Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical Models for Prediction of Dry Weight and Nitrogen Accumulation Based on Visible and Near-Infrared Hyper-Spectral Reflectance of Rice Canopies

Summary Much information is obtainable from hyper-spectral data, which measure solar radiation consecutively at less than about 10-nm intervals. In constructing statistical prediction models, however, problems of overfitting may arise due to the excessive number of variables, and multicollinearity may occur between variables ; thus a few specific wavelengths must be chosen. Various multivariate regression models were examined with ten-fold cross-validation to develop efficient, accurate models to predict dry weight and nitrogen accumulation of rice crops from the maximum tiller number stage to the meiosis stage, using plant-canopy reflectance of hyper-spectra within the 400-1100 nm domain without any variable selection. The results showed that the principal component regression using hyperspectra gave better fits and predictability than that using specific wavelengths. On the other hand, partial least squares regression was the most useful among the models tested ; this method avoided overfitting andmulticollinearity by using all wavelength information without variable selection and by inclusion of both x and y variations in its latent variables.
Ca and P in buffalo milk: curd yield and milk clotting parameters

Abstract Aim of this study was to evaluate the mineral milk content and its relationship with the cheese yield and the rennet coagulation properties. Ca and P content, total and soluble, was determined on 70 milk samples along with the physic-chemical composition, cheese yield and coagulation parameters. Total Ca and P contents were 170,57±14,41mg·dl-1 and 145,34±26,87 mg·dl-1,with a Ca/P ratio of about 1.2. Fresh cheese yield was on average 261.7 ± 25.4 gr·l-1 of milk and was influenced by both milk quality and Ca and P contents (R2=0.82). The average rennet coagulation parameters had the following values: R = 14,20±3,82; K20= 1,73±0,97 and A30= 46,01±8,81. R values was influenced positively (R2=0.68) by milk pH, protein and fat content and negatively by the Ca/P ratio while shorter K20 value were linked to low micellar Ca and higher soluble P (R2=0.46). The A30 was negatively influenced by milk pH, fat/protein ratio and positively by soluble Ca and P content and micellar P % (R2 =0.50).
Deposição de ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA) em tilápias-do-nilo

Objetivou-se avaliar a deposicao de acido linoleico conjugado (CLA) em files de tilapia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Foram utilizados peixes com 121,08 ± 8,48 g, distribuidos em quatro caixas de cimento amianto (1,0 m3 cada uma) e arracoados ate saciedade aparente, duas vezes ao dia, durante 49 dias. Como alimento, utilizou-se racao comercial extrusada com 28% de PB e 3.000 kcal de energia digestivel/kg, acrescida de 2% do produto comercial Luta-CLAâ (BASF Brasil). No inicio do experimento, cinco peixes foram coletados aleatoriamente como amostra controle (sem CLA). A cada sete dias, dois peixes de cada caixa foram coletados, pesados e filetados para determinacao da taxa de deposicao de CLA nos files. As amostras de files foram estocadas a -24oC para analise do teor de lipidios totais e do perfil de acidos graxos. A taxa de deposicao de CLA foi determinada pela funcao de Gompertz (y = a . exp{-b . exp[-kt]}). O meio-tempo (T) para deposicao de 50% do CLA foi estimado pela equacao T = ln2/k, em que: T representa o meio-tempo; ln, o logaritmo Neperiano e k, a unidade de tempo que fornece a "velocidade" de deposicao do CLA no tecido muscular da tilapia-do-nilo. A deposicao maxima de CLA nos lipidios totais do file de tilapias-do-nilo estimada pela funcao de Gompertz foi de 1,61 g/100 g de lipidios do file. O meio-tempo de deposicao de CLA nos lipidios do file ocorre com 6,86 dias.
FIRE SEVERITY AND TREE SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT IN ABIES MAGNIFICA FORESTS, SOUTHERN CASCADES, OREGON'

To determine the relationship between fire severity and tree seedling estab- lishment, we investigated landscape pattern and composition, fire history, and tree seedling establishment on recent natural burns in Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis) forests of Crater Lake National Park in the southern Oregon Cascade Range. Fire severity classes, defined by basal area mortality, were mapped on three burned sites (29-197 ha). Variation in fire severity contributed to a landscape mosaic of patches with varying size, shape, forest stand structure, and tree species' composition. Post-fire tree regeneration was numerically dominated by red fir in all fire severity classes, but seedling establishment and growth varied among severity classes. Density of red fir seedlings was highest in low- and moderate-severity patches, and lower in high-severity patches and unburned areas. Height growth of red fir seedlings increases with fire severity. Variations in fire severity in red fir forests appear to be a major influence on post-fire stand structure and species composition, successional pathways, and resulting landscape patterns. Our results suggest that drought may be an important mortality agent controlling red fir regeneration on these burned sites. Red fir seedling establishment occurs in pulses, usually 3-4 yr after fire.
Water vapor absorption by nymphal lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae), and its ecological significance

