Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Greater Hunter Native Vegetation Mapping as it pertains to the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales

Summary Reliable vegetation maps are an important component of any long-term landscape planning initiatives. A number of approaches are available but one, in particular, pattern recognition (segmentation) combined with modelling from floristic site data, is currently being used to map vegetation across NSW. An independent assessment of this approach based on a review of the Greater Hunter Native Vegetation Mapping (GHM_v4) was undertaken in order to assess its ability to cater for regional, local, strategic and landscape planning. The validation process tested 2151 locations across the Upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The results suggest that mapping at the coarsest level of NSW vegetation classification, the Formation, is generally poor, with only Dry Sclerophyll Forest and Woodland modelled with some level of reliability. The modelled mapping of individual plant community types (PCTs) was found to be highly inaccurate with only 17% of validation points attributed as ‘correct’ and a further 13% ‘essentially correct’. Therefore, a majority of PCTs were mapped with an accuracy of less than 30%. The results of this validation suggest that the GHM_v4 is of such a low level of accuracy within the upper Hunter as to be inherently unusable for broad-scale regional and local landscape planning or environmental assessment, including locating compensatory offsets for the loss of native vegetation due to developments. The GHM_v4 methods of pattern recognition of mainly SPOT5 satellite imagery combined with modelling from plot data have not produced reliable vegetation maps of plant community types. Yet this mapping programme is extending across NSW and could be misused for environmental decisions or as a regulation.
Diagnóstico do uso de ferramentas de gestão por proprietários rurais de Uberlândia, MG

O produtor rural deve se adequar, na tentativa de tornar-se consciente da gestao de sua propriedade rural, pois um melhor gerenciamento resulta em maior lucratividade e em menor custo de producao. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um diagnostico do uso de ferramentas de gestao por produtores rurais do municipio de Uberlândia – MG. Para tanto, realizou-se a aplicacao de formularios estruturados a 23 produtores rurais da referida localidade, atraves de pesquisa de campo, obtendo-se assim, panoramas quanto ao uso destas ferramentas. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de aprimoramento e do uso das ferramentas de gestao utilizada pelos proprietarios rurais entrevistados. Detectou-se, ainda, a necessidade de abertura de um curso para esclarecimento do uso dessas ferramentas.
Problems caused by the Three Gorges Dam construction in the Yangtze River basin: a review

Dam is an important way of water-resources utilization in large rivers. To date, more than 50 000 dams with various sizes have been constructed in the Yangtze River basin, with many other dams proposed to be constructed by 2020. Dam construction has played significant roles in flood control, irrigation, navigation, and energy supply; however, the enormous negative effects, such as landslides, ecological problems, and water quality decline, could surpass positive gains. Although a long and complicated evaluation process had been carried out and the countermeasures for numerous foreseen negative impacts of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) had been implemented, many uncertainties and debating opinions on the benefits and costs of this project still exist. In this review, we synthesize the negative impacts that have occurred as a result of the TGD, including reservoir-triggered seismicity, landslides, water quality control, ecological problems, siltation, and sediment discharge decline to assure an environmentally .
Sex differences in alarm response and predation risk in the fresh water snail Pomacea canaliculata

Many animals show alarm responses (ARs) to chemical cues released from predators or injured conspecifics. However, the prey often makes a trade-off between predation avoidance and reproduction, resulting in pronounced sex differences in AR and in sex-biased predation. This phenomenon has rarely been investigated in snails. The freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata is reported to exhibit an AR to chemical cues released from predators or injured conspecifics. Here, we investigate the sex differences in AR in the snail to chemical cues released from its predator turtle Chinemys reevesii and injured conspecifics. By exposing adult females and males of equivalent size to turtles, we also evaluate the sex-biased predation in the snail. We find that females respond to chemical cues significantly more strongly than males. The predation experiment shows that more females survived than males after a week of predation. These results suggest that males may reduce their antipredator behaviour in order to increase the chance of mating, suggesting a trade-off between predation avoidance and reproduction.
A NEW TOXODONT FROM THE LATE MIOCENE OF CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA, AND A PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE TOXODONTIDAE

