Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Roost site selection by Little Owls Athene noctua in relation to environmental conditions and life-history stages

Roost site selection is a state-dependent process, affected by the individual's costs and benefits of roosting at a specific site in the available environment. Costs and benefits of different roost sites vary in relation to intrinsic factors and environmental conditions. Thus, the cost–benefit functions of roost sites are expected to differ between seasons and life-history stages, resulting in adjustments in roost site selection. Studying roost site selection throughout the year therefore provides information about year-round habitat requirements at different life-history stages. However, little is known about the roosting behaviour of birds. Here, the roost site selection of Little Owls Athene noctua was studied by repeated daytime location of 24 adult and 75 juvenile radiotagged individuals from July to November. Little Owls preferred sheltered roost sites such as tree cavities with multiple entrances. They increasingly used sheltered sites from summer to winter and preferentially used sheltered roost sites with low ambient temperatures. Juveniles used significantly less sheltered sites during dispersal than before and afterwards, and used less sheltered sites than adults within their home-range. The survival probability of birds roosting frequently at exposed sites was reduced. Roost site selection is probably driven by the two mechanisms of predator avoidance and thermoregulation, and the costs of natal dispersal may include increased predation threat and higher energy expenditure for thermoregulation. We suggest that adequate roost sites, such as multi-entrance tree cavities, are an important habitat requirement for Little Owls and that habitat quality can be affected by manipulating their availability.
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Open Government Data in The Public Sector: A Systematic Literature Review

Open Government Data (OGD) adoption has been extensively studied; however, few have examined the success factors of OGD adoption in the public sector context. The benefits of leveraging data in enhancing public service delivery have been a significant concern to the top management of the public sector in providing them insight for strategic planning together with timely decision making. The aim of this paper is to review recent literature from the year 2010 to 2018 on OGD adoption at the organizational level in the public sector context. We systematically searched all English papers that were indexed in seven electronic journal databases (Scopus, Emerald, Web of Science, Science Direct, ACM, Springer and IEEE) which include journals, proceedings, books and book chapters. Few papers were acquired from snowballing techniques and ResearchGate webpage. A total of 886 publications were identified in this process and 25 papers have finally been selected which are deemed as relevant papers for the analysis stage. As derived from 25 selected papers, this study has identified 16 factors that influence the OGD adoption which has been categorized into three main dimensions: Technological, Organizational and Environmental (T-O-E). Policy, technological competence, top management support and organization culture are among the most influential factors of OGD adoption. Therefore, this study is expected to assist other researchers to understand the current stage of OGD adoption in terms of influential factors, research domains and research methodology.
VOLLEYBALL SMASH SKILL TRAINING MODEL USING RUBBER TIRE AIDS FOR STUDENTS OF SMK

The purpose of this study is to produce a product in the form of volleyball smash skills training methods using rubber tire aids to improve smash skills in volleyball games. The research method used is the development of Borg and Gall. Based on the data collected, it is known through the material expert and media expert tests conducted twice each, obtained the results of the material I test with a percentage of 68.75% (quite valid) and the results of II with an average of 87.50% ( valid). While the results of media experts obtained results I amounted to 65.40% (quite valid) and results II with an average of 84.62% (valid). From small scale trials (N = 8), results with an average percentage of 81.19% (valid) and large scale field tests (N = 30) obtained results with a percentage of 90.83% (valid). Based on the results of the data obtained, it can be concluded that the product development of the smash skills training model with rubber tire aids for volleyball extracurricular athletes after going through several stages including preliminary test stages, expert validation tests, small and large group tests, model effectiveness test concluded can be accepted by users, especially schools that have and are active in coaching volleyball.
Educating migrant children in England: language and educational practices in home and school environments

ABSTRACT In multilingual societies where migration is commonplace, language attitudes and ideologies are often shaped by broader sociopolitical issues and sociocultural practices that give values to different languages and language uses. Migrant families are often caught in the middle regarding how to use their own language and culture to support their children’s academic development, and how to educate their children in the dominant societal/school language with which they are not familiar. This article reports on an on-going multilevel investigation of family language policies (FLPs) of transnational families in the UK. As part of this investigation, this study focuses on a group of eight families (10 parents) of different Chinese origins who send their children to one primary school and eight teachers who teach at that school. It provides a snapshot of the matches and mismatches of educational practices between home and school as well as the different expectations for educating migrant children with regard to the role of language(s) in learning and academic development from the perspectives of teachers and parents. Using a variety of tools for data collection including interviews, observations, a roundtable discussion, focus group interviews and e-mail communications, the study found that parents and teachers hold disparate views on educating migrant children with regard to language/literacy practices, educational expectations and parental involvements. Central to the disparate perspectives is the ‘language gap’ ideology which legitimatizes English as the only language in education, which allows teachers to control not only language use in classes but also the educational practices at home.
The Influence of Tourism Development and Human Capital Development on the Economic Growth of the ASEAN Countries

