Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Impact of Automation on Horticulture Production Firms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Region

Using results of a socioeconomic survey of nurseries and greenhouses, Tobit regression analysis was used to estimate empirical models to measure the socioeconomic impact of automation or mechanization on annual gross sales, annual employment, and workers’ earnings, safety, and retention. The survey was conducted among 87 randomly selected nurseries and greenhouses located in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, from Dec. 2003 to Mar. 2005. About 20% of all the identified major tasks were performed by workers in nurseries and greenhouses with some form of mechanization or automation. Regression results showed that nurseries and greenhouses that experienced higher levels of sales also demonstrated higher levels of automation or mechanization. The employment impact of automation or mechanization was neutral, indicating that any improvement in automation or mechanization did not necessarily lead to a reduction, but instead to a more efficient use of labor by nurseries and greenhouses. Improvements in automation or mechanization resulted in higher total workers’ earnings reported by participating nurseries and greenhouses. Further Tobit regression results showed that automation or mechanization had neutral effects on the length of training period, workers’ safety, and retention rates and enabled nurseries and greenhouses to hire less-skilled workers.
Ontogenia craniana comparada de Arctocephalus australis, Callorhinus ursinus e Otaria byronia (Otariidae: Pinnipedia)

10 INTRODUÇÃO. 1 1.1. OS PINNIPEDIA.14 1.1.1. OS OTARIIDAE GILL, 1866.15 1.1.1.1. Arctocephalus australis (Prancha número 1) . 17 1.1.1.2. Callorhinus ursinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Prancha número 2). 17 1.1.1.3. Otaria byronia (Prancha número 3) . 18 1.2. HISTÓRICO. 19 1.2.1. Ontogênese e a Diversidade Morfológica . 19 1.2.2. Relevância do Desenvolvimento para os Estudos Evolutivos: . 20 1.2.3. Desenvolvimento, Alometria e Evolução. 21 1.3. JUSTIFICATIVAS . 22 1.4. OBJETIVOS.23 MATERIAL E MÉTODOS . 24 2.1. Material examinado . 24 2.2. Determinação da faixa etária e da idade absoluta . 25 2.3. Medidas lineares.25 2.4. Registro Fotográfico . 25 2.5. Terminologia básica inerente às técnicas de Morfometria Geométrica para análise da forma . 25 CAPÍTULO I . 30 THE LINEAR MEASUREMENT APPROACH AND THE ONTOGENY OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN OTARID ́S: A COMPARED ANALYSIS BETWEEN Arctocephalus australis, Callorhinus ursinus AND Otaria byronia (PINNIPEDIA: MAMMALIA). 30 CAPÍTULO II . 56 DEVELOPMENTAL AND GROWTH IN OTARIDS: A MORPHOMETRIC COMPARED STUDY.56 CAPÍTULO III . 77 COMPARED DESCRIPTION OF DIMORPHISM IN SKULL ONTOGENIES OF Arctocephalus australis, Callorhinus ursinus and Otaria byronia (PINNIPEDIA: OTARIIDAE) . 77 CAPÍTULO IV.98 ONTOGENY AND PHYLOGENY: A CASE OF STUDY USING OTARID SKULLS (PINNIPEDIA: MAMMALIA). 98 CAPÍTULO V. 121 THE ONTOGENY OF SHAPE DISPARITY IN THREE SPECIES OF OTARIDS (PINNIPEDIA: MAMMALIA). 121 CONCLUSÕES FINAIS . 136 REFERÊNCIAS BIBLIOGRÁFICAS . 139
Potential Geographical Distribution of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), with Emphasis on Argentina and Australia

