Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Major Constraints of Village Poultry Production in Demba Gofa District of Southern Region, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from September 2011 to March 2012 to identify and estimate the prevalence of ectoparasites of poultry managed under backyard system in Demba Gofa district of Gamo Gofa zone. A total of 384 chickens of different age groups and both sexes were examined. Overall, 322/384 (83.85%) of chickens were infested with one or more species of ectoparasites that mainly grouped into flea 269 (83.5%), lice 109 (33.85%) and fowl tick 16(4.97%). Seven species of ectoparasites were identified. Among them, Echinophaga gallinacean (stick tight flea) 269/384 (83.5%) was the most prevalent ectoparasites species followed by lice species Menopon gallinea 49/109 (44.95%), Menacanthus stramineus 22/109 (20.18%), Lipeurus caponis 17/109 (15.6%), Goniocotes gigas 14/109 (12.84%) and Goniocotes gallinea 7/109 (6.42%) while the least identified was fowl tick / Argas persicus / 16/ (4.97%). Mixed infestation 64/322 (19.87%) and single infestation 258/322 (80.12%) of ectoparasites was also recorded. The difference in prevalence rate of ectoparasites in brooder (44.41%) was higher than the adult (13.66%). The finding in age group showed that there was a statistically significant in prevalence of ectoparasites between brooder and adult chicken (p<0.05). The difference in prevalence rate of ectoparasites in female (64.90%) higher than that of the male (35.09%). There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in infestation rate of ectoparasites between two sexes. Generally, the study indicated that the external parasites are highly prevalent in backyard chickens in the study area which is associated with lack of due attention with respect to hygienic system, treatment and control practices. Therefore, control of ectoparasites based on creation of awareness to the community about the overall effect of ectoparasites on productivity of poultry and others are recommended.
“Write a Word, Get a Third”

This article examines the doubly uncertain work environment of professional songwriters: They are affected by wider events in the music industry, and their immediate work context is a team setting where the distribution of tasks varies from one project to the next. Interviews reveal that songwriters pursue professional interests by enhancing cooperation, rather than engaging in defensive tactics. The author identifies two conventions: equal authorship and professional conciliation. Such conventions elucidate how rewards are managed in a team context of task variation and underscore the mutually constitutive relationship between conflict and cooperation within postbureaucratic forms of organizing.
Geographical variations in carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in squid

The magnitude of geographical variations of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen was examined in ten squid species captured in seven areas of the world's oceans. The average of all 139 squid was −17.4±1.4‰ for δ13C and 11.6±1.6‰ for δ15N. The δ13C of squid showed a clear-cut negative correlation with the latitude of the sampling locations, reflecting the well-known latitudinal characteristics of phytoplankton δ13C, while squid δ,15N did not correlate with the latitude significantly. The δ15N reflected the regional characteristics of nitrogen metabolism such as denitrification and N2 fixation, and it was conspicuous in the intraspecific variation in Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis ranging from 10.0±1.5‰ off Japan to 16.3±0.6‰ off Peru in the Pacific Ocean. Significant isotopic variations were also found in the local area among the five species off Japan in the Pacific Ocean and among the three species in the Japan Sea. Attention must be paid to the isotopic variations of primary producers as well as those of squid in examining the trophic positions of squid.
Influence of surface defect density on the ultrafast hot carrier relaxation and transport in photoelectrodes

Cuprous oxide ( Cu 2 O ) is a promising material for photoelectrochemical energy conversion due to its small direct band gap, high absorbance, and its Earth-abundant constituents. High conversion efficiencies require transport of photoexcited charges to the interface without energy loss. We studied the electron dynamics in Cu 2 O(111) by time-resolved two-photon photoemission for different surface defect densities in order to elucidate the influence on charge carrier transport. On the pristine bulk terminated surface, the principal conduction bands could be resolved, and ultrafast, elastic transport of electrons to the surface was observed. On a reconstructed surface the carrier transport is strongly suppressed and defect states dominate the spectra. Evidence for surface oxygen vacancies acting as efficient carrier traps is provided, what is important for further engineering of Cu 2 O based photoelectrodes.
REASSESSING THE COWBIRD THREAT

