Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of Annuli Formation in Pectoral Fin Rays from Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Lower Platte River, Nebraska

AbstractFish age is commonly estimated by counting bands on calcified structures. Age estimates are used to calculate information on population dynamics such as growth, mortality, and recruitment. Pectoral fin rays are the most frequently used structure to age sturgeon species, yet little work has been done to validate annuli formation. We collected Shovelnose Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus monthly from the lower Platte River, Nebraska, during 2011 and 2012 and removed the leading, left pectoral fin ray from each fish captured. We used marginal increment analysis to assess the validity of annual deposition of growth marks on pectoral fin rays. There were two complete cycles of increasing and decreasing increment values between March and November within each year. Mean marginal increments showed minimal peaks in March, July, and October followed by a decrease in increment length during April, September, and November. However, mean marginal increments were similar between months in both years. These r.
Effect of genotype and environment on seed quality in sweet narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

Seed quality of 6 sweet narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) cultivars was measured in 126 field trials in Western Australia over 11 years at 55 locations to determine the effect of locations (l), years (y), genotypes (g), and genotype × environment interactions on total seed alkaloids, seed oil, seed protein, seed size, and hectolitre weight. The variance component for g exceeded the sum of those for g × l, g × y, and g × l × y for all traits. The ranking of cultivars for each seed quality trait was fairly constant across years and locations. The largest variance component was l × y, which indicated that the ranking of locations for seed quality traits was unpredictable from year to year. There was a strong negative correlation between seed oil and seed protein across the 6 cultivars (r = –0.96, P < 0.01) and 126 experiments (r = –0.522, P < 0.001). Large seeds, produced at some experimental sites, were associated with high seed alkaloids and high seed oil. Seed quality traits were not associated with soil pH, latitude, or longitude of the experiments, but low pre-season rainfall was associated with higher hectolitre weight. This study indicates that it should be possible to identify genotypes with superior quality from relatively few field trials. Progress in breeding for protein and oil combined will be slowed by the strong negative genotypic correlation between the two traits.
The Impact of Tax Holiday on Investment in Ethiopia: The Case of LTO Branch

Many developing nations formulate tax policies aimed at stimulating rapid economic growth. One of the policies in Ethiopia is a tax holiday with the main goal of enhancing investment. But, many writers argue that tax holiday is not an effective measure of attracting investment. The present study attempts to look into the impact of the tax holiday on investment using experimental research in a case-control study design. Specifically, this paper tries to investigate whether (1) tax holiday has an impact on increasing employment opportunity, (2) tax holiday has a role in attracting new manufacturing investments and (3) tax holiday is reducing tax revenue.The study utilized a total of 70 taxpayers from manufacturing and construction sectors and 20 tax employees.To undertake this study, in addition to the secondary data, primary data collected through interviews and questionnaires are utilized to arrive at the findings. The T- distribution and ANNOVA statistical methods werealso used to examine the relative impact of the tax holiday on employment creation, revenue reduction, attracting of new investment and to identify the most tax sensitive sectors. The impact of tax holiday incentive for investment of Ethiopia is significant, but has not motivated investors effectively since the time period of the tax holiday is too short for investors who produce for local consumption purpose. Keywords: Tax holiday, Investments, Employment creation, revenue reduction
Osteossíntese de úmero por xenoenxerto ósseo preservado em mel em pombos domésticos (Columba livia)

In this study an osteosynthesis technique of diaphyseal transverse humeral fractures with preserved canine fibula or tibia in honey was evaluated in pigeons by clinical, histologic and radiographic observations. Fourteen pigeons were studied. Anesthesia was induced and mainteined with halothane. A transverse right midshalft humeral fracture was created using an oscillating bone saw. The fracture was reduced, and the xenograft was inserted intramedullary early and associated with cerclage wire. The mean + standart deviation for bone healing were 41 + 4.74 days. The mean + standart deviation for flight capability were 24.81 + 3.65 days. The bone resorption of the xenograft occured in 180 days. The proposed surgical technique is apropriated for humeral fractures in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) and the results of this study showed that honey is appropriate preservation of xenografts.
The influence of rice plant age on susceptibility to the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus

