Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimentally Produced Neoplasms in the Frog.∗

It has been known that the frog egg on the stage of the second polar spindle-metaphase passes into a resting period, awaiting fertilization. Under natural conditions this lasts for only a few hours, but can be delayed up to 3 days without impairing perceptibly the vigor of the egg. After a further delay of 2 days, however, the eggs are dead. In the interval the eggs gradually lose their capacity to develop into normal embryos. The abnormality of these overripe eggs becomes manifest in the following features. 1. The mechanism of control protecting normal eggs against polyspermy is impaired. As a consequence a high percentage of the overripe eggs show multiple segmentation. 2. In monosperm eggs the animal blastomeres are reduced in size, which effect seems to be due to a change in viscosity of the ovoplasm. 3. In the later development a marked tendency to produce axial duplications and supernumerary appendages is observed. These monstrosities as well as the polyspermy indicate a lack of control and coordination within the embryo and the egg. It probably is due to alterations in the cortical layer of the egg, developed during the time of overmaturing. The appearance of monstrosities during the later embryonic stages proves that such plasmatic changes eventually persist for a long time or even become permanent. 4. In the overripe egg as well as in the cells of the embryo derived from such, one finds an overabundance of light brown pigment granules. 5. The most conspicuous pathological feature is the loss of power of differentiation in the embryonic cells and the tendency to start into neoplastic growth. Concerning this point a few details may be added. The epidermis is thickened, consists of much enlarged cuboid cells and often by a wild growth gives rise to a characteristic epithelioma.
Assessment of weed management strategies and intercrop combinations on cassava yield in the middle belt of Nigeria

This study assessed the determinants of weed management strategies on yield of cassava in Kogi State, Nigeria using the ordinary least square regression analysis. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 450 cassava farmers in the state in 2009. The result showed that there was a significant difference in the yield of cassava between plots applied with herbicides and plots without herbicide application. The common herbicides used by the farmers were Primextra GoldO(Atrazine 370 g + S-metolachlor 290 g per litre), GalexO(Metobromuron 250 g + Metolachlor 250 g per litre), Cotoran multi® 500EC (Fluometuron 250 g + metolachlor 250 g per litre), Codal Gold® 412.5DC (250 g prometryn + 162.5 g per litre) and Fusilade Forte® 150 EC (150 g Fluazifop-p-butyl per litre) and Dual Gold® (960 g S-metolachlor per litre). Except Fusilade Forte® that was applied post-emergence to the weeds, the herbicides were mostly applied preemergence to both crops and weeds. Mean yield of cassava for plots applied with herbicides was 8,199 kg/ha and 6,999 kg/ha for plots with zero herbicide application. The study found a significant (p ≤ 0.05) negative relationship between age of farmer and cassava yield. Education, use of herbicides, hand weeding, slashing and intercrop with melon had a significant ( p ≤ 0.01) positive relationship with cassava yield. The coefficients for household size, farming experience and intercrop with okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were positively associated with cassava yield at 10.0% level of probability. Implicit in these results is that weed management strategies should be aimed at the use of herbicides, subsequent hand weeding or slashing, as well as intercrop with crop such as okra and melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.). Also to encourage experienced farmers to remain in production, there should be policy advocacy on free education and intensification of extension education to farmers. Key words: Weed management, cassava yield, ordinary least square regression.
The Myth of Functional Analysis as a Special Method in Sociology and Anthropology

Several lines of analysis show that functionalism is not a special method within sociology or social anthropology. First, the definitions most commonly agreed upon make functionalism synonymous with sociological analysis, and make non-functionalism synonymous with either reductionist theories or pure description. Second, the issues raised with respect to functionalism, except insofar as they spring from the ambiguities of words like "function," are really the basic issues or questions of sociological theory. Third, historically the rise of functionalism represented a revolt against reductionist theories, anti-theoretical empiricism, and moralistic or ideological views under the name of sociology or social anthropology. Although functionalism may have been salutary at the time it arose, the ambiguities of its special terminology make the myth that it is a special method a liability now. It seems wise to abandon the myth for the sake of increased clarity and efficiency.
Some aspects of the reproductive biology of albacore Thunnus alalunga from the western Mediterranean Sea

