Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foraging Trade‐offs between Prey Size, Delivery Rate and Prey Type: How Does Niche Breadth and Early Learning of the Foraging Niche Affect Food Delivery?

Optimal foraging theory suggests that avian parents should prefer the most energetically efficient (largest) prey items when delivering food to offspring at a central place. However, during periods of high demand, selectivity of prey may decline, leading to the delivery of smaller and/or less nutritious items. We compared foraging trade-offs between great tits (Parus major) which had a wider feeding niche than blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also compared the foraging efficiency of cross-fostered young, which had learned the spatial foraging niche and prey size of the foreign species, to that of control conspecifics. Mean delivery rates did not differ between control and cross-fostered parents of either species but as delivery rates increased, prey size declined for both species and both treatment groups. However, across the range of increasing delivery rates, parents were able to increase the total biomass of prey delivered. Cross-fostering did not alter the proportion of different prey taxa in the diet, but cross-fostered birds shifted the size of the prey taken to that of their foster species. Consistent with their broader feeding niche, great tits, but not blue tits, incorporated more unpalatable items (flies) as delivery rates increased. Although great tits foraged less efficiently in the blue tit niche, paradoxically, blue tits seem to deliver more prey biomass when foraging in the great tit niche.
Density-dependent predation of Propylea quatuordecimpunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larval instars on Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Summary The predation of the fourteen-spotted ladybird beetle, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), larval instars on several densities of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was investigated under laboratory conditions. The experimental arena consisted of a single plant of Vicia faba L. bearing diff erent prey densities (diff erent instars of A. fabae), where a single, starved from food for 12 h, P. quatuordecimpunctata larva was allowed to prey for 12 h. Logistic regression analysis on the proportion of aphids consumed as a function of the initial aphid density showed that predator larvae cause an inverse density dependent mortality on A. fabae (type II functional response). Therefore, data fi tted to the random predator equation. Estimated attack rates were 0.21, 0.23, 0.18 and 0.26 h -1 , and handling times 5.15, 2.40, 0.83 and 0.35 h for the fi rst, second, third and fourth instars, respectively. The results of this study may be indicative of the predation ability of P. quatuordecimpunctata under fi eld conditions. Additional keywords: attack rate, fourteen-spotted ladybird beetle, functional response, maximum attack rate, random predator equation
Athyrium distentifolium Tausch ex Opiz (A. alpestre (Hoppe) Rylands ex T. Moore‐non‐Clairv.) including A. distentifolium var. flexile (Newman) Jermy

Woodsiaceae. Athyrium distentifolium, Alpine lady-fern. Fronds bi-pinnate, ovate-lanceolate, yellow-green 20 cm to over 100 cm, arising in a 'shuttlecock' from a central crown. Stipe straight, one fifth to one quarter the length of the blade with pale brown scales, usually broad, but occasionally narrow. Pinnae widely spaced near base of the frond, and sometimes deflexed, crowded near the tip, meeting the rachis at an angle of 900 at the midpoint of the blade, or slightly ascending. Pinnules broadest at the base, tapering to a point. Sori circular, with irregular filaments making up a rudimentary indusium when young, soon obscured as the sori grow. Sori concentrated in the upper part of the frond, becoming sparse towards the base. Number of sori varies with size of frond. Plants frequently infertile (McHaffie et al. 2002). Athyrium distentifolium var.flexile Newman's lady-fern. Fronds bi-pinnate, narrow, blue-green, 10-40 cm, arising from a central crown, erect or sharply angled near the base of the rachis to lie nearly flat against the substrate. Stipe short, one sixth to one eighth the length of the blade, often densely covered with broad, pale scales that may continue beyond the midpoint of the blade. Blade broadest near the base, or nearer the mid-point. Pinnae close together near base of frond, often strongly deflexed to at least half way up the frond. Uppermost pinnae widely spaced. Pinnules taper towards the base. Sori circular, sometimes with only a few sporangia; rudimentary indusium visible while the sorus is still immature. Sori concentrated at base of the frond, becoming less frequent towards the tip. Plants usually fertile (McHaffie et al. 2002). Athyrium distentifolium is a chionophilous fern that grows at altitudes or latitudes which ensure long-lying winter snow cover. Deep snow provides insulation from severe winters, and prevents early growth in a mild spring. Only a limited number of species can tolerate these conditions and this reduces competition. Although previously known as a Scandinavian and continental European species, A. distentifolium was not recognized in Britain until 1844 (Newman 1851). Within Britain it is found only in Scotland where it is confined to the remote Highlands. Soon after it was identified, another similar taxon of uncertain taxonomic status was described (Backhouse 1852). Subsequent research has determined that this is a recessive variety which is now known as A. distentifolium var.flexile. Both taxa are covered in this account.
Caractérisation biochimique et structurale des RNases P et MRP chez la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae

