Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Habitat utilization and home range of the redwing francolin, Francolinus levaillantii, in highland grasslands, Mpumalanga province, South Africa.

The effects of intensive commercial livestock farming on the distribution and habitat use of the redwing francolin, Francolinus levaillantii, was investigated to identify habitat constraints that may contribute towards the observed decline of this species on livestock farms. Data on the size, placement of the home ranges and compositional habitat use from ten radio-tracked individuals, five in commercially grazed (and frequently burned) and five in protected (and infrequently burned) highland grasslands, was collated to determine habitat preferences. Mean home range size within protected and grazed grassland study sites were similar and ranged between 7.6 and 15.4 hectares. However, habitat use by groups in grazed grasslands was restricted to areas of greater cover and food availability. Group sizes were significantly larger in protected (mean 3.77, n = 111 coveys) than in grazed and frequently burned grassland (mean = 2.96, n = 135 coveys). Smaller coveys in grazed habitats had smaller home ranges and were further spaced from one another. It is therefore suggested that habitat degradation, through excessive defoliation of the grassland from heavy grazing and frequent burning, both fragments francolin subpopulations and reduces the ecological availability of suitable habitat. Thus, undermining the metapopulation structure of the redwing francolin in these commercially grazed grasslands.
DREB1A from Oryza sativa var. IR6: homology modelling and molecular docking

The family of AP2/ERF plant specific transcription factors, including dehydration-responsive element binding (DREB) proteins, has been reported to activate and bind with the dehydration responsive element/C repeat (DRE/CRT) of stress-inducible gene promoters. We amplified DREB1A from Oryza sativa var. IR6 (807 bp) and subjected it to protein homology modelling and phylogenetic analysis. BLAST sequence analysis indicated high similarity (99%) with the O. sativa japonica group. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out with other 12 DREB sequences from cereals/grasses using Clustal Omega. Protein secondary structure and 3D models were determined using SOPMA and MODELLER v9.10, respectively. PROSA was used to determine the excellence and consistency of models. The results indicated that the Z-score value was -2.94 and 79.5% of the residues were found in the favoured region. A psi/phi Ramachandran plot was determined using PROCHECK. The molecular docking of the GCC-box binding domain (GBD) of the protein under investigation was done using atomic coordinates of Arabidopsis thaliana GBD- and GCC-box containing DNA, respectively. The tertiary structure of the modelled protein and template were found to be very similar as predicted by a root mean square deviation of 0.968 A. It seemed that both the proteins interacted with the major groove of DNA using Beta-sheets. We attempted to expose the molecular basis of O. sativa var. IR6 DREB1A protein interaction with the target promoter sequence. The results highlighted that this gene could be a good candidate for production of abiotic stress-tolerant crop(s) in the future.
TEM-145 and TEM-146 ß-lactamases produced by Escherichia coli isolates from state hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Two Escherichia coli isolates which were isolated from the urine of patients in state hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were investigated to determine the sequence of the TEM �-lactamases responsible for their resistance to �-lactamase inhibitors. The isolates were subjected to MIC determinations, iso-electric focusing analysis, plasmid analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of �-lactamase genes and sequencing of the blaTEM. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences revealed the presence of two novel TEM �-lactamases, TEM-145 and TEM-146 which had the R244H mutation. Mutations at position 244 have been previously reported in other inhibitor-resistant TEMs (IRTs).
Polymorphisms in the goat β-lactoglobulin gene