Thunnus alalunga is an important commercial tuna species widely distributed in the three major oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean population is currently classified as a data-poor stock and little is known about its basic life history parameters. This study provides the first detailed information on some aspects of the reproductive biology of T. alalunga from the western Mediterranean Sea. A total of 16 104 specimens were measured between 2005 and 2012. The overall sex ratio of females to males was 1.1:1, although the ratio was female biased in fish <70 cm fork length (LF) and male biased in those >75 cm LF. Histological analysis of the ovaries (N = 587) and the monthly variation of the gonadosomatic index for both sexes showed that spawning occurred from June to August, which is a much shorter period than the 7 months reported for T. alalunga in tropical oceanic waters. Thunnus alalunga caught during June and July are capable of spawning daily. The gonadosomatic index values for T. alalunga from the western Mediterranean were up to eight times higher than those of T. alalunga from other oceans. Histological examination of the ovaries showed that the minimum length at sexual maturity of females was 56 cm LF, which is considerably smaller than those estimated for other stocks.
Diving depths of two tropical Pelecaniformes : The Red-tailed tropicbird and the Red-footed Booby

The diving ability of two tropical Pelecaniformes, the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) and the Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) was studied on Europa Island, southern Mozambique Channel, using capillary depth recorders fitted on breeding adults. Both species mainly exploited the first 4 m of the water column. Although such a depth can be reached solely by passive plunge diving, the range of depths reached by the two species suggests that they may, at least sometimes, use their feet and wings to perform active underwater pursuit swimming. Intra-specific comparison of the depth reached by Red-tailed Tropicbirds also suggests that this species may change its diving behavior seasonally.
ADAPTIVE EVOLUTION IN THE AVIAN WING

The form of a bird's wing is so basically important to the successful exploitation of an ecological niche that it inevitably yields many instructive examples of adaptive evolution. It also provides interesting examples of convergence, as is to be expected of a structure that contributes materially to such important functions as locomotion and the obtaining of food. It may therefore be profitable to examine the principal categories of wing type (using the word aerodynamically rather than anatomically) and to see how they correlate with special requirements. Space does not warrant a full discussion of the function of an airfoil, which is readily obtainable in adequate detail from elementary treatments of aircraft aerodynamics, such as those issued for pilot training; but attention must be drawn to some points that are vital to an appreciation of the various adaptions with which we are concerned.
Determinants of Laplacians on discretizations of flat surfaces and analytic torsion

We study the asymptotic expansion of the determinants of the graph Laplacians associated to discretizations of a half-translation surface endowed with a unitary ﬂat vector bundle. By doing so, over the discretizations, we relate the asymptotic expansion of the number of spanning trees and the partition function of cycle-rooted spanning forests, weighted by the monodromy of the unitary connection of the vector bundle, to the corresponding zeta-regularized determinants. Résumé. Nous étudions le développement asymptotique des déterminants de laplaciens des graphes asso-ciésauxdiscrétisationsd’unesurfacededemi-translationmunied’unﬁbrévectorielhermitienplat. Ainsi,sur lesdiscrétisations,nousmettonsenrelationlesdéterminantszêta-régularisésavecledéveloppementasymp-totiquedunombred’arbrescouvrantsetlafonctiondepartitiondesforêtscouvrantesd’unicyclesd’unpoids déterminé par la monodromie de la connexion unitaire du ﬁbré vectoriel hermitien.
Exploration on Perceptions of Suicidal Ideation Among Students of Higher Education