La RNase P est une endoribonuclease responsable de la maturation de l’extremite 5’ des ARNt prematures. Holoenzyme tres conservee, elle est constituee d’une composante ARN formant le noyau catalytique et d’une composante proteique dont le nombre de sous-unites est variable : une proteine chez les bacteries, 5 chez les archees et d’au moins 9 chez les eucaryotes. Les eucaryotes possedent egalement une autre endoribonuclease, la RNase MRP dont la composition est proche de la RNase P tant au niveau ribonucleique que proteique mais avec une specificite de substrat propre. Dans cette etude, nous proposons une methode originale et specifique pour purifier la RNase P et la RNase MRP de S. cerevisiae. Grâce a la microscopie electronique et au traitement d’images, nous avons determine la premiere structure de ces deux holoenzymes a une resolution d’environ 1.5 nm. Ces structures revelent une architecture modulaire commune ou les proteines stabilisent la composante ARN et contribuent a l’edification de cavites et de conduits. Les specificites structurales sont localisees en des positions strategiques pour l’identification et la coordination du substrat.
Dentition of etmopterid shark Miroscyllium (Squaliformes) with comments on the fossil record of lanternsharks

Bien que le groupe des requins lanternes (Etmopteridae, Squaliformes) soit actuellement bien diversifie, leur histoire et les relations phylogenetiques au sein de cette famille restent encore obscures. Plusieurs fossiles d'Etmopteridae ont ete decrits ces 15 dernieres annees et une courte synthese de ces descriptions est presentee ici afin de mieux comprendre leur histoire evolutive et leur diversification. L'observation detaillee de la dentition de plusieurs individus de l'unique espece actuelle du genre Miroscyllium, M. sheikoi, a permis de montrer un changement ontogenique tres particulier de la denture. Cette observation a permis de reattribuer quelques fossiles decrits en 1972 par Ledoux au genre Miroscyllium et non au genre proche Centroscyllium. Ainsi la presence, au cours du developpement de M. sheikoi, d'une transition morphologique entre la denture du genre Centroscyllium et celle du genre Etmopterus, ajoutee a la decouverte de representants fossiles du genre Miroscyllium, permet de proposer une approche alternative pour la comprehension des relations phylogenetiques au sein des Etmopteridae.
A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGING CHANGE AT AHIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION:A CASE STUDY APPROACH

This study was an investigation of the effect of managing change at a higher education institution. The rationale behind the study was based on the management board of Nkosa University proposed the introduction of computerized systems of recording students’ attendance record. A review of current thinking on change management in educational institutions enables the researcher to developed research questions for the study. Data were collected through survey questionnaires, semi-structured interview and document analysis. The data were analysed using case study approach resulting in the major conclusions that although many of the teaching staff agreed with management that the current system of recording students’ attendance does not meet the needs of the college, however, there was disagreement on who will manage the system. The findings of the study suggested that management will need to communicate more efficiently with the teaching staff on the benefit of the new system and may need to introduce a reward system regarding the administration of the system. The study shows also show that for the change to be successfully implemented, management will need the support of those involved in this study - the teaching and non-teaching staff of Nkosa University to provide its students with a better learning environment to study. Keywords: Management, Change, Leadership, Institutional Change, Computerized System, Stakeholders, Higher Education, Origination, Evaluation, Academic Faculty
Improved technique for treating seed dormancy to enhance germination in Rosa × hybrida

