Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SKELETAL MORPHOLOGY AND LOCOMOTOR BEHAVIOR OF PSEUDOTOMUS EUGENEI (RODENTIA, PARAMYINAE) FROM THE UINTA FORMATION, UTAH

Abstract A new skeleton of Pseudotomus eugenei is described and compared to extant large bodied rodents and those fossil manitshines represented by postcranial material (Pseudotomus robustus, Pseudotomus petersoni, and Manitshatanka). The postcranial skeleton of P. eugenei is unspecialized in terms of individual joint function as well as in overall proportions. The forelimb is heavily muscled with a generalized shoulder but with some distinctive features of the elbow and manus. These include an extremely broad distal humerus, long olecranon process, short proximal and middle phalanges and long, uncompressed ungual phalanges. The hind limb of P. eugenei is also generalized, but departs from those of earlier manitshines in the deeper patellar groove and femoral condyles, and in the size reduction of the peripheral metatarsals, suggesting a stronger commitment to terrestrial life. A quantitative analysis of limb proportions indicates that P. eugenei and the other manitshines generally resemble terrestrial rather than arboreal rodents. This is especially evident in the shape of the radial head, and in the shape and relatively greater lengths of the olecranon process, phalanges and metapodials. These features of the forelimb together with the long and uncompressed ungual phalanges of the manus suggest that when P. eugenei diverges from other manitshines, it is in a semi-fossorial direction. Here it is reconstructed as a generalized terrestrial rodent with fossorial tendencies.
Construction, Purification and Characterization of Novel, Fluorescent RuvA Chimeras

The Escherichia coli RuvA and RuvB proteins play important roles in the late stages of recombinational DNA repair and genetic recombination. RuvB is a DNA-stimulated helicase, whose activity is controlled by the homotetrameric RuvA protein. In order to facilitate the studies of the interaction and the role of these proteins both in vivo and in vitro, we constructed a series of novel, RuvAautofluorescent protein fusions. The fusions were then expressed with a “wild type” RuvA using a dual plasmid expression system. The resulting heterogeneous populations of chimeras are readily separated using chromatography. The purified chimeras contain one to four fluorescent tagged subunits and main tain full functionality with RuvB in the presence of Holliday junction substrates.
Comparing the effect of habitat on the magnitude of inbreeding depression in the Mediterranean native Senecio malacitanus and the alien S. inaequidens: consequences for invasive ability

We studied the effects of inbreeding depression and the level of self-compatibility on overall fitness parameters in the invasive species Senecio inaequidens DC. and the native Senecio malacitanus Huter, in plots with and without inter- specific competition by natural vegetation. Competition had a stronger effect on fitness parmeters for both species, but it mostly affected the survival of S. malacitanus during the first year, and particularly the survival of individuals issued from inbred crosses. Inbreeding depression decreased the seed production in both species. Summer drought in the second year reduced the fitness of all inbreeding levels, masking the effect of inbreeding.The alien species had a shorter pre-reproductive time, a greater head production, and greater resistance to competition from established vegetation. In addition, a nega- tive relationship was found between inbreeding coefficient and herbivory in the native species only. All these factors may help to explain the invasive ability of S. inaequidens. The magnitude of inbreeding depression and the environ- mental conditions can thus determine the success or failure of an invasion.
Exploring the Attitude of Dental Undergraduate Students in Saudi Arabia Towards Plagiarism

Aim: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students to know the knowledge and awareness regarding plagiarism. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the sample size of 246 dental students (Males 179 and Females (67) in College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, to know the awareness of plagiarism among dental students. The questions were designed such that they assessed the plagiarism among dental students and was circulated among dental students in the dental college. The survey data was collected and organized into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (Microsoft Inc., USA), and was statistically analyzed utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 software (IBM Inc., USA). The statistical test used here was the chi-square test, and P values less than 0.05 were statistically significant (P<0.05). Results: A total of 246 persons responded to the questionnaire. 179 (73%) were males, and 67 (27%) were females. 82% of study subjects were of 20-25 years, 10% were of 26-30 years, 8% were of 31-35 years 42.7% of dental students agreed that short deadlines in academics are a significant impetus to the practice of plagiarism. Only 23.6% % students said that they are studying in a plagiarism-free environment. Our finding showed that more than 44.3% of students thought that plagiarism is sometimes necessary, and 76% agreed that a lack of faculty members to address this issue during their education. Nearly half of them agreed (58.9%) that self-plagiarism should not be punishable in the same way as plagiarism. Conclusions: The general knowledge and attitudes of dental students were positive. Plan and program to educate students about academic integrity and research methodology required on all educational level.
Remittances, Foreign Direct Investment, Imports and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam

