Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating herbicide and mechanical control treatments with fire and biological control to manage an invasive wetland shrub, Mimosa pigra

Summary 1 In Australia, biological control is a promising long-term management strategy for the woody weed mimosa Mimosa pigra but does not yet provide adequate control. Other management techniques, including herbicides and fire, can be ineffective and their impact on biological control agents is unknown. We investigated the potential of integrating control techniques, including biological control, to provide cost-effective management. 2 A large-scale (128-ha) split-plot experiment was performed to measure the impact of single and repeated applications of herbicide and crushing by bulldozer, either alone or in combination, on both mimosa and five introduced biological control agents that were abundant at the site. Herbicides were applied over three seasons (1997–99) and all plots were burned in 2000. 3 The impact of control options on mimosa cover, biomass, number of stems per ha, stand size structure and seedling regeneration was determined by aerial photography and by sampling permanent and random quadrats. Biological control agent abundance was also quantified. 4 In isolation, herbicide, bulldozing and fire were not effective, but several combinations of techniques cleared mimosa thickets and promoted establishment of competing vegetation that inhibited mimosa regeneration from seed. 5 Depending on the species, biological control agent abundance on surviving mimosa plants was either unchanged or increased following herbicide and/or bulldozing treatments. All agents recolonized regenerating mimosa within 1 year of the fire treatment, and Neurostrota gunniella increased dramatically. Carmenta mimosa abundance, however, was reduced by fire. 6 The abundance of N. gunniella increased in response to all treatments, which we attribute to attack by this species being most common along stand edges. Control treatments separated monocultures of mimosa into smaller patches, thereby increasing the ratio of ‘edge’ to ‘thicket’ plants. The proportion of plants susceptible to N. gunniella attack increased as a result. 7 Synthesis and applications. We conclude that integrating control techniques can successfully control dense mimosa thickets. Biological control integrates well with other control options and should lead to significant cost reductions for mimosa management. To maximize this benefit, integrated weed management plans should be designed to integrate biological control fully with other methods, rather than separate them spatially or temporarily.
The fossil record

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Centers of excellence - intermediary experience from the United States

In recent years, states and communities have been under pressure to select and implement interventions and service delivery models that are shown to be effective with children, youth, young adults, and families across the public child- and family-serving systems. Many funders are realising that they will not achieve their goals just by funding more evidence-based programs (EBPs). Research has demonstrated that good clinical outcomes for children and families cannot be obtained simply by making EBPs and promising practices available - good outcomes are critically dependent on the quality of implementation, how well providers deliver the practices, the level of stakeholder involvement, and buy-in at the community level (Blase and Fixsen, 2013; Durlak, 2013; Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, 2014). Additionally, when states and local governments fail to provide adequate supports to ensure that the practices are being implemented as intended - including with regard to their fidelity and outcomes - the end result may be outcomes that are no better than routine services or practice as usual (Bruns and Fixsen, 2014; Rhoades, Bumbarger, and Moore, 2012).
Large Eddy Simulation of flow around bridge abutments