β-lactoglobulin polymorphisms have been reported in the milk of different goat breeds, although no genetic variants affecting the protein have been characterized. In the present study, we amplified and sequenced the proximal promoter and the first six exons containing the entire coding region for the β-lactoglobulin gene in eleven goat breeds from Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Senegal and Asia to identify genetic variants. Fifteen polymorphisms were detected, nine in the promoter region and six in the exons of the β-lactoglobulin gene. All polymorphisms were single nucleotide substitutions with the exception of one deletion/insertion in the promoter region. The polymorphisms in the coding region did not produce any amino acid change. In addition, pyrosequencing technology was used to genotype four polymorphisms in the promoter region in 200 goats belonging to eleven breeds. Differences in allelic frequencies for these polymorphisms between breeds are described and a specific polymorphism for the Italian populations was identified. Finally, the analysis of association between these four promoter point mutations was investigated resulting in five haplotypes, GCGC being the most frequent haplotype in all breeds analysed.
DNA CONSERVATION FOR TAXONOMIC STUDIES

sidered to undergo synchronous division if this concept is extended to include the localized regions surrounding each of the PMCs. The PMC regions divide synchronously. The carposporangial regions, analogous to reproductive tissues in vascular plants, also maintain a high degree of synchrony during division of the carpogonia into carpospores. Krishnamurthy (1 959) reported that karyokinesis in Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kiitz. occurred any time of day and that light was not required. He fixed material at unstated intervals, so he may have bypassed procarpogonial areas and times of peak cell division. Although Pringle and Austin (1 970) suggest that light intensity may be a major factor in control of nuclear division, Oohusa (1980) concluded tht diurnal biological changes in P. yezoensis were caused by an endogenous circadian rhythm. Observations on P. abbottae cell division patterns of carpogonial development indicate that an endogenous rhythm is involved. Additionally, specialized and localized PMC activity in the development of carpogonia and carpospores represents a previously unrecognized phenomenon.
Post-dispersal seed predation on eleven large-seeded species from the New Zealand flora: a preliminary study in secondary forest.

Abstract Seed predation trials were conducted for 11 large‐seeded species native to New Zealand in secondary forest. The species used were: Alectryon excelsus, Beilschmiedia tawa, Coprosma grandifolia, Corynocarpus laevigatus, Hedycarya arborea, Myoporum laetum, Nestegis cunninghamii, Prumnopitys ferruginea, Prumnopitys taxifolia, Rhopalostylis sapida, and Ripogonum scandens. Seed removal was monitored for 15 days for 160 seeds of each species, placed in piles of 5 seeds in each of 4 treatments at each of 8 sites in the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, in 1998. Removal of depulped seeds from treatments to which all species had access ranged from 3.8% to 23.8%, with a mean of 9.8%. No seeds were removed from the treatment that excluded all vertebrates. Presence of flesh on the seeds significantly increased seed removal rates in the three species tested with and without flesh. No relationship was found between seed removal and seed size, seed mass, or the proportion of the seed mass that was contribut.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE TRENDS IN SELECT FINANCIAL PARAMETERS IN DISTRICT CENTRAL COOPERATIVE BANKS OF INDIA AND TAMILNADU MuthumeenaMurugaboopathy*., M. Jeyakumaran and S.B. InayathAhamed

In India, District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs) play a vital role in providing credit for agriculture to the other societies and to the rural people. They are controlled by RBI and NABARD under Sec 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act (As Applicable to Cooperative Societies). According to Vydyanathan’s report, the cumulative losses of 12 of the 23 district central cooperative banks in Tamilnadu were more than Rs. 500 crores in March 2006. This study compares the profits and performances of DCCBs in India with that in DCCBs in Tamilnadu for a period of ten years from 2005-06 to 2014-15. JEL Codes: M21 and M41.
Differentiation of the Tapetum During Microsporogenesis in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), with Special Reference to the Tapetal Cell Wall

