Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cotton Response to Surface Applications of Potassium Fertilizer: A 10‐Year Summary

Field studies were conducted for 10 yr on a Limestone Valley soil (Dewey silt loam, a fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleudults) in north Alabama to evaluate cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and lint quality response to long-term surface applications of K. Potassium rates were 0, 60, 120, and 180 lb K 2 O/acre for the first 3 yr of the study. Fertilizer was broadcast in the spring or split applied in fall and spring. No K fertilizer was applied during the fourth year (1990). After the fourth year, half of the treatments were left in residual and remaining treatments continued to receive annual applications of K (1991-1996). The experiment was a split plot arrangement of a randomized complete block. From 1987 to 1989, two varieties were compared, which served as whole plots. From 1991 through 1996, one variety was grown and annual vs. residual K fertilization served as whole plots. Potassium treatments were used as subplots throughout the test. From 1987 to 1989 there were no differences between 'Stoneville 825' and 'Deltapine 50'. Lint yields were increased significantly by K fertilization in 6 of 9 yr that cotton was grown on this low K soil. Potassium fertilization increased lint yields by as much as 450 lb/acre in responsive years. From 1991 through 1996, residual K produced lesser yields than where K was applied annually. There were no differences in lint yield among split (fall-spring), fall, or spring applied K. In responsive years, micronaire increased with K rate. Our results support the calibration currently used by the Auburn University Soil Testing Lab for Limestone Valley soils.
Evolution of simple population dynamics

We investigated the evolution of demographic parameters determining the dynamics of a mathematical model for populations with discrete generations. In particular, we considered whether the dynamic behaviour will evolve to stability or chaos. Without constraints on the three parameters - equilibrium density, growth rate and dynamic complexity – simple dynamics rapidly evolved. First, selection on the complexity parameter moved the system to the edge of stability, then the complexity parameter evolved into the region associated with stable equilibria by random drift. Most constraints on the parameters changed these conclusions only qualitatively. For example, if the equilibrium density was bounded, drift was slower, and the system spent more time at the edge of stability and did not move as far into the region of stability. If the equilibrium density was positively correlated with the complexity, the opposing selection pressures for increased equilibrium density and for reduced complexity made the edge of stability evoludonarily stable: drift into the stable region was prevented. If, in addition, the growth rate was bounded, complex dynamics could evolve. Nevertheless, this was the only scenario where chaos was a possible evolutionary outcome, and there was a clear overall tendency for the populations to evolve simple dynamics.
Cybercrime

 A botnet (short for robot network) is made up of computers communicating with each other over the internet. A command and control centre uses them to send spam, mount distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks (see below) and commit other crimes.  A rootkit is a collection of programmes that enable administrator-level access to a computer or computer network, thus allowing the attacker to gain root or privileged access to the computer and possibly other machines on the same network.  A worm replicates itself over a computer network and performs malicious actions without guidance.  A trojan poses as, or is embedded within, a legitimate programme, but it is designed for malicious purposes, such as spying, stealing data, deleting files, expanding a botnet, and performing DDoS attacks.  A file infector infects executable files (such as .exe) by overwriting them or inserting infected code that disables them.
Niche breadth and niche overlap in three epixylic hepatics in a boreal old-growth forest, southern Finland

Abstract We investigated substratum preference, niche breadth and niche overlap in relation to selected substratum variables in three epixylic hepatics: Anastrophyllum hellerianum, Lophozia silvicola and L. longiflora. The species studied inhabit coarse woody debris, which is a patchily distributed substratum with varying qualities as determined by tree species, patch size, bark cover and stage of wood decay. The three hepatic species differ in substratum specificity and reproductive mode, being either prevailingly sexual or asexual. Although the species possessed differences in substratum preference, between-species niche overlap values were high. All three species showed wide ecological amplitude in relation to coarse woody debris quality. Our results suggest that the epixylic hepatics A. hellerianum, L. silvicola and L. longiflora exhibit opportunistic strategies in relation to substratum quality, thus maximizing survival on a temporally and patchily distributed substratum.
Comparison of ergosterol and chitin as quantitative estimates of mycorrhizal infection and Pinuscontorta seedling response to inoculation

