Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Sink and Source Sizes to Yield Variation among Rice Cultivars

Abstract In order to identify the key factors that arrest yield improvement in rice, we observed fifteen divergent cultivars in a field at Kyoto, Japan in 1995 and 2001 under various nitrogen (N) regimes. The contribution that sink size (spikelet number X single fully ripened grain mass), source size (total available carbohydrate), and source components, non-structural carbohydrate (pre-reserved) at full heading (NSCh) and dry matter production during grain filling (DMP) had to the variation in yield among cultivars was examined. The dry weight of rough brown rice (Y) ranged from 310 to 743 g m-2 throughout two years and under all N regimes examined. Although Y correlated with both sink and ource sizes, it tended to correlate more closely with source size than with sink size. In many cultivars, source size was smaller than sink size at all conditions examined except for the low nitrogen regime. The contribution of source components to Y was analyzed with the equation : Y = Cn NSCh + Cd DMP, where C„ and Cd are coefficients of NSC utilization and of DMP utilization for grain filling. Y correlated with DMP more closely than with NSCh. ANSC (NSCh - NSCm), where NSCra is NSC at maturity and “Cn” vaguely correlated with the difference between sink size and DMP, showing that NSC is used to ompensate for the shortage of DMP to fill grains. At the same time, there were cultivar differences in NSCh and “Cn”. The highest yielding cultivar Takanari always had the greatest DMP, relatively high NSCh and stably high values of “Cn”. In conclusion, yield variation among rice cultivars correlated with source size more closely than with sink size, and DMP rather than NSCh primarily contributed to Y. While NSCh tended to be utilized complementarily to DMP, the contribution of NSCh seemed to depend on the ability of rice cultivars to utilize NSC.
Microhabitats for Oviposition and Male Clutch Attendance in Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum (Anura: Centrolenidae)

In this study we describe for the first time aspects of the reproductive ecology and behavior of a population of Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum located in the Colombian Pacific lowlands. Males vocalize and attend clutches from the underside of leaves overhanging the streams. Males showed high fidelity to their territory; each male repeatedly uses the same leaf for perching, calling, mating, and clutch attendance. There were no significant differences in the environmental variables registered for the microhabitats where males were located with or without clutches, with one or multiple clutches, or between successful or unsuccessful clutches, which suggest that the analyzed variables are not important for the obtention of the clutches and their success. Males were found grouped in the study area at distances varying between 0.3–0.5 m; thus, more than one male can be observed occupying other leaves in the same plant. Fights or aggressive behaviors were not observed in intrusion events by co-specific males in the territory of the resident males; however, we registered a series of movements that resulted in moving the intruder further away. Females almost immediately abandoned the clutches after oviposition, whereas most of the time, at day and night, males stayed near, touching or sitting on one to five egg clutches during most of their embryonic development. This brooding behavior also included hydration, cleaning, and defense of the eggs. Arthropod predation was observed in both attended and abandoned egg clutches; however, in one observation, the behavior of the male moved the predator away and saved the clutch. These observations and the finding of abandoned clutches that did not complete their development suggest that male parental care increases embryo survival and, as a result, his reproductive success.
Fishing gears involved in entanglements of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the East Sea of Korea

Entanglement of marine mammals in fishing gear is a global issue. It is considered a significant threat to minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the East Sea of Korea. A total of 214 entanglements of minke whales in this area between 2004 and 2007 were used to investigate types and parts of fishing gears involved in entanglements. The majority of entanglements were mainly caused by three types of fishing gears: set nets, pots, and gill nets (n = 207, 96.7%). Other entanglements were associated with bottom trawls, purse seines, and trawls. A total of 65 entanglements were attributed to the main and branch lines of fishing gears. The most common body part of minke whales which attached to fishing gears was the mouth (n = 63, 30.4%). Most entanglements took place within 10 nmi from land (n = 179, 86.5%), and between 10 and 220 m of water depth. The mean length of entangled minke whales in set nets was significantly smaller than that of whales in pots and gill nets samples (P < 0.001). Also, the mean body length of minke whales that entangled in the coastal area and shallow waters was significantly shorter than that of whales in the offshore area and deep waters (P < 0.001). This information can be used as fundamental data to conserve and manage this population of minke whales in the East Sea of Korea, and also to modify fishing gear to reduce entanglements. Future studies should focus on investigating the impact of these entanglements on the population and the effectiveness of mitigation measures to reduce entanglements of minke whales in this area.
Simple models of the role of forests and wood products in greenhouse gas mitigation