Rose breeders need reliable and efficient germination protocols to exploit all viable embryos in their breeding programs. In this study, different treatment combinations were assessed to overcome the mechanical resistance of the pericarp and enhance germination of rose seeds obtained from hybridisation among hybrids roses. In the 3 treatments, 30 days of a warm temperature followed by 60 days of cold stratification and 30% sulphuric acid treatment for 10 min proved more effective in getting higher seed germination (18.54%) and seed vigour index (261.18) of the progenies. This led to lower germination (18.20 days) and imbibition (23.64) periods with respect to the other 3 treatments including the control. This treatment also helped increase the total length of progeny (14.1 cm) and number of leaves per progeny (6.44), whereas the response of other growth parameters of progeny was variable to this treatment. Correlation (r) between pericarp thickness and seed germination percentage, germination period, and imbibition period proved highly significant (r = 0.347, P < 0.05).
Different Methods for Detecting Heterotic Groups in Maize

Comparing between different methods for classifying 12 maize inbred lines to heterotic groups was achieved using general and specific combining ability effects; agronomic traits to the maize inbreds per se; and ISSR-markers. The results of line-tester design showed that Giza656 lines had the highest yield for the cross with Gemmiza 1021 tester (7.20 ton per hectare) at Nubaria, while Giza655 lines had the highest yield for the cross with Gemmiza 1021 tester (8.24 ton per hectare) at Gemmiza. Regarding Heterotic specific and General Combining Abilities, the inbred lines were grouped into three groups as their testers were, but groups differed from Nubaria to Gemmiza locations. The classification due to Inter Simple Sequence Repeats markers have agreement with pedigree data more than the HSGCA and agronomic characters, because the HSGCA method affected by testers, lines, environments, and the interactions between all of them, also, agronomic character method need to plant the inbreds and evaluate them at more locations and more seasons . Furthermore, all these cautions will not discard the environmental effects but they will reduce it to the minimum values. On the other hand, molecular marker will keep time and efforts needed to evaluate the inbred lines.
Improving specimen identification: Informative DNA using a statistical Bayesian method

This thesis investigates the effect of different levels of i nformation content in sequence data from the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxida se, subunit I (COI), through the observed number of segregating sites, and a new B ayesian statistical method on the accuracy of specimen assignments or delimitat ions to its species of origin. There are four major parts of this thesis. The first chapter examines the taxonomic accuracy of GenBank sequences for specimen delimitation. In addition to sequence accuracy (i .e., errors), it is a potential error that may influence accurate specimen diagnoses. U sing 5,179 barcode sequences from 590 species and 8,586 GenBank (non-barcode) se quences from 2,900 species, across twelve insect orders, we compared the perfo rmance of specimen assignment between NCBI sequences labelled with and withou t t e “BARCODE” keyword (indicates both sequence accuracy and taxonomy are supported) respectively. We expect the two groups of sequences should have ide ntical proportions of unusually divergent (within-species sequences that may potentially be different species) and unusually similar (between-species sequence s that may potentially be the same species) sequences. In contrast, non-barcode reco rds had a high proportion of unusually divergent sequences, suggesting an error in sequence accuracy or taxonomy or both. However, there was no evidence of unusuall y similar sequences, suggesting the correct sequence accuracy or taxonomy or the 3% divergence threshold used for delimition in this group may be inappropriate. T his study highlights that caution and a firm understanding of the data should be exe rcised when using GenBank data for species diagnoses. The second chapter examines the assignment performance of a Bayesian statistical assignment method, based on segregating sites, in seq uence data that lack a clear “barcoding gap” (a region defined by the maximum intras pecific distance and minimum interspecific distance). To our knowledge, it is the first tree-less statistical approach that makes use of segregating sites for species assignments and is also very fast (10,000 simulations in roughly 3 seconds with a 1.6 GHz processor running Linux). Sequences from the genus Drosophilawere used because its taxonomy is well supported but some pairs of sibling species lack a barco ding gap. Using 616 DrosophilaCO1 sequences from 19 species and simulated sequences, the m ethod performed well in the absence of a barcoding gap. And only whe n t degree of incomplete lineage sorting (despite species divergence, a line ge from one species may group more closely with a lineage of a less related specie s) is high does the method falter, but even then the probability of assigning th e unknown to its species of origin is still high relative to a less closely related spe cies.
In vitro establishment and conservation of Aechmea bambusoides L.B. Smith & Reitz, a threatened bromeliad species from Brazil.