Abstract Water relations of unfed nymphs of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), are reported for the first time and compared for impacts due to differences in habitat (temperate vs subtropical) and repeated lab rearing. Features of the water-balance profile include a low tolerance for dehydration and fast water loss rates that are countered by water vapor absorption between 75-84% RH. Results were consistent among nymphs from a 30-yr established colony (Oklahoma) and wild populations from Illinois and Louisiana. This study complements earlier work on larvae and adults and confirms that this tick is hydrophilic, prefers moisture-rich environments and shares similar ecologic requirements with Ixodes. Our conclusion is that inferences derived from colonized ticks reflect what occurs in nature with regard to water balance and the spread and establishment into new geographic regions. Lack of differences between moisture requirements of nymphs from the two different wild populations suggests that water conservation favored by cold temperature has promoted the northward expansion of A. americanum.
Effect of Electrolyzed Anode Water on the Vase Life of Cut Rose Flowers

Cut rose, (Rosa hybrida L.) flowers were placed in half-strength of electrolyzed anode water (EAW ; pH 2.9, 26 mg·liter-1 available chlorine) to test the effect of EAW on the vase life. EAW was generated by electrolysis of an aqueous KCl solution. The flowers were placed in EAW under the lighting condition, its effect was larger than or similar to those by several commercially available preservatives. The half-strength EAW adjusted to pH 5 or 6 extended the vase life of the roses as much as that with aqueous HCl solutions (pH 2 or 3). Three days after treatment, no bacteria were detected in these test solutions. These results suggest that the effect of EAW on the vase life of cut roses is due to sterilized action by low pH and chlorine compounds such as hypochlorous acid.
Interferon-γ: A Key Immunoregulatory Lymphokine

Abstract Interferon-γ is an important component of numerous host responses to inflammatory insults. Data from in vitro and animal studies suggest that this agent may have clinical uses in immunocompromised patients who are at increased risk for infectious complications. In addition to reviewing our current understanding of the in vitro and in vivo actions of interferon-γ, this article cautions that the potential for adverse reactions exists when interferon-γ is administered to an immunologically competent host.
Systemic induction of phytoalexins in cucumber in response to treatments with fluorescent pseudomonads

The Pseudomonas putida isolate BTP1 and its sid− mutant M3 were recently reported to protect cucumber against Pythium aphanidermatum root rot. This protection was mainly associated with an accumulation of antifungal phenolics in the treated roots. In this study, analyses of root extracts from split-root experiments showed that these phytoalexins were produced systemically. Indeed, several antifungal molecules accumulated similarly in both treated and nontreated root parts of plants protected against P. aphanidermatum with BTP1 or M3. In addition, analyses of leaf samples also revealed increased amounts of fungitoxic molecules in PGPR-treated plants, although the nature of these molecules appeared to be different from those detected in roots. The antifungal compounds isolated both from roots and leaves were mainly detected in acid-hydrolyzed extracts containing aglycones. These results suggest that PGPR can elicit phytoalexins systemically in cucumber and that the overall defence response is not based on a single phytoalexin but is chemically complex and organ-specific.
MEASURING REALIZED NICHE SPACES: CLIMATIC RESPONSE OF CHAPARRAL AND COASTAL SAGE SCRUB

Two methods for estimating climatic response functions by measuring re- alized climatic niche spaces are compared. The first, direct gradient analysis, utilizes mea- sures of abundance of the species at sites spanning the climatic range of the species' occurrence. The second, geographic distribution analysis, quantifies the proportion of the species' total areal occurrence that is found within each climatic zone. A geographic in- formation system is used to digitize species distribution maps and climatic isoline maps, and to compute areas of coincidence. The methods are compared, using independent data sets, on eight species of Californian coastal sage scrub. The position of species maxima along climatic gradients coincided for 75% of the 24 cases in which climatic response from the two methods was compared. This result suggests that the quicker and less expensive geographic distribution analysis method may have value in generating first approximations to climatic response functions. The geographic distribution analysis method is also used to characterize the realized climatic niche space for an additional eight species of Californian hard chaparral. Most species' response surfaces from data throughout the species' range were approximately bell shaped along climatic axes, providing some confirmation of the- oretical expectation. The smoothness of such curve shapes will, however, be somewhat sensitive to the scale of sample resolution.
Short‐term effects of sheep excrement on carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane fluxes in typical grassland of Inner Mongolia

