Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HOST PLANTS MEDIATE OMNIVORE–HERBIVORE INTERACTIONS AND INFLUENCE PREY SUPPRESSION

We conducted laboratory and field experiments to determine the effects of plant quality and prey abundance on the intensity of interactions involving an omnivorous insect, its two herbivorous prey, and their shared host plant. We found that variation in plant quality, prey abundance, and presence of alternative prey altered the functional response of the omnivorous big-eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Heteroptera: Geocoridae). The presence of high-quality plant parts (lima bean pods) reduced the number of prey (pea aphids and corn earworm eggs) consumed by big-eyed bugs. The results of our caged, field experiments mirrored those of the functional-response experiment. Populations of pea aphids were larger when caged with big-eyed bugs on bean plants with pods than on plants without pods. Pods, therefore, had an indirect, positive effect on the survivorship of herbivorous insects that feed on lima beans. Because pods reduced the number of prey consumed by big-eyed bugs, and caged prey populations were larger o.
The effect of dairy effluent on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics, and mineral content of summer-active regrowth forage crops in southern Australia

InsouthernAustralia,themajorityofdrylanddairyfarmsusea2-pondsystemtotreatandcontaindairyeffluent collectedatthemilkingplatform.Thiseffluentcontainsarangeofnutrientsthathavethepotentialtoaffectforagedrymatter (DM) yields, nutritive characteristics, and mineral content of forages. The effect of applying second-pond dairy effluent to the summer-active forages chicory (Chichorium intybus L. cv. Grouse), Hunter (Brassica campestris L. � Brassica napus L.), Winfred (Brassica napus L.), and Sweet Jumbo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) MoenchSorghum sudanese (Piper) Stapf. ) over two summer periods was measured. Effluent was appliedatratesof0,40,80,and100mmwithapplicationsplitintotwoequalapplicationtimes.The firstoccurred6-10weeks aftersowingandthesecondimmediatelyafterthe firstgrazing.ForageswereassessedforDMyield,nutritivecharacteristics, and mineral content over the two growth periods in each year. Analysis of effluent showed that on average over the 2 years, the effluent contained 146, 34, 439, and 18kg/ML of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),potassium(K),andsulfur(S),respectively.Furthermore,theeffluentalsocontained161kg/ML of calcium (Ca) and 222kg/ML of magnesium (Mg). For the total growth period in Year 1, all crops showed a linear increase (P <0.05) in DM yield to applied effluent, with responsevaluesvaryingforeachcrop.Responseswere49,52,29,and51kgDM/ha.mmappliedeffluentforchicory,Hunter, Sweet Jumbo, and Winfred, respectively. For Year 2, all crops also showed a linear increase (P <0.05) in DM yield (15kgDM/ha.mm applied effluent) with applied effluent. In Year 1, crude protein (CP) content of all crops increased (P <0.05)inalinearmanneratratesof0.073and0. 047%permmappliedeffluentforgrowthperiods1and2.Therewerealso linear responses (P <0.05) in Year 2, with responses varying for each crop for each growth period. For chicory there was no effect of effluent application on CP content in either growth period, while other crops generally exhibited a linear increase with responses of up to 0.08% per mm applied effluent. The greatest changesin mineral content of herbage were those of K, Ca,andMg.Therewasalinearincrease(P <0.05)inKcontentforallgrowthperiodsinYears1and2.Magnesiumcontentof chicory (periods 1 and 2) and Winfred (period 2) showed a linear decrease (P <0.05) in response to effluent application in Year 1, whereas there was no effect in Year 2 for any crops. The results from this study highlight the potential of second-pond dairy effluent to increase DM yields of a range of summer-activeforagecrops.ThedataalsosuggestthatwhileeffluentcanimproveDMyieldswhensoilmoistureislimiting, whenadditionalmoistureasrainfalloccurs,responsesfromeffluentareevenmorepronounced.Inaddition,theCPcontentof forages can be improved when effluent is applied. The combination of increased DM yield with higher CP content provides greater flexibility in dairy cattle feeding options through the dry summer period.
Protozoan and Fungal Diseases in Solenopsis richteri and S. quinquecuspis (Hymenoptera: formicidae) in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

