Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Migration: The Relationship with Economic and Policy Factors in the Home and Destination Country

Unfavourable demographic trends in many OECD countries threaten the sustainability of potential labour resources, GDP growth and fiscal positions. One factor that is expected to mitigate these trends is continued inflows of migrant workers from low income economies. However, a rapid catch-up in productivity and wages in these traditional source countries vis-a-vis the OECD may weaken economic incentives for migration and imply a transition away from current migration patterns. This paper uses data of the high-skilled and low-skilled migrant stock between 92 origin and 44 destination countries to highlight the relationship between economic factors and migration. The paper also attempts to uncover links with policy and demographic factors prevailing in the origin and destination countries. The analysis suggests that higher skill-specific wages in the destination country are associated with more migration. This relationship appears to be particularly strong for migrants from middle-income countries, supporting theories of an inverted-U relationship between origin country economic development and the propensity to migrate. Policy differences between the destination and origin also appear important, for example in terms of regulations on businesses and labour markets, along with the relative quality of institutions. In some instances, the effects on high-skilled and low-skilled migrants differ markedly. Combining the estimated coefficients from the model with the skill-specific wage profile from the OECD long-term growth projections highlights the potential for weaker future migrant flows to OECD countries than implied by past trends and embedded in official projections.
Study on the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in the Chinese mitten‐handed crab, Eriocheir sinensis, after different administration regimes

A pharmacokinetic study on enrofloxacin (ENR) following different administration regimes (i.e. intramuscular, oral and bath administrations) was carried out for the Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) at 17 °C water temperature. Muscle and hepatopancreas samples were collected at each sampling time of 1 and 10 min and 0.5, 1, 2, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h for intramuscular administration and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h for oral and bath administration. The levels of ENR and ciprofloxacin (CIP) were simultaneously determined (n=5) by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that similar absorption and elimination patterns of ENR level in muscle and hepatopancreas were observed for oral administration and bath treatment; however, the trend in ENR level changes in muscle and hepatopancreas after intramuscular administration was quite different from oral and bath treatments. Meanwhile, the level of ENR in hepatopancreas was much higher than that in muscle for the same administration regimes. The concentration–time data were analysed with the Practical Pharmacokinetics Program (3P97), and the kinetic profiles of ENR in the hepatopancreas and muscle conformed to two-compartment models. The absorption and elimination of ENR in hepatopancreas for bath treatment were faster than those for oral and intramuscular administrations. However, the pattern was quite different in muscle. The fastest absorption and elimination of ENR in muscle were seen for intramuscular administration.
Acetic Acid Pretreatment in Agar Extraction of Philippine Gelidiella acerosa (Forsskaal) Feldmann et Hamel (Rhodophyta, Gelidiales)

Application of different pre-extraction treatments and extraction methods were used to isolate agar from Gelidiella acerosa. Acetic acid" pretreatment entailed soaking the sample in 0.5% acetic acid for 1 hour at 16-20 °C. Alkali pretreatment entailed treatment with l N NaOH at 90 °C for 1 hour and neutralization in weak acid for another hour at 16-20°C. Native agar was extracted directly from air dried samples. One hour extraction using steam pressure at 15-20PSI and boiling at 100 °C in a water bath were applied respectively. Comparative analysis showed that the acetic acid pretreated and autoclaved sample gave the highest agar yield (29.8 ± 2.41%) and gel strength (676 ± 4 g cm"") among the extraction methods applied. Other physico-chemical properties of acid-modified agar were measured. Relative viscosity of a 1.0% solution at 65 °C ranged from 5-70 cps. A melting temperature of 90-98 °C is comparable to that of the agars from most Gelidiales, while a gelling temperature of 42-47 °C is relatively high which is suspected to be associated with a number of chemical variables masking or altering the basic structural unit of agar. Temperature hysteresis (difference between gelling and melting temperatures) at 48—50 °C was comparable to that of Difco Bacto agar tested at 50 °C.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Cycads in the insular South‐west Pacific: dispersal or vicariance?

