Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Richness and Abundance in a Tropical African Leaf‐litter Herpetofauna 1

I compared species richness and habitat correlates of leaf‐litter herpetofaunal abundance in undisturbed and selectively logged forests, and an abandoned pine plantation in Kibale National Park, Uganda. I sampled 50 randomly located 25 m2 litter plots in each area during the wet and dry seasons in 1997. Ten anuran, five lizard, and three snake species were captured in plots over the study. Assemblage composition was most similar at logged and unlogged sites. The logged forest herpetofauna had higher species richness and abundance than the unlogged forest, but diversity was greater in the unlogged forest due to greater evenness. In contrast, the pine plantation site had the highest richness, abundance, and evenness of the three study sites, but species composition was distinct from the other areas. Herpetofaunal densities were significantly lower in all three areas during the dry season than in the wet season. During the dry season, soil moisture, litter mass, topography, shrub cover, and number of fallen logs were significant positive predictors of herpetofaunal presence in litter plots, but only soil moisture was significant in the wet season. The interaction of moisture and topography appears to be important in determining seasonal patterns of litter herpetofaunal distribution. Comparison of litter herpetofaunal studies across the tropics have shown that mid‐elevation faunas generally support fewer species than lowland faunas. Compared with other tropical mid‐elevation litter faunas, Kibale supports an intermediate number of species, but at lower densities than observed at any other mid‐elevation site reported in the literature.
Nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals and toxic heavy metals analysis of Digera muricata (L.) Mart.: A wild edible plant from Peshawar, Pakistan

This study was aimed to assess the nutritional potential of an unexplored wild edible plant,Digera muricata (L.) Mart. commonly used as food in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The nutritional, vitamins, minerals and trace elements were investigated, using standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Nutritional assessment included determination of moisture, ash, lipid, fiber, protein, carbohydrate, and energy. Among the nutrient values, fiber was found to be the highest, followed by ash, carbohydrates, moisture and protein. Lipid was present in very small quantity. The vitamins analyzed were found to have greater value for riboflavin than retinol. Among the macro minerals, potassium was present in high concentration than sodium. The trace elements were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and their decreasing order was Fe>Zn>Mn>Co>Ni. Two toxic metals, Pb and Cd were present in very minute quantities. From the results it was suggested that D. muricata (L.) Mart. is a useful plant and can be used as food. Key words: Digera muricata (L.) Mart. , nutritional evaluation, vitamins, minerals, Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC).
Ranking tail risk across international stock markets

The importance of extreme events in finance is increasingly recognized but the existing methods for estimating the tail risk are not very satisfactory. The Hill estimator which is the most commonly used in the literature, suffers severe deficiencies. As an alternative, we propose to estimate the relative tail risk and not the absolute tail risk. This allows us to revisit a larger pool of tail index estimators, including stable law estimators, which have been discarded because of their bias when estimating the absolute tail risk. From a database of 74 international stock market indices, and using both simulated and empirical data, we find that the McCulloch estimator gives an estimate of the relative tail risk up to 50% more precise than the Hill estimator. These results are confirmed by the White (2000) and Hansen (2005) superior predictive ability tests.
Larval Responses of Aphidophagous Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Weevil Larvae Versus Aphids as Prey

Abstract Adult and larval aphidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feed on alfalfa weevil larvae, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), and aphids in alfalfa fields. We studied the development of first and fourth instars of two lady beetle species ( Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas) when provided live or dead weevil larvae versus pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). No individuals of either species survived to the second stadium on a diet of weevils (dead or alive), whereas almost 100% of first instars of both species did so on a diet of aphids. Nearly all individuals of H. axyridis that were provided weevils (dead or alive) during the fourth stadium survived and subsequently completed pupation. However, these individuals weighed significantly less as newly molted adults than did conspecifics that had fed on aphids as fourth instars. Only 5% of fourth-instar C. septempunctata survived to adulthood when provided live weevils (versus 100% provided aphids), but 70% did so when provided dead weevils. Both first and fourth instars of both species attacked both dead and live weevil larvae much less readily than aphids, and were often deterred from persisting in the attack by the defensive wriggling of live weevil larvae (in contrast to their persistence and success in attacking aphids). Nevertheless, even first instars of the predators succeeded in some instances in overcoming weevil larvae, and proceeded to feed upon the prey for up to the maximum of 10 min of observation. Our results suggest that although weevil larvae are not very suitable as substitute prey for aphids for the larvae of C. septempunctata and H. axyridis, consumption of weevil larvae especially by older larvae of the predators (particularly H. axyridis) may enable them to complete development in alfalfa fields even when aphid populations fall to low levels.
HISTOLOGIC FEATURES OF THE DOG'S MAMMARY GLANDS BLOOD SUPPLY

