Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The estimation of time series data for soil respiration based on soil temperature and soil moisture content ratio and its spatial variations in a small mountainous catchment: In the case of weathered granite region in southern Kyoto prefecture [Japan]

複雑地形に位置することの多い日本の山地小流域において,土壌呼吸量の時系列データとその空間変動に関する研究はきわめて少ない。 そこで山地小流域(1.6ha)において,96個のソイルカラーを対象に土壌呼吸量測定を行った。 これらの観測値と地温,土壌水分の関係を地形部位の違いにもかかわらず一つの関数式で表すことができた。 流域内の他に設置された264個のソイルカラーを対象とした観測値によってこの関数式を検証したところ,計算値との相対誤差は25%の精度で一致した。 この関係式と流域内5カ所における地温,土壌含水率のモニタリングデータから,日単位での土壌呼吸量の時系列データを推定した。 これら5地点における日土壌呼吸量の空間変動はほぼ同時に増減し,1年を通じて日平均土壌呼吸量に対して50~140%の範囲で推移した.
EFFICACY EVALUATION OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA, CALOTROPIS PROCERA, DATURA STRAMONIUM AND TAGETES ERECTA AGAINST ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA

Different management strategies are being adopted to control root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, one of the most detrimental pests of agricultural crops. Although application of nematicides is the most commonly used practice, they cause pollution of ground water, so safe and efficient alternatives are needed. The use of antagonistic plants for the control of nematodes is a very attractive alternative. In the present study, nematicidal efficacy of four medicinal plants viz. Azadirachta indica A.Juss. , Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. , Datura stramonium L. , and Tagetes erecta L. , was ascertained for the control of M. incognita. All leaf amendments at different dosages significantly improved the plant growth characteristics of okra and reduced root-knot infections compared with the untreated control. Azadirachta indica and C. procera caused the maximum reductions in number of galls, egg masses and reproduction factor (Rf) of the nematode.
A Mediterranean origin for the Veldrif (South Africa) Artemia leach population

This is the first attempt to identify an Artemia (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) population from the southernmost point of the African continent (Veldrif, Saldanha Bay, South Africa). Adult populations laboratory-reared from original cysts gave a male/female ratio of 1:1, demonstrating the presence of a bisexual strain. Females were morphologically similar to those belonging to the Mediterranean diploid bisexual populations of Artemia tunisiana Gunther. Regression functions and multivariate discriminant procedures applied to morphometric data produced results which support this observation. Crosses between the South African and a bisexual Spanish population were fertile, as were those between Fl individuals. The results demonstrate that the South African bisexual population belongs to the A. tunisiana species, until now believed to be endemic only to the Mediterranean region.
Effect of Planting Date, Seed Rate and Row Spacing on Nodulation Efficiency of Bold Seeded Spring Mungbean [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] in Bundelkhand Region of India

A field experiment was conducted during spring/summer season of 2007 and 2008 at Crop Research Centre of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.) , to study the effect of planting date, seed rate and rows pacing on yield and yield attributes of bold seeded mungbean. Four planting dates (February 25, March 11, March 26 and April 10), three seed rates (30, 40 and 50 kg/ha) and two row spacing (20 cm and 30 cm) were tested. Grain yield increased with delay in planting up to March 11, thereafter it declined significantly and drastic reduction was observed beyond March 26. Seed rate of 40 kg/ha and row spacing of 20 cm was found to be optimum for higher yield of bold seeded spring mungbean. Nodulation studies were affected significantly due to different planting dates but row spacing and seed rate does not influenced significantly.
PhotonLabeler: An Inter-Disciplinary Platform for Visual Interpretation and Labeling of ICESat-2 Geolocated Photon Data

