Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Import of coastally-derived chlorophylla to South Slough, Oregon

Material transfer between estuaries and the nearshore zone has long been of interest, but information on the processes affecting Pacific Northwest estuaries has lagged behind other areas. The west coast of the U.S. is a region of seasonally variable upwelling that results in enhanced phytoplankton production in the nearshore zone. We examined estuarine-nearshore links over time by measuring physical oceanographic variables and chlorophylla concentration from an anchor station in South Slough, Oregon. Data was collected during 24-h cruises conducted at approximately weekly intervals during summer 1996 and spring 1997. The results demonstrate that the physical oceanography of this estuarine site was strongly influenced by the coastal ocean. Marine water reached the estuarine site on every sampled tide, and chlorophylla was clearly advected into the estuary with this ocean water. In contrast, phytoplankton concentrations were comparatively reduced in the estuarine water. There were, however, large fluctuations in the import of chlorophyll over the course of the summer. These variations likely reflect upwelling-generated phytoplankton production in the coastal ocean and subsequent cross-shelf transport to the estuary. Suspension feeding organisms in South Slough likely depend on the advection of this coastally-derived phytoplankton. The large allochthonous chlorophyll input measured for this system appears dissimilar from most estuaries studied to date. Previous investigations have focused on the outwelling and inwelling of materials in estuaries. We must now consider the influence of coastal upwelling and downwelling processes on estuarine material exchange.
Yield and Quality of the Fetească albă Cultivar in Lechința Vineyard

Yield and the main qualitative characteristics of the â€˜FeteascAƒ albAƒâ€™ cultivar from the LechinE›a vineyard are presented in this paper in comparison with other four cultivars: â€˜FeteascAƒ regalAƒâ€™, â€˜Chasselas dorA©â€™, â€˜Riesling italianâ€™ and â€˜Muscat Ottonelâ€™. All varieties were analysed in the same eco-climatic conditions and were applied the same technology specific to the vine culture. The data were collected and processed on the variants and repetitions. The results have shown that â€˜FeteascAƒ regalAƒâ€™ (3.8 g/l H 2 SO 4 ) and â€˜Chasselas dorA©â€™ (4.0 g/l H 2 SO 4 ) recorded the highest values for acidity, pH was highest at â€˜FeteascAƒ regalAƒâ€™ and â€˜Muscat Ottonelâ€™ and cultivar â€˜FeteascAƒ regalAƒâ€™ accumulated the largest quantity of sugar (225.8 g/l). The highest grape production was recorded for â€˜Chasselas dorA©â€™ (8.0 t/ha) and the lowest â€˜FeteascAƒ albAƒâ€™ andâ€˜Muscat Ottonelâ€™ each other with 5.0 t/ha. Â
Diving behaviour and foraging location of female southern elephant seals from Patagonia

Our aim was to describe the free-ranging diving pattern and to determine the location of foraging of pregnant female southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, from Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. This colony is unusual in two respects: it is removed from deep water by a broad shallow shelf (345–630 km wide), and colony numbers have been increasing in recent years in contrast to numbers from other southern hemisphere colonies that are stable or in decline. Microprocessor controlled, geolocation-time-depth recorders were deployed on four females, recording a total of 15,836 dives (270 dive days) during the period February to April, 1992. Departing seals crossed the continental shelf quickly (54–5–62–1 h) and did not show signs of foraging until reaching deep water, due east of the colony in the South Atlantic Ocean. Diving was virtually continuous (93% of the time underwater) with overall mean (±S.D.) rates of 2.5±0.2 dives/h, mean dive durations of 22.8 ± 7.1 min (maximum dive duration = 79 min) with 1.6±0.6min surface intervals between dives, and dive depths of 431±193m (maximum dive depth = 1,072 m). The diving pattern of females from Patagonia is similar to that of seals from colonies where numbers are decreasing (Macquarie stock) or are stable (South Georgia Island). Our subjects did not, however, feed in or south of the Antarctic Polar Front, or in cold waters along the Antarctic coast, where seals from declining or stable colonies forage.
Changes in chemical and physicochemical characteristics during the production of traditional Sremska sausage