Abstract The demographic significance of parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater; hereafter “cowbirds”) has been debated for years, because manipulative studies are few and mathematical models of cowbird-host systems have not led to tests of their predictions. We combine results from a cowbird- removal experiment (Smith et al. 2002, 2003) with a stochastic simulation model that we developed, to reassess the effect of cowbirds on the annual reproductive success (ARS) and nesting success in Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Our model followed the breeding success of individual Song Sparrow nests and extrapolated to output variables including ARS, nest survival, and parasitism rates. We parameterized the model with field data from cowbird control sites (i.e., cowbirds not manipulated) and found that output variables matched those observed. We used the reduced parasitism rates observed on cowbird-removal sites, reran the model, and compared output with observed values. On removal sites, ARS was greater than predicted by the model, which indicates that the model failed to account for some biological phenomenon that occurred when cowbirds were in the system. To assess what this phenomenon might be, we conducted further analyses that indicated that cowbirds may facilitate nest predation by “conventional” predators. Using elasticity analyses, we show that cowbirds have their largest effect on ARS through egg removal and that conventional predators are more important than cowbirds in directly affecting nest survival rates. We report that to assess the effect of cowbirds on nest survival, researchers must avoid using the common technique of comparing survival rates of parasitized and unparasitized nests within populations. Réévaluation de la Menace du Vacher
Intake of selected minerals on commercial dairy herds in central and northern England in comparison with requirements

SUMMARY Overfeeding minerals to dairy herds will raise diet cost, increase their excretion into the environment and for minerals such as copper (Cu) can lead to poisoning and cow death. In contrast, underfeeding may compromise cow performance, health and fertility. Despite this, the level of mineral intake on commercial dairy units is poorly documented. To determine the mineral intake on commercial dairy herds in central and northern England over the winter of 2011/12 and compare these to recommended levels, samples of compound feed, forage mix, supplementary sources (including lick blocks, rumen boluses, free access minerals and drenches) and drinking water were collected from 50 herds over the winter feeding period and analysed for 10 macro and trace minerals. For cows in early lactation the mean dietary concentration of phosphorus (P) was 4·5 g/kg dry matter (DM) (s.d. 0·70), 0·1 g/kg DM below UK requirements, and for calcium (Ca) was 10·2 g/kg DM (s.d. 2·94), 5·9 g/kg DM above requirements. Trace mineral concentrations were also in excess of requirements in early lactation, with a mean dietary Cu concentration of 28 mg/kg DM (s.d. 9·85), approximately 18 mg/kg DM above UK requirements, with 32 of the 50 herds feeding above the UK industry recommended maximum of 20 mg/kg DM and 6 above the EU limit of 40 mg/kg DM. Dietary mineral concentrations were generally lower in late lactation but still higher than requirements. The forage mix (including supplementary feeds and minerals) contributed the greatest amount of minerals, with percentile ranges (10th–90th) of 2·1–4·4 g/kg diet DM for P, 1·4–3·2 g/kg diet DM for magnesium (Mg) and 5·3–25·0 mg/kg diet DM for Cu. Compounds fed in the milking parlour supplied (10th–90th percentile) 0·0–1·4 g P g/kg diet DM, 0·0–1·2 g Mg/kg diet DM and 0·0–11·6 mg Cu/kg diet DM. For the upper 90th percentile of dairy herds, water supplied proportionally 0·08 of Ca requirements recommended in early lactation in the UK, whilst supplementary mineral sources supplied up to 0·64 of Cu and 0·43 of zinc (Zn) requirements. High dietary concentrations of Cu were not justified by the presence of the dietary antagonist molybdenum (Mo), with no relationship between the two minerals in early or late lactation diets. In conclusion, most dairy herds were feeding excess amounts of minerals over the winter feeding period when compared to UK or other national recommended guidelines, with the implications of a higher diet cost and negative impact on the environment and animal health.
Effects of Matric and Osmotic Priming Treatments on Broccoli Seed Germination