The ergosterol and chitin content of 35-week-old Pinuscontorta var. latifolia Engelm. roots ectomycorrhizal with Hebelomacrustuliniforme (Bull.:St. Amans) Quel. were compared as indices of intramatrical mycelial mass. Ergosterol analyses were less labor intensive (about one-half) and detected differences in mycorrhizal establishment among P fertilization treatments, whereas differences found using chitin analyses were not statistically significant. Intramatrical mycelial estimates by the two techniques were not correlated (r = 0.15); estimates based on ergosterol were 2–5 times greater than those based on chitin, with the chitin:ergosterol ratio increasing as P fertilization increased. Owing to its sensitivity and specificity, the ergosterol assay is a practical means of monitoring the establishment of ectomycorrhizae in pine roots.
Population genetics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the River Shannon system in Ireland: an appraisal using single locus minisatellite (VNTR) probes

Au moyen d'une analyse de l'ADN minisatellite a locus unique, nous avons etudie la genetique des populations de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar) du bassin du Shannon, en Irlande. Depuis la construction d'installations hydroelectriques pres de l'embouchure de ce fleuve de 340 km (en 1929), un vaste programme d'empoissonnement complementaire a ete entrepris en 1960 (initialement au moyen d'ovules canadiens). Nous avons preleve dans neuf affluents du fleuve des echantillons renfermant au moins 100 tacons sauvages, avec echantillonnage temporel dans le cas de trois affluents. Nous avons ainsi soumis 1252 poissons a un depistage visant quatre locus minisatellites, au moyen des trois sondes a minisatellite pSsa-A45/1, pSsa-A45/2 et pStr-A9. Trois des locus etaient tres variables (Ssa-A45/1, Ssa-A45/2/1 et Str-A9), revelant ainsi la presence de 9, 10 et 8 alleles separables, respectivement, pour l'ensemble des echantillons. Les trois locus presentaient respectivement des taux moyens d'heterozygotie de 0,61, 0,67 et 0,71. Les saumons des affluents situes en aval des installations hydroelectriques semblent distincts de ceux des affluents situes en amont, mais cette difference est principalement attribuable a la derive genetique resultant du taux d'echappee mediocre qui caracterise les saumons adultes de certains affluents situes en amont. Aucun allele specifique au stock canadien n'a ete detecte en ce qui concerne le quatrieme locus (Ssa-a45/2/2).
Northern Hemisphere sea ice variability: lag structure and its implications

ABSTRACT An analysis of satellite sea-ice records for recent decades reveals a highly coherent spatial and temporal structure of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) wintertime sea-ice variability and its close link to anomalous atmospheric circulation. The dominant mode of the wintertime sea-ice variability is characterized by a double-dipole composed of one dipole over the North Atlantic and the other over the North Pacific, which are mutually correlated interannually. This dominant sea-ice mode is lag correlated with the winter-averaged North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index at lags up to two winters when the NAO leads. In the sub-Arctic, significant lead—lag relationships exist between sea-ice extent (SIE) anomalies on regional scales, which are closely associated with atmospheric circulation anomalies. An eastward evolving pattern is identified in regional SIE anomalies from the Labrador to Nordic and farther to the Okhotsk Sea at multi-year time-scales, led by anomalously weak Aleutian and strong Icelandic lows. The results suggest the presence of climate memories over the North Atlantic and Eurasia, which are crucial for recent downward trends in the NH SIE by transforming atmospheric influences into slower changes in sea-ice conditions. The summer Okhotsk high, which leads to a sea-ice reduction along the east Siberian coast and further affects sea-ice conditions over the Arctic Ocean, is a key link between summer Arctic and winter sub-Arctic sea-ice trends. We also conjecture that variations and changes in the NH sea-ice conditions are linked to climate variability in the tropics.
Seasonal inter-relationships in atmospheric methane and companion δ13C values: effects of sinks and sources

