Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Highway Mortality as an Index of Deer-Population Change

This paper explores the value of records of deer killed accidentally by motor vehicles on Wisconsin highways, and it discusses the potential value of the records in the form in which they are now available. The deer that die accidentally on highways are referred to in this report as road-kills. One of the basic questions explored here is whether or not the reported number of road-kills can be used as an annual population index. In addition to evaluating yearly trends, the sex and age composition of the dead animals is discussed.
Seasonal diving patterns and body temperatures of juvenile green turtles at Heron Island, Australia

This study compared diving patterns of juvenile green turtles, Chelonia mydas, in a coral reef habitat during summer and winter. Dataloggers were deployed on green turtles at Heron Island, Australia, during December 2000 and August 2001 so that dive variables and ambient water temperature (TW) could be monitored. Cloacal temperatures (TB) were recorded from green turtles upon capture to assess their ability to maintain a thermal gradient between TB and TW. Data show that green turtles altered diving behaviour seasonally. Green turtles spent significantly more time in shallow water (<1 m) during winter than during summer. Dive depth for dives that exceeded 1 m was 2.9 ± 0.4 m (mean ± SEM) during summer and 4.4 ± 0.6 m during winter. Dive duration in summer (13.1 ± 1.2 min) was approximately half the dive duration in winter (24.3 ± 1.6 min), and surface interval in summer (0.6 ± 0.1 min) was one-third that of the surface interval in winter (1.8 ± 0.1 min). The observed changes in behaviour may be due to sea.
An Analysis of Dollar Cost Averaging and Market Timing Investment Strategies

Abstract In this paper we present new theoretical and practical insights into the method of dollar cost averaging (DCA) and averaging-style investment timing strategies, with a formal analysis of the problem. Firstly, we provide a rigorous mathematical formulation for studying DCA and related strategies. This provides closed form formulae for the expected value and variance of the investor’s wealth process, which mathematically proves many properties that have been documented in the literature only by empirical studies. Secondly, we prove a counterintuitive, but important, result that the frequency of DCA investment has a non-monotonic and non-trivial impact on risk, risk-return trade-off and other important performance metrics (such as the Sharpe ratio). Thirdly, we provide a method of valuing the DCA risk for models which incorporate jumps. We also provide a method of hedging DCA risk based on applying Asian options. Finally, using the PROJ method of computation, we obtain a robust and computationally efficient method for calculating standard risk measures of generic and deterministic investment strategies, such as DCA. We provide numerical experiments to illustrate our conclusions, and conduct an empirical study on the S&P500 index (from 1954 to 2019) to substantiate our results.
Fish Entrainment Rates through Towboat Propellers in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Abstract A specially designed net was used to study fish entrainment and injury through towboat propellers in 13 pools of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The net was attached to the stern of a 48.8-m-long towboat with twin propellers (in Kort propulsion nozzles), and sampling typically took place while the towboat pushed 15 loaded barges upstream at a time. In total, 254 entrainment samples over 894 km of the 13 study pools were collected. The sampling efforts produced 16,005 fish representing 15 families and at least 44 species; fish ranged in total length from 3 to 123 cm, but only 12.5-cm or longer fish were analyzed because smaller fish could escape through the mesh of the trawl. Clupeidae (68% of total catch) and Sciaenidae (21%) were the dominant families. We detected no effects of towboat operation variables (speed and engine [i.e., propeller] revolutions per minute [RPM]) on entrainment rate (i.e., fish/km), but entrainment rate showed a wedge-shaped distribution relative to hydraulic a.
Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype B colonisation and leaf morphology relationships in upland cotton cultivars