NASA’s ICESat-2 space-borne photon-counting lidar mission is providing global elevation measurements that will provide significant benefits to a variety of ecosystem related research applications. Given the novelty of elevation and the derived data products from the ICESat-2 mission, the research community needs software tools that can facilitate photon-level analyses to support product validation and development new analysis methods. Here, we describe PhotonLabeler, a free graphic user interface (GUI) for manual labeling and visualization of ICESat-2 Geolocated Photon data (ATL03). Developed in MATLAB, the GUI facilitates the reading and display of ATL03 Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) files, the manual labeling of individual photons into target classes of choice using a number of point selections tools and enables eventual saving of labeled data in ASCII format. Other capabilities include saving and loading of labeling sessions to manage labeling tasks over time. We expect labeled data generated using the application to serve two main purposes. First, serve as reference data for validating various products from ICESat-2 mission, especially for study sites around the world that do not have existing reference datasets such as airborne lidar. Second, serve as training and validation data in the development of new algorithms for generating various ICESat-2 data products. We demonstrate the first use case through a validation case study for the land and vegetation product (ATL08), which provides canopy and terrain height estimates, over two sites. For the first site, located in northwestern Zambia, we used ICESat-2 ATL03 data acquired at night and for our second site in Texas, US, we used ATL03 data acquired during the day. ATL08 canopy and terrain height data showed good agreement (mean R2 > 0.8) with corresponding height metrics generated from manually labeled data. A comparison between PhotonLabeler and ATL08 photon labels also showed good agreement −93.3% and 95.4% overall accuracies for the Texas and Zambia site, respectively. These results, while limited in scope, show how PhotonLabeler can facilitate photon-level analyses for ICESat-2 data products beyond the ATL08 product. The PhotonLabeler application is freely available as a compiled MATLAB binary to enable free access and utilization by interested researchers.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Chinese Brown Frogs (Rana) Based on Sequence of Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene

Fragments of about 360 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from 7 species of Rana and 2 species of Pelophylax were amplified and sequenced.Phylogenetic analyses reveal that:①The DNA sequence variations between Gansu population and Northeastern population of Rana chensinensis are notable,but the data are insufficient to judge whether the two populations are two different subspecies or species. ② Rana chensinensis is most closely related to Rana amurensis ,and is most alienated from R huanrenensis among the 7 species of Rana studied. ③The molecular evidences support to place R zhenhaiensis,R omeimo ntis,R chaochiaoensis and R longicrus into Rana japonica species group.
Rheological and physical characteristics of non-fat set yogurt prepared with EPS-producing Streptococcus thermophilus and an H+-ATPase-defective mutant Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus

ABSTRACT The rheological and physical characteristics of non-fat set yogurt produced using co-cultures of ropy EPS-producing Streptococcus thermophilus S3.3 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus LTM and of Streptococcus thermophilus S3.3 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus H+-ATPase-defective mutant L6 under different conditions were studied. Yogurts produced with mutant L6 had a higher pH and water-holding capacity and better textural properties compared to those produced with the LTM strain. The highest storage modulus (G′) and thixotropic loops were found for yogurt made with L6 at 42°C on day 21 of cold storage. This yogurt contained a network of thick, continuous protein aggregates and large void spaces.
Density‐dependent prophylaxis in primary anti‐parasite barriers in the velvetbean caterpillar

1. Organisms rely on a set of primary barriers to prevent invasion by parasites, and secondary defences to fight parasites that breach the primary barriers. However, maintaining these defences to be active and effective is costly. Thus, hosts increase investment in anti‐parasite defences under situations of high risk of infection and reduce defences when the risk is reduced (the ‘Density‐Dependent Prophylaxis’ hypothesis).
Differences in growth rate, body condition, habitat use and food availability between island and mainland lizard populations of Anolis nebulosus in Jalisco, Mexico

Abstract: Lizards of the genus Anolis have been widely studied, however, little is known about the effects of environmental seasonality, food availability and geographic isolation on body condition, growth rate and habitat use of lizards. The existence of an insular and a continental population of Anolis nebulosus (clouded anole), separated by only 0.47 km, represents an ideal opportunity to address this topic. We compared seasonal fluctuations in food availability (arthropod density) for anoles, as well as body condition, growth rate and habitat use in the two populations. Food availability throughout the year was sampled every 2 mo by trapping arthropods at each site. Lizards were also monitored and measured every 2 mo by surveying three quadrats in each site over 2 y giving a total of 30 visits for each quadrat. Results suggested that composition and density of food supply was similar for the two populations. Nevertheless, food supply responded to seasonality of rainfall, with an increase of 1.5 times during the rainy season. Despite similarity in food availability, insular anoles had body condition that was 5–10 times better, with growth rate twice as fast, and used similar perches. The role of predation, and inter- and intraspecific competition are discussed as possible drivers.
THE ROLE OF VISUAL, AUDITORY, AND OLFACTORY STIMULI IN TEAT SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF PIGLETS

