Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oven drying improves the nutritional value of Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sepium as supplements for sheep given low-quality straw

Leaves from the tree legumes Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) were fed as supplements (200 g dry matter) to sheep (n=3) given a basal diet of barley straw ad libitum. Tree leaves were fed either freshly harvested (F=fresh) or after drying at 60°C in a forced draught oven (D=dried). Voluntary intakes, digestibility and aspects of nitrogen (N) and phenolic compound metabolism were measured in all sheep. Drying decreased the condensed tannin (CT) content of Calliandra (F 117, D 82 g CT kg−1 DM). Total phenolics (TP) were significantly decreased when Gliricidia was dried (F 39, D 21 g TP kg−1 DM), and CT content was reduced from 20 g CT kg−1 DM to zero. Sheep given Gliricidia had higher rumen ammonia concentrations (73–85 mg N litre−1) than did sheep given Calliandra (37–40 mg N litre−1). For both species, drying significantly increased the voluntary consumption of straw, increased DM digestibility, decreased faecal N excretion and increased N balance. For calliandra, drying decreased the apparent degradability of N in the rumen (DNR) from 0·40 to 0·28 g N g−1 N ingested, and increased the apparent digestibility of N (ADN) in the post-ruminal tract from 0·20 to 0·52 g N absorbed g−1 N flowing into the small intestines. For Gliricidia, DNR decreased from 0·64 to 0·51 and ADN increased from 0·41 to 0·56. There were no significant effects of drying on rates of microbial N synthesis. The above changes were discussed in relation to changes in tannin content and it was concluded that drying facilitates the formation of protein–tannin complexes which protect proteins from degradation in the rumen. These proteins are subsequently released in the small intestines, thereby promoting an increased efficiency of dietary N utilisation. ©1997 SCI
Genetic analysis of yield traits in rice under irrigated and water stress environments

Experiments were conducted to study the genetics and combining ability for yield and its components under irrigated (E I) and water stress environments (E II) using F1 hybrids derived from a full diallel mating involving four drought tolerant and four drought sensitive rice genotypes. Significant differences were observed for all the traits studied in both EI and EII environments, except harvest index in E II. Additive and non-additive gene actions for days to flowering, biomass and harvest index and nonadditive gene action for grain yield in both the environments were observed. Importance of additive gene action in E I and non-additive gene action in E II was observed for grains panicle–1, whereas shift in non-additive to additive from E I to E II was observed for productive tillers plant−1. The significance of gca and gca x environment interaction indicated the differential contribution of parents for days to flowering, biomass and harvest index. Based on the mean values and gca effects, landraces Nootripathu and Norungan were adjudged as the potential parents to improve grain yield under stress, where as CO43 and IR62266 were identified as good general combiners to improve grain yield and its component traits under irrigated environment. The hybrids viz., PMK2/CO43, CO43/Nootripathu, Nootripathu/Kallurundaikar, Norungan/IR64, Kallurundaikar x PMK2 and IR20 x IR62266 were identified as superior ones for improving yield under water stress.
Effects of roe deer browsing and site preparation on performance of planted broadleaved and conifer seedlings when using temporary fences

Abstract The effects of fencing and site preparation on performance of birch (Betula pendula Roth), oak (Quercus robur L.), pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] seedlings were studied over four growing seasons in southern Sweden. The experiment was composed of four browsing treatments, from which roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) were excluded for 0, 12, 24 or 42 months, and four soil treatments. Natural browsing was combined with artificial browsing (clipping). It was demonstrated that browsing by roe deer could be isolated from browsing by moose (Alces alces L.) by selective fencing. Except for birch, browsing had little effect on seedling survival. Browsing reduced height growth by more than 100% for oak and pine, and more than 60% of pine seedling developed multiple stems. Except for oak, site preparation increased seedling survival. Inverting site preparation, in combination with or without fertilization, produced positive growth responses in seedlings, whereas patch scarification did not. There was no interaction between browsing and soil treatments on seedling performance. It was concluded that long-term protection against browsing by roe deer is needed for oak and pine, whereas short-term fences might be used for birch, and that spruce is relatively unaffected by browsing.
Integrated catchment management effects on flow, habitat, instream vegetation and macroinvertebrates in Waikato, New Zealand, hill‐country streams

