Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Priming the Leadership Pipeline: School Performance and Climate Under an Urban School Leadership Residency Program

Purpose: This study examines school climate and student achievement trends under an ambitious school leadership residency program in an urban school district. The 2-year leadership residencies were intensive, combining at least 370 hours of professional development with on-the-job training, in which aspiring school principals held either assistant-level administrative or teacher leadership roles. Research Design: Using a difference-in-differences framework with school fixed effects, we estimate the relationship between schools’ cumulative exposure to program residents and measures of school climate and student performance. We measure school climate using school-by-semester teacher survey composites. Student performance is captured using school-by-year data on language arts and math scale scores, chronic absence rates, suspension rates, and graduation rates. Findings: In models that allow average time trends to vary between the state and the treatment city, an additional resident-by-year in an administrative role in high schools is linked to an additional 15% of a school-level standard deviation in math scale scores and an additional 3.6 percentage points in graduation rates, but also to an additional 10 percentage points in suspension rates. Results are sensitive to model specification, school level, and to residents’ placement in administrative or teacher leader roles. Implications: Due to the contracting nature of the district, only one of 30 entering residents became a school principal within 3 years of program inception. In some models, the estimates suggest potential for aspiring leaders to effect change from nonprincipal administrative roles. Potential for teacher leadership roles is less clear.
Impact of Water Treatment on Foliar Damage of Landscape Trees Sprinkle Irrigated with Reuse Water

Abstract An experiment was conducted on four container-grown tree species placed under five different irrigation reuse water treatments to determine the extent of foliar damage after a 14.5-month period. The tree species included Heritage oak (Quercus virginiana Mill. ‘Heritage’), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis (Cav.)/Sweet), flowering plum (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh ‘Atropurpurea’), and Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis Bunge). Plant response and an index of visual damage (IVD) were assessed at different times throughout the experiment. Ion concentrations in the leaf tissue were different for species (S) (p < 0.001), treatment (T) (Na, K, SO4, p < 0.05) and by a species by treatment interaction (S × T) (Na, Ca, Mg, K and SO4, p < 0.05). SPAD measurements varied by S (p < 0.001), T (p < 0.001) and by an S × T interaction (p < 0.045). SPAD measurements decreased as the leaf tissue Na concentration increased (SPAD = 47.49 – 12.46(Na), r2 = 0.38, p < 0.01). The IVD varied by S (p < 0.001), T (p < 0.001) a.
Honey bees and intestinal disease: molecular, physiological and behavioral responses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) to infection with microsporidian parasites

Pollinators are integral to modern agricultural productivity and the continued survival and vitality of natural ecosystems. However, recent declines in pollinator populations and species diversity threaten both food security and the architecture of natural habitats. Due to their vital role in agriculture, honey bees (Apis mellifera) have served as a model organism for investigating the alarming and widespread diminution of pollinator populations. Indeed, surveys from both North America and Europe report large annual colony losses. Parasites along with chemical exposure, poor nutrition, climate change and habitat destruction are frequently cited as leading causes of colony loss. Honey bee colonies are assaulted by a battery of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens in addition to other parasitic arthropods including mites and beetles. Novel, costeffective disease management practices are desperately needed to preserve colony health. Basic studies investigating honey bee immunity and disease pathology lay the groundwork for developing efficacious diagnostic tools and treatments. Here, we present a series of studies characterizing honey bee immunity and the molecular, physiological and behavioral responses of honey bees to two important fungal pathogens, Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Chapter 1 reviews the current state of research on these prevalent and destructive disease agents and highlights future studies that are needed to develop effective management practices. Chapter 2 investigates worker honey bee genomic responses to general immune stimulation. Findings from these experiments provide a contextual framework for Chapter 3’s studies which characterize worker honey bee genomic responses to infection with Nosema parasites and offer a molecular model for explaining previously documented disease symptoms. Chapter 4 investigates drone (male) honey bee molecular, physiological and behavioral responses to Nosema infection and underscores potential caste-specific responses to infection that have larger implications for colony fitness. Finally, Chapter 5 summarizes novel findings from this dissertation, integrates results with current scientific literature and discusses the future of Nosema management.
Revisiting neutrophil responses to toll-like receptor 4 : influence of ligand structures and cellular environments.