The foremost goal associated with the present study is to analyze the development of tourism industry, development of human capital and economic growth of the ASEAN countries. For the regression analysis with random effect model, data were gathered from the World Bank Indicator (WDI) database from 2002 to 2018. The results exposed that development of tourism and development of human capital are the significant and optimistic factors to enhance the economic growth of the country. These findings are helpful for the researchers to explore this area in future and also provide the guideline to the regulation making authorities that they should enhance their emphasis on the development of tourism as well as human capital that enhance the economy in the country
An impact of environment on segregation ratio of qualitative traits in maize

The significant influence of environment was found on the segregation ratio in a dyhibrid inheritance in maize. Two possible causes are proposed for this segregation distortion: 1) environmental influence (selection) prior forming the gametes or/and 2) different preferential pairing in different environments. Further studies, however, on other self or cross-pollinated plant species, and with different traits are needed to better understand this phenomena.
Raptors and Red Grouse: Conservation Conflicts and Management Solutions

Abstract: Recovering predator populations may present problems for conservationists if their prey are of economic or conservation value. We address this issue by examining the conflict between raptor conservation and management of Red Grouse ( Lagopus l. scoticus) in Britain. Heather moorland is a distinctive habitat that supports an important assemblage of breeding birds. Large areas of moorland are managed by private landowners for shooting grouse. Although grouse shooting benefits conservation by retaining heather moorland, it is currently unclear whether grouse management directly benefits other upland birds. Human persecution has greatly restricted the range and abundance of most raptor species in Britain. Following the introduction of bird protection laws, the decline in gamekeeping, and the restriction of organochlorine pesticides, raptor populations have started to recover. Persecution of raptors on grouse moors is widespread and limits the range and abundance of Hen Harriers ( Circus cyaneus), Peregrine Falcons ( Falco peregrinus), and Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). In some circumstances, raptor predation can reduce both the breeding density and productivity of Red Grouse. Limitation of grouse populations through raptor predation is most likely to occur where raptors are at high density because of the abundance of alternative prey, and grouse are at low density either because of poor management or the cyclic nature of some grouse populations. In the long term, habitat management may reduce densities of alternative prey, leading to reductions in raptor densities and their predation on grouse. More active intervention may be required, however, if grouse moors are to remain viable in the short‐term. Current research is focused on manipulating harrier diet through diversionary feeding. Complementary research is needed to investigate methods to reduce raptor numbers locally while ensuring their national status.
Lysozyme as Pathogen‐Recognition Protein in the Hemolymph of Galleria mellonella

ABSTRACT Recognition of invading micro‐organisms into hemolymph is a pivotal event for triggering diverse immune mechanisms in insects. It has been known that this recognition was mediated by the binding of hemolymph proteins to pattern‐molecules on the cell surface of microbes. Recently, I found that the lysozyme in the G. mellonella hemolymph has binding affinity to cell‐walls of Gram (‐), (±) bacteria and fungus (Candida albicans). After the hemolymph was incubated with heat‐killed microbes and treated with acidic buffer containing high concentration of NaCl, several plasma proteins detached from microbes were detected by reverse phase HPLC and SDS‐PAGE analyses. Of binding proteins, it was assumed that the major one might be a lysozyme, which was previously characterized in the G. mellonella hemolymph. Furthermore immunoblot analysis performed with antiserum to G. mellonella lysozyme revealed that it was a lysozyme.
Role of Thiobacillus and sulfate-reducing bacteria in iron biocycling in oxic and acidic mine tailings

Abstract The tailings of the abandoned Kam Kotia mine (CuZn ore) located near Timmins, Ontario, Canada, were studied to understand the role of bacteria in Fe cycling. Tailings samples taken along a 70 cm deep profile were oxidized and acidic (pH 2–4). The release of large concentrations of dissolved Fe and SO42− in the surface pore waters coincided with the presence of large populations of Thiobacillus, an acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacterium. The chemical and microbial oxidation by Thiobacillus of Fe-sulfides was extensive in the Kam Kotia tailings and corresponded to a near depletion of the pyrite content of the tailings around the same depth. Concurrently, de novo biomineralization occurred within the tailings as indicated by the enrichment of Fe-oxide minerals close to the tailings bacteria. Bacteria, such as Thiobacillus, provided binding sites for dissolved metal species and served as nucleation surfaces for the development of Fe-rich minerals under acidic conditions. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were also recovered in the tailings, in the lower portion of the profile where slightly oxidizing and acidic (pH 3–4) conditions prevailed. SRB possibly survived in microenvironments having more reduced and alkaline conditions because they did not tolerate oxidizing and acidic conditions when grown in the presence of different electron donors in the laboratory. However, SRB isolated from the tailings were able to grow with low concentrations of organic carbon, formate and acetate detected at concentrations lower than 1 mM in the pore waters appeared to be the main electron donors for SRB. These organic acids likely originated as small metabolic excretion products of living biomass or from the degradation of dead biomass (e.g. Fe-oxidizing bacteria) present in the tailings. SRB locally affected the cycling of Fe in the tailings by promoting the formation of small amounts of Fe-monosulfides. However, the cycling of Fe in the lower portion of the tailings was mainly driven by the precipitation of melanterite (FeSO4.7H2O) following the oxidation of pyrite and the release of large amounts of dissolved Fe and SO42−.
The gills of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae Latimeriidae. What can they teach us?