Abstract We investigated the short‐term effects on stream now, habitat, water temperature, periphyton biomass, and macroinvertebrate communities of applying integrated catchment management (ICM) to improve the poor economic and environmental performance of a hill farm used for sheep and cattle grazing. Stream responses to a range of changes in land use and riparian management were compared at four reaches in sub‐catchments within a pastoral hill farm area and nearby pasture and native forest reference reaches over 6 years before and 6 years after ICM implementation. At the whole catchment scale, annual runoff from the pasture treatment catchment before ICM was 7% higher than from the native forest reference catchment, and 7‐day low‐flow was 11% lower, but runoff and low now both declined by c. 6%/yr following afforestation (mainly Pinus radiata) of 62% of the pasture catchment. At sub‐catchment level, pine afforestation with 10 m wide riparian setbacks (site A) was associated with declining channel width, water width, water temperature and periphyton biomass, and increasing periphyton organic content and changes in macroinvertebrate community indices and composition indicating recovery towards reference native forest stream conditions. Site M, involving a mix of partial pine afforestation (36% of catchment) and riparian cattle exclusion with riparian Populus deltoides planting, was associated with generally similar trends to site A. Riparian reforestation with natives and exclusion of all livestock was associated with more rapid reduction in water temperature and streambed cover by fines and macrophytes in a reach with a1m channel (site RS) than a 2 m wide channel (site RM). Reaches with active riparian tree planting had increased streambed cover by small wood and roots. In general, the macroinvertebrates indicated a “rubber band” response to ICM actions, with relatively rapid recovery towards native forest stream macroinvertebrate metric values and faunal composition, although restoration of composition was incomplete. Water temperature reduction was identified as a key factor in this improvement along with the 1–2 km proximity of colonists in undisturbed native forest streams.
Symbiont effect of rhizobium bacteria and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Pisum sativum in recultivated mine spoils

The frequency (F%) of spontaneous endomycorrhizal fungal infection (AMF) and the root nodulation of Pisum sativum L. was studied after 8 and 15 years of recultivation in 4 soils (andesitic tuff, yellow sand, yellow clay, and grey clay) disturbed by mining activities. The effects of Rhizobium inoculation and the interaction of both microsymbionts with plant production were also examined, along with humus content and the humus stability coefficient, in the following variations: control, NPK fertilizer, NPK + lignite, NPK + straw, and sewage sludge. Dump spoils originating from deep geological layers were poor in organic materials. After 12 years of recultivation, the humus content increased significantly. No such increase was noted in grey clay and the natural, brown forest soil used as an undisturbed (control) sample. The degradation of soils by mining brings about a decrease in the rhizobial and mycorrhizal population, so the number of spontaneous Rhizobium nodules is relatively low and does not influence.
The Primitive Cynodont Procynosuchus: Functional Anatomy of the Skull and Relationships

An acetic acid prepared skull of the Upper Permian Karroo cynodont Procynosuchus delaharpeae Broom is described and an attempt is made to interpret its anatomy in functional terms. The dentition is adapted for an insectivorous habit with an incipient form of tooth occlusion between specific upper and lower postcanines. A specialized form of tooth replacement ensures that the posterior postcanine teeth remain functional for as long a period as possible. The adductor jaw musculature shows a masseter-like muscle between the zygomatic arch and the lateral surface of the angular bone, in addition to the large temporalis muscle which has invaded the lateral face of the coronoid process. The possibility of a monotreme-like detrahens muscle rather than a reptilian depressor mandibuli being present for jaw opening is suggested. The quadrate is moveable. The anatomy of the internal nares indicates that an arrangement of Jacobson’s organ and associated nerves, blood vessels and glands comparable to that of monotremes was present. Interpretations of the various foramina of the snout are presented. Fleshy lips were probably present but the skin over the dorsal surface of the snout was tightly applied. The venous system of the head involves reduction of the vena capitis lateralis and the development of emissary veins comparable in general to those of mammals. The brain is comparable in size and relative development of its parts to that of living primitive mammals. There was incipient development of a monotreme-like membranous anterior lamina of the prootic. The stapes had a mechanical role associated with the moveable quadrate, in addition to its sound conducting role. It may have been capable of transmitting low frequency sound from the lower jaw as well as higher frequency sound from a tympanic membrane. The more advanced, Triassic cynodonts form a monophyletic group, of which Procynosuchus is the sister-group. The archaic but highly specialized Dvinia is the sister-group of all other known cynodonts.
Menstrual cycle, exercise and health

Exercise training can have an impact on the menstrual cycle. If the exercise load is great enough it can lead to irregular or even the complete absence of menses, which has implications for reproductive health. Conversely, the menstrual cycle can affect exercise performance. Disruptions in hormonal balance throughout the menstrual cycle have been implicated in altered muscular strength, exercise endurance capacity, body temperature, metabolism and blood flow. There is also growing evidence for a link between female sex hormones and health, including a relationship between melatonin, menstrual dysfunction and breast cancer. The mechanisms for and consequences of these relations are yet to be elucidated.
Diversification of host use in two polyphagous butterflies: differences in oviposition specificity or host rank hierarchy?

