Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPETITIVE AND FACILITATIVE EFFECTS OF INTERCROPPING SOME SOYBEAN VARIETIES WITH CORN UNDER DIFFERENT SOYBEAN PLANT DENSITIES

Choice of suitable soybean variety can exhibit plasticity in their traits associated with plant density in response to intercropping. A two–year study was carried out at Giza Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, during the two summer seasons 2016 and 2017 to evaluate competitive and complementary interactions in intercropped soybean varieties with corn under three soybean plant densities. Nine treatments were the combinations of three soybean plant destinies (two rows, three rows and four rows per bed were expressed as 50, 75 and 100% of soybean sole planting) and three soybean varieties (Giza 21, Giza 82 and Giza 111) in addition to sole plantings of both crops. A split plot distribution in randomized complete blocks design with three replicates was used. Soybean plant densities were randomly assigned to the main plots and soybean varieties were allocated in sub-plots. The results indicated that soybean plant densities or soybean varieties affected significantly ear leaf N content and ear leaf area per plant (LA). Increasing soybean plant density of soybean variety Giza 111 from 50 to 100% of sole soybean under intercropping system recorded high ear leaf N content, meanwhile ear LA was not affected by soybean plant densities x soybean varieties. Soybean plant densities or soybean varieties, as well as the interaction between them did not affect corn grain yields per plant and per hectare significantly. Soybean plant density did not affect soybean seed yield per plant but it had significant effect on soybean seed yield per hectare. Increasing soybean plant density from 50 to 100% of sole soybean under intercropping system increased significantly seed yield per hectare. Soybean variety Giza 111 gave higher seed yields per plant and per hectare than soybean variety Giza 82 or Giza 21. Increasing soybean plant density of soybean variety Giza 111 from 50 to 100% of sole soybean under intercropping system recorded the highest seed yield per hectare compared with the other treatments. High land equivalent ratio (LER), system productivity index (SPI) and land equivalent coefficient (LEC) were obtained by increasing soybean plant density of soybean variety Giza 111 from 50 to 100% of sole soybean under intercropping system. Growing four rows of soybean variety Giza 111 in the middle of corn beds (140 cm width) had high yield of both crops per hectare, LER, SPI and LEC.
Reproductive indices and fecundity of Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) in the Catalan Sea (western Mediterranean)

Various indices related to reproduction and the fecundity of Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) were analysed. Sexual dimorphism does not occur in the population we studied and the sex ratio is always equal. The size of the species at sexual maturity is a standard length of 130 mm for males and 145 mm for females. The maximum gonadosomatic index values for males and females are temporally out of phase to a large degree, which explains the intra-ovarian storage of spermatozoa that occurs in this species. There are large hepatic reserves which are basically used in the synthesis of vitellogenin, while the mesentery fat reserves are not mobilized until the end of the maturation process of the oocytes. Multiple spawning takes place between January and February, consisting of between 11,000 and 87,000 eggs, of about 500 μm in diameter. The fecundity of the species is, with a high degree of correlation, determined by the size and weight of the individuals.
Plastid DNA haplotype variation in Dactylorhiza incarnata (Orchidaceae): evidence for multiple independent colonization events into Scandinavia

The early marsh orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo s. l. , grows in medium-rich to rich fens and marshes over much of Europe and parts of Asia. The species is highly polymorphic and different forms may grow together at the same site. In the present study, I tested the hypothesis that these forms represent different migrant populations that have colonized Scandinavia independently of each other, possibly from different source areas. Accessions from Scandinavia and elsewhere were screened for variation at three size-variable plastid marker loci, one polyA repeat, one polyA-polyTA-polyT repeat and one 9 bp indel. Ten haplotypes were defined on basis on the combined variation pattern. The common occurrence of several haplotypes in southern Scandinavia and adjacent areas to the south and the east of the Baltic Sea suggests that D. incarnata has been dispersed on repeated occasions across the Baltic. Also, there was some correlation between haplotype composition and morphological form on the island of Gotland, in agreement with the independent colonization hypothesis. Material from northernmost Sweden, Finland and northwest Russia was fixed for a single widespread haplotype, indicating that populations in this area are located farther away from the Pleistocene refugia. Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. lobelii from southwest Norway was characterized by a haplotype that was not encountered elsewhere in Scandinavia. Given its proximity to British populations dominated by the same haplotype, it is suggested that D. incarnata ssp. lobelii was established independently of the other Scandinavian populations, from coastal refugia located in western Europe.
Transgenic vegetables: A new horizon

