Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat selection by foraging White Storks, Ciconia ciconia, during the breeding season

Foraging habitat selection by breeding White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) was studied at two contrasting areas in Spain, in relation to physical features of the terrain, food availability, and distance to the colony. In the first area, where storks captured mainly orthopterans, they selected tall-grass pastures and recently ploughed cereal fields, which were the habitats with highest densities and largest average sizes of prey. In the second area, where storks preyed almost exclusively on earthworms, flooded and open ash groves with short grass and high densities of earthworms were the preferred habitat. In this area, marked storks dispersing farther to feed in selected open ash groves more often than in dense ones. Foraging bouts, were longer, aggregations were larger, and food intake rates were greater, in open ash groves than in dense ones, owing to greater earthworm availability and accessibility. Depletion of earthworms led to an increased distance of dispersal to forage in the second area, but not in th.
Volatility Spillover in Australian Commercial Property

Abstract Extensive real estate studies have demonstrated the linkages between direct property and capital assets, particularly REITs by emphasising on the common movements in prices. However, the study of volatility spillover between these assets is relatively limited. This study aims to investigate the volatility linkages between Australian commercial property and capital assets by utilising generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and Exponential GARCH (EGARCH) over the study period 1985-2006. The results reveal that direct commercial property is strongly influenced by LPTs and bonds. It is also shown that direct property is asymmetric to negative and positive news. These findings have provided additional insights into the knowledge base of real estate risk and portfolio management.
Methane and nitrous oxide fluxes in annual and perennial land‐use systems of the irrigated areas in the Aral Sea Basin

Land use and agricultural practices can result in important contributions to the global source strength of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). However, knowledge of gas flux from irrigated agriculture is very limited. From April 2005 to October 2006, a study was conducted in the Aral Sea Basin, Uzbekistan, to quantify and compare emissions of N2O and CH4 in various annual and perennial land‐use systems: irrigated cotton, winter wheat and rice crops, a poplar plantation and a natural Tugai (floodplain) forest. In the annual systems, average N2O emissions ranged from 10 to 150 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1 with highest N2O emissions in the cotton fields, covering a similar range of previous studies from irrigated cropping systems. Emission factors (uncorrected for background emission), used to determine the fertilizer‐induced N2O emission as a percentage of N fertilizer applied, ranged from 0.2% to 2.6%. Seasonal variations in N2O emissions were principally controlled by fertilization and irrigation management. Pulses of N2O emissions occurred after concomitant N‐fertilizer application and irrigation. The unfertilized poplar plantation showed high N2O emissions over the entire study period (30 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1), whereas only negligible fluxes of N2O (<2 μg N2O‐N m−2 h−1) occurred in the Tugai. Significant CH4 fluxes only were determined from the flooded rice field: Fluxes were low with mean flux rates of 32 mg CH4 m−2 day−1 and a low seasonal total of 35.2 kg CH4 ha−1. The global warming potential (GWP) of the N2O and CH4 fluxes was highest under rice and cotton, with seasonal changes between 500 and 3000 kg CO2 eq. ha−1. The biennial cotton–wheat–rice crop rotation commonly practiced in the region would average a GWP of 2500 kg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1. The analyses point out opportunities for reducing the GWP of these irrigated agricultural systems by (i) optimization of fertilization and irrigation practices and (ii) conversion of annual cropping systems into perennial forest plantations, especially on less profitable, marginal lands.
A Critical Perspective on Managing Curriculum

The relationship between what is understood as a written or formal curriculum and a curriculum in action or put into practice permeates a large part of curriculum studies well beyond those concerned directly with curriculum policies and reforms. Both traditional and critical perspectives seem to accept a functional model in which the written curriculum is implemented through a process that involves application as well as distortions of what is formally proposed. Pinar, Reynolds, Slattery, and Taubman (1996) maintain that the traditional perspective of the curriculum as an institutionalized text refers to an ameliorative approach associated with daily school life, with curriculum implementation as one of the aspects of curricular development. This definition is frequently associated with the idea of measuring the
Notes on the exine ultrastructure of Onagraceae and Rhododendroideae (Ericaceae)