During microsporogenesis and pollen maturation, the tapetum in anthers of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) underwent several ultrastructural changes and ultimately degenerated. The changes observed related to the secretory function of the tapetum and to the transfer of materials from the cytoplasm to the surface of tapetal cells. Electron dense deposits, initially in the vacuoles, disappeared coincident with the appearance of orbicules on the cell wall. The fibrillar wall of the tapetal cells loosened, presumably to facilitate transfer of materials through the wall. In Addition, membranous fragments were a consistent feature in the tapetum wall and may play a role in transport of materials. The cells of the inner tapetum (towards the connective) and outer tapetum (towards the epidermis) had different ultrastructural features. The cytoplasm of the outer tapetum was more electron dense and had a higher proportion of dictyosomes and mitochondria than the inner tapetum, indicating the greater secretory nature of the outer tapetum. The plastids and mitochondria also differed in morphology between the two regions. Degenerations of the tapetal cytoplasm began by the vacuolate microspore stage. At anthesis, cytoplasm was absent but the orbicular wall of the tapetum remained appressed to the wall of the middle layer of the anther.
Reviews

Abstract Cybercrime and Society, Majid Yar (2006) London, Sage Publications, 185 pp, ISBNs 101412907535, 101412907543, 139781412907538, 139781412907545. Crime Online, Yvonne Jewkes (Ed.) (2007) Cullompton, England, Willan Publishing, 189 pp, ISBN 13: 978-1-84392-197-4 Virtually Criminal: Crime, Deviance and Regulation Online, Matthew Williams (2007). London, England: Routledge, 195 pp., ISBN 10: 0-415-36405-1. Fighting Crime Together: The Challenges of Policing and Security Networks, Fleming, Jenny and Wood, Jennifer (Eds.) (2006). Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 304 pp, ISBN 9780868409238. Interrogating Images: Audiovisually Recorded Police Questioning of Suspects, David Dixon (2007) Institute of Criminology: Sydney. 296 pp, ISBN 9780975196748.
On-farm measurement of the water use and productivity of maize

Maize, as a C4 species, is likely to use water more productively than the perennial ryegrass and white clover pastures typically grown for dairy cows in northern Victoria. However, only estimates of water use by irrigated maize crops are available for this region. We measured the growth and water use of three commercial maize crops used for silage in northern Victoria. Crops under centre pivot irrigation were monitored in 2003–04 (Spray 1) and 2004–05 (Spray 2). A border-check irrigated crop (Border-check) was monitored in 2004–05. The Spray 1 crop was irrigated 30 times and received 782 mm of rainfall and irrigation. The crop yielded 22 t DM/ha, giving a water productivity of 28 kg DM/ha.mm (including irrigation, rainfall and change in soil water content). In the cooler, wetter summer of 2004–05, the water productivity was 34 kg DM/ha.mm for the Spray 2 crop and 30 kg DM/ha.mm for the Border-check crop. Crop evapotranspiration was estimated from weather data and a daily soil water balance was computed according to FAO 56. The estimated and measured changes in soil water content were in good agreement and indicated that the basal crop coefficients in the model (Kcb = 1.15 during the mid-season, before correction for non-standard humidity and wind speed) were appropriate to local conditions. Maize grown for silage in northern Victoria has higher water productivity than pastures. However, high yields are required to make it economically viable compared with alternative forages for dairy cows. These data will assist dairy farmers to select the optimum forage mix for their enterprises.
Genetic characterization of the Mascaruna goat, a Sicilian autochthonous population, using molecular markers

The aim of this work was to characterize a Sicilian autochthonous goat population using microsatellite markers and genetic polymorphisms at the casein genes. In order to investigate the genetic structure of the Mascaruna goat, a total of 60 (20 Girgentana, 20 mixed populations, and 20 Mascaruna) individuals were analyzed, using a panel of 18 microsatellite markers. Moreover, the Mascaruna goats were genotyped at casein loci using several molecular techniques. Based on the genetic structure at casein genes, the Mascaruna goat was similar to most goat breeds from the Mediterranean area, which are characterized by the predominance of strong alleles. The low value of genetic differentiation among populations (F st =0.027) could indicate that these populations were differentiated little probably due to gene flow and breeding practices. The analysis of genetic distances between groups indicated that the Mascaruna goat was the most distanced group, and this result was confirmed by the unrooted neighbor-joining dendrogram, the factorial correspondence analysis, the presence of several private alleles and the Bayesian assignment test. However, the Mascaruna group, despite the influences from other populations, presents a certain degree of uniqueness and could be considered as a population with particular genetic background. Keywords: Local goat population, genetic characterization, microsatellite markers, casein gene cluster African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(24), pp. 3758-3767
The Journal of Macro Trends in Technology and Innovation Innovative Strategic Modeling E-System for Technology New Ventures