Recent developments in applying carbon-isotope information to better understand regional and global methane budgets infer a strong role by a highly fractionating seasonal sink such as atomic chlorine. Specifically, OH as the predominant seasonal sink cannot account for the ‘phase ellipses’ based on observed seasonal cycles of methane mixing ratio and isotope ratio, δ13C. Although a strong role by atomic chlorine is inferred empirically, open questions remain about the interplay between sources and sinks in determining the properties of phase ellipses. This paper employs a simple didactic model of the seasonal cycling of atmospheric methane to understand such interplay. We demonstrate that a single seasonal sink and seasonal source act together to imprint anti-phase seasonalities on atmospheric methane and δ13C, which lead to phase ellipses that collapse onto a straight line with slope characteristic of that sink. This explains empirical findings of these anti-phase relationships in three-dimensional modelling studies. We also demonstrate that multiple seasonal sinks acting with a seasonal source can yield surprising properties for the phase ellipse that not only explain some features of phase ellipses reported in modelling studies but also have the potential to explain marked inter-annual variation in phase ellipses based on observation.
Annual carbon fluxes in the upper Greenland Sea based on measurements and a box-model approach

Measurements of nitrate and the carbonate system parameters performed mainly from 1993 to 1997 have been used to estimate the evolution of the concentration fields over the year in the surface and underlying waters of the central Greenland Sea. This, together with synoptic surface wind data from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis project, is used to evaluate the vertical mixing, the biological production and decay, as well as the air-sea exchange of CO2 in the region. In the winter season, the vertical mixing dominates the change of the nitrate concentration in the surface water. The mixing factor estimated for this season is used to compute the addition of chemical constituents to the surface water from below. The residual nitrate concentration change, after the mixing contribution has been subtracted, is attributed to biological production or decay. The computations are performed with a 1-day resolution and initially the advective contribution is neglected, as the horizontal gradients in the central Greenland Sea gyre are small. Following this approach, the air-sea flux of CO2 is directed into the sea all year around, with an annual uptake of 53 ± 4 g C m±2 yr±1 for the years 93 to 97. The carbon flux as driven by biology shows a strong primary production peak around Julian day 140 followed by a decrease which turns into decay of organic matter at about day 200. Summarizing the biological activity in the surface water over the year gives a new production of 34 g C m±2 r±1. The vertical flux of dissolved inorganic carbon into the surface water from below amounts to 11 g C m±2 yr±1. The build up of carbon in the surface water, 30 g C m±2 yr±1, is explained by that the temperature of the outflowing water is approximately 2°C colder than the inflowing water, giving a higher dissolved inorganic carbon concentration as a result of the increase in the solubility of carbon dioxide with lower temperatures. The uncertainties in the above stated numbers are ±20%.
Allozyme Perspective on Mitochondrial DNA Variation and Evolution of the Death Valley Pupfishes (Cyprinodontidae: Cyprinodon)

We used allozymes encoded by 32 gene loci in 12 species of Cyprinodon (Cyprinodontidae) to examine the evolution of the C. nevadensis complex, a group of four species (seven extant subspp.) in the Death Valley System of California and Nevada. The most parsimonious phylogenetic trees supported monophyly of the C. nevadensis complex (C. diabolis, C. nevadensis, and C. salinus from Ash Meadows-Death Valley, and C. radiosus from Owens Valley). However, a hypothesis involving a diphyletic origin of the complex was nearly as parsimonious. The geographic distribution of alleles, together with results from an earlier study of mtDNA variation, suggest that introgressive hybridization has occurred between two divergent pupfishes that gained access to the Death Valley System. We suggest that secondary contact and introgressive hybridization among western pupfishes may have been more common in wetter times of the past than is generally appreciated. Such an event would explain conflicting phylogenetic statements from allozymes and mtDNA, as well as a variety of additional observations on variation in the western pupfishes. IN this paper we use a phylogenetic analysis of allozyme variation to examine the evolution of the "Death Valley pupfishes" (Cyprinodontidae: Cyprinodon). The Death Valley pupfishes comprise the C. nevadensis complex (Liu, 1969), a group of four species (seven extant
Occurrence and Species of Lice on Free-living and Captive Raptors in California

