Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth, chemical components and ensiling characteristics of king grass at different cuttings

In order to effectively use and ensile king grass ( Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum ), the present research investigated growth rate, yield, chemical components and silage fermentation quality of different cuttings. King grass was harvested four times, and the 1st and 3rd cuttings were ensiled directly or after wilting for 12 and 24 h. The results showed that the dry matter daily growth of 2nd cutting was significantly higher than that of other cuttings, and the 4th cutting was the lowest ( P 0.05). Although the 3rd cutting silage had better aerobic stability than the 1st cutting silage, they all were not stable within 6 days of aerobic exposure. Considering the contents of CP, crude fat, crude fiber, crude ash and WSC, the 1st cutting of king grass might have best nutrient value, while the 4th cutting was contrary. Different cuttings of king grass could be well preserved by natural fermentation, but their aerobic stability was poor. Keywords: Cuttings, ensiling, king grass, nutrient component, wilting
Harvest Fractionation of Alfalfa

Fractionation of alfalfa leaves and stems at harvest could allow ruminant rations to be tailored for optimum economic return or improve the viability of alfalfa as a biomass feedstock. Harvest fractionation was done by stripping the leaves from the stem at the time of harvest using a tined rotor. The stripped fraction consisted of about 90% leaf tissue, and 94% of the available leaf dry matter (DM) yield was removed in the stripped fraction. The standing fraction was either cut immediately after stripping or allowed to stand and regrow leaves for a period of 7 or 14 days. Leaf regrowth was evident in three to five days, but leaf yield was much less than that at initial stripping. The particle size of the stripped fraction was no different than chopped whole-plant alfalfa, so no further size reduction of the stripped fraction was needed before ensiling. The density of the stripped fraction was 11% greater than that of the chopped whole-plant in a drop hammer density test. The stripped fraction was successfully ensiled in mini-silos using ground corn grain as an amendment or formic acid as an additive. After cutting and windrowing, the drying rate of the standing fraction (mainly stems) was greater than that of whole-plant windrows of similar density. The standing fraction, consisting of 92% stems, dried to ensiling moisture typically within about 4 to 6 h after stripping and cutting but in as short as 1.5 h under very good drying conditions. Therefore, a single-day fractionated harvesting scheme is possible.
Induction of embryogenic callus in Cucurbita pepo hypocotyl explants by indole-3-ethanol and its sugar conjugates

Hypocotyl explants of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) were inoculated aseptically on solid media containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) macro- and micronutrients, organic supplements, glucose as a carbon source, and indoleacetic acid (IAA) or one of its possible metabolic precursors, i.e. indole-3-ethanol [3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-indole, tryptophol], 2-(indol-3-yl)-ethyl α-L-arabinopyranoside (tryptophol arabinoside), and 2-(indol-3-yl)-ethyl β-D-glucopyranoside (tryptophol glucoside). Embryogenic callus and adventitious roots developed on the explants, the response depending on the source of auxin, its concentration, and endogenous, possibly genetic, factors. Hypocotyl sections did not form embryogenic tissues and did not survive on media which did not contain an auxin or auxin precursors. Fewer explants responded to IAA than to indole-3-ethanol. Its arabinopyranoside was even more effective, while only a few hypocotyl sections proliferated in the presence of the corresponding glucopyranoside. Embryogenic callus induced by any of the four above compounds could be subcultured on media containing the same source of auxin. Selected callus lines have been maintained for more than three years and have continued to form embryoids. Indole-3-ethanol and IAA were suitable for clonal propagation of regenerated plantlets by axillary and apical bud culture.
The Transition from Barter Trade to Impediments of the Dollar System: One Nation, One Currency, One Monopoly