Abstract The low surface area of Latimeria gills has been confirmed for a range of body sizes from 450 gr to 80 kg. This is an indication of an inactive mode of life as has now been observed from submersibles. The gill septa indicate that Latimeria and lungfishes share an autapomorphy, presumably secondarily lost in tetrapods, since it is generally accepted that lungfishes and tetrapods are sister groups. The presence of a central venous sinus, arterio‐venous anastomoses and other features of the secondary circulation suggest coelacanths are similar to other fish groups in which such structures are present (i.e., Actinopterygii, Chondrichthyes). The absence of a secondary circulation and existence of a type of lymphatic system suggests that Dipnoi are more closely related to tetrapods than are coelacanths.
Complete mitochondrial genome of captive Chinese porcupine Hystrix hodgsoni (Rodentia: Hystricidae)

Abstract The Chinese porcupine Hystrix hodgsoni belongs to the family Hystricidae, and is distributed in Asia. In this study, the total mitochondrial genome of H. hodgsoni was sequenced. The whole mitogenome is a typical circular DNA molecule of 16,833 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 control region, with a base composition of A 32.7%, G 13.9%, T 28.4%, and C 25.0%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Trichys fasciculata was the nearest sister to H. hodgsoni. The molecular data provided here would be useful for genetics study of H. hodgsoni.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of limestone endemic, Zabelia tyaihyoni (Caprifoliaceae), in Korea

Abstract The first complete chloroplast genome sequence of Korean limestone endemic, Zabelia tyaihyoni, was reported in this study. The plastome size was 156,449 bp in total length, with one large single copy (LSC; 89,242 bp), one small single copy (SSC; 17,331 bp), and two inverted repeat (IR) regions (IRa and IRb, each with 24,938 bp). The overall GC content was 38.3% and the genome contained 128 genes, including 83 protein-coding with 3 pseudogenes (two ycf2 and accD), 37 transfer RNA and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of 21 representative plastomes within the Caprifoliaceae suggests that Zabelia formed a monophyletic clade with 100% bootstrap value and Z. tyaihyoni was closely related to Z. biflora and Z. corymbosa.
ORIGIN OF A DOMINANT BEER PROTEIN IMMUNOCHEMICAL IDENTITY WITH A β‐AMYLASE‐ASSOCIATED PROTEIN FROM BARLEY

Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoretic techniques were used to elucidate the origin of a dominant beer antigen 1. Immunochemical identity was found between a protein Z associated with β-amylase in extracts of barley and one form of the beer antigen 1a. Immunochemical identity was also found between a papain-modified form of protein Z and the antigen form 1b from beer. The results indicate that protein Z is very resistant to degradation and denaturation during malting and brewing.
Multiple stressors and regime shifts in shallow aquatic ecosystems in antipodean landscapes.

Changes in land management (land use and land cover) and water management (including extraction of ground water and diversion of surface waters for irrigation) driven by increases in agricultural production and urban expansion (and fundamentally by population growth) have created multiple stressors on global freshwater ecosystems that we can no longer ignore. 2. The development and testing of conceptual ecological models that examine the impact of stressors on aquatic ecosystems, and recognise that responses may be nonlinear, is now essential for identifying critical processes and predicting changes, particularly the possibility of catastrophic regime shifts or 'ecological surprises'. 3. Models depicting gradual ecological change and three types of regime shift (simple thresholds, hysteresis and irreversible changes) were examined in the context of shallow inland aquatic ecosystems (wetlands, shallow lakes and temporary river pools) in southwestern Australia subject to multiple anthropogenic impacts (hydrological change, eutrophication, salinisation and acidification). 4. Changes in hydrological processes, particularly the balance between groundwater-dominated versus surface water-dominated inputs and a change from seasonal to permanent water regimes appeared to be the major drivers influencing ecological regime change and the impacts of eutrophication and acidification (in urban systems) and salinisation and acidification (in agricultural systems). 5. In the absence of hydrological change, urban wetlands undergoing eutrophication and agricultural wetlands experiencing salinisation appeared to fit threshold models. Models encompassing alternative regimes and hysteresis appeared to be applicable where a change from a seasonal to permanent hydrological regime had occurred. 6. Irreversible ecological change has potentially occurred in agricultural landscapes because the external economic driver, agricultural productivity, persists independently of the impact on aquatic ecosystems. 7. Thematic implications: multiple stressors can create multiple thresholds that may act in a hierarchical fashion in shallow, lentic systems. The resulting regime shifts may follow different models and trajectories of recovery. Challenges for ecosystem managers and researchers include determining how close a system may be to critical thresholds and which processes are essential to maintaining or restoring the system. This requires an understanding of both external drivers and internal ecosystem dynamics, and the interactions between them, at appropriate spatial and temporal scales.
The role of bacterial symbionts in suppressing the defence reaction in larval hemolymph of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Biosd.)