Abstract This study determined the occurrence and identity of chewing lice (Mallophaga) on 35 clinically healthy raptors presented with traumatic injuries at the California Raptor Center during the summers of 1993 and 1994. Samples of lice were collected and preserved in 70% ethanol during physical examinations within 24 hours of admission. Eleven species of chewing lice were collected and identified from 7 species of raptors, including 2 long-term captive birds. All louse species except 1 were on their usual, previously documented raptor hosts. Four of the 10 species of free-living birds examined had no lice, but their sample sizes were small (1–3 birds each). At least 1 bird from each of the other 6 raptor species harbored some lice, but only 2 species, an American kestrel (Falco sparverius) and a barn owl (Tyto alba) were sampled in useful numbers. One of 8 kestrels yielded lice (1 species), and 4 of 14 barn owls were infested with lice (representing 2 species). Two captive birds, a spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) and a Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), were infested with lice (1 species each) after 463 days and 1198 days in captivity, respectively.
A phenolic–taxometric study of Medicago (Leguminosae)

Phenolics from dried leaf tissue of 47 species of Medicago were examined using two-dimensional chromatography on polyamide plates. A few samples from the closely related genera Melilotus and Trigonella were also studied. Compounds tentatively identified as cyanidin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin, chrysoeriol, tricin, and coumestrol were found. Proanthocyanidins were not detected in the leaf tissue of any of the species. Apigenin was found in all species of Medicago except M. cretacea but not in the one species of Melilotus or the two of Trigonella studied. Two additional compounds as yet unidentified were also restricted to Medicago. All of the phenolics were detected as aglycones with the possible exceptions of glucuronides and C-glycosides which are strongly resistant to hydrolysis. Data for the phenolic compounds were subjected to numerical taxonomic analysis. The single species of Melilotus and the two species of Trigonella were dramatically different from Medicago in their phenolic compos.
Impact of three silvicultural treatments on weevil incidence, growth, phenology, and branch-level dynamics of Pinus strobus from large and small populations

Our goal was to quantify tree- and branch-level components of growth response to three silvicultural treatments (STs), and weevil incidence in white pine (Pinus strobus L.) from large, central populations in Ontario (ON) versus small, isolated populations in Newfoundland (NL). Light levels were 100%, 42.0%, and 20.4% transmittance for the full-sun, intermediate-shade, and high-shade STs. After 8 years, the overall incidence of weevil infestation was 42.1%, 23.4%, and 13.7% for the full-sun, intermediate-shade, and high-shade STs, respectively (P < 0.001). Weevil impact on total height and volume averaged –13.2% and –11.8%. Analysis of dominant lateral shoots showed that ON populations had 32% longer shoots than the NL populations. Bud set difference was a primary determinant of shoot-length growth differences between regions: Julian days 171 and 184 for the NL and ON populations, respectively. The primary determining factors related to shoot length were the number of needle bundles and region, driven by l.
The CASPASE-8 Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

The cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease 8 (CASP8) is a key enzyme in the apoptosis and genetic polymorphisms in this gene have been reported to affect the gene expression and its enzymatic activity. A six-nucleotide insertion-deletion polymorphism (-652 6N ins/del, rs3834129) in the CASP8 promoter has been shown to be associated with susceptibility to multiple cancers in the Asian populations. Here we report results of genotyping the CASP8 ins/del polymorphism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and controls from Norway, all of which are of Caucasian origin. The overall odds ratio for NSCLC was 1.40 (95% CI, 0.95-2.06). When subjects were grouped according to gender, males carrying del/del genotype had an increased odds ratio for developing NSCLC with an OR of 1.61 (95% CI, 1.02-2.53, P=0.039). Somatic mutations of the TP53 gene in tumors were also analyzed and the results showed no interaction between alterations in TP53 and the CASP8 polymorphism. These results contradict a protective effect of this polymorphism on lung cancer as it has been reported in the Asian populations. The results are discussed in relation to population and exposure specific effects of this polymorphism.
Determination of nitrogen in soil by the Kjeldahl method

