Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coral and coral reef responses to the 1997-98 El Niño event on the Pacific coast of Colombia

Several coral reef localities on the Colombian Pacific were surveyed between May 1997 and August 1998 to assess the nature and effects of the 1997-98 El Nino sea warming event. A characteristic feature of this episode was the presence of two elevated sea surface temperature (SST) peaks (August 1997 and April-May 1998). COADS and N CEP SSTs for the Pacific coast of Colombia indicated that thermal anomalies above +1°C lasted for approximately 15 mo, with the highest thermal anomalies reaching +3.3°C. Spatial and temporal differences in the duration and intensity of the warming were evident, hence a possible reason for the differences in coral bleaching and mortality found among sites. By May-June 1998, coral bleaching at Gorgona Island was as high as 21 and 24%, mainly at shallow and intermediate depths at La Azufrada and Playa Blanca reefs, respectively. Nearly 92% of the bleached corals were Pocillopora damicornis, whereas Pocillopora eydouxi was the least affected species. Massive coral species bleached severely and suffered the highest mortality rates. The extent of coral bleaching was variable and low (ca 1%) at other sites, including the coastal Utria and Tebada sites, and Malpelo Island in an open ocean setting. Linear extension rates of P. damicornis at Gorgona Island and Utria were significantly higher during the warming event compared with normal (non-ENSO) years. This result suggests that non-lethal elevated thermal anomalies may have a positive effect on coral metabolism. A comparison between the 1982-83 and 1997-98 El Ninos indicated that while the patterns of duration and intensity were similar, relatively fewer corals bleached and died during the more recent disturbance. Community recovery following both disturbances also varied greatly, probably due to differences in the extent of coral mortality between the 1983 and 1998 events. Evidence suggests that spatial and temporal patterns of ENSO-related coral bleaching and mortality are an important determinant of coral population density, size structure and community composition on Colombian Pacific reefs.
The use of mycorrhizas in temperate and tropical forests

A brief introduction concerning the beneficial effects of mycorrhizas on plant growth and development is followed by a review of the methods used for inoculum production and application. The main part of the article brings together information on the types of trees used in reforestation and re-afforestation in temperate and tropical regions of the world, and identifies why these trees might need to be inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. Where possible, experimental results are given to demonstrate the potential benefits of inoculation.
Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium, and Irrigation on Yield and Quality of Lemon1,2

Yields and quality were compared on young bearing ‘Bearss’ lemon (Citrus limon L.) trees grown with 3 rates of N and K and 2 levels of soil moisture over a 4-year period. Increased rates of N application increased fruit production, incidence of fruit with scab, and green fruit; and decreased acid content of juice. Potassium applications increased the acid content of juice. Irrigation increased fruit size and decreased the number of green fruit after curing. A leaf N content of 2.2 to 2.6% is suggested for optimum fruit production for ‘Bearss’ lemon under Florida conditions.
Outros sabores do passado: um novo olhar sobre as comunidades humanas mesolíticas de Muge e do Sado através de análises químicas dos ossos

Com outros sabores do passado procurou-se aportar um novo olhar sobre as comunidades humanas de Muge e do Sado que ocuparam o território português no Mesolítico final, mais concretamente, entrever o seu modo de subsistência e a adaptação ao meio ambiente sob uma perspectiva diferente, sustentada na análise das paleodietas. Os ossos ao requererem nutrientes, ao longo da vida de um indivíduo, constituem uma ferramenta única na apreciação do regime alimentar, uma vez que neles ficam cativos os sinais relativos à composição elementar e isotópica diferencial dos distintos grupos de alimentos ingeridos (Price, 1989). Mediante a realização de análises químicas, estes podem ser perscrutados, facultando pistas válidas na destrinça das proporções dos principais recursos alimentares, de origem vegetal, animal e marinha, incluídos na dieta das populações do passado. Este é objecto central do presente trabalho, tendo-se recorrido para o efeito às análises de oligoelementos e dos isótopos estáveis de carbono e de azoto dos restos ósseos provenientes dos famosos concheiros de Muge (Cabeço da Amoreira, Cabeço da Arruda e Moita do Sebastião) e dos seus análogos do Sado (Arapouco, Cabeço das Amoreiras, Cabeço do Pez, Poças de S. Bento e Vale de Romeiras), com balizas cronológicas situadas entre os 7500 e os 5500 anos BP.
New species of the oribatid mite genus Phyllhermannia Berlese, 1916 (Acari, Oribatida, Hermanniidae) from wet forests in south-eastern Australia show a high diversity of morphologically-similar, short-range endemics