Before the invention of money (coin or paper) there was barter trading, a form of exchange without the use of a monetary medium such as coinage, paper money, or electronic cash (i.e. Bitcoin); Adam Smith (1776) described barter trade as primitive in his seminal “The Wealth of Nations” book. Since the 2008 global financial crisis, there has been an increase in barter trade by various countries that are; i) heavily indebted with insufficient foreign reserves; ii) imposed sanctions by the U.S. (i.e. Iran, North Korea, Russia, etc.); attempting to avoid the use of dollars in local, regional and international trade; iv) interested in reducing current account and trade deficits. With growing resistance to using US dollar in international trade by China, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba; the question is how much longer can the US dollar keep its “kingpin” currency status? According to economist Jim O'Neill, not very long. The quick rise of Chinese economy and constant threat of Russia will challenge the dollar dominance, and maybe the latest theatrical trade war between the United States and China is the best or only response the U.S. was able to come up with.
Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Nexus in Ghana.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the nexus between energy consumption disaggregated into Petroleum and Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth in Ghana in a cointegrated VAR framework. The Johansen test of cointegration indicates that there is no long run relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth. On the other hand, the Johansen test of cointegration indicates that there is a positive long run relationship between petroleum consumption and economic growth. Since there was no existence of long run relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth, the variables were first differenced, and the causality test conducted in a VAR framework. The results of the Granger causality based on the VAR revealed that there is a unidirectional causality from economic growth to electricity consumption in Ghana. The granger causality based on the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) revealed that there is a unidirectional causality running from petroleum consumption to economic growth in both the short and long run. The impulse response function shows that economic growth responds positively to shocks in petroleum consumption whiles electricity consumption responds positively to a shock in economic growth. It is recommended that appropriate electricity conservation measures should be developed and intensified since this will not retard growth in the economy. Also, petroleum consumption seems to be an important principal factor in short run as well as in the long run for the Ghanaian economy, policies should therefore be targeted at making constant and available petroleum products so that the Ghanaian economy can grow positively.
GENETIC TRANSFORMATION OF THE DIATOMS CYCLOTELLA CRYPTICA AND NAVICULA SAPROPHILA

Two species of diatoms were genetically transformed by introducing plasmid vectors containing the Escherichia coli neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII)gene. Expression of the bacterial nptII gene in the diatoms was achieved using the putative promoter and terminator sequences from the acetyl‐CoA carboxylase gene from the centric diatom Cyclotella cryptica T13L Reimann, Lewin, and Guillard. The vectors were introduced into C. cryptica and the pennate diatom Navicula saprophila NAVIC1 Lange‐Bertalot and Bonik by microprojectile bombardment. Putative transformants were selected based on their ability to grow in the presence of the antibiotic G418, and production of the neomycin phosphotransferase protein by the transformed cells was confirmed by western blotting. The foreign DNA integrated into one or more random sites within the genome of the transformed algal cells, often in the form of tandem repeats. This is the first report of reproducible, stable genetic transformation of a chlorophyll c‐containing alga.
Oligotrophication outweighs effects of global warming in a large, deep, stratified lake ecosystem

Between 1951 and 1979, total phosphorous concentrations in Lake Constance increased from 7 to 87 μg L−1. Following wastewater treatment, phosphorus levels were brought under control, returning to 7.6 μg L−1 by spring 2007. The biological and chemical data from 1980 to 2004 were first modelled by seasonal time series analyses and then used to create a general model. Excluding collinear variables allowed the data set to be condensed to six variables that could be fitted into a general linear model that explained ∼75% of the observed annual variation in chlorophyll a. A clear seasonal influence was apparent, with chlorophyll a tracking trends in temperature and the progress of spring. A nonseasonal influence was also observed in the interaction of two biological components, the proportion of phytoplankton biomass available to Daphnia (i.e. the percentage of ingestible size <30 μm) and the grazing intensity. In combination, these biotic variables had a negative impact on chlorophyll a levels. In contrast, the concentration of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) correlated positively with chlorophyll a. The effect of SRP showed a significant seasonal component, as it was more abundant in spring than at other times of year. In general, the model predicts a negative exponential response of chlorophyll a to further depletion of SRP in Lake Constance, while the temperature trends predicted by current global warming scenarios will result in a moderate increase in productivity. Data from 2005 to 2007 were used to verify the model. The modelled chlorophyll a values were nonbiased and showed a close match to the measured values (r2: 75%). Thus the applicability, reliability, and informative value of the model for pelagic Lake Constance was confirmed. The approach might easily be applied to other waters.
Safety First, Loss Probability, and the Cross Section of Expected Stock Returns