Abstract A new genus and species of Toxodontidae from the Huayquerian (late Miocene) of El Cajón Valley (Catamarca, Argentina) is described. Calchaquitherium mixtum gen. et sp. nov. (Toxodontinae) is characterized by a combination of features of different genera, being closest to Mixotoxodon, Xotodon, and Nonotherium. Cladistic analysis of the family Toxodontidae has been attempted in order to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon. Four genera of the families Leontiniidae and Notohippidae were used as outgroups. The five subfamilies previously included in Toxodontidae do not represent monophyletic groups according to this analysis. A new classification of Toxodontidae, with two subfamilies, Nesodontinae and Toxodontinae, with three main groups of genera within the latter, is proposed.
Reduced Preemergence Herbicide Rates for Large Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Control in Six Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Cultivars

A field experiment was conducted over a 2-yr period to determine the effects of reduced PRE herbicide rates on large crabgrass infestation in six tall fescue cultivars. With the exception of oryzalin and benefin plus oryzalin in 1993, there was no cultivar by herbicide interaction for large crabgrass infestation when final ratings were made in 1993 and 1994. This interaction was caused by moderate to severe turfgrass injury that thinned the turf. When cultivars were disregarded, prodiamine was the only herbicide applied at one-third recommended rate in 1993 that effectively suppressed large crabgrass for the full season. Prodiamine and dithiopyr were the only PRE herbicides applied at one-third recommended rates for two consecutive years that effectively suppressed large crabgrass in 1994. Two-thirds recommended rate was needed for two consecutive years for oxadiazon, pendimethalin, oryzalin, benefin plus oryzalin, and benefin plus trifluralin to maintain optimum large crabgrass suppression in 1994.
Antiproliferative activity of Origanum compactum extract on lung cancer and hepatoma cells

Natural products have been shown to present interesting biological and pharmacological activities and are used as cancer preventive and therapeutic agents. Plants have historically been used in treating cancer and are recognized for their ability to produce secondary metabolites. Origanum compactum Benth. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known Moroccan plant with cancer-related ethnobotanical use. Previously, we demonstrated that ethyl acetate extract of O. compactum had antiproliferative potential on human breast tumor MCF-7 cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the antiproliferative effect of this extract was similar for diverse human cancer cell lines such as A549 lung cancer and SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells. Furthermore, this study essentially focused on the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide on A549 and SMMC-7721 cells. The characterization of the mechanisms involved in this effect was determined by lactate dehydrogenase test, apoptosis assays and protein expression analyses. Our present work has shown that this extract remarkably inhibited proliferation of A549 (IC50: 198 ± 12 μg/ml) and SMMC-7721 (IC50: 266 ± 14 μg/ml) cells. The characterization of antiproliferative activity demonstrated that this extract was an apoptosis inducer in both cell lines tested. The results of protein expression analyses have shown in A549 cells that this extract activated caspase signaling triggered by the modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. These results suggest that these natural extract-induced effects may have novel therapeutic applications for the treatment of various cancer types.
The phylogenetic position of early hexapod lineages: morphological data contradict molecular data

Abstract. A review of different studies on the phylogenetic relationships of the early Hexapoda lineages shows that analyses based on molecular sequence data have led to labile and sometimes incongruous results, introducing doubt as to the reliability of the cladograms as a whole. In a recent analysis using molecular data, the Collembola, usually considered as early branching hexapods, appear to occupy a position outside the assemblage of Crustacea and Insecta, leading to the rejection of the traditional view of hexapod monophyly. However, many morphological features, as well as the results of cladistic analyses based on morphological and developmental information, contradict these conclusions. More generally, it appears that in the present state of the analytical strategies, hypotheses concerning arthropod phylogenies obtained from morphological and developmental criteria and combined analyses involving molecular and morphological data provide more reliable results than those generated by molecular information alone.
Voluntary Intake and Digestibility of Legume and Grass Diets Fed to Lactating Cows and Growing Wethers

