Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant Species Selection by Goats Foraging on Montane Semi-Natural Grasslands and Grazable Forestlands in the Italian Alps

The interest for goats rearing has increased during last decades on the Italian Alps. However, feeding preferences by grazing goats have not undergone detailed investigation in extensive montane grazing systems. Our study aimed to assess plant species selection by integrating vegetation surveys with animal GPS tracking under two contrasting alpine vegetation communities: a semi-natural grassland (SG) and a grazable forestland (GF). Goats selected a high array of plant species (56 and 47 species in the SG and GF, respectively), but most of their diet was composed by a few species (ten species accounted for 95% and 91% of the total species intake in the SG and GF, respectively). The selection by goats seemed to be more species-dependent rather than functional group-dependent. Goats appeared to be less selective within a homogeneous herbaceous grassland, because they selected plant species proportionally to their abundance (P=0.05). Conversely, in a heterogeneous and stratified grazable forestland they showed a more pronounced preference for most of the browse species, regardless of species abundance. Plant species selection was positively correlated with species height in both vegetation communities (P<0.001). Despite this selective behaviour, animal stocking density played a key role in the selection of many species and this result suggests that animal management (i.e., implementation of different stocking rates and densities) could be an important tool in modifying diet selection, promoting the consumption of particular plant species and thus managing the dynamics of plant communities in alpine environments.
Effect of Mulching: A Best Practice of Soil Management in the Litchi Orchard

Litchi is one of the main fruit crops of North Bihar (India). It is of high export potential due to its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. Litchi production is highly dependent on its soil fertility status, which is declining due to the lack of proper agronomic practices and changing climatic conditions. The aim of the study is to observe the effect of mulching on soil nutritional content of litchi plant, its quality and yield. The study was conducted in a litchi orchard situated at Harsidhi block, East Champaran (Bihar), during litchi growing season. The Organic and inorganic mulching treatment was applied on the soil of litchi trees covering its basin. Mulching treatment increased the N, P, K content, soil moisture content, organic carbon and diversity of rhizobacteria in the soil as compared to control. Soil moisture content increased from 11.9% to 20.67% (inorganic mulch). Available Nitrogen (252kgha), phosphate (53kgha) was found maximum in inorganic mulch as compared to control. Organic carbon (0.95%) and rhizobacterial diversity (2.5 X 10) was high in organic mulch. Physical characteristics of fruit were also enhanced in mulched trees. Fruit yield/ tree was maximum in inorganic mulch (97.56 kg), followed by organic mulch (85.64kg) and least in control (74.82 kg). Both organic and inorganic mulching treatment is fruitful for soil health and litchi production. Thus it can be effectively applied as a good agronomic practice in modern agriculture system.
The Effect of Control Corruption, Political Stability, Macroeconomic Variables on Asian Economic Growth

This study aims to analyze the correlation between control corruption and political stability, macro variables on economic growth in Asia. Study population consist of 47 countries, employing secondary data from Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Development Indicators, and United Nations Development Programme. The data were analyzed using dynamic panel regression (GMM) during 2002-2018 period with Stata 14 software. The result of the analysis shows control corruption and political stability positively affect economic growth. Macroeconomic variables consist of foreign direct investment and human capital positively affects economic growth. While government size has no significant effect on economic growth. The findings of this study confirms that economic growth can be increased through reducing levels of corruption, strong political stability, increase capital inflow, optimally government consumption especially increasing portion of the education budget and creating jobs widely.
Genetic diversity assessment of Sinarundinaria anceps (Mitf.) Chao and Renvoize accessions through Isozyme markers

Hill bamboo (Ringal) is socio-economically and ecologically important bamboo in Himalayan range. Sinarundinaria anceps have wide variety of uses ranging from household to commercial purposes. Due to over use of the species, serious deterioration of natural resources have been recorded. In light of these facts, as attempt has been made to assess genetic diversity through isozyme marker with four enzyme system (peroxidase, esterase, malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) prevailed in the genotypes of S. anceps collected from different localities of Garhwal Himalayas (India) and established at Hill bamboo Germplasm at Khirsu (India). Native PAGE was performed for the resolution of isozymes and bands were scored as binary data (0 or 1). Data obtained was analyzed under cluster analyses by using Jaccard ́s similarity coefficient and UPGMA method. Very high degree of similarity was reported i.e. 54 to 100% among different accessions. Dendrogram constructed revealed two major cluster with nine accessions in first cluster and one accession in second cluster. First cluster was further divided in three minor clusters. The results recorded reflected very low degree of genetic diversity which necessitates in situ conservation of the natural genetic resources of the species.
VARIABLE LORENTZ ESTIMATE FOR GENERALIZED STOKES SYSTEMS IN NON-SMOOTH DOMAINS

