Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENT OF AGILITY UTILISING A MULTIDIMENSIONAL MODALITY OF PLYOMETRICS

Introduction: Most sports demand different aspects of movement in order to be successful. Training methods have attempted to improve different areas, and much of the focus has recently been on improving speed, agility and quickness (SAQ). Various types of plyometric training have been utilised in order to increase SAQ. However, the dimensional aspect of training has not been well researched. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a two-dimensional model of plyometric training versus a one-dimensional model in terms of improving agility. Methods: Fifteen college students were recruited as participants in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Cube (multi-dimensional) training group or the Ladder (single-dimensional) training group. Subjects completed a pre- and post-testing using the 3-Cone drill (L) and Pro Agility (5-10-5) shuttle drill (Shuttle) agility tests. Subjects completed 8 weeks of training by exercising 2 days per week. Separate repeated measures ANOVA tests were run for each test. Significance was set at p < . 025 to account for multiple tests. Results: Agility test times improved in both the Cube group and the Ladder group (L test: F1, 12 = 35.60, p < .01; Shuttle: F1, 12 = 26.14, p < .01), supporting the hypothesis that an agility training intervention would improve agility test time. There was not a significant difference in improvement between the two groups (L test: F1, 12 = 0.02, p = .89; Shuttle: F1,12 = 1.45, p = 25). Conclusion: Both the Cube and the Ladder were effective in improving agility following an 8 week training intervention. This study identifies multi-dimensional training as a valid method of improving agility. Further research should examine multi-dimensional training with different movement patterns and other training modalities to determine which specific method or methods results in greatest improvements in sport specific settings. ; ;
Comparative evaluation of photoionization and flame ionization detectors for ethylene analysis

Abstract. This paper compares the use of photoionization and flame ionization detectors (PID and FID. respectively) for the analysis of ethylene in plant physiological studies. It is shown that PID has the capability to analyse ethylene levels in the order of 1 mm3 m−3. This represents an increase in sensitivity over FID of several-fold. Evidence is presented that this enhanced sensitivity allows for measurement of the rate of ethylene production from plants in continuous-flow systems by taking air samples directly from the air stream, thus eliminating the need for selective collection and concentration of ethylene.
Digestively constrained predators evade the cost of interference competition

1. Models of functional and aggregative responses generally assume that rates of prey encounter and handling times limit a predator's intake rate (Holling's disc equation). Two different lines of approach build upon this fundamental foraging concept. In the first, mutual interference further constrains intake rate, while in the second, intake rate may be constrained by rate of digestion. By combining both approaches, we come up with four competing models that differ in whether predators interfere and whether they face a digestive constraint. 2. The functional responses expected by these four models are tested experimentally in a medium-sized shorebird, the red knot (Calidris canutus), fed a shelled prey, the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). The experimental results suggest that intake rate is constrained by rate of digestion at low bird densities and by interference at high bird densities. 3. Using the experimentally obtained parameters, we predicted aggregative responses for each of the four models, which we verified by using field observations. We found evidence that the combination of interference and digestive constraints similarly governed the aggregative responses of red knots. Compared to the expectations of the models that do not include digestive constraints, red knots fed in lower and more variable prey densities and were generally aggregated in denser flocks. In addition, they were packed twice as densely when feeding on hard-shelled prey than when feeding on soft-bodied prey. 4. We suggest that digestive constraints allow red knots to live in dense flocks: if digestion proceeds during interference interactions, the time-cost of interference may be negligible.
On the occurrence of Paradella dianae (Menzies, 1962) a genus and species of Sphaeromatidae (Isopoda, flabellifera) in the Arabian sea