REVISITING NEUTROPHIL RESPONSES TO TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 4: INFLUENCE OF LIGAND STRUCTURES AND CELLULAR ENVIRONMENTS Shuvasree SenGupta July 14, 2017 Neutrophils respond to bacterial LPS through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which activates or potentiates immune defensive functions and prolongs cell survival. Activation of TLR4 signaling in neutrophils is beneficial for effective clearance of LPSbearing Gram-negative bacteria, but may also drive aberrant inflammation if not stringently regulated. The regulatory processes by which neutrophil functions are calibrated to respond appropriately to different LPS-bearing bacteria are incompletely understood. Described here are investigations that reveal an unexpected sensitivity of TLR4 in neutrophils to small changes in LPS structure typical of various Gram-negative bacteria, including those that are dangerously virulent (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica), opportunistically pathogenic (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), or beneficial inhabitants of healthy tissue (commensal bacteria). TLR4 signal strength varies with heterogeneity in the extent of phosphorylation and acylation of lipid A, the active center of LPS. Neutrophils respond vigorously to fully phosphorylated lipid A structures typical of virulent bacteria, but were surprisingly refractory to monophosphorylated variants of lipid A. This pattern may reflect the low threat posed by commensal
Large woody debris “rewilding” rapidly restores biodiversity in riverine food webs

Extensive habitat destruction and pollution have caused dramatic declines in aquatic biodiversity at local to global scales. In rivers, the reintroduction of large woody debris is a common method aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems through "rewilding. " However, causal evidence for its effectiveness is lacking due to a dearth of replicated before-after control-impact field experiments. We conducted the first replicated experiment of large woody debris rewilding across multiple rivers and organisational levels, from individual target species populations to entire food webs. For the first time, we demonstrate causal links between habitat restoration, biodiversity restoration and food web responses. Populations of invertebrates and an apex predator, brown trout (Salmo trutta), increased, and food web analysis suggested increased biomass flux from basal resources to invertebrates and subsequently fishes within restored reaches. Synthesis and applications. This study contributes significant new evidence demonstrating that large woody debris rewilding can help to restore human-impacted river ecosystems, primarily through altering the abundance and biomass of consumers and resources in the food web. We also outline a means to gauge the magnitude of ecological responses to restoration, relative to environmental stressors, which could help to prioritise the most effective conservation efforts.
Assessing The Efficacy Of Two Species Of Silver Fly, Leucopis Argenticollis And L. Piniperda, As Biological Control Agents Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges Tsugae

Adelges tsugae Annand is a non-native invasive insect threatening the survival of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlock (T. caroliniana). A. tsugae is established in over half of the total range of eastern hemlock and the entire range of Carolina hemlock. Its continued spread, establishment and associated hemlock mortality make research into biological control of A. tsugae crucial. Field surveys of predators associated with A. tsugae in the Pacific Northwest identified a strong correlation between A. tsugae abundance with Laricobius nigrinus and two species of silver fly, Leucopis argenticollis and Leucopis piniperda. Flies in the genus Leucopis are known specialist predators of adelgids and recent studies have shown a strong synchronization between the lifecycles of Leucopis spp. and A. tsugae. The purpose of this study was to test the potential establishment of Leucopis spp. at the southern and northern extent of A. tsugae infested eastern hemlock in eastern United States. In 2015 and 2016, western Leucopis spp. adults were released at two different densities into enclosed branches of A. tsugae infested T. canadensis in Tennessee and New York. A. tsugae on the branches were counted before putting on the enclosure. Four weeks after set-up, all of the enclosures were collected. The number of Leucopis spp. offspring were counted and then stored in ethanol. The number of Leucopis spp. offspring collected were positively related to adelgid density, but did not differ by the number of adult flies per enclosure. Flies collected from enclosures and from the source colony were identified as L.argenticollis and L. piniperda using DNA barcoding. These results show that Leucopis spp. from the Pacific Northwest feed and develop to the adult stage on A. tsugae in the eastern USA. They are able to tolerate environmental conditions during late spring and early summer at the southern and northern extent of the area invaded by A. tsugae in the eastern USA.
Entomopathogenic fungus Clonostachys rosea as a biocontrol agent against whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

ABSTRACT Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a notorious insect pest of many economic important crop plants including cotton, tomato, etc. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of new biological control agent to replace toxic chemical pesticides from agro-ecosystem. Clonostachys rosea associated with whitefly and aphid (Aphis gossypii) on cotton plants was isolated and characterised on a morphological and molecular basis. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Pathogenicity of C. rosea was evaluated in two concentrations against fourth instar nymphal and adult stages of B. tabaci. The study revealed that C. rosea was highly parasitic against fourth instar nymphs than adults at different spore concentrations. Two isolates of C. rosea were identified in this study, and both were morphologically similar. However, differences were observed in the ITS region of the C. rosea isolates. Our results showed that C. rosea has the prospects to serve as a potential biocontrol agent against economically important insect pests.
Prey selection and prey handling in two raptors during the breeding season as revealed by the use of video monitoring