Novel host usage may represent an initial step towards diversification or radiation onto novel hosts within an evolutionary lineage, particularly if a shift in host plant preference ranking takes place. Polyphagous stages of evolutionary lineages may represent transitional states in which novel host associations are more likely to develop, but may be more difficult to detect experimentally. The polyphagous sister species Papilio glaucus L. and Papilio canadensis (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae; these Papilio = Pterourus) are known to exhibit differences in host‐plant use, despite significant overlap in host‐use abilities, providing an opportunity to examine how host shifts in polyphagous species may occur and what the implications for future divergence may be. In particular, we were interested in (i) determining whether differences in oviposition behavior of these species were due to changes in specificity or shifts in host‐plant hierarchy, (ii) whether the varying preference for primary hosts also affected the preference for secondary hosts, and (iii) what the oviposition preferences of a new hybrid swarm population are. We examined more than 40 000 oviposition bouts from more than 400 P. glaucus, P. canadensis, and hybrid females placed in seven‐, three‐, or two‐choice assays. In each of the choice assays, leaves from plants in different plant families of varying suitability for P. glaucus and P. canadensis larvae were used. We found the primary difference between P. glaucus and P. canadensis to be limited to a Z‐linked shift in host rank hierarchy due to an acceptance of Populus tremuloides Michx. (Salicaceae) and reduced specificity for Liriodendron tulipifera L. (Magnoliaceae) in P. canadensis. In addition, we found the absence of the Z‐linked oviposition acceptance of P. tremuloides in a recently formed allochronically separated hybrid swarm population found in P. canadensis territory at the northern border of the P. glaucus and P. canadensis hybrid zone.
Anti-sickling Potential of Terminalia catappa Leaf Extract

The ethanol extract of the leaves of Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) has been found to inhibit osmotically-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. It also prolonged the clotting time of uncoagulated blood. A 1.0 mg/ml solution of the extract was effective in preventing and reversing the sickling of human ‘SS’ erythrocythes induced by 2% sodium metabisulphite solution. These promising initial results indicate Terminalia catappa leaves may indeed have potential in the management of sickle cell disorders, as claimed previously.
Assembling the modern Great Basin mammal biota: insights from molecular biogeography and the fossil record

Abstract Reconstructing the assembly of local ecological communities requires insight from a wide range of disciplines including biogeography, paleontology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Community assembly depends on the availability of species in a regional species pool (a “biota”), which itself is assembled through a history of diversification, geographic range shifting, and adaptive responses to environmental change. The Great Basin contains a diverse mammal biota sorted into communities along elevational, latitudinal, and structural habitat gradients. Molecular genetic approaches have clarified the timing of diversification events in response to dynamic Neogene landscapes in several iconic Great Basin mammals, although the role of Great Basin landscape evolution on species diversification remains largely unexplored. Divergence continued into the Quaternary, as widespread species formed genetically unique lineages in and around the Great Basin. In response to Quaternary climatic oscillation, some mammalian species maintained their ranges whereas others exhibited dramatic range contractions or expansions, impacting the composition of regional species pools available for local community assembly. Advances will come from elucidating phylogenetic and phylogeographic structure in more taxa, but also from emerging genomic and modeling approaches to address how ecological traits, niche shifts, and adaptive evolution have influenced specific responses to dynamic landscapes and climates resulting in the species assemblages that characterize the Great Basin.
Song Variation in the Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita) of the Western Pyrenees — the Contact Zone between the collybita and brehmii Forms

Song variation in west-Pyrenean chiffchaffs was thoroughly analyzed. Intrinsic physical structures of these songs as well as extrinsic contextual ones were processed simultaneously in qualitative and correspondence analyses. The aim was to assess objectively and to describe the song differences between collybita and brehmii, easily perceived in the field, accounting for variation within the groups due to other sources than taxonomic. All songs originate from the contact zone of the two forms, i.e. taxonomically still-undetermined entities. The following results were obtained: 1The main source of song variation is confirmed to be the bird's membership in the collybita or the brehmii form. Each song type has been characterized in terms of physical variable values. 2Within these forms, the songs emitted in the same social or temporal contexts are more similar than the songs produced in different contexts. This has been verified intra- and interindividually. 3Some individuals have songs that share structures of both forms — these are the mixed-singers described by Thielcke & Linsenmair (1963). 4In the sympatric zone, the acoustic differences between collybita and brehmii are strengthened by an acoustic character displacement.
Effect of transmitter mass and tracking duration on body mass change of two anuran species

