Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climate change and vascular plant species interactions on sub-Antarctic Marion island

Shifts in species ranges are an important consequence of climate change, and can affect the composition, structure and functioning of ecosystems. Generally, in response to rising temperatures, species have increased their altitudinal and latitudinal distributions along their cooler boundaries, although there has been large variation between species. However, in addition to climatic factors, species range limits are also sensitive to biotic interactions. Therefore, interspecific interactions may be able to influence the impact of climate change on species distributions. In this thesis climate change, range shifts and spatial variation in plant-plant interactions are documented to examine the potential for biotic interactions to mediate climate-driven altitudinal range shifts on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The climate on Marion Island changed considerably between 1949 and 2003, with significant trends in biologically-relevant parameters encompassing average climatic conditions, variability in climate parameters and extreme weather events. Combining these trends showed that while environmental conditions have ameliorated for some species, they have become more abiotically stressful for others (e.g. hygrophilous species). Concurrent with changes in the island’s climate, there have been rapid changes in the elevational distribution of Marion Island’s native vascular flora. On average species ranges expanded upslope (as predicted in response to the warming experienced on the island), although individual range expansion rates varied greatly. As a result of the idiosyncratic expansion rates, altitudinal patterns of species richness and community composition changed considerably. Therefore, both speciesand community-level changes occurred in the flora of Marion Island, demonstrating the community’s sensitivity to climate change. To determine the potential for interspecific interactions to have mediated these changes in species elevational ranges, spatial variation in the balance of positive and negative plant-plant interactions were examined. Increasing spatial association between four dominant species along an altitudinal severity gradient suggested that the intensity of facilitation, relative to the intensity of competition, is greater under more severe conditions. While, interaction strength varied between species pairs, the nature of relationship was consistent across the species. At a broader spatial scale, the performance of the grass Agrostis magellanica was compared in the presence and in
Phylogeography and Genetic Diversity of Humpback Grouper Cromileptes altivelis based on Cytochrome C Oxidase I

Humpback grouper is one of the most popular fish group in the international live trade in Asia-Pacific regions. The price for one kilogramlive of humpback grouper, especially in Spermonde Archipelago South of Sulawesi, is range from 350.000-400.000 IDR, whereas in theretail level in Hong Kong the price was about 92 US$. This condition leads to the reduction of nature population due to overexploitation.Population decreasing due to overexploitation may cause loss of genetic diversity within population and lead to reduce of potentialadaptive, population resistance, and productivity. Therefore, it is important to do some efforts to avoid adverse effect of overexploitationon humpback grouper population in Indonesia. One of the valuable efforts is providing genetic information such as phylogeography andgenetic diversity of humpback grouper Cromileptes altivelis. Analysis was based on 618 base pairs fragment of cytochrome c oxidase I genefrom 36 individuals (sequences) of Cromileptes altivelis collected at four different sites (e.g. Pulau Seribu, Jepara, Situbondo and SpermondeArchipelago). The results showed that humpback grouper population has a high haplotype and nucleotide diversity. However, high geneticdiversity and polymorphisms could not reveal population fragmentation (Φ stt = 0.000). It is suggested that high gene flow rather thanpopulation sub structuring was occurred. High level genetic diversity and polymorphisms are vital related to adaptive potential toenvironmental alteration.
In vitro antagonistic potential of fluorescent pseudomonads and control of sheath blight of maize caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Fluorescent pseudomonads (FLP) recovered from rhizoplane (PEn-4) and rhizosphere of pea (PRS-1) and wheat (WRS-24) were studied for in vitro inhibition of Colletotrichum dematium, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium rolfsii. Field evaluation for biocontrol action was assessed in maize (Zea mays L.) against sheath blight caused by R. solani. FLP-strains, PEn-4, PRS-1 and WRS 24 were more effective against C. dematium and least against S. rolfsii. In absence of FeCl 3 , PEn-4 was unable to check growth of C. dematium and R. solani. Inhibition shown by volatiles was stronger against C. dematium than R. solanland S. rolfsii. Crude extracts of PEn-4 and PRS-1 were strongly inhibitory towards C. dematium and S. rolfsii. All three FLP delayed sclerotial germination of R. solaniand S. rolfsii. Integrated use of bavistin (80 ppm) and vitavax (10 ppm ) with FLP enhanced inhibitory potential against test pathogens. Combined use of bavistin with PEn-4 and WRS 24 resulted in reduced growth inhibition. From a bacterial population on 0 d of 9.68 (PEn-4), 11.3 (PRS-1) and 10.7 (WRS 24) cfu on maize seeds, the level dropped to 6 cfu in rhizoplane after 75 d. In rhizosphere, WRS-24 achieved higher population (7.6 cfu g - 1 soil) than PEn-4 and PRS-1 after 75 d. No improvement in seed germination was observed after seed bacterization, but final stand count of maize increased after foliar treatment. Combined seed and foliar treatment with PEn-4 was most effective. Compared to 54% level of banded leaf and sheath blight in untreated maize, combined treatment reduced disease incidence by 30%.
On the Economics of Audit Partner Tenure and Rotation: Evidence from PCAOB Data

