Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of varied soil moisture content on seed yield of six range grasses in the rangelands of Kenya.

Seed yields of six range grass species grown at 80, 50 and 30% field capacity (FC) soil moisture content and rain fed condition were evaluated. The grasses included Chloris roxburghiana, Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana and Sorghum sudanense (Sudan grass). Watered treatments had higher seed yields compared to rain fed for all the grasses. Chloris roxburghiana had higher seed yields at 50 and 30 % FC (516.1 and 633.4 kg ha -1 , respectively), and lower yields at 80% FC and rain fed treatment (103 and 54.3 kg ha -1 , respectively). Eragrostis superba and Enteropogon macrostachyus showed no difference in seed yields across watered. Cenchrus ciliaris had no significant difference among watered and rain fed. Chloris gayana produced higher seed yields at 30% FC (1066.8 kg ha -1 ) while 80 and 50% FC and rain fed having 766.9, 866.8 and 123.7 kg ha -1 , respectively. The highest yield was observed in Sorghum sudanense at 80% FC and was different (p≤0.05) from the others (1250 kg ha -1 ), with 50, 30% FC and rain fed having 700.5, 533.9 and 150.7 kg ha -1 , respectively. Sorghum sudanense was highest yielder under rain fed (150.7 kg ha -1 ) with least being Cenchrus ciliaris (21.8 kg ha -1 ). Chloris
PREDICTABILITY, CONSTANCY, AND CONTINGENCY OF PERIODIC PHENOMENA'

Temporal patterns in fluctuating physical and biological phenomena are of great interest in several fields of biology, primarily because of their importance as evolutionary constraints. To clarify and simplify the wide variety of terms used to describe aspects of temporal pattern, simple measures of predictability, constancy, and contingency are proposed. These are sufficient to describe the general characteristics of periodic phenomena. The measures are based on the mathematics of information theory. Methods of testing the statistical significance of these measures are given. Predictability, constancy, and contingency can be determined for either qualitative (categorical) or quantitative (discrete or continuous) variables measured over a period of time. Alternative patterns of seasonal flowering and fruiting of tropical trees are given as an example of a qualitative variable; precipitation data are analyzed as an example of a quantitative variable.
MESOCLOSURES – increasing realism in mesocosm studies of ecosystem functioning

Experimental studies linking community composition to functioning are typically confined to small and closed micro‐ or mesocosms. Such restricted conditions may affect both species’ biology and their environment. Yet, targeting simple features in the behaviour of species may circumvent these constraints. Focusing on ecological functions provided by dung beetles, we test whether large, open‐top cages – MESOCLOSURES – will intercept the flight trajectories of beetles, thereby allowing manipulation of local community composition. MESOCLOSURES were built in both tropical forest (Brazil) and temperate grasslands (Finland), thus testing their general efficiency. Within the respective environments, we varied different aspects of MESOCLOSURE design: in the tropical forest, we examined the impact of MESOCLOSURE dimensions on exclusion efficiency, whereas in the temperate grassland, we assessed the potential for selectively excluding and including community members by different mesh sizes. In the temperate environment, we also went from method to application, using MESOCLOSURES to relate community composition to functioning under two simulated grazing regimes. MESOCLOSURES allowed efficient manipulation of dung beetle communities, maintaining dung beetle densities at intended levels in both temperate and tropical systems. In the tropics, the smallest cages (1 × 1 m) offered the highest contrast in beetle densities inside vs. outside of the fence, whereas the largest cages (9 × 9 m) offered the lowest. Nonetheless, densities inside cages never exceed one‐fifth of those outside. At the temperate site, manipulations of community structure through mesh size yielded significant differences in functioning and suggested an interaction between small dung‐dwelling species and large tunnelling species. Within cages, higher grazing was reflected in augmented dung removal. We conclude that MESOCLOSURES can be effectively used to study dung beetle functions across habitats and latitudes. As applied insights, the present study adds resolution to the significance of different functional groups of dung beetles and shows that grazing pressure may have an important impact on the ecosystem functions that they provide. Overall, this study suggests that targeted manipulation of dispersal may offer new solutions for linking fauna to ecosystem functions with minimal impact on the processes measured.
Dating Subduction Events in East Anatolia, Turkey