Aim Cycads constitute an ancient plant group that is generally believed to disperse poorly. However, one group of cycads (subsection Rumphiae) is thought to have dispersed relatively recently from a Malesian source area westwards to East Africa and eastwards into the Pacific, using a floatation‐facilitating layer in their seeds. We use morphological and allozyme characters to investigate the relationships among the species within this group and to deduce whether the wide distribution was achieved by recent dispersal (as evidenced by high genetic similarity) or more distant vicariance events (high genetic differentiation).
The Effect of Host Plant Species on the Detoxifying Enzymes of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Summary Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a phytophagous insect and the vector of the bacterium ‘Candidatus' Liberibacter asiaticus. This is the likely causal pathogen of huanglongbing, which results in decline and possible death of citrus trees. It has been shown that host plants can affect the detoxification enzyme profile of arthropods. Here, we examined the effect of rearing D. citri on various host plant species with respect to activity of general esterases (ESTs), glutathione S-transferases (GST), and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s). These enzymes were selected because they are known to metabolize a wide diversity of insecticides and are known to directly contribute to resistance in D. citri. We reared D. citri on Citrus sinensis L. , Bergera koenigii L. and Murraya paniculata (L.) Jacq. (Sapindales: Rutaceae). Following 12 generations of rearing, the activities of EST, GST, and P450 enzymes were compared between the colonies raised on the different host plants. The GST activity level was significantly higher in D. citri reared on M. paniculata than in those reared on C. sinensis. The P450 expression level was significantly higher in D. citri reared on M. paniculata than in those reared on either B. koenigii or C. sinensis. There was no significant difference in EST activity between treatments. These results suggest that host plant allelochemicals may alter the detoxification enzyme system in D. citri. However, these changes did not correlate with changes in mortality of D. citri when treated with fenpropathrin.
The influence of hydrology on the recruitment of brown trout in an Alpine river, the Ybbs River, Austria

– We monitored yearly recruitment (1997–2008) of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a fourth-order Austrian Alpine river. The relative proportion of recruits to adult fish varied strongly among years (5.6–66.4%). These proportions were strongly correlated with specific flow patterns. High flows before and during the spawning period were positively correlated with recruitment, whereas high flows during incubation and emergence were negatively correlated with recruitment success. Unsteady flow modelling supported a causal hypothesis for these relationships in demonstrating that discharges > 30 m3·s−1 resulted in substantial sediment motion (erosion and deposition) in suitable spawning areas within the study stretch.
Effects of Caddisfly Grazers on the Elemental Composition of Epilithon in a Boreal Lake

We examined how the intensity of benthic grazing affects the C:P stoichiometry of epilithon in an oligotrophic lake at the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Caddisflies were enclosed over natural epilithon to compare epilithic C:P ratios along a grazer gradient (0, 1, 4, and 9 individuals/700 cm2 enclosure) after 10 and 20 d. We also examined mechanisms that potentially explain changes in epilithic C:P ratios at different grazer levels by estimating algal biomass and taxonomic composition. After 10 d, no differences in epilithic C:P ratios were found among grazer levels. However, after 20 d, epilithic C:P ratios (∼500) at high grazer levels (9/enclosure) were significantly lower than C:P ratios (∼1200) in grazer-free enclosures. We also found that algal biomass was significantly reduced under intense grazing. No significant effects of grazer level were detected on epilithic C:chlorophyll ratios, the % contribution of algal C to epilithic organic C, or the taxonomic composition of algal communities after 10 or 20 d. In addition, only ∼2 to 3% of epilithic C was estimated to be in benthic algae throughout the experiment. These results indicate that differences in epilithic C:P ratios caused by increased grazing intensity cannot be explained by changes in prevalence of different organic C pools (detritus and algae) comprising the epilithon, changes in the nutrient content of algae, or by the taxonomic composition of the algal community. Factors affecting the nutrient content of detritus likely account for the lower epilithic C:P ratios found in highly grazed enclosures.
Germination Characteristics of SC701 Maize Hybrid According to Size and Shape at Different Temperature Regimes

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of seed size and shape on germination characteristics of SC701 maize at different temperature regimes. Seeds were grouped according to shape and size and germinated using constant (30°C and 20°C), and two alternating (30/20 and 15/20°C; 12/12 hrs) temperatures. A factorial experiment arranged in completely randomized design with three replications was used. Highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed for daily germination percentage, germination rate, mean germination time, germination velocity index and vigor index. Germination rate, and germination velocity index showed that flat seeds germinated faster than round seeds at constant temperatures while, small seeds germinated faster than large seeds. A similar trend was observed for vigor index which was higher in the small and flat seeds having a higher vigor index than large and round seeds. However, the vigor index was higher at the alternating temperature (20/30°C) than at constant temperatures in all seed groups. Highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed in the root: shoot ratio, seedling dry mass and fresh mass. Small seeds had higher germination speed than large seeds. Higher temperatures (30°C constant and 20/30°C) were associated with better germination. It is concluded that the temperature regime has a major influence on seed morphology and its seed quality parameters. These findings are useful for selection of seed size and determination of soil temperature conditions to grow maize under field conditions.
Relationships Among Male-Sterility Inducing Cytoplasms of Sorghum 1

