Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basal and maintenance respiration of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal root systems of conifers

We measured CO2 efflux from root systems of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal conifer seedlings planted in silica sand and maintained in darkness for 11 to 15 days. We first compared methods of isolating the root system for root respiration measurement using Douglas-fir seedlings (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Shoot excision effectively isolated the root system and affected total root respiration only slightly. We used this technique to compare respiration rates of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal root systems of ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Laws.) seedlings. Some seedlings were uninoculated; others were infected with an ectomycorrhizal species (Laccahalaccata or Hebelomacrustuliniforme) or an unidentified ectendomycorrhizal species. After shoot excision, respiration rates declined within 48 h to a "maintenance" respiration rate. Over the next several days, the respiration rate continued to decline to a much lower "basal" rate typical of nonphotosynthetic seedlings depleting their reserves. The maint.
Taxonomic revision of some lepraliomorph cheilostome bryozoans (Bryozoa: Lepraliomorpha) from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Lepraliomorph-grade ascophorans are the dominant group of bryozoans in most modern faunas. Here we describe five new species (Parasmittina alba sp. nov., Microporella proxima sp. nov., Reteporella antennata sp. nov., Stephanollona robustaspinosa sp. nov. and Turritigera buski sp. nov.) and record an additional five lepraliomorph species [Watersipora subovoidea (d'Orbigny, 1852), Schizoporella errata (Waters, 1878), Arthropoma cecilii (Audouin, 1826), Celleporina diota (Marcus, 1938) and Reteporellina evelinae Marcus, 1955] from the coastal waters off Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil. This increases the biodiversity of the bryozoan fauna from Brazil, and the number of species known from Rio de Janeiro State now totals 79.
The effectiveness of kickboxing techniques and its relation to fights won by knockout

Background and Study Aim: Ratio of fights won is important to kickboxers on professional and amateur levels. Knockout is the most economical way of winning the fight. The objective of the paper is the effectiveness of kickboxing techniques and their impact on winning the fight by knockout. Material and Methods: There were 156 participants in the study (61 amateurs and 95 professionals). Their total number of fights won by knockout was 188 and the amateur competitions they participated in complied with the K-1 ruleset. Fighters were 19 to 32 years old and their training experience was on the average 7.36 yrs. ±3.24 yrs. The shortest training lasted 3 yrs. and the longest one 18 yrs. The study was conducted using the analysis of videos of professional fights as well as diagnostic survey conducted in a group of amateur fighters. The survey included questions about training experience and techniques used in a fight won by knockout. The video analysis also included the techniques used in a fight won by knockout. Results: Hook high and roundhouse kick high were the most effective kickboxing techniques in winning fights by knockout. The comparison of techniques used in a knockout between amateur and professional fighters did not bring any statistically significant differences. It was shown however that professional fighters used the most effective techniques: more often than amateurs. Conclusions: During the training the fighters should pay special attention to constructing combinations of punches and kicks using hook high and roundhouse kick high techniques. Using proper techniques as well as numerous repetitions of the most effective techniques should be a part of any training of a kickboxing fighter.
Knee strength ratios in male judokas: age-related differences

Background and Study Aim: Asymmetries and muscle imbalances are associated with increased risk for lower limb injuries. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that there is a significant difference between judokas of different age categories in the maximum muscular force, as well as in the functional ratio (H/Qfunc) of thigh muscle for both legs. Materials and Methods: The sample of participants consisted of 25 judo athletes of senior, junior, and cadet age categories, which were roughly equal by body weight. A sample of the variables used in the study was composed of isokinetic indicators for estimating the muscular force of the flexors and extensors of knee joint at two angular velocities and two contraction modes. To analyze differences between samples included in this study univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LSD Post Hoc test were used. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the maximum muscular strength between the examined groups and that there were no statistically significant differences in the H/Qfunc ratio of the thigh muscles of the examinees. A trend of growth of muscular force from cadet to senior age category was observed, as well as the decline of muscular symmetry with the increase in the age category of examinees. Conclusions: Although no differences were confirmed in each variable for the assessment of muscle strength, there was an evident trend of increasing muscle strength from cadet to senior age category. In many cases of assessed angular velocities and types of muscle contractions, the symmetry of thigh muscles decreased as the age category increased. Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that judo does not lead to functional asymmetry of the thigh muscles of athletes who belong to different age categories.
Assessing citizens' non-adoption of public e-services in Germany

The amount of acceptance literature stands in sharp contrast to the persistently low adoption rates of public e-services in most European countries. Despite huge investments on the one hand and a vast body of literature on success factors on the other hand, citizens are surprisingly uninterested in the use of public e-services. However, only few studies explicitly address phenomena of resistance or non-adoption. In order to explain citizens’ non-adoption and adoption of public e-services, this article builds on the Inhibitor Theory as an analytical framework, based on which a dual factor-model is proposed and tested with survey data from 495 German citizens. The results of this study indicate that non-adoption of public e-services is less driven by technical issues than suggested in current literature. Instead, the need for personal consultation and status quo bias are the strongest predictors of citizens’ non-adoption.
Effects of hypoxia and surface access on growth, mortality, and behavior of juvenile guppies, Poecilia reticulata