The purpose of this study was to establish and characterize the kinds and types of blood vessels microcirculation from parenchyma of the dog's mammary glands. The incoming blood vessels in mammary complexes and their branches in interand perilobular connective tissue septs, as so the following smaller blood vessels in glandular parenchyma were investigated. These vessels presented on histological slides from bitches’ mammary gland in diestrous cycle were obtained and prepared by conventional histological method and was observed. The samples were fixed in solution 10 % neutral formaldehyde, then cut by microtome at 7 μm and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Myotypical arteries and arterioles in specific position as rosette were established in mammary teats and postarteriolar capillaries as so venules and small myotypical veins in interand perilobular connective tissue septs were observed. Capillaries decrease their number in correlation of glandular parenchyma involution. The established blood vessels morphologic features in bitches’ mammary glands are important for glandular functional characteristic in norm and as so frequently happened pathological conditions, especially in mastitis and neoplasms.
Heat-induced Leaf Senescence and Hormonal Changes for Thermal Bentgrass and Turf-type Bentgrass Species Differing in Heat Tolerance

Leaf senescence can be induced by many environmental stresses, including supraoptimal temperatures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate leaf senescence induced by heat stress for twoAgrostisspecies contrasting in heat tolerance and to examine whether heat-induced leaf senescence in both species was associated with changes in three major senescence-related hormones: ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinins. Plants of heat-tolerant rough bentgrass (Agrostis scabra Willd.) and heat-sensitive creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) were exposed to 35/30 8C (day/night) (high temperature) or 20/15 8C (control) for 35 d in growth chambers. Turf quality, photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and the contents of two pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid) for both species decreased under high temperature; however, heat-tolerant A. scabra exhibited delayed and less severe decline in all parameters compared with heat-sensitive A. stolonifera. Ethylene production rate increased in both species at 35 8C, buttheincreasewasobserved 21dayslaterinA.scabracompared withthatinA. stolonifera.ABAcontentincreased at the initiation of heat stress and then declined in both species after prolonged heat stress. However, the timing of the increase was delayed for 7days and the highest level of ABA content was less inA. scabra(4.0 times that of the control) than that in A. stolonifera (5.9 times that of the control). Decreases in both forms of cytokinins (transzeatin/zeatin riboside and isopentenyl adenosine) were also delayed for 14 days and less pronounced in A. scabra. Correlation analysis revealed that leaf senescence induced by heat stress was negatively correlated to ethylene and ABA accumulation and positively correlated to cytokinin production. Delayed leaf senescence inA. scabraunder heat stress could be related to slower and less magnitude of changes in ethylene, ABA, and cytokinins.
Salinity Tolerance of Selected Seashore Paspalums and Bermudagrasses: Root and Verdure Responses and Criteria