We prove a global Calderón-Zygmund type estimate in the framework of Lorentz spaces for the variable power of the gradient of weak solution pair (u, P ) to the generalized steady Stokes system over a bounded non-smooth domain. It is assumed that the leading coefficients satisfy the small BMO condition, the boundary of domain belongs to Reifenberg flatness, and the variable exponent p(x) is log-Hölder continuous.
Lead induced root and shoot growth reduction in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is due to increase in membrane lipid peroxidation

Lead (Pb) is one of the most phytotoxic metals in the agricultural soils and its concentration is continuously increasing mainly through anthropogenic activities. Present study was designed to investigate the phototoxic effects of lead (Pb) on different physiological parameter in Triticum aestivum L. Wheat seeds were germinated in petri plate at different concentration (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500μM) of Pb (NO3)2. The increasing lead concentration gradually and significantly decreased germination (%), fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length, decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid content with respect to control. The hydrogen peroxide content and lipid peroxidation increased both in shoot and root, but those in root increased drastically over the control values. The peroxidative process in roots in Pb toxicity might be one of the major factors for inhibition of growth and pigment content in wheat seedlings.
The Effects of Age at Infection and Gender on the Pathogenesis of Theiler’s Virus Induced Disease – A Model of Human Multiple Sclerosis

The Effects of Age at Infection and Gender on the Pathogenesis of Theiler’s Virus Induced Disease – a Model of Human Multiple Sclerosis (April 2008) Matthew Stephen Propst Department of Biomedical Science College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University Fellows Advisor: C. Jane Welsh, Ph.D. Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting 1 in 2000 of the US population. Susceptibility to MS is influenced by environmental, gender, genetic and pathogenic factors. For instance, there is a higher incidence of MS in women than men (2:1) and that there is a sudden onset of the disease between the ages of 15 and 50, suggesting that gender, age and puberty alter the susceptibility to the disease. The etiology of MS is not known, and although viral infection is suspected to be an initiating event. Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in SJL mice causes a biphasic disease in which the chronic phase causes an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS which closely resembles MS. In the current study we utilize TMEV to investigate the influence of both age and gender on disease progression in this viral model of human multiple sclerosis. Here, we tested the hypothesis that age and gender significantly affect the pathogenesis of Theiler’s virus-induced disease in which we showed that males displayed worse symptoms than females at later ages of inoculation.
A Comparison Between a Long Short-Term Memory Network Hybrid Model and an ARIMA Hybrid Model for Stock Return Predictability

This thesis explores the applicability of neural networks in stock return forecasts by designing a hybrid LSTM (long short-term memory) network, and compares its forecasting ability with both a static LSTM network and an ARIMA hybrid model. The S&P100 stock set is employed as the prediction sample. The hybrid models use the neural network approach and frequentist method respectively to estimate Fama-French risk factors, then predict stock returns based on factor estimations that benefit from the prediction ability and computational power of the LSTM network and the ARIMA model as well as the Fama-French model’s explanatory power of returns. Better factor predictions are made by the LSTM network with a 31% reduction of Mean Squared Error (MSE) and broader ranges of estimation than the ARIMA model. Hybrid models demonstrate a better fit, resulting in more accurate predictions compared to the static LSTM network by an average of 4.6% (LSTM-FF) and 3.1% (ARIMA-FF). However, I find that the slight outperformance of the LSTM-FF hybrid model over the ARIMA-FF hybrid model is not statistically significant.
BOARD COMPOSITION AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AMONG PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES IN UGANDA

Purpose: The study aimed at examining the relationship between board composition and financial performance of private limited companies in Uganda.Methodology: A positivist approach and a cross-sectional research design were employed to collect data from 394 companies in Central and Western Uganda. An open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data from board members and executives from companies. Pearson correlation and standard linear regression were employed for data analysis.Findings: Results indicate a positive relationship between non-executive directors on the Board and the financial performance of private companies.Unique Contribution to practice and policy: Private Limited Companies in Uganda will attain the much-desired insights in the context of how board composition links with their financial performance. The study recommends the management`s careful consideration of long survival prospects as well as the formulation of appropriate policies and survival strategies that oversee long existence to guarantee benefits and optimal performance coupled with profitability that emanate from a well-composed board.Study Limitation: The study was limited to only board composition, leaving out other board characteristics that influence financial performance. Besides, it was only positivistic hence subject to methods bias that could have affected the validity of results.
Examination of stomach contents in xanthid crabs.