Juvenile guppies (Poecilia reticulata) were fed ad libitum and maintained for 11 d at oxygen concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 8 mg/L (25–26 °C). With access to the surface, guppies showed high growth rates and low mortality at all concentrations. Without surface access, they exhibited a progressive reduction in growth rate below 2–3 mg/L and did not survive below 1 mg/L. Activity was influenced by oxygen concentration and surface access. Feeding rates declined sharply with oxygen concentration for fish without surface access and to a lesser extent for fish with access. Percent time in contact with the surface increased as oxygen decreased. Aquatic surface respiration is used even when this behavior is not necessary for survival. We suggest that aquatic surface respiration increases the energy available for growth under hypoxic conditions by augmenting oxygen supply, which permits greater ingestion rate, and possibly by decreasing the cost of ventilation.
Overview of raptor monitoring activities in Europe

Abstract Despite the key role of raptors (including birds of prey Falconiformes and owls Strigiformes) in ecosystems and their sensitivity to environmental change, a well coordinated, Europe-wide monitoring of raptors is lacking. EURAPMON, a Research Networking Programme of the European Science Foundation, was launched with the aim of establishing a sustainable Europewide network for monitoring of raptors. An overview of current monitoring schemes for raptor populations in 28 European countries, as reported by EURAPMON National Coordinators at the workshop in Murcia (Spain) in 2012, showed existing monitoring schemes to be limited to a restricted number of species (mostly diurnal and rare raptor species). The most widely monitored species are the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos amongst diurnal raptors and the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo amongst owls. Broad coverage of a species range across Europe is reached only for restricted-range species. The key driver for monitoring, which is mostly coordinated by NGOs, is conservation, and the main end users are governmental institutions. International collaboration in the field of monitoring of raptors is mainly regional and not yet pan-European in scale. The involvement of volunteers in raptor monitoring was perceived as the main strength of many schemes, but insufficient manpower and a focus on rare species were recognised as the main weaknesses across Europe as a whole. Among priorities identified for the future development of monitoring schemes are: improvements to national coordination; support to increase the number of volunteers; and assurances of stable funding. Further analysis of EURAPMON questionnaires will identify knowledge gaps, which will steer good practice guidance on survey methodologies; the need for the latter was identified as the main benefit that National Coordinators expect to gain from international networking
An investigation of mother tongue differential item functioning in a high-stakes computerized academic reading test

Abstract A fundamental requirement of language assessments which is underresearched in computerized assessments is impartiality (fairness) or equal treatment of test takers regardless of background. The present study aimed to evaluate fairness in the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Reading test, which is a computerized reading assessment, by investigating differential item functioning (DIF) across Indo-European (IE) and Non-Indo-European (NIE) language families. Previous research has shown that similarities between readers’ mother tongue and the second language being learned can advantage some test takers. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed data from 783 international test takers who took the PTE Academic test, using the partial credit model in Rasch measurement. We examined two main types of DIF: uniform DIF (UDIF), which occurs when an item consistently gives a particular group of test takers an advantage across all levels of ability, and non-uniform DIF (NUDIF), which occurs when the performance of test takers varies across the ability continuum. The results showed no statistically significant UDIF (p > 0.05), but identified 3 NUDIF items out of 10 items across the language families. A mother tongue advantage was not observed. Similarity in test takers’ level of computer and Internet skills, test preparation, and language policies could contribute to the finding of no UDIF. Post-hoc content analysis of items suggested that the decrease of mother tongue advantage for IE groups in high-proficiency groups and lucky guesses of low-ability groups may have contributed to the emergence of NUDIF items. Lastly, recommendations for investigating social and contextual factors are proposed.
Diet of the Lace Monitor Lizard (Varanus vadus) in south-eastern Australia