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) is a warm season turfgrass that survives in sand dunes along coastal sites and around brackish ponds or estuaries. The first exposure to salt stress normally occurs in the rhizosphere for persistent turfgrass. Information on diversity in salinity tolerance of seashore paspalums is limited. From Apr. to Oct. 1997, eight seashore paspalum ecotypes (SI 94-1, SI 92, SI 94-2, 'Sea Isle 1', 'Excalibur', 'Sea Isle 2000', 'Salam', 'Adalayd') and four bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C.transvaalensis Butt-Davy) cultivars ('Tifgreen', 'Tifway', 'TifSport', 'TifEagle') were investigated for levels of salinity tolerance based on root and verdure responses in nutrient/sand culture under greenhouse conditions. Different salt levels (1.1 to 41.1 dS-m-') were created with sea salt. Measurements were taken for absolute growth at 1.1 (EC w 0; electrical conductivity of water), 24.8 (EC w 24), 33.1 (EC w 32), and 41.1 dS.m -1 (EC w 40), threshold EC w , and EC w for 25 % growth reduction from EC w 0 growth (EC w 25 % ). Varying levels of salinity tolerance among the 12 entries were observed based on root, verdure, and total plant yield. Ranges of root characteristics were inherent growth (EC w 0) = 0.20 to 0.61 g dry weight (DW); growth at EC w 24 = 0.11 to 0.47 g; growth at EC w 32 = 0.13 to 0.50 g; growth at EC w 40 = 0.13 to 0.50 g; threshold EC w = 3.1 to 9.9 dS.m -1 ; and EC w 25% = 23 to 39 dS.m -1 . For verdure, ranges were inherent growth at EC w 0 = 0.40 to 1.07 g DW; growth at EC w 40 = 0.31 to 0.84 g; and ratio of yields at EC w 40 to EC w 0 = 0.54 to 1.03. Ranges for total growth were inherent growth at EC w 0 = 0.72 to 2.66 g DW; growth at EC w 24 = 0.55 to 2.23 g; growth at EC w 32 = 0.54 to 2.08 g; growth at EC w 40 = 0.52 to 1.66 g; threshold EC w = 2.3 to 12.8 dS.m -1 ; and EC w 25% = 16 to 38 dS.m -1 . Significant salinity tolerance differences existed among seashore paspalums and bermudagrasses as demonstrated by root, verdure, and total growth measurements. When grasses were ranked across all criteria exhibiting a significant F test based on root, verdure, and total growth, the most tolerant ecotypes were SI 94-1 and SI 92. Salinity tolerance of bermudagrass cultivars was relatively lower than SI 94-1 and SI 92. For assessing salinity tolerance, minimum evaluation criteria must include absolute growth at EC w 0 and EC w 40 dS.m -1 for halophytes, but using all significant parameters of root and total yield is recommended for comprehensive evaluation.
Indian hedgehog function in skin development and tumour formation

The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway plays an essential role during mammalian skin development and epidermal regeneration. Out of the three mammalian Hh homologs, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is the best characterised Hh ligand in the skin. Shh is expressed during hair morphogenesis and is required for hair follicle formation and cyclic hair regeneration. Mutations in Shh and other components of the Hh pathway result in skin abnormalities and tumour formation, e.g. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer in humans. Indian hedgehog (Ihh) is expressed in the sebaceous gland (SG), a hair follicle associated epidermal appendage, which secretes sebum to lubricate and protect the skin. However, an in vivo function for Ihh has not been identified in the skin. In vitro studies indicated that components of the Hh pathway are up-regulated and activity of the pathway is increased upon differentiation of human sebocytes. Furthermore, it was shown that activation of Hh signalling in basal keratinocytes promotes ectopic SG and sebaceous duct formation. Analysis of sebaceous tumours in mouse models and in humans demonstrated expression of Ihh in mature tumour cells. These observations led to the hypothesis that Ihh could be an important factor regulating differentiation and tumour formation in the skin. To address these issues, an epidermis-specific Ihh knockout (Ihh EKO) was generated. The absence of epidermal Ihh significantly inhibits proliferation in early skin development however; morphogenesis of SGs, hair follicles and the interfollicular epidermis was not altered. Importantly, a function of Ihh for tumourigenesis was identified. In particular, Ihh increases the size of tumours and induces SG and sebaceous duct fate differentiation and this was accompanied by a reduced number of follicular progenitors. In addition, Ihh signalling promoted proliferation and regulated p53 in squamous epidermal tumours. The results indicate that regulation of p53 constitutes a general function of Ihh in keratinocytes and that Ihh plays an important role in patho-physiological conditions of the skin.
Regional Variation in Response of Field Sparrows to the Threat of Brown-headed Cowbird Parasitism