Recent studies show that loss probability (LP) is a decisive factor when people evaluate risk of assets in laboratory experiments, suggesting a positive relationship between LP and expected stock returns. This corresponds to the classical "Safety-First" principle. We find empirical support for this prediction in the U.S. stock market. During our sample period, average risk-adjusted return differences between stocks in the two extreme LP deciles exceed 0.73% per month. The positive LP effect, characterized by the intention of some investors to pay low prices for high LP stocks, remains significant after controlling for microcaps as in Hou et al. (2019).
Seeds of Thalictrum mirabile (Ranunculaceae) require cold stratification for loss of nondeep simple morphophysiological dormancy

Seeds of the eastern North American herbaceous polycarpic perennial Thalictrum mirabile Small have differentiated but underdeveloped (small) embryos that are physiologically dormant at maturity in September. Physiological dormancy was broken effectively by cold stratification at 1°C, but embryos required temperatures ♢15:6°C for growth after physiological dormancy was broken. Gibberellic acid substituted for cold stratification. Breaking of physiological dormancy in seeds exposed to natural temperatures in a greenhouse occurred during winter, and embryo growth and germination occurred in late winter - early spring. Furthermore, seeds in the greenhouse remained viable until the second and third (spring) germination seasons. Thus, T. mirabile seeds have the capacity to form a short-lived persistent soil seed bank. Buried seeds of T. mirabile apparently go through an annual dormancy- nondormancy cycle. Seeds buried in September 1994 were nondormant when exhumed in April 1995 and April 1996 and incubated in light at 25:15°C for 2 weeks, but they were dormant in June 1995 and September 1995. Seeds of T. mirabile have nondeep simple morphophysiogical dormancy. This is the first report of nondeep simple morphophysiological dormancy being broken by cold, and not by warm, stratification.
MYB transcription factors orchestrating the developmental program of xylem vessels in Arabidopsis roots

Xylem vessel elements play an important role in conducting water and nutrient in land plants. The in vitro culture system, in which subcultured Arabidopsis cells are induced to transdifferentiate into xylem vessel elements, was used to uncover the comprehensive gene expression profile by microarray analysis, which resulted in the identification of many genes encoding transcription factors including two transcriptional key regulators, VASCUAR-RELATED NAC DOMAIN6 (VND6) and VND7. Here we analyze the detailed expression pattern and function of ten genes encoding MYB transcription factors, MYB20, 43, 46, 52, 63, 83, 85, 99, 103, and 118, with the significantly up-regulated expression during the in vitro vessel element differentiation. Of these, six exhibited the specific expression in differentiating xylem vessels in Arabidopsis roots. In addition, MYB46 and MYB83 were shown to upregulate five of these MYB genes, MYB43, 52, 63, 85, and 103. Our results suggest that several MYB genes comprise a transcriptional network during xylem vessel element differentiation in roots.
Sell-Side Analysts’ Benchmarks

Sell-side analysts employ different benchmarks when defining their recommendations. A buy for some brokers means the stock is expected to outperform its industry, while for other brokers it means the stock is expected to outperform the market, or some return threshold. We show that these stated benchmarks have implications for the distribution of recommendations, price reactions to recommendations, and the investment value of recommendations. We conclude that, depending on the question, academics may need to account for the benchmarks when studying analysts’ outputs, and investors may find the benchmarks beneficial in interpreting analysts’ advice.
Analysis of a positivity-preserving splitting scheme for some nonlinear stochastic heat equations