One of the world's leading causes of death among teenagers aged 15-29 is suicide. Students of higher institutions also involved in the specific group that was reported to have a high level of suicidal ideation. Thus, in order to overcome this issue, all factors that influence suicidal ideation should be identified. This article is intended to identify the factor that influences suicidal ideation among higher learning education students based on their perceptions. This study was conducted using a qualitative method using semi-structured interview questions to explore participants’ perceptions towards suicidal ideation among students of higher learning institutions. As for data collection method, two focus group discussions were identified as main instrument. The findings show that factors identified to influence the existence of suicidal ideation among students of higher learning institutions can be categorized into two categories, external factors, and internal factors. These factors are peer pressure, pressure from society, social media influences, family factors, financial factors, intrapersonal and individual interpersonal factors, and low self-esteem factor. This study also found that counsellors and other professional bodies such as psychologists were not the choices of participants to express a problem that led to their suicidal ideation.
Merops Migration at Tanjung Tuan, Malaysia: An Important Spring Bee-eater Migration Watchsite in South-east Asia

Counts of migrating Blue-tailed Bee-eaters Merops philippinus and Blue- throated Bee-eaters M. viridis, were made in March 2000 and 2001 at Tanjung Tuan, a coastal migration watchsite in western Malaysia. A total of 2,226 bee-eaters of these two species (12.9 bee-eaters/hour) was counted on 26 days of observation in these two seasons. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater comprised 60.8% (1,353 birds) of bee-eaters that could be identified, whereas the Blue-throated Bee-eater was much less abundant, comprising 10.0% of the individuals (222). Significantly more bee-eaters were counted when winds had a westerly component (NW, W or SW) than when winds were from other directions. Bee-eater migration is a regular and predictable event at Tanjung Tuan each spring, leading us to recommend that additional spring counts be made at this Southeast Asian migration watchsite.
Interactions between mycophagous Drosophila and their nematode parasites: from physiological to community ecology

Although community-level effects of parasites have been documented where parasites invade new areas, there is relatively little information on such effects in natural host-parasite systems. The present study examines how an indigenous parasitic nematode, Howardula aoronymphium, may affect the structure of mycophagous Drosophila communities in eastern North America. A field-cage experiment demonstrated that the competitive superiority of Drosophila putrida over Drosophila falleni was diminished by the parasites. This probably results from D. putrida being more severely affected than D. falleni by the parasites. Across the eastern United States, the relative abundance of D. putrida is much greater in areas where H. aoronymphium is absent. The geographical distribution of H. aoronymphia appears to be governed largely by temperature, occurring only north of the 27°C isotherm of mean July temperature. In the laboratory, growth and reproduction of nematodes is arrested at 29°C, and transmission rates drop to zero at 27°C and above. Because potential hosts are abundant in the southern United States, the absence of H. aoronymphium from this region is most likely due to its intolerance of high temperature. These results suggest that the physiological ecology of a parasitic nematode contributes to geographical variation in the relative abundance of its host species
Sterol Composition of the Indian Green Lipped Mussel Perna virdis

Sterol composition of green lipped mussel Perna virdis was analysed using GCMS. Cholesterol was found to be the dominant sterol (54.162% of the total sterol content). Other sterols such as Cholesta-5,22-dien-3-ol (3β), ergosta-5,22-dien-3-ol (3 β,22E, 24S), 26,26-dimethyl-5,24 (28)-Ergostadien-3β-ol, 26-nor-5cholesten- 3β-ol, stigmasterol and γ sitosterol were also detected. Presence of phytosterols like stigmasterol and γ sitosterol underlines high nutritional potential and food value of this bivalve mollusk.
Evaluation of Metabolisable Energy Indices Following Experimental Salinomycin Toxicosis in Sheep

Evaluation of Metabolisable Energy Indices Following Experimental Salinomycin Toxicosis in Sheep Salinomycin is an ionophore with antimicrobial properties. It is a dietary additive used as a growth promoter for ruminants and as a coccidiostat in chickens. However, overdosage or misuse situations can lead to a series of toxic syndromes. There are some reports with respect to the poisoning of animals with this agent used in high concentration in feed by mistake. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of salinomycin on variables related to energy metabolism such as glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esteritified fatty acid (NEFA), lactate, lipids (cholesterol and triglyceride) and lipoproteins (HDL, LDL and VLDL) in sheep.
Estimation of Animal Abundance When Capture Probabilities Are Low and Heterogeneous