Abstract We conducted aggression experiments using model cowbirds on nesting Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla) in heavily, moderately, and rarely parasitized populations. We also documented Field Sparrow morning nest arrival times during the laying period, because Field Sparrows appear to desert nests in response to encounters with laying female cowbirds. Field Sparrows responded most aggressively to cowbird models and arrived the earliest in Illinois, where they were most heavily parasitized. Field Sparrows responded the least to models in Pennsylvania, where they are almost never parasitized. Our results suggest that those host behaviors result from some aspect of host–cowbird interactions, but the extent to which such behaviors are genetic or learned needs further study.
Determination of antimicrobial activity and production of some metabolites by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B1 and B2 in sugar beet molasses

In the present study, exopolysaccharide (EPS), pyocyanin, rhamnolipid productions, total cell proteins and antimicrobial activities were investigated in two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (B1 and B2). Exopolysaccharide, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid production of strains were determined in nutrient broth medium (NB) as control and different sugar beet molasses concentrations (1-5 % w/v) at different periods (24, 48 and 72 h) by a spectrophotometric method. The exopolysaccharide, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid productions of both strains increased after incubation when 5% (w/v) of molasses were used. Therefore the results disclose the correlations between the increasing molasses concentrations and EPS, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid productions of P. aeruginosa B1 and B2 strains (P≤ 0.01). Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 was more sensitive than Escherichia coli 11230 to the inhibitory effect of P. aeruginosa B1 and B2. Moreover, these strains exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against both test bacteria in sugar beet molasses (5% w/v) at 72 h. Significant increases in total cell protein and antimicrobial activity of P. aeruginosa B1 and B2 were observed with increasing the molasses concentrations (P≤ 0.01). The results also indicated that strains having high total cell protein were higher antimicrobial activity, EPS, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid productions.
Imazamox Absorption, Translocation, and Metabolism in Red Lentil and Dry Bean

Abstract Imazamox is an imidazolinone herbicide used to control many grasses and broadleaf weeds in leguminous crops such as soybean, alfalfa, and dry bean; however, imazamox cannot be used on red lentil due to unacceptable injury. Studies were conducted to compare imazamox absorption, translocation, and metabolism in red lentil and dry bean to determine if any or all of these factors contributed to differential crop sensitivity. Radiolabeled imazamox was applied to three young red lentil leaves and the youngest, fully expanded dry bean trifoliolate leaf. Absorption, translocation, and metabolism were followed over a 96-h time course. Red lentil had more rapid absorption compared to dry beans with 64 and 54% of the applied dose absorbed 12 h after treatment (HAT), respectively. Maximum absorption was also greater in red lentil than dry bean, 79 and 61%, respectively. Translocation out of the treated leaf was significantly higher in red lentil compared with dry bean, 16 and 0.5%, respectively, at 96 HAT. Translocation was greater to red lentil roots compared to shoots, 9 and 7%, respectively, at 96 HAT. In dry bean only 14% of applied 14C-imazamox remained intact 24 HAT, while 79% of the radioactivity was imazamox in red lentil 24 HAT. Both species metabolized the herbicide to more polar metabolites. The inherent sensitivity of aceolactate synthase (ALS) from dry bean and red lentil was also evaluated. ALS from both species had similar I50 values for imazamox, 7.2 and 8.2 µM, respectively. The combined effects of increased imazamox absorption and reduced imazamox metabolism are the major contributors to differential selectivity between dry bean and red lentil. Rapid imazamox metabolism in dry bean significantly limited herbicide translocation out of the treated leaf. Nomenclature: Imazamox; alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. ; dry bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. ; red lentil, Lens culinaris Medik; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Computational SRAM Design Automation using Pushed-Rule Bitcells for Energy-Efficient Vector Processing

