Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil and vegetation in two Danish fens following changes in water regime

Over a six year period, lowering of the water table throughout the year in two Danish eutrophic fens led to an increase in bulk density and a decrease in pH, exchangeable base cations, total P, available P, and available Mn. The vascular plant flora and ecological characteristics of the vegetation (weighted Moisture-value, Drainage Index, Nitrogen-value and Reaction-value, and proportion of fen species, of different growth forms, and of different seed dispersal types) changed in accordance with changes in water regime towards more dry conditions, changes of edaphic variables towards more acid and oligotrophic conditions, and increased probability of establishment of plants on patches without vegetation. Additional two years with reestablishment of the original winter water table in one of the fens led to a further decrease in total P and available P. Most of the non-fen species, which had established in the period with low water table throughout the year, were significantly weakened. However, after a period of two years with reestablished winter water table the vegetation was still different from the original vegetation. Methods to state the statistical significance of changes in frequency of species and ecological characteristics of the vegetation have been worked out.
Evidence of Korea’s Finance-Growth Nexus: VARX Analysis with Financial Crisis and Openness

Korea’s finance-growth nexus is empirically investigated by taking the elements of financial crisis and openness―trade and financial―by employing the newly developed approach of vector error correction models with weakly exogenous I(1) variables (VARX). Considering financial development as a more complex phenomenon, we matter two aspects of financial deepening that are measured by its size (private credit to GDP) and efficiency (private credit to total domestic deposits). The main findings are: (1) financial efficiency contributes to accelerating economic growth; (2) the causality between economic growth and financial size is bilateral and negative; and (3) financial crisis is negative to both economic growth and financial development, whereas the growth-promoting effects of trade and financial openness are confirmed
The Anna Karenina Principle Applied to Ecological Risk Assessments of Multiple Stressors

Successful ecological risk assessments are all alike; every unsuccessful ecological risk assessment fails in its own way. Tolstoy posited a similar analogy in his novel Anna Karenina: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. ” By that, Tolstoy meant that for a marriage to be happy, it had to succeed in several key aspects. Failure on even one of these aspects, and the marriage is doomed. In this paper, I argue that the Anna Karenina principle also applies to ecological risk assessments involving multiple stressors. In particular, I argue that multiple stressors assessments and environmental decision making will not have a happy marriage unless the following can be achieved: (1) there must be societal and political buy-in to the assessment and decision-making process; (2) the assessment must have the latitude to consider a wide range of stressors and potential risk management options; (3) there must be a commitment to following a rigorous focusing of the assessment and to expending resources for model development and data collection; and (4) an adaptive management strategy must be adopted wherein risk management actions are undertaken, system response intensively observed and assessed, and revised management actions taken as appropriate. Failure to meet any of the above criteria for success will doom a multiple stressors assessment and prevent its use in effective decision-making.
The effects of fish on assemblages of amphibians in ponds: a field experiment

1. Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) dominate fish assemblages of small lakes and ponds throughout the eastern United States and may play a major role in structuring aquatic communities. We examined the impact of adult bluegill on amphibian density by stocking bluegill at a range of densities into partitions of an experimental pond in which amphibians were free to colonize. 2. Adult bluegill had a major impact on the amphibian assemblage. By the end of the experiment, gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) tadpoles were nine times less abundant, and red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) adults were three times less abundant in the presence of adult bluegill than in their absence. In contrast, bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles tended to increase in the presence of adult bluegill. Adult bluegill also had a negative effect on the abundance of predaceous aquatic insects. 3. There was no indication that interactions among amphibians were significant in determining the above patterns. We suggest that the strong impact of adult bluegill resulted from a combination of direct and indirect effects on amphibian larvae and predaceous aquatic insects.
The Effects of Binge-Watching on Media Franchise Engagement

We quantify the effects of binge-watching on consumers’ engagement with media franchises in two areas: interactive and personal engagement. The former involves a user’s content generation related to a focal media product and the latter concerns the adoption of franchise extensions (sequels and other extensions). Our novel data come from an online anime (Japanese cartoons) platform containing individual-level data on users’ anime adoptions and their user-generated content. We find that binge-watching has a negative effect on the production of user-generated content. The effect of bingewatching on the adoption of franchise extensions critically depends on both the availability of franchise extensions at the time of watching the focal anime and the extension type: if it is available, binge-watching increases (decreases) the probability that a user watches the sequel (other franchise extensions). If it is not available, binge-watching has no effect on (decreases) the probability that a user watch the sequel (other franchise extensions). Our results are directionally robust using data from five continents. We discuss managerial implications for TV networks and online streaming services regarding the timing of content release.
Heat-Shock-Induced Changes in Intracellular Ca2+Level in Tobacco Seedlings in Relation to Thermotolerance