The exchange of carbon, primarily as the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, between forests and the atmosphere, gives forest managers opportunities to limit greenhouse gas emissions through forest management. Options available to forest managers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include 1) storing carbon in landscapes, 2) storing carbon in wood products, and 3) providing society with a low-emissions resource (wood products) to substitute for alternative materials associated with larger emissions. To evaluate the trade-off between storing carbon in forests and providing society with wood products, the dynamics of each option must be understood. Here, the above options are explained using simple models analogous to reservoirs and safes. Reservoirs are used to represent dynamic systems, such as forest and wood product carbon stocks, and the irreversible substitution effect, where emissions are avoided through the use of wood, is shown as analogous to placing avoided emissions in a safe.
Adopting Program Synthesis for Test Amplification

Program synthesis is the task of enabling a computer system to automatically write program code based on user intent. Test ampli-ﬁcation on the other hand is an emerging research area, where the goal is to generate new test cases from manually written ones. From this perspective, test ampliﬁcation is awfully similar to program synthesis. Therefore, in this short paper, we explore the beneﬁts of us-ing program synthesis for test ampliﬁcation.
Tropical browses: contents of phenolic compounds, in vitro gas production and stoichiometric relationship between short chain fatty acid and in vitro gas production

The contents of phenolic compounds, protein precipitation capacity (PPC) and in vitro gas production of tropical browse species were evaluated. The stoichiometric relationship between in vitro gas measured on incubation of tannin-containing browses in buffered rumen fluid and calculated from short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was investigated. Crude protein (CP) contents in the browses ranged from 54 to 300 g/kg dry matter (DM). Total phenol (TP), tannins (T) and condensed tannins (TP and T as tannic acid equivalent; CT, as leucocyanidin equivalent) ranged from 17–250, 7–214, and 0–260 g/kg DM respectively, and PPC from 0 to 1066 μg BSA precipitated/g DM. CP content of browses was negatively correlated with TP, T, CT and PPC. A significant correlation was observed between per cent change in gas production on addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the contents of phenolics (r = 0.76 for both TP and T). Addition of PEG to tannin-containing browses increased in vitro gas production. PPC was significantly correlated with TP (r = 0.87; P<0.001), T (r = 0.83; P<0.001), and CT (r = 0.41; P<0.05). A good relationship (R2 = 0.94; P<0.001) was observed between measured in vitro gas production and that calculated from SCFA. The molar proportions of SCFA were not affected by the inclusion of PEG (P>0.05). The relationship between in vitro gas measured on incubation of browse leaves and that calculated from SCFA allows prediction of SCFA from gas production.
The complete chloroplast genome of Cirsium setosum and its phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Cirsium setosum is a widely distributed species of edible medicinal plant around the world. Triterpenes, flavonoids, sterols, polyphenols, and glycosides are its main medicinal ingredients. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. setosum was assembled and characterized from high-throughput sequencing data. The chloroplast genome was 152,405 bp in length, consisting of large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) regions of 83,385 bp and 18,632 bp, respectively, which were separated by a pair of 25,193 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The genome is predicted to contain 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 37.7%. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed by 12 chloroplast genomes reveals that C. setosum is mostly related to Cirsium arvense, which is also a Cephalanoplos plant widely distributed all over the world. The work reported the firstly complete chloroplast genome of C. setosum which may provide useful information to the evolution of Cephalanoplos.
Decapod crustaceans associated with an artificial reef (Adriatic Sea)