The diversity and abundance of protozoa and fungi infecting colonies of the fire ants Solenopsis richteri Forel and S. quinquecuspis Forel were surveyed in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. A total of 185 roadside sites was selected, and 1,836 colonies were sampled and examined under phase-contrast microscopy. Pathogens were found at 32% of the sites and in 10% of the colonies. The microsporidium Thelohania solenopsae Knell, Allen & Hazard was the most common microorganism; it was present at 25% of the sites and 8% of the colonies. In some sites within the surveyed region, the percentage of infected colonies with T. solenopsae ranged from 40 to 80%. Other pathogens present were the microsporidium Vairimorpha invictae Jouvenaz & Ellis and the fungus Myrmecomyces annellisae Jouvenaz & Kimbrough. A field site was selected for future ecological studies.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION REGIMES, MID-SEASON DRAINAGE AND TIME OF APPLICATION OF NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF HYBRID RICE

Field experiments were conducted at the Central Farm of the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, India during the rabi (October-January) seasons of 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 in a split plot design with three replications. The soil of the experiments was sandy clay loam with a neutral reaction. The main plot consisted of six irrigation schedules with mid-season drainage, while four N splits were taken as sub- plots. The experimental results revealed that irrigation to a depth of 5 cm one day after the disappearance of ponded water and mid-season drainage, along with N applied in four splits, with 16.7% at 10 days after transplanting, 33.3% at active tillering, 33.3% at panicle initiation and 16.7% at the heading stage, produced significantly higher growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yields in hybrid rice. A combination of the above treatments led to maximum grain yields of 7533 and 8078 kg ha-1 (45.53 and 45.86% in excess of the control) in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, respectively.
Changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipoxygenase during growth of sunflower seedlings from seeds of different vigour

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was a relationship between growth of sunflower seedlings at 15°C in the dark and activities of enzymes involved in scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), or in production of free radicals, namely lipoxygenase (LOX). Untreated control seeds were compared with seeds exposed to accelerated ageing (5 d at 45°C and 100% relative humidity), osmopriming (7 d at 15°C with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution at –2 MPa) and accelerated ageing followed by priming. Accelerated ageing decreased seed germinability and slowed down hypocotyl growth, whereas priming resulted in an increase in germination rate and enhanced seedling development. Osmopriming of aged seeds almost completely restored the initial rate of germination and seedling growth. The activity of all the enzymes studied increased during seed germination and seedling development, except that of SOD. Seed imbibition or radicle protrusion were related mainly with an increase in CAT activity and, to a lesser extent, in GR activity. Increase of LOX activity was clearly associated with the onset of hypocotyl elongation. However, in all cases, malondialdehyde measurements did not reveal intense lipid peroxidation. Priming induced a marked stimulation of CAT and GR during seed imbibition or very early during seedling development, as compared to the control seedlings and particularly to the seedlings generated by aged seeds. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents of seeds and seedlings were closely correlated to the activities of CAT and GR and to the kinetics of seedling development. The results obtained establish a clear relationship between sunflower seed vigour and ROS scavenging.
A List of Nematode Parasites observed in the Alimentary Canal of Sheep in England

Whilst engaged in the study of the life-histories of certain Nematode parasites of domestic animals, I have had the opportunity of examining the alimentary tracts of a number of sheep and lambs obtained from various localities in England during the last 12 months, and have thus been able to collect and identify a considerable number of the parasitic Nematodes which are found so abundantly in this situation.
Mean Percentage of Skin and Visible Fat in 10 Chicken Carcass Weight

