Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Harvest Management Effects on Red Clover Forage Yield, Quality, and Persistence

Forage cutting management recommendations emphasize early and frequent harvests to maximize forage nutrient yields. This study was conducted to determine forage yield, quality, and persistence of five modern red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivars harvested at different frequencies and stages of maturity throughout the growing season. Red clover plots were established at Arlington, Marshfield, Spooner, and Ashland, WI, in 1989 and at Marshfield, WI, in 1990. During the establishment year, forage was removed once or twice when red clover plants reached 20% bloom. Five cultivars were harvested for 2 yr after the seeding year under five harvest management systems (HMS): A = 3 summer cuts at bud stage + late fall cut; B = 3 summer cuts at bud stage; C = 2 summer cuts at 20% bloom + late fall cut; D = 2 summer cuts at 40% bloom + late fall cut; E = 2 summer cuts at 40% bloom. Cutting red clover twice at 20% bloom and once in late fall (HMS C) produced maximum seasonal forage yield during both harvest years at all locations. In the northern Wisconsin locations, HMS D and E yielded the same as HMS C, while southern locations favored the earlier, more frequent cutting schedules (HMS A, B, and C). Fall harvest of red clover before the second winter did not significantly reduce forage yield in the third year. When comparing forages cut at bud stage, 20% bloom, or 40% bloom, maximum red clover yield is attained by 20% bloom. Forage quality of spring growth forage was lower than subsequent summer harvests as measured by crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Forages cut at bud stage had the highest concentration of CP and lowest concentration of NDF and ADF, and forage quality declined with increasing maturity. Persistence of red clover was not greatly affected by HMS, but where differences occurred, plant stands and fourth year yields were highest for management systems C, D, and E where plots were cut less frequently or at later growth stages. Current red clover cultivars should be harvested three times (2 summer cuts + 1 late fall cut) during the year when plants are between bud stage and 20% bloom stage for optimum forage yield, quality, and persistence.
Inversion of terrestrial ecosystem model parameter values against eddy covariance measurements by Monte Carlo sampling

Effective measures to counter the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere require that we better understand the functioning of the global carbon cycle. Uncertainties about, in particular, the terrestrial carbon cycle's response to climate change remain high. We use a well‐known stochastic inversion technique originally developed in nuclear physics, the Metropolis algorithm, to determine the full probability density functions (PDFs) of parameters of a terrestrial ecosystem model. By thus assimilating half‐hourly eddy covariance measurements of CO2 and water fluxes, we can substantially reduce the uncertainty of approximately five model parameters, depending on prior uncertainties. Further analysis of the posterior PDF shows that almost all parameters are nearly Gaussian distributed, and reveals some distinct groups of parameters that are constrained together. We show that after assimilating only 7 days of measurements, uncertainties for net carbon uptake over 2 years for the forest site can be substantially reduced, with the median estimate in excellent agreement with measurements.
Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos de Pitanga, Paraná, Brasil

The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sera from naturally infected milk-producing caprines using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and modified agglutination test (MAT), determine specificity and sensibility of MAT and to evaluate the agreement of results between the tests. For this study, 282 caprine serum samples were collected from farms in the city of Pitanga, Parana State, a region with a high pecuary of small ruminants. Prevalence found by IFA was of 44.68% and 23.05% by MAT. There was statistically significant difference (p=0.0086) in relation to the gender of animals, being females more seropositive. Sensitivity and specificity results for MAT were, respectively, 42.2% and 94.9%. By comparing results, a moderate agreement was observed (Kappa = 0.42). The high prevalence for the infection, associated to high titers found by IFA and clinical signs presented in the herds suggest toxoplasmosis as one of the causes of reproductive problems in caprines. Sensitivity and specificity results for MAT obtained in this study allow this test to be recommended as a confirmatory test for the caprine species.
Reliability of paddock sampling for the organisms (Anguina funesta and Clavibacter toxicus) responsible for annual ryegrass toxicity

An examination of within-paddock distribution of the nematode (Anguina funesta) and bacterium (Clavibacter toxicus) responsible for annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) was undertaken to determine the reliability of farmer-collected samples in determining the risk of ARGT. Areas in Western Australia with a recent history of ARGT outbreaks were selected for study. The results indicate that the distribution of ARGT organisms is patchy in paddocks with low population densities, but as the populations grow they spread throughout the paddock. Populations are not likely to reach toxic levels before they become widespread in the paddock. Farmer-collected samples processed by the ARGT Testing Service procedure were found to be a reliable tool for the management of ARGT in Western Australia.
Immune and non-immune actions of interferon-β-1b on primary human neural cells