Exposure of plants to elevated temperatures results in a complex set of changes in gene expression that induce thermotolerance and improve cellular survival to subsequent stress. Pretreatment of young tobacco (Nicotiana plumbaginifolia) seedlings with Ca2+ or ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethylether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid enhanced or diminished subsequent thermotolerance, respectively, compared with untreated seedlings, suggesting a possible involvement of cytosolic Ca2+ in heat-shock (HS) signal transduction. Using tobacco seedlings transformed with the Ca2+-sensitive, luminescent protein aequorin, we observed that HS temperatures induced prolonged but transient increases in cytoplasmic but not chloroplastic Ca2+. A single HS initiated a refractory period in which additional HS signals failed to increase cytosolic Ca2+. However, throughout this refractory period, seedlings responded to mechanical stimulation or cold shock with cytosolic Ca2+ increases similar to untreated controls. These observations suggest that there may be specific pools of cytosolic Ca2+ mobilized by heat treatments or that the refractory period results from a temporary block in HS perception or transduction. Use of inhibitors suggests that HS mobilizes cytosolic Ca2+ from both intracellular and extracellular sources.
Population Genetic Structure of the Self-compatible Annual Herb; Polygonum thunbergii (Polygonaceae) Detected by Multilocus DNA Fingerprinting

Abstract The spatial genetic structure of Polygonum thunbergii was investigated by DNA fingerprinting, using an oligonucleotide probe (GACA)4 and restriction enzyme Dra I. The genetic similarity of DNA fingerprints among 15 plants collected over a distance of 230 m continuously decreased with increasing distance. This significant negative correlation between similarity of DNA fingerprint and distance means that there is a spatial genetic structure within the population of P. thunbergii because similarity of DNA fingerprint and genetic relatedness are strongly correlated. The genetic structure would be caused by the strictly limited seed dispersal in this species, which has cleistogamous and chasmogamous flowers with no specialized seed dispersal mechanism.
The feed intake and grazing behaviour of cattle grazing a crop of Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai

SUMMARY Eating behaviour and the diet selected by cattle progressively defoliating a crop of Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai were measured in three periods each of 12 days. Crop composition during defoliation was recorded. At the beginning of grazing the crop contained 2230 kg green leaf/ha but after 12 days' grazing the crop contained only 300 kg/ha. In the first 6 days cattle selected a diet which contained 85% green leaf but after 12 days' grazing the selected diet contained only 17% green leaf. As available leaf declined, grazing time increased from 465 min on day 1 to 685 on day 6 before declining to 490 min on day 12. Maximum grazing time occurred with a green leaf yield of 1185 kg/ha. The number of eating bites increased from 26000 to 44500 between days 1 and 6 and then declined to 30000 after 12 days' grazing. Grazing time and the number of eating bites were significantly correlated (r = 0·99). Bite size declined from 410 mg organic matter (OM)/bite on day 1 to 90 mg OM/bite on day 12. This decrease in bite size caused a linear decline (927 g/day) in estimated organic-matter intake. The rapid decline in bite size and intake was caused by the reduction in the quantity of leaf per unit area and the lack of desire of cattle to eat stem. It was concluded that the desire of cattle to select leaf is so strong that stem yield should be largely disregarded when considering Rongai as a grazing crop.
Study on ozone treatment of water-soluble polymers. II. Utilization of ozonized polyethylene glycol by bacteria

A bacterium capable of utilizing polyethylene glycol of low molecular weight (less than 300) was isolated from soil and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by biologic characteristics (named P. aeruginosa PEG-K). The effect of ozone degradation on the utilization of polyethylene glycol of high molecular weight by the bacterium was studied on the basis of the measurement of oxygen uptake by Warburg manometer and of bacterial growth. The polyethylene glycol, which can never be utilized at all because of high molecular weight, became utilizable by the bacterium as a result of ozonization, while the formaldehyde produced by the ozonization inhibited the utilization of the ozonized polyethylene glycol by the same bacterium. However, such inhibition disappeared by treating the aldehyde with hydrogen peroxide. From the results of gas chromatography and measurement of chemical oxygen demand, P. aeruginosa PEG-K was found to utilize ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol, which were produced by the ozonization.
A Review paper on Inband Device to Device Communication

: The highly increasing demand for mobile users has lead to drastically increase of network usage. This has forced for the development of new techniques and method of wireless communication. D2D i.e. device to device communication is one of the new paradigm introduced in order to have successful and stable communication between devices present in the near vicinity. D2D has gained lot of attention due to its feature of accessing licensed and unlicensed spectrum both. It mainly is advantageous because of its key feature of offloading the base station loads. It’s a direct communication between transmitting user end and receiving user end, without hopping from base station. Depending upon the use of spectrum D2D are of four types in wider sense. And mainly divided as inband and outband. Inband is most adopted techniques for D2D. In this paper we present a review of different inband device to device communication work from establishing of D2D communication in inband spectrum, to its method of enhancing use of its resources. Different techniques implemented and which are the domain which are less exploited and which can further increase use of Inband D2D.
Opinion: conservation of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) could be enhanced with analyses and publication of citizen science tagging data