Abstract The CLIMEX model was used to infer the climatic requirements of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), from the fruit fly’s observed geographical distribution in the Mediterranean region. The model indicated that the potential distribution was limited by cold to the north in Europe and by dryness in northern Africa and in the south of Spain and Portugal. The model was then used to estimate the potential geographical distribution of the species in Argentina and Australia. The results agreed with the observed distribution in Argentina and much of the historical distribution in Australia, but they did not agree with the present distribution in eastern Australia. In the latter region, another species of fruit fly, Bactrocera (Dacus) tryoni (Froggatt) has been credited with displacing C. capitata. Seasonal and year-to-year variation in climatic suitability was explored at three selected locations in Argentina. The results indicated that some detrimental effects of summer temperatures, or of extremes of precipitation, occurred in particular areas. Some of these limiting factors, especially dry stress, were prolonged enough to restrict the geographical distribution of medfly. However, when irrigation was included in the simulations, the detrimental effect of dryness was removed. Finally, a global risk map for medfly was produced, which highlights the areas at risk from this major quarantine pest.
Kinetics of CH4 oxidation in oxic soils exposed to ambient air or high CH4 mixing ratios

The kinetic parameters of CH4 oxidation (Km, Vmax, apparent threshold = Tha) were measured using different oxic soils (cultivated cambisol, forest luvisol, meadow cambisol, paddy soil) both in a fresh state and after 3 weeks preincubation under high CH4 mixing ratios (20%). The preincubation resulted in an increase of the most probable number of methanotrophic bacteria. In fresh soils, CH4 oxidation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a low Km (30–51 nM CH4), low Vmax (0.7–3.6 nmol CH4 h−1g−1dw soil), and low Tha (0.2–2.7 ppmv CH4). In preincubated soils, CH4 oxidation exhibited biphasic kinetics in which two different CH4 saturation curves were apparently superimposed on each other. Eadie-Hofstee plots of the data showed two activities with different kinetic parameters: a high-affinity activity with low Km (13–470 nM CH4), low Vmax (2.1–150.0 nmol CH4 h−1g−1dw) and low Tha (0.3–4.1 ppmv CH4) being similar to the kinetic parameters in fresh soils; and a low-affinity activity with high Km (1740–27 900 nM CH4), high Vmax (270–3 690 nmol CH4 h−1g−1dw) and high Tha (11–45 ppmv CH4) being similar to the kinetic parameters known from methanotrophic bacteria. The low-affinity activity was also observed in a soil over a deep natural gas source which was permanently exposed to high CH4 mizing ratios (>5% CH4). Bacteria culturable as methanotrophs are probably responsible for the low-affinity activity which is typical for the soils exposed to high CH4 mixing ratios. However, the bacteria responsible for the high-affinity activity are still unknown. This activity is typical for the soils exposed to only ambient CH4 mixing ratios. Both high- and low-affinity activities were inhibited by autoclaving and by acetylene.
Genetics study of resistance to yellow rust in CIMMYT origin wheat advanced lines at seedling and adult plant stages

To study genetically and evaluate resistance to yellow rust, 29 wheat advanced lines were evaluated in randomised complete blocks design with three replicates in seedling stage under greenhouse conditions using nine races 6E150A+, 198E150A+, 134E150A+, 6E158A+, 166E150A+, 198E130A+, 166E158A+, 230E158A+ and 70E0A+, separately. In the adult plant stage, the genotypes were evaluated in two regions of Iran, Zarghan and Gorgan. The components of resistance including latent period and infection type were recorded under greenhouse conditions. Cluster analysis in all races showed that the genotypes 11, 28 and 29 were completely resistant to all races. Under Zarghan and Gorgan races, 27 and 73% of genotypes were resistant in the adult plant stage, respectively. Seven percent of genotypes were resistant in both stages, seedling and adult plant. All resistant lines can be used in plant breeding programme.
A new species of Chameleon (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae: Kinyongia ) highlights the biological affinities between the Southern Highlands and Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania

A new species of chameleon is described from the Livingstone and Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. The new species is morphologically most similar to Kinyongia vanheygeni . Furthermore, a single, short rostral appendage shows the species similarity to other Eastern Arc endemic Kinyongia species (e.g. K. uthmoelleri, K. oxyrhina, K. magomberae and K. tenuis ). Females of all these species lack any rostral ornamentation and are all very similar morphologically. Males of the new species, on which the morphological diagnosis is based, can be distinguished from other Kinyongia by a shorter rostral appendage that bifurcates at the tip. They are easily distinguished from K. vanheygeni , otherwise the most similar species, by differences in head scalation and the length and shape of the rostral appendage. The new species is associated with montane rainforest and is known from only four forest fragments of which two are in the Udzungwa and two in the Livingstone Mountains. Phylogenetically, the new species is sister to K. tenuis and K. magomberae, which together, form a clade that also contains K. oxyrhina . The disjunct distribution of the new species, in the Livingstone and Udzungwa mountains, stretches across the ‘Makambako Gap’ which is a putative biogeographical barrier separating the distinct faunas of the Southern highlands and Eastern Arc Mountains. Evidence from this species however, points to potentially closer biological affinities between the Livingstone and Udzungwa mountains.
Frequency of Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) Alleles in Three Ethnic Groups in Malaysia

Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) is the major enzyme involved in the metabolism of S-warfarin, an oral anticoagu- lant drug. Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9 gene have been reported and may play significant roles in pharmacogenomics. To date, over 5 CYP2C9 allelic variants have been reported. The most common allelic variants identified include CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3. We conducted an investigation to determine the CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms in a portion of the Malaysian population comprising of three major ethnic groups and compared the frequencies with other populations. Molecular typing of CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 was carried out in 337 subjects (inclusive of patients on warfarin treatment and healthy normal control) by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). This represents the first investigation of CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms in Malaysia. Two hundred and ninety eight subjects were identified as homozygous CYP2C9*1 from this study. Eleven percent of subjects were heterozygous for CYP2C9*2 or/and CYP2C9*3 allelic variants. Six subjects were CYP2C9*1/*2 heterozygotes, 29 subjects were CYP2C9*1/*3 heterozygotes, 2 subjects were CYP2C9*2/*3 heterozygotes. Of the 337 study subjects, only 2 were CYP2C9*3 homozygotes. In this study, we found that there was no homozygous CYP2C9*2 subjects. The CYP2C9*1 allele frequencies of Malays, Chinese and Indians were 0.9407, 0.9764 and 0.875 respectively. CYP2C9*2 was not detected in the Malays and Chinese, but was present in the Indians with a frequency of 0.0435. The frequency of CYP2C9*3 was the highest in Indians (0.0815) followed by Malays (0.0593) and Chinese (0.0236). Our results suggest that CYP2C9*1 is the predominant allele in all the three ethnic groups. Although CYP2C9*2 is very common in Caucasians, it is rarely found in Chinese and Malay ethnic groups. The frequencies of CYP2C9*3 in Caucasians have been reported to be higher compared to Asian populations; but the frequencies of Malays and Indians in our study were in the range of Caucasians (6-10%).
Selection criteria for flagship species by conservation organizations

SUMMARY Flagship species are among key marketing tools used by conservation organizations to motivate public support, but are often selected in an ad hoc, rather than systematic, manner. Furthermore, it is unclear whether selected flagship species do motivate public support. This paper describes a multi-method exploratory study, carried out in Switzerland, which aimed to determine the selection criteria for flagship species and measure whether a species selected according to these criteria was able to motivate support. Fourteen representatives of international, regional and local conservation organizations were interviewed and the selection criteria for their flagship species were identified. A charismatic species (the great spotted woodpecker) that meets these criteria and an apparently less charismatic species (the clover stem weevil) were selected as treatments in a quantitative experiment with 900 respondents. Using conjoint analysis, it was found that both charismatic and uncharismatic species have the ability to positively influence public preferences for habitat variables that encourage biodiversity in urban landscapes. These results may be used by conservation organizations to assist in the selection of flagship species, and in particular for flagship species that are intended to perform a specific conservation function.
Microbial Succession in Spontaneously Fermented Grape Must Before, During and After Stuck Fermentation