Obtaining reliable estimates of abundance or relative abundance under conditions of low numbers of captures and recaptures is crucial to properly assess population status of species that are of management concern; however, these characteristics make estimation difficult. We applied the commonly used jackknife (Burnham and Overton 1978, 1979) and moment (Chao 1988) estimators of abundance to capture-recapture data from northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) populations that had low (p ≅ 0.10), heterogeneous, capture probabilities and low densities (approx 2 squirrels/ha). The jackknife estimator selection procedure, higher-order jackknife estimators, and moment estimator were sensitive to the number of trapping occasions. These estimators tended to have low precision. Comparisons of estimators suggested specific, lower-order jackknife estimators performed well. Monte Carlo simulations corroborated results from field data. The moment estimator tended to have low bias, but the high root mean square error made the estimator less reliable than lower-order jackknife estimators. First- and second-order jackknife estimators tended to be the most reliable (low bias and precise) estimators when the number of trapping occasions (t) was ≥ 12. However, confidence interval coverage (% replications in which the constructed confidence interval included true N) was low with the first-order jackknife estimator, reflecting the negative bias of the variance estimator. We improved confidence interval coverage by an ad hoc adjustment to the variance estimator; coverage with the adjusted estimator approached the nominal 90% level at t ≥ 12. Reliable estimates of abundance can be achieved under conditions often encountered in field studies (small N and low, heterogeneous, capture probabilities) with lower-order jackknife estimators, a modification of the variance estimator for the first-order jackknife estimator, and ≥ 12 trapping occasions
The accuracy of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of Saba Q Issa ovarian malignancy in Iraqi patients in comparison with histopathology

Background: Ovarian malignancy is considered to score the highest fatality among women due to lack of significant symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment lead to good prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a major role in the diagnosis by detecting the lesions and assessing their appearance and consistency. Objective: To determine the accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy and comparing this to histopathology as a gold standard test. Patients and methods: A follow up study was conducted in the MRI unit of the Radiology Department in Baghdad Teaching Hospital / Baghdad Medical City Complex during the period from 1 st of February to 31 st of December, 2017 on a group of thirty women with clinically suspected adnexal mass(es). All patients were examined with MRI including the diffusion-weighted imaging. Surgical specimens were taken for histopathology assessment. Results: A total of 30 women with adnexal mass were included in this study, with a mean age of 46.8±14.9 years. The MRI T1W image of the cystic part was dark in (60%), while the T2W image of the cystic part was bright (80%), T2W of the solid part was bright in (53.3%), T2W fat saturation of the solid part was bright in the majority (73.3%). T1W fat suppression contrast-enhanced of the solid part was avid in 66.7% of women with an adnexal mass; DWI of the solid part was bright in (76.7%). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value by MRI for women with adnexal mass was 0.9±0.3x103 mm2/sec. Histopathology mainly revealed mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in (10%) and low-grade serous adenocarcinoma in (10%). Validity of the results of MRI regarding malignant adnexal mass were sensitivity (90.9%), specificity (75%), +ve predictive value (90.9%), -ve predictive value (75%) and accuracy (86.6%). The appropriate cutoff value for apparent diffusion coefficient in differentiation between malignant and benign adnexal mass was 0.97 with 100% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity. Conclusions: MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging is a valid and reliable technique in the diagnosis and characterization of ovarian malignancy.
Physical, morphological and chemical changes during fruit development and ripening in three cultivars of prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller

Late ripening fruits of prickly pear cvs Gialla, Rossa and Bianca took 80-90 days from flowering to harvestable maturity. A decrease in fruit growth rate occurred from 30 to about 60 d after flowering, during the period of seeds development and hardening. The fruit continued to grow both on a fresh and dry weight basis until maturity. The greatest development of the core occurred from 50 d after flowering. During the same period there were consistent changes in biochemical activity: the total sugar content and the total soluble sugars (TSS) sharply increased whilst the fruit firmness and the total tritratable acids (TTA) decreased. Fruits reached the optimum maturity stage when TSS reached a “steady state” over 13% Brix; this stage corresponds to the period of peel colour breakage. From 90 d after flowering onwards the fruits became tender and unsuitable for processing and storage. At that stage the peel was fully coloured.
Response of three mangroves to salinity in two geoforms

1 The variation in the physiognomy of the mangroves Avicennia germinans L. , Rhizophora mangle L. and Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. , as related to salinity in two different geomorphic habitats (mudflats and interdistributary basins) was investigated. 2 Due to the high intercorrelation between variables, principal component analysis was used to examine data on (a) water salinity on two sampling dates and in two geoforms and (b) diameter at breast height, height and per cent cover of each of the three species. The first component of each of these four data sets summarized 77, 64, 90 and 93% of the total variance in the intervening variables. 3 The projections of the intervening variables on their respective principal component was calculated, and response curves of species against environmental component scores were fitted by generalized linear models. The resulting curves were bell-shaped, except for A. germinans. 4 The highest diversity and the maximum height and diameter for the three species is at low salinities and in interdistributary basins but the cover of A. germinans is higher in the mudflat and under high salinities. The range of response to environmental change is wider in A. germinans. 5 There was a negative association between the cover of A. germinans and that of the other two species, and the slope of the regression line suggests a substitution of one unit of cover of A. germinans by one unit of cover of any of the other two species in the interdistributary basins as salinity decreases. 6 The results suggest that while abiotic environmental conditions may account for the absence of L. racemosa and R. mangle in the mudflats, biological interactions are more important in the formation of the mixed forests in the interdistribu-
Plant species diversity and dynamics in forests invaded by Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) in Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is an economically important plant, widely cultivated not only for its delicious shoots and versatile culms, but also as an important biomass resource in southern China. However, with its robust growth and strong rhizomes, it has recently been shown to be a problem tree, capable of dominating some forest stands. Indeed, it may displace species within the community it invades with considerable potential impacts. However, little is known about the consequences of its invasion on plant community composition. We compared plant biodiversity change in different communities where we monitored and removed bamboo over a seven years period (2005 to 2011) in Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve, so as to elucidate the impacts of Moso bamboo invasion. The results showed that Moso bamboo invasion had negative effects on plant communities. Simpson’s Diversity Index in tree and shrub layers of bamboo forest was lower than that of forests consisting of needle and broad-leaved species, and also those containing a mixture of bamboo with needle and broad-leaved plants. However, Simpson’s Diversity Index in the herb layer of bamboo forest was higher than that in the two other forest types. Plant species richness, Simpson’s Diversity Index, and Pielou’s Eveness Index varied greatly among the different forest types over time. In the tree and shrub layers of forests containing bamboo growing with both needle and broad-leaved species, these 第 3期 白尚斌等: 天目山保护区森林群落植物多样性对毛竹入侵的响应及动态变化 289 three indices declined significantly over the monitoring period (P 0.05). Plant species richness increased in the herb layer of forests containing bamboo mixed with needle and broad-leaved species, while Simpson’s Diversity Index and Pielou’s Eveness Index did not change greatly over time. The removal of Moso bamboo resulted in an increase in plant species richness and Simpson’s Diversity Index in the tree and shrub layers. In contrast, plant species richness, Simpson’s Diversity Index, and Pielou’s Eveness Index decreased significantly in the herb layer. In summary, in the Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve, Moso bamboo invasion was found to cause substantial changes in plant species diversity and had strong negative effects on plant communities. These results suggest that, in addition to scientific management, removal of Moso bamboo may be required to restore plant species diversity in these communities.