The aim of this study is to increase the knowledge on the distribution of decapod crustaceans associated with an artificial reef positioned on sandy-mud bottoms in the central Adriatic Sea. The reef is constituted of concrete modules assembled in pyramids and concrete poles. Hard and soft bottom samples were collected from 2001, just after reef construction, to 2005 (4 surveys per year). Regarding the soft seabed , three sites close to a pyramid, three inside the reef area at a distance of 10-15 m from the structures, and three 200 m outside the reef (control sites) were randomly sampled during each survey. At the same time, three pyramids (vertical and horizontal walls) and three poles were also investigated. After taxonomical analysis, decapod crustaceans were analysed using abundance and species richness. Sites and years were compared using a balanced, fixed effect, 2-way ANOVA and PERMANOVA. In addition, SIMPER analysis was performed to identify those species typifying each community inhabiting both the soft bottom and the artificial substrates. The results showed that the artificial reef induced an increase in both abundance and diversity of the decapods of the natural habitat. In fact, man-made substrates may offer new available space for biological colonization and allow the settlement of new species usually living on hard bottoms, thus increasing the complexity of the original benthic communities.
A Critical Role for IκB Kinase β in Metallothionein-1 Expression and Protection against Arsenic Toxicity*

Arsenic is a widespread environmental toxic agent that has been shown to cause diverse tissue and cell damage and at the same time to be an effective anti-cancer therapeutic agent. The objective of this study is to explore the signaling mechanisms involved in arsenic toxicity. We show that the IκB kinase β (IKKβ) plays a crucial role in protecting cells from arsenic toxicity. Ikkβ-/- mouse 3T3 fibroblasts have decreased expression of antioxidant genes, such as metallothionein 1 (Mt1). In contrast to wild type and IKKβ-reconstituted Ikkβ-/- cells, IKKβ-null cells display a marked increase in arsenic-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which leads to activation of the MKK4-c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, c-Jun phosphorylation, and apoptosis. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and expression of MT1 in the Ikkβ-/- cells prevented JNK activation; moreover, NAC pretreatment, MT1 expression, MKK4 ablation, and JNK inhibition all protected cells from death induced by arsenic. Our data show that two signaling pathways appear to be important for modulating arsenic toxicity. First, the IKK-NF-κB pathway is crucial for maintaining cellular metallothionein-1 levels to counteract ROS accumulation, and second, when this pathway fails, excessive ROS leads to activation of the MKK4-JNK pathway, resulting in apoptosis.
AN ANALYSIS OF FOUR TROPICAL RAIN FOREST SITES IN NEW GUINEA

1966). Two of these forest types, forest on mid-slopes and forest on plateaux, were selected to investigate the interrelationship of structure, floristics and habitat in more detail by means of sample plots. Further objectives were to investigate the presence or absence of layering using detailed height and crown measurements, and to test the usefulness of profile diagrams. The results are thought to merit publication, firstly because quantitative information on tropical rain forest is rather scarce in the literature, and secondly because the findings are probably of more than local interest. The area visited lies in the Northern District of Papua, 100 miles (160 km) north-east of Port Moresby and about 18 miles (30 km) inland from the coast (Fig. 1). It comprises the southern foothills of the Hydrographers Range in the north, the northern foothills of the Sibium Range in the south, and a large central volcanic plateau, the Managalase. The area has a tropical rain forest climate and is subject to the north-west monsoon from December to March, and to south-east trade winds from May to October. Due to its position to leeward of the high east-south-east to west-north-west trending Owen Stanley Range in the centre of New Guinea, the area receives most rain during the north-west season. The nearest rainfall station, Popondetta, 12 miles (19 km) inland from the coast and about 500 ft (150 m) altitude, has a mean annual rainfall of 94 in. (2380 mm). As there is a general increase in rainfall with altitude and distance from the coast, the area under study probably has a higher rainfall. Monthly averages are most probably in excess of 4 in. (100 mm) even during the dry season. The area lies outside the zone of severe tropical storms but strong squall winds of up to 40 knots (74 km/h) have been observed (Fitzpatrick 1964).
Seasonal changes of dissolved organic carbon photo-oxidation rates in a tropical humic lagoon: the role of rainfall as a major regulator