In order to elucidate the infestation mechanism of toxic crabs with paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), three xanthid crabs (Zosimus aeneus, Atergatis floridus and Platypodia granulosa) collected from Ishigaki Island and Miura Peninsula, were surveyed for stomach contents. Stomach contents of the three toxic crabs from Ishigaki Island consisted of red algae, animal tissues, corals, sand, etc., irrespective of their PSP toxicity levels. The same stomach contents composition was encountered in a nontoxic crab Daira perlata examined for comparison. Stomach contents of A. floridus specimens collected from Miura Peninsula showed a somewhat different composition, in which Hypnea sp. , bivalves, gastropods, animal tissues and sand were dominant. No definite conclusion was drawn from these data, as to the association of the eating habit of these toxic crabs with their PSP toxification.
Predation Risk and Macroalga Use by the Stream-Dwelling Salamander Ambystoma texanum

WILBUR, H. M. , ANDJ. P. COLLINS. 1973. Ecological aspects of amphibian metamorphosis. Science 182: 1305-1314. CASEY, J. W. 961. An eco ogical study of two patric sp cies of salamanders, Ambystoma maclatum and A. jeffersonianum in southern Michigan. publ. Ph D. dissert. , Michig n Stat University, sing, Michigan. ITFORD, W. G. , AND A. VINEGAR. 1966. Homing, rvivorship, and overwintering of larvae in spotted la anders, Ambysto a maculatum. Copeia 1966: WILSON, R. E. 1976. An ecological study of Ambystoma maculatum and Ambystoma jeffersonianum (Amphibi : Caudata). Unpubl. Ph.D. dissert. , Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. ZAR,J. H. 1984. Biostatistical analysis. 2nd ed. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Investigation of using hybrid nanofluid-phase change material spectral splitter in photovoltaic/thermal system

The photovoltaic/thermal system is capable of generating both heat and electricity simultaneously. The purpose of using spectral filters is to make full use of the solar radiation spectrum and thermal separation of photovoltaic and thermal units. The purpose of this paper was to investigate a new hybrid spectral filter consisting of phase change material and nanofluid to achieve a filter close to the ideal spectral filter. In this regard, the photovoltaic/thermal system with a combined nanofluid-phase change material spectral filter was simulated using energy balance equations in MATLAB software and its performance was compared with two conventional and nanofluid-based spectral splitting photovoltaic/thermal systems from energy and exergy viewpoints. Also, the optical properties of nanofluid and phase change material were simulated and the models were validated with the experimental data available in the literature. The results showed that by using a combined filter the photovoltaic temperature can be reduced by up to 50% and the output fluid temperature can be increased by twice. The exergy efficiency of the system with the combined filter was about 14% and 22% higher than conventional and nanofluid-based spectral splitting photovoltaic/thermal systems, respectively. The system also achieved the highest exergy efficiency at concentration ratios greater than 15.
Forage performance of Paspalum hybrids from an interspecific cross

The goal of this study was to assess the variability of Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum interspecific hybrids in terms of agronomic performance and their tolerance to cold conditions, as well as to estimate the correlation of different phenotypic characters associated with forage production. Twenty hybrids plants were used, besides one access P. guenoarum , one of P. plicatulum and the cultivar 'Pensacola' ( P. notatum ). Assessments were performed on individual plants, in a completely randomized design with five repetitions. Paspalum genotypes presented variability in total dry matter, leaf dry mass, leaf: stem ratio, and tolerance to cold. We suggest selection of the hybrids 08Q01 and 08Q44 for new stages within a forage improvement program. Estimates of phenotypic correlation may aid in the selection of genotypes with better agronomic traits.
Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Low-temperature Solution-processed Sol-gel KNN Thin Films

We report on an environmentally friendly and versatile chemical solution deposition route to K0.5Na0. 5NbO3 (KNN) thin films. The excess amounts of K and Na in KNN precursor solutions was found to be strong influence on perovskite KNN single-phase thin films. It was revealed from Raman spectroscopic analysis data that a change in scattering mode was observed for the KNN thin films fabricated under various processing conditions. This change was due to the chemical composition fluctuation of K and Na in the KNN thin films during heat treatment. The leakage current and ferroelectric properties of the thin films were strongly affected by the excess amounts of K and Na as well. KNN thin films with 20 mol% excess K and Na exhibited a leaky ferroelectric polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis. Leakage current density of the film was 3.85×10 A/cm at applied field of -60 kV/cm.
Effect of fertigation on growth and yield of mango cv. Alphonso under Konkan agro climatic condition

A fertigation experiment was conducted to assess the spatio-temporal variation in soil water content, productivity, fruit quality and nutrient distribution in drip irrigated mango cv Alphonso. For this purpose, full bearing and mature (30 years old) trees were subjected to fertigation application of N, P and K in different proportion at different time i.e. after harvest, during fruit set and at marble stage of fruit. Results revealed that the yield parameters namely number of fruits and yield kg/tree was found significant. Significantly the highest number of fruits/tree (140.89) and yield/tree (38.16) were recorded in the treatment T3 (N-25%, P-50%, K-15%, through drip at after harvesting, N-20%, P-25%, K-15% during fruit set and N-30%, K-45% at marble size of fruits) and was superior over all the treatments under study. The fruit quality parameters i.e. fruit weight (g), Yield (t/ha), TSS (OB) and acidity (%) were found non significant.
Food supply and reproductive allocation in forest ants : Repeated experiments give different results

