Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovation for academic persistence at university

Reconciling research and teaching activities, without differentiating their importance, remains the university professors’ main challenge and requires that they recognise the complexity of their profession of teacher-researcher, which manifests as a double mandate where the programs offered by universities train researchers and simultaneously promote teaching excellence. In consideration of this singular context teaching practice support programs form part of the university landscape and advocate the valorisation of teaching, pedagogical support for professors and act as a springboard for pedagogical innovation. The aim of pedagogical innovation is often to improve student learning, particularly in an interactive context. The change that it drives should have a positive effect. Therefore, does research demonstrate a positive relationship between pedagogical innovation and academic persistence? Research specifically focusing on this issue is virtually non-existent. Nevertheless, certain studies do identify some positive relationships in their results. I have synthesized papers dealing with new student guidance schemes, collaborative learning, cooperative learning and New Information and Communication Technologies (NICTs).
Intake of Air-Oxidized Soybean Oil by Dams Does Not Affect Whole Body Lipid Peroxide Contents of Their Newborn and Suckling Pups.

Whether or not the feeding of air-oxidized oil to rat dams during the period of gestation or lactation affects the lipid peroxide contents in their offspring was studied. Rat dams were given a diet containing 4g soybean oil or air-oxidized soybean oil/100g diet during gestation. Whole body lipid peroxides, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) determined as malondialdehyde, in newborn pups from dams fed the air-oxidized oil diet were not different from those from dams fed the unoxidized oil diet. When dams were given the oxidized oil diet during lactation, whole body TBARS contents in suckling pups increased sharply in the 10-day-old neonate and decreased until 21 days old. However, these trends were not affected by the amounts of air-oxidized soybean oil nor the unoxidized oil diet. These findings indicate that a maternal diet containing air-oxidized oil during gestation or lactation does not affect the whole body lipid peroxides in neonatal rats.
Multiple-pathway succession in coastal Tsuga heterophylla, Thuja plicata, and Abies amabilis forests on northeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Sustainable forest practices are often designed to mimic natural disturbance and successional processes, yet succession is poorly understood in many ecosystems. On northeastern Vancouver Island, the “disturbance hypothesis” is a widely assumed succession model asserting that shade-tolerant western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) and the ericaceous shrub salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh) invade and colonize highly productive western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. ) – Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis Douglas ex J. Forbes) stands (HA) on zonal sites in the absence of stand-replacing wind disturbance. This leads to the development of low-productivity, low-density, uneven-aged, open-crowned redcedar–hemlock–salal stands (CH). In conflict with this model, old, apparently stable HA stands lacking redcedar can be found on such sites as well. We sought evidence for the predicted transition to CH stands by examining stand composition, crown closure, tree size class frequency distributions, salal c.
Formation and functional significance of storage products in cyanobacteria

Abstract The most common storage products of cyanobacteria are polyphosphate as a phosphorus storage compound, cyanophycin or phycobilin protein pigment as nitrogen storage products, and glycogen as a storage product of both carbon and energy. Nutrient uptake kinetics are regulated by the storage pools, and the patterns of regulation have a feedback effect on the amount of accumulated nutrient in the cells. Besides having a storage function the nutrient storage products are likely to act as metabolic sinks during conditions of energy stress. Regulation of storage products is especially strict in light‐limited cultures. By increasing the rate of polysaccharide formation during growth with short photoperiods, cyanobacteria are able to sustain relatively high growth rates. This effect is enhanced by keeping respiratory losses very low.
Effect of the dwarfing gene d18-k on cool tolerance at booting stage under the genetic background of an extremely cool-tolerant rice line norin-PL11, and its relation with water depth

Norin-PL11 (PL11) is a highly cool-tolerant line which contains genes for cool tolerance introduced from ‘Padi Labou Alumbis’, a landrace of Borneo. We investigated whether the dwarfing gene d18-k (kotaketamanishiki dwarf) exerts its pleiotropic effect of enhancing the cool tolerance at the booting stage under the genetic background of PL11, using the d18-k isogenic line of the recurrent parent PL11 (D11). During the booting stage, two cool-air treatments at 12°C for five days with and without deep water of 15 cm depth (DW and CA treatments, respectively) were conducted in growth chambers illuminated at about 600 μmol PAR m−2 s−1. Besides spikelet fertility, the ratio (%) of the fertilized-spikelet number of each treated panicle to the varietal mean of fertilized-spikelet number per panicle in the control, viz. FS-T/C was adopted in order to estimate the extent of cool damage including the factor of spikelet degeneration. The CA treatment induced notable spikelet degeneration in PL11, but not in D11. The parameter L5, which is the average of the lowest five FS-T/C values (or spikelet fertilities) on five consecutive days in each line, was used for evaluating the cool tolerances of the lines. In the CA treatment, D11 had a higher L5 in FS-T/C than PL11, indicating that D11 is more cool-tolerant than PL11. D11 showed a significantly higher L5 of FS-T/C in the DW treatment than in the CA treatment, but PL11 showed no significant difference of L5 between the CA and DW treatments. Similar results were obtained for spikelet fertility. In D11, almost the whole panicle at the most susceptible stage was under the surface of the deep water. On the other hand, the whole panicle was above the water surface at that stage in PL11. Consequently, D11 almost eluded the damage from the severe cool-air treatment when combined with the deep water. D11 exceeded PL11 not only in ripened pollen grain number per anther in the control but also in an indicator of pollen fertility after the CA treatment, owing to the effects of d18-k. It is concluded that d18-k may be useful for developing super-highly cool-tolerant cultivars for cool-weather areas.
Territory Size, Energetics, and Breeding Strategy in the Corvidae