Recent declines in the size of overwintering colonies of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in eastern North America have stimulated calls for greater conservation efforts of the migratory phenomenon. Conservation decisions, however, should be guided by sound science, and the migratory phase of this population is the least‐studied part of its life cycle. Data from large‐scale citizen science programs can help address this knowledge gap. For over 20 years, volunteers have been tagging migrating monarchs with numbered stickers from MonarchWatch (www.monarchwatch.org), who oversees the management of tagging and recovery records. These data have the potential to vastly improve scientific understanding of the migratory phase (such as identifying spatial and temporal trends in mortality) and help target conservation efforts, but this potential has not yet been fully realised, based on a review of published studies in the last 20 years. Since citizen science programs are often understaffed and operate on minimal budgets, data analysis may not be a high priority for project staff. To stimulate scientific investigations using tagging data, there are alternative solutions that could be implemented including making data publicly available or soliciting assistance from external scientists. Such efforts would not only benefit research into monarch biology, but would lend scientific credibility to tagging activities. Tagging monarchs is a popular activity with clear educational value. In my opinion these data could be, however, better utilised to improve the conservation of the migratory phenomenon itself.
Sexual reproduction contributes little to regeneration of a clonal species Corylus mandshurica

To date, the evolutionary significance of mast seeding is still poorly understood. It is also not clear whether and how seed production and clonal growth interact and then influence the colonization and recruitment of plant species that seeds are dispersed by animals. We released seeds of Corylus mandshurica in seed-rich and seed-poor years (2008–2012), to test the effects of mast seeding and clonal growth on regeneration of this clonal shrub. Our study showed that seed caching of C. mandshurica was higher in seed-rich years than that in seed-poor years. However, mast seeding failed to result in seedling establishment of C. mandshurica. Despite a negative effect of mast seeding, vegetative reproduction was common in the seven consecutive years (2007–2013), suggesting that clonal reproduction plays an important role in population spreading of C. mandshurica. Seeds are unlikely to produce seedlings in both seed-rich and poor years, suggesting that sexual reproduction contributes little to the regeneration of C. mandshurica but may be responsible for initial establishment via episodic seed dispersal.
importance of Runoff and Winter Anoxia to the P and N Dynamics of a Beaver Pond

Annual retentions of total phosphorus (TP) (−11%) and total nitrogen (TN) (−5%) of a headwater beaver pond in central Ontario were low during 1987–88. Annually, inputs exceeded outputs of total reactive P (71%) and NO3–N (35%), and outputs exceeded inputs of total unreactive P (−33%) and total organic N (−26%), and inputs approximated outputs of NH4–N (−8%). Seasonal trends in P and N retention were inversely correlated with runoff. Monthly retention was weakly positively related to average water temperature and redox potential (ORP). Positive monthly retention coincided with low runoff and high biotic assimilation during the growing season. Winter ice cover was associated with undetectable dissolved oxygen and low ORP and increased levels of P and N, particularly NH4–N. High levels of P and N in the surface water during winter were coupled with increased runoff and potentially low biotic assimilation resulting in a net release of TP and TN. Large flow-through of waterborne inputs and flushing of regenera.
Methanogen flora of paddy soils in Japan

The methanogen flora of soil samples taken from nine paddy fields in Japan was analyzed. Archaeobacterial 16S-ribosomal DNA (positions 1112 to 1379 in the Escherichia coli numbering system) was amplified from DNA extracted directly from soil samples using PCR. The amplified DNA was cloned into the bluescript SK+ phagemid vector, and approximately 100 clones (10–30 clones for each soil sample) were sequenced. The composition of methanogen flora was deduced from ratios of the clones which were identified to genus level based on their sequences. Methanosarcina-like clones (which made up 55% of the total number of methanogen clones) were predominant in most of the soil samples. Methanogenium-like and Methanosaeta-like clones predominated in some soil samples, making up 25% and 17% of the total number of methanogen clones respectively. Individual clones were compared and identified in detail by calculating sequence similarities. All the Methanosarcina-like clones demonstrated sequences which were mostly identical to Methanosarcina mazei, and all of the Methanosaeta-like clones demonstrated sequences similar to Methanosaeta concilii. Less similarity was observed between the sequences of Methanogenium-like clones and those of Methanogenium and Methanoculleus, indicating that novel Methanogenium-like organisms exist in these soils as major methanogens.
Constraint Selection-Based Semi-supervised Feature Selection