4 Abstract: Chicken skin is not removed from the whole carcass before cooking in Iran and people prefer chicken with higher weight. The objective of this study was to distinguish the mean percentage of chicken skin and visible fat to chicken carcass weight. The ratio of chicken skin and visible fat to total chicken carcass weight in 10 weight groups were studied. These groups had approximate weight of 1100, 1200, 1300,1400,1500,1600,1700,1800,1900 and 2000 g. Samples were randomly collected 10 times, each time 20 chickens from Kordan slaughterhouse product from each weight were selected. The skin and visible fat were removed from the carcass and weighted. The mean percentage of skin and visible fat ratio to tota l chicken carcass weight were calculated in these 10 chicken weight groups separately. The mean percentage of poultry skin and visible fat ratio to total chicken carcass weight in these 10 weight groups were 11.7±1.5, 12.3 ±1.8, 12.8 ±1.9, 13.2±1.2, 14.1±1.3, 14.3±1.9, 14.1±1.5, 14.7±2.1, 14.9±1.9, 15.2±2.1 respectively. The minimum percentage was 8% and the maximum was 20% in total samples. Chicken carcass was conditioned in plastic bags without removing the skin and visible fat by the slaughterhouse. Skin and visible fat comprise 8-20% of chicken carcass weight, chicken with higher weight have higher percentage of skin and visible fat. Hence, chicken carcass with lower weight should be purchased and skin and visible fat has to be removed before cooking.
PHYTOPLANKTON IN LAKE TAHOE: DEEP‐LIVING POPULATIONS1

Most of the phytoplankton biomass in Lake Tahoe is located below the euphotic zone. Algae from deep water (100-400 m) appear healthy and fix CO, at significant rates when exposed to near-surface illumination, The relationship hctwccn the distributions of phytoplankton standing crop and production is best explained by passive sinking of cells out of the euphotic zone and accumulation in deep waters. This recruitment of deep phytoplankton from surface waters may be an important feature of deep oligotrophic lakes, limiting primary production and nutrient regeneration in the euphotic zone.
Variability of sediment diatom assemblages of Lake Pont-de-Salars on the Viaur River (France)

Limnological surveys from the pelagic zone of Lake Pont-de-Salars were undertaken during the 1993-1996 period, which included the emptying of the whole-lake in summer 1995 and the first post year refilling. This reservoir was warm and monomictic and was determined to vary between oligo- and meso-eutrophic status from year to year. Three sediment cores were collected from the deepest zone and frozen in situ during the short drying period, just after the emptying and before the refilling of the reservoir. Analysis of the relative abundance and vertical distribution of diatom taxa was undertaken. The diatom vertical distribution, evident by visual biostratigraphy, is confirmed by the correspondence analysis (CA) despite of absence of sediment dating.
Understanding persistent gender gaps in STEM

Does achievement matter differently for men and women? Gender gaps in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) college majors receive considerable attention, and it is increasingly recognized that not all STEM majors are equal in terms of gender disparities (1–4). For example, the male-to-female ratio among U.S. college majors in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and many other STEM fields is now about 1-to-1 (2, 5), whereas in physics, engineering, and computer science (PECS), the ratio appears to have plateaued at about 4-to-1 (2, 4, 5). Here, we make two important contributions, showing (i) how gender relates to pursuit of a PECS degree throughout the achievement distribution and (ii) that student characteristics that predict PECS pursuit in the literature are not equally predictive of the gender gap throughout the achievement distribution. We find that a surprisingly large number of low-achieving men are majoring in PECS, relative to women, and this cannot be explained by an extensive set of student-level factors proposed in the prior literature (6–10). We can, however, explain the gender gap among high-achieving students. These patterns suggest that interventions to close the gender gap may work to attract high-achieving women; yet, something beyond these student factors may be attracting low-achieving men and repelling average- and low-achieving women, and without addressing those factors, it is unlikely that the PECS gender gap will fully close.
Life history variation in upper Columbia River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): a comparison using modern and ~500-year-old archaeological otoliths