This paper contains descriptions of sixteen new species of Phyllhermannia from temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest in the Australian Capital Territory (P. namadjiensis sp. nov.), New South Wales (P. bandabanda sp. nov., P. colini sp. nov. and P. tanjili sp. nov.), Tasmania (Phyllhermannia acalepha sp. nov., P. craticula sp. nov., P. lemannae sp. nov., P. luxtoni sp. nov. and P. strigosa sp. nov.) and Victoria (P. croajingolongensis sp. nov., P. errinundrae sp. nov., P. gigas sp. nov., P. hunti sp. nov., P. leei sp. nov. and P. leonilae sp. nov. and P. sauli sp. nov.). A partial supplementary description and new distribution record is given for P. eusetosa Lee, 1985 from South Australia. Phyllhermannia dentata glabra Hammer, 1962 is elevated to specific status. Hermannia macronychus Tragardh, 1907 and H. fungifer Mahunka 1988 are recombined to Phyllhermannia. A new diagnosis of Phyllhermannia is given and immature stages are described for the first time. Three species-groups are tentatively recognised: Acalepha, confined to Tasmania, Colini, found in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and New South Wales and Eusetosa, found in Victoria and South Australia.
The flare-up phenomenon in antigen-induced arthritis

A method is described to detect and to quantitate inflammation in knee-joints of mice. Approximately 10 fid 99raTechnetium pertechnetate (99пітс) is injected subcutaneously in the neck region and the accumula­ tion of the short-lived isotope in the knee-joint is detected by exter­ nal gamma-counting. 99inxo-uptake values correlate well with histolo­ gical grading of joint inflammation at various intervals after induc­ tion of the inflammation. The method can be used to detect changes in activity of unilateral as well as bilateral joint inflammation using either the ratio of 99m'pc_uptake in the right knee versus that in the left knee or absolute 99mxc-uptake values.
The combined influence of riverine barriers and flooding gradients on biogeographical patterns for amphibians and squamates in south‐eastern Amazonia

Our aim was to investigate how the distance to water (flooding gradients) and riverine barriers (Tapajós and Jamanxim rivers) influence the distributional patterns of amphibian and squamate assemblages in the middle Tapajós River region, south‐eastern Amazonia. We also considered the planned hydroelectric dams on both rivers in reviewing the possible impacts of these factors on the amphibian and squamate assemblages.
Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey from Scaptotrigona mexicana bee

The physicochemical properties of honey from the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana harvested at four, three, two, and actual years did not show significant differences in most of their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. Some properties, such as: color, pH, and titratable acidity were affected by storage temperature, being most affected at 45 °C. The concentration of polyphenols was correlated with the percentage of radical 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (R2 = 0.930). Honey showed an antibacterial activity against gram (+) and gram (–) bacteria, not showing inhibition of yeast and mold tested. The sensory evaluation showed that this honey had a high level of preference by consumers. Honey from S. mexicana bee can be stored for at least three years without being significantly affected by their physicochemical and antioxidant properties, and this is acceptable for marketing.
Remediation of Iron Chlorosis by the Addition of Fe-o,o-EDDHA in the Nutrient Solution Applied to Soilless Culture