Vegetables are grown worldwide and play an important role in human diets because they provide vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Asia produces and consumes more than 70% of the world’s vegetables. Their production and consumption are rising due to increase in consumer’s income. Vegetables are also associated with improvement of gastrointestinal health, good vision, and reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic diseases such as diabetes, and some forms of cancer. The consumption and caloric contribution of vegetables to the diet vary widely with geographical region, nationality, local customs and cuisine. Vegetable production suffers from many biotic stresses caused by pathogens, pests, and weeds and requires high amounts of plant protection products per hectare. US vegetables farmers are benefiting from growing transgenic squash cultivars resistant to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, Watermelon mosaic virus, and Cucumber mosaic virus, which were deregulated and commercialized since the mid- 1990s. Bt-sweet corn has also proven effective for control of some lepidopteran species and continues to be accepted in the fresh market in the United States, and Btfresh- market hybrids are released each year. Likewise, transgenic Bt-eggplant was bred to reduce pesticide use and hopefully will soon be grown by farmers in Asia. There are other vegetable crops in the pipeline that have been genetically modified to enhance their host plant resistance to insects and plant pathogens (including viruses), to show herbicide tolerance, and to improve features such as slow ripening that extends the shelf-life of the produce, high nutritional status, seedless fruit, and increased sweetness. Transgenic plant breeding therefore provides genetically enhanced seed embedded technology that contributes to integrated pest management in vegetable production by reducing pesticide sprays as well as improving food safety by minimizing pesticide residues. Furthermore, herbicide-tolerant transgenic crops can help reducing plough in fields, thereby saving fuel because of less tractor use, which also protects the structure of the soil by reducing its erosion. Transgenic vegetable crops could make important contributions to sustainable vegetable production in this 21st century. However, countries vary in their market standards of acceptance of transgenic crops. Biotechnology products will be successful if clear advantages and safety are demonstrated to both growers and consumers.
Perceptual comparison of ambisonics-based reverberation methods in binaural listening

Reverberation plays a fundamental role in the auralisation of enclosed spaces as it contributes to the realism and im-mersiveness of virtual 3D sound scenes. However, rigorous simulation of interactive room acoustics is computationally expensive, and it is common practice to use sim-pliﬁed models at the cost of accuracy. In the present study, two subjective listening tests were carried out to explore trade-offs between algorithmic complexity (and approach) and perceived spatialisation quality in a binaural spatial-isation context. The ﬁrst experiment assessed the perceived realism of room reverberation, comparing aurali-sations based on Ambisonic impulse responses at varying resolutions (zeroth to fourth order). The second experiment focused on the perceptual relevance of different approaches to binaural reverb rendering, looking at statically or dynamically rendered room simulations. Throughout these experiments, the direct sound path was rendered separately by convolution with a Head Related Impulse Response (HRIR). Preliminary results suggest that, for the conditions under test, there may not be perceivable ben-eﬁts in using high order Ambisonics encoding (beyond ﬁrst order) for room auralisation and that introducing head-tracking may have little impact as well, as long as the direct sound is rendered with enough accuracy. Further work is outlined with regards to continuing this research with a higher number of participants and more varied tested conditions to clarify the extent to which these conclusions can be made.
Prevalence of Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Renal Insufficiency in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Thailand is amidst a demographic transition showing an aging trend with increasing non-communicable diseases including diabetes. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and renal insufficiency in type 2 diabetic patients. Data were extracted from medical records of 6 health promoting hospitals and 1 general hospital in Nong Wua Saw District, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. Two hundred and thirty four records of Type 2 diabetic patients were retrieved and reviewed for hypertension, HbA1c level, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine level, blood lipid profile, microalbuminuria and eGFR during 2015-2016. Forty-one percent of the diabetic patients presented hypertension, thirty four percent LDL-C more than 130 mg/dL and forty eight percent eGFR less than 90 mL/min/1.73m 2 . Age, BUN, creatinine, and eGFR of diabetic patients were associated with hypertension. Moreover, age, BUN, creatinine, and HbA1c of diabetic patients were associated with eGFR stage. Univariate analysis of diabetic patients with hypertension and parameters adjusted by age and gender has confirmed association of hypertension and eGFR stage of the patients. In conclusion, this study indicated that persons with T2DM tend to have hypertension, dyslipidemia, and kidney problem. Moreover, results of this study will serve as primary epidemiological data leading to further studies on factors associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and renal insufficiency in type 2 diabetic patients which will help therapeutic regimen of T2DM.
Rearing of Orius strigicollis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) on Artificial Diet