Plant age‐ and plant stage‐related changes in the resistance of rice, Oryza sativa, to its most important insect pest in the US, the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus), were investigated in a series of field and greenhouse choice and no‐choice studies. Rice plants were susceptible to infestation by rice water weevils over a broad range of plant ontogenetic stages, from at least the early vegetative stage to well into the reproductive stage. There was, however, a clear preference expressed by rice water weevils in both choice and no‐choice experiments for plants in (or nearly in) the tillering stage of development, with pre‐tillering and reproductive stage plants less preferred. The relationship between rice plant age and susceptibility to weevils is thus nonlinear. This study constitutes one of the most thorough studies to date of the relationship in a grass species between plant age and susceptibility to herbivores. The results provide a biological explanation for observed patterns of weevil infestations and a rationale for the cultural practice of delayed flooding.
Does the value of newly accessible spawning habitat for walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) depend on its location relative to nursery habitats

The benefit accrued from habitat restoration actions may depend not only on the quality and quantity of habitat restored, but also on its location relative to other critical habitats. For example, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) larvae need to be transported by river currents from spawning to nursery habitats soon after emergence. We developed a model of river transport survival for larval walleye to evaluate potential recruitment from riverine spawning habitats to lacustrine nursery areas. Published relationships were used to model transport survival as a function of temperature and velocity. At greater distances from nursery areas, mortality risk increases, particularly as a result of starvation at relatively high river temperatures. We applied the model to the Sandusky River, a tributary to western Lake Erie, and found potential larval production from spawning habitat above an existing dam to exceed the potential of presently accessible spawning areas by a factor of 8. We used a generalized version of t.
Loss of the SNARE protein Sec22p selectively represses caesium accumulation in yeast and plants

The rare alkali ion caesium (Cs+) is assimilated by eukaryotes, even though it is not an essential nutrient. It poses an environmental concern through the anthropogenic release of its radioisotopes, 134Cs and 137Cs. Bioavailability and long half-lives favour its uptake and accumulation in plants, via which radiocaesium can be introduced to the food chain. Cs+ ions are taken up via potassium-(K+)-related pathways due to the biophysical similarity of these cations. This makes it difficult to solely manipulate Cs+ accumulation in plants without disturbing the homeostasis of essential ions at the same time. This work shows that the soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment receptor (SNARE) Sec22p, previously described as a member of the protein sorting machinery, specifically affects Cs+ accumulation in yeast by regulating the selectivity of vacuolar deposition. A similar phenotype became apparent for a homologous plant protein, SEC22. The loss of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sec22p reduces Cs+ uptake by more than half, while at the same time leaving essential cations undisturbed. Mathematical modelling of wild-type and mutant Cs+ uptake kinetics proposes that sec22Δ is defective in vacuolar compartmentalisation of Cs+, which is proven by biochemical fractionation. Morphological alterations were not produced by the loss of Sec22p, only a Cs+-dependent vacuolar fragmentation can be observed. These results indicate a so far undescribed function of Sec22p in assuring a non-selective ion deposition to the vacuole, which is necessary in ion detoxification, while its loss induces discrimination against vacuolar Cs+ deposition. A developmentally controlled loss-of-function mutant of the orthologous gene SEC22 (At1g11890) in A. thaliana displays a similar phenotype, having specifically reduced Cs+ enrichment without detrimental growth defects, thereby translating the yeast findings to a multicellular context. Furthermore, a functional complementation of the yeast mutant Cs+ phenotype by the plant gene transcript was possible. Selective reduction of Cs+ accumulation in plants by loss of a single gene product represents a new route to limit radiocaesium input to the food chain without disturbing basic plant nutrition and growth.
Comparação entre medidas de distância genealógica, morfológica e molecular em aveia em experimentos com e sem a aplicação de fungicida

