Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of environment and plant phenology on prediction of plant nutrient deficiency using leaf analysis in Leucaena leucocephala

Plant analysis is an important tool for predicting plant nutrient imbalances associated with variable soil fertility and it is usually based on analysis of index plant parts such as the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL). Recent use of the YFEL to diagnose plant nutrient status of Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata (leucaena) pastures has given unreliable results. Two field trials, one irrigated and one dryland, were conducted in subtropical Queensland to investigate the effect of index leaf selection, plant phenology and environmental factors (ambient temperature and water stress) on leaf nutrient concentrations. The YFEL was identified as the best plant part to sample because it was readily identifiable and had consistent concentrations of most nutrients compared to older and younger leaves provided specific conditions were met when sampling. At both sites there was significant (P 0.75% DM were likely to be >21 days in age and should not be used for the diagnosis of plant nutrient status. It was concluded that leaf analysis could be used to confidently assess leucaena plant nutrient status provided the YFEL were sampled from actively growing plants in vegetative development that had received rainfall/irrigation in the preceding 28 days and were <21 days of age.
Factors in the Relationship between Maintenance Engineering and Knowledge Management

The mechanisms of transmission and management of knowledge are mostly created by maintenance and exploitation activities of large buildings and industrial facilities, but they are poorly studied due to the difficulty capturing themas they belong to tacit knowledge gained by the experience of the maintenance staff. These professionals are highly qualified and are accostumed to solving technical problems even under pressure. The loss of these professionals means losing also an important asset of the company. This article will tackle the importance of the factors that influence knowledge management (KM) in maintenance engineering and its barriers and facilitators. The research is carried out by qualitative investigation on maintenance staff of an industrial company.
Kruger National Park research supersites: Establishing long-term research sites for cross-disciplinary, multiscaled learning

Researchers interested in studying the effects of fire or herbivory in the Kruger National Park (KNP) often focus their research activities on the experimental burn plots or herbivore exclosure camps, respectively. These are manipulated sites that apply treatments, for example annual fires or total exclusion of fire and herbivores. However, many projects aim to study or monitor patterns and processes emerging under non-manipulated conditions, typically at sites with contrasting geologies and rainfall. Yet, these sites are usually selected in a haphazard and uncoordinated manner for different projects and, as a consequence, it is often not possible to integrate datasets and knowledge. An alternative to the ever-increasing number of unrelated sites scattered across the park are the ‘KNP research supersites’ which have been earmarked to geographically focus future research effort, acting as data-rich, long-term sites for monitoring and research. In this paper, we introduced the four recently established KNP research supersites, which cover the rainfall gradient and geological contrast of the KNP, presenting their rationale, selection criteria and location, along with existing datasets that describe their herbaceous biomass, woody cover, phenology, fire history, levels of herbivory. Additional site-specific datasets, which are already available, or which are in preparation, were outlined together with details for assessing these open-source datasets online. Conservation implications: The KNP research supersites will become increasingly used for research, monitoring and remote-sensing calibration and ground-truthing purposes. Scientists are encouraged to gain from, and contribute towards, these sites, which will facilitate long-term data collection, data-sharing and co-learning and, ultimately, lead to a more integrated, multiscaled and multitemporal understanding of savannahs.
Bread-Making Wheat and Soil Nitrate as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization in Irrigated Mediterranean Conditions

Mediterranean areas are suitable for the production of high quality bread-making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) because of the high temperatures during grain filling. Wheat quality is also influenced by variety and can be enhanced through the use of N fertilizer. However, N fertilization can increase residual soil NO - 3 after harvest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental topdressed N fertilizer on quality and production of high quality bread-making wheat and on residual soil NO - 3 under irrigated Mediterranean conditions. Field experiments were conducted at two sites during two growing seasons on Calcixeroclic Xerochrept soils of the Ebro Valley (Spain). Five N treatments (100, 200, and 300 kg N ha -1 applied at the end of tillering and 150 or 250 kg N ha -1 at the end of tillering plus 50 kg ha -1 foliar-applied N at the end of the boot stage) were imposed on two cultivars. Topdressed N increased yields, when increasing from 100 kg N ha -1 to higher rates only, in soils with low residual NO - 3 , However, N fertilization increased grain protein contents for all locations and years and bread quality parameters but with a greater effect in soils with low soil NO - 3 . Residual soil NO - 3 after harvest increased little with increasing N rates. Grain protein, yield, and quality varied depending mainly on the year and amount of precipitation during grain filling. A topdress N rate of 200 kg N ha -1 would be the most appropriate way to produce high quality bread-making wheat and minimize the risk of NO - 3 leaching.
Tree-ring based spring precipitation reconstruction in the Sikhote-Alin Mountain Range