The aim of this trial was to investigate changes in chemical and physico-chemical parameters during the production of traditional Sremska sausage (dry fermented sausage) from pork of three pig breeds: Mangalitsa (MA), Moravka (MO) and Swedish Landrace (SL). Analyses of all variants of sausages were carried out after stuffing (day 0) and on production days 3, 7, 14 and 21. The reduction in moisture during production caused the increase in protein, fat and ash contents (p<0.001) in all three variants of sausages, were found to be within the range for this type of sausages. Higher fat content in MA and MO sausages compared to SL variant was most likely a result of the different chemical composition of the meat from pigs of autochthonous breeds. All three sausage variants had a similar final pH value, but the mildest drop of pH was determined in MA sausages. Pig breed significantly affected (p<0.05) all three indicators of oxidative changes (thiobarbituric acid value, peroxide value and free fatty acid content). It was found that they were higher in SL compared with MA and MO sausages and to significantly increase during the production process.
Core-Periphery Business Cycle Synchronization in Europe and the Great Recession

This article investigates the dynamics of business cycle synchronization in Europe. The European core business cycle is estimated by means of a cyclical trend decomposition model, and a testing procedure is proposed to study the stability of the interdependencies between the GDP growth rates of the economies and the cyclical common factor. Results show an extended European business cycle moving toward the synchronization levels enjoyed by core countries. In a second group of periphery economies (mainly economies of the EU enlargements of the 2000s) synchronization has increased since the beginning of the Great Recession.
Responses of endomycorrhizal plants grown in a calcined montmorillonite clay to different levels of soluble phosphorus. II. Effect on nutrient uptake

Greenhouse experiments were performed to compare the nutrient uptake of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants grown in a calcined montmorillonite clay (Turface) supplied with nutrient solution containing different amounts of P. The host plants used were apple (Malus pumila Mill., var. Beautiful Arcade), leek (Allium porrum L., var. American Flag), and marigold (Tagetes patulus L., var. Golden Boy) and the inocula were Glomus epigaeum Daniels & Trappe, Glomus monosporum Gerd. & Trappe, Glomus sp. 3, and Glomus sp. 5. In general, mycorrhizal plants had higher tissue P concentrations than nonmycorrhizal plants only at the lowest level of P fertilization. Concentrations of nutrients other than P were also enhanced in mycorrhizal plants at P levels I and II depending on the host plant. It appears that both inocula used with each host plant had identical effects on nutrient uptake. It is concluded that neither total P uptake nor N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn concentrations can explain the growth stimulation of my.
On bias, precision and accuracy in wildlife aerial surveys

Bias, precision and accuracy have been studied extensively in wildlife population estimation including aerial surveys. A review of the literature shows that the concepts of bias and precision are used broadly consistently. Aerial survey data from known populations of feral pig carcases and white-tailed deer show that few density estimates are unbiased and precise. Research is needed, however, to clarify how much bias and how much precision are enough for the various types of wildlife management activities. Accuracy is used in two closely related but different ways. One set of definitions of accuracy relates to deviations from the true value (bias) and the second set relates to squared deviations from the true value (bias and precision). The implications are that authors are encouraged to clearly state which definition of accuracy they use, or focus solely on bias and precision.
Population genetic structure of three pond‐inhabiting Daphnia species on a regional scale (Flanders, Belgium)

Summary 1. Only a few studies have compared patterns of genetic variation among populations of different Daphnia species on a regional scale. The present study addresses this gap and examines the relationship between diversity as revealed by allozyme variation and habitat size for populations of Daphnia pulex, D. obtusa and D. curvirostris in Flanders (Belgium). In addition, we examined whether patterns of isolation-by-distance could be observed in each of these three Daphnia species. 2. The relationship between genetic diversity and habitat size varied among Daphnia species that occur in the same region. In D. pulex and D. obtusa populations, a positive relationship between local genetic diversity and habitat size was found, whereas the relationship was negative in D. curvirostris populations. 3. Regional genetic diversity was lower than expected from patterns of local genetic diversity in D. pulex and D. obtusa populations in Flanders. This suggests that the subdivision of local Daphnia populations in a region did not obviously increase genetic diversity. 4. Genetic differentiation among populations of these three species in Flanders was moderate and comparable with values observed in other Daphnia species. Patterns of isolation-by-distance could be observed, but the scatter was high (D. pulex) or the slope was very low (D. obtusa).
Studies on Homalomeneae (Araceae) of Borneo IV: Homalomena specimens in the Herbarium Beccarianum-Malesia (FI-B) of the Museo di Storia Naturale—Sezione Botanica “F. Parlatore” dell'Università di Firenze