The objective of the present study was to clarify the role of sensory stimuli in teat seeking behavior of piglets. Thirty-seven piglets from five litters were used. By intercepting one, a couple, or all visual, auditory and olfactory stimuli from the piglets, their behavior was videotaped, and the route used and time spent on teat seeking were recorded. All piglets were tested from 5 to 12 days of age. The piglets in all cases with added visual interception took significantly more time to reach their dams' teats and increased the number of direction changes during teat seeking, while the piglets in all cases with added olfactory interception showed no significant effects. Auditory interception showed the neutral effects. These results show that the visual stimulus is the most important aspect of teat seeking behavior by piglets, and that olfactory interception has a lesser effect than the other two senses. Anim. Sci. Technol. (Jpn.) 69 (9): 854-860, 1998
Ecological Risk Assessment Based on Land Cover Changes: A Case of Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Land use and land cover (LULC) under improper land management is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa and has drastically affected ecological security. Addressing environmental impacts related to this challenge requires efficient planning strategies based on the measured information of land use patterns. This study assessed the ecological risk index (ERI) of Zanzibar based on LULC. A random forest classifier was used to classify three Landsat images of Zanzibar for the years 2003, 2009, and 2018. Then, a land change model was employed to simulate the LULC changes for 2027 under a business-as-usual (BAU), conservation, and extreme scenarios. Results showed that the built-up areas and farmland of Zanzibar Island have increased constantly, while the natural grassland and forest cover have decreased. The forest, agricultural, and grassland were highly fragmented into several small patches. The ERI of Zanzibar Island increased at a constant rate and, if the current trend continues, this index will increase by up to 8.9% in 2027 under an extreme scenario. If a conservation scenario is adopted, the ERI will increase by 4.6% whereas if a BAU policy is followed, this value will increase by 6.2%. This study provides authorities with useful information to understand better the ecological processes and LULC dynamics and prevent unmanaged growth and haphazard development of informal housing and infrastructure.
New records of ferns in the flora of Laos (1)

ABSTRACT: Fieldwork in Lao PDR during 2007-2008 resulted in the discovery of 15 unrecorded fern speciesamong the flora of Lao PDR. All have been identified in other countries in southeastern Asia, as well as fromother tropical areas. The species are as follows: Asplenicaceae (Asplenium delavayi, A. rockier), Athyriaceae(Anisocampium cuspidatum), Dennstaedtiaceae (Microlepia hookeriana, Pteridium revolutum), Dryopteridaceae(Didymochlaena truncatula, Dryopteris cochleata, Polystichum biaristatum, P. lindsaefolium), Gleicheniaceae(Dicranopteris curranii), Hypodematiaceae (Hypodematium crenatum), Lindsaeaceae (Lindsaea heterophylla),Pteridaceae (Pteris decrescens), Polypodiaceae (Pyrrosia nummularifolia) and Thelypteridaceae (Cyclosorusdentatus). Keywords: Lao PDR, new records, ferns 적요: 2007년부터 2008년에 걸친라오스지역 채집을 통하여라오스미기록양치식물 15종을 발견할 수있었다. 이들은 전부 동남아시아 및 열대 지역에 분포하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 이들의 목록은 다음과 같다. Asplenicaceae (Asplenium delavayi, A. rockii), Athyriaceae (Anisocampium cuspidatum), Dennstaedtiaceae(Microlepia hookeriana, Pteridium revolutum), Dryopteridaceae (Didymochlaena truncatula, Dryopteriscochleata, Polystichum biaristatum, P. lindsaefolium), Gleicheniaceae (Dicranopteris curranii), Hypodematiaceae(Hypodematium crenatum), Lindsaeaceae (Lindsaea heterophylla), Pteridaceae (Pteris decrescens), Polypodiaceae(Pyrrosia nummulariifolia) 및 Thelypteridaceae (Cyclosorus dentatus).
Ten-Year Outcomes of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases in Perivascular vs. Non-Perivascular Locations: A Propensity-Score Matched Study