This paper describes a case of fibrinopurulent epididymitis and orchitis in a Merino ram owing to Brucella melitensis biovar 3, detected by histopathology, bacteriology, and PCR. Gross lesions included enlargement of the scrotum by abundant fibrinous exudate and adhesions between testicular tunics. Histopathologic lesions were characterized by epididymal abscesses and testicular atrophy. B. melitensis was cultured from the exudate as well as the internal organs of the ram. After conventional biotyping procedures were applied, the isolate was identified as B. melitensis biovar 3. The isolate was also confirmed as Brucella spp. by genus-specific PCR.
Divisions

The range of Council-membership interests is great. Overlapping the usual diversifications in the various operational activities of education programs -such as teacher education, administration, classroom instruction, and the like-are the adaptations of these activities to the problems of education for each type of exceptional child. Such a variety of interests, with all the possible combinations thereof, necessitates a broad and comprehensive professional program to serve it. A recent questionnaire-type survey indicates that a little more than 50 percent of CEC membership is composed of classroom teachers of exceptional children and youth. Presumably the majority of these teachers are basically concerned with a single exceptionality. In like manner, the every-day jobs of certain other Council members involve the education of only one type of child. Experience indicates that the Council's ability to attract such persons, either into membership or convention attendance, has depended in large measure on its ability to help them with the educational problems in their respective specialities. For example, it was not until CEC introduced section meetings, involving the various exceptionalities, into its convention programs that convention attendance began to
Effect of Work Stress on Employee Performance in the Public Sector in Kenya: A Case of the National Treasury

The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of work stress on employee performance in the public sector in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Michigan ModelWork Stress. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 1270 drawn from different directorates at the National Treasury Headquarters. The sample size of this study was calculated from the Slovin‟s formula to give a sample size of 304 respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data and consisted of both structured and open ended questions to give qualitative and quantitative data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in which frequencies and percentages were used. SPSS was used to analyze the data and to determine whether the independent variables were related to the dependent variable. The study findings revealed notably a strong positive relationship between the independent variables and dependent variable as shown by R value (0.866). The coefficient of determination (R2) explains the extent to which changes in the dependent variable can be explained by the change in the independent variables or the percentage of variation in the dependent variable and the four independent variables that were studied explain 75.00% of the employee performance as represented by the R2.This therefore means that other factors not studied in this research contribute 25.00% to the employee performance. This implies that these variables are very significant therefore need to be considered in any effort to boost employee performance in the public sector in Kenya. Further, the study results indicated a correlation between work overload, work conflict, work ambiguity and job security with the employee performance in the public sector in Kenya. The study established that work overload is a big concern for all the employees in the public sector. Some employees experienced pressure due to work overload and based on the finding of the study, it is important that the government do constant appraisal programs and appreciation should be given to reinstate and motivate the employees. The study findings indicated that work place conflict affected employee performance in the public sector. After the comprehensive study of the concept of work conflict and its effects on employee performance the study recommends that supervisors must find and resolve the work conflicts and also its impact on employee performance.
Red-Light-Induced Resistance in Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.) to Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Alternaria tenuissima

The effect of different light wavelengths on the development of lesions induced by Alternaria tenuissima in broad bean leaves was investigated. Lesion development was completely suppressed in red-light-irradiated broad bean leaflets, irrespective of isolate or spore concentration. Pre-treatment of leaflets with red light for 24 h before inoculation also suppressed lesion development. Alternaria tenuissima failed to produce infection hyphae in red-light-irradiated broad bean leaflets. These results indicate that disease suppression in broad bean leaflets is due to light-induced resistance. Spore germination fluid (SGF) of A. tenuissima allowed non-pathogenic Alternaria alternata to infect wounded and unwounded broad bean leaflets kept in the dark, results suggesting that SGF induced susceptibility. Red light suppressed susceptibility induced by A. tenuissima SGF; thus, lesion formation and development were suppressed when leaflets inoculated with the spores of A. alternata suspended in A. tenuissima SGF were kept under red light. From these results, we conclude that red light induced resistance in broad bean to leaf spot disease caused by A. tenuissima, and that SGF induced susceptibility of broad bean leaflets to a non-pathogenic isolate of A. alternata.
Spatial and temporal variability in juvenile coral densities, survivorship and recruitment in La Parguera, southwestern Puerto Rico