Abstract Two complete mixed diets (77% forage, 23% concentrate) were fed to 20 Holstein cows during the second third of lactation and to 7 wether sheep to compare voluntary intake and digestibility of the two diets and to compare the utilization of the diets in the two animal species. Diet neutral detergent fiber percent, and as-fed bulk density (kg/liter) for the alfalfa hay diet (alfalfa diet) were 42.3 and . 20. Respective values for the orchardgrass diet (grass diet) were 47.5 and . 12. Dry matter intake of cows fed the alfalfa diet (164 g/kg body weight· 75 ) was greater whereas volume intake (837 ml/kg body weight· 75 ) was less than the respective values (136 g/kg body weight· 75 and 1097 ml/kg body weight· 75 ) for the grass diet. Daily intakes of digestible energy and neutral detergent fiber and production of 4.0% fat-corrected milk for the alfalfa and grass diets were not different. Comparable intakes of dry matter and volume by sheep for the alfalfa diet were 63 and 323 and for the grass diet were 64 and 519. Diet digestibility was lower in cows than in sheep. Estimates of diet digestible energy from National Research Council tables overestimated actual digestible energy of the high forage diets fed ad libitum to lactating cows.
Semi‐strict supertrees

A method to calculate semi‐strict supertrees is proposed. The semi‐strict supertrees are calculated by creating the matrix that represents all the groups in the source trees (as done in already existing techniques), and then finding the trees determined by the ultra‐clique. The ultra‐clique is defined as the set of characters where each possible subset is compatible with each possible subset from the entire matrix. Finding the ultra‐clique is computationally complex (since in most cases many of the characters have missing entries), but a heuristic method yields reliable results. When the trees have no conflict, or when there are only two trees, the method produces the exact result for any ordering of the input trees and any ordering of the groups within them; when there are more than two trees and they have conflict, a single ordering or sequence can create some spurious groups, but doing multiple sequences eliminates the spurious groups. The method uses only state set operations, and is thus easily implemented in computer programs. Unlike any existing type of supertree, semi‐strict supertrees display all the groups, and only those groups, that are implied by at least some combination of the input trees and contradicted by none. The idea that supertrees should take into account the number of occurences of a given group, so as to retain some groups even in the case of conflict, is discussed; it is argued that a conceptual equivalent of the majority rule consensus is not possible when the sets of taxa differ among trees. Also, when pruning taxa from a set of trees, the supertree can display groups that contradict the consensus for the entire trees, suggesting that supertrees for matrices with very dissimilar sets of taxa should be interpreted with caution. If (for any valid reason) the data cannot be combined in a single matrix, it is advisable that the taxon sets in the matrices be as similar as possible.
Effect of Cotton Gin Compost on Substrate Properties and Growth of Azalea under Differing Irrigation Regimes in a Greenhouse Setting

‘Formosa’ azalea (Rhododendron indicum) was grown for 4 months in 7.6-L (2 gal) containers in four substrate blends: 100% pine bark (PB) (by volume), 1 PB : 1 cotton gin compost (CGC), 3 PB : 1 CGC, and 3 PB : 1 peat (PT) at three irrigation levels [600, 1200, and 1800 mL·d–1 (20.3, 40.6, and 60.9 fl oz/d)] in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse. Plants were evaluated for growth on a biweekly basis using a growth index. Roots were evaluated visually at the end of the study using a 0 (no root growth) to 5 (root bound) scale. Initial physical properties were determined and leachates were collected every 30 days. There was no difference in percent increase in growth across irrigation and substrate treatments. Visual root rating was greatest (4.5) for azaleas grown in 3 PB : 1 PT and least (3.5) in 1 PB : 1 CGC. The two PB/CGC blends improved waterholding capacity (WHC) in comparison to 100% PB, with 1 PB : 1 CGC exhibiting the greatest WHC among all four substrates. Bulk density was greatest with the CGC-amended substrates. Leachate pH tended to increase and electrical conductivity (EC)
Weed suppression and component crops response in maize/pumpkin intercropping systems in Zimbabwe