This work presents the final results from a research in the field of strategy modeling for technology new ventures in its final stage – presenting an innovative e-system for strategy modeling for technology new ventures developed by the author and presenting results from the approbation of the developed system. The innovative e-system for strategy modeling for technology new ventures is developed following a developed by the author innovative algorithm [7] for strategy modeling for technological startup companies and number of instruments and process modifications implemented in the system in the strategic modeling process. The algorithm and all included in the system instruments and modifications in the process, have been confirmed by a research, conducted amongst 153 participants (136 from Bulgaria and 17 from other countries). The presented system is aimed towards introducing a unified system for strategic modeling, including a smooth transition between the processes of strategic analysis, strategic formulation and strategic implementation. This is achieved by: (1) introducing an unified instrument for strategic analysis and identification of the key characteristics and competitive advantages for the companies, developed by the author; (2) application of a threedimentional framework for categorisation of the basic typological strategies for technology new ventures, together with further full development of the typological strategies, based on a modified model and process of balanced scorecard methodology, developed by the author and (3) a process guiding the entrepreneurs from typological strategies characteristics towards concrete strategies characteristics and activities for their technology new ventures, which represents a smooth transition towards the next stage of strategic management– the strategic implementation stage. All theoretical models, developed by the author, included in the development of the presented system are shown in the appendix of this article. The presented innovative e-system can be used as a basis for further development of the innovative e-system for strategy modeling towards a full strategic management e-system, specifically designed for technology new ventures, covering all stages of the strategic management process.
DESIGN AUTOMATION OF GEAR DRIVE AND GEAR FORMING TOOL

Investigation results oriented to solving the problem of automating gear and gear cutting tool design are discussed. Program for graphic – analytical and analytical computation of gear cutting tool with modified tooth profile as well as computer program for gear forming mold used, die for manufacturing injection molded plastic gears, are considered. Programming and computing suite for computation of gear complete with multipair meshing for tractor “Belarus” gearbox is presented.
An Analytical Method of Minimizing the Crosstalk of Curved Cable and Determining the Optimal Wiring

─ Crosstalk is an easily occurred electromagnetic interference between adjacent cables. Previous research on crosstalk mainly focused on straight cables, and seldom works are reported for bended cables which happens most often in applications. Thus, we propose an analytic method to minimize the crosstalk between curved cables and determine the optimal wiring rules within a specified frequency range. The procedure of the proposed method can be described as the following steps: Firstly, the theoretical crosstalk model of curved cables is deduced and verified by numerical simulation. Then, an “ area” is defined as the evaluation parameter of crosstalk effects, which is devoted to obtaining the law of S with the bending degree. On this basis, an optimal wiring is presented and a physical explanation through the coupling mechanism is given. Finally, an experiment is carried out to further validate the proposed method. Index Terms ─ Crosstalk, curved cables,  area, optimal wiring rules.
The Australian stingless bee industry: a follow-up survey, one decade on

Summary In 2010, an online survey was conducted to assess the current status of the Australian stingless bee industry and its recent development. This was a follow-up survey conducted approximately one decade after the first study, by Heard and Dollin in 1998/99. It showed that the Australian industry had grown over the past ten or so years but is still underdeveloped. There was a 2.5-fold increase in the number of bee keepers and a 3.5 fold increase in the number of domesticated colonies. Seventy-eight percent of bee keepers were hobbyists, 54% of whom owned only one colony. Most colonies were kept in suburban areas. Two species, Tetragonula carbonaria and Austroplebeia australis, dominated the relatively short list of species kept. There was a high demand for Australian stingless bee colonies and their honey, but with less than 250 bee keepers currently propagating colonies, and many of them on a small scale, it is difficult to meet this demand. Pollination services were provided by less than 4% of the major stakeholders within the industry. Further research and development in the area of colony propagation may see this industry grow more quickly.
Attraction of a predator to chemical information related to nonprey: when can it be adaptive?