Purpose To compare long-term outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastases in perivascular versus non-perivascular locations. Methods This retrospective study included 388 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases (246 men, 142 women; age range 27–86 years) who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency ablation between January 2006 and December 2018. Propensity-score matching was performed for groups with perivascular and non-perivascular colorectal liver metastases. Rates of accumulative local tumor progression, overall survival, intra/extrahepatic recurrence, and complications were compared between the two groups. Results We successfully matched 104 patients each in the perivascular and non-perivascular groups (mean age: 60.1 ± 11.5 and 60.1 ± 11.3 years, respectively). Cumulative local tumor progression rates at 6 months, 1 years, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively, were 8.8%,14.8%, 18.9%, and 18.9% in the perivascular group and 8.8%, 13.1%, 15.5%, and 15.5% in the non-perivascular group. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates, respectively, were 91.3%, 45.6%, 23.9%, and 18.7% in the perivascular group and 88.0%, 47.2%, 27.2%, and 22.6% in the non-perivascular group. No significant between-group differences were detected in cumulative local tumor progression (p=0.567, hazard ratio: 1.224) or overall survival (p = 0.801, hazard ratio: 1.047). The major complication rate was 1.0% (1/104, p > 0.999) in both groups. Tumor size was the only independent prognostic factor for local tumor progression (hazard ratio: 2.314; p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis for overall colorectal liver metastases, tumor diameter >3 cm, tumor location in the right colon, multiple tumors, and extrahepatic metastases before radiofrequency ablation (hazard ratios: 2.046, 1.920, 1.706, and 1.892, respectively; all p < 0.001) and intrahepatic recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.564; p = 0.002) were associated with poor overall survival. Conclusion Cumulative local tumor progression, overall survival, and major complications rates did not differ significantly between perivascular and non-perivascular colorectal liver metastases after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. For perivascular colorectal liver metastases, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment option.
Seasonal Dynamics of Microbial Diversity at a Sandy High Energy Beach Reveal a Resilient Core Community

Sandy beaches have received increasing attention due to their global ubiquity and ecological services they provide. Previous investigations on their microbial diversity mostly targeted low energy beaches, lacked seasonality or geochemical information. We now have used a multidisciplinary approach to study the microbial diversity within sediments of a sandy, high energy beach that additionally exhibits submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the intertidal. We sampled two transects at three seasons down to a depth of one meter for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and subsequent correlation of microbial diversity to physico-chemical parameters. We found that advection driven transport of porewater constituents and constant physical reworking of the sediments prevented a distinct formation of vertically stratified redox zones. Consequently, a uniform microbial core community of generalists established independently of sampling site and depth. During spring, the community structure was disturbed by a “subsurface bloom” of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, probably due to deeper oxygen and nitrate penetration depths. In summer, the community returned to its equilibrium state with imprints of the subsurface bloom still visible. In our study, we did not detect a clear impact of SGD on microbial diversity, but found an unexpected homogeneous composition and resilience of the microbial community structure.
Dr Ziemowit Olszanowski, Associate Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (1961–2019)