Cultivars of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , are widely grown throughout the world for fibre production. They are also good reproductive hosts for Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B. We studied the relationships between cotton leaf morphology and whitefly population densities in eight United States Deltapine and six Australian cotton cultivars and breeding lines at Holtville, California, in 1996. Results showed that okra‐leaf cultivars and lines were colonised with fewer whitefly adults, eggs and nymphs compared to normal‐leaf cultivars. The distance from underleaf surfaces of cotton leaves to the centres of nearest minor vascular bundles was negatively correlated with whitefly adult, egg and nymphal densities on leaves for all genotypes with the exception of the Australian breeding line 89013–114. Our results suggest that okra‐leaf and distance from underleaf surfaces to the centre of nearest minor vascular bundles of cotton leaves are genetic traits that have potential for breeding whitefly‐resistant upland cotton cultivars.
Short‐Lived Tree Species and Their Role as Indicators for Plant Diversity in the Restoration of Natural Forests

Anthropogenic forests, particularly conifer monocultures, today constitute a large proportion of Central European woodland. Conversion of such forest stands into abundantly structured mixed‐species woodland is within the focus of ecosystem restoration and is considered to affect forest biodiversity. Short‐lived tree species play an important role in such conversion processes and may serve as focal species. However, not much is known about their relationship with forest biodiversity. In this study, the short‐lived tree species, European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.), European white birch (Betula pendula Roth), Downy birch (B. pubescens Ehrh.), and Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus P. Mill.), commonly occurring throughout Central Europe, are investigated with regard to their relationship with plant diversity. The focus is on their occurrences in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)–dominated forests in the Northeast German lowlands. A significant increase in vascular plant diversity is revealed in stands with the selected species’ presence, in comparison to stands without them. Increase in plant species numbers is highest where the respective species occurs in the tree and/or shrub layer, compared with their presence only in the herb layer. For bryophyte species, there is a less strong inverse relationship. An analysis of different species groups, such as threatened, woody, and typical forest species of higher plants, reveals no decrease in species numbers in these groups if short‐lived tree species are present. It is concluded that short‐lived tree species can be indicators for plant diversity assessment within forest restoration processes. As to causal explanations, effects of differing site conditions, assessed by use of Ellenberg indicator values, are discussed as well as possible active effects of the tree species changing their environment.
Components of resistance to Aphis craccivora in some cowpea cultivars

Experiments were conducted to determine in six cowpea cultivars the modalities of resistance to the cowpea aphid. The resistance modality in IT82D‐812 is mainly due to antixenosis, even though reproduction was minimal on this cultivar. Both antixenosis and antibiosis were found to operate in ICV 12, with antibiosis operating in the area of high nymphal mortality and low reproduction. It is suggested that when studying the modality of resistance among crop cultivars, studies of both antixenosis and antibiosis be made in order to determine where the resistance modality lies.
Bringing the colour senses of personal photos to everyday living environment: the design and deployment of a tangible interactive lighting artifact

ABSTRACT The colour of a photo helps to visually communicate with us at an emotional level and remember the mood of the moment. We designed LightPalette to reinstate the direct reflex toward colour in personal photos through a tangible lighting artifact within the users’ everyday environment. LightPalette works by retrieving major colours from a photo in smartphones and expresses them into the light on the acrylic shade enabling tangible adjustment of colours. We deployed LightPalette in 10 participants’ homes for a week to investigate how they interpret the mood of a photo by expressing its colours through a lamp. Findings showed that LightPalette supported users in visualizing the invisible atmosphere of each moment and discovered its potential to be used as a colour diary for reflecting on the day. Our findings imply possibilities for future lighting that provides self-perception by portraying personal visual records stored in digital space into the lighting.
Influence of the Environment on Cassava Quality Traits in Central Rift Valley of Kenya