Abstract Spodoptera littoralis hemolymph exhibited a decrease in phenoloxidase activity during the first hour of exposure to alive or dead Xenorhabdus nematophilus and Photorhabdus luminescens even in the presence or absence of laminarin and α-chymotrypsin. Also, as the bacterial numbers in the hemolymph of the larvae of S. littoralis increased, the suppression of the enzyme, phenoloxidase, activity in vivo increased. On the other hand, in the in vitro incubation of the infected hemolymph with X. nematophilus for 30 min with laminarin, the decrease in phenoloxidase activity reached 92% in the infection with the highest dose (1 × 1010 cells/ml) live bacteria, and reached 100% at the same dose in the infection with live bacteria in the absence of laminarin. A two-fold decrease in enzyme activity was recorded in the case of injection of (1 × 106 cells/ml) dead X. nematophilus and the absence of laminarin compared with injection of the same dose in the presence of laminarin. The same trend was also observed by the end of incubation of X. nematophilus-treated hemolymph without α-chymotrypsin. The decrease in phenoloxidase activity was highly significantly different in injection of dead P. luminescens and the absence of laminarin during incubation. In the case of injection of (1 × 108 cells/ml) live P. luminescens a higher degree in the reduction of enzyme activity was recorded in the absence of α-chymotrypsin, where it reached to nearly a two-fold decrease. The results of these studies indicated that both X. nematophilus and P. luminescens alive or dead suppress the phenoloxidase activity in the presence or absence of both laminarin and α-chymotrypsin but, the suppression in absence of both during the in vitro incubation was highly comparable.
Docking Substrates to Metalloenzymes

Abstract Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) is a metalloenzyme that reversibly catalyzes the interconversion between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate anion. A class of sulfa drugs, sulfonamides, are known to inhibit CA. One approach to identifying important binding and specificity interactions between sulfonamides and CA is to analyze the results from docking studies. Previous docking studies have mainly focused on the encounters of substrates with non-metalloenzymes. Here we report the application of MOE-Dock to the CA II – sulfonamide system. After developing a standard docking protocol for the CA II – sulfonamide system we then used the protocol to determine other CA II – sulfonamide complexes.
On the way from SARS-CoV-sensitive mice to murine COVID-19 model

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a master killer which appeared suddenly and which has already claimed more than 200,000 human lives In this situation, laboratories are in urgent need for a COVID-19 murine model to search for effective antiviral compounds Here we propose a novel strategy for the development of mice that can be inoculated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the COVID-19 causative agent In humans, two proteins - ACE2 and TMPRSS2 - are involved in SARS-CoV-2 cells entry and, thus, we decided to introduce their genes into a murine genome These genes will be placed with LoxP sites under the murine Tmprss2 promoter Such an approach can provide a representative model with the opportunity to control the viral sensitivity of an animal population and tissue specificity of hACE2 and hTMPRSS2 expression The new COVID-19 model should be based on inducible co-expression of the human ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes Activation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes will occur only in the virological laboratory, after crossbreeding with Cre-mice Before activation, mice will be resistant to SARS-CoV-2 for their biological safety during the pandemic
Annual Rhythm of Xylem Growth in Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) Trees Grown in Malaysia

Summary The periodicity of the growth increment in six rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) trees grown in Peninsula Malaysia was investigated continuously throughout three years using the pinning and the band-dendrometer method. The pinning and dendrometer data were analyzed for obtaining the correlation with the seasonal rhythm of radial growth and circumferential increments. The data of growth increments measured with the dendrometer continuously for three years indicated growth dormancy during the first three to five months (from January to March or May) each year in all the sample trees, in which annual ring-like features were observed. This means that rubber wood trees have an annual rhythm in the xylem growth. The boundary zone consisted of flattened wood fibers with thin walls, axial parenchyma cells, and small vessels. On the other hand, those obtained from the pinning method showed a vague growth dormancy around March every year. It seemed that growth measurement in tropical trees using the dendrometer is useful for detecting the growth rhythm of cambium.