We studied food limitation as a proximate determinant of resource allocation in social insect colonies by repeating a field experiment that had previously produced negative results. A series of plots was supplemented with food in Vermont, USA, and others were left as controls. After two years of the food supplementation, all plots were excavated and nests of Leptothorax longispinosus ants were collected. We found significant effects of the food treatment on reproductive output, male allocation ratios, and the proportion of biomass allocated to reproduction versus growth. These results contradict a previous study on the same population of these ants, and we attribute the different outcomes to annual variation in the selective regime experienced by the ants. Thus interpretation of field experiments should be couched in terms of their temporal dimensions.
Emergence, Breeding, Hibernation, Movements and Transformation of the Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, in Missouri

M ANY aspects of the life history of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) remain little investigated, despite its importance as a game and laboratory animal, and its widespread distribution in North America. The most comprehensive information on the life history of the species is to be found in writings of Wright (1914, 1920) and Wright and Wright (1949, and earlier editions). A general account was presented by Dickerson (1931). Detailed studies of several phases of the life history of the species in Louisiana were made by George (1940). In New York, Raney (1940) and Ingram and Raney (1943) reported movements of the bullfrog; growth rates were investigated by Raney and Ingram (1941) and Ryan (1953). In Missouri, food habits of the bullfrog have been studied in detail by Korschgen and Moyle (in press). These substantial contributions have been augmented by several brief scientific papers, and by popular accounts originating in various states. Nevertheless, the bullfrog has received considerably less attention from researchers than have game fishes, birds, and mammals of similar importance. In Missouri, high rank in the commercial production of bullfrogs was achieved many years ago. In 1908, the commercial harvest of frogs was higher in Missouri than in any other state (U. S. Department of Commerce and Labor, 1911). Bullfrogs undoubtedly contributed a large share of this take. After the early 1900's, the bullfrog resource declined, but the recent expansion of habitat resulting from construction of thousands of farm ponds in this state has set the stage for recovery. Bullfrog populations sufficiently large to afford sustained hunting for sport, at least can be hoped for. This study was undertaken to provide information on the life history and management of the bullfrog in Missouri. The work was begun in February, 1950, and some data were collected as late as April, 1954. During the first 2 years, the work was performed by Moyle, and was confined to farm ponds, most of which were located in Boone County in central Missouri. These ponds ranged from one-fourth acre to 2 acres in area and had maximum depths of from 6 to 15 feet; many of the ponds were of a type approved for construction subsidies and for fish stocking by federal and state agencies. In the second two-year period, the study was made by Willis. The 1952 collections were also made in central Missouri farm ponds, but in 1953, some streams in central Missouri, and ponds in the southwestern portion of the state were included.
Tilburg University Stochastic Strategy Adjustment in Coordination Games

We explore a model of equilibrium selection in coordination games, where agents stochastically adjust their strategies to changes in their local environment. Instead of playing perturbed best{response, we assume that agents follow a rule of \switching to better strategies more likely". We relate this behavior to work of Rosenthal (1989) and Schlag (1998). Our main results are that both strict Nash equilibria of the coordination game correspond to stationary distributions of the process, hence evolution of play is not ergodic, but instead depends on initial conditions. However, coordination on the risk{dominant equilibrium occurs with probability one whenever the initial share of agents playing the risk{dominant strategy has at least some positive measure, how ever small, within the whole population. Journal of Economic Literature Classi cation: C72
Respiration, Anaerobic Survival and Diel Locomotory Periodicity in Hirschmannia viridis Müller (Ostracoda)@@@Respiration, Anaerobic Survival and Diel Locomotory Periodicity in Hirschmannia viridis Muller (Ostracoda)

The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of the brackish water ostracod Hirschmannia viridis 0. F. Muller is found to be salinity- and temperature- dependent. OCR is at its minimum at the average salinity of the area (The Sound, Oresund) (10-15 %.) and an increase in the values
Lectotypification of Ophiorrhiza heterostyla Dunn and the new record of Ophiorrhiza rugosa Wall. var. angustifolia (Thwaites) Ridsale (Rubiaceae) for India

A new locality in India for Ophiorrhiza heterostyla Dunn (Rubiaceae) is reported, and the combination is lectotypified. Ophiorrhiza rugosa Wall. var. angustifolia (Thwaites) Ridsdale is recorded for the first time for India. Detailed descriptions, distributions, and relevant taxonomic notes along with colour photographs are provided for easy identification of these taxa.