In this paper, we report the seasonal variation of photo-oxidation rates in a tropical humic lagoon and its relation to annual rainfall regime. Photo-oxidation rates ranged from 8.96 to 415.06 µmol C·L–1·day–1, being higher in the beginning to middle of the rainy season and declining throughout the year. Although dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, water color, and sunlight incidence were generally higher in the rainy season, photo-oxidation rates were not significantly related to any of these parameters. Photo-oxidation seems to be influenced mainly by changes in DOC photoreactivity, which was up to threefold higher early in the rainy season, when inputs of fresh allochthonous DOC take place. In the following months, in addition to being continuously degraded by sunlight, DOC is also removed from the water column by processes such as microbial degradation and sedimentation, leading to a decline in DOC concentration and photoreactivity throughout the year until the next rainy season. Thus, the d.
An Analysis of the Hecate Strait Pacific Cod Fishery Using an Age-structured Model Incorporating Density-dependent Effects

An age-structured model was used to analyze the Hecate Strait Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) fishery for the years 1960–80. The data consisted of estimates of fishing effort, together with estimates of numbers of fish at age caught in each year. The latter estimates were derived from length–frequency analysis. A stock–recruitment relationship of the Ricker type with an additional environmental factor was estimated. The data is also analyzed for evidence of the existence of age-dependent trends in natural mortality, density-dependent trends in natural mortality and catchability, and for time-dependent trends in catchability. Evidence of a density-dependent trend in natural mortality was discovered. The average level of natural mortality was also estimated to be 0.65.
The development of non‐myotomic muscles of the chick embryo

Recent experimental studies, employing the methods of marking various embryonic primordia with carbon particles and also the procedure of intracoelomic transplantation, have demonstrated that muscles of the abdominal walls, as well as those of the limbs, are not derived directly from the myotome but from the somatic mesoderm in the chick embryo (Hamburger, '38; Saunders, '48; Straus and Ramles, '53). The present report concerns the histogenesis of non-myotoniic muscles of the chick embryo using morphological and cytochemical procedures to determine whether the process is different from that of the myotomic muscles.
Proximal policy optimization with an integral compensator for quadrotor control

We use the advanced proximal policy optimization (PPO) reinforcement learning algorithm to optimize the stochastic control strategy to achieve speed control of the “model-free” quadrotor. The model is controlled by four learned neural networks, which directly map the system states to control commands in an end-to-end style. By introducing an integral compensator into the actor-critic framework, the speed tracking accuracy and robustness have been greatly enhanced. In addition, a two-phase learning scheme which includes both offline- and online-learning is developed for practical use. A model with strong generalization ability is learned in the offline phase. Then, the flight policy of the model is continuously optimized in the online learning phase. Finally, the performances of our proposed algorithm are compared with those of the traditional PID algorithm.
THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE ON THE USE OF SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES

In this paper we investigate the influence of organisational culture on the use of systems development methodologies. The results are based on a survey that was conducted in 2011 in South Africa in which 125 organisations participated. 74% of the participating organisations used at least one systems development methodology. Agile type systems development methodologies were used in 68% of the participating organisations, and traditional type systems development methodologies by 62.4% of the respondents. We determined that IS departments can have one of the following cultures: a strong comprehensive culture, a moderate hierarchical and rational oriented culture, a strong group and developmental oriented culture, a weak comprehensive culture, a very strong comprehensive culture, and a moderate non-hierarchical culture. In order to determine if organisational culture has an influence on the use of systems development methodologies, regression analysis was performed.The results indicated a positive relationship between the group culture dimension and the vertical (intensity) use of systems development methodologies, and a negative relationship between the developmental and hierarchical culture dimensions and the vertical (intensity) use of systems development methodologies. Organisations with a more hierarchical culture orientation seem to be using systems development methodologies for a longer time than other organisations. We also investigated whether certain organisational cultural dimensions are more conducive for successful information systems development. Positive relationships exist between the success of the development process and the rational culture dimension, and the success of the developed system and the developmental culture dimension.
Azelastine Inhibits Secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 as well as NF-κB Activation and Intracellular Calcium Ion Levels in Normal Human Mast Cells