Priming, a controlled-hydration treatment followed by redrying, improves the germination and emergence of seeds from many species. We compared osmotic and matric priming to determine which was the most effective treatment for improving broccoli seed germination and to gain a greater understanding of how seed vigor is enhanced by priming. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) seeds were osmotically primed in polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000) at -1.1 MPa or matrically primed in a ratio of 1.0 g seed:0.8 g synthetic calcium silicate (Micro-Cel E):1.8 ml water at -1.2 MPa. In the laboratory, germination rates and root lengths were recorded from 5 to 42C and 10 to 35C, respectively. Broccoli seeds germinated poorly at >35C. Root growth after germination was more sensitive to temperatures >30C and 35%. The greater germination performance of matrically primed seeds was most likely the result of increased oxygen availability during priming, increased seed Ca content, or improved membrane integrity.
Reprogramming of metabolism by the Arabidopsis thaliana bZIP11 transcription factor

The Arabidopsis bZIP11 transcription factor is known to regulate amino acid metabolism, and transcriptomic analysis suggests that bZIP11 has a broader regulatory effects in metabolism. Moreover, sucrose controls its translation via its uORF and all the available evidences point to the fact that bZIP11 participates in the molecular network downstream of SnRK1 in response to low carbon conditions. Furthermore, the heterodimerization capability between bZIP11 and C group bZIP transcription factors diversify its function in regulating gene expression. In this thesis, the studies employed omic techniques including transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses and detailed molecular ! and biochemical analyses to undermine the function of bZIP11 in gene regulation and its possible role in sugar signaling. Remarkably we found that besides amino acid metabolism, bZIP11 reprograms sugar metabolism as well, by regulating the corresponding metabolic genes. In detail, bZIP11 regulates the biosynthesis of raffinose and degradation of myoinositol and trehalose. The capability of turning over signaling molecules in carbon metabolism including trehalose 6-phosphate and trehalose positions bZIP11 in the network sensing sugar availability. The transcriptomic analysis confirmed that bZIP11 induces a set of carbon starvation genes, which implies it possible role under carbon starvation conditions again. The further anal! ysis suggested that C group bZIP transcription factor bZIP10 plays an important role in augmenting the transcription activity of bZIP11. For instance there is synergistic effect in inducing the trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase encoding genes and also trehalase. The regulation of bZIP11 in trehalose 6-phosphate and trehalose degradation genes including TPP5, TPP6 and Trehalase 1 gives rise to trehalose resistant phenotype in bZIP11 over expressing seedlings. The transcriptomic analysis in seedlings in response to trehalose feeding emerges that trehalose and trehalose 6-phosphate are powerful molecules in regulating global gene expressions. Interestingly, S1 group bZIP transcription factors including bZIP11 are trehalose responsive genes. Thus, all the fact points to that bZIP11 participates in sugar signaling network by interacting with trehalose 6-phosphate metabolism
Antibioresistance Profile of Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates Recovered from Broiler Chicken Farms with Colibacillosis in Kermanshah Province, Iran