Abstract There are only three unrelated families (Onagraceae, Ericaceae and Cacsalpiniaceae) known so far with viscin thread bearing pollen grains. In this work members of the Onagraceae and Ericaceae were investigated. Supposing that the viscin threads represent a specialized part of the exine, it is assumed that they are deduced from a single exine architecture principle. This can be confirmed especially for the investigated species. Similarities are also recognizable in early developmental stages. These similarities are the massive nexine, the endosexinel layer, consisting of sporopolleninous elements arranged in a paracristalline configuration and furthermore the tectal layer which can be identified by a higher gradation of sporopollenin polymerisation.
Allelic variation of two poly-glutamine repeats in the canine androgen receptor gene

Various dog breeds can differ markedly not only in size and shape but also in behavioral traits, suggesting that some behavioral traits are under genetic control. In humans, reports indicate that personality can be affected by genetic polymorphisms of proteins involved in regulation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin and hormones such as androgen and estrogen. In the previous studies, we found that the longer alleles of a VNTR in exon III of the dopamine receptor D4 gene might affect aggressiveness in dogs. However, the number of genes surveyed is not enough and genetic systems affecting canine behavior are still unknown. In the present study, we surveyed 2 polymorphic glutamine repeat regions of the canine androgen receptor gene (AR) in 30 dog breeds (720 individuals) and 2 wolf subspecies (30 individuals) . In the first repeat (Q1), we detected 3 alleles, Q1-10, Q1-11 and Q1-12, each includes 10, 11 and 12 deduced poly-glutamines, respectively. In the second repeat (Q2), 6 alleles, Q2-22, Q2-23, Q2-24, Q2-25, Q2-26 and Q2-27, including two new alleles (Q2-26 and Q2-27) were detected. Allele frequencies differed greatly among breeds/subspecies. These polymorphisms in AR may be useful markers for further analysis of the association of genes with reproductive traits and behavioral ones.
The effects of soil heavy metals pollution and seasonal variations on gametogenesis and energy reserves of the land snail Eobania vermiculata

Various substances like pesticides, industrial chemicals and some natural products have the potential to alter hormonal pathways that regulate the reproductive process in certain animal species. In the present study, reproductive cycle of the land snail, Eobania vermiculata from two different Governorates in Egypt has been investigated. Biochemical analyses of the mantle and gonad confirmed an annual cycle with a winter and an autumn inactive period followed by a rapid gonad development in spring and summer. This study has shown that the condition factor (CF) and the Gonado-somatic index (GSI) values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in snails collected from Abu-Zabaal village (TR) than that collected from New Salheia city (NS). Pattern is evident for lipid and glycogen levels in the gonad which reflects the vitellogenic process. The results of the present study can distinguish snails collected at TR according to a belated gametogenesis concomitant with a significant higher gonad glycogen concentration observed in August and September. A persistent dysfunction of a vitellogenic process is suspected to be due to the exposure to anti-estrogenic contaminants.
Cathepsin K: The Action in and Beyond Bone

Cathepsin K (CatK) is one of the most potent proteases in lysosomal cysteine proteases family, of which main function is to mediate bone resorption. Currently, CatK is among the most attractive targets for anti-osteoporosis drug development. Although many pharmaceutical companies are working on the development of selective inhibitors for CatK, there is no FDA approved drug till now. Odanacatib (ODN) developed by Merck & Co. is the only CatK inhibitor candidate which demonstrated high therapeutic efficacy in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis in Phase III clinical trials. Unfortunately, the development of ODN was finally terminated due to the cardio-cerebrovascular adverse effects. Therefore, it arouses concerns on the undesirable CatK inhibition in non-bone sites. It is known that CatK has far-reaching actions throughout various organs besides bone. Many studies have also demonstrated the involvement of CatK in various diseases beyond the musculoskeletal system. This review not only summarized the functional roles of CatK in bone and beyond bone, but also discussed the potential relevance of the CatK action beyond bone to the adverse effects of inhibiting CatK in non-bone sites.
Influence of Riverine Input on Norwegian Coastal Systems