I video monitored one nest of each of two avian predators, namely the rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), in Oppland county, southern Norway, during May-August 2014, to analyse the composition of the diet and the handling of prey items. Of the 120 prey items recorded delivered at the golden eagle nest, mountain hare (Lepus timidus) was the most important prey species in terms of mass, with 65 % of the gross body mass of the prey delivered. Grouse (Tetraonidae sp.) was also important, the three species recorded together made up 22 % of the gross body mass in the golden eagle diet. This was in accordance with previous studies. However, a surprisingly large proportion of the diet of the golden eagle consisted of microtine rodents (voles and lemmings). In fact, 51 % of the delivered prey items were microtine rodents. In the region of my study area 2014 was a year with extremely high densities of microtine rodent, and my results may indicate that the golden eagle responds functionally to microtine rodents. The absence of ungulates among the items delivered at the golden eagle nest fits with the results from another golden eagle nest video monitored in Norway, but contrasts from most previous studies made on the diet of the golden eagle by traditional analyses of prey remains in the nest. Of the 253 prey items recorded delivered at the rough-legged buzzard nest, the most important prey in terms of both body mass and numbers was Microtus voles, which made up 71 % of the items delivered at the nest. Various other small prey were also utilized, in particular thrushes (Turdus sp.), but to a much smaller degree. The diet of the rough-legged buzzard suggests that this raptor responds functionally to Microtus voles, which is consistent with results from previous studies. In both raptors studied the male delivered most prey at the nest, while the female brooded and fed the nestlings. The female stayed at the nest feeding the nestlings a longer part of the nestling period than expected. This may be due to the fact that prey were abundant and that the prolonged stay was a strategy to enhance the female`s own fitness and thereby future survival. The probability that the nestlings would feed unassisted increased with their age, and with decreasing size of the prey item that was delivered at the nest. The rough-legged buzzard nestlings was also more likely to feed unassisted at low ambient temperature, and when the prey delivered was a mammal rather than a bird. The extent to which the various prey are included in the diet of the golden eagle and the rough-legged buzzard seems to be a result of their varying availability in time and space.
Características da fermentação e estabilidade aerób ia de silagens de milho inoculadas com Bacillus subtilis Fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of corn silages inoculated with "Bacillus subtilis"

SUMMARY The aim with this present study to evaluate the effects of inoculation of Bacillus subtilis on the fermentation characteristics and losses, on the development of yeasts and molds and aerobic stability of corn silages. The corn studied was the hybrid 2B655 with the next treatments: untreated silage (control) and corn silages inoculated with B. subtilis in the concentrations of 5x10 4 ; 1x10 5 and 5x10 5 cfu/g of fresh forage. The experimental design was completely randomized in a split-plot, in which the silage was the main plots and the exposure times aerobic sub-plots with four replications. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SISVAR ® software, applying regression analysis to 5% significance level. The inoculation of B. subtilis did not alter the fermentation characteristics and losses. The yeast count was reduced at the time of opening of the silo, as the molds population decreased during the air exposure, which resulted in lower pH values. These facts resulted in increase aerobic stability when the highest dose of B. subtilis was applied. The inoculation of B. subtilis in the concentration of 5x10
Morphological review of the order Neelipleona (Collembola) through the redescription of the type species of Acanthoneelidus, Neelides and Neelus

This work proposes a comprehensive review of the morphological features of the Neelipleona, with focus on chaetotaxy. The major contributions to the knowledge of Neelipleona are discussed and new data are presented, acquired from the redescription of Neelides folsomi , Acanthoneelidus pratensis and Neelus murinus . New elements of description are given for Neelus fimbriatus , Megalothorax granulosus , Megalothorax minimus , Megalothorax nigropunctatus , Megalothorax svalbardensis. Juvenile morphology is also taken in consideration with the description of the early instar of Neelides folsomi , Neelus murinus , Megalothorax minimus and Megalothorax nigropunctatus . A nomenclatural framework is proposed to illustrate the descriptions and the hypotheses of homology debated in the paper. Comparative tables are provided to summarize the morphological variations observed in the order. An identification key to the genera is also provided. A set of intriguing and unique characteristics of the Neelipleona were discovered or enlighten such as labral morphology, vibrating antennae in the genus Neelus , special chaetae associated to the secretion of wax rods and pattern of special τ-chaetae. Printed copy of this book is available from US$30.8 plus postage, Click here to order .
Signatures of very Severe Cyclonic Storm Phailin in Met-Ocean Parameters Observed by Moored Buoy Network in the Bay of Bengal