Estimatives of genetic dissimilarity between cultivars can be useful in a breeding program for directing crosses and evaluating the available germplasm. The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic dissimilarity between oat genotypes through AFLP markers and inbreeding coefficient and to intercorrelate these estimate with each other and with an estimate based on agronomical traits in experiments with and without fungicide application. Eleven oat cultivars were used to estimate the molecular genetic distance, from which nine were evaluated in the field to obtain the morphological estimatives. For the estimates of inbreeding coefficients, eight genotypes had known pedigree and were considered for the analyisis. A comparison of the matrices was obtained through a correlation analysis. Among the dissimilarity measures evaluated, the estimated distances based on molecular data and the inbreeding coefficient, were those evidencing the highest correlation (0.45). The second highest correlation was obtained between the morphological distances in experiments with and without fungicide application (0.44), no other correlation obtained was significant. Then, it is evident the presence of high genetic variability among the studied genotypes and the necessity of all three techniques to be used in a joined manner for obtaining a more precise estimate of genetic dissimilarity.
Gastrointestinal parasites of coyotes (Canis latrans) in the metropolitan area of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Disease ecology is a relevant but relatively unexplored subject of research in urban coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823). In fact, this carnivore may play a role in the circulation of parasites that can have implications on the health of humans and domestic dogs, but can also be affected by pathogens transmitted from domestic reservoirs. To investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of urban coyotes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we analyzed 61 carcasses and 247 fecal samples collected within the metropolitan area, including city parks, in 2009–2010. We found nine parasite taxa: Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902), Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884), Ancylostoma caninum (Ercolani, 1859), Pterygodermatites affinis (Jagerskiold, 1904), Trichuris vulpis (Froelich, 1789), Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, Taenia crassiceps (Zeder, 1800), genus Giardia Kunstler, 1882, and genus Cystoisospora Frenkel, 1977. Factors related to coyote ecology, habitat characteristics, and dog management likely influence.
Conducting sapwood area, foliage area, and permeability in mature trees of Piceasitchensis and Pinuscontorta

The relationships between foliage area and sapwood area between trees and within the crowns of 20 Piceasitchensis (Bong.) Carr. , provenance Queen Charlotte Island, British Columbia (10 in a control plot and 10 in a plot fertilized with potassium and phosphorus 8 years before harvest) and 10 Pinuscontorta Dougl. , provenance Ladysmith trees were examined using a physiological analysis based on Darcy's law. Foliage area index on the fertilized P. sitchensis plot was higher than on the control. The variation of foliage area density with depth in the canopies followed a normal distribution. Relationships between foliage area and sapwood basal area were linear but the slopes were different for the two species. There was no significant difference between the control and fertilized P. sitchensis trees. The relationship between foliage area and the product of sapwood area and permeability was linear and data from the three plots fell on the same line. Sapwood area, permeability, and their product decreased with de.
Microsatellite loci for the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Rhinolophidae, Chiroptera) and their cross‐utility in 17 other bat species

We have isolated 14 polymorphic greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum microsatellite loci. The number of alleles varied from two to 12 in 58 individuals. These loci will be used to assign paternity in order to characterize patterns of breeding and reproductive success in a wild R. ferrumequinum population. Loci were also tested in 17 other bat species. Twelve loci cross-amplified in other species and three loci were polymorphic in all eight Rhinolophus species tested.
Genetic analysis of eucalyptus Globulus diameter, straightness, branch size, and forking in Western Australia

Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is increasingly considered for supply of solid-wood products such as sawlogs, yet genetic studies of solid-wood traits have been lacking. We estimated genetic parameters of growth and form traits that affect log value in full-sib families from two advanced-generation breeding populations on eight sites in Western Australia. Mean single-site heritability was 0.11 ± 0.01 for diameter at breast height (DBH), 0.28 ± 0.05 for stem straightness, 0.09 ± 0.02 for branch thickness, and 0.05 ± 0.02 for forking incidence. Dominance effects were significant (p < 0.05) at four sites for DBH and branch thickness and at three sites (one population) for straightness. Mean intersite additive genetic correlations were 0.76 ± 0.06 for DBH (n = 7), 0.75 ± 0.11 for stem straightness (n = 7), and 0.58 ± 0.07 for branch thickness (n = 4). Mean intersite dominance genetic correlations were 0.90 ± 0.04 for DBH (n = 7), 0.26 ± 0.27 (n = 4) for straightness, and 0.68 ± 0.11 for branch thickness (n = 3).
Screening Strains of Trichoderma spp for Plant Growth Enhancement in Taiwan