My analyses demonstrate no relationship between mean territory size and either body size or group size in corvid species. However, when plural and singular nesters are considered separately, there are significant relationships between both territory characteristics (size and food production) and the energy requirements of the group. Breeding strategy profoundly influences the manner in which energy production in the territory is scaled to the energy requirements of the territorial group. Relative to group needs, plural nesters have significantly less food energy available in their territories than do singular nesters.
The Effectiveness of Online Advertising: Consumer’s Perceptions ofAds on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

The growth of Internet usage has created a platform for businesses to attract and retain customers. While online advertising strategies are used by many businesses, the effectiveness of these methods being used can be debated. This study will provide an analysis of online advertising and its effectiveness. A study was conducted to test the consumer’s perception of online advertising on the popular social webpages: Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Steps were also taken to test a possible gender difference when it comes to consumer’s receptiveness to online advertising on these sites.
Distribution of possible sunshine durations over rugged terrains of China

Abstract Based on the digital elevation model (DEM ), a new model for calculating possible sunshine duration (PSD ) is completely described. Using this model, monthly PSD with resolution of 1 km × 1 km for the rugged topography of China is calculated. Results suggest that terrain has robust effect on PSD, particularly in winter when a lower sun elevation angle exists. Besides, the proposed model taking the DEM data as the input has an ability to process mass of data and is applicable to satellite image processing platforms or Geographic Information System (GIS). The PSD (in hours) is provided in the same way as other kinds of spatial information and can be employed as basic geographic data for relevant studies as well.
Observations on the food and feeding behaviour of Cynopterus sphinx Vahl (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) at Pune, India

Cynopterus sphinx est une chauve-souris frugivore ubiquiste largement repandue en Indez et dans le sud-est asiatique. Ces chauve-souris vivent suspendues, solitaires ou en groupes de deux ou plus, soit dans des arbres ou elles peuvent se cacher et etre protegees, soit sous des toits ou des plafonds. L'espece recherche les fruits, fleurs et feuilles d'arbres sauvages et de certains arbres fruitiers, en proportion variable. Son regime alimentaire varie au cours des saisons en fonction de ses preferences et de la disponibilite des aliments qui est elle-meme determinee par les cycles annuels de floraison et de fructification dans la region
Aeration improves the hygiene of cattle slurry and the quality of grass forage and silage

The aeration of slurry at mesophilic temperature improves its hygiene, provided no fresh slurry is added to the tank during the 3–4 weeks of aeration. Microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica and related species and coliphages, were reduced by 90–99.9%. However, the number of Clostridium was not affected. The typical odour of slurry diminished. The use of aerated slurry as fertilizer on growing grass may cause less risk of contamination either by enteric microorganisms or by butyric acid‐producing clostridia than the use of non‐aerated slurry. The hygiene level of grass was also sufficient when grown in a cold, rainy late summer and used for silage. None of the 62 samples of silage prepared from a second‐harvest grown in rainy conditions and fertilized with aerated slurry were found to have deteriorated. However, three samples out of 63 made during the same period but fertilized with non‐aerated slurry were observed to have deteriorated completely. Neither spreading method, .
The Characterization of the Gamma-Ray Signal from the Central Milky Way: A Compelling Case for Annihilating Dark Matter