This article aims to examine the effect of remittances, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and imports on economic growth in Vietnam, using a set of time series data in the period of 2000-2018, applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach. Also, an Error Correction Model (ECM) derived from ARDL model is utilized to check the short-run dynamics. From the empirical result of the study, it is showed that there is a long-term relationship among remittances, FDI, imports and economic growth in Vietnam during the period time of study. Specifically, remittances and imports have significantly positive impacts while FDI has negative influence on economic growth. In the short run, the growth effects of remittances and FDI are similar to those in the long run while the effect of imports is statistically insignificant. Finally, the model passes relevant diagnostic tests for time series data and the parameters are proved to be stable over time.
Carbon Addition as a Technique for Controlling Exotic Species in Pacific Northwest Prairies

Abstract Competition for soil resources is a driving force in plant community ecology. Therefore, amendments that alter soil resources should affect vegetation dynamics and are potential tools for controlling exotic species. We tested the effects of two types of carbon addition, sugar and activated carbon (AC), on an exotic-dominated grassland plant community. Sugar stimulates the microbial community and temporarily reduces plant available nitrogen (N), while AC adsorbs plant available N. Six experimental plots and three carbon treatments were used: sugar (1000 g m-2; 42% C), AC (420 g m-2; 100% C), and control. Treatments were applied in a split-plot design in spring 2008. Aboveground biomass, plant cover, species richness, and plant basal area were tracked for two growing seasons. Although total biomass was not affected by C addition, the distribution of biomass among life forms was affected: carbon addition reduced forb biomass but had no effect on grasses or legumes. Total cover was lower in sugar-treated plots, and sugar also altered the proportional composition of that cover by reducing the abundance of forbs, especially in the first year. Five species were particularly sensitive to sugar addition: Myosotis discolor, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officinale, Valerianella locusta, and Vulpia bromoides. Sugar also reduced plant basal area in the first year. These results suggest that sugar and, to a lesser extent, AC could be useful management tools. Sugar could be applied to areas where herbicide use is undesirable, reducing the abundance of exotic forbs and providing a window of opportunity for native species establishment.
EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN SORICID MYOSOREX (INSECTIVORA, MAMMALIA) OUT OF AFRICA

Abstract The species Myosorex meini Jammot, 1977 was a nomen nudum because it was named in an unpublished dissertation. The species is here revised using the new material found in the Late Pliocene fissure infillings of Almenara-Casablanca 1 and 4 (province of Castelló, East of Spain) and from the Tollo de Chiclana localities 1B, 3, 10, and 10B in the Guadix Basin (province of Granada, Southeastern Spain). A new diagnosis is given with some differential characters to identify the species within the family. The species definitively belongs to the genus Myosorex. A definitive new allocation for the genus into the subfamily Crocidosoricinae is proposed as an alternative to the classical assignment to the Crocidurinae. This is justified by available data coming from different fields of research, such as genetics, reproductive biology, morphology, and paleontology. Within the Crocidosoricinae, the tribe Myosoricini Kretzoi, 1965 is resurrected, and two other ones, the Crocidosoricini and the Oligosoricini, are redefined. From the paleobiogeographical point of view, the occurrence of the African genus Myosorex constitutes a new striking evidence of the faunal exchange between Eurasia and Africa that took place during the Messinian Salinity Crisis.
A Cytogenetical Study on Some Plants Taxa in Nizip Region (Aksaray, Turkey)