1. The reliability of the Kjeldahl method for the determination of nitrogen in soils has been investigated using a range of soils containing from 0·03 to 2·7% nitrogen. 2. The same result was obtained when soil was analysed by a variety of Kjeldahl procedures which included methods known to recover various forms of nitrogen not determined by Kjeldahl procedures commonly employed for soil analysis. From this and other evidence presented it is concluded that very little, if any, of the nitrogen in the soils examined was in the form of highly refractory nitrogen compounds or of compounds containing N—N or N—O linkages. 3. Results by the method of determining nitrogen in soils recommended by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists were 10–37% lower than those obtained by other methods tested. Satisfactory results were obtained by this method when the period of digestion recommended was increased. 4. Ammonium-N fixed by clay minerals is determined by the Kjeldahl method. 5. Selenium and mercury are considerably more effective than copper for catalysis of Kjeldahl digestion of soil. Conditions leading to loss of nitrogen using selenium are defined, and difficulties encountered using mercury are discussed. 6. The most important factor in Kjeldahl analysis is the temperature of digestion with sulphuric acid, which is controlled largely by the amount of potassium (or sodium) sulphate used for digestion. 7. The period of digestion required for Kjeldahl analysis of soil depends on the concentration of potassium sulphate in the digest. When the concentration is low (e.g. 0·3 g./ml. sulphuric acid) it is necessary to digest for several hours; when it is high (e.g. 1·0 g./ml. sulphuric acid) short periods of digestion are adequate. Catalysts greatly affect the rate of digestion when the salt concentration is low, but have little effect when the salt concentration is high. 8. Nitrogen is lost during Kjeldahl analysis when the temperature of digestion exceeds about 400° C. 9. Determinations of the amounts of sulphuric acid consumed by various mineral and organic soils during Kjeldahl digestion showed that there is little risk of loss of nitrogen under the conditions usually employed for Kjeldahl digestion of soil. Acid consumption values for various soil constituents are given, from which the amounts of sulphuric acid likely to be consumed during Kjeldahl digestion of different types of soil can be calculated. 10. Semi-micro Kjeldahl methods of determining soil nitrogen gave the same results as macro-Kjeldahl methods. 11. The use of the Hoskins apparatus for the determination of ammonium is described. 12. It is concluded that the Kjeldahl method is satisfactory for the determination of nitrogen in soils provided a few simple precautions are observed. The merits and defects of different Kjeldahl procedures are discussed.
Preparation for Young People Leaving Care: The Case of SOS Children's Village, Ghana

A growing concern for child welfare is how preparation for adulthood programmes can be strengthened to more effectively meet the needs of youth in out-of-home care. There is a gap in our knowledge about how young adults in out-of-home care in Africa are prepared for their transition to adulthood. The present study adds to the current body of research on the subject by exploring the preparation for adulthood experiences of young Ghanaian care-leavers with a particular focus on sources, needs and barriers to preparation for leaving care. Interviews were conducted with 27 young adults who had exited the SOS children's village in Tema, Ghana and were analysed using the framework approach. The key findings of the study were that young adults used a variety of sources in preparing for adulthood, which included the SOS mother, the youth facilities and the boarding house. The youth identified a number of deficits in their preparation for leaving care including finance, accommodation and cultural skills. They also identified a number of barriers to their preparation including the lack of support and guidance and a lack of input into decisions regarding their future. Recommendations for improving the practice of independent living preparation are proposed. These recommendations include formally involving care-givers in the preparation process and including young people in decisions relating to their preparation.
‘I fell out of a tree and broke my neck’: acknowledging fantasy in children's research contributions

Creative and increasingly playful methods are now widespread in geographical research with children. These methods, encouraging imagination and fun, may illicit fantastical responses from children. However, ‘untruths’ in research contributions continue to be considered as reflective of failures in the research process. By ignoring untrue contributions we risk losing valuable data and silencing one form of children's voices. This paper calls for considered discourse on how imagination and fantasy might be included in analysis of research outcomes.