We construct a positivity-preserving Lie--Trotter splitting scheme with finite difference discretization in space for approximating the solutions to a class of nonlinear stochastic heat equations with multiplicative space-time white noise. We prove that this explicit numerical scheme converges in the mean-square sense, with rate $1/4$ in time and rate $1/2$ in space, under appropriate CFL conditions. Numerical experiments illustrate the superiority of the proposed numerical scheme compared with standard numerical methods which do not preserve positivity.
Potential plant distribution mapping based on climatic similarity

A GIS application of the program ArcView 3.1 is presented that creates potential plant distribution maps based on data from georeferenced specimen data bases. The application makes use of the relationship between species distribution and environmental parameters such as altitude, humidity, or temperature, to predict a taxon's potential distribution. The application contains tools for modification and further refinement of basic maps.
An Alternative Model of Metcalfe's Law for Valuing Bitcoin

This short paper presents a new model of the market capitalization of Bitcoin that builds upon a standard model based upon Metcalfe’s Law. The model incorporates the logistic diffusion of the innovation, which could be extended to capture population and economic factors. This model appears to have some improved efficacy over the standard model. Using this model, some areas for future research are briefly discussed.
Finance Matters

We present a model in which the importance of financial intermediation for development can be measured. We generate differences in the quantity of financial intermediation by varying the degree to which loan contracts can be enforced. Economies where contracts are poorly enforced employ less capital and operate more inefficient technologies. Calibrated numerical simulations reveal that both channels are quantitatively important. Nevertheless, under standard technological assumptions, financial disruptions alone cannot generate all the output dispersion one observes in the data. Matching that dispersion requires a higher capital share or a lower elasticity of substitution between capital and labor than usually assumed. We find that modeling financial disruptions explicitly markedly increases the effect on output variation of changes in those parameters. Finance, that is, matters.
Nash Q-Learning Agents in Hotelling’s Model: Reestablishing Equilibrium

This paper examines adaptive agents' behavior in a stochastic dynamic version of the Hotelling's location model. We conduct an agent-based numerical simulation under the Hotelling's setting with two agents who use the Nash Q-learning mechanism for adaptation. This allows exploring what alternations this technique brings compared to the original analytic solution of the famous static game-theoretic model with strong assumptions imposed on players. We discover that under the Nash Q-learning and quadratic consumer cost function, agents with high enough valuation of future profits learn behavior similar to aggressive market strategy. Both agents make similar products and lead a price war to eliminate their opponent from the market. This behavior closely resembles the Principle of Minimum Differentiation from Hotelling's original paper with linear consumer costs. However, the quadratic consumer cost function would otherwise result in the maximum differentiation of production in the original model. Thus, the Principle of Minimum Differentiation can be justified based on repeated interactions of the agents and long-run optimization.
Rational Seasonality

Seasonal adjustment usually relies on statistical models of seasonality that treat seasonal fluctuations as noise corrupting the 'true' data. But seasonality in economic series often stems from economic behavior such as Christmas-time spending. Such economic seasonality invalidates the separability assumptions that justify the construction of aggregate economic indexes. To solve this problem, Diewert (1980, 1983, 1998, 1999) incorporates seasonal behavior into aggregation theory. Using duality theory, I extend these results to a larger class of decision problems. I also relax Diewert's assumption of homotheticity. I provide support for Diewert's preferred seasonally-adjusted economic index using weak separability assumptions that are shown to be sufficient.
Fragilaria pennsylvanica, a new diatom (Bacillariophyceae) species from North America, with comments on the taxonomy of the genus Synedra Ehrenberg