Abstract. Here, we present precipitation reconstructions based on tree rings from Pinus koraiensis (Korean pine) from three sites placed along latitudinal (330 km) gradient in Sikhote-Alin mountains, Russian Far East. The tree-ring width chronologies were built using standard tree-ring procedures. We reconstructed the April–June precipitation for the southern Sikhote-Alin (SSA), March–June precipitation for the central Sikhote-Alin (CSA) and March–July precipitation for the northwestern Sikhote-Alin (NSA) over the 1609 to 2013, 1804 to 2009 and 1858 to 2013, respectively. We found that an important limiting factor for Korean pine growth was precipitation within the period when the air current coming from the continent during the cold period is replaced with the impact of the wet ocean air current. We identified common wet years for SSA, CSA and NSA occurred in 1805, 1853, 1877, 1903, 1906, 1927, 1983, 2009 and common dry years occurred in 1821, 1869, 1919, 1949 and 2003. Our reconstructions have 3, 15 and 60 year periods and corresponds to influence of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation on the region's climate and relevant processes, respectively. Despite the impact of various global processes, the main contribution to precipitation formation in study area is still made by the Pacific Ocean, which determines their amount and periodicity.
Distribution and status of the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in South Australia

Abstract The breeding population of Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in South Australia was estimated at ∼52 pairs in 2005. These were sparsely distributed (one pair/30.1 km of coastline) from the eastern Bunda Cliffs in the west of the state, to Kangaroo Island in the east, with most of the population on western and southern Eyre Peninsula in the Great Australian Bight region. Most nests were constructed on broken sections of coastal cliff and near-shore rock-stacks, with a small number on man-made structures and one active nest in a tree. The population is geographically isolated, with the westernmost territory in South Australia ∼1000 km from the nearest known breeding sites to the west, in Western Australia, the nearest population to the east is in north-eastern New South Wales, >1500 km distant. There is evidence for an overall population decline in South Australia as only historical breeding records were found for upper Spencer Gulf and for the Murray River indicating a substantial reduction in range. In addition, some nesting sites on Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island are considered vulnerable to disturbance from unmanaged coastal recreation and the encroachment of residential and tourism development.
A double auction mechanism for coordinating lot-sizing in supply chains

Abstract This paper presents an auction mechanism for the coordination of dynamic, uncapacitated lot-sizing problems in two-party supply chains where parties’ local data are private information and no external mediator is involved. In the first stage of the mechanism, the buyer generates supply proposals which potentially lead to system-wide improvements, and communicates them to the supplier. Then both parties evaluate the cost impact of the different proposals for their local planning domains. In the second stage, buyer and supplier submit sealed bids on each proposal. Then the bids are opened and the proposal with the greatest surplus is implemented. The procedure for proposal generation is efficient and scalable. It identifies the system-wide optimum in special cases, finds close-to-optimal solutions for general settings in computational tests, while the number of needed proposals increases linearly with the number of time periods and items supplied. Further analytical and numerical analyses indicate that the auction in the second stage is highly efficient.
Influence of Biocompatible Coating on Titanium Surface Characteristics

Nowadays investigations in the field of dental implants engineering are focused on bioactivity and osseointegration properties. In this study, the oxide-covered titanium was functionalized by vitamin D3 molecules via a simple self-assembly method with the aim to design more corrosion-resistant and at the same time more bioactive surface. Surface properties of the D3-coated titanium were examined by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements, while long-term corrosion stability during immersion in an artificial saliva solution was investigated in situ by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results of all techniques confirmed a successful formation of the vitamin D3 layer on the oxide-covered titanium. Besides very good corrosion resistivity (~5 MΩ cm2), the D3-modified titanium surface induced spontaneous formation of biocompatible bone-like calcium phosphates (CaP). Observed in vitro CaP-forming ability as a result of D3-modified titanium/artificial saliva interactions could serve as a promising predictor of in vivo bioactivity of implant materials.
Gender and countering violent extremism in Women, Peace and Security national action plans

Using discourse analysis, this research explores the representation of gender roles and identities in relation to counter-terrorism/countering violent extremism in 38 national action plans for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and associated United Nations Security Council resolutions. Representations of gender in relation to counter-terrorism/countering violent extremism in the national action plans that we analyse fix women in subordinate and passive subject positions while presuming that men are inherently violent and extremist. These findings have implications not only for scholarship on the Women, Peace and Security agenda, but also for policy practice in this area.
Responses of triticale, wheat, rye and barley to nitrogen fertilizer