This paper presents a new methodology for automating the Computational SRAM (C-SRAM) design based on off-the-shelf memory compilers and a configurable RTL IP. The main goal is to drastically reduce the development effort compared to a full-custom design, while offering a flexibility of use and a high-yield production. The proposed C-SRAM architecture has been developed to process energy-efficient vector data coupled with a scalar processor, while limiting the data transfer on the system bus. The results obtained by post P&R simulations show that 2RW and 4RW C-SRAM configurations using the double pumping technique achieved the highest performance to process vectorized MAC operations compared to the others configurations. Moreover, it has been shown that the impact of the digital wrapper decoding and executing the instructions can be mitigated by increasing the memory cut size to represent less than 10% in area and 20% in power consumption.
The effect of the dietary inclusion of canola oilcake, full-fat canola and sweet lupins on the production performance and fat composition of broilers and pigs

Title: The effect of the dietary inclusion of canola oilcake, full-fat canola and sweet lupins on the production performance and carcass fat composition of broilers and pigs Candidate: Natasha Smith Study Leader: Prof. T.S. Brand Co-Study Leader: Prof. L.C. Hoffman Department: Animal Sciences Faculty: Agricultural and Forestry Sciences University: Stellenbosch
The Ecology of Leaf Life Spans

The adaptive significance of leaf life spans has been examined from several different points of view. Evergreenness has been explained in terms of nutrient conservation (86), improving carbon balance (90), and as a general adaptation to environmental stress (47). In this review, we consider these theories and attempt to synthesize divergent viewpoints. We consider the question "How is the length of a leaf's life span related to environmental factors? " In particular, what are the comparative advantages of the evergreen and deciduous habits and how can adaptive differences be related to distributional patterns and climatic gradients?
A New Species of Theloderma (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia

A new rhacophorid frog tentatively assigned to the genus Theloderma is described on the basis of five specimens collected from southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia. The new species is most similar to Theloderma asperum in external morphology and coloration, and differs from this and all other congeners by body size, characteristics of skin tuberculation, digital characters, and coloration. This species is the fourth Theloderma described from Malaysia and the third from Thailand.
Residual Effects of Grazing: Inhibition of Competitor Recruitment by Encrusting Coralline Algae

Adult-adult and adult-recruit competitive interactions between members of the same pair of species can have differing outcomes; thus, chronology and history may be important deter- minants of existing community structure. Examples of different outcomes of adult-adult and adult- recruit interactions can be found among species that are potential competitors for space on rocky subtidal substrate. As found in the present study, crustose coralline algae significantly decrease re- cruitment by sessile epibenthic invertebrate species from several taxa. Nonetheless, sessile invertebrates appear to be superior competitors for space as adults, since established individuals or colonies can overgrow coralline algal crusts. It is suggested that (1) by decreasing total invertebrate recruitment, even in the temporary absence of grazing on portions of the substrate, extensive encrusting coralline algal cover may contribute to the persistence of "coralline algae-sea urchin communities" (composed mostly of crustose coralline algae, sea urchins, and sea stars), and (2) by altering the relative abundance of other recruiting species, grazing-resistant organisms such as crustose coralline algae may decrease the probability that, after grazing abates, a community will return to its pregrazed species composition.
Genetic Parameters of Body and Some Carcass Traits in Two Quail Strains

In order to estimate genetic parameters for body weights and carcass yield of 2 strains of quails; 32 pairs of Japanese quail (coturnix Japanese) and 26 pairs of range quail (coturnix ypisilophorus) randomly were selected from the base populations of parents. Produced progenies (650 birds) were used to estimate the genetic parameters of body weights and carcass characteristics traits. Body weights at 35, 42 and 49 days of ages were significantly different, while there was no significant difference for body weights at 63 days of age (p>0.05). Carcass weight, carcass percent, breast weight and thigh percent were significantly affected by strain source of variations (p<0.1). Estimated heritabilities for different traits were from 0.030±0.090 for breast weight of coturnix Japanese to 0.787±0.406 for thigh weight of coturnix ypisilophorus. Genetic correlation among body weights at 35, 42, 49, 63 days of age and among carcass traits (carcass weight, breast weight and thigh weight) were all positive and high, while genetic correlation for breast percent, and carcass percent were low. Genetic correlation of thigh percent with the other considered traits was negative except body weight at 42 days of age, which tended to be low.