This paper provides the first partner tenure and rotation analysis for a large cross-section of U.S. publicly listed firms over an extended period. We analyze the effects on audit quality as well as economic tradeoffs related to partner tenure and rotation with respect to audit hours and fees. On average, we find no evidence for audit quality declines over the tenure cycle and little support for fresh-look benefits after rotations. Nevertheless, partner rotations have significant economic consequences. We find increases in audit fees and decreases in audit hours over the tenure cycle, which differ by partner experience, client size, and competitiveness of the local audit market. More generally, our findings are consistent with efforts by the audit firms to minimize disruptions and audit failures around mandatory rotations. We also analyze special circumstances, such as audit firm switches and early partner rotations, and show that they are more disruptive than mandatory rotations, and also more likely to exhibit audit quality effects.
EFEITO DE ANA, 6-BA E ÁGAR NA PROPAGAÇÃO IN VITRO DE AECHMEA BLANCHETIANA (BAKER) L.B. SMITH, BROMÉLIA NATIVA DA MATA ATLÂNTICA

medium was obtained in the treatment with 5.0 mg L -1 NAA + 5.0 mg L -1 6-BA, while the treatment with 1.0 mg L -1 NAA + 1.0 mg L -1 6-BA showed the largest shoot number in the semi-solid medium. The results obtained by the dry matter weight showed that the higher the number of shoots, the lower the dry matter. The variable leaf length tended to decrease with increase in NAA concentration and the root showed the opposite trend, with the variable size increasing significantly with the highest NAA concentration.
Genetic variation of ASIP and MC1R in past and present sheep of Gotland

Ovine black coat colour is determined by the MC1R (Melanocortin 1 receptor) and ASIP (Agouti signalling peptide) genes at the Agouti and Extension loci. The black phenotype is caused by production of eumelanin by melanocytes, whereas yellow-tan or light phenotype is the result of phaeomelanin synthesis. The ovine MC1R gene has two known alleles: the wildtype (E+) and the dominant black (ED) alleles. Two missense mutations (c.218T>A and c.361G>A) constitute ED. The presence of a third allele, the e allele, is proposed and believed to give rise to phaeomelanic phenotype. There are many alleles in the ASIP gene, the two most important are the dominant white (Awt) and the most recessive black (Aa). Two mutations are alleged to cause recessive black phenotype: a missense mutation g.5172T>A and a nonsense mutation, a five base pairs (bp) deletion (D5). However, not all black sheep, lacking the dominant black allele, are homozygous for at least one of the above mentioned ASIP mutations. A third mutation, a nine bp deletion (D9), is identified but its complete phenotypic influence is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the presence of ED and the ASIP mutations in past and present sheep native to the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, to gain knowledge regarding the coat colour phenotype in these sheep. Fragments of the genes mentioned above concerning parts of interest were sequenced from present Gute Sheep and Gotland Pelt Sheep (breeds native to Gotland) using Sanger sequencing and from ovine remains contextually dated to the Medieval Times and the Iron Age found on Stora Karlso, Gotland, (as well as some sheep remains from the Swedish mainland) using pyrosequencing. All present sheep possessed the E+E+ genotype. The three black sheep included in this study were homozygous for at least one of g.5172T>A or D5. Eighty-two grey present sheep possessed several diplotypes, but none was homozygous for g.5172T>A or D5. The ancient individuals possessed TT of c.218 and GG of c.361G>A. Two ancient individuals possessed the A of c.361G>A of ED, indicating that this mutation was indeed present in medieval sheep of Gotland and in mainland sheep of the 7th century. While some of the ancient sheep possessed the wildtype genotype of D5, no genotype could be determined for g.5172T>A. The full genetic background for recessive black coat colour could not be elucidated since some black sheep, that lack ED, are not always homozygous for D5 and/or g.5172TT>A.
A conspectus of the families of Aphyllophorales