Orius strigicollis (Poppius) was reared on the modification of rearing media for Tetrastichus sp. at 28°C, 18L: 6D, and 50‐60% RH, in which meat diets were used for partial replacements of insect source of the artificial diets. Life history traits of the predacious bug fed on the diet were measured. Nymphal development period and mortality rate of O. strigicollis were about 14 days and 31.5% (survival rate: 68.5%), respectively. The female bug produced average of 82.5 eggs during its oviposition period of 18 days when artificial oviposition substrate was provided. The fecundity was shown to be superior compared with previous researches on the species fed natural preys as a food.
IDENTIFICATION AND NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORDS OF GRASSOMYIA DREYFUSSI TURKESTANICA (THEODOR & MESGHALI,1964) AND ITS PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS CLOSEST ALLIES

The work was done to develop taxonomic record of sand flies Grassomyia dreyfussi turkestanica (Theodor & Mesghali) collected for the first time from endemic places of Sindh and Punjab provinces. In view of the published reports about the detection of encephalitis viruses from the species of the genus Sergentomyia (Franca and Theodor) from the Indian localities and their possible role in kala-azar transmission, the correct identification of sand fly species becomes of significant value in the study of epidemiology of leishmaniasis and other viral diseases. Therefore, in order to facilitate Zoologists and Medical researchers in correct identification of sand fly, morphology of taxonomic characters especially wings, cibarium, mouth parts, male and female genitalia of Grassomyia dreyfussi turkestanica (Theodor & Mesghali) is studied and results are presented. A key is also given to this species and its closest allies of the genus Grassomyia. In this light, its phylogenetic relationship with its closest allies is also briefly discussed.
EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FINANCIAL RATIOS AND SHARE PRICE MOVEMENTS IN NIGERIA OIL AND GAS (2002 – 2014)

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between financial ratios and share price movements in Nigeria oil and gas sector. A sample of four oil and gas companies listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange from 2002 to 2014 was used. These companies comprise of Oando Plc, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, MRS Nigeria Oil and Conoil Plc. Cross-sectional correlation analysis was used to establish the relationship. Share price is the dependent variable while the financial ratios such as Earnings per share (EPS), Dividend per share (DPS), Net asset value per share (NAVPS) and Dividend cover (DCO) were the independent variables. The findings showed that there was a weak and insignificant relationship between financial ratios and share movements of the selected oil and gas sector quoted at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The study equally revealed that Net Asset value per share has strong and positive significant relationship with Share Price Movements in Nigeria Oil and Gas sector; not minding that the other ratios claimed otherwise. The result is not in line with a priori expectation because of the peculiar nature of the Nigeria Oil and Gas sector. Price is not determined by the forces of demand and supply which is contrary to a crucial economic principle. The heavy government presence in the sector makes it impossible for Oil firms to determine the price of the product based on considerations of production cost and margin of safety. The removal of these bottlenecks is crucial by complete deregulation and removal of subsidy as this will usher in an era of competitive pricing, local refining and very reduced government presence in the all important oil sector.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ISCHEMIC DISORDERS: I- LDL CHOLESTEROL AND ISCHEMIC STROKE

Blood lipids, particularly total and LDL cholesterol levels, are associated with all subtypes of brain infarction. Furthermore, many of the effects of elevated or modified low density lipoproteins on endothelial cells and endothelial cell processes could be expected to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and therefore, to the association between lipids and atherosclerotic, particularly coronary and cerebrovascular disease. However, the extent to which “endothelial dysfunction” accounts for the known relationships between serum lipid concentrations, ischemic disease and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) pathophysiology is yet to be established. On the basis of the mentioned and other reports, we hypothesize that higher levels of plasma LDL cholesterol not only directly impair endothelial cells, but also effect EPC number and function at the same time, thus influencing the endothelial repair process and disturbing the balance between the magnitude of injury and the capacity for repair, which leads to endothelial dysfunction and promotes the progression of stroke. Because EPCs have been implicated in various events requiring endothelialization, we further hypothesized that LDL-C could influence the action of EPCs and sensory neurons and that this could be important to know how LDL-C effects repair, injury and vasculoprotection . In order to corroborate this proposal, quantification is required for EPCs and DRG neurons treated with various concentrations of LDL-C and characterizing the underlying molecular mechanisms. The relative contributions of apoptotic and necrotic death to ischemia-induced neuronal loss may provide us information for understanding the underlying mechanisms. Conclusively, the aggressive management of risk factors, like cholesterol, could have a significant and positive impact on the natural history of atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease.
Damage to Cauliflower Coral by Monofilament Fishing Lines in Hawaii