Abstract. Juvenile coral survivorship (the proportion of juvenile colonies surviving from t1 to t2) was assessed by counting, photographing and mapping all juveniles found in 2003 within random permanent 0.25m2 quadrats at four depth intervals at each of four inshore and mid-shelf reefs and at deeper habitats (>18m) in two shelf-edge reefs (N=96/reef) in La Parguera, southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Quadrats were resurveyed and photographed in 2005 to evaluate surviving juveniles, mortality and new recruits. Total number of juveniles dropped from 718 in 31 scleractinian species in 2003 to 396 in 28 species in 2005, an average juvenile survivorship of 54.8%. Mean juvenile density decreased from 1.2 (± 0.06) colonies/0.25 m2 in 2003 to 0.7 (± 0.05) colonies/0.25 m2 in 2005. Juvenile coral composition, relative abundances, survivorship and recruitment varied significantly across depth intervals within reefs and among reefs. Some species with high relative abundances in 2003 showed high survivorship in 2005 [Siderastrea siderea (28.3% and 65% respectively), Porites astreoides (15.1% and 55.6%), and Diploria strigosa (7.5% and 45.2%)]. Other taxa had relative low abundances but high survivorship [Montastraea cavernosa (4.6% and 66.7%) and Stephanocoenia intersepta (4.6% and 48.3%)]. Survivorship was significantly higher in deeper habitats at three of the four fringing reefs. Furthermore, the semi-exposed inshore, highly sedimented reefs, showed higher juvenile survivorship than the mid-shelf and shelf-edge reefs. There was no clear relationship between survivorship and reproductive mode (brooding vs. broadcast spawning) of sexual reproduction. Overall, only 78 new recruits were found in 2005.
Effects of selenomethionine and sodium selenite supplementation on meat quality, selenium distribution and antioxidant status in broilers.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of selenomethionine (Se-Met) and sodium selenite (SS) supplementation on meat quality, selenium (Se) distribution, and antioxidant status in broil - ers. A total of 360 seven-days-old Ross 308 broilers of an average body weight 162 ± 0.59 g were randomly allotted to three treatments, each of which included three replications of 40 birds. The treatments included a control diet containing 0.04 mg Se/kg and other two diets that contained 0.15 mg Se/kg supplemented by SS or Se-Met. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Selenium supplementation improved ( P < 0.05) the Hunter a value of breast muscle in 8 and 16 h and decreased ( P < 0.05) the drip loss of breast muscle in 24 and 48 Both Se sources and exposed time significantly influenced ( P < 0.01) the drip loss of breast muscle. Selenium and glutathione concentrations in serum and in the studied organs were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) after dietary Se supplementation while the Se-Met group showed the highest value ( P < 0.05). Glutathione per - oxidase activity in serum and in the studied organs was also significantly elevated ( P < 0.05) by dietary Se supplementation while SS increased the glutathione peroxidase activities in pancreas and breast muscle to a larger extent ( P < 0.05) than did Se-Met. The addition of Se from either source caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase activities in tissues (except for kidney) whereas the Se-Met group was more effective (P < 0.05) than the SS group in breast muscle. Selenium supplementation increased ( P < 0.05) the total antioxidant capability in serum, liver, kidney and breast muscle while the Se-Met group proved to be more effective (P < 0.05) than the SS group except for kidney. The Se-supplemented diets had a lower (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in serum and in the studied organs but the effect was more pro - nounced ( P < 0.05) when Se-Met was used except for the serum. These results indicated that Se-Met sup - plementation was more effective than SS supplementation for depositing Se in serum and tissues, enhancing the antioxidant status and reducing the drip loss of breast muscle.
SPATIAL SEPARATION OF CARIBOU FROM MOOSE AND ITS RELATION TO PREDATION BY WOLVES