The present research aimed to develop a reliable technique for in vitro conservation of Aechmea bambusoides germplasm. A. bambusoides germplasm was successfully established in vitro through seeds obtained from field collection. The plant multiplication was achieved in a liquid Murashige and Skoog medium without growth regulators and its long term culture maintained at least for 1.5 year without losing their growth ability. Axillary shoots obtained from A. bambusoides in vitro grown plants were readily acclimatized in a substrate containing either Dicksonia sellowiana fiber (xaxim) or Eichhornia crassipes fiber (aguape).
Prevalence of white spot syndrome virus in wild crustaceans along the coast of India.

Crustacean samples comprising of shrimps, crabs and squilla were collected from various landing centres and local fish markets of Kolkata, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Mangalore and Mumbai along the east coast and west coast of India, Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for screening the samples for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). A total of 89 crustacean samples were examined, which comprised of 40 shrimps, 36 crabs and 13 squilla samples. The results indicate that the wild-caught marine shrimps such as Penaeus monodon, Heterocarpus sp. , Aristeus sp. , Parapenaeopsis stylifera, Metapenaeus dobsoni, M. elegans and Squilla sp. carry WSSV. This virus could be detected in apparently healthy crabs such as Scylla serrata, Portunus sanguinolentus, P. pelagicus, Calappa lophos, Charybdis hoplites, C. lucifera, C. cruciate and Pseudograpsus intermedius. The virus was also found to be present in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, collected from the fish market. Sensitivity of detection of WSSV by PCR improved greatly, with PCR primers yielding amplicons of smaller size. Marine shrimps such as Heterocarpus sp. , Aristeus sp. , Metapenaeus elegans and crabs such as C. hoplites are being reported as carriers of WSSV.
Life in the World's Oceans: Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance

October 2010, Wiley-Blackwell, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK 384 pages, hardcover ISBN 978-1-4051-9297-2. Price £120.00/€144.00/$170.17
Molecular dynamics studies of displacement cascades in the uranium dioxide matrix

In the context of studies on long-time storage of irradiated spent fuel, molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out in order to understand the physical phenomena, on the atomic scale, linked to modifications and damage that the uranium dioxide structure undergoes during α-decay irradiation in repository conditions. Simulations of atomic displacement cascades over an energy range from 1 to 20 keV for the initial primary knock-on atom (PKA) do not show any amorphization of the structure in agreement with what has been found experimentally, and there is very little correlation between the initial orientation of the PKA and the cascade morphology. The number of Frenkel pairs, as a function of the initial energy of the PKA, exhibits a power-law behaviour with an exponent of 0.9 which is contrary to the theoretical linear Norgett–Robinson–Torrens law. Finally, for both species the vacancies have a tendency to aggregate and cluster near the core of the cascade while interstitial atoms are preferentially located at the periphery of the branches corresponding to subcascades.
Lifestyle modification among diabetes mellitus patients