This cytological study was performed in 19 taxa grown naturally in Nizip region (Aksaray). These taxa are Conringia perfoliata (C.A.Mey.) Busch, Alyssum strigosum Banks & Sol. subsp. strigosum, Alyssum murale Waldst. & Kit. subsp. murale var. murale, Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC. subsp. bicornis (Sibth. & Sm.) P.W. Ball. , Erysimum thyrsoideum Boiss. subsp. thyrsoideum (Brassicaceae), Silene alba (Mill.) E.H. L. Krause subsp. divaricata (Reichb.) Walters, Silene conoidea L. , Silene otites (L.) Wibel. (Caryophyllaceae), Linum austriacum L. subsp. austriacum (Linaceae), Medicago x varia Martyn. , Onobrychis argyrea Boiss. subsp. argyrea (Fabaceae), Astrodaucus orientalis (L.) Drude (Apiaceae), Centaurea patula DC. , Centaurea solstitialis L. subsp. solstitialis, Cnicus benedictus L. var. benedictus, Tragopogon longirostris Bisch. ex Sch.Bip. var. longirostris (Asteraceae), Paracaryum ancyritanum Boiss. , (Boraginaceae), Plantago major L. subsp. intermedia (Gilib.) Lange, Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae), Erysimum thyrsoideum subsp. thyrsoideum, Paracaryum ancyritanum, and Onobrychis argyrea subsp. argyrea. Somatic metaphase chromosome numbers of Paracaryum ancyritanum, Onobrychis argyrea subsp. argyrea, Erysimum thyrsoideum subsp. thyrsoideum, and Alyssum murale subsp. murale var. murale were determined for the first time. Moreover, karyotype analyses of Cnicus benedictus var. benedictus, Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis and Medicago x varia were carried out for the first time in the present study.
Ecological aspects of winter dormancy in the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Seasonal surface activity patterns of captive and free-ranging skunks at Delta Marsh, Manitoba, Canada, were determined using radio telemetry and visual observations. Activity decreased sharply between September and mid-December, and was virtually nil between December and early April. Surface activity resumed in March and increased sharply in April to summer levels.Body temperature (Tb) was studied in two individuals in July and three individuals in other months using abdominally implanted radio transmitters. Mean Tb, maximum diel range, and minimum Tb were 37.7, 2.2, and 36.2 °C respectively in July, and 34.4, 7.2, and 28.4 °C in January.Body fat content of adult males, determined by ether extraction, was 32% of live weight in October, and 10% in late April and early May. Theoretically, the skunks experience an energy deficit of 44% if they exist at basal metabolic levels for a winter period of 140 days. The winter reduction in surface activity, the retreat to a relatively warm den, and the winter depres.
The role of coconut water and casein hydrolysat in somatic embryogenesis of date palm and genetic stability detection using RAPD markers

The present investigation was conducted to determine the effect of various concentrations of coconut water (CW) and casein hydrolysate (CH) on callus growth. Somatic embryogenesis and subsequent germination of somatic embryos in date palm cultivar Bream and detecting genetic stability using RAPD markers. Apical bud (2.0 cm) was excised, surface sterilized and cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog 1962 (MS) medium supplemented with 50 mg/L Picloram and 3.0 mg/L isopentenyladenine (2ip). Initial calli were transfered into a medium containing CW and CH. Callus growth was best achieved when 20% (v/v) CW was added giving a mean callus fresh weight of 1.95g compared with those supplemented with CH at 2.0 g/L which recorded 1.7 g. However, CW was more effective in enhancing somatic embryogenesis. Results showed that best somatic embryogenesis occurred on either 20%(v/v) CW or 2.0 g/L CH producing 65 and 47 embryos per culture, respectively. The subsequent germination of somatic embryos was also enhanced after the addition of CW and CH to previous culture medium. The highest percentage of embryo germination (76%) was achieved with 10% (v:v) CW and 60% was achieved with 2 g/L CH while it was only 45% in the medium lacking CW and CH. The highest percentage of embryo germination (76%) was achieved with 10% (v:v) CW and it reach 60% with 2 g/L CH while it was only 45% in the medium lacking CW and CH. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers conducted in this investigation confirmed the resemblance among the tissue culture plantlets as well as with donor tree.
Variation and association for kernel yield and yield related traits of released groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties in abergelle district, northern Ethiopia