Coastal ecosystems are of high ecological and socioeconomic importance and are strongly influenced by processes from land, sea, and human activities. In this study, we present physical, chemical, and biological observations over two consecutive years from three study regions along the Norwegian coast that represent a broad latitudinal gradient in catchment and oceanographic conditions (∼59–69°N): outer Oslofjord/southern Norway, Runde/western Norway, and Malangen/northern Norway. The observations included river monitoring, coastal monitoring, and sensor-equipped ships of opportunity (“FerryBox”). The riverine discharge and transports were an order of magnitude higher, and the spatiotemporal extent of this freshwater influence was larger in the coastal region in southern Norway, compared to western and northern Norway. The southern Norway coastal waters had consistently high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (cDOM) fluorescence year-round, connected to the large influence of local riverine input and likely also advected riverine run-off and mixing with water masses from the southern North Sea and Baltic Sea. Meanwhile, the western and northern study regions were more sheltered and characterized by more episodic riverine input of freshwater, DOC, cDOM, and nutrients. The timing of the spring phytoplankton bloom in all three regions generally preceded the periods of high riverine input, which suggested that while the winter nutrient reserve was sufficient to fuel the spring bloom, the input of nutrients during the spring flood could sustain the spring bloom or the input of suspended matter, and DOC/cDOM could result in light limitation of the bloom. This article summarizes the impact of riverine input on three diverse coastal systems in terms timing and duration, as well as the potential consequences for ecosystem function especially as related to rising terrestrial organic matter input into coastal regions over the last decades and the projected increase due to climate change.
Controller Design for the Rotational Dynamics of a Quadcopter

Researchers have shown their interests in establishing miniature flying robots to be utilized for, both, commercial and research applications. This is due to that fact that there appears to be a huge advancement in miniature actuators and sensors which depend on the MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) NEMS (Nano-Electro Mechanical Systems). This research underlines a detailed mathematical model and controller design for a quadcopter. The nonlinear dynamic model of the quadcopter is derived from the Newton-Euler method and Euler Lagrange method. The motion of a quadcopter can be classified into two subsystems: a rotational subsystem (attitude and heading) and translational subsystem (altitude and x and y motion). The rotational system is fully actuated whereas translational subsystem is under actuated. However, a quadcopter is 6 DOF (Degrees of Freedom) under actuated system. The controller design of a quadcopter is difficult due to its complex and highly nonlinear mathematical model where the state variables are strongly coupled and contain under actuated property. Nonlinear controller such as SMC (Sliding Mode Controller) is used to control altitude, yaw, pitch, and roll angles.Simulation results show that the robustness of the SMC design gives a better way to design a controller with autonomous stability flight with good tracking performance and improved accuracy without any chattering effect. The system states are following the desired trajectory as expected.
Genome-Wide Association Studies in Diverse Spring Wheat Panel for Stripe, Stem, and Leaf Rust Resistance

