Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Common Loon (Gavia immer) Eggshell Thickness and Egg Volume Vary with Acidity of Nest Lake in Northern Wisconsin

Abstract Environmental acidification has been associated with factors that may negatively affect reproduction in many waterbirds. Declines in lake pH can lead to reductions in food availability and quality, or result in the altered availability of toxic metals, such as mercury. A recent laboratory study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources indicated that Common Loon (Gavia immer) chicks hatched from eggs collected on acidic lakes in northern Wisconsin may be less responsive to stimuli and exhibit reduced growth compared to chicks from neutral-pH lakes. Here we report on the relation between Common Loon egg characteristics (eggshell thickness and egg volume) and lake pH, as well as eggshell methylmercury content. Eggs (N = 84) and lake pH measurements were obtained from a four county region of northern Wisconsin. Eggshells were 3-4% thinner on lakes with pH ≤ 6.3 than on neutral-pH lakes and this relation was linear across the pH range investigated (P < 0.05). Egg volume also tended to be larger in eggs from neutral-pH lakes. Eggshell methylmercury content however was not significantly related to shell thickness (P > 0.05, n.s.) or lake pH. Results suggest that low lake pH may be associated with thinner eggshells and reduced egg volume in Common Loons. We speculate on the mechanisms that may lead to this phenomenon.
Catalogue of the World Platynotini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The catalogue of all known World species of the tribe Platynotini is presented; 58 genera, 460 species and subspecies are listed. Following new synonymies are proposed: Platynotini KOCH, 1953 (=Gonopina KOCH, 1955; =Anomalipina KOCH, 1955), Anchophthalmus clathratus (FAHRAEUS, 1870) (=Anchophthalmus fahraei PERINGUEY, 1905), Opatrinus clathratus (FABRICIUS, 1792) (= Opatrinus armasi GARRIDO et GUTIERREZ, 1994), Zidalus attenuatus (KLUG, 1833) (=Opatrinus attenuatus bottegoi GRIDELLI, 1947), Zidalus insularis (MULSANT et REY, 1853) (=Opatrinus insularis somalicus G RIDELLI, 1947), Zidalus latipes (SAHLBERG, 1823) (=Opatrinus latipes tanaensis G RIDELLI, 1947), Zidalus niloticus (MULSANT et REY, 1853) (=Opatrinus niloticus zolotarevskyi ESPANOL, 1943) and Zidalus servus (MULSANT et REY, 1853) (=Opatrinus setuliger camerunensis GRIDELLI, 1947). The following new combination is proposed: Anchophthalmops gridellii (FERRER, 1995). Anchophthalmus gerstaeckeri is proposed as a new name for the preoocupied Anchophthalmus clathratus GERSTAECKER, 1871. Incertae sedis taxa are listed separately.
Inheritance of glyphosate resistance in goosegrass (Eleusine indica)

Abstract The inheritance of glyphosate-resistant goosegrass was studied by making reciprocal crosses between resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes. Eighty-four F1 hybrids were confirmed using isozyme analyses. Reciprocal F1 hybrids displayed uniform levels of resistance intermediate (I) to that of the parental types, with no indication of maternal inheritance. The F1 hybrids were selfed to produce F2 populations. F3 populations were produced by selfing resistant and intermediate F2 phenotypes. A segregation ratio of 1:2:1 (S:I:R) was observed in the F2 and subsequently in the F3 generations derived from selfing intermediate F2 phenotypes. Individuals in F3 families derived from selfing resistant F2 phenotypes were resistant. Results from the present study show that glyphosate resistance in goosegrass is inherited as a single, nuclear, and incompletely dominant gene. Nomenclature: Glyphosate; goosegrass, Eleusine indica L. Gaertn. ELEIN.
Social behaviour in an Australian velvet worm, Euperipatoides rowelli (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae)

