Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landscape-scale disturbance and protected areas: long-term dynamics of populations of the shrimp, Macrobrachium olfersi in lowland Neotropical streams, Costa Rica

Abstract: Freshwater migratory shrimps, an important component of tropical aquatic ecosystems, are vulnerable to land-use change during their upstream and downstream migrations. At La Selva Biological Station in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica, shrimp population data were collected between 1988 and 1989, before massive land-use change occurred downstream that could potentially affect shrimp recruitment upstream. Using generalized linear models and a Bayesian inference framework, the relative abundance of Macrobrachium olfersi between recent (2008–2011) and historical time periods (1988–1989) was compared in three stream reaches. Shrimp relative abundance in two stream reaches within the protected area of La Selva was relatively constant yearly and between recent post-disturbance (2008–2011) and historical pre-disturbance (1988–89) time periods. In contrast, a stream reach bordered by pasture accessible to fishermen, showed an 87% decrease in relative abundance between recent and historical time periods suggesting site-level disturbance, possibly from fishing. The lack of change between historical and contemporary sampling periods within interior-forest stream reaches suggests that shrimp populations in protected forested reaches are resistant or resilient to certain land-use changes occurring downstream.
Forecasting the airborne spread of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, a cause of black Sigatoka disease on banana : estimations of numbers of perithecia and ascospores

SUMMARY Banana leaves showing different levels of black Sigatoka disease were collected from an unsprayed plantation in Costa Rica during two separate periods representing the wet to dry season transition (October 1993 – February 1994) and the dry to wet season transition (April – September 1995). Laboratory studies were used to investigate the relationship between the release of Mycosphaerella fijiensis ascospores and the amount of inoculum on banana plants showing different levels of infection, as assessed by leaf necrotic area. The number of perithecia present in the necrotic area was used as an indication of potential ascospore loads and was investigated as a series of regression equations. A series of rewetting and incubation regimes was used to investigate spore release under field conditions (21°C and 100% relative humidity in the early morning and 28°C, 60% relative humidity on days when it rained in mid-afternoon). Results suggest that rainfall, combined with a high temperature, may lead to peaks of ascospore release but without necessarily increasing overall numbers released over periods of up to 4 days and that a high level of spore release was less sensitive to changes in temperature once it had been initiated. The exact role of temperature in spore release is still unclear, however, as leaf samples kept at atypically low temperatures also released non-germinating ascospores. An average of 4.5 ascospores was released per perithecium. This does not resolve ambiguities in the literature regarding the number of ascospores present in each perithecium. A linear model relating the average ascospore numbers and necrotic area, using quick estimates of the amounts of necrotic area on the leaves of a random sample of plants across a plantation, is proposed, to give an indication of the relative amount of airborne inoculum potentially available between different plantations.
Intake rate and nutritive value of elephant grass cv. Napier subjected to strategies of rotational stocking management

Several research papers on tropical forage grasses have demonstrated that grazing management modifies sward structure that, in turn, alters patterns of ingestive and foraging behavior of the grazing animal. For that reason it has been used to explain adjustments in intake characteristics like bite mass, bite rate, intake rate and nutritive value of the consumed herbage (Fonseca et al. 2012). Tall tussock plants like elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) cv. Napier display stem elongation during the vegetative state (da Silva and Carvalho 2005), causing swards to become too tall and out of reach for grazing animals, making efficient grazing management difficult, particularly when long regrowth periods are used. In that context, an increase in defoliation frequency can improve herbage intake and nutritive value (Palhano et al. 2007), by favoring leaf elongation as opposed to stem elongation and senescent material accumulation throughout successive grazing cycles. Against that background, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the components of short-term herbage intake (intake rate, bite mass and bite rate) and nutritive value of the consumed herbage from elephant grass cv. Napier subjected to rotational stocking management defined in terms of preand post-grazing management targets.
Can predators regulate small mammal populations? Evidence from house mouse outbreaks in Australia.

House mouse Mus domesticus populations in Australia can occur at either low or very high densities. During a 2-yr study mice increased from rarity to abundance in two phases: in phase A mice reached medium densities and declined, in phase B they reached very high densities before declining to near extinction. We hypothesise that mice were regulated by predators in phase A, but escaped from regulation to form plagues in phase B. We measured directly the mortality imposed by raptors and mammalian predators. Two predictions were tested: (1) if predators regulate prey populations then the predator total response shoud be density-dependent within the range of low densities (phase A); (2) when a prey outbreak occurs (phase B) predator total response should be inversely density-dependent
CUTICLE DEVELOPMENT ON GLANDULAR TRICHOMES OF CANNABIS SATIVA (CANNABACEAE)