Cytoplasmic-nuclear male steriles are used as female parents in the production of hybrid seed of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. A single male-sterility inducing cytoplasm is most often used in the female parents, resulting in uniformity of cytoplasm in hybrids and also a restriction on nuclear diversity. The purpose of the present study was to identify diverse malesterility inducing cytoplasms. Seed set and other characteristics of hybrids of sorghum were studied to determine differences in fertility response and related characteristics among the cytoplasms of male-sterile female parents. Thirteen near-isonuclear female parents with cytoplasms from diverse introduced sources were crossed by eight male parents, and the progeny were grown at eight locations. From seed-set, anther, and pollen characteristics five groups were identified. Cytoplasms from IS6271C, IS2266C, IS3579C, IS7502C, and IS6705C were not distinguished from milo cytoplasm. Cytoplasm from IS12662C differed from milo in degree of fertility restoration in hybrids and was somewhat similar to IS3063C, IS1056C, and IS2801C. Another group, composed of IS1112C and IS12565C, was distinct in that most male parents produced highly sterile hybrids when crossed with these male steriles. Another cytoplasm, from IS7920C, differed from all the other cytoplasmstudied in its effects on seed-set, anther, and pollen characteristics. It is concluded that among these cytoplasms there are at least four distinct groups in their effects on fertility characteristics. They have potential for providing diversity among parents and hybrids in sorghum, but their utility for such purposes remains to be tested.
Combining ability, heterosis and inbreeding depression in inter specific hybrids involving greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

A line x tester analysis of interspecific hybrids involving greengram (female) and blackgram (male) was carried out for 11 quantitative traits. As expected in wide crosses, none of the parent was found to be good general combiner for yield. However, PDM-11, HUM-26 Azad-U-1 and KUG-427 were spotted out as superior general combiners for 2-5 yield traits. Likewise, hybrids, PDM-11 × KUG-427, HUM-26 × Azad-U-1, HUM-6 × BHU-U-1 and HUM-26 × BHU-U-1 were identified as best specific cross combinations for few yield components only. Further, economic heterosis for seed yield and few important yield traits such as, pod length, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight, was significantly negative, while it was mostly positive for days to first flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches including pods per plant. All the crosses showing negative yield heterosis reflected positive inbreeding depression. Non-additive gene action was of prime importance for all the characters except for days to 50% flowering.
Procedimento Blupis e seleção massal em cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a selecao via procedimento BLUP individual simulado (BLUPIS) versus selecao massal em familias de irmaos-completos de cana-de-acucar. Foram utilizadas 80 familias originadas de cruzamentos biparentais da serie RB03. O experimento foi desenvolvido em area experimental, localizado no Municipio de Sao Tome, Parana. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos incompletos, com cinco repeticoes por familia. Para selecao considerou-se a variavel tonelada de solidos soluveis por hectare (TSH). Utilizou-se o modelo 35 do programa computacional Selegen REML/BLUP, via procedimento BLUPIS para a indicacao do numero de clones potenciais a serem selecionados. Estes resultados foram correlacionados com o numero de clones selecionados via selecao massal dentro das familias. A selecao clonal via procedimento BLUPIS indica maior numero de clones promissores para caracteres quantitativos dentro de familias com elevados efeitos genotipicos.
Relation of Spawning and Rearing Life History of Rainbow Trout and Susceptibility to Myxobolus cerebralis Infection in the Madison River, Montana

Abstract The Madison River, Montana, is the site of a whirling disease epizootic among rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss caused by the parasite Myxobolus cerebralis. We investigated how the timing and location of the spawning and rearing of rainbow trout influences the risk of exposure to the parasite. Sentinel fish exposures were used to assess the spatial and temporal variation in disease severity in 1998 and 1999. Redd counts, radiotelemetry of spawning rainbow trout, and electrofishing estimates of fry abundance indicated that during the critical 2–3-month posthatch period, when rainbow trout are most susceptible to whirling disease, the majority of fry in the Madison River population are concentrated within a relatively small portion of the upper drainage. Disease severity ranged from low to very high in this area of the river. Large temporal variation in disease severity was also evident: severity was significantly higher in the spring than in the fall and in 1999 than in 1998. These data indicate t.
Light stimulates conidiation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