Abstract A new taxon, Fragilaria pennsylvanica, is described based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This diatom is mainly characterized by the fusiform valve outline, wide central sternum, and short striae composed of small round areolae. The new taxon was found in four small shallow streams from Pennsylvania, U.S.A. , and it may be endemic to this region. The sites where the taxon was found are characterized by slightly acidic to circumneutral pH, but highest relative abundance was found in higher water temperature suggesting that the growth of the taxon might be partly related to this latter factor. The taxonomic position of F. pennsylvanica is discussed in the light of recent revisions of the genera Fragilaria, Synedra, and Ulnaria. Morphological and ecological differences of the new taxon with closely related taxa are discussed.
Tournament Incentives and Reserve Management

This paper examines the relation between tournament incentives and reserve management. We find a positive relation between internal tournament incentives and reserve errors, implying that a larger pay gap as a tournament prize induces vice presidents (VPs) to overestimate loss reserves. In other words, a higher tournament prize is associated with conservative loss reserve management. Unlike the literature, we do not find a positive relation between tournament incentive and profits (risk taking behavior). Taken together, the evidence indicates that VPs focus on strong financial health of the firm instead of its profitability. In addition, we find the impact of internal tournament incentives on the reserve error is more pronounced for larger, financially weak and more geographically focused firms, and is mitigated for the firms with higher percentage of claim loss reserve over total liability and paying relatively higher tax rates. Our results also suggest that SOX mitigates the conservative reserve behavior. Finally, we also find that as board independence enhances, VPs induced by promotion-based tournaments become more likely to have conservative reserve behavior.
Polychaete Vertical Zonation along a Littoral Cliff in the Western Méditerranean

Along the vertical cliff of Romito (Leghorn, Italy) 97 polychaete species were found from 0 to 6 m depth. Three depth related communities could be identified by trends in structural parameters (abundance, number of species, and diversity), by changes in species composition, and by the distribution of ecological and trophic groups. Such a zonation is consistent with the principal models proposed for the Mediterranean and seems mainly related to algal conditioning of the substrate.
Application of T-RFLP analysis to the study of bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere

Abstract To analyze the structure of the bacterial communities in the spinach rhizosphere, we used a terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) analysis. The T-RFLP electropherograms revealed several large peaks and smaller peaks, which were ascribed to various bacterial species composing each of the bacterial communities. It is considered that T-RFLP analysis is a convenient method for assessing the microbial diversity or community structure in the rhizosphere. Bacterial DNA from colonies on d~lution plates and directly extracted bacterial DNA of rhizosphere samples were analyzed by TRFLP in order to determine whether agar-grown colonies are representative of the dominant bacterial groups in the rhizosphere. The T-RFLP patterns obtained by using bacterial colonies from dilution plates as the source of target DNA were different from those found with the direct DNA extracts. The results indicated that many bacterial groups grown on agar media selective for the rhizosphere are not likely to be dominant in the rhizosphere.
Colastomion Baker (Braconidae, Rogadinae): nine new species from Papua New Guinea reared from Crambidae

Nine new species of Colastomion Baker are described, illustrated and keyed based on series of specimens reared from caterpillars of crambid moths from lowland Papua New Guinea plus one additional field collected specimen, viz. C. cheesmanae Quicke sp. n. , C. crambidiphagus Quicke sp. n. , C. gregarius Quicke sp. n. , C. maclayi Quicke sp. n. , C. madangensis Quicke sp. n. , C. masalaii Quicke sp. n. , C. parotiphagus Quicke sp. n. , C. pukpuk Quicke sp. n. and C. wanang Quicke sp. n. Most species are morphologically easily distinguished but DNA barcoding additionally reveals a pair of exceedingly similar species (C. pukpuk sp. n. and C. maclayi sp. n.) that might otherwise have gone unrecognised. The new species each appear to be relatively specialised on their host species and all parasitize only caterpillars of Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae. JHR 28: 85–121 (2012) doi: 10.3897/JHR.28. 3484 www.pensoft. net/journals/jhr Copyright Donald L.J. Quicke et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 (CC-BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. ReseARCh ARtiCle Donald L.J. Quicke et al. / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28: 85–121 (2012) 86