Since Vmanus varius (the lace monitor or lace were no other sheep in the two study areas (Bendethera 2 goanna) is the second largest terrestrial carnivore inand Mallacoota). However, carrion may be otherwise digenous to mainland south-eastern Australia (Weavers under-represented in scats because, unless the animal 1988), its diet is of some ecological interest To date, howhas ingested fur, little identifiable material is present after ever, there have been no auantitative descri~tions of the diaestion of carrion. diet of V. varius. ~ustrali& varanids are generally considered carnivores which ingest plant material near prey only by accident, although Johnson (1972) has reported that V. gouldii in captivity ate a mixture of "pet meat and vegetables". Food items recorded from stomach contents of museum specimens of Australian Varanus spp. other than V. varius ranged from arthropods and reptile eggs for the smallest species, V. giueni; to arthropods, mammals, birds, lizards, and reptile eggs for larger species such as V. panoptes, V. tn'strs, V gouldii, or V. rosenbergi (varanid diets reviewed by Losos and Green 1988). According to anecdotal accounts, the diet of V. varius includes arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, eggs, birds, small mammals and carrion including dead conspecifics (e.g. Broadbent 1910; Gogerley 1922; Hindwood 1926; Worrell 1963; Bustard 1970; Vestjens 1973; Houston 1978; Tidemam 1980; Manserah and Hdey 1985; Cogger 1986; Losos and Green: 1988; Ward and Carter 1988). Several of these accounts emphasize the importance of nesting birds in the diet. Gogerley (1922) even speculated that some species of "low-nesting birds" including the superb lyrebird (Menura superba), nest during winter to avoid predation by the ". Gohanna (Varanus varius)". Vestjens (1977) examined the stomach contents of 18 V. varius from north-western New South Wales, but did not quantify hi results. He identified prey including one species of bird, egg shell of one unidentified species of bird, three species of introduced mammals, tortoise eggs, and seven groups of arthropods. Vestjens (1977) further observed 10 acts of predation by V. varius on eggs or chicks of five species of birds.
Equity Market Reaction to Pay Dispersion and Shareholders’ Prosocial Preferences

Do equity investors care about pay dispersion and income inequality? We address this question by examining equity markets’ reaction and investors’ portfolio rebalancing in response to the first-time disclosure by U.S. public companies of the ratio of CEO to median worker pay in 2018. We find that firms disclosing high pay ratios experience significantly negative abnormal announcement returns. Additional evidence suggests that equity markets “dislike” high pay dispersion rather than high CEO pay or low worker pay. In the cross-section, firms whose shareholders have stronger prosocial preferences experience a significantly more negative market response to high pay ratios. Consistent with investors’ prosocial preferences moderating the initial market reaction, we find that during 2018 investors with stronger prosocial preferences rebalance their portfolios away from high pay ratio stocks relative to other investors. Overall, our results suggest that equity markets are concerned about high within-firm pay dispersion, and investors’ prosocial preferences with respect to income inequality are a channel through which high pay ratios negatively affect firm value.
On the impact of increasing drought on the relationship between soil water content and evapotranspiration of a grassland

Weighable lysimeters were used to study the relation between soil water content (SWC) and the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of grassland under two different climate regimes of Rollesbroich and Selhausen but for an identical soil from Rollesbroich. All components of the water balance were determined from 2012 until 2018. Budyko analysis was used to characterize the hydrological status of the studied sites. Wavelet analysis was also applied to study the power spectrum of ETa, vegetation‐height‐adjusted reference evapotranspiration (ETcrop), and water stress index (WSI) defined as ETa/ETcrop, as well as SWC at three different depths and the coherence between SWC and ETa and WSI. The Budyko analysis showed that 2018 resulted in a shift of both locations towards more water‐limited conditions, although Rollesbroich remained an energy‐limited system. Based on the power spectrum analysis, the annual timescale is the dominant scale for the temporal variability of ETa, ETcrop, and SWC. The results also showed that increasing dryness at the energy‐limited site led to more temporal variability of SWC at all depths at the annual timescale. Wavelet coherence analysis showed a reduction of the phase shift between SWC and ETa at an annual scale caused by the increase in dryness during the measurement period. We found that phase shifts between SWC and ETa and SWC and WSI were stronger at the water‐limited site than at the energy‐limited site. The wavelet coherence analysis also showed that from 2014 to 2018, the control of ETa and WSI on SWC increased due to higher dryness of soil.
Population Dynamics of Procambarus Clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Astacidea, Cambaridae) from Southern Tuscany (Italy)

The presence and continuity of naturalized populations of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Astacidea, Cambaridae), were investigated in the Salica River, in the southern part of Tuscany (Italy), from where no previous information on this species was available. Seasonal samplings were conducted using baited traps. A total of 747 crayfish, including three gravid females, was caught in the framework of the investigation. Information on some population dynamic features (size-frequency distributions, sex-ratio, growth of juveniles, etc.) can now be provided. La presenza e la consistenza di popolazioni naturalizzate di gambero rosso della Louisiana, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Astacidea, Cambaridae), e stata investigata nel torrente Salica, nella parte meridionale della Toscana (Italia), area nella quale non erano disponibili informazioni precedenti su questa specie. Campionamenti stagionali sono stati condotti utilizzando nasse con esca. Un totale di 747 esemplari di gambero rosso della Louisiana, tra i quali tre femmine gravide, e stato catturato nel corso dell'indagine. Alcune informazioni sulla struttura e sulla dinamica (distribuzioni di taglia-frequenza, rapporto sessi, accrescimento dei giovanili, ecc.) sono state ricavate.
Bacterial inhibition of fungal growth and pathogenicity