Among several important wheat foliar diseases, Stripe rust (YR), Leaf rust (LR), and Stem rust (SR) have always been an issue of concern to the farmers and wheat breeders. Evolution of virulent pathotypes of these rusts has posed frequent threats to an epidemic. Pyramiding rust-resistant genes are the most economical and environment-friendly approach in postponing this inevitable threat. To achieve durable long term resistance against the three rusts, an attempt in this study was made searching for novel sources of resistant alleles in a panel of 483 spring wheat genotypes. This is a unique and comprehensive study where evaluation of a diverse panel comprising wheat germplasm from various categories and adapted to different wheat agro-climatic zones was challenged with 18 pathotypes of the three rusts with simultaneous screening in field conditions. The panel was genotyped using 35K SNP array and evaluated for each rust at two locations for two consecutive crop seasons. High heritability estimates of disease response were observed between environments for each rust type. A significant effect of population structure in the panel was visible in the disease response. Using a compressed mixed linear model approach, 25 genomic regions were found associated with resistance for at least two rusts. Out of these, seven were associated with all the three rusts on chromosome groups 1 and 6 along with 2B. For resistance against YR, LR, and SR, there were 16, 18, and 27 QTL (quantitative trait loci) identified respectively, associated at least in two out of four environments. Several of these regions got annotated with resistance associated genes viz. NB-LRR, E3-ubiquitin protein ligase, ABC transporter protein, etc. Alien introgressed (on 1B and 3D) and pleiotropic (on 7D) resistance genes were captured in seedling and adult plant disease responses, respectively. The present study demonstrates the use of genome-wide association for identification of a large number of favorable alleles for leaf, stripe, and stem rust resistance for broadening the genetic base. Quick conversion of these QTL into user-friendly markers will accelerate the deployment of these resistance loci in wheat breeding programs.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Mustards with Multiaperturate Pollen (Physarieae, Brassicaceae) Based on the Plastid ndhF Gene: Implications for Morphological Diversification

Abstract Physarieae, a tribe of mustards with multiaperturate pollen, was investigated phylogenetically for the first time using comprehensive sampling and plastid molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses were employed to test the monophyly of the tribe, to investigate relationships of its seven genera, and to study the evolution of selected morphological traits. Character evolution was inferred using parsimony approaches for nine continuous and three discrete traits related to trichomes, fruits, seeds, and pollen. Two monophyletic clades were recovered within Physarieae: the DDNLS clade, which included five genera (Dithyrea, Dimorphocarpa, Nerisyrenia, Lyrocarpa, and Synthlipsis), and the PP clade, which comprised two genera (Paysonia and Physaria). Under this new phylogenetic context, multiaperturate pollen appeared to be a potential synapomorphy of the tribe. In addition, five continuous fruit and seed traits were identified as new potential synapomorphies for Physarieae. Our analyses also indicated that members of the DDNLS clade present more highly branched dendritic trichomes, narrower replums, longer fruits, and wider seeds, when compared to representatives of the PP clade. Moreover, ancestral state reconstructions of continuous traits in Physarieae showed that seeds became wider and fruits, replums, styles, and seed primary grooves became longer over time.
The storage defects in grey platelet syndrome and αδ‐storage pool deficiency affect α‐granule factor V and multimerin storage without altering their proteolytic processing

Among proteins stored in α‐granules, multimerin and factor V share unusual features: they bind to each other, are proteolysed to unique forms and are stored eccentrically in α‐granules. These unique features of their processing led us to study these proteins in alpha delta storage pool deficiency (αδ‐SPD) and grey platelet syndrome (GPS, α‐SPD), two conditions known to impair α‐granule protein storage. Platelet factor V and multimerin were severely reduced in GPS, whereas they ranged from reduced to normal in αδ‐SPD. The platelet levels of factor V and multimerin in these disorders indicated multimerin deficiency was not predictive of platelet factor V deficiency, although it reduced the amount of multimerin associated with platelet factor V. In GPS only, the defect in storing proteins was associated with increased multimerin and multimerin‐factor V complexes in plasma. Like normal platelets, GPS and αδ‐SPD platelets contained factor V mainly in granules. Platelet factor V and multimerin were proteolysed to normal platelet forms in GPS and αδ‐SPD platelets, indicating that these conditions preserve some aspects of normal α‐granule protein processing. Although we found factor V can be stored in platelets deficient in multimerin, our data indicate that multimerin storage influences the point at which multimerin binds factor V.
Fuel-Reduction Treatment Effects on Avian Community Structure and Diversity