Extreme hydrological events have increased the frequency of flooding scenarios in recent years, resulting in significant bridge inundation and associated damages. Turbulence structures within the flow field are highly energetic and possess high sediment entrainment capacity which will lead to the scour formation around the bridge foundation and consequently causes structural instability or even failure of the structure. This research employs the method of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to elucidate the complex flow mechanisms around bridge abutments in changing conditions. The level set method (LSM) is adopted in LES code to predict the complex water surface profiles and an extensive validation of the method against complementary experiment is presented. A faithful representation of a natural river which consists of an asymmetrical compound channel with a parabolic main channel and two variable-length abutments with sloped sidewalls and rounded corners, and a bridge deck is presented in this thesis. The LES code is used to analyse the effect of bridge abutment length on the turbulence structure and flow field through the bridge opening. Extensive analysis by means of streamwise velocity contours, 2D and 3D streamlines, isosurfaces of Q-criterion, contours of wall-normal vorticity, probability density functions, quadrant analysis, power density spectra, and water surface elevation contours has been carried out and have shown significant differences between the different abutment lengths. The findings attempt to contribute to the design of resilient hydraulic structures especially on considering the shape and size of an abutment. The investigation of flow mechanisms around bridge abutments under different scour conditions (i.e. pre-scour and equilibrium scour) is presented in the later part of the thesis. Through 3D streamlines and contours of vertical velocity and turbulent kinetic energy, the equilibrium scour case reveals an increase in the three-dimensionality of the flow around the left abutment in the scour region when compared with the flat bed case. Focusing on the near bed quantities, i.e. bed shear stress and near bed turbulent kinetic energy, the equilibrium scour case shows a significant relaxation at the vicinity of the left abutment, indicating a drastic reduction in sediment activities.
Tolerance to Zn deficiency and P-Zn interaction in wheat seedlings cultured in chelator-buffered solutions

Zinc deficiency is a common constraint for wheat production in the regions with limited precipitation, particularly in the regions with high levels of available phosphate (P) in soil. Two experiments were conducted using chelator-buffered nutrient solutions to characterize differences in tolerance to Zn deficiency among three winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes and to investigate the relationship between P and Zn nutrition in wheat species. Four indices, Zn efficiency, relative shoot-to-root ratio, total Zn uptake in shoot, and shoot dry weight were used to compare the tolerance to Zn deficiency among three wheat genotypes. The results indicated that the four indices could be used in breeding selection for Zn uptake-efficient genotypes. The genotype H6712 was the most tolerant to Zn deficient, followed by M19, and then X13. Specifically, H6712 had the highest Zn uptake efficiency among the three genotypes. The addition of P to the growth medium increased Zn uptake and translocation from roots to shoots. Total Zn content of the wheat plant was 43% higher with 0.6 mmol/L P treatment than that of control with 0 mmol /L P treatment. The Zn translocation ratios from roots to shoots were increased by 16% and 26% with 0.6 mmol/L P treatment and 3 mmol/L P treatment, respectively, compared with 0 mmol/L P treatment. In contrast, high Zn concentrations in the growth medium inhibited P translocation from roots to shoots, but the inhibitive effects were not strong. Sixty-six percent of P taken up by wheat plants was translocated to the wheat shoots at 0 μmol/L Zn treatment, while the percent was 60% at 3 μmol/L Zn treatment. The result may be due to the fact that the wheat plants need more P than Zn.
Analysing intraspecific genetic variation: A practical guide using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites

Population geneticists and phylogeographers are interested in understanding the processes that have shaped the present distribution and diversity of organisms and the genetic variation they contain. In this context, the analysis of spatial patterns of molecular variation within a species has a long- standing tradition. Recently, as a by-product of the rise of DNA barcoding efforts and technological progress, the availability of datasets on intraspecific variability has increased significantly. Re- searchers with many different backgrounds are therefore increasingly being faced with the need to carry out a meaningful analysis in the context of population genetics and phylogeography. A central limitation present in many studies today is that either a single or few mitochondrial gene fragments are being studied as a basis for reconstructing the genetic structure of species and inferring their evolutionary history, even though evidence is mounting that analyses based on a single marker in general, and on a single mitochondrial marker in particular, may be severely biased and may even lead to false conclusions. In this chapter, we emphasize that an independent class of markers should be chosen to com- plement a mitochondrial dataset. Accordingly, we outline a workflow based on several independent microsatellites in addition to mitochondrial DNA. This guideline builds upon earlier synopses and adds new perspectives afforded by novel laboratory and bioinformatic microsatellite screening pro- cedures. Finally, we summarize basic analytic concepts and common problems associated with their application and highlight the utility of different programs in a workflow towards a hypothesis-driven analysis of intraspecific variation. Where possible, we chose studies on crustaceans as examples.
Loss of desiccation tolerance during imbibition-germination in maize seeds