Several strains of Trichoderma spp. isolated from rhizosphere soils and rhizoplane of agricultural crops in Taiwan were selected to detect the root growth of bitter gourd, loofah, and cucumber. Some strains of tested species of Trichoderma in this study promoted the root growth of these cucurbitaceous crops as compared with untreated plants. Tests in greenhouse showed the strains of the Trichoderma species significantly increased of 26 to 61 % in seedling height, 85-209% in root exploration, 27 to 38% in leaf area, and 38 to 62% in root dry weight for 15 days after sowing seeds of bitter gourd. Similarly, These Trichoderma strains also increased seedling growth of loofah and cucumber. In a test of chlorophyll concentration, the results indicated that the concentration of chlorophyll (mg/cm2 of leaves) was significantly increased in the plants treated with Trichoderma. Based on regression tests, there was no relationship between percentage of root colonization of Trichoderma and enhanced plant growth.
The Ecological Importance of Dew

Although the ecological significance of dew is the focal point of the review, dew formation, dew measurement, and dew utilization by the plant are examined in detail. Consequently most of the published research on dew is covered either in the 123 papers cited or in the papers cited therein. The absence of a sustained research interest in dew throughout the last 200 years is considered. The author attributes this to the disappointment that must have prevailed each time it became apparent that dew is rarely if ever a limiting ecological factor. Against this background the thesis is developed that perhaps dew plays an important role in plant interactions and the relative ability of plants to dominate a site-a role yet to be evaluated.
The fermentation of beet sugar syrup to produce bioethanol

Fermentation of sugar or starch-containing substrates by yeast to produce ethanol for use as a liquid fuel has been an accepted technology for many years. Currently, the most popular substrates are sugar cane molasses and starch from maize or wheat. Interest in renewable liquid fuels is growing and other substrates are now being considered, choice of these depends on local conditions. This paper presents findings from work carried out on syrup from sugar beet, an ideal crop for cultivation in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. Fermentation of this substrate was found to be successful. The process of backsetting was investigated as a way of reducing water usage and effluent disposal. This was found to have no effect on ethanol production provided compensation was made for increases in gravity caused by glycerol levels. Backsetting was also found to be beneficial to yeast growth. As yeast remain in the fermented substrate, the effect of distillation on yeast cells was also investigated. It was found that dead yeast cells are present in backset and thus persist into subsequent fermentations. This can cause difficulties in viability measurement if the methylene blue method is used.
Review of the genus Microchilus Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Geniatini)

The Brazilian scarab beetle genus Microchilus Blanchard (Rutelinae: Geniatini) is reviewed. Based on examination of type specimens, Microchilus beckeri Martinez is transferred to the genus Leucothyreus becoming L. beckeri (Martinez), new combination; Leucothyreus bucki Machatschke is a new junior synonym of L. beckeri (Martinez). Microchilus is limited to two species, M. beckeri (Martinez) and a new species, Microchilus rodmani Jameson, here described. Characters that circumscribe the genus, biology, and species distribution are discussed. A key to the species is provided. El genero de escarabajos brasileno Microchilus Blanchard (Rutelinae: Geniatini) es revisado. Basado en la examinacion de los especimenes tipos, Microchilus beckeri Martinez es transferido al genero Leucothyreus ( L. beckeri [ Martinez ], nueva combinacion) y Leucothyreus bucki Machatschke es considerado un nuevo sinonimo junior de L. beckeri (Martinez). Una nueva especie, Microchilus rodmani Jameson es descrita. Asi, el genero incluye dos especies. Los caracteres que circunscriben el genero, la biologia, y la distribucion de las especies son discutidos, y una clave para las especies es presentada.
Correspondence between genetic structure and farmers' taxonomy – a case study from dry-season sorghum landraces in northern Cameroon