The species under consideration, has been obtained from the Bulleji coast, Karachi, among intertidal algae and mud. It is worth noting that all the species placed in the genus Paradella have been recorded from the Americas, the Marshall Islands and from the eastand westcoasts of Australia. In the Indian Ocean, P. dianae has been recorded only from Western Australia. The genus and species are now recorded for the first time from the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean. The measurements given are the total lengths of the body along the midline from the anterior margin of the head to the posterior apex of the telson. Material examined. Bulleji near Karachi, Pakistan. Among the intertidal algae Ulvafasciata, Padina tetrastromatica, and Caulerpa racemosa on a mud bottom; collected in February 1984. 2 adult males, 5 mm; 4 subadult males, 3.1-4.99 mm; 5 ovigerous females, 3.3-4.2 mm; 18 non ovigerous females, 2.5-4.5 mm. Descriptive remarks. The present specimens correspond closely to the description and illustrations given by Harrison & Holdich (1982) except in some minor details. The adult male (fig. 1A) differs from the Australian specimens while it agrees with the Brazilian specimens (Pires, 1982: 53, figs. 21, 22) in having distinct transverse ridges on posterior margins of pereonites 5 to 7 and 2 pairs of slightly larger granules lateral to the submedian pairs of tubercles on the pleotelson. Antennae 1 and 2 have 11 and 16 segments in the flagella of the adult male instead of 12 and 13, respectively (Harrison & Holdich, 1982: 103). The Ara bian Sea specimens also have a granulated pleon (fig. 1A) while illustrations by Harrison & Holdich (1982, figs. 6a, q) show no granules. Pereopod 1 (fig. 1C) is robust, pereopods 1 to 7 with a simple accessory unguis. The endopod of pleopod 1 (fig. ID) is not so acutely produced as that of the Australian specimen figured by Harrison & Holdich (1982: 104, fig. 6j). The exopod of pleopod 3 (fig. IF) is with an articulation. The pleotelson of the ovigerous female (fig. 2A) is rather more granular than in the Australian ovigerous female (Harrison & Holdich, 1982, fig. 6q), and the submedian pair of tubercles has a tendency towards fusion but is not com pletely fused.
Maintenance of diversity altered by a shift in dominant species: implications for species coexistence.

Diversity can be maintained by the biological characteristics of species within commu- nities, particularly dominant species. Invasions often result in shifts of dominant species. Despite the number of studies on invasion ecology, few have determined their long-term effect on diversity. In the present study, we coupled short- and long-term studies to examine the relationship between invasive species (colonial ascidians or sea squirts) and diversity and to discuss their implications for species coexistence. Diversity patterns between 2 panel studies (1979 to 1982; 2003 to 2006), one conducted before the establishment of invasive colonial ascidians, revealed an increase in species diversity. Short-term recruitment studies designed to elucidate mechanisms behind the patterns observed in our long-term studies suggest contrasting methods of maintaining diversity. Between 1979 and 1982, Mytilus edulis was a consistent spatial occupant whose hard shell provided secondary space for col- onization by other species. In contrast, the 2003 to 2006 community was dominated by the seasonally abundant invasive colonial ascidians Botrylloides violaceus and to a lesser extent Didemnum vexil- lum, which do not provide secondary substrate. These species either senesce after reproduction or undergo seasonal regression and free space for colonization by other species. These studies suggest that the coexistence of species has shifted from a community in which diversity was maintained by secondary substrates to a community in which diversity is maintained by primary substrates. Addi- tionally, they suggest that the community is undersaturated and could support more species, particu- larly those that seasonally utilize a limited resource (free space).
Home range and resource selection by GPS-monitored adult golden eagles in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion: Implications for wind power development