In this paper, we present a novel feature selection approach based on an efficient selection of pair wise constraints. This aims at selecting the most coherent constraints extracted from labeled part of data. The relevance of features is then evaluated according to their efficient locality preserving and chosen constraint preserving ability. Finally, experimental results are provided for validating our proposal with respect to other known feature selection methods.
A new apparatus for the direct measurement of otter trawling effects on the epibenthic and hyperbenthic macrofauna

A towed trawl simulator sledge (TTSS2) for collecting quantitatively small macrobenthic animals disturbed by the passage of otter trawl groundrope typical of the local fishery is described and illustrated. The TTSS2 was towed from a surface vessel at a speed within the range of commercial trawls, incorporating three sampling nets that open and close by means of an electro-mechanical system. An odometer in contact with the seabed provided a continuous record of the trawled ground. The degree of efficiency of the TTSS2—by means of the attached groundrope that stirs up the surface of the bottom ahead of the nets—was tested in the northern continental shelf of Crete (eastern Mediterranean). Additional trials with a much heavier groundrope were also performed. Analysis and comparison of TTSS2 samples with endobenthic, hyperbenthic and planktonic samples collected by means of conventional sampling gears indicate the presence of a well-defined and distinct fauna in the plume of resuspended sediment behind the groundrope.
Maximum Coverage with Path Constraint

The maximum coverage problem is a classical and fundamental problem in the study of approximation algorithms. In the classical unweighted version of the maximum coverage problem, we are given a universe U = {e1, e2, . , en} of elements, a collection of sets S = {S1, S2, . , Sm}, where each Si covers certain elements of U , i.e., Si ⊆ U , and an integer k. The goal is to find S′ ⊆ S such that |S′| ≤ k and the number of covered elements, i.e. | ⋃ Si∈S′ Si|, is maximized. The maximum coverage problem is NP-hard, but there is a greedy algorithm with approximation factor 1− 1e + o(1). Several variants of the maximum coverage problem have been studied in the approximation algorithms literature and we highlight a few notable ones below:
Temperature Requirements for the Survival and Early Development of the Anadromous Alewife

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the effects of temperature on the hatching success of eggs of the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and on the growth, survival, upper tolerance limit, and temperature preference of alewife larvae from the Hudson River. When eggs were incubated at seven constant temperatures ranging from 12.7 to 29.7°C, maximum hatching success occurred at 20.8°C. Hatching success fell significantly (P < 0.05) below the maximum when eggs were incubated at 26.7-26.8°C, and no hatch occurred at 29.7° C. The average time to median hatch varied inversely with temperature, ranging from 7.4 days at 12.7°C to 3 days at 23.8-23.9°C and 26.7-26.8°C. The upper tolerance limit of yolk-sac larvae acclimated to 14-15°C and exposed to elevated temperatures for 24 h was about 31°C. At seven constant temperatures ranging from 12.9 to 29.1°C, average daily rates of larval weight gain during the first 12 days after hatch increased with each higher temperature to a maximum of 83.8 µg/day (dry weight.
Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genes Coding for High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits in Three Diploid Species of Aegilops

This work reports the molecular characterization of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits belonging to the diploid species Aegilops comosa, Aegilops uniaristata, and Aegilops speltoides, which represent three important genomes of the genus Aegilops: M, Un, and S, respectively. Besides improving our knowledge of Aegilops glutenins, which is useful in wheat breeding programs, this study examines the phylogenetic relationships between the glutenin genes of an important group of species of the tribe Triticeae. The new glutenin proteins examined (coded by Glu‐Mx, Glu‐My, Glu‐Unx, Glu‐Uny, and Glu‐Sy) showed the same general characteristics as those previously described in other species of the tribe Triticeae. A phylogenetic study of the relationships between the new members of the Glu gene family and other known sequences of glutenin genes of the genera Aegilops, Triticum, and Secale was performed. In this analysis, the x‐ and y‐type glutenin subunits showed similar interspecific relationships and differentiated rye from wheat and the Aegilops species. In both cases, the glutenin genes of Aegilops tauschii appeared closely related to the glutenins of the D genome, which, in turn, are closely related to those of Aegilops umbellulata. The homologous gene subunits of A. comosa and A. uniaristata from the section Comopyrum were grouped together. The glutenin gene of A. speltoides was grouped with the wheat B genome genes. This result reinforces the close relationships between the S and B genomes of Aegilops and Triticum, respectively.
1,2-Diastereoselective C–C Bond-Forming Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral β-Branched α-Amino Acids

S N 2' sequences have been employed for the synthesis of β-branched α-amino acids using 1,2-diastereocontrol for forming C―C bonds. An oxazolidine fragment derived from Garner's aldehyde provides the handle for facial discrimination and acts as a masked amino acid functionality. This study encompasses directed and non-directed allylic substitution reactions. The stereocontrol of the oxazolidine appendage during terminal olefin hydroformylation was also studied. Efforts to understand the diastereochemical outcome of the reactions as well as synthetic applications are disclosed.