraff et al. 1991). Previous research has indicated that the geographic and temporal distribution of juveniles (sexually immature) in the western North Atlantic is similar to that of other humpback whales (Goodale 1982, NMFS 1991). Most adult and newborn North Atlantic humpback whales are on breeding grounds between January and April; however, there are reported sightings in high latitude waters in these months (Williamson 1961, Katona 1986, Whitehead 1987). Little information, though, exists on the activities of juveniles during this time. Known juveniles have been reported on the outskirts of primarily adult “surface active groups” in breeding areas (Mattila et al. 1989). Segregation by age and reproductive class has been reported for migrating humpback whales in other geographically distinct areas (Nishiwaki 1959, Dawbin 1966). This segregation has not previously been documented for North Atlantic humpback whales during winter migrations (NMFS 199 1). We offer the first report of humpback whales in nearshore waters off the coast of Virginia during the months of January through March 199 1 and 1992. We observed juvenile humpback whales feeding near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, within 4 km of shore. The appearance of the whales was correlated with large aggregations of feeding birds and the presence of large schools of fishes. Our observations support the hypothesis that some juvenile humpback whales do not migrate to breeding grounds but, instead, migrate to mid-Atlantic nearshore waters apparently to feed.
A study of drug utilisation pattern in patients of chronic kidney disease at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue and widely prevalent non-communicable disease in India. CKD has a complex pharmacotherapy and it inevitably requires poly-pharmacy. CKD patients require to take medications for a lifelong period, which makes it very important to study the prescribing trends on a regular basis. The main objective of the study was to analyse current prescribing trends in the management of CKD patients and to know whether the prescribing rationality was maintained.Methods: After Institutional Ethics Committee approval, a prospective Cross-sectional study was carried out at Nephrology department of a tertiary care hospital for a period of six months from 1st June 2017 to 30th November 2017. Patients diagnosed with CKD by treating Nephrologist were included and their prescriptions were analysed to study the prescribing patterns.Results: A total of 120 cases were analysed during the study, of which 81.7% were males and 18.3% were females. Analysis of WHO core drug prescribing indicators showed that the average number of drugs prescribed per patient was 5.13, percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 30.03%, percentage of patients with an injection prescribed was 16.6%, percentage of drugs prescribed from essential medicine list was 65.8% and percentage of patients prescribed with an antibiotic was 10.8%. Antihypertensive drugs (39.9%) were the most commonly used drugs, followed by, calcium salts (12.01%), multi-vitamins (7.6%), oral iron supplements (6.8%), erythropoietin (6.3%) and ulcer protectives (6.1%). Conclusions: Maximum number of drugs were prescribed from cardiovascular class of drugs. Calcium channel blockers and diuretics were the commonest group of antihypertensives prescribed. The principle of rational prescribing was followed.
Marker-free Transgenic Tomato with Engineered Mannitol Accumulation Confers Tolerance to Multiple Abiotic Stresses

The co-transformation system using mixture of two Agrobacterium cultures, one harbouring bacterial mannitol-1- phosphate dehydrogenase (mtlD) as gene of interest, whereas the other harboring the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) marker gene for selection, was successfully used to develop selectable marker-free transgenics of tomato with engineered mannitol accumulation, to improve tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses. We have achieved high co-transformation frequency (up to 24%), and segregation frequency (up to 22-24%) for obtaining marker-free transgenics. Marker-free transgenic tomato plants resulted in mannitol accumulation, as evident by HPLC analysis, that leads to substantial protection of the vigour of the plants under multiple abiotic stress conditions, such as high salinity (up to 200 mM NaCl), drought (up to 15% PEG), and heavy-metal toxicity (up to 2 mM CdCl2). Under stress, transgenics performed well in comparison to wild type (WT), with high percentage of seed germination and seedling growth both in vitro and in vivo. They also performed better than WT, in terms of high chlorophyll content and other photosynthetic parameters such as Fv/Fm ratio, Electron Transport Rate (ETR), photosynthetic yield, and low Non Photochemical Quenching (NPQ). Thus, high mannitol level not only increases the nutritional value of the fruit, but also improves tolerance of transgenic tomato plants by increasing its physiological and photosynthetic efficiency, suggesting that carbohydrate alterations produced by mannitol biosynthesis may be linked to the stress response.
USE OF VISCOUS DAMPER AS AN ENERGY DISSIPATIVE DEVICE IN STEEL STRUCTURES

The devices which dissipates energy in civil engineering structures are taken into consideration when it comes to removing unwanted energy such as wind, earthquake and instability. The absorption of the seismic input energy in the buildings and reducing its damage are the main objectives of these devices. This study is concentrated on Energy dissipation system provided by Viscous Dampers (VD). A 3D numerical exploration is done considering the seismic response of five storey, six storey, seven storey, eight storey, nine storey, ten storey steel building moment frame with diagonal bracing as viscous damper that have linear force versus velocity behaviour. The non-linear time history of various earthquake is considered for analysis according to IS-1893 2002 and carried out using SAP2000 V14 software and comparisons between the conventional steel structure and damped steel structure are shown in a charted and graphical format. The results of the various systems are studied to evaluate the structural response, inter-storey drift, maximum roof displacement and maximum base shear with and without this device of the energy dissipation hence results obtained were discussed. The deductions from the results obtained showed an increase of the structural potential with supplemental dampers to improve its dissipative capacities. It is contributing significantly to reduce the displacements and efforts generated by the seismic loads, which consequently decreases the quantity of steel necessary for its overall stability. KeywordsSteel structure, Energy dissipation, Viscous damper, Parkfield Earthquake, Time history.
Efeito da adição de ácidos graxos em filmes à base de pectina

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram desenvolver filmes a base de pectina de baixo teor de esterificacao, amidada, com adicao dos acidos graxos laurico (AL), palmitico (AP) e estearico (AE) e caracteriza-los quanto as propriedades de permeabilidade ao vapor de agua (PVA) e ao oxigenio, propriedades mecânicas (tensao de ruptura e elongacao), solubilidade em agua e opacidade, alem de observar a morfologia da superficie dos filmes utilizando microscopia eletronica de varredura (MEV). A adicao de 12 e 18% dos acidos promoveu aumento da PVA e da elongacao e reducao da tensao de ruptura, em relacao aos filmes com 6% de acido graxo. Todos os filmes apresentaram-se 100% soluveis em agua e mais opacos quando os acidos graxos foram adicionados. A partir da MEV, foi observado que os acidos graxos nao se incorporaram a matriz filmogenica.
Induction of resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica) in cauliflower by DL‐β‐amino‐n‐butanoic acid (BABA)

Of the three isomers of aminobutyric acid, only the β isomer (BABA) was effective in inducing resistance against Peronospora parasitica, the causal agent of downy mildew, in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). A single foliar spray applied to 7-day-old seedlings protected the plants against Peronospora parasitica for at least 15 days. Of the enantiomers (R and S), only the R was effective. Resistance was accompanied by a hypersensitive-like reaction (necrotic spots) which was evident before inoculation. BABA was systemically effective when applied to the roots, but failed to protect cotyledons adjacent to treated ones. Unlike other chemical inducers, BABA was effective when applied several hours postinoculation. It had no effect on P. parasitica spore germination. In cauliflower seedlings, BABA did not induce the accumulation of the pathogenesis-related protein PR-1, PR-2, PR-3, PR-5 and PR-9. Only treated and challenged seedlings accumulated PR-2.