Abstract Excrement patches of grazing animals play an important role in greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes due to the high nitrogen (N) and available carbon (C) deposited in small areas, but little information is available for the effect of excrement in the Inner Mongolian grassland (43°26'N, 116°40'E). To elucidate the effect of grazing sheep urine, fresh dung and compost on fluxes of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O), a short‐term field study (65 days) was carried out in the typical grassland of Inner Mongolia with the optimised closed chamber/GC technique. Compared with the control, cumulative net CH4 consumption decreased 36, 31, and 18% from urine, fresh dung, and compost plots, respectively; net CO2‐C output increased by 6.5, 1.5, and 1.2% from urine, fresh dung, and compost treated soil, respectively; about three times as much N2O‐N was emitted from urine and the fresh dung treatments during 65 days. Nitrous oxide emission was positively correlated with CO2 emission (R = 0.691, P < 0.01) and water‐filled pore space (R = 0.698, P < 0.01). The percentages of N2O‐N loss of applied‐N were 0.44 and 1.05% for urine and fresh dung, respectively. Our results suggest that in autumn in the degraded grassland of Inner Mongolia, the effect of sheep excrement may be ignored when evaluating the total GHG emissions.
Comparison of the carcass characteristics of steers of different breeds and pre‐weaning environments slaughtered at 30 months of age

Abstract The carcass composition (dressing‐out percentage, kidney and channel fat, fat depth at the 12th rib, eye muscle area, and trimmed fat, bone, and muscle weight) of 30‐month‐old beef‐type steers [Angus (71), Beef Shorthorn (28), Galloway (29), Hereford (15), and Red Poll (14)] and dairy‐type steers [Friesian (72), Milking Shorthorn (29), Ayrshire (30), and Jersey (29)] were studied over 5 consecutive years. Animals were selected for the trials after weaning and were grazed on pasture with occasional supplementation. The dairy‐type steers had lower dressing‐out percentages, heavier kidney and channel fat, lower fat depths at the 12thrib, and heavier bone weights than the beef‐type steers. The difference between bone weight and lean weight was the best linear function of the carcass parameters to discriminate between dairy‐type and beef‐type breeds. There were significant between‐year differences in fat variables and in eye muscle area, but not in bone weight and lean weight. There were positive rela.
Foraging patterns of Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta) with nestlings

Foraging patterns of pairs of Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta) nesting in alpine habitat in Wyoming were examined for sex-specific differences in division of space, how foraging behavior changes with nestling age, and how foraging behavior is modified to reduce the risk of nest detection by predators. Parental investment (measured by number of deliveries to nestlings, fecal sac removal, and time spent incubating and brooding) was not useful in predicting patterns of sexual niche partitioning of foraging space. There were no consistent patterns as to which sex foraged farthest from the nest. Distribution of the orientation of trip departures from nests, however, was significantly different between pair members in all cases. The mechanism(s) maintaining this pattern of spatial segregation is not known, but it may be the result of female dominance during the breeding season. Delivery rate of food to nestlings was positively correlated to nestling age. There was a concurrent positive correlation between deliv.
Applications of a thermal imaging technique in the study of the ascent of sap in woody species

We present applications of infrared thermograph to the direct observation of water transport in stems of woody species. Presently, the method gives only qualitative information on the path of sap movement along the stem, and therefore, does not replace any of the common quantitative methods of sap flow measurement. Nevertheless, the thermal imaging technique provides a novel approach to the study of the ascent of sap and could have a role in supporting more quantitative methods. Thermography permits visualization of the thermal variations of a fairly large area of the stem in real time, and hence, is well suited for spatial analysis of sap movement. Three experiments were carried out during the summers of 1991 and 1992, with the following objectives: to define the sap flow distribution in the active annual rings; to identify grain anomalies in the sap wood; and to study the consequences of induced embolism on the path of sap flow. Altogether, we tested more than 10 woody species (broad-leaves and conifers) either in natural conditions or in the nursery. We found considerable differences in the spatial distribution of sap flow not only between species and individuals but also within a single tree. Grain anomalies or embolized zones in the xylem, which are easily demonstrated, often further modify the path of sap flow. The irregularity of sapwood dimensions and of sap flow among tree rings requires careful evaluation of the positioning of the probes when using methods for quantitative measurements.
The Systematic Position of the Archiannelida