Summary Homalomena specimens in the Herbarium Beccarianum-Malesia (FI-B) of the Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università di Firenze have been examined, and determined. The collection comprises 33 sheets, and one line drawing, of which 16 sheets and the line drawing, representing seven species, originate from Borneo. Eleven type specimens, are represented. Ten types, representing five names (Homalomena beccariana Engl., H. ovata Engl., H. punctulata Engl., H. pygmaea var. latifolia Engl., and H. subcordata Engl.) are pertinent to Borneo.
The effect of herbage allowance on herbage intake and performance of ewes and their twin lambs grazing perennial ryegrass

SUMMARY The effect of herbage allowance on the intake and performance of Scottish Half bred ewes with twin lambs was investigated over the first 16 weeks of lactation. Herbage allowances were defined as g herbage D.M. /kg live weight (LW)/day, and were maintained by provision of fresh areas of ungrazed sward each day. Herbage allowances in the range 25–120 g D.M. /kg LW/day were offered on an area of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. S. 23). Parturition was synchronized and ewes and lambs were turned out to pasture 1 day after lambing. Measurements were made of the herbage intake, live-weight change and milk yield of ewes, of lamb growth rates and of the herbage intake of lambs from 10 weeks of age. Herbage allowance had a significant linear effect on intakes of grass by ewes and lambs. The highest intakes by the ewes were achieved during the second week, and were in the range 23–43 g OM/kg LW/day. Intakes declined, as lactation proceeded, to 19–29 g OM/kg LW/day at week 12. Intakes of lambs were similar in weeks 10 and 12 and were in the range 17–24 g OM/kg LW/day. Allowance had a significant effect on live-weight change of the ewes after the first month and upon final body condition. There was no effect of allowance on milk yield until week 6. Mean milk yields were 2·3 kg/day at day 14, 1·0–1·5 kg/day at day 42 and 0·7–1·1 kg/day at day 84. There was a positive effect of allowance on growth rates of the lambs after the first month. Mean overall growth rates to 84 days of age were 175–243 g/day.
Without Blinders: Public Values Scholarship in Political Science, Economics, and Law—Content and Contribution to Public Administration

How and why are public values studied within public administration’s cognate disciplines? This question is addressed through a qualitative analysis of 50 public values (PVs) publications in political science, economics, and law published between 1969 and 2014. The findings show that political scientists intuitively connect PVs to the actual public rather than to government agencies and employees, whereas legal scholars often view PVs as public interests or rights. Economists are mostly concerned with how PVs can be qualified vis-à-vis private “value” and values. In short, each discipline views PVs in accordance with its key foci and epistemologies; as such, “wearing blinders” is not exclusive to one discipline. Moreover, a citation analysis shows that PVs scholars in the field of public administration seldom engage with literature from these disciplines, and vice-versa, even though doing so provides opportunities for broadening the discipline’s understanding of PVs and how they conflict, across various stages and functions of policy and administration, in the pursuit of good governance.
PREPARATION OF CHITIN AND CHITOSAN OLIGOMERS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Chitin and chitosan are known to possess multiple functional properties. Chitin is insoluble in any common solvent containing organic or mineral acid as well as water. Chitosan is water-insoluble and highly viscous in dilute acidic solutions. These solubility problems may restrict their use in physiological functional foods. However, chitin and chitosan oligomers are not only water-soluble and their solutions have low viscosity values, but they may also be absorbed in the human intestine. They may have much physiological functionality in the in vivo systems. This review demonstrates that chitin and chitosan oligomers can be prepared by chemical and enzymatic hydrolyses and that the oligomers with high degrees of polymerization, especially those with six residues or more, show strong physiological activities.
The effect of post-weaning steer diets supplemented with field pea, flaxseed and a field pea-flaxseed combination on feedlot finishing performance, carcass quality and immune response.