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), also known as monkey-nut, peanut, earthnut and goobers, is a major cash crop and widely grown in all the tropical and subtropical regions of the world for direct use as food, oil and high protein meal, and is the second most important lowland oilseed crop after sesame in Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity is considerably low in Abergelle areas, Northern Ethiopia due to insufficient improved and disease resistant/ tolerant varieties. Thus, a field experiment was conducted during the 2016 and 2017 main cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replications at Abergelle agricultural research center on station to evaluate the performance and select the best genotypes for kernel yield and yield related traits and to assess the association among traits of some released groundnut varieties under rain-fed conditions. There was significant genotypic variability for all the traits evaluated under study. Highly significant (P≤ 0.01) and positive association of kernel yield with dry pod yield (rg = 0.85, rp= 0.83), harvest index (rg = 0.82, rp= 0.86), shelling percentage (rg = 0.80, rp= 0.83) and biomass yield (rg = 0.43, rp= 0.31) was observed. However, the association between kernel yield and days to flowering and days to maturity was strongly negative and highly significant (P≤ 0.01). This indicates that selection for those traits showing positive and significant correlation coefficient with kernel yield would supports the possibility to increase kernel yield and the vice versa. Overall, Fetene and Roba had better performance than the other varieties for yield with 1716 and 1621 kg ha, respectively. Therefore, Fetene and Roba are recommended as promising varieties to the farmers of Abergelle areas.
Effects of different parities on productive performance of lactating sows

Fast recovery of feed intake and milk production are very important in the management of lactating sows because they are directly related to sow and litter performance. It is also known that parity is one of factors affecting feed intake and milk yield during lactation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of different parities on productive performance of lactating sows fed diets containing different levels of DDGS. A total of 245 sows were divided into 3 parity groups of 1 to 2, 3 to 5, and over 5 parities. Within each parity group, sows were allottedto 1 of 4 dietary treatments that were prepared by inclusion of 0, 10, 20, and 30% DDGS in lactation diets. Diets were fed to sows during lactation.Sows with parities 1-2 had lower (p ＜ 0.05) initial sow body weight, sow feed intake, sow weight change, and sow backfat change during lactation than sows with parities 3-5 as well as parities over 5. However, sows with parities over 5 had lower (p ＜ 0.05) litter size at weaning, litter birth weight, litter weaning weight, and piglet average daily gain and higher pre-weaning mortality than sows with parities 1-2 as well as parities 3-5. In conclusion, parity influences productive performance of lactating sows.
Overlooked singularity and tiny plants: the Filago desertorum clade (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae)

Filago desertorum, as traditionally circumscribed, is a species that shows high levels of morphological variation. Previous authors have even suggested that this taxon should represent a heterogeneous assembly of true biological species. A taxonomic revision of the species included in the Filago desertorum clade was performed, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to explore the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the clade. Three species are recognized in the group, one of which is newly described. A full description of F. castroviejoi sp. nov., a complete nomenclatural treatment and a key to the species included in the clade are provided. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179, 742–754.
A Diatom-based Water Quality Model for Great Lakes Coastlines

ABSTRACT Diatom-based models to infer nutrient concentrations are proven robust indicators, but evidence suggests that in the future these models will be little improved by using larger training sets. I present a simple means to summarize the water quality (WQ) data from a suite of coastal Great Lakes locations and develop a diatom-based WQ model using standard weighted-averaging methods. A one-dimensional WQ index was derived by summarizing measured environmental data (nutrients, pigments, solids) using dimension-reducing ordination and calculating the primary WQ gradient of interest. Evaluations of weighted-averaging diatom model predictions (WQ index model: r2jackknife = 0.62, RMSEP = 1.32) indicate that the model has reconstructive power similar to a comparative model for total phosphorus concentrations (TP model: r2jackknife = 0.65, RMSEP = 0.26 log[μg/L + 1]), but that predictive bias was lower for the WQ model. Also, inferred WQ index data had a higher correlation to adjacent watershed characteristics than inferred TP data. We attribute this to the ability of an integrated WQ index to better characterize the overall quality of a site than a single nutrient variable such as phosphorus. The diatom-based WQ model may be advantageous for management where it is necessary to provide a summary inference of water quality condition at a coastal locale.
To measure or not to measure?An empirical investigation of social impact measurement in UK social enterprises