Intercropping is a common practice in the smallholder sector of Zimbabwe with potential contribution to weed management. The proper combination of plant population, composition of the component species and frequency of weeding which lead to weed suppression are still unknown and that prompted this investigation. The experiment was set up as a factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design with three factors: cropping systems (sole maize, sole pumpkins and maize/pumpkin intercrop), weeding regimes (weeding at 3 weeks after planting (WAP) and at 3 and 8 WAP) and pumpkin population (16.5% and 33%) of maize population. Results showed no significant effect of cropping system, pumpkin population and weeding regime on maize yield, pumpkin yield, pumpkin leaf number and weed density. Weed biomass was significantly higher (P=0.000) at weeding regimes of 3 WAP than at 3 and 8 WAP. Pumpkin population of 16.5% had higher weed biomass compared to 33%. Themaize/pumpkin intercrop had significantly (P=0.002) lower weed biomass compared to sole crops. There were significant interactions of weeding regime and pumpkin population and cropping system and pumpkin population (P=0.035). The results indicate that intercrops with 33% pumpkin population and weeded at 3 and 8 WAP are superior in terms of weed biomass suppression. Intercropping done at correct crop combination and weeding at the right time therefore shifts crop-weed competition in favour of the crop as it reduces dry matter accumulation of the weeds without affecting yield of component crops. Intercropping can therefore be used as a component in integrated weed management in the smallholder sector.
Wing polymorphism in Nysius huttoni White (Hemiptera: Orsillidae)

Abstract Individuals of Nysius huttoni White, a ground-dwelling hemipteran, develop one of three wing forms. Field studies were carried out from 1995 to 1998 to investigate the proportion of each wing form; adult populations consisted of 94.1% macropters, 5.5% sub-brachypters and 0.4% brachypters. Paired mating adults were collected for two years in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 to investigate which wing forms were mating with which, and the proportions of the wing form combinations among the mating pairs. Theoretically, there are nine possible mating combinations among three wing forms. However, only six mating combinations were found in the field. Four mating combinations, M×M, ♀M×♂Sb, ♂M×♀Sb and Sb×Sb occurred in both years; and two mating combinations, ♂M×♀B and ♂Sb×♀B were found only in 1996–1997. The other three mating combinations, ♀M×♂B, ♀Sb×♂B and B×B were not found in either year. M×M was the predominant mating combination with an average percentage of 81.2%. The effects of temperature and photoperiod on wing development of this species were investigated at five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35±0.5°C), one ambient (laboratory room conditions) temperature and three photoperiods (16-h, 12-h, and 8-h of light) in the laboratory. The results indicate that both low and high temperatures, and short day-length at lower temperature, tend to accelerate the production of sub-brachypters and brachypters, while high temperature under long photoperiod appears to favour the production of macropters. This ability to produce macropters possibly benefits this bug by enabling rapid dispersal of adults during occasional very dry summers (which may kill preferred weedy hosts) to temporary alternative crop hosts in Canterbury and Central Otago.
Intervarietal differences in response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to different mutagenic treatments.