Conservation planning often occurs only after a species has been extirpated from portions of its historical range and limited information is available on life history diversity prior to development. To provide information on Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) life history before and after local extirpation, we examined the chemical (87Sr:86Sr, Sr:Ca) and structural composition of modern and archaeological otoliths from the upper Columbia River. We compared otoliths from modern spring (yearling migrant, n = 15) and summer–fall (yearling (n = 7) and subyearling (n = 12) migrants) runs with those from extirpated runs (n = 8) to estimate the number of and similarity among natal environments and reconstruct aspects of the migratory history. Presumptive natal sources were most similar between the archaeological collections and the modern summer–fall run. Chinook salmon represented by the archaeological otoliths also displayed life history traits, including size at freshwater emigration and adult size at .
Do Measures of Audit Quality Really Measure Audit Quality? Evidence from the Banking Industry

We examine whether measures of audit quality are able to measure the quality of audit in banks. We make use of a unique setting where the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provided an accurate measure of asset quality in banks. We ﬁrst attempt to establish that the RBI revealed asset quality is a better estimate than that disclosed by the banks. Using the difference between the RBI-revealed and the bank-reported ﬁgures as an external validation of audit,we are unable to ﬁnd evidence that any of the generally accepted measures of audit quality do measure the quality of audit. We then examine whether the sensitivity of the bank’s asset quality to its borrowers’ health increases when the more accurate RBI-revealed ﬁgures are used and ﬁnd that they do. Using the actual sensitivity of the bank’s true health to borrower health, we construct a novel measure of audit quality.
Technical-Tactical Behaviors Analysis of Male and Female Judo Cadets’ Combats

This brief research report showed technical-tactical behaviors of male and female judo cadets during combats, comparing the frequency and time of judo combat actions, techniques and penalties. The data was composed for 3,240 sequential technical-tactical behavior analysis from 108 female and 300 male cadet combats recorded of public judo championships. Combat, standing combat moments, approach action, gripping action, attack, groundwork actions and pause moment were observed and determinant technical-tactical behaviors (frequencies of actions, penalties and type of attacks) analysis were done with FRAMI software, followed by Mann-Whitney and Student’s t-test, p ≤ 0.05. Our main results indicated that male cadets with 58.66s ± 50.26s demonstrated longer gripping action than female with 38.44s ± 30.44s, as standing combat (tachi-waza) had differences between male with 96.8s ± 72s and female athletes with 75.85s ± 56.97s. Moreover, male cadets had higher sacrifice techniques (sutemi-waza) actions than female athletes. This information could be used to a best performance associated with “psyching-up” as much as it could be used on physical training and technical-tactical ability of female and male cadets.
Institutional Quality and Economic Growth Correlation in Africa; An Augmented Mean Group and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group Approach

The core drive of this study is to explore the correlation between institutional quality and economic growth in Africa for the period 1997 to 2017. We used institutional quality indicators from World Governance Indicators. We also used other control variables, which include; trade openness, gross fixed capital formation, government expenditure, foreign direct investment, and inflation; all the control variables were extracted from World Development Indicators as well as gross domestic growth per capita. Our sample size was 39 countries. Our methodology was correlation analysis, cross-sectional dependency test, panel unit root test, model estimation, and causality test. We used two different estimation techniques, Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCE). The main findings are; rule of law, political stability &amp; absence of violence/terrorism, and voice &amp; accountability have a positive impact on economic growth, while regulatory quality, control of corruption, and government effectiveness, has a negative impact on economic growth. Besides, there is a dual causality between economic growth and government effectiveness &amp; rule of law influence. On the other hand, there is a single causality from economic growth to; voice &amp; accountability, control of corruption, regulatory quality, and political stability &amp; absence of violence/terrorism.
The morphology, chromosome number and nuclear DNA content of Tunisian populations of three Vicia species