Abstract We assessed responses of the breeding bird community to mechanical thinning and prescribed surface fire, alone and in combination, between 2000 and 2006 in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests in northern Arizona, USA. Fuel-reduction treatments did not affect species richness or evenness, and effects on density of 5 commonly detected species varied among species. Populations of some species, such as the western bluebird (Sialia mexicana), increased following burning treatments, whereas others, such as the mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli), decreased in response to thinning treatments. Our results also identified a temporal response component, where avian community composition and structure changed synchronously on all treatments over time. Given the modest effects these small-scale fuel-reduction treatments had on avian composition and the specific density responses of particular species, our results suggest that land managers should consider implementing prescribed surface fire after thinning projects, where appropriate.
The feeding value of grain screenings for ruminants: Chemical composition and nutrient utilization

The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical and nutrient utilization characteristics of grain screening pellets (GSP) for ruminants. One ruminally fistulated cow was used to determine ruminal nutrient degradability characteristics of GSP relative to barley grain. Twenty-one growing lambs were used to determine voluntary intake and total tract nutrient digestibility coefficients for GSP relative to regular and thin barley. Seven diets were formulated with different levels of GSP, and thin or regular barley at ratios of 100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75. On a dry matter (DM) basis, GSP contained 337 ± 17.4 g kg−1 neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 209 ± 21.1 g kg−1 acid detergent fiber (ADF), 151 ± 11.1 g kg−1 crude protein (CP), and 262 ± 61.5 g kg−1 starch. Ruminal degradability of DM and NDF of GSP was lower (P < 0.05) while that for CP was higher (P < 0.05) than barley grain. Effective ruminal degradability of starch for GSP and barley exceeded 900 g kg−1. Results of the sheep trial showed that as .
Species composition and molecular phylogeny of the Indo-Pacific teatfish (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) bêche-de-mer fishery

Using mtDNA sequences we found that the Indo-Pacific teatfish fishery comprises at least three species, clarifying confusion on the taxonomic status of these commercially important holothurians. Traditional taxonomic characters, including the morphology of skeletal structures, could not be used to differentiate the species. Sequences of the COI gene (529 bp) distinguished three haplotype clusters, corresponding to distinct colour forms and, to some extent, previously described species. The white teatfish, Holothuria fuscogilva, comprises a range of colour morphs and has a wide distribution over the tropical Indo-Pacific region. The large sequence divergence indicates potential for the presence of several cryptic species in the white teatfish complex. In contrast to current taxonomy, we identified two species of black teatfish that appear to be allopatric: H. whitmaei is entirely black and has a Pacific distribution; whereas H. nobilis has white ventro-lateral dots and only occurs in the Indian Ocean. There is evidence for allopatric speciation between the black teatfish species, possibly driven by separation of the oceans and altered current patterns during the Pliocene, resulting in relatively young species with low intraspecific sequence divergence. These results provide insight into speciation in these tropical holothurians and are crucial for their conservation management.
Behavioral diversity as biological diversity: introduced cats and lava lizard wariness

Exotic predators have decimated island populations of birds and reptiles worldwide (Iverson 1978; Snell et al. 1984; Kirkpatrick & Rauzon 1986; Steadman 1986; Cruz & Cruz 1987; Fritts 1988; Case & Bolger 1991). Because of the high degree of endemism on islands, extinction of native species on islands represents an important reduction in biological diversity. This paper addresses a more subtle and perhaps overlooked component of biological diversity, behavioral diversity. Behavioral diversity is reduced when organisms delete evolved behaviors from their behavioral repertoire. Like rare species, rare behaviors are more susceptible to elimination than are widespread behaviors; therefore it is important to preserve rare behaviors. To the extent that behavior is genetically based, a reduction in behavioral diversity is also a reduction in genetic diversity. Animals on islands are often extraordinarily tame relative to animals on continents. Any threat to this un-