The dermal sheath of glandular trichomes of Cannabis sativa L. , consisting of cuticle and a subcuticular wall, was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Cuticle thickened selectively on the outer wall of disc cells of each trichome prior to formation of the secretory cavity, whereas thickening was less evident on the dermal cells of the bract. Membraned secretory vesicles that differ in size and appearance in the secretory cavity were the source of precursors for synthesis of cuticle. Vesicle contents, released following the degradation of the vesicle membrane upon contact with the subcuticular -wall, contributed to both structured and amorphous phases of cuticle development. The structured phase was represented by deposition and thickening of cuticle at the subcuticular wall-cuticle interface to form a thickened cuticle. In the amorphous phase precursors permeated the cuticle in a liquid state, as shown by fusion of cuticles and wax layers between contiguous glands, and may have contributed to growth in surface area of the expanding sheath. Disc cells are interpreted to control growth of secretory cavity by secretion of membraned vesicles into the cavity. The thickened cuticle, which increased eightfold in thickness during enlargement of the gland, provided structural strength for the extensive surface area of the dermal sheath. The gland of Cannabis in which vesicle contents contribute to the growth in thickness and surface area of the cuticle of the sheath is interpreted to represent a phylogenetically derived state as contrasted to secretory glands possessing'only cuticle and lacking a complement of secretory vesicles.
A boom–bust phylum? Ecological and evolutionary consequences of density variations in echinoderms

Echinoderms play a key role in structuring many marine ecosystems and are notorious for large population density variations in so-called “outbreak” or “dieoff” events. In a review of this phenomenon, we assess the causal factors and ecological and evolutionary consequences. We identified 28 species (6 Asteroidea, 8 Echinoidea, 10 Holothuroidea, 4 Ophiuroidea) that exhibit large (more than two population doublings or halvings) population density changes. Three generalized patterns were identified and named for exemplary species: (1) rapid decreases followed by no or slow recovery (Diadema–Paracentrotus Model), (2), rapid increase and apparent stability at a new population density (Amperima–Amphiura Model), and (3) population density fluctuations (Acanthaster–Asterias Model). Echinoderms identified were distributed from the shallow intertidal to the deep sea, and from tropical to temperate regions. In most cases, significant impacts on the respective ecosystems were observed. The most striking similarity among all species identified was possession of the ancestral-type planktotrophic larva. This larval type was significantly overrepresented in species identified within the Asteroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea, and for the combined data set. We suggest three main factors that render a life history with planktotrophic larvae a high-risk–high-gain strategy: (1) a strong nonlinear dependency of larval production on adult densities (Allee effects), (2) a low potential for compensatory feedback mechanisms, and (3) an uncoupling of larval and adult ecology. The alternative (derived) lecithotrophic larva occurs in 68% of recent echinoderm species, suggesting an evolutionary trend toward this larval type. Lecithotrophic development represents a more buffered life history because compensatory feedback between adult densities and larval output is likely to be more efficient. For lecithotrophic developers, direct nutritive coupling from adult to larva to the early benthic juvenile provides a buffer against starvation. Lecithotrophic larvae are independent of the vagaries of planktonic food supply, and their short planktonic duration may promote local recruitment. Anthropogenic influences contributed to the population density variations in most cases, including increased primary productivity through eutrophication or global change, disease, overfishing, and species introductions. We suggest that anthropogenic disturbance, through its influence on the frequency and/or amplitude of echinoderm population density changes, may go beyond present ecosystem impacts and alter future evolutionary trends.
Influence of host density and population structure on egg production in the coccidophagous ladybird, Chilocorus nigritus F. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

1 Studies on aphidophagous coccinellids have indicated that patch quality, and, in particular, the age structure of the prey or the phenological age of the plant, may play an important role in stimulating oviposition behaviour. However, little is known about the egg‐laying tactics of coccidophagous species.
Study to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Astragalus glycyphyllos extract in carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Aim: To investigate the possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of purified extract obtained from aerial parts of Astragalus glycyphyllos (EAG) using in vivo model of CCl 4 - induced liver damage in male Wistar rats. Study Design: A total of 36 animals were randomly allocated in six experimental groups, each consisted of six animals: Control rats ( Group 1), rats challenged orally with CCl 4 (10 % solution in olive oil) ( Group 2), rats treated for 7 days with silymarin (100 mg.kg - 1 , 0.5 mL/100 g) alone ( Group 3) and challenged with CCl 4 after 7 - day pre - treatment with silymarin ( Group 4); animals in groups 5 and 6 were either treated with EAG (100 mg.kg - 1 , 0.5 mL/100 g) alone or challenged with CCl 4 after 7 - day pre - treatment with the extract.
Genetic evidence for extra-pair fertilisations in socially monogamous short-tailed shearwaters, Puffinus tenuirostris (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae), using DNA fingerprinting