1961 in Ostrów Wielkopolski. After concluding school education in 1979, he began studying at the Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. His diploma entitled “Studies on ecology and biology of Nothroidea (Acari, Oribatida) of nature reserves Jakubowo and Las Grądowy nad Mogilnicą” was conducted at the Department of Animal Morphology under the supervision of Prof. Jan Rafalski in 1984. Yet before graduation, he become em ployed as technical assistant in the same department; after com pletion of his serv ice in armed for ces he took the post of a teachingre search assistant in the late 1987. In 1993 after defending his PhD thesis he was employed as a lecturer at the recently emerged Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology at AMU. His research interests covered a wide range of subjects in the field of acarology, with particular emphasis on taxonomy, ecology, biology and zoogeography of moss mites (Oribatida). At an early stage of his path, he focused on some early derivative oribatids, which is crucial in understanding phylogenetic relationships within the order Oribatida, as well as related taxa. However, in later years his scientific interests have spread far beyond the study of mites The first stage of his scientific activity were faunistic and ecological studies on Oribatida (e.g. Błoszyk et al. 1986, Błoszyk and Olszanowski 1985b) and Uropodina (e.g., Błoszyk and Olszanowski 1984, 1985c), published primarily during the period of deepening and improving knowledge in the field of taxonomy of mites. They also contain data on the biology and reproductive strategies of mites and considerations on their zoogeography. He also participated in multiannual team studies of soil fauna on per manent re search plots (oak-hornbeam forests, pine for e sts, urban green (Bło szyk et al. 1994, Sylwestrowicz-Maliszewska et al. 1993, Niedbała et al. 1990), with emphasis on areas under legal protection. Several years of research have resulted in a summary of knowledge on moss mite fauna from the DR ZIEMOWIT OLSZANOWSKI, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT ADAM MICKIEWICZ UNIVERSITY, POZNAŃ (1961–2019)
Neutral semi-purified glycerin in growing and finishing pigs feeding

Abstract The experiment was carried out to evaluate performance, plasma variables, carcass traits and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs fed on diets with increasing levels of neutralized semi-purified glycerin (NSPG). Eighty growing pig (30.31 ± 0.47 to 60.41 ± 0.87 kg) and 80 finishing pigs (60.45 ± 0.46 to 90.99 ± 0.83 kg) were enrolled. Pigs were allotted in a randomized block design with four inclusion levels of NSPG (3.5, 7.0, 10.5 and 14%), mainly substituted the corn in diets. The experiment included 16 replicates and one pig per pen. Additionally, there was a control diet (0% NSPG). At the end of the finishing phase, all pigs were slaughtered to evaluate quantitative carcass traits and meat quality. The regression analysis showed no effect (p > 0.05) of NSPG on growth performance, backfat thickness and loin depth in the growing and finishing phases. As to plasma variables, cholesterol and triglycerides increased linearly only in the finishing phase. A linear increase was obtained in quantitative carcass traits (p < 0.05), such as hot carcass weight, hot carcass yield, cold carcass weight and cold carcass yield. As to meat quality traits, there was a quadratic effect for water drip loss and total lipids with inclusion levels of NSPG. As a whole, NSPG can be used up to 14% in the feed of growing and finishing pigs (30–90 kg) without impairing performance, plasma variables and quantitative carcass traits and meat quality. However, its use may increase the cost of the diet depending on the feedstuffs prices.
Extraction of Erbium(III) from Nitrate Solutions Using Mixtures of Neodecanoic Acid and Diacylated Ethylene Amines

ABSTRACT The article presents the novel binary mixtures of neodecanoic acid (HA) with diacylated ethylene amines (L), synthesized in our laboratory, for the recovery and separation of trivalent lanthanides. The extraction of Er(III), representing heavy lanthanides, from nitrate solutions has been studied using mixtures of HA with diacylated ethylenediamine, diacylated diethylenetriamine, and diacylated triethylenetetramine in tetrachloromethane. The FT-IR spectra for HA, L, and their mixtures have been analyzed to investigate the interaction in the binary mixtures. The effects of the nature of diluent, the aqueous phase acidity, and variation of one extractant at a fixed concentration of the other extractant have been investigated. The extracted species were determined to be [Er(OH)A2·L] by the slope analysis method, and the extraction mechanism was proposed. At pH values above 6.5, the [Er(OH)2A·L] species begin to prevail in the organic phase. Separation factors for Nd/Pr, Gd/Pr, Er/Pr, and Er/Gd pairs have been calculated to evaluate the possibility of the separation of lanthanides in the proposed mixed-extractant systems.