The aim of this work was to determine, for Tunisian populations (wild and cultivated) of Vicia sativa, V. villosa and V. narbonensis, whether differences in chromosome number, nuclear DNA content or morphology exist among the populations; in the case of V. sativa, with respect to a commercial cultivar from Spain and, in the case of V. villosa, with respect to two accessions from Aleppo (Syria). The idea was to identify variation that could be exploited for agronomic purposes. For the study, nine populations (3 per species) were compared regarding 12 morphological characters.The three species differed significantly with respect to the majority of the characters such as leaf area, node number, ramification, length of the most developed axis, leaf length, and the number of leaflets and inflorescences per plant. The comparison of these characters within each species revealed an intra-population polymorphism especially for V. sativa and V. narbonensis. For V. villosa, the three populations appeared homogeneous for the majority of studied phenotypical characters, independent of their origin. The polymorphism detected in the species seems to depend on altitude and pedo-climatic factors. All the studied populations were diploid, with 2n = 2x = 12 for V. sativa and 2n = 2x = 14 for V. villosa and V. narbonensis. The mean 2C DNA contents were 3.67 - 3.79 pg for V. sativa, and 12.83-13.17 pg for V. narbonensis: significant differences (P < 0.001) among the populations were observed only for V. villosa, the mean 2C nuclear amounts being 3.72 pg and 3.80 for the 2 Syrian populations and 4.17 pg for the population from Tunisia. The DNA content correlated significantly and negatively with the parameters related to the growth rate (number of branches and nodes at 10, 20 or 30 days after germination), indicating that some populations, of smaller genome size and faster growth, are adapted to sites having shorter growing seasons. Key words: Vicia, Tunisia, morphology, nuclear DNA, populations, ploidy.
Rhinovirus and Innate Immune Function of Airway Epithelium

Airway epithelial cells, which lines the respiratory mucosa is in direct contact with the environment. Airway epithelial cells are the primary target for rhinovirus and other inhaled pathogens. In response to rhinovirus infection, airway epithelial cells mount both pro-inflammatory responses and antiviral innate immune responses to clear the virus efficiently. Some of the antiviral responses include the expression of IFNs, endoplasmic reticulum stress induced unfolded protein response and autophagy. Airway epithelial cells also recruits other innate immune cells to establish antiviral state and resolve the inflammation in the lungs. In patients with chronic lung disease, these responses may be either defective or induced in excess leading to deficient clearing of virus and sustained inflammation. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms underlying antiviral innate immunity and the dysregulation of some of these mechanisms in patients with chronic lung diseases.
Biomass carbon sinks in Japanese forests: 1966–2012

The role of forests in absorbing atmospheric carbon has been recognized under the Kyoto Protocol, which allows signatory countries to use forests as a mitigation option. Although several studies have estimated carbon stock changes in Japanese forests, most only estimate changes up to 1995 or ignore carbon stock changes in natural forests. This study is the first attempt to estimate carbon stock changes in Japanese forests from 1966 to 2012, to coincide with the final year of the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period. Forest area and growing stock data were analysed. Then, two models for predicting the change in forest area and growing stock were developed. Results showed that most natural forest loss resulted from conversion to plantation forest. The total above-ground and below-ground carbon stock in Japanese forests has been estimated to have increased from 1114.8 TgC in 1966 to 2076.0 TgC in 2012, representing an increase of 20.9 TgC year -1 over the same period. During the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), annual carbon sinks were estimated at 20.1 TgC, of which ∼76.9 per cent were sequestered in plantation forests. Of the 20.1 TgC year -1 , eligible carbon sinks are estimated at 10.2 TgC or ∼78.7 per cent of the maximum or capped amount as allowed under the Marrakesh Accord. Although further effort is needed so that the capped amount of 13 TgC year -1 could be achieved, this study suggests that carbon sinks through forest management could be used to offset industrial carbon emissions.