Past studies have identiﬁed a spatially extended excess of ∼ 1-3 GeV gamma rays from the region surrounding the Galactic Center, consistent with the emission expected from annihilating dark matter. We revisit and scrutinize this signal with the intention of further constraining its characteristics and origin. By applying cuts to the Fermi event parameter CTBCORE, we suppress the tails of the point spread function and generate high resolution gamma-ray maps, enabling us to more easily separate the various gamma-ray components. Within these maps, we ﬁnd the GeV excess to be robust and highly statistically signiﬁcant, with a spectrum, angular distribution, and overall normalization that is in good agreement with that predicted by simple annihilating dark matter models. For example, the signal is very well ﬁt by a 36-51 GeV dark matter particle annihilating to b ¯ b with an annihilation cross section of σv = (1 − 3) × 10 − 26 cm 3 /s (normalized to a local dark matter density of 0.4 GeV/cm 3 ). Furthermore, we conﬁrm that the angular distribution of the excess is approximately spherically symmetric and centered around the dynamical center of the Milky Way (within ∼ 0 . 05 ◦ of Sgr A ∗ ), showing no sign of elongation along the Galactic Plane. The signal is observed to extend to at least (cid:39) 10 ◦ from the Galactic Center, disfavoring the possibility that this emission originates from millisecond pulsars.
Occurrence of isopods ectoparasites in marine fish on the Cotegipe Bay, north-eastern Brazil

gustavo freire de carvalho-souza, jonas rodrigues de souza neto, fabri’cio tourinho aleluia, itaquaracy arau’ jo nascimento, henrique browne-ribeiro, rodrigo cerqueira santos and moacir santos tinoco Lacerta Ambiental Ltda. (LACERTA), Avenida Tancredo Neves, n 939, edf. Esplanada Tower, sala 1305, 41.820-020, Caminho das Arvores, Bahia, Brazil, Centro de Ecologia e Conservacao Animal (ECOA/UCSal), Centro de Pesquisa e Conservacao dos Ecossistemas Aquaticos (Biota Aquatica)
The influence of fragment size and edge on nest predation in urban bushland

To test the effects of habitat fragmentation and edge on the rate of nest predation in an urban ecosystem, 20 artificial nests each containing 2 plasticine eggs were distributed in each of 24 bushland sites in Sydney. Australia. The eastern yellow robin Eopsaltria australis was adopted as a target species, and variables of nests, eggs and nesting behaviour were manipulated in experiments. Sites ranged in size from 3.8 ha to 14717 ha and were divided into three size classes: 1) 0-10 ha, 2) 11-100 ha and 3) ≥ 101 ha. Nests were positioned either around the edge of the fragment (within 50 m from the fragment boundary) or within the centre of the fragment ( > 50 m from the fragment boundary). The predation rate was calculated as the percentage of nests that had one or both eggs damaged or removed after 15 d of exposure. Nest predation rates were high (average 70.6%) but were not affected by patch size or distance from fragment edges. Predators were identified by marks of the beak or teeth left in the plasticine eggs. Nest predators identified were birds, black rats, brown antechinus and ringtail possum, with the majority of predation being by birds (61.7%). Our findings differ from those of most previous studies of nest predation. and perhaps reflect the ubiquity of generalist predators and the degree of habitat modification throughout remnants of bushland in the urban environment.
Response of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum to the sex pheromone of its host Heliothis zea

This paper presents results of olfactometer experiments with the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and its host the corn earworm moth, Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The sex pheromone of the host significantly reduced the total number of border crossings between odour fields in the olfactometer. Also, female parasitoids made significantly more visits to the calling moth odour field than to the opposite control field in the olfactometer. Further, the wasps spent significantly more time in the olfactometer field containing the sex pheromone released by calling virgin moths, than in control fields. If non‐calling virgin moths were used as odour source, the response was reversed and wasps were repelled by the odour of the moths, and the numbers of visits were evenly distributed over the four flow fields. These results are discussed in the context of foraging ecology of egg parasitoids.
Experimental evidence of cost of lactation in a low risk environment for a long-lived mammal.

In a previous experiment we have documented that organisms adopt a risk-sensitive reproductive allocation when summer reproductive investment competes with survival in the coming winter (Bardsen et al. 2008). This tradeoff is present through autumn female body mass, which acts as an insurance against unpredictable winter environmental conditions. We tested this hypothesis experimentally on female reindeer experiencing stable and benign winter feeding conditions. Additional supplementary feeding and removal of newborns represented two sets of experimental manipulations. Females in the supplementary feeding group increased more in winter body mass relative to control females. This manipulation, however, did not have any effect on summer body mass development for neither females nor offspring, but we found a positive effect of feeding on offspring birth mass for smaller females. In contrast, offspring removal did have a positive effect on summer body mass development as females in this group were larger in the autumn relative to control females. In essence, we documented two immediate effects as: (1) supplementary feeding did have a positive effect on spring body mass for smaller females; and (2) offspring removal did increase the female summer somatic growth as this had a positive effect on female autumn body mass. Additionally, we tested for lagged effects, but we could not document any biologically significant effects of neither manipulation in the coming spring. The fact that we only found rather weak effects of both manipulations was as expected for risk sensitive individuals experiencing benign environmental conditions over many years.
Envelhecimento acelerado em sementes de rúcula (Eruca sativa L.)