The aim of this study was to evaluate the remediation of ferric chlorosis using by iron (Fe)-o,o-EDDHA in fertiganon of soilless crops compared with Fe-EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) and its effects on production. Two separate greenhouse experiments were conducted in slab or bag cultures using the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Daniela) and green bean crops (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Maite) in Almeria (southeast Spain). The crops were subjected to the following experimental setup: 1) At first phase, all plants were treated with a standard nutrient solution and Fe was supplied as Fe-EDTA. 2) No Fe was supplied in the nutrient solution to bean crops 46 days after transplanting. For tomato plants, this element was eliminated from the nutrient solution since 102 days after transplanting. In this phase, Fe-EDTA was supplied to the control plants (T1). This phase was ended when signs of ferric chlorosis appeared on the leaves. 3) The ferric chlorosis was remediated with either Fe-EDTA (T2) or Fe-o,o-EDDHA (T3). The T4 group did not receive any supplements. The total tomato and bean production was improved after the Fe deficiency had been corrected by either EDTA and Fe o,o-EDDHA supplements in the fertigation of these crops. The synthetic Fe 0,0-EDDHA chelate alleviated Fe deficiency by increasing the amount of iron in the rhizosphere and its supply to the leaves and petioles. Consequently, the decrease in tomato and bean production resulting from ferric chlorosis could be prevented. As a conclusion, the remediation of ferric chlorosis through fertigation with Fe o,o-EDDHA is as effective as the use of traditional Fe-EDTA.
Microbial detoxification of Colletotrichum falcatum toxin

A study was conducted on the possible detoxification of phytotoxin produced by the sugarcane red-rot pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum Went by antagonistic fungal and bacterial strains. Eleven Pseudomonas fluorescens strains and two Trichoderma harzianum strains were grown on a medium containing the pathogen toxin. Later, the treated toxin was tested for its phytotoxic activity using symptom bioassay, electrolytic leakage and spectral analysis. In symptom bioassay, the phytotoxin incubated with P. fluorescens strains FP 7 and VPT 4 and T. harzianum strain T-5 did not exhibit any symptom on susceptible sugarcane leaves. These treatments caused reduction in electrolyte leakage compared to other treatments and untreated toxin. Also, spectral analysis showed varied spectral patterns by different treatments. The results revealed that certain strains of the biocontrol agents cause detoxification of the pathogen toxin, which is one of the major pathogenicity determinants of the red-rot pathogen.
Development and Germination of Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Seeds

Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. # ECHCG] spikelets were collected from greenhouse-grown plants at various developmental stages. Caryopses contained in a single spikelet were dormant at maturity, but dormancy was overcome when the spikelets were dry afterripened at 23 C or were treated with high temperatures, acid scarification, or punctured with a scalpel. The season at which anthesis occurred affected the length of time for afterripening. Enhanced germination due to puncturing and scarification was not related to removal of a restriction to water entry. The effectiveness of puncturing in overcoming dormancy depended on moisture content of the spikelets at the time of puncturing. Above 18% moisture content germination percentage was low regardless of the dormancy-releasing treatment.
DNA microarray analysis of gene expression changes in ICR mouse liver following treatment with active hexose correlated compound

Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is a mixture of glucan-rich polysaccharides isolated from the culture extract of shiitake mushroom mycelium. Multiple bioactivities, including immune regulation, have been reported in both basic and clinical studies. This compound has also been used as an adjunct treatment for cancer, but no study has examined whether AHCC can alter the metabolism of therapeutic agents, such as anticancer drugs, in the liver by altering the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Here, we assessed AHCC-induced changes in the expression of genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes using a DNA microarray. A 3% AHCC solution was provided ad libitum for 5 days to ICR mice, followed by liver excision, total RNA extraction, and DNA microarray analyses using the Genopal® Metabolic chip (195 genes) and Oxidative stress chip (219 genes). The Metabolic chip identified eight differentially expressed genes (DEGs), defined by a minimum 2.0-fold change in expression from that in control mice. Of these DEGs, two involved in drug metabolism exhibited modest upregulation (CYP3A11, signal intensity ratio [SIR] = 1.15 and CYP7A1, SIR = 1.02). In addition, the Oxidative stress chip identified 23 DEGs, of which five (BCL10, BCL6, ICAM1, MAP3K5, and CASP9) showed very strong suppression (SIR < -10). Oral administration of AHCC to healthy mice altered the expression of multiple genes in the liver, including slight upregulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and marked suppression of genes involved in tumor necrosis factor signaling and apoptosis. Thus, AHCC may protect liver function against the adverse effects of anticancer agents, such as inflammation, while having little effect on drug metabolism.
Effect of growing media on growth and flowering of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) cultivars under naturally ventilated polyhouse