A hexaploid triticale from Mexico and local cultivars of wheat, rye and barley, each at five levels of fertilizer nitrogen (0, 35, 70, 105 and 140 kg N/ha) with four replications, were grown in a field experiment at Mintaro, South Australia. A visually discernible response to nitrogen fertilizer by all four genotypes from an early stage was confirmed by quantitative sampling at tiliering, anthesis and maturity. Responses in plant dry weight to 105 kg N/ha were maintained until anthesis but grain yield responses were significant only at 35 kg N/ha. Total dry matter production responses at maturity to more than 35 kg N/ha were small. Numbers of tillers and heads were increased by nitrogen additions up to 140 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively, and plant height measurements showed general increases to 70 kg N/ha with significant lodging at higher nitrogen levels in both rye and triticale. For all genotypes, thousand grain weight decreased with increasing level of nitrogen supply while grain and straw nitrogen increased up to levels of 140 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively. Nitrogen supply had little effect on maturity, plants at 0 and 140 kg N/ha reaching anthesis less than a day apart. The lack of a significant nitrogen x genotype interaction in nearly all the data suggests that the triticale does not differ in its nitrogen nutrition from the traditional cereals. Triticale consistently outyielded the other cereals in total dry matter production followed by the rye, wheat and barley in that order. Grain yield was highest in the wheat and least in the rye, the latter also being the least responsive to nitrogen. The advantage of the triticale lay in its high grain protein and lysine content combined with good yield.
Low genetic variability in the ancient asexual ostracod Darwinula stevensoni

Abstract The genetic variability and genotypic (clonal) structure of 34 populations of the ancient asexual Darwinula stevensoni was assayed using allozymes. In this study of 1964 individuals from nine countries in Europe, Israel and South Africa, little genetic variability was found. Out of nine enzyme systems only two revealed sufficient enzyme activity to produce consistent zymograms. Only one locus (Gpi 1) was polymorphic, and only in 14 populations: 83% of all screened individuals from all over Europe shared the same genotype. There was no significant deviation of Hardy—Weinberg equilibrium in 10 out of 14 polymorphic populations, a result unexpected in an asexual species. Among possible causes we discuss null alleles whose presence would make genotype frequencies discordant with Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. Allele and genotype frequencies were different in lakes and rivers (heterozygotes were dominant in rivers, homozygotes in lakes). Habitat choice might be driven by a different starvation tolerance by different genotypes.
Survival of Diploid and Triploid Rhamdia quelen Juveniles Under Different Oxygen Concentrations

The objective of this study was to determinate the lethal concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) over 96 hours of exposure (LC50–96h) for diploid and triploid jundia Rhamdia quelen juveniles. Diploid and triploid fish weighing approximately 4 g were subjected to DO concentrations varying between 0.4 and 1.3 mg O2 L−1; water temperature was maintained at 27 °C and pH at 6.3. The LC50–96h for diploids of Rhamdia quelen was 0.535 mg O2 L−1, while the value obtained for triploids was 6% greater. These results demonstrated that triploids of Rhamdia quelen juveniles have greater sensitivity to hypoxia compared to diploids.
Experimental study of the impacts of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) on pond community structure

We examined community impacts of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a summer experimental pond study of factorial design with four treatment combinations (fishless, bluegill, largemouth bass, and bluegill with largemouth bass). Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Daphnia pulicaria, Chaoborus sp. , Volvox sp. , anisopteran and zygopteran nymphs, and dissolved oxygen levels were suppressed in the presence of bluegill. Diaptomus sp. , Conochiloides sp. , Cyclotellas sp. , Navicula sp. , Oocystis sp. , Anabaena sp. , Ceratium sp. , algal fluorescence, turbidity, 5- to 12.7-μm particles, and total phosphorus and total nitrogen were enhanced in the presence of bluegill. Daphnia pulicaria was enhanced and Cyclotella sp. and Oocystis sp. were suppressed in the presence of largemouth bass. Although the effects of the two fish were not independent, as indicated by significant bluegill × largemouth bass interactions for some plankton taxa, we found little evidence of bluegill impacts being rev.
Assassin Bugs of the Genus Ghilianella in the Americas (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Emesinae)

This paper brings together and summarizes available data on the genus Ghilianella in the Americas. Descriptions of the genus and subgenera are given, as well as a checklist of the 88 known species. The keys differentiate the 80 species of which specimens were available for study; they are expansions of those published in 1925 by McAtee and Malloch (the fine work of these authors has aided me greatly in the completion of this paper). Among the species treated in the following pages, 15 are described as new, 1 is redescribed, and the ''hypotypes" of 7 others are described. For 32 previously described species, notes are given on specimens examined, and the paper closes with notes on the 8 species not included in the keys. In the illustrations (see pp. 407-421) I have tried to keep together similar structures from the various species so that a comparison of them could be made. In this paper, the term "hypotype" is used to refer to a specimen herein described and belonging to the opposite sex of the corresponding holotype described by another author. Additional specimens of the hypotype are called "parahypotypes. " Thus, I have followed the terminology suggested by Frizzell (1933).
Patterns and determinants of mammal species occurrence in India