Speculation about the phylogenetic position of the archiannelids is reviewed. The Families Polygordiidae, Protodrilidae, Dinophilidae, Saccocirridae and Nerillidae should form the order Archiannelida within the class Polychaeta. A number of comparisons between each of these families and other polychaetes have been made without demonstrating closer relationships than exist among the archiannelids themselves. It has not been proven that the archiannelids are polyphyletic. The archiannelids should not be assigned to any of the recognized orders of polychaetes. To call the archiannelids either secondarily reduced or primitively simple presupposes that the origin of the annelids is known, which is not the case. The characters which originally were applied to set the archiannelids apart as primitive annelids can now be recognized as more truly representing adaptations for interstitial life. It would therefore be best to refer to the archiannelids as an order of polychaetes, primarily adapted for interstitial life. The term Archiannelida was applied to the genus Polygordius because of the belief that these worms represented the primitive ancestors of the three major classes of Annelida-the Polychaeta, Oligochaeta and Hirudinea. Since the latter part of the 19th century, however, a number of genera, both old and new, have been added to the Archiannelida while conviction concerning their ancestral nature has wavered. The archiannelids, with some exceptions, are conventionally treated as a separate class within the phylum Annelida and many zoologists seem to have the impression that the archiannelids are either ancestral to or at least fundamentally different from the other classes of annelids. However, there is no sound taxonomic reason for treating them as a separate class; that they are so treated indicates the need for review and up-date of the question of their phylogenetic
Hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius (L.) nest site selection in hedgerows

Abstract The natural nest sites in hedgerows of the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius were investigated in Devon, in south-west England. A total of 73 nests were found in the autumn by careful searching of hedgerows, all of which were species-rich. In hedgerows that had not been cut for 6 years or more, most nests were in bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and field rose Rosa arvensis margins, with a few in holly Ilex aquifolium bushes. In contrast, in hedgerows that had been cut within 6 years, the majority of nests were in shrubs, the dense protective growth at the cut line being strongly favoured. Blackthorn Prunus spinosa was preferentially selected, hazel Corylus avellana was avoided. It is suggested that the availability of safe nest sites may limit population density and that where nesting conditions are good the hazel dormouse may prefer to build nests in unenclosed situations rather than in hollows, whether natural hollows, such as tree holes, or artificial ones, such as nest boxes. To encourage hazel dormice in hedgerows, bramble and rose margins should be allowed to develop, and some lengths of hedgerow should be cut occasionally, particularly where blackthorn is present.
Population density, home range size and spatial organization of the Cape clawless otter, Aonyx capensis, in a marine habitat

In a protected area on the southern coast of South Africa, holts (dens) of the Cape clawless otter were spaced at intervals of 470 m and spraints (faeces) were concentrated in the vicinity of the holts. Population density estimates for separate sections of coast were in close agreement, and the mean estimate for the study area was one otter per 1.9 km of coast. The minimum home range size of an adult female was 14.3 km of coast, a 7.5 km central section constituting her core area. A radio-tracked adult male had a minimum home range size of 19.5 km of coast and a centrally located 12.0 km core area. The known home ranges of four adult males overlapped completely and males were observed foraging together, indicating a clan-type of social organization.
The Influence of Citrus Rootstocks upon the Volatile Rind Oil Content of Valencia Orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck)

The influence of twenty-five different rootstocks upon the amount and type of volatile oils in the rind of Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) has been investigated. The amount of oil production is probably influenced more than the individual oil components. There was no significant effect of rootstocks on a-pinene, d-limonene, p-cymene, 2-methyl-2 heptanone, and octyl acetate. However, β-myrcene, decanal, and linalool were significantly affected by rootstocks and could be grouped. These rootstock groupings had no correlation with the accepted botanical relationships. There do not appear to be any rootstock differences of such magnitude that their effect on the oil components would be of taxonomic significance.
Correlation of PCB Transformation by Plant Tissue Cultures with Their Morphology and Peroxidase Activity Changes

The ability of plant cells cultivated in vitro to metabolize polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was correlated with the morphology of the cultures tested as models for phytoremediation studies. More differentiated cultures showed generally higher transformation capacity. The ability of plant cells to transform PCBs is connected to their viability in the presence of PCBs and their behaviour can be positively correlated with the production of intracellular and extracellular peroxidases. The cultures with high PCB-transforming activity proved to exhibit high peroxidase activity in the presence of PCBs while those with low ability to metabolize PCB showed a decrease of the enzyme activity in the presence of PCBs. Experiments with propylgallate were used to distinguish the ratio of involvement of peroxidases in PCB metabolism.
Resolving Adaptive and Demographic Divergence among Chinook Salmon Populations in the Columbia River Basin

Abstract Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the Columbia River basin (CRB) comprise three lineages—lower Columbia River and sympatric interior ocean and stream types—each with distinct biological attributes. To evaluate the adaptive and neutral genetic variation of this species in the CRB, we genotyped 54 Chinook salmon populations using a panel of 96 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. All three lineages were represented among the collections and were widely distributed across locations, ranging from the upper Salmon River to near the Columbia River estuary. Our goal was to explore local adaptation as a process shaping the population structure and genetic variation among Chinook salmon beyond the inferences possible with neutral marker data. In our analyses with putatively neutral SNPs, the population structure of Chinook salmon throughout the CRB was generally concordant with that of previous studies using microsatellites. Regression analyses and outlier methods identified 28, 17, and 29 .