The study of the genetic structure of cultivated plant populations maintained by farmers is of great importance for evolutionary and conservation biology. Such studies help understand the bases of crop evolution and conservation in relation to farmers' practices. In this study, we assessed the genetic structure underlying landrace diversity of dry-season sorghum. This crop constitutes a historical model of innovation developed by farmers to extend sorghum cultivation to the dry season. Two types of dry-season sorghum are cultivated. We aimed to assess the link between farmers' taxonomy and molecular genetic structure. We collected both types of dry-season sorghum in two villages of northern Cameroon which represented 20 landraces. These landraces were genotyped using eight polymorphic microsatellite markers. This study compared two clustering methods: a Bayesian method (STRUCTURE) which is based on explicit genetic assumptions and the discriminant analysis of principal component method. The latter, more recently proposed, is based on the combination of principal component analysis and discriminant analysis. We noticed a general congruence between these two methods. We also used both methods to infer the genetic structure of our sample. Our results showed strong genetic structuring of the landraces, with K= 14 genetic clusters. We then analysed the fit between farmers' taxonomy and genetic structure. The data suggested that each type and each landrace corresponds to a given genetic entity. This pattern was robust across both villages, despite differences in cultural practices.
Aspectos morfológicos do ciclo testicular anual de codorna doméstica (Coturnix coturnix) da variedade italiana

A estrutura histologica do epitelio tubular seminifero e os valores do indice gonadossomatico de codorna domestica da variedade italiana, analisados em todas as estacoes do ano, permitiram caracterizar que a espermatocitogenese nesta ave tem ritmo constante durante a primavera, a fase mais ativa do ciclo testicular anual, o qual, aparentemente, nao cessa durante o inverno e o verao. Por outro lado, uma fase quiescente do ciclo observou-se nos periodos inicial e medio do outono, quando a espermiogenese nao se completava, levando a nao formacao de espermatozoides. Os eventos morfologicos testiculares observados parecem se repetir anualmente, durante as estacoes, sendo bem tipica a quiescencia outonal, o que permitiu caracterizar na codorna um padrao testicular ciclico circanual, em termos do ritmo da cinetica da espermatogenese.
Amylase Activity in the Gut Homogenate of the Kola Weevil, Sophrorhinus Insperatus Faust and Its Response to Inhibitors from Kola Nuts

Some properties of the gut amylase of Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust have been studied. The enzyme has maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 45°C. It is activated by Cl, Ca2+ and Cd2+ ions and inhibited by Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions. Low Michaelis constants of 0.26 mg/ml and 032 mg/ml were obtained for the larva and adult gut amylases. Enzymatic activity was found to be consistently higher in the larva than in adult stage, probably suggesting the larval stage as the most destructive stage. Extracts of Cola nitida (Vent) Schott and Endlicher and C. acuminata (Pal de Beauv) Schott and Endlicher, inhibited amylase activity in vitro at varying magnitudes. The higher level of inhibitors in C. acuminata is an index of its low susceptibility to weevil attack both on the field and at storage. RésuméQuelques propriétes d’amylase de l’intestin du Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust ont été étudiées. L’activité optimum de l’enzyme se présente au pH 5.0 et à la temperature de 45°C. Il a été active par ces ions: Cl-, Ca2+ et Cd2+ et, on l’a fait empêcher par ces ions: Cu2+ et Hg2+. Les petites constantes de Michaelis, obtenues pour la larve et le grand intestin amylacé étaient respectivement 0.26 mg/ml et 032 mg/ml. On a constaté que le régime d’activité de l’enzyme était beaucoup plus prononcé pour la larve qu’à l’était plus âgé. Cet éffet nous à faire déduire que l’état de la larve est l’état le plus destructif. Les extraits de Cola nitida (Vent) Schott et Endlicher, et C. acuminata (Pal de Beauv) Schott et Endlicher empêchaient l’activité in vitro aux dégrés divers. L’effet des empecheurs était prononcé en C. acuminata et ceci signifie qu’il est peu susceptible de l’effet du charançon au chantier et à l’emmagasinage.