The moored buoy network deployed in the Bay of Bengal played a critical role in the collection and transmission of surface meteorological and oceanographic conditions in real time through satellite telemetry, enabling constant monitoring of the cyclone Phailin. It is the first report of in situ timeseries measurement of a very low pressure taken during cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean. The BD10 buoy recorded a minimum atmospheric pressure of 920 hPa, which happened to be within the eye of the cyclone. This article presents an account of important changes that were observed in the surface meteorological and oceanographic parameters under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm Phailin. An attempt has been made to understand the role of stratification in intensifying the cyclone Phailin in comparison with the cyclone Lehar which weakened in the ocean itself, based on subsurface data from the moored buoys which were on the track of the respective cyclones. Both the cyclones traversed across the Bay of Bengal in a similar way and the buoys were very close to the cyclone track withstood the rough sea conditions during the storms with their specially designed body. The BD09 buoy which happened to be on the right side of the track of cyclone Phailin moved in a circular path as a result of the inertial oscillation forced by the strong cyclonic winds.
Biologie et dynamique d'un Sciaenidae ouest-africain Pseudotolithus senegalensis (V)

In relation to the hydroclimate prevailing off Congo (B) and Cote d'Ivoire, synchronic variations are described in abundance and distribution of Pseudotolithus senegalensis V. , economically the most important species in the West African trawl fishery. Although this fish prefers the warm surface layer, it is relatively indifferent to hydrological conditions, since it may also occur in the thermocline down to the higher levels of 'Central South Atlantic Water'. The oxygen concentration appears to have an important effect upon their distribution, especially the low concentrations occurring with the upwelling. The main biological functions, such as spawning and recruitment times, condition factor, diet and ring appearance on otoliths, also follow cycles, which are parallel with the hydroclimate one. Therefore, the ring-shaped structures revealed by burning previously ground otoliths could be easily interpreted. Thus, an accurate method for ageing tropical fish is now available. From the age determinations for the Congolese stock, it appears that growth is fast and total mortality rate high. An influence of fishing effort, which increased 3 times during the exploited phase of sampled specimens, appears both in growth and in total mortality. From there an estimate for the fishing mortality could be given. The estimates of dynamic parameters for the Congolese stock are then used in the Beverton-Holt model. A valuable increase of the yield could be expected, if mesh size is widened and effort restricted.
IMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN YIELD AND LOW-NITROGEN TOLERANCE IN MAIZE CULTIVARS OF THREE ERAS

SUMMARY Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important staple crop in West and Central Africa (WCA), but its production is severely constrained by low soil nitrogen (low N). Fifty-six extra-early open-pollinated maize cultivars developed during three breeding eras, 1995–2000, 2001–2006 and 2007–2012, were evaluated under low N and high soil nitrogen (high N) at two locations in Nigeria in 2013 and 2014, to investigate the genetic gains in grain yield and identify outstanding cultivars. During the first breeding era, the emphasis of the programme was on breeding for resistance to the maize streak virus (MSV) and high yield potential, while the major breeding emphasis during the second era was on recurrent selection for improved grain yield and Striga resistance in two extra-early-maturing source populations, TZEE-W Pop STR (white) and TZEE-Y Pop STR (yellow). Starting from the third era, the source populations were subjected to improvement for tolerance to drought, low N and resistance to Striga. A randomized incomplete block design with two replications was used for the field evaluations. Results revealed genetic gains in grain yield of 0.314 Mg ha−1 (13.29%) and 0.493 Mg ha−1 (16.84%) per era under low N and high N, respectively. The annual genetic gains in grain yield was 0.054 Mg ha–1 (2.14%) under low N and 0.081 Mg ha–1 (2.56%) under high N environments. The cultivar 2009 TZEE-OR2 STR of era 3 was the most stable, with competitive yield across environments, while 2004 TZEE-W Pop STR C4 from era 2, and TZEE-W STR 104, TZEE-W STR 108 and 2012 TZEE-W DT STR C5 from era 3 were high yielding but less stable. These cultivars should be further tested on-farm and commercialized in WCA. Substantial progress has been made in breeding for high grain yield and low-N tolerance in the sub-region.
Effect of 1- Methyl Cyclopropene on Post Harvest Quality and Shelf Life of Tomato Fruits Treated with Exogenous Ethylene

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of 1-Methyl Cyclopropene (1-MCP), on postharvest quality and shelf life of tomato, pre-treated with ethephon. The freshly harvested matured tomato fruits were selected and treated, with fungicide of 500 μlL for 10 min followed by 500 μlL ethephon treatment. The fruits were exposed to different concentrations of 1-methylcyclopropene viz. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 μlL at 20C for 12 and 24 hrs (hr), respectively, in an airtight chamber. The effect of 1-MCP on the physicochemical quality of fruits was studied in detail. The study revealed that the fruits treated with 2 μlL concentrations exposed for 24 hr at 20C storage temperature recorded higher shelf life of 27 days with better physico-chemical quality characteristics, like physiological weight loss, total soluble solids, Colour, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content.