ABSTRACT Social enterprises (SE) – organizations with a dual mission to generate economic and social value – have become important players in the delivery of public services in the UK and elsewhere. While public sector value-for-money imperatives encourages these hybrid organizations to provide estimates of their social and economic impact, relatively little is known about who does so. Using institutional perspectives and large-sample data produced by Social Enterprises UK, we empirically document the uptake of social impact measurement in this sector and the extent to which context, the nature of the impact and stakeholders involvement explain differences in participation rates.
Adaptive Event-Triggered Fault Detection for Interval Type-2 T–S Fuzzy Systems With Sensor Saturation

This article deals with the adaptive event-triggered (AET) fault detection filter (FDF) problem for nonlinear-networked control systems with component and sensor faults, network-induced delays, uncertainties, external disturbances, and asynchronous premise variables. This system is represented by the interval type-2 Takagi–Sugeno (IT2 T–S) fuzzy model, which can effectively capture parameter uncertainties. A new AET mechanism with many advantages, such as no singular problem, no degradation into a traditional time-triggered mechanism, fewer triggers, and no Zeno behavior, is constructed. The error caused by the AET mechanism is first regarded as a disturbance and thus can be attenuated by the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{\infty }$</tex-math></inline-formula> norm bound. Based on Lyapunov's stability theory, novel sufficient conditions for <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> performance and stability are then derived. In addition, the filter parameters and the weight matrix of the trigger condition are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques. Finally, a numerical example is used to demonstrate the feasibility and merit of the proposed fault detection scheme.
Response of 'Reliance' Table Grapes to Canopy Management and Ethephon Application

Canopy management and ethephon application (100 mg·liter -1 2 weeks after veraison) were investigated for 2 years as possible ways to improve color and overall quality of 'Reliance' grapes ( Vitis spp.). Canopy management consisted of leaf removal, shoot positioning, and cluster thinning. Grapevines were subjected to one of two levels of leaf removal and one of two levels of preharvest ethephon spray and were either thinned to a basal cluster or nonthinned. Thinning and ethephon advanced harvest dates by 5 to 8 days and 2 to 3 days, respectively. In 1989, berry weight was increased by thinning but was not affected by leaf removal or ethephon. Leaf removal (direct sun exposure) of thinned and nonthinned treatments increased "L" values (lighter colored fruit) in 1989. In 1990, leaf removal, ethephon, and thinning resulted in higher "L" values. The "a" values were significantly increased by leaf removal in 1989 and 1990 and by thinning in 1989, a result indicating increased skin redness. Exposed clusters of nonthinned treatments had significantly higher "b" values due to more yellow fruit in 1989 than in 1990. Ethephon increased "b" values in thinned and nonthinned treatments. In 1990, leaf removal increased "b" values. Thinning resulted in more evenly colored, redder fruit. Leaf removal caused a lightening and yellowing of the skin. Juice from leaf removal treatments in 1990 had significantly higher "L", "a", and "b" values. Ethephon significantly increased the "a" value of juice in 1989, and leaf removal significantly increased the "b" value in 1989. The percent soluble solids of juice was generally decreased by ethephon and increased by leaf removal and thinning. Titratable acidity was decreased by leaf removal and ethephon and increased by thinning in both years. Leaf removal decreased berry pH in 1990. Thinning increased coloration, and direct exposure to light decreased coloration. The results with ethephon were not conclusive. Chemical name used: 2-chloro-ethyl-phosphonic acid (ethephon).