Life style modifications have several beneficial effects in the form of improvement in glycemic control, reduction in the body weight and favourable alterations in lipid profile parameters. Life style interventions must become priority in health care if the epedemics of diabetes are to be reversed. Health care professionals and the public should be educated regarding life style modification for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Objective of study is to assess life style modification of diabetes mellitus patients. Descriptive survey design was used for the present study. The study was conducted in OPDs of MMIMS&R Hospital, Mullana, Ambala. The target population of present study comprised diabetes mellitus patients attending OPDs of MMIMS&R Hospital, Mullana, Ambala. The sample of the present study consisted of Diabetes Mellitus patient attending medical OPDs of MMIMSR and Hospital. Criteria for sample selection is patients above 18 years of age, willing to participate in the study and able to communicate in Hindi or English. Structured lifestyle modification checklist was used to assess the lifestyle modification among Diabetes Mellitus patients. Result shows that 41.6% DM patients were having poor lifestyle modification followed by good (28.3%), average (21.6%) and excellent (8.3%) level of life style modification. Further in knowledge category 33.33% patients had good and in diet category 43.33% had fair life style modification whereas in activity and exercise as well as monitoring and treatment more number of patients had poor life style modifications i.e. 63.34% and 38.33% respectively.
Biochemical responses of basil to aluminium and cadmium stresses

The effect of aluminium and cadmium on growth and physiological parameters in 60 days old basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in polluted soil were investigated. Control plants, grown in unpolluted soil, were used for evaluation of the heavy metal effect. Growth parameters were analysed immediately after sample collection, leaf area and plant height were recorded. Analysis of secondary metabolite, proline, total carbohydrates content and antioxidant capacity in 60 days old seedlings was performed. The antioxidant activity of basil extracts was determined by the DPPH method, and results showed an increase of antioxidative capacity in basil seedlings exposed to heavy metal stress due to the activation of antioxidative system in plant cells. Maximum production of secondary metabolites was recorded for seedlings exposed to 100 mg/kg soil Cd and Al. Results showed that cadmium stress increased concentration of proline, while aluminium did not had that effect. The content of total carbohydrates remained almost unchanged, with exception of basil seedlings grown on soil containing 50mg/kg AlCl3.
A model and Tabu search method to optimize stand harvest and road construction schedules

An important function of tactical planning in forest management is to choose spatially and temporally explicit schedules for both harvesting and road construction activities. In addition to maintaining consistency with goals of the strategic planning process, harvesting decisions are subjected to spatial, environmental constraints. At the same time, planning and cost of road access over the medium-term planning horizon must be considered. This article presents a model and heuristic solution methodology to address stand level harvest scheduling and the associated road construction scheduling problem. The model is formulated to determine minimal cost schedules, for stand harvests and road construction, that achieve recommended timber harvest volume targets and that comply with environmental regulations. The harvest decisions are made at the stand level of resolution. Graph structures are used to formulate the spatial restrictions on clearcut opening size and location. Road construction projects are scheduled to create a feasible road network at minimum net present capital cost. The optimization problem is solved using a Tabu search heuristic, which includes special constructs to cope with the complexity of this problem. An efficient frontier of solutions is produced, which may be utilized to analyze tradeoffs between lost forest productivity, due to timing of harvests, and the capital cost of road construction. Forest Science 46(2):188-203.
Plant water use efficiency of 17 Australian NAD-ME and NADP-ME C₄ grasses at ambient and elevated CO₂ partial pressure

This study investigates the response to elevated CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) of C4grasses belonging to different biochemical subtypes (NAD–ME and NADP–ME), and taxonomic groups (main Chloroid assemblage, Paniceae and Andropogoneae). Seventeen C4 grasses were grown under well-watered conditions in two glasshouses maintained at an average dailyppCO2 of 42 (ambient) or 68 (elevated) Pa. Elevated pCO2 significantly increased plant water-use efficiency (WUE; dry matter gain per unit water transpired) in 12 out of the 17 C4 grasses, by an average of 33%. In contrast, only five species showed a significant growth stimulation. When all species are considered, the average plant dry mass enhancement at elevated pCO2 was 26%. There were no significant subtype (or taxa) × pCO2 interactions on either WUE or biomass accumulation. When leaf gas exchange was compared at growth pCO2 but similar light and temperature, high pCO2-grown plants had similar CO2 assimilation rates (A) but a 40% lower stomatal conductance than their low pCO2-grown counterparts. There were no signs of either photosynthetic or stomatal acclimation in any of the measured species. We conclude that elevated pCO2 improved WUE primarily by reducing stomatal conductance.