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Cranzt) is an important food security crop for poor rural communities particularly in Africa. However, little is known about variability of critical root nutritional and quality traits of African cassava germplasm. Cassava roots contain low levels of important micronutrients and its quality can be influenced by the levels of cyanogenic glucosides. Roots from fourteen accessions comprising Kenyan local landraces and improved clones were screened for their nutritional traits including the contents of cyanogenic glycosides, protein and the micro nutrients iron and zinc. Trait stability and the effects of the environment on the expression of the nutritional traits were evaluated using various genotype (G) by environment (E) interaction study models. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences for all the nutritional traits in the three test sites of Baringo, Kericho and Nakuru in Kenya. Contents of cyanogenic glycosides in both roots and leaves, total root proteins, root iron and zinc ranged from 31.8 ppm to 90.8 ppm; 20.8 ppm to 154.4 ppm; 1.15% to 3.47%; 17.81 ppm to 59.69 ppm and 39.39 ppm to 118 ppm, respectively. The sites were also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from each other with the highest cyanogenic content in leaves and roots expressed at the Nakuru site. Regression analysis was used to assess genotype response to environments. Regression coefficients (bi) obtained ranged from 0.13 to 2.23 for all traits combined indicating wide variability in quality trait among the test germplasm. Analysis for sensitivity to environmental change SEi2 revealed that cassava genotypes differed in their level of sensitivity. The root cyanide trait had the highest mean SEi2 which indicated that it was the least stable quality trait in the cassava germplasm. This implies that the same cassava genotypes will give food of different quality depending on growing environment. The observed values for protein and mineral contents suggest the potential for improving the nutritive value of local cassava germplasm.
Vertebrate fauna of the early and late iron ages in Vojvodina (Serbia)

Based on current published and unpublished research results, a total of 34 vertebrate species from 4 classes have been registered at 9 archaeological sites from the Early Iron Age in Vojvodina (Serbia). The most numerous one is the mammal class (Mammalia) with 22 species, then osteichthyes class (Osteichthyes) with 10 species, while birds (Aves) and reptiles (Reptilia) are repsented with one species each. From the Late Iron Age, at 14 archaeological sites, a total of 21 species were registered, of which 16 belong to the mammal class (Mammalia), birds (Aves) are represented by 2 species, and osteichthyes (Osteichthyes) by 3 species.
The effect of seasonal thermal stress on milk production and milk compositions of Korean Holstein and Jersey cows

Objective In this study we investigated the effect of seasonal thermal stress on milk production and milk compositions between Holstein and Jersey dairy cows under the temperate-climate in Korea. Methods A total of 9 Holstein lactating dairy cows (2.0±0.11 parity) which had a daily milk yield of 29.77±0.45 kg, and days in milk of 111.2±10.29 were selected similarly at the beginning of the experiments in each season. Also, a total of 9 Jersey lactating dairy cows (1.7±0.12 parity) which had a daily milk yield of 20.01±0.43 kg, and days in milk of 114.0± 9.74 were selected similarly at the beginning of the experiments. Results Results showed that the average ambient temperature (°C) and temperature-humidity index (THI) were higher in summer, and were lower in winter (p<0.05). The average relative humidity (RH, %) was higher in autumn than that of other seasons (p<0.05). Milk production was significantly decreased (Holstein 29.02 kg/d and Jersey 19.75 kg/d) in autumn than in other seasons (Holstein 30.14 kg/d and Jersey 20.96 kg/d). However, the milk production was negatively correlated in Holstein cows, and positively correlated in Jersey cows with THI values increased from 16 to 80. In addition, milk yield was increased by 15% in Holstein cows and decreased by 11% in Jersey cows with the THI values increased from 16 to 20. The fat and protein content percentage was significantly higher in Jersey milk than in Holstein milk, furthermore the fat and protein content yield was higher in Jersey cow milk than that of Holstein cow’s milk with all THIs. Conclusion From the study results, we concluded that Jersey cows might be less adaptable to low temperature of the winter, and this would have a negative impact on dairy farmer income since Korea’s milk price estimation system places a higher value on milk yield than on milk compositions or sanitary grades.
Pushing the limits to tree height: could foliar water storage compensate for hydraulic constraints in Sequoia sempervirens?