1. Many Indian mammals face range contraction and extinction, but assessments of their population status are hindered by the lack of reliable distribution data and range maps. 2. We estimated the current geographical ranges of 20 species of large mammals by applying occupancy models to data from country-wide expert. We modelled species in relation to ecological and social covariates (protected areas, landscape characteristics and human influences) based on a priori hypotheses about plausible determinants of mammalian distribution patterns. 3. We demonstrated that failure to incorporate detection probability in distribution survey methods underestimated habitat occupancy for all species. 4. Protected areas were important for the distribution of 16 species. However, for many species much of their current range remains unprotected. The availability of evergreen forests was important for the occurrence of 14 species, temperate forests for six species, deciduous forests for 15 species and higher altitude habitats for two species. Low human population density was critical for the occurrence of five species, while culturally based tolerance was important for the occurrence of nine other species. 5. Rhino Rhinoceros unicornis, gaur Bos gaurus and elephant Elephas maximus showed the most restricted ranges among herbivores, and sun bear Helarctos malayanus, brown bear Ursus arctos and tiger Panthera tigris were most restricted among carnivores. While cultural tolerance has helped the survival of some mammals, legal protection has been critically associated with occurrence of most species. 6. Synthesis and applications. Extent of range is an important determinant of species conservation status. Understanding the relationship of species occurrence with ecological and socio-cultural covariates is important for identification and management of key conservation areas. The combination of occupancy models with field data from country-wide experts enables reliable estimation of species range and habitat associations for conservation at regional scales.
Bioactive constituents and allelopathic activities of the invasive weed Ranunculus sceleratus L. Nile Delta, Egypt

Allelopathy is the biochemical interactions between plants that results from the activity of different phytochemicals synthesized by higher plants. Many plants show pronounced allelopathic activity [1-4] due to their capability to synthesize variable allelochemicals that release into the environment by leaching from leaves, degradation of plant residues, volatilization and root exudation [5] and could influence the life of some surrounding plants and animals [6]. There are several classes of allelochemicals include phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids and steroids [7]. Such allelochemicals influence plant growth and development and could be used to reduce weed pathogens and enhance crops yield [8].
Expression and activity of C/EBPβ and δ are upregulated by dexamethasone in skeletal muscle

The influence of glucocorticoids on the expression and activity of the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)β and δ in skeletal muscle was examined by treating rats or cultured L6 myotubes with dexamethasone. Treatment of rats with 10 mg/kg of dexamethasone resulted in increased C/EBPβ and δ DNA binding activity in the extensor digitorum longus muscle as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and supershift analysis. A similar response was noticed in dexamethasone‐treated myotubes. In other experiments, myocytes were transfected with a plasmid containing a promoter construct consisting of multiple C/EBP binding elements upstream of a luciferase reporter gene. Treatment of these cells with dexamethasone resulted in a fourfold increase in luciferase activity, suggesting that glucocorticoids increase C/EBP‐dependent gene activation in muscle cells. In addition, dexamethasone upregulated the protein and gene expression of C/EBPβ and δ in the myotubes in a time‐ and dose‐dependent fashion as determined by Western blotting and real‐time PCR, respectively. The results suggest that glucocorticoids increase C/EBPβ and δ activity and expression through a direct effect in skeletal muscle. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Classification of subclinical mastitis in raw cow milk using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Mastitis is an infectious-contagious disease that causes an inflammation of the udder that affects a high proportion of dairy cows throughout the world. The difficulty of its diagnosis (which requires culture media especially for its isolation) and inefficiency of antibiotics in your treatment, what become a fearsome enemy if detected its presence in a dairy farm, since only very rigorous hygiene and disposal measures of the positive cows, are the measures known for controlling it. While it is true that subclinical mastitis does not usually increase in greatly the amount of colony forming unit (CFU)/ml (x1000) of tank milk, can contribute some bacteria potentially harmful to human health, also alters the composition of milk. This research introduces the development of an analytical methodology for on-site monitoring the CFU/ml in raw milk at farm level by using a portable NIR sensor MicroPhazirTM NIR spectrometer, using a total of 1266 liquid milk samples, scanned at room temperature without pre-treatment. Samples were divided into two sub-sets. The training set composed of 1197 samples, and a set of 69 samples to external validation. Classification models were used for the prediction of CFU/ml in milk at legal level: < 400 and ≥ 400 CFU/ml(x1000), achieving less than 3% of penalties.