Recent national interest in golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) conservation and wind energy development prompted us to investigate golden eagle home range and resource use in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion (CPE) in Washington and Oregon. From 2004 to 2013, we deployed satellite transmitters on adult eagles (n = 17) and monitored their movements for up to 7 years. We used the Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM) to estimate range characteristics from global position system (GPS) fixes and flight paths of 10 eagles, and modeled resource selection probability functions (RSPFs). Multi-year home ranges of resident eagles were large (99% volume contour; , SD = 370.2 km2) but were one-third the size (, SD = 94.6 km2) and contained half as many contours when defined by 95% isopleths. Annual ranges accounted for 66% of multi-year range size. During the breeding season (16 Jan–15 Aug), eagles occupied ranges that were less fragmented, about half as large, and largely contained within ranges they used outside the breeding season ( overlap = 82.5%, SD = 19.0). Eagles selected upper slopes, rugged terrain, and ridge tops that appear to reflect underlying influences of prey, deflective wind currents, and proximity to nests. Fix distribution predicted by our resource selection model and that of 4 eagles monitored independently in the CPE were highly correlated (rs = 0.992). Our findings suggest conservative landscape management strategies addressing development in lower-elevation montane and shrub-steppe/grassland ecosystems can best define golden eagle ranges using exclusive 12.8-km buffers around nests. Less conservative strategies based on 9.6-km buffers must include identification and management of upper slopes, ridge-tops, and areas of varied terrain defined by predictive models or GPS telemetry. For both strategies, high, year-round intensity of eagle flight and perch use within 50% volume contours (average 3.2 km from nests) due to nest centricity may dramatically increase the probability of eagle conflict with wind turbines in core areas as evidenced by eagle turbine strikes that studies have documented within and beyond this zone. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Local and landscape effects on bee communities of Hungarian winter cereal fields

1 Pollination is a key ecosystem service. Although bees are the most important pollinators, they are endangered by intensive agricultural practices. The present study investigated the effects of farmland management and environmental factors at local and landscape scales on bees in Central Hungary. 2 Bees were sampled in winter cereal fields that varied in the amount of applied fertilizer and insecticide use. Measurements included total, small and large bee species richness and abundance; stability of total species richness and abundance (coefficient of variation, CV); the nitrogen content of fertilizers; the number of insecticide applications; within‐field location; species richness and abundance of insect‐pollinated plants; and the percentage of semi‐natural areas in a 500‐m radius circle around the fields under study. 3 Increasing the amount of fertilizer decreased total and small bee abundance and increased the CV of total bee abundance. Insecticide use had a significant negative effect on total and small bee species richness and on large bee abundance. The percentage of semi‐natural habitats in a 500‐m radius did not influence bee species richness and abundance. 4 The results obtained confirms that the intensification of farmland management poses a threat to bee diversity, and thus may reduce pollination services. Recently‐introduced agri‐environment schemes are one potential approach for managing agricultural land use: reduced amounts of fertilizer and a cessation of insecticide application might lead to high bee species richness and abundance and ensure the pollination of wild plants and flowering crops.
THE PERFORMANCE OF ONE NORMAL AND TWO DWARF MEAT MATERNAL GENOTYPES AND THEIR PROGENY AS AFFECTED BY REARING AND ADULT DIETARY TREATMENTS

The performances of one normal and two dwarf meat maternal genotypes were compared in a factorial experiment designed to estimate the combined effects of feeding two juvenile diets (low protein (LP) high energy (HE) versus high protein (HP) low energy (LE)) from 106 to 140 days and four adult dietary treatments (LPHE, HPHE, HPLE and an HPLE excluding canola meal) fed from 141 to 420 days. The performance of the three genotypes differed significantly (P 0.05) effect on the traits measured except age at sexual maturity and female body weights at 154 d. Several traits were affected by the adult dietary treatments including mortality, incidence of fatty liver syndrome, hen-day egg production, feed efficiency up to 322 and 420 days and live body weigh.
Elevation gradients of species‐density: historical and prospective views

Studies of elevation clines in diversity and composition of ecological communities date back to the origins of biogeography. A modern resurgence of interests in these elevational clines is likely to contribute important insights for developing a more general theory of species diversity. In order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of geographical clines in diversity, the research programme for montane biogeography should include statistically rigorous tests of apparent patterns, comparisons of patterns among regions and taxonomic or ecological groups of species, and analyses of clines in environmental variables concurrent with biogeographical surveys. The conceptual framework for this research programme should be based on the assumption that elevational gradients in species diversity result from a combination of ecological and evolutionary processes, rather than the presumed independent effects of one overriding force. Given that montane ecosystems are hot spots of biological diversity, an expanded and integrated programme for biogeographic surveys in montane regions should provide valuable insights for conservation biologists.
Long-term study of planting date effects on seed yield in soybean