The author gives a recapitulation of the families of the Aphyllophorales. He is inclined to recognize 21: the families he is not (yet) prepared to uphold are discussed. The synonymy of the order and the families above the rank of genus is listed, but it is avowedly incomplete. The treatment of each family does not go further than the mention of the included genera, but through selected references cited for each genus in a special list, an introduction to the separate genera is provided. An introductory chapter contains some general remarks and discusses a number of terms used in connection with the treatment of the families. New taxa are, Brachybasidiales, Hericiaceae, Punctulariaceae, Asterostromatoideae, Pteruloideae, while the name Septobasidiales Couch is validly published and the new combination Serpula mollusca (Fr.) Donk is made.
Ultrastructural and Morphometric Observations of Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum in Arbacia, Spisula and Mouse Eggs *

Results of morphometric investigations indicate that Arbacia eggs possess a network of cortical endoplasmic reticulum equal in volume and surface area to that within the subcortex. The cortical endoplasmic reticulum surrounds individual cortical granules and forms associations with the plasma membrane reminiscent of junctions shared by the sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Mouse eggs, which also exhibit a cortical granule reaction, possess endoplasmic reticulum that is associated with cortical granules and the plasmalemma. The same relative volume of cortical endoplasmic reticulum is present in mouse eggs as in Arbacia. Significantly less cortical endoplasmic reticulum is present in Spisula eggs which do not undergo cortical granule discharge upon activation. These observations are discussed in light of the hypothesis that the cortical endoplasmic reticulum transduces the interaction of the gametes into an intracellular calcium release which initiates the cortical granule reaction and the activation of development.
An Introduction to Ecological Economics

Humanity's Current Dilemma The Global Ecosystem and the Economic Subsystem From Localized Limits to Global Limits Population and Poverty Beyond Brundtland Toward Sustainability The Fragmentation of Economics and the Natural Sciences The Historical Development of Economics and Ecology Early Codevelopment of Economics and Natural Science Economics and Ecology Specialize and Separate Reintegration of Ecology and Economics Conclusions Principles and Objectives of Ecological Economics Sustainable Scale, Fair Distribution, and Efficient Allocation Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Ecosystem Services Substitutability versus Complementarity of Natural, Human, Social, and Built Capital Population and Carrying Capacity Measuring Welfare and Well-Being Valuation, Choice, and Uncertainty Trade and Community Institutions, Instruments, and Policies History of Environmental Institutions and Instruments The Need to Develop a Shared Vision of a Sustainable Society Successes, Failures, and Remedies Policy Instruments: Some Background Examples of Policies, Instruments, and Institutions Governance Conclusions and Prospects for the Future References Index
Susceptibility of Certain Maize Varieties to Tetranychus urticae Koch Infestation in Relation to Leaf Chemical Contents

Field studies were carried out to evaluate six single cross maize hybrids namely; Giza 129, Giza 10 & Giza 125 (white ~1aize varieties) and Giza 168, Giza 162 & Giza 166 (yellow maize varieties) for their relative susceptibility to the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch infestation, during 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Giza 125 and Giza 162 proved to be the most susceptible hybrids to spider mite infestation in white and yellow maize varieties, respectively, while Giza 129 and Giza 166 were the most tolerant in the two varieties, ~espectively . In both tested seasons, mite population reached its peak on maize during the fourth and the third weeks of July, respectively, for all tested hybrids. A significant positive correlation was found between mite infestation and both nitrogen and protein contents in maize leaves.
Production of virus free potato plantlets.