The microbial succession in spontaneously fermenting Riesling must was investigated from the beginning (pressing) until the end (sulphuring) of the fermentation in two harvest years (2008 and 2009) at a Moselle winery (Germany). In both years, the fermentation was interrupted by a stuck period. The length of the stuck period varied considerably (20 weeks in 2008 and one week in 2009). Different yeasts (Candida, Debaryomyces, Pichia, Hanseniaspora, Saccharomyces, Metschnikowia, Cryptococcus, Filobasidium and Rhodotorula) and bacteria (Gluconobacter, Asaia, Acetobacter, Oenococcus, Lactobacillus, Bacillus and Paenibacillus) were isolated successively by plating. The main fermenting organism was Saccharomyces uvarum. Specific primers were developed for S. uvarum, H. uvarum and C. boidinii, followed by the determination of the total cell counts with qPCR. The initial glucose concentration differed between the two years and was 116 g/L in 2008 and 85.4 g/L in 2009. Also, the fructose concentrations were different in both years (114 g/L in 2008 and 77.8 g/L in 2009). The stuck period appeared when the glucose/fructose ratio was 0.34 and 0.12 respectively. The microbiota changed during the stuck period.
The positional effect of Eβ on Vβ genes of TCRβ chain in the ordered rearrangement and allelic exclusion

In the TCRb gene locus, the Vb ,D b and Jb gene segments are assembled in a tightly ordered manner. To investigate the positional effects of TCRb enhancer (Eb) on the recombination processes of the Vb genes, we utilized bLD mice lacking 70% of the TCRb locus, leaving four Vb genes at the 59 side and, consequently, the Vb10 gene moves into the Eb regulatory region. In this mutant mouse, the Vb10 gene showed direct Vb-to-Db and Vb-to-Jb recombination, although the Db-to-Jb joining was still predominant. Interestingly, these two aberrant recombination processes were barely suppressed when b LD mice were crossed with TCRb transgenic mice, whereas V(D)J recombination of the Vb10 gene was sufficiently suppressed. These results suggest that the positional effects of Eb on the Vb genes may enable the recombination potential to increase prior to Db-to-Jb joining and that such aberrant recombination may be free from allelic suppression.
Seasonal and Annual Occurrence of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Northern Greece

Abstract The phenology and population dynamics of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were studied from 1991 to 1995 using Jackson traps baited with trimedlure and periodic fruit sampling in two orchards in Thessaloniki northern Greece (40.3° north latitude, 22.5° longitude). This area is located within the northernmost zone of establishment of the fly in Europe. No adults were captured from December to the end of June. The first captures were recorded from the end of June to August, depending on the year and orchard, and captures rates peaked in the autumn of each year. Significant differences were observed in adult population density and in the initiation of fly activity between two neighboring orchards (≈500 m apart) that differed in host fruit abundance and availability. The results of fruit sampling showed that apricots were the first fruits infested every year in the area of Thessaloniki. Though infested at low rates, they were very important for breeding the first summer generation, and also for the increase in C. capitata population later in the summer. Peaches and figs were important hosts for breeding the late summer and early autumn generations. Apples and other pome fruits were important hosts later in autumn (October–November), and also served as overwintering refuges for the larvae. Among 17 fruit species collected in the area 11 were found infested. Pecan [ Carya illinoensis (Wang) k. Koch] and Malus floribunda Sieb. (an ornamental tree) are reported here for the first time as hosts of C. capitata. Our findings suggest that C. capitata completes four to five generations per year in the area of Thessaloniki. Practical and theoretical implications concerning the population dynamics and the control of this fly are discussed.
Smart and usable home energy management systems

This paper reviews research into Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS). These are intermediary products that can visualize, manage, and/or monitor the energy use of other products or whole households. HEMS have lately received increasing attention for their possible role in conserving energy within households. However, an analysis of the problem areas within household energy consumption along with a review of case studies and commercially available HEMS reveals some research gaps. If HEMS are to become truly effective, future research needs to focus on improving longitudinal effects and studying the influence of design.
An Investigation of a Model of Academic Motivation for School Counseling

A theoretical model of academic motivation consisting of (a) academic self-efficacy, (b) purposefulness and intentionality, and (c) support through school counseling for autonomous learning was explored with 346 high school juniors. Regression analysis indicated academic self-efficacy and utilization of school counseling to be significant predictors of academic motivation after controlling for previous school performance. A second regression analysis supported the premise that students who are more optimistic about their future and perceive fewer impediments to future goals will be more likely to use school counseling services. Recommendations for school counseling practice and research are discussed.
The genus Oscillatoria Vaucher (Cyanoprokaryota) from India.