Systemic interferon-β-1b (IFN-β-1b) reduces the frequency of clinical exacerbations and the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined lesions in patients with relapsing—remitting MS. The basis for this clinical effect is not understood. While IFN-β-1b has been demonstrated to have antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects on the sytemic immune system, its actions on neural cells could also contribute to its therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we hove examined possible immune and non-immune effects of IFN-β-1b on CNS-derived primary human cells. With respect to immune-related effects, application of IFN-β-1b did not decrease basal expression of HLA-DR on astrocytes or microglia, and it reduced the IFN-γ-enhanced HLA-DR expression on adult human astrocytes only at high concentrations (1000 IU ml-1); IFN-β-1b at all concentrations tested did not reduce the IFN-γ-enhanced HLA-DR expression by fetal astrocytes or adult microglial cells. In contrast, but in correspondence with the literature, the IFN-γ-enhanced HLA-DR expression on a glioma cell line was attenuated by IFN-β-1b in a dose-dependent manner. With respect to non-immune effects, the number of adult human oligodendrocytes and their state of morphological differentiation were not affected by IFN-β-1b. Proliferation of the mitotically active fetal human astrocytes, however, was reduced by IFN-β-1b treatment Lactate dehydrogenase assays revealed that IFN-β-1b was not toxic to neural cells, including adult oligodendrocytes and fetal human neurons. We conclude that IFN-β-1b lacks efficacy in down-regulating HLA-DR expression by primary human neural cells and that regulation of MHC class II antigens is unlikely to be a mechanism for its beneficial effect in MS. Finally, the lack of toxicity of IFN-β-1b on human neural cells is important for a drug that will probably be used widely.
Perspectives on manpower development programmes and graduate unemployment in Nigeria

The indices for the measurement of a country’s development or under-development are: poverty rate; GDP; unemployment rate; level of literacy; literacy rate; level of technological development; transparency in governance, etc. If these indices are below expectation, it becomes obvious that the country will be adjudged as a poor and under-developed country. More so, education is very important in the development of human resources in any country through the acquisition of appropriate skills, capacity building, values, knowledge and attitudes which can be used in the transformation of individuals, communities, nations and the world at large. No wonder that countries so adjudged as developed have demonstrated capacity to transform their world through entrepreneurship education which can be used for wealth creation, poverty reduction. These developed countries also exhibit enduring social-economic empowerment, sustained national development, etc. On this premise, this paper critically examines the perspective of manpower development programmes as well as implications of graduate unemployment on the Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development with a view to proffering solutions towards resolving and ameliorating the decadent situation in Nigeria. This paper looks at entrepreneurship education as a functional education which can be used as a panacea for unemployment, poverty eradication and national insecurity, taking cognisance of the fact that education has remained the major instrument for national development by many countries of the world. The paper also recommends that manpower development programmes on skills acquisition and knowledge-based economy should strongly be pursued in Nigerian tertiary institutions as a means of overcoming unemployment sand its attendance challenges in the country.
Characterization of an Endophytic Bacterium G062 Isolate with Beneficial Traits

An endophytic bacterium isolate G062 was characterized base on its molecular genetic potents, morphology, physiology, and biochemistry reactions. Analysis of 16S rDNA sequences of G062 showed the highest similarity to Paracoccus halophilus (98%). Detection of the phlD and prnC genes occurrence indicated that the bacterium had this antibiotic-like genes of Diacethylphloroglucinol (DAPG) and pyrrolnitrin. The cells are rod shaped (0.59-0.89 × 1.85-3.3 μm), aerobic, Gram negative, non motile, non spore forming, positive catalase, positive oxydase, could reduce NO3 to N2, nitrogen fixing, producing siderophore and plant growth hormones-like compounds (IAA, Gibberellin, and zeatin), and solubilizing phosphate. The G062 isolate could grow on media containing 2.5% NaCl. Range of the temperature and pH growth were 15-40 and 5.0-9.5 °C, respectively. The bacterium did not cause red blood cells lysis. There was no hypersensitive response when it was injected into tobacco leaves, and it was not pathogenic against potato plantlets. Moreover, the bacterium promoted the growth of the potato plant and had high colonization ability. These results suggested that the bacterium had beneficial and good traits as biological agent candidate to promote potato plant growth.
Physiological effects of azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole on senescence and the oxidative status of wheat