Potatoes a high susceptibility to viral, bacterial and fungal diseases impose production of virus free material for healthy seed production since plant viruses are pathogens that cannot be destroyed by using plant protection chemicals. Meristem tip culture technique is one of the most used for potato in vitro culture initiation and is most of all used in order to obtain virus free plantlets. For this study six new Romanian potato cultivars were used. Explants were prepared for tissue culture and half of them underwent chemical (using the antiviral chemical-ribavirin) treatement. Culture tubes were incubated at 20-21 o C in 16 hr photoperiod with 2000 lux light intensity for 6-8 weeks. Leaf samples of 10 plantlets of each cultivar were tested for viruses: PVS, PVY, PVX and PLRV by ELISA technique. Virus-free individuals were measured for several biometrical parameters and subcultured on fresh multiplication media for 4 weeks. Best virus free production was obtained after Ribavirin treatment even if regeneration capacity after chemical therapy decreased with around 10%.
Review on role of vam fungi in crop plant-soil system.

VA Mycorrhizal fungi occur in nearly all soils on earth and form a symbiotic relationship with roots of most terrestrial plants and have a wide range of roles. This review discusses the diversity of interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and plants, its occurrence, distribution, significance in environmentally stressed soil conditions such as drought, water logging and salinity. The improved nutrient absorption by mycorrhiza plants especially phosphorus under drought conditions have had a direct impact on growth parameters. Although VA mycorrhizal fungi do not show any host specificity, there is increasing evidence that various climatic and edaphic environmental factors influence their occurrence, taxonomic distribution and effectiveness.VAM fungi do have a potential to enhance plant growth but further studies are needed with additional plants, fungi under variable environmental conditions.
Why are Aedes mosquitoes rare colonisers of Nepenthes pitcher plants?

1. Nepenthes pitcher plants produce fluid‐containing animal traps that are colonised by a variety of specialised arthropods, especially dipterans. However, container‐breeding vector mosquitoes, such as Aedes albopictus Skuse have rarely been recorded from pitchers. Increasing overlap in the geographical ranges of Nepenthes and Ae. albopictus in urban parts of Southeast Asia owing to urbanisation highlights a growing need to investigate the potential role of pitchers as larval habitats for vector mosquitoes.
Effect of mechanical planting and weeding on yield, water-use efficiency and cost of production under modified system of rice intensification

Efficiency of planting and weeding equipments developed at Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack was compared with traditional method of planting and weeding in relation to biomass yield, water-use efficiency (WUE) and net returns from SRI. The study showed that low plant density and high labour cost of SRI resulted in lower yield (3.77 against 4.52 tonnes/ha) and net returns (₹2 650 against ₹ 9 312/ha) compared to traditional method of cultivation. Mechanized planting and weeding of SRI enhanced its productivity to 4.24 tonnes/ha and profitability to ₹ 12 192/ ha. But it required that age of seedlings is increased from 8 to 16 days and density of hills is increased from 11 to 31/m2 with 4 (instead of single) plants/hill. Among mechanical planters, seeding by sprouted seeds on puddled soil by drum seeder was found to have significantly lower planting cost (₹ 515 against ₹ 1 332/ha) and lower total cost of production (₹ 16 355 against ₹17 767/ha). Average WUE (0.61 kg/m3) and grain yield (4.18 tonnes/ha) in weeded plots was double to un-weeded plots. Average cost of (single) weeding by weeders was ₹ 2 509 against ₹ 5 688/ha of manual weeding. Among the weeders, high efficiency in weed destruction and soil churning by star-cono weeder resulted in highest grain productivity and profitability in its favour.
Multi-Pitch Detection and Voice Assignment for A Cappella Recordings of Multiple Singers