Onychophora lead a cryptic lifestyle as predators in decaying logs and leaf litter. Hence, very little is known about their behaviour. They are generally assumed to possess only a limited behavioural repertoire, even though their surprisingly evolved brain suggests otherwise. Our studies on the Australian species Euperipatoides rowelli show for the first time that onychophorans are indeed capable of complex behaviour. Euperipatoides rowelli individuals form aggregations of up to 15 females, males and young. These aggregations are not random assemblages, but close social groups organized in a hierarchy based on female dominance. Food is hunted collectively, but the dominant female of a group feeds alone, before other females, males and young. Hierarchy within a group is established by aggressive-dominant and passive-subordinate behaviours, the latter leading to tolerance of body contact and aggregation. Euperipatoides rowelli from foreign groups, i.e. from different logs, are met with intense aggression, and individuals rarely aggregate. The reasons for this aggression are not clear, but we suggest that its origins lie in kin recognition. The evolution of social behaviour within the Onychophora is discussed with respect to their ecology, population genetics and phylogeny.
The Impact of Singing-Integrated Reading Instruction on the Oral Reading Fluency and Motivation of Elementary Students in an Out-of-School Time Program

THE IMPACT OF SINGING-INTEGRATED READING INSTRUCTION ON THE ORAL READING FLUENCY AND MOTIVATION OF ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IN AN OUTOF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM By Yvette Marie Moorehead-Carter, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015 Director: Dr. Valerie J. Robnolt, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning School of Education The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of singing-integrated reading instruction on the oral reading fluency and motivation of elementary students in an after school program. Participants were third graders (n = 29) who attended the singing-integrated oral reading fluency (SI ORF) intervention twice a week for eight weeks. Components of the intervention included teacher-modeling of fluent oral reading, oral support, repeated reading and singing activities from a variety of children’s literature, and individual free-time. The adapted Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS; McKenna & Kear, 1990) measured recreational, academic, and composite reading attitudes. The Qualitative Reading Inventory – 5 (QRI-5; Leslie & Caldwell, 2011) measured the following fluency components: Word Recognition in Isolation (WRI), both Correct Automatic and Total Number Correct, Word Recognition in Context (WRC), and reading rate, calculated as Words per Minute (WPM). Pretests and posttests for components of both assessments were compared using paired-samples t – tests. Data analyses of adapted ERAS mean percentage scores revealed a statistically significant decline in recreational reading attitude, no statistically significant difference in academic reading attitude, and a decline that approached significance in participants’ overall reading attitudes. QRI-5 scores revealed a statistically significant increase from pretest to posttest in WRI Correct Automatic, WRI Total Number Correct, WRC, and reading rate scores. The after-school environment offered a viable option for SI ORF instruction and was free from restraints that can accompany high-stakes testing environments in the traditional school setting. Overall, participants were attentive and enthusiastic, particularly enjoying the singing and repeated lyrics components of the intervention.
Kappa-casein genotypic frequencies in Russian breeds Black and Red Pied cattle

Casein is a family of milk proteins that exists in several molecular forms and is the main protein present in the bovine milk. The B variant of bovine k-casein is reported to be favorable for quality and quantity of cheese derived from milk and considered to be included in breeding strategies of dairy cattle. Genotypes of 72 Russian Black Pied and 80 Red Pied cows were determined for kappa casein locus by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) of amplified DNA. A 530 bp. fragment of the genomic bovine kappa casein gene was amplified by PCR. Digests by Hind III thus genotypes AA, AB and BB, were recognized by agarose gel electrophoresis. This technique was used to determine the kappa casein allelic frequency in Black and Red Pied dairy herds. Estimated gene frequencies were 0.83, 0.69 for A, and 0.17, 0.31 for B alleles, for Black and Red Pied breeds, respectively. The heterozygosis of 0.28, 0.50 for Black and Red Pied breeds, respectively were observed. This molecular genetic technique based on molecular markers allows direct genotyping for milk Kappa casein with certainty and accuracy in bulls and females an can be used in programs of dairy cattle improvement. Therefore, an early and precise identification of milk protein genotypes should have a direct impact on dairy cattle breeding strategies.
Associated changes in metabolic activities of host -pathogen system in some infected plants by bio-inducer