Abstract Beauveria bassiana is a commercially important entomopathogenic fungus. Like other insect fungal pathogens, B. bassiana usually produces asexual reproductive bodies, conidia, for dispersal, transmission and infection of insects. Adequate mass-production of high quality conidia is crucial to development of an efficient B. bassiana insecticide. However, little is known about details of conidiation in this fungus in response to environmental signals, which limits understanding of the mechanism of conidiation and improvement in conidia production. Here, morphologenetic changes of B. bassiana under different light conditions are reported. When cultured in total darkness, B. bassiana hyphae can grow continuously with few reproductive structures differentiated, while illumination with white light resulted in prolific formation of conidiophores bearing abundant conidia, indicating that light could stimulate conidiation of B. bassiana. Among the single colour lights tested, blue light was the most effective to stimulating sporulation. Colonies became adapted for blue light stimulus only after hyphae had grown in total darkness for at least 96 h, whereas the photoadaptation obviously declined after 144 h. For the exposure time, 3 min of blue light pulse was enough to stimulate conidiation in the photoadapted mycelia, while prolonged light exposure over 3 min resulted in a decrease in conidia yield. Our results provided useful clues for understanding the mechanism of conidiation mediated by light in B. bassiana.
Characterization and evaluation of some cultivars of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum).

Field trials were conducted to evaluate seven cultivars (both improved and local races) of sweet pepper in 2006 and 2007 at Evboneka a humid tropical environment in Nigeria to access agronomic characteristics and fruit yield. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven cultivars (‘Tea 14’, ‘California wonder Ps’, ‘California Wonder 300’, ‘N 22’, N 23” and ‘Long yellow sweet’) in three replications. Results from the trial showed that the cultivars produced varying vegetative, growth and yield characters. The ‘Tea 14’ produced the plants with superior vegetative characters and fruit yields (6.21 t ha -1 ) and the lowest being ‘Benin local’ (2.02 t ha -1 ). There were significant differences among all the genotypes tested. Higher fruit yields was obtained in 2006 with an average value of 3.86 t ha -1 and 3.84 t ha -1 obtained in 2007. The comparatively high yield potential (average yield of 3.85 t ha -1 ) recorded in the trial is an indication of a promising sweet pepper production in the humid tropical zone.
Water resources, stormwater and waterway benefits of water conservation measures for Australian capital cities

Water conservation in households including rainwater harvesting and water efficient appliances made a profound contribution to Australian society by ensuring that many cities did not run out of water during the millennium drought. Nevertheless, as the memory of millennium drought fades, the value of sustainable households is contested. The society benefits of source control and water efficiency was investigated using audited metadata from national agencies and water utilities, peer reviewed research, selected case studies and a Systems Framework analysis of Australian capital cities. The key findings of this investigation confirm the substantial contribution of sustainable buildings to improving the performance of water cycle infrastructure and ecological systems in cities. Source control measures including rainwater harvesting, water efficient appliances and vegetable gardens at households makes a substantial contribution to the viability of water resources and ecosystems in Australian capital cities. The case studies presented in this paper demonstrate that sustainable buildings and households operate as integrated systems to produce synergistic and accumulative benefits for water conservation, protection of waterways, improving the performance of infrastructure, and decreasing impacts on ecosystems.
Reassessment of cf. Halticosaurus orbitoangulatus from the Upper Triassic (Norian) of Germany–a pseudosuchian, not a dinosaur

The holotype of cf. Halticosaurus orbitoangulatus Huene, 1932, comprises an incomplete and macerated but associated skull of an archosaurian reptile from the middle (second) Stubensandstein (middle Lowenstein Formation; Upper Triassic: Norian) of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. It was originally interpreted as a theropod dinosaur but more recently it has been suggested that this taxon has crocodylomorph affinities. Detailed preparation of the holotype of cf. H. orbitoangulatus has revealed much new anatomical information and permitted reassessment of its affinities. The maxilla lacks both a distinct antorbital fossa and a medial bony lamina bordering the antorbital fenestra. The lateral surface of the dentary bears a pronounced horizontal ridge. The squamosal differs from that of basal crocodylomorphs in being L-shaped rather than arcuate in dorsal view, lacking a dorsolateral overhang, and lacking an interlocking contact with the paroccipital process as, for example, in the basal crocodylomorph Saltoposuchus connectens from the same horizon and locality. Phylogenetic analysis placed cf. H. orbitoangulatus amongst loricatan pseudosuchians (but not amongst Crocodylomorpha) rather than amongst theropod dinosaurs. The holotype of cf. H. orbitoangulatus represents a previously unrecognized taxon of loricatan pseudosuchian, which is here named Apatosuchus orbitoangulatus and set apart from other known Norian-age non-crocodylomorph loricatans by its apparently much smaller size. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London