Abstract: Many fishing methods and gear types used in coral reefs cause physical damage to the reef substratum. Only recently have monofilament fishing lines been recognized as a cause of coral damage and death. We assessed the extent of damage caused by monofilament fishing lines to the cauliflower coral ( Pocillopora meandrina) colonies in fished and adjacent unfished zones at seven sites in the main Hawaiian islands. We examined coral colonies for the presence or absence of fishing line and for the degree of damage (dead, no live coral surface; damaged, some dead coral surface; or intact, no dead coral surface) in nine 25‐m2 grids. The mean proportion of colonies entangled with fishing lines in fished zones ranged from 0.18 to 0.44. The mean proportion of dead or damaged colonies was higher in fished than adjacent unfished zones, and there was a positive linear relationship between the proportion of colonies entangled with fishing lines and the proportion of dead or damaged colonies. These results indicate that monofilament fishing lines have a negative impact on the health and survival of P. meandrina colonies. Because tourism and related recreational fishing activities are expanding rapidly in many tropical states and nations, we recommend that the degrading effects of fishing lines on corals be considered in the design and management of tourism development.
A Combinatorial Program on Biosafety and Ethics for Veterinary Students

Biosecurity and ethics topics should be a priority in the teaching of veterinary medicine, in order for the students to achieve the basic skills of ethics and the knowledge of universal measures to promote and safeguard animal welfare. Humans’ health like that of animals' and the environment's is interconnected. Therefore, the students must receive an education with an ecosystemic approach. For this study, the non-formal environmental education program which was designed, implemented and assessed was aimed for first-semester university students of veterinary medicine, with the purpose of generating knowledge and determining the possibility of integrating ethics and biosafety subjects in the curriculum. A total of 142 students participated in this study; meaningful improvements in knowledge of biosecurity and ethics were observed between the pre-test and post-test. 96.8% considered that the activities were accordingly to the topics explained. This local research allows us to suggest the need to review the veterinarian’s career curriculum, and the urgency of introducing the axes of ethics and biosafety transversally.
Biometric data on hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) nesting at Cousine Island, Seychelles

Nesting hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata and their eggs and young were studied on Cousine Island, Seychelles from 1995 to 1999. Numbers of females known to nest (tagged individuals) on Cousine was 146. An average of 75% of emerging adults were intercepted, and this rose to 81.6% in 1999. Mean carapace lengths and widths of adult females were 81.2 ± 60.8 cm, and included some of the longest carapace lengths known for hawksbill turtles. There were poor correlations between adult weight and carapace length or width, but better correlations between adult weight and the product of carapace length and width. Width to length carapace proportions averaged 0.75. The mean weight of nesting females before their first recorded nesting on Cousine was 65.6 kg (51.2–83.0 kg). These were the first recorded weights for nesting hawksbills from the Seychelles. Individuals lose 8.5–15% of their body weight after laying three to five clutches. Mean clutch size was 176.7, and clutch sizes for any season showed great variation for some individuals. Clutch sizes tended to decrease after the main nesting month for the population but not necessarily for the individual. The largest clutch size of 264 is the largest recorded for hawksbill turtles worldwide. Turtles with longer carapaces tended to lay larger clutches than those with shorter carapaces, and heavier turtles generally laid heavier clutches than did lighter turtles. Eggs were usually (85.6%) somewhat elongate, measuring on average 36.3 ± 35.5 mm, and weights averaged 25.5 g. Very few ‘pea’ eggs were found. The average hatchling weight was 14.5 g and the average carapace length and width were 39.2 and 30.1 mm, giving a mean ratio of carapace length to width of 0.77.
Hatch or wait? A dilemma in reptilian incubation

Animals often form groups to reduce the risk of predation through the per capita dilution of their individual predation risk. The advantages of grouping also influence the timing of reproduction in many species. In particular, synchrony in the timing of births may have evolved as a predator-avoidance strategy as it dilutes the risk of predation upon vulnerable newborn and naive young. Eggs of an Australian freshwater turtle, Emydura macquarii, can hatch synchronously despite developmental asynchrony among eggs of a clutch and hatchlings have a reduced predation risk by emerging from the nest as a group. Developmental asynchrony within clutches was induced to reflect natural nests by dividing clutches and incubating them at either 25°C or 30°C. Some eggs were then reunited with their clutch-mates and hatching occurred synchronously in some of these groups. In groups where synchronous hatching did not occur, less advanced eggs still hatched earlier than the normal incubation period. Synchrony occurred because the less advanced eggs hatched up to five days earlier than the control embryos. We conclude that the less advanced embryos within a clutch either accelerate their development or hatch prematurely to ensure synchrony of hatching and hatchling group formation may facilitate emergence from the nest and dilute predation risk.