Summary The constraint on vertical water transport is considered an important factor limiting height growth and maximum attainable height of trees. Here, we show evidence of foliar water storage as a mechanism that could partially compensate for this constraint in Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest species. We measured hydraulic and morpho-anatomical characteristics of foliated shoots of tall S. sempervirens trees near the wet, northern and dry, southern limits of its geographic distribution in California, USA. The ability to store water (hydraulic capacitance) and saturated water content (leaf succulence) of foliage both increased with height and light availability, maintaining tolerance of leaves to water stress (bulk-leaf water potential at turgor loss) constant relative to height. Transverse-sectional area of water-storing, transfusion tissue in leaves increased with height, while the area of xylem tissue decreased, indicating increasing allocation to water storage and decreasing reliance on water transport from roots. Treetop leaves of S. sempervirens absorb moisture via leaf surfaces and have potential to store more than five times the daily transpirational demand. Thus, foliar water storage may be an important adaptation that helps maintain physiological function of treetop leaves and hydraulic status of the crown, allowing this species to partially compensate for hydraulic constraints and sustain turgor for both photosynthesis and height growth.
Inheritance of tolerance to low soil pH in barley

Progenies after crosses between 3 pH tolerant and 2 non-tolerant barley varieties were evaluated in field experiments laid out on acid soil (pH 4.6, KCl). The results showed that the tolerance to high soil acidity is controlled by a single dominant gene, Pht. The gene is located in chromosome 4, and is linked to the gene K (hooded barley). The recombination value is approximately 25 units.
Agreeing to Disagree: Diversity, Political Contractualism, and the Open Society

Political contractualism is important in societies characterized by substantial moral and political disagreement and diversity. The very disagreement that makes the social contract necessary, however, also makes agreement difficult. Call this the paradox of diversity, which is the result of a tension between two necessary conditions of political contractualism: existence and stability. The first involves showing the possibility of some agreement, while the second involves showing that the agreement can persist. To solve both of these problems, I develop a multilevel contract theory that I call the “open society” model of political contractualism that incorporates diversity into the contractual model at different levels solving the existence problem, while avoiding fragility in the face of the stability problem. This approach is able to take advantage of the benefits of institutional diversity while providing a stable framework for productive political disagreement.
RAPID GROWTH INHIBITION OF GHERKIN HYPOCOTYLS IN BLUE LIGHT1

SUMMARY The elongation of dark-grown gherkin hypocotyls has been recorded continuously in darkness and on exposure to blue, red or far-red light. Evidence was obtained that the inhibition of elongation in blue light is not mediated by the phytochrome and “high energy reactions” but that a specific blue-light absorbing pigment is involved.
Molecular Phylogeny of the Papilionoideae (Family Leguminosae): RbcL Gene Sequences versus Chemical Taxonomy

Total DNA was extracted from 67 species (30 genera) of the subfamily Papilionoideae (family Leguminosae). The rbcL gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced directly. RbcL sequences were evaluated with character-state (maximum parsimony; PAUP) and distance methods (neighbour-joining; MEGA). Morphology-based classifications of tribes and subtribes are mostly congruent with rbcL phylogeny. Differences occur for members of the genus Sophora and for intratribal relationships within the Genista/Cytisus complex: Sophora appears in two clades; one clade with S. japonica at the base of the Papilionoideae and a second more advanced group (with S. davidii, S. jaubertii, and S.flavescens) which represents a sister clade of the Thermopsideae. The Cytisus complex includes the genera Cytisus, Chamaecytisus, Calicotome and Spartocytisus but not Cytisophyllum which appears as a distinct member of the Genista complex. Chamaespartium sagittale is very close to Genista supporting the view that it does not represent an independent genus but should be treated as Genista sagittalis. Close to Genista are Teline and Spartium, whereas Argyrolobium, Retama, Cytisophyllum, Ulex, Petteria, Adenocarpus, Chamaespartium tridentatum and Laburnum can be considered as “outliers” of the Genista-group sensu stricto. RbcL phylogeny is compared with profiles of alkaloids and other natural products. First results indicate that secondary metabolite profiles, if compared with morphology or rbcL sequences, are of limited value as a taxonomic marker.
A population based simulated annealing algorithm for capacitated vehicle routing problem