Abstract In northeastern Alberta, Canada, continued expansion of the oil and gas industry along with timber harvesting has raised concerns that the resulting environmental changes may negatively affect the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population in this region. Caribou are a threatened species in Alberta, and populations in northeastern Alberta appear to be stable or slightly decreasing. The spatial distribution of caribou in relation to alternative prey (commonly moose [Alces alces]) has been hypothesized to affect the level of wolf (Canis lupus) predation on caribou populations. We monitored radiomarked caribou, moose, and wolves between 1993 and 1997, and we found that selection of fen/bog complexes by caribou and selection of well-drained habitats by moose and wolves resulted in spatial separation. This spatial separation in turn reduced wolf predation pressure on caribou but did not provide a total refuge from wolves. Any management activities that increase the density of moose and wolves or increase access of wolves into fen/bog complexes will likely reduce the refuge effect provided by large fen/bog complexes.
Hypothetical LOC387715 is a second major susceptibility gene for age-related macular degeneration, contributing independently of complement factor H to disease risk

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease and a prevalent cause of visual impairment in developed countries. Risk factors include environmental components and genetic determinants. The complement factor H (CFH) has been the first major susceptibility gene for AMD identified within 1q32. Here, we focused on a second region of interest in 10q26 where a recent meta-analysis revealed strongest evidence for linkage to AMD at a genome-wide significance level. Within an interval of 22 Mb, we have analyzed 93 single nucleotide polymorphisms for allelic association with AMD in two independent case-control cohorts of German origin (AMD(combined) n=1166; controls(combined) n=945). Significant association was found across a 60 kb region of high linkage disequilibrium harboring two genes PLEKHA1 and hypothetical LOC387715. The strongest association (P=10(-34)) centered over a frequent coding polymorphism, Ala69Ser, at LOC387715, strongly implicating this gene in the pathogenesis of AMD. Besides abundant expression in placenta, we demonstrate weak expression of LOC387715 in the human retina. At present, however, there is no functional information on this gene, which appears to have evolved recently within the primate lineage. The joint contribution of the common risk allele at LOC387715, Ala69Ser, and at CFH, Tyr402His, was assessed in our case-control population, which suggests an additive model indicating an independent contribution of the two gene loci to disease risk. Our data show a disease odds ratio of 57.6 (95% CI: 37.2, 89.0) conferred by homozygosity for risk alleles at both CFH and LOC387715 when compared with the baseline non-risk genotype.
THE EARLIEST KNOWN PIPOID FROG FROM SOUTH AMERICA: A NEW GENUS FROM THE MIDDLE CRETACEOUS OF ARGENTINA

Abstract Vertebrate remains from the Late Albian–Early Cenomanian Candeleros Formation of northwestern Patagonia include those of a pipoid frog, which is described herein. The fossils consist of partially articulated and disarticulated elements, some of them badly broken, that are mostly exposed in ventral aspect. The description is based on one incomplete skeleton that presumably belongs to a single individual; this specimen possesses a combination of character states not present in other known non-palaeobatrachid pipimorph taxa and is identified here as a new genus and species, Avitabatrachus uliana. The species is moderately small (estimated snout-vent length ca. 35 mm) and shares with Pipidae conch-like squamosals, deeply excavated prootics to form channels for the Eustachian tubes, articulations for the lower jaws at the anterolateral corners of otic capsules, and fused sacrum and urostyle. Avitabatrachus possesses at least eight presacral vertebrae, the first two of which are fused, with flat, opisthocoelous centra. Unique features of this taxon are the presence of parasagittal flanges along the posterior halves of the otic capsules and the wide transverse processes of the posterior presacral vertebrae, which are only slightly anteriorly directed. Preliminary comparisons with other fossil pipoid taxa in the context of recent parsimony analyses suggest that it is the sister taxon of Pipidae. However, this phylogenetic placement of the new taxon should be corroborated in a future rigorous analysis that should include some putative stem pipid taxa that currently are being restudied.
Analysis of various sweeteners in low‐sugar mixed fruit jam: equivalent sweetness, time‐intensity analysis and acceptance test