Information specificity can be important to animals in making optimal decisions. However, it is not always necessary to use every level of specificity. We analyzed the response of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis to plant-produced information related to a nonprey herbivore. This predator is a specialist feeding on spider mites in the genus Tetranychus. Caterpillars of Spodoptera exigua cannot serve as prey. Plants respond to an infestation by herbivores with the emission of volatiles that attract carnivorous enemies of the herbivores. Conspecific plants infested with different herbivore species can emit blends that are qualitatively identical, while differing in the ratios of blend components. However, different plant species emit volatile blends that differ qualitatively. We demonstrated that the predator P. persimilis is attracted to volatiles from bean plants infested with S. exigua caterpillars, but that this attraction is affected by predator starvation and host-plant experience. One-hour and 24-h starved predators were made to represent predators that just lost a prey patch versus predators that have totally lost a prey patch. Predators reared on spider mites on bean were attracted to bean plants infested with caterpillars when starved for 1 h but not when starved for 24 h. Both predator groups were attracted to bean plants infested with prey (i.e., spider mites). One-hour starved predators can use the odor to relocate the rewarding prey patch they just lost contact with, and using a general olfactory representation of the blend is sufficient for relocation. In contrast, for 24-h starved predators, the perception of a plant's odor blend is unlikely to represent the prey patch lost, and discriminating between an odor blend representing prey or nonprey will avoid investing time in finding a nonprey herbivore. In contrast, predators that had been reared on spider mites on cucumber and thus had experienced a qualitatively different odor blend were not attracted to volatiles from caterpillar-infested bean plants. They were attracted to spider mite-infested bean plants, irrespective of starvation level. To cucumber-experienced predators, the perception of bean plant odor cannot represent the prey patch lost, but only a new prey patch. Being discriminative and only responding to prey-infested plants is adaptive in this situation. Our results are discussed in the context of optimal information processing.
AN EXPERT SYSTEM BASED ON FUZZY LOGIC FOR AUTOMATED DECISION MAKING FOR LOAN APPROVAL

At present, bad debt has become a stubborn enemy of financial industry in every country. So there arises a need of a technique which will identify the risk in loan approval. Fuzzy logic is a computing model which deals with uncertainty rather than the traditional True (1) and False (0) values and has caught some eyes in recent years. Fuzzy logic is a valid and novel means of problem solving with intelligent systems which deals with imprecision, vagueness and uncertainty in the financial applications like loan processing. In this paper, an expert system based on fuzzy logic has been proposed for approval of loans. Process starts with a set of observed input variables that are taken into the system. These inputs are assigned a degree of membership to one, or more, fuzzy sets known as membership functions. These membership functions are then tied to output membership functions by linguistic fuzzy patches known as rule sets.
Implementation of a simple speech recognition engine for Android

The aim of this project is to implement speech recognition software for Android platform. This paper outlines fundamental components of a speech recognizer and reviews techniques used to optimize the process of speech recognition on Android devices. At ﬁrst, it examines the implementation of the audio and speech feature extraction process. Then, it describes the design and implementation of a decoder used to process speech features into transcription utilizing only limited resources of a mobile device. The project is split into modules formed into an Android library, which should be easily expandable and equipped with custom models tailored for the desired use. Later, this paper discloses various approaches to modeling abstract data structures for recognition network representation, as well, as ways of further development and applications of this project.