This study objective was to compare the effect of feeding field pea, flaxseed and field pea-flaxseed combination on steer performance and immune response during the 50-d post-weaning period (PWP). Subsequently, the effect on feedlot finishing performance, immune response and carcass quality were determined. Crossbred Angus x Hereford x Gelbvieh steers (castrated male calves, age=7.4 month, n=173) were used in the 3 year replicated study. The four pelleted 50-d PWP diets (PWD) were: 1) Control (C), 2) 12.5% Flaxseed (FLX), 3) 20.0% Field Pea (P), and 4) 20.0% Field Pea + 12.5% Flaxseed (PFLX). In the PWP, average daily weight gain (ADG) was increased (P<0.05) for FLX and PFLX when compared with C and P, but feed cost/kg of gain for FLX and PFLX was decreased (P<0.05). In the feedlot period, initial weight, slaughter weight, fattening period, weight gain, ADG, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio was not significantly different among the diets (P>0.10). For carcasses, PWD did not affect hot carcass weight, marbling score, percent US Department of Agriculture quality grade (P>0.05); however, FLX treatment reduced rib-eye area (REA), while P treatment increased REA (P<0.05). FLX and PFLX treatments did not increase serum neutralization titer level and did not reduce morbidity (P=0.96) and health care cost (P>0.10). Overall, Flaxseed improved 50-d PWP performance, but PWDs had no carryover effect on feedlot finishing period net return.
Sources of Organic Matter for Reservoir Fish Production: A Trophic-Dynamics Analysis

A trophic-dynamics approach was used to examine the relationships of phytoplankton production, other autochthonous primary producers, and allochthonous organic matter to the organic carbon supply necessary to support the fish community production in 17 southeastern and midwestern U.S. reservoirs. Fish community carbon requirements were estimated using average efficiencies of 10 and 15% per trophic transfer to bracket the range of efficiencies that probably occur in reservoir food webs. At 10% efficiency, most of the reservoir food webs considered appeared to be supplemented significantly by allochthonous organic matter. At 15% efficiency, phytoplankton production accounted for the organic carbon required for fish production in 10 of the 17 reservoirs. In this case, supplementary organic carbon sources were invoked to meet fish production requirements in the remaining seven reservoirs. Our results suggest that, depending on the actual food web efficiencies, autochthonous primary production can often accoun.
Direct and Indirect Effects of IL-17A on RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis

Inflammation-mediated bone loss is a major feature of various bone diseases, including chronic periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis, and is due to an imbalance in bone remodeling that favors resorption. This imbalance is caused by increased cytokine levels in the inflamed tissue. Interleukin (IL)-17 is secreted primarily by activated Th17 cells, and IL-17s and IL-17 receptors play an important role in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this paper is to review the differences between the indirect effect of IL-17A via osteoblasts and the direct effect of IL-17A on differentiation of osteoclast precursors into osteoclasts and the function of mature osteoclasts in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor êâ ligand (RANKL). IL-17A stimulates the production of bone resorption-related inflammatory cytokines through an autocrine mechanism involving celecoxib-blocked prostaglandins (PGs), mainly PGE2, in osteoblasts. Furthermore, IL-17A induces the differentiation of osteoclast precursors into osteoclasts and the function of mature osteoclasts via PGE2 in osteoblasts. On direct effect of IL-17 to osteoclast precursors in the absence of RANKL, IL-17 induces the differentiation as well as indirect effect via osteoblasts. However, the differentiation and function of osteoclasts are suppressed by stimulating osteoclast precursors directly with IL-17A in the presence of RANKL. In conclusion, the effect of IL-17A on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis may conflict with the direct action on osteoclast precursors and the indirect action through osteoblasts.
Demonstration of a Serious Game for Spoken Language Experiments - GDX