Antimicrobial therapy is an important tool in reducing both the incidence and mortality associated with avian colibacillosis. Meanwhile, enormous exploitation of antibiotics in the field of poultry medicine has increased the number of resistant bacterial strains in recent years. During 2012, antibacterial susceptibility tests were performed on 154 isolates of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) recovered from broiler chicken flocks with signs of colibacillosis in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. A total of 18 antibiotic discs with gentamicin, neomycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, florfenicol, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, norfloxacin, erythromycin, tiamulin, lincomycin- spectinomycin, colistin and fosfomycin were used. There were resistance frequencies of 91.6% and 62.3% to chloramphenicol and florfenicol, respectively. The highest frequency of resistance (97.7%) was against nalidixic acid. Frequencies of resistance to other quinolones including flumequine, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin were also relatively high. Erythromycin and tiamulin resistance occurred at frequencies of 96.1% and 87.0%, respectively. Resistance expressed by the isolates to lincomycin-spectinomycin was at 49.4%. Relatively low fequency of resistance (30.5%) was against fosfomycin. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was found in 63.3% of the isolates. Generally, the resistance frequencies of APEC isolates recovered from broiler chickens in this study were high. Studies examining isolates from various geographic locations are required to more accurately detect differences in antimicrobial resistance in isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Appropriate use of antibiotics in humans and farm animals needs to be addressed in Iran and other developing countries.
A Multimodal Predictive Agent Model for Human Interaction Generation

Perception and action are inextricably tied together. We propose an agent model which consists of perceptual and proprioceptive pathways. The agent actively samples a sequence of percepts from its environment using the perception-action loop. The model predicts to complete the partial percept and propriocept sequences observed till each sampling instant, and learns where and what to sample from the prediction error, without supervision or reinforcement. The model is implemented using a multimodal variational recurrent neural network. The model is exposed to videos of two-person interactions, where one person is the modeled agent and the other person’s actions constitute its visual observation. For each interaction class, the model learns to selectively attend to locations in the other person’s body. The proposed attention-based agent is the first of its kind to interact with and learn end-to-end from human interactions, and generate realistic interactions with performance comparable to models without attention and using significantly more computational resources.
Nutrient Cycling and Phytoplankton Dynamics in Relation to Mussel Grazing in a Mesocosm Experiment

Abstract An experiment was carried out with four 3 m3 land-based mesocosms in May/June 1993. The mesocosms were supplied with a high nutrient loading, and 4 different amounts (20, 40, 80 and 160) of 17-19 mm blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Phytoplankton development, concentrations of nutrients, primary production, bacterial production, and mussel growth were followed during four weeks. Phytoplankton biomass was significantly reduced in the mesocosms with the highest mussel bio-mass. The phytoplankton in the mesocosm with the highest mussel biomass had a higher proportion of diatoms than the other mesocosms. Phytoplankton growth rates were highest in the mesocosms with high mussel biomass, which was explained as the result of a shift towards faster growing algae (diatoms) and increased nutrient availability. The reduction in phytoplankton biomass by grazing was higher than the increase of phytoplankton growth rates. As a consequence, total primary production was lowest in the mesocosm with high mussel bioma.
EFFECT OF DIAPREPES ROOT WEEVIL ON LEAF GAS EXCHANGE AND GROWTH OF SELECT ORNAMENTAL TREE SPECIES

of Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science EFFECTS OF DIAPREPES ROOT WEEVIL ON LEAF GAS EXCHANGE AND GROWTH OF SELECT ORNAMENTAL TREE SPECIES By Alex P. Diaz August 2005 Chair: Catharine Mannion Cochair: Bruce Schaffer Major Department: Entomology and Nematology The Diaprepes root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a serious and economically important pest of citrus and many ornamental plants grown throughout the state of Florida. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of root feeding by Diaprepes root weevil larvae on leaf gas exchange and growth of three ornamental tree species commonly grown in south Florida that are known hosts of this weevil. Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), live oak (Quercus virginiana) and pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) in containers were infested with Diaprepes root weevil larvae and leaf gas exchange was measured monthly to determine the effects of larval root feeding on net CO2 assimilation (A), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs). Leaf, stem and root fresh and dry weights of each species were also determined. In one of two tests, larval root feeding significantly reduced A, E and gs of infested buttonwood trees. Leaf gas exchange of live oak was not affected by larval infestation. The effects of
Genetic analysis of body weight traits of Surti buffalo.