For much of the past century, mutagenesis has gained popularity in plant genetics research as a means of inducing novel genetic variation. Induced mutations have been applied for the past 40 years to produce mutant cultivars in sunflower by changing plant characteristics that significantly increase plant yield and quality. The present study was focused on generating baseline data to elucidate the role of genotypic differences in the response of sunflower to induced mutagenesis with the aim of expanding the applicability of the use of induced mutant stocks in the genetic improvement of the crop and in its functional genomics. The strategy adopted was to estimate the optimal treatment conditions (doses of mutagens) through relating the extent of damage in seedling progeny to the exposure levels of the initiating propagules to mutagens. Seeds of 15 elite sunflower genotypes commonly used as breeding stocks and grown on commercial scales were treated with a range of mutagens: Gamma-rays (γ rays); fast neutrons and with ethyle-methane-sulphonate (EMS) at different treatment doses. The three mutagenic agents affected seedling height, reducing it with increasing dosage. Based on the mutagen damage on seedling height, the 50% and 30% damage indices (D 50 and D 30, respectively) were estimated for the 15 sunflower genotypes for the three mutagens. The D 50 (D 30 ) values for the sunflower lines ranged from 120 to 325Gy (5 to 207Gy) for gamma irradiation; 9 to 21Gy (0.1 to 10Gy) for fast neutrons and 0.69 to 1.55% (0.01 to 0.68%) concentration of EMS.
Experience‐induced preference for oviposition repellents derived from a non‐host plant by a specialist herbivore

Foraging adults of phytophagous insects are attracted by host-plant volatiles and supposedly repelled by volatiles from non-host plants. In behavioural control of pest insects, chemicals derived from non-host plants applied to crops are expected to repel searching adults and thereby reduce egg laying. How experience by searching adults of non-host volatiles affects their subsequent searching and oviposition behaviour has been rarely tested. In laboratory experiments, we examined the effect of experience of a non-host-plant extract on the oviposition behaviour of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, a specialist herbivore of cruciferous plants. Naive ovipositing DBM females were repelled by an extract of dried leaves of Chrysanthemum morifolium, a non-host plant of DBM, but experienced females were not repelled. Instead they were attracted by host plants treated with the non-host-plant extract and laid a higher proportion of eggs on treated than on untreated host plants. Such behavioural changes induced by experience could lead to host-plant range expansion in phytophagous insects and play an important role in determining outcome for pest management of some behavioural manipulation methods.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal technology for the growth enhancement of micropropagated Spilanthes acmella Murr

Yadav K. , Singh N. , Aggarwal A. (2012): Arbuscular mycorrhizal technology for the growth enhancement of micropropagated Spilanthes acmella Murr. Plant Protect. Sci., 48: 31–36. Spilanthes acmella (Asteraceae) is an endangered ornamental cum medicinal annual herb. This study reports on the effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis ) applied either alone or in combination on post-transplanting performance of micropropagated S. acmella. Complete plantlets of S. ac mella were raised by direct organogenesis from nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various cytokinins. S. acmella plantlets responded to all three mycorrhizal treatments in a significantly different way. G. mosseae enhanced the survival rate of S. acmella plantlets to 100%. Plant height, plant spread, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, biomass production, and chlorophyll con tent were significantly higher in AM inoculated plantlets as compared to the uninoculated ones. This clearly demonstrates that AM inoculation not only improved the survival rate of micropropagated plantlets but also their growth and biomass yield.
Effects of Pelleting on the Utilization of Feed by the Growing Chicken

Abstract NUMEROUS reports have indicated that pelleting rations for chicks results in increased rate of gain and improved feed efficiency (Heywang and Morgan (1944), Bearse et al. (1952), Lanson and Smyth (1955), Allred et al. (1957), Arscott et al. (1957b), and others); however, it is not clear why improved utilization of feed occurs following the pelleting process. Many investigators have reported that the principal effect of pelleting is to increase the density of the feed, thus allowing greater feed intake and a resultant increase in rate of growth and efficiency of feed utilization. Others suggest that the pelleting process enhances the utilization of nutrients in the feed. Lindblad et al. (1955) observed an increase in rate of growth of chicks fed pelleted rations without increased consumption of feed. Allred et al. (1957b) observed a growth response to pelleting even when the pellets were ground to a particle size and density similar …