Antifungal activity has been detected in many bacterial genera, both saprophytes and human pathogens, including Actinomadura, Actinoplanes, Arthrobacter, Micromonospora, Streptomyces, Nocardia, Mycobacterium, Aureobacterium, Bacillus, Bre6ibacterium, Lactobacillus, Rhodococcus, Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Stenotrophomonas, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Azotobacter, Clostridium and Fusobacterium . A variety of methods have been used to detect this activity in vitro . Presumably, this activity confers an ecological advantage on a bacterial population which competes with other species in a particular habitat. The significance of this activity includes the following. First, development of therapeutic antifungal drugs. Second, development of plant protection agents. Third, fungal growth inhibition within the human body in sites with a normal flora with effects on the pathogenesis and course of human infection. Fourth, inhibition of pathogenic fungi in human clinical specimens, reducing the likelihood of in vitro culture of fungi.
A Center of Crop Genetic Diversity in Western AmazoniaA new hypothesis of indigenous fruit-crop distribution

mazonia is, arguably, the world's most important center of biodiversity. The region is also an unrecognized but important center of plant domestication. The lack of recognition may be explained by Amazonia's small contribution to world agriculture, a general lack of knowledge about Amazonian biogeography (only recently being filled in), and a bias on the part of crop evolutionists and geographers toward annual crops, such as maize (Zea mays L.), cassava (Manihot esculenta Krantz), and beans (Phaseolus spp.), because of their prominence in modern agriculture. Nicolai I. Vavilov (1951), the Russian geneticist and crop geographer who proposed the first complete world-wide model for crop genetic distribution, adhered to this bias and did not recognize Amazonia. But the geographic patterns of genetic variation in perennial fruit species support recognition of a center of crop diversity in western Amazonia. Early botanists and naturalists noted that the number and quality of fruit species increase along an eastto-west cline in Amazonia (Bates 1864, Ducke 1946, Spruce 1908, Wallace 1853); they made special reference to the pejibaye palm (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.). Recent studies have found a complex pattern of geneticgeographic variation in this species The region is an unrecognized but important center of plant domestication
Characterization of α-Glucosyltransferase from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45

α-Glucosyltransferase was purified from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45. The molecular weight was estimated to be 63,000 by SDS–PAGE, and the isoelectric point was pi 5.4. For enzyme activity based on sucrose decomposition, the optimum pH and the optimum temperature were pH 5.8 and 40°C, respectively. The ranges of stable pH and temperature were pH 5.1–6.7 and below 40°C, respectively. The purified enzyme of MX-45 converted sucrose into trehalulose (1-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructose) and isomaltulose (palatinose, 6–O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructose) simultaneously, and the ratio of trehalulose to isomaltulose increased at lower reaction temperatures. Therefore, optimum conditions for trehalulose production were pH 5.5–6.5 at 20°C. The yield of trehalulose from sucrose (20–40% solution) was 91%. The Km for sucrose was 19.2 ± 3.3 mm estimated by the Hanes–Woolf plot. Product inhibition was observed, and the product inhibition constant was 0.17 m. Hg2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Ag+, Pb2+, glucono-1,5-lactone, and Tr.
Temperature‐induced recruitment pulses of Arctic dwarf shrub communities

The effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems can range between various spatiotemporal scales and may include shifts in population distribution, community composition, plant phenology, primary productivity and species biodiversity. The growth rates and age structure of tundra vegetation as well as its response to temperature variation, however, remain poorly understood because high‐resolution data are limited in space and time. Anatomical and morphological stem characteristics were recorded to assess the growth behaviour and age structure of 871 dwarf shrubs from 10 species at 30 sites in coastal East Greenland at ˜70°N. Recruitment pulses were linked with changes in mean annual and summer temperature back to the 19th century, and a literature review was conducted to place our findings in a pan‐Arctic context. Low cambial activity translates into estimated average/maximum plant ages of 59/204 years, suggesting relatively small turnover rates and stable community composition. Decade‐long changes in the recruitment intensity were found to lag temperature variability by 2 and 6 years during warmer and colder periods, respectively (r = 0.851961–2000 and 1881–1920). Synthesis. Our results reveal a strong temperature dependency of Arctic dwarf shrub reproduction, a high vulnerability of circumpolar tundra ecosystems to climatic changes, and the ability of evaluating historical vegetation dynamics well beyond the northern treeline. The combined wood anatomical and plant ecological approach, considering insights from micro‐sections to community assemblages, indicates that model predictions of rapid tundra expansion (i.e. shrub growth) following intense warming might underestimate plant longevity and persistence but overestimate the sensitivity and reaction time of Arctic vegetation.