The performance of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) cultivars were evaluated in different growing media in naturally ventilated polyhouse during 2012-13 to 2013-14. Three varieties, viz. Batavia, Faith and Antibes were grown on five different growing media, i.e. partially decomposed rice husk, vermicompost, enriched compost, soil based biofertilizer and control. Growth, flowering and physiological characters were evaluated. The cultivar Antibes was found to be superior with respect to number of leaves/plant (34.57), leaf area index (1.73), net assimilation rate (0.059mg/cm2/day), leaf area duration (55.98 LAI days) and vase life (9.37 days). Among the five growing media evaluated; growth, flowering and physiological characters were better in enriched compost. Number of leaves/plant (36.74), leaf area index (1.86), total chlorophyll content (0.246 mg/g), net assimilation rate (0.064 mg/cm2/day), leaf area duration (58.94 LAI days), days to flower bud visibility (79.18 days), days to full bloom (17.41 days), number of flowers/plant (12.05), diameter of flower (10.29 cm), length of flower stalk (57.47 cm), diameter of flower stalk (0.75 cm) and vase life (10.89 days) of flower were found to be highest for enriched compost.
Obtaining evidence of learning in digital games through a deep learning neural network to classify facial expressions of the players

This Emotions play a significant role in determining human behavior, including the involvement and motivation of students, in the learning process. A digital game have become an important option, as a pedagogical tool, for the development of skills currently required for the insertion of an individual in labor market. This paper reports a research on a computational architecture, based on the techniques and methods of Learning Analytics, to assist educators, who use digital games as pedagogical tools, in assessing the impacts of a player's emotional states on his motivation to play and, consequently, in their learning. Such architecture aims to identify data on players' emotional states, through their facial expressions, and cross them with data on the players ‘actions, game events or states, which can evidence their learning. A deep learning neural network is used in the identification of the players´ facial expressions, through images of the faces of the students playing. The capture of these images is done by a webcam, installed on the computer where the game is playing, which is triggered by an intelligent software agent, according to pre-established conditions. This intelligent software agent also captures the data about the learning evidences. A software module, to analyze learning and the possible impacts of players' emotional states on their learning, completes the proposed computational architecture. The work was developed in the discipline on digital games applied to Education in a postgraduate course in Computer Science.
Plant Population and Nitrogen Fertilization for Subsurface Drip-irrigated Onion