The objective of the present study was to investigate the methodology of the accelerated aging test to evaluate the physiological quality of salad rocket (Eruca sativa L.) seeds, cv. Cultivada. Five lots of salad rocket seeds were tested for germination, seedling emergence, speed germination and emergence rates and accelerated aging (periods of 48, 72 and 96 hours, at 41 and 45oC, with or without the use of saturated solution of NaCl). Accelerated aging (with and without salt) ranked different vigor levels among seeds lots, and among the protocols studied, the period of 48h at 41oC, with the use of water or the saturated solution of NaCl, was considered appropriate to assess the physiological quality of salad rocket seeds, cv. Cultivada.
Effects of steam pelleting or extrusion on digestibility and performance of silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus

The effects of different processing techniques on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) and performance of silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus were evaluated. Results of a factorial digestibility trial, in which three diets (SP35, 95LC1 and 95LC2) and three processing methods (cold pelleted, steam pelleted and extruded) were evaluated, indicated that extrusion, but not steam conditioning, significantly improved ADCs of dry matter (DM) and energy. ADCs of DM and energy of cold-pelleted diets were statistically similar to steam-pelleted diets, and ADCs of nitrogen were unaffected by processing method. No interaction was found between diet type and processing method for DM, energy or nitrogen ADCs. A performance trial indicated that feed intake, weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed steam-pelleted diets was greater than those of fish fed extruded diets. Feed conversion and digestible protein efficiency was better in fish fed extruded diets. The results indicated that extruded diets were better utilized than steam-pelleted diets; however, voluntary intake of extruded diets may have been limited. Fish fed cold-pelleted SP35 exhibited inferior performance compared with fish fed steam-pelleted or extruded SP35. Reduced performance of fish fed this diet may relate to poor utilization of digestible protein or reduced palatability. Diets for silver perch with similar formulations to SP35 and 95LC2 should be steam pelleted.
Effects of Road Decommissioning on Stream Habitat Characteristics in the South Fork Flathead River, Montana

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated the negative effects of roads on stream characteristics important for fish survival; however, few have examined whether decommissioning reverses these adverse impacts. We examined the relationships between the percentage of fine sediment in stream substrate and roads and looked at whether decommissioning had measurable effects on stream habitat in the Flathead National Forest, Montana. We conducted habitat surveys and substrate coring in 12 streams encompassing three watershed treatment types: (1) roadless areas, (2) areas with roads in use, and (3) areas with decommissioned roads. Significant positive correlations were found between the percentage of fine sediment in substrate and various measures of road impact (road density, roads in use, and number of stream crossings). Watersheds with roads in use had higher percentages of fine sediment than those without roads and those with decommissioned roads. Watersheds with high levels of vegetative regrowth on decomm.
Pollen morphology of Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) in Iran

The genus Centaurea L. is one of the largest genera in the family Asteraceae. The number of taxa included in this genus ranges from 500 to 600 worldwide. Iran is one of the major centers of diversity for this genus. Pollen morphology has proved useful in the systematics of Asteraceae, as well as in that of some of its genera and species. The pollen morphology of 19 taxa of the genus Centaurea was investigated in detail by light and scanning electron microscopy. Examination under light microscopy showed pollen grains to be tricolporate, isopolar, radially symmetrical, oblate spheroidal, prolate spheroidal, subprolate, tectum perforate and scabrate. Based on the exine ornamentation observed under scanning electron microscopy, we identified two types of pollen grains, designated type I (dense acute spinules) and type II (sparse spinules). All of the taxa evaluated resemble Wagenitz's Jacea type. We present micrographs of pollen grains, together with descriptions of the characteristics of their structure. We found that the pollen characters (shape, exine structure, sculpturing) were useful for classification.
DEMOGRAPHIC AND GENETIC EVALUATION OF AN AMERICAN MARTEN REINTRODUCTION

Abstract Reintroduced populations are generally smaller and more isolated than native populations; thus even when reintroduced populations are demographically stable, a lack of genetic variation may present a threat to long-term persistence. We examined the demographic structure and genetic variation of the marten reintroduction into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Male : female and juvenile : adult female ratios indicate that the Michigan population is demographically stable. Michigan martens had higher allelic diversity (A = 7.4) compared to the average diversity found among Canadian populations (A = 5.8) and similar levels of observed heterozygosity (HCanadian = 0.64, HMichigan = 0.63), excluding Newfoundland martens. We found no significant differences in the allelic diversity or heterozygosity between the reintroduced Michigan population and the source population for the reintroduction, that of Chapleau, Ontario. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of a genetic bottleneck in the Michigan population. We suggest that the genetic success of this reintroduction is a result of the multiple reintroductions and subsequent intrastate translocations that mimicked gene flow. The success was further aided by the presence of small remnant populations that remained in Michigan, as evidenced by the presence of private alleles in Michigan.