1Campo Experimental Mocochá-INIFAP. Carretera Mérida-Motul, km 25, Mérida. C. P. 97454, Mocochá Yucatán. Tel: 01 (991) 9162215. Ext. 146. 2Programa Producción de Semillas. Instituto de Recursos Genéticos y Productividad-Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. 3Programa de Fitopatología. Instituto de Fitosanidad. Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo Carretera México-Texcoco, km. 36.5, Montecillo, Texcoco. C. P. 56230, Estado de México. (lcordova@colpos.mx; esoriano@ colpos.mx). §Autora para correspondencia: rangel.alma@inifap.gob. mx.
Wing loading in 15 species of North American owls

Information on wing morphology is important in understanding the mechanics and energetics of flight and in aspects related to reversed sexual size dimorphism in owls. I summarized wing span, wing area, wing loading, root box, and aspect ratio calculations from the available literature and from 113 owls examined in this study. Wing loading estimates for 15 species ranged from 0.211 to 0.545 g/cm². Measurements were available for both male and female owls in 12 species; males of all species had a lower wing loading. In five species with sufficient sample sizes, males had significantly lower wing loading (18 percent on average) than females of the same species. Root box area (the area between the wings) averaged 15.4 percent of the combined wing and root box areas. Aspect ratio, the ratio of the wing span to mean wing width, ranged from 4.84 to 8.90. Information is presented for the following species: Barn (Tyto alba), Short-ea ed (Asio flammeus), Long-eared (A. otus), Great Horned (Bubo virginianus), Barred (Strix varia), Great Gray (S. nebulosa), Northern Spotted (S. occidentalis caurina), Snowy (Nyctea scandiaca), Eastern Screech (Otus asio), Western Screech (O. kennicottii), Flammulated (O. flammeolus), Northern Pygmy (Glaucidium gnoma), Northern Saw-whet (Aegolius acadicus), Boreal (A. funereus), and Burrowing (Speotyto cunicularia) Owls.
Prevalence of bacterial infection and somatic cell count in early postpartum milking goats.

This trial aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens associated with caprine mastitis and to determine the prevalence of infection in early lactation. Milk samples for bacteriology and somatic cell count (SCC) were collected from both glands of 400 goats in four herds. Bacteria were isolated from 28% (222/800) of the total glands sampled. Coagulase negative staphylococcus (12.9%), Corynebacterium spp. (11.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (1.4%) were the most prevalent isolates. Infected glands had a significantly higher SCC than uninfected glands (473 x 10 3 (399 ‐563 x 10 3 ) vs. 123 x 10 3 (112 ‐136 x 10 3 ), geometric mean SCC and 95% confidence interval; P < 0.05). Infection increased SCC and the degree of increase in SCC varied between pathogens.
Contract Farming Preferences of Smallholder Rice Producers in Benin: A Stated Choice Model Using Mixed Logit Erodibility

Preferences des petits producteurs de riz pour les contrats agricoles au Benin: un modele de preferences declarees base sur le modele «mixed logit». Dans les pays en developpement, les petits producteurs font face a plusieurs contraintes dont le manque d’information et le manque d’acces au credit et aux marches. L’agriculture contractuelle constitue une solution pour surmonter ces contraintes. Cependant, les contrats agricoles doivent satisfaire aux conditions des producteurs pour etre durables. Cette etude vise a analyser les preferences des producteurs du riz concernant la conclusion de contrats agricoles au Benin. Les donnees sur les preferences declarees ont ete collectees aupres de 574 producteurs de riz. Pour tenir compte de l’heterogeneite, les donnees ont ete analysees avec un modele « mixed logit ». Les producteurs preferent les contrats avec sept principaux attributs : une courte duee, un paiement a la livraison, une vente collective, un accord sur la quantite, pas de provision de credit, une application du prix du marche et aucun controle de la part du partenaire. Cependant, il y a une heterogeneite dans les preferences des producteurs. L’etude suggere que les differences, de meme que les attributs preferes, sont importants pour le developpement de meilleures formes de contrats agricoles par les societes de l’agrobusiness et les decideurs politiques.
Arbutus bicolor (Ericaceae, Arbuteae), una nueva especie de Mexico