Planting date in relation to subsequent crop development and yield are important determinants in realizing crop yield potential. This study was conducted to determine optimum planting dates for Oklahoma adapted maturity groups of soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]. Effects of planting date on yield were investigated at Bixby, OK, in the Uniform Soybean Tests for Southern States. Field experiments were conducted from 1958 through 1994. Planting dates across years ranged between 10 May and 1 July, and were assigned to 5-d, planting intervals. Maturity groups IV, V, and VI were evaluated. Soil type was a Wynona silly clay loam (fine-silty, mixed, thermic Cumulic Haplaquoll). Significant interaction occurred between maturity group and planting interval for yield. Highest average yields produced by maturity group IV (2248 lb/acre) occurred with 9 to 18 May and 8 to 22 June planting intervals. Lowest average yields for maturity group IV (1524 lb/acre) occurred with 19 May to 7 June planting intervals. Highest average yields for maturity group V (2573 lb/acre) occurred with 14 to 18 May and 13 to 22 June planting intervals, and lowest average yields (1950 lb/acre) with 19 May to 12 June planting intervals. Maturity group VI produced highest average yields (2501 lb/acre) with 14 to 18 May, 3 to 7 June, and 13 to 22 June planting intervals. Maturity group VI yields for all other planting intervals averaged 2073 lb/acre. During the range of planting dates available from early May to early July, for maturity groups IV, V, and VI, definite optimum planting dates occur for highest yields. Knowledge of optimum planting dates can be one crop management tool applied to enhance crop productivity, facilitate cropping patterns, and better utilize environmental conditions.
Ca2+‐stores mobilization by diadenosine tetraphosphate, Ap4A, through a putative P2Y purinoceptor in adrenal chromaffin cells

1 Diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) evoked a concentration‐dependent increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] in resting chromaffin cells. The EC50 value for this action was 28.2 ± 6.6 μm. This effect was also produced by diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap5A) with an EC50 of 50 ± 7 μm. 2 In contrast with this effect, pretreatment with Ap4A or Ap5A induced a 30% reduction in Ca2+ entry following 10 μm dimethylphenylpiperazinium. 3 The elevation in cytosolic [Ca2+] induced by AP4A was persistent in ≅ 100 nm external [Ca2+] and was sensitive to depletion of internal Ca2+ stores by a bradykinin prepulse or whole cell depletion in Ca2+. 4 The effect of Ap4A was mimicked and desensitized by the agonist adenosine 5′‐O‐(2‐thiodiphosphate), and blocked by the P2Y‐receptor antagonist, cibachrome blue. The P2X‐receptor agonist α,β‐methylene adenosine 5′‐triphosphate was inactive both by itself or in combination with Ap4A. This is compatible with a P2Y‐purinoceptor‐mediated action.
Association Between Somatic Cell Count of Milk and Cheese-Yielding Capacity

Abstract During 1 yr, 42 Holstein cows were selected to provide monthly individual milk samples with SCC, which ranged from less than 100,000 to more than 1,000,000/ml of milk. Milk was analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, casein, and SCC and was used for laboratory-scale cheese making. Data obtained from the milk input and the cheese output were used to determine actual, moisture-adjusted, Van Slyke's theoretical yields, and efficiency of yield. Least squares analyses of data which adjusted for the effect of milk composition indicated that SCC in milk were inversely related to moisture-adjusted yield and efficiency of yield. An increase of SCC from 100,000 to 500,000/ml was associated with a decrease of approximately 5.0 and 11.0% in adjusted yield and efficiency of yield, respectively. A further increase of SCC to 1,000,000/ml resulted in an overall decrease of 8.7 and 13% in adjusted yield and efficiency of yield, respectively.
Picoplankton size distributions in marine and fresh waters: problems with filter fractionation studies