During tracking studies, the behaviour of animals may be affected by the tracking and tagging methods used, which may influence the results obtained. Our aim was to assess the impact of transmitter mass and the duration of tracking period on the body mass change (BMC) of two anuran species that were fitted with externally attached radio transmitters. Bufo b. spinosus and B. viridis were radio-tracked for three months during summer in the active tract of a large gravel-bed river (Tagliamento River, NE Italy). Our results demonstrated that transmitter mass and the duration of the tracking period did not affect BMC of the two anurans in their terrestrial summer habitats because methodological factors poorly predicted variation in BMC. Therefore, we encourage the use of tracking methods in amphibian ecology.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex as a possible tool to improve Attention in a healthy sample and how Mind Wandering, Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and multiple Psychopathological variables are related

Objectives: The present study has been divided in two parts. The aim of the first study was to find if anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in young healthy adults could enhance some attentional variables. The objective of the second study was to analyze the relationship between Mind Wandering (MW) and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT), and with some psychiatric symptoms. Methodology: We administrated a sociodemographic formulary which also included three scales (Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI), Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS) and DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure — Adult (CCSM)), to a communitarian sample (n=43) of young adults. Ten of those forty-three participants were included in the tDCS study, where they received a single session of active (n=5) or sham (n=5) tDCS. Before and after the stimulation participants performed Conners’ Continnuous Performance Test (CPT-3) and Attention Network Task (ANT). Results: Those participants who received active tDCS uniquely showed a large and significant reduction of the variability of block change reaction time in the CPT-3 task. No significant differences were found in the three attentional networks, although the sham group showed a decrease in the efficiency of the executive network. Regarding the second study, we found a significant moderate correlation between ACI and MEWS, and weak correlations between CCSM and both ACI and MEWS. Conclusions: tDCS over DLPFC could improve sustained attention and prevent a reduction of the executive network efficiency. Moreover, as we expected, SCT, MW and emotional dimensions were related.
Monitoring Sustainable Forest Management in the Pacific Rim Region

Summary The Pacific Rim is rich in forest resources. It contains the world's largest contiguous forest areas, high levels of biodiversity, millions of forest-dependent people, and the world's leading wood-product exporting and importing nations. However, because of a range of issues, the Pacific Rim region is also experiencing high rates of deforestation and forest degradation. An important step in addressing these issues and moving toward sustainable forest management is improved monitoring and information reporting at the local, national, and international levels. A number of criteria and indicators initiatives have been developed throughout the countries of the Pacific Rim. These have ranged from international processes to local initiatives such as forest certification. Although there is considerable variability in the issues facing forest policy makers in the countries of the Pacific Rim, it is often expected that criteria and indicators will reflect a level of comparability. This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis designed to identify similarities and differences in sustainable forest management criteria and indicators initiatives in the Pacific Rim region. When considered in the context of globalization, the research findings support international efforts to encourage comparability in sustainable forest management-related monitoring and information reporting.
The impacts of engagement in science park collaborative network on innovation capabilities and financial performance of tenant firms

This study aims to examine how engagement in science park collaborative network (ESPCN) influences innovation capabilities and financial performance of on-park firms. Based on the survey towards Beijing and Shanghai science parks in China, it explores how science park ecosystem creates value for their hosted firms. This research address three research questions, including (1) What should the measurement scale of ESPCN entail in order help tenants exploit benefits associated with science park location? (2) What is the impact of ESPCN on innovation capabilities and financial performance of tenant firms? (2) What are individual impacts of four dimensions of ESPCN on innovation capabilities and financial performance of tenant firms.
Effect of Imazapic Application Timing on Texas Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)1

Abstract: Field experiments conducted in Texas at six locations from 1996 to 1998 evaluated peanut tolerance to imazapic applied postemergence. Imazapic at 71 g ai/ha was applied weekly from ground cracking to 56 d after ground cracking (DAGC). Visible injury 70 DAGC ranged from 0 to 40%. No reduction in canopy height, canopy width, yield, or grade was observed at harvest following any imazapic treatment. Nomenclature: Imazapic; peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. , ‘AT 120’, ‘GK 7’, ‘NC 7’, ‘Tamspan 90’. Additional index words: Herbicide injury, ground cracking, groundnut, herbicide timings, peanut injury, postemergence, yield. Abbreviations: DAGC, days after ground cracking; DAP, days after planting; POST, postemergence; PPI, preplant incorporated.