Se describe e ilustra a Arbutus bicolor S. Gonzalez, M. Gonzalez et P. D. Sorensen, sp. nov., especie relacionada con A. xalapensis H.B. K. , que ha sido por largo tiempo identificada erroneamente como A. glandulosa M. Martens & Galeotti, un sinonimo de esta ultima. Se diferencia de A. xalapensis por tener las ramillas y peciolos densamente glandular pubescentes, las hojas marcadamente bicolores con enves blanquecino a ocre palido debido a la presencia de indumento denso y uniforme de pelos apretadamente crespos, las hojas de color rojo intenso en la senescencia, asi como las flores de color rosa o raramente blanco. Arbutus bicolor esta ampliamente distribuida en la Sierra Madre Occidental y el Eje Neovolcanico, alcanzando la vertiente occidental de la Sierra Madre Oriental. Se registran hibridos esporadicos con A. madrensis S. Gonzalez, A. occidentalis McVaugh & Rosatti, A. tessellata Sorensen y A. xalapensis. Se incluye una clave para distinguir a A. bicolor de otras especies arboreas de Arbutus de Mexico
Effect of Horticultural Therapy Program Based on Reminiscence on the Psychological and Physiological Improvement of the Aged

This study was aimed at comparing the effects of horticultural therapy based on the reminiscence technique with that of conventional horticultural therapy in order to improve the self-integration in the aged. A total of 27 subjects were selected among the aged through the S Elders Welfare Center in Jung-Gu, Seoul. The subjects were then divided into two groups: HTP (Horticultural Therapy Program Group) and HTPR (Horticultural Therapy Program based on Reminiscence Group), with 14 and 13 subjects, respectively. The subjects went through the horticultural therapy program 18 times, twice a week, from September to November 2004. The program for both HTP and HTPR was divided into two phases (each 9 times). For the HTPR, however, the program was divided so that reminiscence on the whole lifetime (from childhood to senescence and future plans) gradually deepened through the two phases. Psychological changes, such as self-integration, life satisfaction, depression, and self-esteem were measured three times before the commencement of the program and after each phase. On the other hand, physical changes were examined by measuring the blood pressure and heart rate of each subject before and after each program. After comparing the psychological changes by phase between the HTP and the HTPR, both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement in the aspect of life satisfaction after phase 1, compared to how the subjects were before the horticultural program. Moreover, the HTP showed significant improvement in appreciating the past, and the HTPR in self-integration and self-esteem. In both HTP and HTPR, psychological changes in phase 1 kept showing positive improvement, resulting in the effects continuously sustained during phase 2. While the self-esteem in the HTP illustrated significant changes through phase 1 and 2, the degree of present life satisfaction toward the present in the HTPR improved after phase 2 as compared to that before horticultural program. In the comparison of the effects of both treatments after program, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-integration were more significantly improved in HTPR than those of in HTP, in which self-integration in HTPR was highly significantly improved. In addition, the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in both groups significantly increased whereas their pulse rates went down, indicating of happiness and palpitation. Consequently, while both the HTP and the HTPR illustrated improvement in self-satisfaction and self-esteem, the HTPR in which the reminiscence technique based on the characteristics of the aged was applied demonstrated statistically more significant improvement in self-integration than HTP.
Glycosyltransferases of Small Molecules: Their Roles in Plant Biology