Genetic relationships between adults and nestlings of the short-failed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris, were analysed by multilocus DNA fingerprinting. Short-tailed shearwaters are socially monogamous, forming strong pair bonds, often for many years. The human polycore minisatellite probe, 33-6, revealed sufficient variation in shearwater DNA to allow individual-specific identification. A total of 22 nestlings and 32 adults, comprising 10 trios of nestling and both parents, and 12 pairs of nestling and only one parent, were examined. Analysis of fingerprint profiles revealed four cases where a nestling was not related to one of the attendant adults, and may have resulted from an extra-pair fertilisation. Extra-pair fertilisations, as an alternative breeding strategy, are discussed with respect to the biased and low reproductive output of this long-lived species.
Broad-spectrum light pollution suppresses melatonin and increases West Nile virus–induced mortality in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

ABSTRACT Artificial light at night (ALAN) has become a pervasive anthropogenic stressor for both humans and wildlife. Although many negative impacts of ALAN on human health have been identified, the consequences for infectious disease dynamics are largely unexplored. With the increase in popularity of energy efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the effects of spectral composition of ALAN have also come into question. Previous studies showed that exposure to low levels of incandescent ALAN extended the infectious period of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) infected with West Nile virus (WNV) without affecting mortality rates, thus increasing the pathogen initial reproductive rate (R0) by ∼41%. Here, we asked whether exposure to broad-spectrum (3000 K [Kelvin; unit of color temperature]) ALAN suppressed melatonin, a hormone implicated in ALAN-induced physiological consequences, in House Sparrows. We then asked whether amber-hue bulbs (1800 K) could ameliorate the effects of WNV on individual sparrows, and whether broad-spectrum or blue-rich bulbs (3000 K and 5000 K, respectively) could exacerbate them. We found that exposure to low intensity (∼5 lux) broad-spectrum (3000 K) ALAN significantly suppressed melatonin levels throughout the night. Second, we found that exposure to broad-spectrum and blue-rich (3000 + 5000 K) lights did not affect WNV viremia but did increase WNV-induced mortality. Conversely, birds exposed to amber-hue (1800 K) ALAN had lower viremia and mortality rates similar to controls (i.e. natural light conditions). This study demonstrates that ALAN affects melatonin regulation in birds, but this effect, as well as ALAN influences on infectious disease responses, can be ameliorated by particular lighting technologies.
The effect of seed dimorphism on the germination and survival of Salicornia europaea L. populations

Seed dimorphism influenced the germination behavior of Salicornia europaea L. , with small seeds being more dormant and less salt tolerant than large seeds. All of the large less dormant seeds of S. europaea germinated prior to May, and all seedlings produced after this time were from small seeds. A persistent seed bank was maintained by the small dormant seeds. Survivorship was relatively constant during the normal germination season, but increasing salinity stress at any time during the spring reduces the chance of seedling survival. Little germination occurred from July through September because of the high surface soil salinities during this period. SALICORNIA EUROPAEA L. is an annual halophyte in the family Chenopodiaceae (Fernald, 1950). The plant has an erect habit, with an articulated and apparently leafless stem. Branching is decussate and in the mature plant all of the branches terminate in a spike-like inflorescence of 3-flowered cymules. The central flower of a cymule always produces a larger seed than the two lateral flowers (Konig, 1960; Dalby, 1962; Ungar, 1979). Seeds from the lateral flowers are less salt tolerant and more dormant than the larger seeds of the central flowers (Ungar, 1979). Small seeds have a light and a stratification requirement, similar to the condition found in S. patula studied by Grouzis, Berger and Heim (1976). Ungar (1979) concluded from his germination studies that S. europaea exhibited a somatic seed dimorphism. Somatic seed polymorphism is defined as the production of seeds of different morphologies and behavior on different parts of the same plant (Harper, 1977). The phenomenon has been reported in a number of weedy annuals that occupy unpredictable environments, and seems to be the rule in several genera of the family Chenopodiaceae (Harper, Lovell and Moore, 1 9 70). The diffierential germination behavior of different seed morphs has been discussed by several authors (Harper, 1965; Williams and Harper, 1965; Harper et al., 1970; Baskin and Baskin, 1976; Harper, 1977; Flint
Posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture

The choice of the type of stabilization device in the osteosynthesis of dorso-lumbar spine fractures remains a subject of controversy. The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of short segment in patients suffering post-traumatic thoracolumbar fractures. This study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia. All our patients had a spinal osteosynthesis via the posterior approach with a short segment pedicle screw fixation. We established a record of the pre and post-operative data, the functional results in the post-operative stage during the follow-up period and in retrospect according to the Denis Pain Scale, as well as the Oswestry score. The correction was evaluated by determining the relative gain and loss at the last period of retrospect: vertebral kyphosis, regional kyphosis, Gardner Segment Kyphotic Deformity (GSKD), and computed tomography (CT) scan in retrospect to check the quality of the arthrodesis. The average Oswestry score was 14%. Twenty-nine patients had an Oswestry score ≤40%. The relative gain obtained postoperatively was 57.3% for vertebral kyphosis, 67.2% for regional kyphosis and 71.3% for Gardner kyphosis deformity; while the loss of correction at the last follow-up was 0.6° for vertebral kyphosis, 1.5° for regional kyphosis and 0.9° for GSKD. No cases of non-union were reported. The short segment fixation makes it possible to limit operating time, the abundance of bleeding and the aggression of the soft tissues.
Lagrangian Propagation Graph Neural Networks

In the last years, the popularity of deep learning techniques has renewed the interest in neural models able to process complex patterns, that are naturally encoded as graphs. In particular, different architectures have been proposed to extend the original Graph Neural Network (GNN) model. GNNs exploit a set of state variables, each assigned to a graph node, and a diffusion mechanism among neighbor nodes, to implement an iterative state update procedure that computes the ﬁxed point of the (learnable) state transition function. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to state computation and learning for GNNs, based on a constraint optimisation task solved in the Lagrangian framework. The state convergence procedure is implicitly expressed by the constraint satisfaction mechanism and does not require a separate iterative phase for each epoch of the learning procedure. In fact, the computational structure is based on the search for saddle points of the Lagrangian in the adjoint space of weights, neural outputs (node states), and Lagrange multipliers. The proposed approach is compared experimentally with other popular models for processing graphs.
PREVENTIVE COUNSELING: A RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT BOARDING SCHOOL IN YOGYAKARTA

Purpose of the study: This study aims to explore religious development programs in boarding schools in Yogyakarta and to find out how the implementation of religious development programs, especially preventive counseling programs. Methodology: This study used a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data collection used observation, interviews, and documentation. The subject were religion teachers, counseling teachers, the vice-principal of student affairs, homeroom teachers, students, and parents of the student. Main Findings: The results showed that there are two religious development programs at boarding schools in Yogyakarta. First, the development of faith and piety towards Allah by providing concepts in the form of a school lesson. Second, a program to teach religious morals values by internalizing religious values about morals. At the beginning of the study, these programs were designed by paying attention to many current teenage issues and anticipating their future. Applications of this study: This study can be useful in the field of educational psychology, especially in the personality section. The results of this study can be used by counselors at a school to overcome adolescent problems. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research showed that to make a student well behave in this digital age was not enough if only giving a theoretical study to them but also inviting them to do good things to their teacher. Furthermore, a stay program in the boarding school can be a consideration for parents to form a positive personality for their children.
Exploring capsule networks for disease classification in plants

Abstract The overarching goal of smart farming is to develop innovative solutions for future sustainability of humankind. Crop protection from biological/non-biological factors is a major hindrance for food security, plant diseases being one of the foremost challenges. Not only, plant diseases destroy the crops or diminish their overall quality, use of pesticides for their treatment renders the soil contaminated, which after a time becomes unsuitable for sowing and planting. Potato is a key crop and a major source of livelihood for a vast population. In this study, the authors have implemented capsule networks for classification of potato diseases, and compared the performance with few popular pretrained CNN models, namely ResNet18, VGG16 and GoogLeNet, implemented via transfer learning. Colored images of healthy as well as diseased leaf images were employed from the PlantVillage dataset and used for training the models. CapsNet proved to have achieved comparable performance to state-of-the-art CNN models, with 91.83% accuracy.
Trace element availability to plants in agricultural soils, with special emphasis on fertilizer inputs

Fertilizers, along with atmospheric deposition, are believed to contribute more than all other factors to the trace element burden of cultivated soils. This review will discuss trace elements in commercial fertilizer in relation to their transfer to soil–plant systems. Also, background levels in soils and the concentrations of trace elements in soils, phosphate rocks, and commercial fertilizers will be presented. Results from several short and long-term experiments indicated that the application of phosphate fertilizers to agricultural soils generally resulted in an increase of trace elements in soils and that the increase was most pronounced for Cd. The corresponding increase in plants was quite variable, ranging from no increase at all to a significant increase. The concentration of trace elements in plant species also showed a wide variation. The distribution and partitioning of trace elements among chemical associations in soils varied considerably for different elements. The highest percentage of Cd .