Summary For a sweetener to successfully replace sucrose in food formulations, studies must first be conducted to determine the concentrations of the sweeteners to be used and their equivalent sweetness compared with sucrose. After establishing the optimal concentration of each sweetener, it is necessary to determine which is more similar to sucrose. The objective of this study was to determine the equivalent amount of different sweeteners, necessary to promote the same degree of ideal sweetness in mixed fruit (marolo, sweet passion fruit and soursop) jam and to characterise the time–intensity profile and consumer acceptance. With respect to the mixed fruit jam containing 40% (w/w) of sucrose, sucralose presented the highest sweetening power, being 1033.59 times sweeter than sucrose, followed by sucralose/acesulfame-K/neotame 5:3:0.1 (982.80), sucralose/steviol glycoside 2:1 (862.67), sucralose/acesulfame-K 3:1 (847.45) and sucralose/thaumatin 1:0.6 (284.29). The sweeteners had a time–intensity sweetness profile similar to sucrose and a time–intensity bitterness profile different from sucrose but similar among themselves. In relation to sensory acceptance, a significant difference between the low-sugar jam and the traditional jam was not observed.
Yield and Physiological Response of Flue-Cured Tobacco to Simulated Glyphosate Drift1

Field trials were conducted in 2001 at the Tobacco Research Station near Oxford, NC, and in 2002 at the Lower Coastal Plains Research Station near Kinston, NC, to determine tobacco yield, injury, and shikimic acid accumulation in response to simulated glyphosate drift. Glyphosate was applied to 12- to 13-cm-high tobacco ‘K326’ early postemergence at 0, 9, 18, 35, 70, 140, 280, 560, and 1,120 (1×) g ai/ha. Crop injury was rated 7 and 35 d after treatment (DAT) and shikimic acid accumulation in leaves at 7 DAT, tobacco yield, and leaf grade index (whole-plant index of harvest interval leaf value) were also assessed. Shikimic acid accumulation and injury symptoms increased similarly as glyphosate rate increased. Glyphosate rates of 140 g/ha (0.125 of recommended rate) or higher resulted in significant crop injury, reduced tobacco yield, and decreased leaf grade index. Shikimic acid accumulation at 7 DAT was inversely related to tobacco yield. Shikimic acid accumulation was found to be an effective diagnostic tool to determine glyphosate drift in tobacco; however, in-season data are needed to correlate shikimic acid accumulation with yield loss. Nomenclature: Glyphosate; tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. ‘K326’. Additional index words: Crop injury, herbicide assay, shikimate. Abbreviation: DAT, days after treatment.
Pharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants for Activity at Dopamine Receptor Subtypes. I. Activation of D1-Like Receptor Linked Adenylyl Cyclase

Nearly 100 aqueous, organic and alcoholic extracts of 46 Bolivian, Chinese and Indian medicinal plants were evaluated for their ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase using Sf9 cells expressing rat D1a dopamine receptors in a broken cell assay. The aqueous extract of Cestrum parqui, a Bolivian plant of the Solanaceae, stimulated adenylyl cyclase in Sf9 cells expressing either rat D1a or rat D1b receptors, but no stimulation was observed in uninfected Sf9 cells. Flupenthixol, a nonselective dopaminergic antagonist, was found to attenuate both dopamine- and extract-dependent stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. The extract stimulated adenylyl cyclase in a concentration-dependent manner. However, adenylyl cyclase activity returned to basal levels at the highest concentration of extract that was tested. The extract was also evaluated for the ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase in stably transfected HEK cells expressing human D1 receptors using a cAMP accumulation, whole cell assay. The extract stimulated HEK cells expressing human D1a dopamine receptors, but no enzyme stimulation was observed in untransfected HEK cells. Studies using transfected HEK cells expressing D2 receptors indicate that this extract also has intrinsic activity at D2 dopamine receptor. These studies suggest that this plant extract contains a component that is an agonist at dopamine receptors.