Increasing efforts are put into gamification of experimentation software in psychology and educational applications and the development of serious games. Computer-based experiments with game-like features have been developed previously for research on cognitive skills, cognitive processing speed, working memory, attention, learning, problem solving, group behavior and other phenomena. It has been argued that computer game experiments are superior to traditional computerized experimentation methods in laboratory tasks in that they represent holistic, meaningful, and natural human activity. We present a novel experimental framework for forced choice categorization tasks or speech perception studies in the form of a computer game, based on the Unity Engine – the Gamified Discrimination Experiments engine (GDX). The setting is that of a first person shooter game with the narrative background of an alien invasion on earth. We demonstrate the utility of our game as a research tool with an application focusing on attention to fine phonetic detail in natural speech perception. The game-based framework is additionally compared against a traditional experimental setup in an auditory discrimination task. Applications of this novel game-based framework are multifarious within studies on all aspects of spoken language perception.
Effects of Boron and Phosphate on Overcoming Internal Browning in Roots of Japanese Radish

Effects of boron and phosphate applied to the different kinds of soils and solution culture on the internal browning of roots in summer-sown Japanese radish were investigated. With hydroponics, the relationship between the incidence of internal browning and polyphenol concentrations and polyphenol oxidase activity in roots was also examined.1. Borax, applied to the brown lowland soils (sand) and medium and coarse-textured yellow soils (sandy loam), was effective in reducing internal browning and increasing boron concentrations in the roots, but that applied to the andosols (loam) was ineffective. Super phosphate application which increased phosphorus concentrations in the roots was effective in decreasing internal browning even in andosols.2. The occurrence of internal browning induced by the absence of boron in the hydroponic solution was severe at 29 °C as compared to 21 °C, although boron concentration in the root was relatively high at the higher temperature. These results suggest that the occurrence of internal browning can not be explained merely by concentrations of boron in the roots.3. The polyphenol oxidase activity but not the polyphenol concentrations in the roots increased in the absence of boron in the hydroponic solution. Therefore, the internal browning is considered to be caused by the increased polyphenol oxidase activity in response to the boron deficiency in the root.In the presence of boron in the solution, the internal browning did not occur, irrespective of phosphorus concentrations in the solution. On the other hand in the absence of boron, the occurrence of internal browning and polyphenol oxidase activity in the roots decreased with the increase in phosphate levels.
Comparative Physical Features, Egg Production and Egg Quality Characteristics of Normal and Dwarf Indigenous (Deshi) Hens of Bangladesh

Abstract Yeasmin, T. and Howlider, M.A.R. 1998. Comparative physical features, egg production and egg quality characteristics of normal and dwarf indigenous (Deshi) hens of Bangladesh. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 13: 191–196. The physical features, egg production and egg quality characteristics of normal and dwarf deshi hens were compared for a period of 36 weeks between 32 and 68 weeks of age. In a test cross one known normal RIR cock was mated to 7 dwarf deshi hens and 14 offsprings were produced to determine the nature of dwarf gene in deshi chicken population. Shank length, maximum wing feather length and body weight were higher in normal than in dwarf hens. The dwarf hens had significantly (P<0.01) higher hen day egg production, egg mass production and feed utilization than their normal sized counterparts. However, the dwarf hens gave lighter eggs and consumed significantly less feed than the normal sized hens, showing better efficiency of feed utilization. All the egg quality characteristics measured were .
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Abstract: Coconut is a wonder fruit which provides the consumer with both a refreshing drink from its water and energy from its kernel. The oil from the mature kernel is used as cooking oil and processed into soap and detergent. The tree itself is known as ‘the tree of life’, since it also provides the locals with shelter and numerous products besides food. The dry kernel or copra was once an important international commodity. After World War II, its importance diminished partly due to the false opinion that coconut oil is an unhealthy food containing high amounts of saturated fat. The result was lower demand and depressed prices. Recently, demand for coconut is reviving, especially for its virgin oil as well as for young fresh fruit, both now recognized as healthy food. This chapter provides insight into postharvest biology and technology of the fruit involving both its water and kernel at both young and mature stages. Hence readers are advised to distinguish between these two parts and stages of the fruit.