Sclerotia of the three pathogens namely; Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum actually negative affected by biocontrol inducer in some plants namely; T. harzianum and T. viride. The percent of inhibition ranged between 53.8 to 83.1%. On the other hand, the inhibiti on of conidia formation of Trichoderma by occurring pathogens was ranged between 5.3 to 29.8%. Conidia germination of T. viride was retarded by 56% also. S. sclerotiorum affected negatively on surviving of T. harzianum and T. viride by 30.3 and 14.4% respectively. There were a mutual effects between pathogens and biocontrols. T. harzianum and T. virideshowed different modes in acting as biological control depended on the nature of hosts and pathogens. These modes may be explained the significant changes in metabolites of pathogen -host system and pathogen-inducer-host system. Contrast in changes especially in phenols and dynamic changes in individual amino acids may be taken into account to explain the capability t o control disease according to nature of host and virulence of pathogen in vivo. The comparison between the disease symptoms percent and metabolic changes in systems was studied. S. rolfsii recorded high disease index in bean caused 74.2% infection. T. harzianum and T. viride significantly caused decrease the disease symptoms by 45 and 30% in bean respectively.
Noncompliance with Mandatory Disclosure Requirements: The Magnitude and Determinants of Undisclosed Permanently Reinvested Earnings

ABSTRACT: We develop estimates of a firm's foreign earnings designated as permanently reinvested (PRE) and the unrecorded deferred tax liability (TAX) associated with PRE that are independent of whether a firm explicitly discloses this information. We then investigate firms' noncompliance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740 provisions that require financial statement disclosure of PRE and either the tax associated with PRE or a statement that calculating the tax is not practicable. We find that a nontrivial portion of firms do not comply with the PRE disclosure requirements and that the amounts of undisclosed PRE and the related tax are substantial in magnitude. Cross-sectional evidence suggests managers opportunistically choose when to disclose PRE and TAX and that compliance with PRE disclosure requirements increased following the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which increased incentives to disclose PRE. JEL Classifications: M40; M41; H25; K34. Data Availability: Data used in this stud.
REVISING MODELS FOR THE CULTURAL STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE OF THE MIDDLE STONE AGE

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. REVISING MODELS FOR THE CULTURAL STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE OF THE MIDDLE STONE AGE Nicholas Conard, Guillaume Porraz
The biology of two Eretmocerus spp. (Haldeman) and three Encarsia spp. Forster and their potential as biological control agents of Bemisia tabaci biotype B in Australia

The performance, as measured by daily rate of parasitism and total parasitism, of five aphelinid species found in Australia parasitising Bemisia tabaci were compared on cotton, hibiscus, rockmelon, soybean and tomato. Two Eretmocerus spp. , both indigenous to Australia, gave the highest levels of parasitism on each of the plant host species tested. The tritrophic interactions between B. tabaci, host plant species and Eret. mundus (Australian parthenogenetic form) (APF) were also examined. In general, more whiteflies were parasitised when cotton was the source host or rockmelon the test host. Parasitism was always low when tomato was either the source or test host. When parasitoids were transferred from rockmelon to cotton, parasitism declined. In contrast, parasitism increased when parasitoids were transferred from cotton to rockmelon. Parasitism also increased when parasitoids were transferred from soybean to rockmelon, yet failed to do so when shifted from soybean to cotton despite cotton normally being a better host. However, when parasitoids were transferred from cotton to soybean there was a marked increase in parasitism. Possible causes are discussed. The field cage trial demonstrated that parasitism by both Eretmocerus spp. increased with increasing whitefly density. Further, the increase in parasitism was not due to the presence of more parasitoids as neither the parasitoid‐whitefly ratio nor the total number of parasitoids present had a significant effect on parasitism. The combination of the two species, gave similar levels of parasitism to that achieved by Eret. mundus (APF) alone. Subsequent identification of the emerged individuals indicated that over 50% of the parasitism was due to this species suggesting that it out‐competed Eret. queenslandensis. Despite this competition, there was no evidence that overall control was compromised.
Genome evolution of wild cereal diversity and prospects for crop improvement