The Vehicle Routing Problem VRP is one of the most discussed and researched topics nowadays. The VRP is briefly defined as the problem of identifying the best route to reduce distribution costs and improve the quality of service provided to customers. The Capacitated VRP CVRP is one of the most commonly researched among the VRP types. Therefore, the CVRP was studied in this paper and a new population based simulated annealing algorithm was proposed. In the algorithm, three different route development operators were used, which are exchange, insertion and reversion operators. It was tested on 63 well-known benchmark instances in the literature. The results showed that the optimum routes could be determined for the 23 instances.
Monitoring soil salinization in Manas River Basin, Northwestern China based on multi-spectral index group

ABSTRACT Large-scale and accurate monitoring soil salinization is essential for controlling soil degradation and sustainable agricultural development. The agricultural irrigation area of the Manas River Basin in the arid area of Northwest China was selected as the test area. The soil salinization monitoring model based on spectral index group was constructed by comparing the accuracy of PCR, PLSR and MLR models using the transformation of multi-spectral index group and index screening. The results showed that there was a certain correlation between the 28 spectral index groups, with a maximum correlation coefficient -0.3689 between the original spectral group and the soil salt content was B10 band. After the transformation of original data for the logarithm Ln(R), exponential eR and square root R1/2 respectively, the correlation between each index and soil salinity was significantly improved, with the maximum correlation coefficient was up to -0.7564 of R1/2. The salt content estimation models were constructed by different data transformation using PLSR, PCR and MLR methods, respectively. This study provides a fast and accurate method for monitoring regional soil salinity content and the results can provide a reference for soil salinity grading management in arid and semi-arid areas.
Growth and yield characteristics of dwarf off-types recovered from tissue-cultured bananas

Dwarf off-types recovered from a tissue cultured line of banana cultivar New Guinea Cavendish (Mum sp., AAA Group, Cavendish subgroup) were used to quantify some of the changes associated with dwarfism, the most common off-type associated with tissue-cultured Cavendish bananas, and to determine the relative stability of the trait. The off-types were significantly (P<0.01) shorter than true-to-type plants and retained their dwarf stature over 5 generations. The dwarfs were characterised by small fruit with closer packing of the hands on the bunch. Choking, when the bunch fails to emerge fully from the plant, was a characteristic of the dwarfs but not observed in true-to-type plants. Dwarfism appears to be a relatively stable genetic trait and not a transient (epigenetic) change produced in vitro. By contrast, a thin-leafed off-type reverted to normal morphological characteristics 3-4 months after field establishment.
Plant penetration by feeding aphids (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea): a review.

The factors responsible for determining the host-plants and feeding sites of aphids, and the various probing activities (the role of the labium, stylet insertion, surface saliva deposition, the behaviour of the aphid, virus transmission) are examined. There is a brief review of stylet structure and movement and the possible sensory nature of these organs, followed by a detailed review of the characteristics of aphid stylet paths in plant tissues. The penetration of epidermis and vascular tissues is treated separately while that within the intermediate tissues is covered in relation to leaves and stems, roots, trees, galls and excised tissue as well as in separate sections on Aphis fabae Scopoli and Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Stylet destinations and behaviour in the sieve tubes are discussed together with general features such as rate and depth of penetration, guidance to the feeding site, effects of tissue hardness and stylet withdrawal. The ingestion rate of plant sap is reviewed and its constitution and importance examined together with the significance of artificial diets. The salivary secretions including sheaths and tracks, their functions and their role in the transference of material between aphid and host are dealt with. The nature of the physical and internal damage resulting from aphid feeding is briefly covered, and also some plant-insect interrelations. The aphid species whose stylets have been examined in plant tissue are listed.