Estimation of genetic parameters for body weight traits is important for understanding the genetic basis for growth performance of the animal and for accessing how much improvement is possible in future generations. The data for the present study were collected from breeding and body weight records of the Livestock Research Station, Navsari from 1988-2002. The data pertaining to body weight of 522 Surti buffaloes for body weight at birth, body weight at 3 months, body weight at 6 months and body weight at 12 months were collected. The records were analyzed using least squares analysis procedures. The Harvey (1990) programme was used to estimate the genetic parameters i.e. heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations by the paternal half sib method. Nongenetic factors, such as period of birth, period of calving, season of birth, and season of calving were incorporated in an appropriate statistical model. BW0, BW3 and BW6 were signifi cantly affected by period of birth and season of birth. The sex of calf signifi cantly affected only body weight at birth. BW12 was not affected by any of the non-genetic factors under study. Body weights at different ages were found to be moderate to highly heritable and were favorably genetically correlated with each other.
Quantifying the effects of fungicides and disease resistance on greenhouse gas emissions associated with wheat production

A method is presented to quantify the net effect of disease management on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per hectare of crop and per tonne of crop produce (grain, animal feed, flour or bioethanol). Calculations were based on experimental and survey data representative of UK wheat production during the period 2004–06. Elite wheat cultivars, with contrasting yields and levels of disease resistance, were compared. Across cultivars, fungicides increased yields by an average of 1·78 t ha−1 and GHG emissions were reduced from 386 to 327 kg CO2 eq. t−1 grain. The amount by which fungicides increased yield – and hence reduced emissions per tonne – was negatively correlated with cultivar resistance to septoria leaf blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola, anamorph Septoria tritici). GHG emissions of treated cultivars were always less than those of untreated cultivars. Without fungicide use, an additional 0·93 Mt CO2 eq. would be emitted to maintain annual UK grain production at 15 Mt, if the additional land required for wheat production displaced other UK arable crops/set aside. The GHG cost would be much greater if grassland or natural vegetation were displaced. These additional emissions would be reduced substantially if cultivars had more effective septoria leaf blotch resistance. The GHGs associated with UK fungicide use were calculated to be 0·06 Mt CO2 eq. per annum. It was estimated that if it were possible to eliminate diseases completely by increasing disease resistance without any yield penalty and/or developing better fungicides, emissions could theoretically be reduced further to 313 kg CO2 eq. t−1 grain.
Phosphorus inputs unmask negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on algae in a high mountain lake

Ultraviolet solar radiation (UVR) and atmospheric nutrient loads to pristine ecosystems are global climate change phenomena that simultaneously affect aquatic organisms in ways not easily predicted by single factor studies. Plankton in a high mountain lake was exposed in situ to increasing phosphorus (P) concentrations (mimicking atmospheric pulses) in absence or presence of UVR in order to identify their interactive effect on functional [primary production, organic carbon (C) release (EOC), and percentage of C released (%EOC)], growth rate, structural–physiological (algal biomass, sestonic C, P content, chlorophyll a (Chl a), and Chl a : C ratio, P cell quota, cell‐specific Chl a), and stoichiometric (autotroph C : P ratio) traits. The availability of P after the pulse determined the intensity of responses by primary producers to UVR stress. All structural–physiological and functional variables significantly increased by up to two orders of magnitude in response to P enrichment. UV radiation, over a long‐term scale, exerted significant deleterious effects on most structural–physiological variables when inorganic P was added at high levels (≥30 μg P L−1). The subsequent unexpected negative synergistic UVR × P effect on algal development did not support our initial hypothesis that P input might buffer the harmful UVR effect. UVR exerted a weak negative effect on primary production but strongly enhanced the absolute and percentage excretion of C (up to 60%), mechanism responsible of a significant reduction in autotroph C : P ratios. We propose that low sestonic C : P ratios are the outcome of an adaptive strategy of algae in environments with high UVR exposure and extreme nutrient limitation and have important implications for C flux through grazing vs. microbial food webs in oligotrophic systems.