Genomic and proteomic diversity provide the basis of evolutionary change by natural selection under abiotic and biotic stresses, and the human-driven evolutionary process of domestication by artificial selection. Described here are some of the regional and local genomic and proteomic long-term multidisciplinary studies conducted at the Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel, during 1975–2005 (see publications at http://evolution.haifa.ac.il), involving both wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, the progenitor of cultivated barley and wild emmer sheat, Triticum dicoccoides, the progenitor of modern tetraploid and hexaploid cultivated wheat. Wild cereals harbour large amounts of as yet untapped adaptive genetic resources for crop improvement (resistances against abiotic and biotic stresses, micronutrient metal deficiencies, storage proteins, amylases and photosynthetic yield, among others). The adaptive genomic diversity of wild cereals, including cryptic beneficial alleles at specific quantitative trait loci of T. dicoccoides and H. spontaneum is the best genomic resource to be conserved in situ and ex situ for utilization by classical and modern biotechnologies, to enrich the genetically impoverished and stress-vulnerable food cultivars, advance crop improvement, and thereby increase and optimize world food production in a second genetic green revolution.
CABI/EPPO distribution maps of plant pests and plant diseases and their important role in plant quarantine

Never before has the need for accurate distribution data for plant pests been so important. CAB International (CABI) and EPPO are international organizations with a long history and strong involvement in collating and disseminating information on the global distribution of plant pests. Distribution Maps of Plant Pests and Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases, first published in 1951 and 1942, respectively, are respected, referenced sources of such data, expertly compiled and validated and used by plant health organizations around the world. They have been joint CABI/EPPO publications since 1997, and provide an essential complement to expanding knowledge on plant pest distribution. The Distribution Maps continue to be the most authoritative sources of information on the presence and extent of specific plant pests, sourced from the 4.5 million records in CAB Abstracts as a basis and numerous other sources. They also feed directly into CABI's Crop Protection Compendium (CPC) and EPPO's Plant Quarantine Data Retrieval System (PQR) databases. Their history, compilation and value are discussed.
Genetic diversity of a tropical rainforest understory bird in an urban fragmented landscape

ABSTRACT Analyzing the genetic diversity of a population can be useful in identifying some of the silent effects of habitat fragmentation. We examined and compared 4 mitochondrial loci of the near threatened Short-tailed Babbler (Pellorneum malaccense), a rainforest understory bird, between a highly fragmented population in Singapore and populations from elsewhere in the Sundaic region. We found that the fragmented Singaporean population is genetically impoverished, with <20% of the intrapopulation genetic diversity present in a comparable sample from Borneo within intact forest. Differences in haplotype diversity among Singaporean sites of occurrence suggest that there may be extremely poor genetic diversity and connectivity among Singaporean subpopulations. These findings highlight the importance of connectivity in maintaining population genetic diversity in urban tropical forest patches. Our results also corroborate previous findings that there are 3 deeply diverged lineages of Short-tailed Babbler across the Sundaic region.
EVALUATION OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHICK PEA GERMPLASM FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST FUSARIUM WILT (FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. CICERIS) IN PAKISTAN

One hundred and seventy eight chickpea germplasm lines/cultivars were screened for resistance to disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Padwick) Matuo & K. Sato in a wilt sick plot. None of the test lines were found immune and resistant. 14 lines obtained from NIAB, Faisalabad (Pakistan), were found to be moderately resistant while 20 lines were moderately susceptible. Five lines from ICARDA (Aleppo, Syria) were moderately resistant, while 12 lines were moderately susceptible. Out of 26 lines obtained from PRI (ARRI) only four lines displayed moderately resistance against with disease. Ten were found moderately susceptible. Genotypes showed steady resistance may be exploited for the development of resistant cultivars against wilt.
Biocontrol potential of Trichoderma species against sheath blight of rice