Onion (Allium cepa L.) production in the Treasure Valley of eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho has been based on furrow irrigation with 318 kg·ha -1 N fertilizer and average yields of 70 Mg·ha -1 , but these practices have been implicated in nitrate contamina- tion of groundwater. Drip irrigation, introduced in the early 1990s, has several advantages, including reduced leaching losses. Since onion plant populations and N fertilizer rates can affect economic returns, studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to determine optimum plant populations and N fertilizer rates for subsurface drip-irrigated onion. Long-day onion ('Vision') was subjected to a combination of seven nitrogen fertilization rates (0 to 336 kg·ha -1 in 56-kg increments applied between late May and early July) and four plant populations (185, 250, 300, and 370 thousand plants/ha). Onion was grown on silt loam in two double rows spaced 0.56 m apart on 1.1 m beds with a drip tape buried 13 cm deep in the bed center. Soil water potential was maintained nearly constant at -20 kPa by automated irrigations based on soil water potential measurements at a 0.2-m depth. Onion bulbs were evaluated for yield and grade after 70 days of storage. Onion yield and grade were highly responsive to plant population. Onion marketable yield increased, and bulb diameter decreased with increasing plant population. Within the range of plant popula- tions tested, gross returns were not always responsive to plant population. Returns were increased by the increase in marketable yield obtained with higher plant population, but higher plant population also reduced the production of the largest sized bulbs which had the highest value per weight. Onion yielded 95 Mg·ha -1 with no applied N fertilizer, averaged over plant populations and years. Onion yield and grade were not responsive to N fertilizer rate or interaction of N fertilizer rate with plant population. Preplant soil available N, N mineralization, and N in irrigation water all contributed N to the crop. Onion N uptake did not increase with increasing N fertilizer rate. The Treasure Valley of eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho annually produces 9000 ha of sweet spanish onion, classifi ed as long-day and medium-to-long storage (Shock et al., 2000b). Treasure Valley onion is generally grown on silt loam soils and have traditionally been fertilized with an average of 318 kg·ha -1
Sparse Multichannel Blind Deconvolution of Seismic Data via Spectral Projected-Gradient

In this paper, an efficient numerical scheme is presented for seismic blind deconvolution in a multichannel scenario. The proposed method iterate with two steps: first, wavelet estimation across all channels and second, refinement of the reflectivity estimate simultaneously in all channels using sparse deconvolution. The reflectivity update step is formulated as a basis pursuit denoising problem and a sparse solution is obtained with the spectral projected-gradient algorithm–faithfulness to the recorded traces is constrained by the measured noise level. Wavelet re-estimation has a closed form solution when performed in the frequency domain by finding the minimum energy wavelet common to all channels. Nothing is assumed known about the wavelet apart from its time duration. In tests with both synthetic and real data, the method yields sparse reflectivity series and stable wavelet estimates results compared to existing methods with significantly less computational effort.
Mycorrhizal Assessment of Vascular Plants from Subantarctic Macquarie Island

Roots of 40 taxa of vascular plants from subantarctic Macquarie Island were examined to determine their mycorrhizal status. Samples comprised 36 flowering plant taxa (Spermatophyta) from 16 families, and 4 nonflowering plant taxa (Pteridophyta) from 4 families. No arbutoid, ericoid, or ectomycorrhizae were observed, nor did we collect the fruiting bodies of any fungi whose presence would indicate or suggest the presence of ectomycorrhizal associations. Fifteen of the plants examined showed vesicles, but vesicles and arbuscles were observed in only three plants: Hydrocotyle novae-zeelandiae (Apiaceae), Pleurophyllum hook
Loss of genetic diversity monitored by status number

We suggest monitoring genetic diversity (= effective number) in breeding populations with a new concept status number, which is half the inverse of the average coancestry, including the coancestry of the individual with itself. Formulae and numerical evaluations are presented for status number, average coancestry and inbreeding for different breeding systems. Some properties of status number are discussed. Our simulation study showed that genetic diversity was best preserved over generations by repeated selfing. Methods that use equal parental representation preserved genetic diversity better than panmixis. Small sublines preserved genetic diversity better than larger sublines, this effect was notable only when subline size was extremely small (like repeated full-sib mating). Rapid declining in status number with the first generation turn overs seems unavoidable.
Tree population dynamics in seven South Carolina mixed-species forests'

were used to quantify shade tolerance and successional status of individual species. In all plots, small stem density decreased and large stem density increased, an indication that the forests were in mid-successional phases where competition is expected to be intense. Shade tolerant species, especially small tree life forms, had the greatest ratios of ingrowth to mortality. Large differences in population flux, even among shade tolerant species, indicated that different mechanisms can account for increases in populations of late-successional species. Within some species, ratios of ingrowth to mortality varied significantly across the gradient reflecting flooding or soil moisture effects on succession.