The retention of algal picoplankton by Nuclepore polycarbonate filters of 0.2, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 μm pore size was tested in 2 marine and 3 freshwater sites. When 1 μm Nuclepore filters were used, the percentage of the total cyanobacterial cells passing the filter varied between sites and with increasing depth within sites. As much as 99% of the Synechococcus-like cells was retained by a 1 μm filter. This could lead to an underestimation of the picoplanktonic contribution or, more seriously, an apparent distribution pattern that is an artifact of the choice of filter pore size. Filter retention was also dependent on vaccum pressure during filtration. This study emphasizes the need for direct observation of picoplankton numbers in filter fractionation studies.
On Term Selection Techniques for Patent Prior Art Search

In this paper, we investigate the influence of term selection on retrieval performance on the CLEF-IP prior art test collection, using the Description section of the patent query with Language Model (LM) and BM25 scoring functions. We find that an oracular relevance feedback system that extracts terms from the judged relevant documents far outperforms the baseline and performs twice as well on MAP as the best competitor in CLEF-IP 2010. We find a very clear term selection value threshold for use when choosing terms. We also noticed that most of the useful feedback terms are actually present in the original query and hypothesized that the baseline system could be substantially improved by removing negative query terms. We tried four simple automated approaches to identify negative terms for query reduction but we were unable to notably improve on the baseline performance with any of them. However, we show that a simple, minimal interactive relevance feedback approach where terms are selected from only the first retrieved relevant document outperforms the best result from CLEF-IP 2010 suggesting the promise of interactive methods for term selection in patent prior art search.
THE EFFECTS OF LARVAL FEEDING SPECIALIZATION AND PLANT GROWTH FORM ON THE CONSUMPTION AND UTILIZATION OF PLANT BIOMASS AND NITROGEN: AN ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATION

Feeding experiments were carried out on larvae of 22 species of Lepidoptera, belonging mainly to the Papilionidae and the Bombycoidea, with a range of feeding habits from specialists on one plant family to polyphagous on a wide range of families. Consumption rates, conversion rates and hence growth rates were lower in tree‐feeders than herb‐feeders and may be related to differences in leaf water content. Such “quantitative” plant defense mechanisms may be metabolically more costly for insects to overcome than “qualitative” chemical defenses. It is suggested that, although it is only one of several possible factors involved, leaf water content might provide a useful index of the range in larval gross production efficiences and relative growth rates to be expected from a range of acceptable food plants.
Influence of N-fertilization and Fungicide Strategies on Fusarium Head Blight Severity and Mycotoxin Content in Winter Wheat

Nitrogen (N) fertilization and fungicide applications are still subject to discussion concerning the influence on Fusarium head blight (FHB) and related mycotoxin accumulation. Field studies were made in 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 to investigate the effect of two N-rates and 11 plant protection treatments on FHB severity and the content of FHB-related mycotoxins, namely deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) under conditions of natural infection. The treatments applied can be summarized as (i) an integrated approach using a decision support system, (ii) the use of two plant strengtheners, Bion � (benzo [1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl-ester, BTH) and a compound based on the biomass of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, (iii) the use of plant strengtheners in combination with a broad-spectrum fungicide and (iv) common fungicide strategies against foliar diseases. Fusarium infections as well as the analysed mycotoxins were observed at low levels in both years. Disease severity was significantly increased by conventional N-fertilization only in 2001. Neither FHB severity nor mycotoxin accumulation was significantly influenced by any of the treatments, although treatments without fungicides appeared to lead to lower disease severities. In 2002, there was a tendency towards higher disease severities when common fungicide strategies were applied. Mycotoxin contamination was found in grain samples from both years. In 2001 DON was mainly traceable, whereas in 2002 ZEA was also detected. Mycotoxin contamination was influenced by N-fertilization rather than by the treatments. In 2001, the DON content was significantly increased due to the conventional N-supply. Our results indicate that less intensive fungicide strategies, including plant strengtheners, are no worse than common fungicide strategies under conditions of low FHB severity and mycotoxin accumulation. Immoderate N-fertilization however, can increase mycotoxin levels significantly even under conditions unfavourable for Fusarium spp.