Talc + CMC based formulation of Trichoderma harzianum showed maximum reduction in disease severity (52.4%) and incidence (23.8%),however CMC+ TH formulation exhibit minimum reduction in disease severity and incidence of 26.7 and 9.8 percent, respectively. Foliar sprays with Contaf were found superior over all other treatments giving 71.3 percent and 43.1 percent reduction in disease severity and incidence, respectively. Among bioagents, T. harzianum (rice leaf sheath isolate) was found best in managing sheath blight, as compared to other commercial formulations of bioagents giving 48.1 percent and 30.0 percent reduction in disease severity and incidence, respectively. Application of T. harzianum 7 days before inoculation of R. solani resulted in maximum reduction (64.5%)of the disease and gave maximum increase in grain yield as compared to other time sequences. Higher rates of T. harzianum (4 or 8 g/I was found highly effective in reducing disease severity (70.0%) and incidence (37.2%) and increasing grain yield (27.3%) over control.
Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) for Seed Size and Fatty Acid Composition Using Recombinant Inbred Lines in Soybean

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ] is an important crop, accounting for 48% of the world market in oil crops. Improvements in economic traits, such as quality and oil constituents, arethe most important objectives in soybean breeding. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control seed size and fatty acid contents in soybean. 115 F2:10 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross of 'Keunolkong' and 'Iksan10' were used. Narrow-sense heritability estimates based on a plot mean on 100 seed weight, saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid + stearic acid), and oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid content were 0.72, 0.60, 0.83, 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. The 100 seeds weight was related to seven QTLs located on chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 9, 16 and 17. Two independent QTLs for saturated fatty acid content were identified on chromosomes 17 and 19. Five independent QTLs for oleic acid content wereidentified on chromosomes7, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Five QTLs for linoleic acid content were located on chromosomes 2, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Three QTLs for linolenic acid content were located on chromosomes 8, 10 and 19. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid had one major common QTL on chromosome 19. Thus, linoleic and linolenic acid content were identified as common QTLs.
Effects of light intensity on the sexual behavior of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

【Aim】This study aims to illustrate the effects of light intensity on the sexual behavior of the cotton bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera( Hubner). 【Methods】 The calling behavior of H. armigera female adults under four light intensity( 0,0. 5,5. 0 and 50. 0 lx) was observed. The sex pheromone titer and the incidence of mating of female adults under different light intensity were assayed by pheromone extraction from individual adult and dissection of the bursa copulatrix of female adults,respectively. 【Results】Under high-intensity light( 50. 0 lx),the onset time of calling was the latest,the mean duration of calling was the shortest,the mean number of calling bouts was the smallest,the sex pheromone titer remained low during the entire scotophase,and the mating rate was the least. Under lowintensity light( 0. 5 lx),the onset time of calling was the earliest,the mean duration of calling was the longest,and the mean number of calling bouts was the highest. There were over 40% females calling during the 2nd half of scotophase although the amount of Z9-16: Ald was low under the light of 5. 0 lx. 【Conclusion】High-intensity light( 50. 0 lx) can suppress the calling behavior,sex pheromone production,and mating of H. armigera adults. Low-intensity light( 0. 5 lx) can significantly promote female moth calling and mating in a short time( 1 h) compared to the dark condition( 0 lx). Lowintensity light( 0. 5 lx) is of significance for sexual behavior of adult H. armigera. Sex pheromone production and calling behavior are not related. This research provides some theoretical basis for the effects of light on the sexual behavior of noctuid moths,and also offer new ideas on taking advantage of physical and chemical communication for control of pest noctuid moths.
The Measurement of Wood Decay in Landscape Trees

The evaluation of wood in a tree trunk is essential for tree risk assessment; however, the accurate measurement of decay is still in its infancy. A review of the current methods used for field measurement of wood decay in landscape trees is presented. Methods are compared in terms of the damage caused to tree tissues, ease of use, and their level of accuracy. Moderately invasive decay detecting devices, such as constant feed drills, are accurate for locating wood decay in a tree. In contrast computerized tomography devices are less damaging to tree tissues, but results may be difficult to interpret.