Background: Mast cells are involved in allergic inflammation by secreting histamine, proteases and several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-8. Certain histamine-1 receptor antagonists, such as azelastine present in the ophthalmic solution Optivar®, have been reported to inhibit histamine and tryptase secretion, but its effect on inflammatory cytokine release from normal human umbilical cord blood-derived cultured mast cells (hCBMC) are not well known. Methods: We investigated the effect of azelastine on the secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 from hCBMC, as well as its possible mechanism of action. hCBMC sensitized with IgE were pretreated for 5 min with azelastine at 0.01, 0.1, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, or 60 µM of Optivar®, before stimulation with anti-IgE for 6 h. Optivar® vehicle without azelastine was used as control. Cytokines were measured by ELISA, intracellular calcium levels by calcium indicators confocal, and nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-ĸB) by electromobility shift assay. Results: Stimulation with anti-IgE led to substantial secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8. Preincubation for 5 min resulted in almost maximal inhibition with 6 µM azelastine for TNF-α (80%), with 24 µM for IL-6 (83%) and 60 µM for IL-8 (99%); the vehicle solution at the same concentrations as Optivar® had no effect. Stimulation with anti-IgE increased intracellular Ca2+ level and induced NF-ĸB expression in hCBMC, which was inhibited by 24 µM azelastine. Conclusion: Azelastine inhibited hCBMC secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8, possibly by inhibiting intracellular Ca2+ ions and NF-ĸB activation. Azelastine may, therefore, be helpful in treating allergic inflammation.
GENETIC DIVERSITY IN SNAKE VENOM THREE-FINGER PROTEINS AND PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 ENZYMES

Based on genetic organization and high degree of sequence identity, three-finger protein genes and phospholipase A2 genes appear to represent two multigene families in snake genomes. Unlike intron insertions or deletions, the evolution of protein coding regions of these genes is accelerated by adaptive selection. Thus, the protein coding regions of the two multigene families are more diversified than their intron regions. Alternatively, genetic elements in regulating protein expression were mostly retained during the evolution of the two multigene families. These observations indicate that the multiplicity of the two multigene families expanded on their ancestral gene by gene duplication followed by divergence, and suggest a common route for the evolution of snake toxins.
Dispersal of Smallmouth Bass from a Simulated Tournament Weigh‐In Site

Abstract Simulated smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu fishing tournaments were staged in Dale Hollow Lake, a 12,400-ha reservoir in Tennessee, between March 2004 and February 2005 to investigate posttournament dispersal. Smallmouth bass (n = 54) were captured with conventional hook-and-line tackle and artificial lures, placed in live wells, and subjected to a weigh-in procedure before being externally tagged with an ultrasonic transmitter and released. Water temperatures ranged from 7.4°C to 29.3°C (mean [SE] = 17.6°C [2.5]), fish ranged in total length from 330 to 572 mm (mean = 452 [8.3]), and no fish were dead at the weigh-ins. Smallmouth bass dispersed rapidly away from the release site, which was located at the head of a 68-ha embayment. After 3–5 d, survivors (n = 44) traversed an average distance of 1,475 m [213]. Most (72%) fish swam uplake and out of the 385-ha study area after 6 d. The rapid dispersal of smallmouth bass may be relevant in systems that experience heavy tournament activity. The .