This paper presents a multi-pitch detection and voice assignment method applied to audio recordings containing a cappella performances with multiple singers. A novel approach combining an acoustic model for multi-pitch detection and a music language model for voice separation and assignment is proposed. The acoustic model is a spectro-gram factorization process based on Probabilistic Latent Component Analysis (PLCA), driven by a 6-dimensional dictionary with pre-learned spectral templates. The voice separation component is based on hidden Markov models that use musicological assumptions. By integrating the models, the system can detect multiple concurrent pitches in vocal music and assign each detected pitch to a speciﬁc voice corresponding to a voice type such as soprano, alto, tenor or bass (SATB). This work focuses on four-part compositions, and evaluations on recordings of Bach Chorales and Barbershop quartets show that our integrated approach achieves an F-measure of over 70% for frame-based multi-pitch detection and over 45% for four-voice assignment.
Orchestrating film : the contrasting orchestral-compositional approaches of Bernard Herrmann and John Williams and their modern legacy

Music is one of the most powerful forces in film, and composers’ varied use of orchestration and sound is fundamental to the impact of music in this medium. From the live accompaniments of the earliest silent film, to the lush orchestrations of the ‘golden age’, to the electronic and experimental scores of the twenty-first century, the role of orchestration, timbre and sound has been pivotal to the function of music in film and its ability to shape and inform narrative, character and theme (Gorbman, 1987). In an increasingly vast and constantly evolving body of film music, two figures stand out as proponents of contrasting compositional approaches to orchestration in film: Bernard Herrmann and John Williams (Cooke, 2004). Their work reveals orchestration and compositional considerations as powerful tools that contribute to dramatic elements of narrative, character and theme. To understand these approaches their influences and contexts must be discussed (Part I). Analysing the contrasting orchestral approaches of Herrmann and Williams in their respective films The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951) and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) sheds light on the contrasting ways orchestration is approached to influence dramatic elements in film (Part II). It is important to examine the legacy of Herrmann and Williams’ contrasting approaches in more recent film music such as the representative scores of Thomas Newman (Wall-E (Stanton, 2008)) and Stephen Price (Gravity, (Cuarun, 2013)) to fully examine the role of orchestration in film today (Part III). MATTHEW EVERINGHAM ORCHESTRATING FILM: THE CONTRASTING ORCHESTRAL-COMPOSITIONAL APPROACHES OF BERNARD HERRMANN AND JOHN WILLIAMS AND THEIR MODERN LEGACY
Plant Availability of Phosphorus in Five Gasification Biochars

The innovation and expansion in the bioenergy sector produce increased amounts of solid residues, e.g. ashes and biochars, which may derive from more diverse origins of biomass. Recycling of nutrients like phosphorus (P) in such residues to agricultural soils contributes to sustainability in both energy and agriculture systems. In this study the P availability was tested in five gasification biochars (GBs) produced via a novel low-temperature (<750 °C) gasification technology. The feedstocks used were wheat straw (STR), shea nut shells (NUT), poultry manure (POUL) and two types of sewage sludge mixed with wheat straw (SSA & SSB). A 16-week laboratory incubation study of the materials was conducted with three contrasting soils and resin-extractable P (available P) and pH were monitored. Another mini-plot experiment was done to examine the effects of GBs on spring barley on a loamy sand soil. Neither barley yield nor P uptake showed significant increase after application of the GBs or a mineral P fertiliser, indicating non-limiting P status in this soil and non-adverse effect on the crop growth. During the incubation, all GBs increased soil pH markedly, especially in the STR- and NUT-amended soils and in acid soils. Of the P applied in STR, NUT and POUL 21–29% was recovered as resin-extractable P in the two acid soils after incubation, while in the alkaline soil the recovery from STR (49%) almost matched that from triple superphosphate (52%). Recoveries from SSA and SSB were similarly low (<14%). A significant positive relationship was identified between the resin-extractable P and the resulting pH in soils amended with some GBs with low P contents. These results revealed varying P availability of low-temperature gasification biochars, which depends on the feedstock type and pH level in the soil, and it also showed a varying ability of GBs to substitute mineral P fertilisers.