The genus Oscillatoria Vaucher Oscillatoriales, Cyanoprokaryota is known to be represented by 208 taxa from India. Our collections from various localities of Uttar Pradesh, revealed the occurrence of 30 species. For identification we have followed the diagnosis of Oscillatoria as conceived by Komarek and Anagnostidis (2005). The present communication includes a key of all the species, brief description, figures and photomicrographs. Attempts have been made to bring out clearly the distinguish features in description and in line diagrams for easy identification.
The Use of Gross Dental Wear in Dietary Studies of Extinct Lagomorphs

Abstract Studies of paleoenvironments have commonly focused on large mammalian herbivores such as ungulates. Many localities, however, have yielded large numbers of small mammalian herbivores, including lagomorphs and rodents. These fossils represent an untapped paleoecological resource. However, the fossils are often in the form of isolated teeth, and microwear analysis cannot be used due to taphonomic alteration. As a result, we use ungulate gross dental wear as a model. The dental wear features of extant western Canadian lagomorphs are identified and used to create dietary categories that can be applied to make predictions about the diets of extinct forms. The Horse Local Fauna of the Cypress Hills Formation of Saskatchewan has yielded approximately 2,500 fossil specimens, of which nearly 300 are lagomorphs. Two leporid species (rabbits and hares) are present in the Horse Local Fauna, Palaeolagus temnodon and Megalagus brachyodon. Qualitative analysis of the gross dental wear of the lagomorphs of the Horse Local Fauna indicates that M. brachyodon was mainly folivorous and P. temnodon was primarily frugivorous, suggesting that the contemporaneous ecosystem was tree dominated. Gross dental wear analysis allows the use of small herbivores and isolated teeth in paleoecological studies. Studying the diets of small herbivorous mammals will allow more nearly complete reconstructions of past environments and will become increasingly important as more detailed reconstructions are required by paleontologists.
Comparative Studies on Regeneration of the Midgut Epithelium in Lepisma saccharina and Thermobia domestica

Abstract Regeneration is a process of rebuilding damaged or disrupted cells and tissues. The insect’s midgut epithelium becomes damaged by passage of the food mass and by secretory processes. The regeneration process occurs differently in two related species belonging to the primitive wingless insect group Zygentoma: Thermobia domestica (Packard) (Thysanura: Lepismatidae) and Lepisma saccharina L. (Thysanura: Lepismatidae). In T. domestica, the degenerated cells are replaced in a continuous manner by newly formed cells originating from regenerative cell groups. In L. saccharina, the midgut epithelium is totally removed and numerous regenerative cell groups form the new epithelium simultaneously in a cyclical manner. Regenerative cells, being responsible for all regenerative mechanisms, fulfill the role of primordial cells of the midgut epithelium. Here, I describe the process of degeneration and regeneration of the midgut epithelium in these two species at the transmission electron microscope level.
Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of rhizomes of Dryneria quercifolia

The different organic solvent extracts of roots of Dryneria quercifolia J. Smith were tested for their antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. Chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts (150mg/disc) showed good antibacterial activity as determined by disc-diffusion method against four Gram-positive and six Gram-negative bacteria than petroleum ether extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each extract was determined by serial dilution technique against Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilisand Streptococcus-b-haemolyticus. The MIC values ranged from 16 to 64 mg/ml. The cytotoxicity of each extract was assessed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and LC50values were determined. The LC50 values for petroleum, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts were 22.0, 16.5 and 16.5 mg/ml, respectively. The positive results of these bioactive extracts should encourage the further investigation of the active principles responsible for these activities. Key words: Dryneria quercifolia, antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration, cytotoxicity.