Glycosyltransferases are enzymes that transfer sugars from nucleotide sugars to a wide range of small molecule acceptors, from hormones and secondary metabolites to biotic and abiotic chemicals. This alters the hydrophilicity of the acceptors, their stability and chemical properties, their subcellular localization and often their bioactivity. Glycosyltransferases form a large multigene family in the plant kingdom and can be identified by a signature motif in their primary sequence. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the biochemistry of glycosyltransferases and the role of these enzymes in the plant. This article outlines our current knowledge of these enzymes, drawing on information gained from recent in vitro and in planta studies. Key concepts: There is a class of glycosyltransferases (GTs) that transfers sugars to small molecule acceptors. In plants, these acceptors can be natural products such as hormones and secondary metabolites, as well as nonnatural products, such as herbicides and pesticides. Glycosylation changes the properties of the acceptors, increasing water solubility and leading to transport of glycosides from the cytosol. Glycosylation can also affect activity of the acceptors, both in the plant, such as inactivation of hormones and in industrial applications, such as bioactivity and bioavailability. Keywords: glycosyltransferases; homeostasis; hormones; secondary metabolites
Fitness of Encarsia sophia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract Fitness and efficacy of Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as a biological control agent was compared on two species of whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) hosts, the relatively smaller sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype ‘B’, and the larger greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). Significant differences were observed on green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the laboratory at 27 ± 2°C, 55%± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 14: 10 h (L: D). Adult parasitoids emerging from T. vaporariorum were larger than those emerging from B. tabaci, and almost all biological parameters of E. sophia parasitizing the larger host species were superior except for the developmental times of the parasitoids that were similar when parasitizing the two host species. Furthermore, parasitoids emerging from T. vaporariorum parasitized more of these hosts than did parasitoids emerging from B. tabaci. We conclude that E. sophia reared from larger hosts had better fitness than from smaller hosts. Those from either host also preferred the larger host for oviposition but were just as effective on smaller hosts. Therefore, larger hosts tended to produce better parasitoids than smaller hosts.
The Role of IL-7 in Thymic and Extrathymic Development of TCRγδ Cells

IL-7-deficient (IL-7−/−) mice have reduced numbers of B and TCRαβ cells, but lack mature TCRγδ cells. Although most T cell development occurs in the thymus, some intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), including TCRγδ cells, can develop extrathymically. Epithelial cells in both thymus and intestine synthesize IL-7, suggesting that TCRγδ cell development could occur in either site. To evaluate the role of thymic IL-7 in development of TCRγδ cells, newborn TCRβ-deficient (TCRβ−/−) thymi were grafted to IL-7−/− mice. Donor- and host-derived TCRγδ cells were recovered from thymus grafts, spleen, and IEL. However, when IL-7−/− thymi were grafted to TCRβ−/− mice, no development of graft-derived TCRγδ cells occurred, indicating that extrathymic IL-7 did not support TCRγδ IEL generation from newborn thymic precursors. In contrast, TCRγδ IEL development occurred efficiently in adult, thymectomized, irradiated C57BL/6J mice reconstituted with IL-7−/− bone marrow. This demonstrated that extrathymic development of TCRγδ IEL required extrathymic IL-7 production. Thus, intrathymic IL-7 was required for development of thymic TCRγδ cells, while peripheral IL-7 was sufficient for development of extrathymic TCRγδ IEL.
Peach Twig Borer (Anarsia lineatella)

wide wherever stone fruits are grown. In Utah, it is a significant pest on peach, nectarine, and apricot. There are typically three generations of peach twig borer in northern Utah (May-June, July, and August-September) and four or more in southern Utah. Young larvae (Fig. 1) that have overwintered emerge from protected shelters on limbs and twigs during bloom to petal-fall and burrow into developing shoots (Fig. 2). When populations are high, spring larval feeding can cause substantial damage to trees. The first adults are usually detected during April in southern Utah and May in northern Utah. Economic yield loss occurs during the summer when larvae of subsequent generations attack the fruit (Fig. 3). Insecticides are currently the most effective control tactic. Lower toxicity insecticides such as microbial products (Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosad) and insect growth regulators (methoxyfenozide, diflubenzuron, and others) can provide excellent control when timed with early larval feeding and egg hatch.