The impact of two fungicides, azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole, on the senescence process of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Nandu’) grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity was investigated. The senescence process could be well described by the decrease in total leaf protein content and the increase in electrolyte leakage from leaf tissue. The changes in these two senescence factors coincided with an increase in the level of superoxide (O·−2) and a decrease in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) during senescence. The senescence was significantly delayed by application of azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole, which induced an increase in total SOD activity and a reduction of O·−2 levels, particularly at mature growth stages. The activity of peroxidase in fungicide-treated plants was about two times higher in flag leaves and three to four times higher in f-1 leaves than in untreated plants. Additionally, levels of H2O2 were significantly elevated in fungicide-treated plants. Paraquat induced a substantial increase in O·−2 production at growth stages later than GS 65/69, being much delayed and reduced by azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole. At later growth stages (GS 59/61), azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole showed similar effects in delaying senescence of wheat plants, but azoxystrobin was more efficient when applied at early growth stages (GS 31/32). The results suggest that the fungicide-induced delay of senescence is due to an enhanced antioxidative potential protecting the plants from harmful active oxygen species. Thus, ethylene reduction may not be the primary mechanism by which strobilurins or triazoles interfere with the senescence process, as previously suggested, but may be rather a consequence of reduced oxidative stress in the plant tissue. Elevated levels of H2O2 possibly play a key role as second messengers in inducing the expression of antioxidant genes in the fungicide-treated plants.
Baixa dosagem de óxido de cromo para estimativa da produção fecal em bovinos

The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of a low level of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) incorporated into the concentrate ration to estimate faecal output (FO) in cattle. Four in vivo digestibility essays were conducted using four steers with live weights of 214±31kg, receiving fresh Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). About 200g of concentrate with 5g kg-1 of Cr2O3 was daily rationed during 12 days, where 7 days were used for animal adaptation and 5 days for measurements. The total faecal output was collected and compared with faecal output estimated from grab samples, collected twice a day (8:00 am and 4:00 pm) or at 2-hour intervals, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. The average faecal chrome concentration collected at 08:00 am and 04:00 pm (445mg kg-1) was similar with the average of samples collected at a 2-hour interval (447mg kg-1). The marker recovery rate (RR) increased linearly, from approximately 40% to around 80%, with the faecal chrome concentration until approximately 250mg kg-1 OM. When the faecal chrome concentration was higher than 250mg kg-1 OM the RR was relatively constant, with values around 0.76. The faecal output was overestimated up to 35% when the RR was not considered. When the RR was used, faecal output estimative was similar to the total faecal output collected. The faecal output can be accurately estimated in cattle eating ryegrass using a low level of Cr2O3 incorporated into the concentrate ration concomitant with twice-a-day faecal grab samples collection.
Variability of Spartina alterniflora primary production in the euhaline North Inlet estuary

Monthly live and dead aboveground and belowground biomass and decomposition rates of Spartina alterniflora were observed spatially and temporally in the North Inlet euhaline rnarshestuarine system. All areas exhibited seasonal patterns, but Creekside live aboveground biomass varied significantly year-to-year. Creekside live biornass was higher during the years following depressed winter-spnng salinities in North Inlet. Salinity depression in North Inlet appears to be correlated with increased rainfall. Net aboveground primary production averaged 2188 g m-2 yr. ' for Creekside, 724 g m-2 yr ' for Midmarsh and 1295 g m-2 yr-' for Highmarsh. Net belowground primary production was 2363 g m-2 yr-' for Creekside and 5445 g m-2 yr ' for Highmarsh. Total production for S, alternjflora was the highest yet reported. Turnover rates ranged from 0.7 to 5.1 yr-l, the highest value occurring in the aboveground Highmarsh.
Protein Patterns and Synthetic Profiles during Distal Regeneration in Hydra oligactis

Protein patterns and synthetic profiles were examined during distal regeneration in Hydraoligactis. Electrophoretic and radioactive tracer analyses revealed qualitative changes in the general protein profile during regeneration, with a heightened period of protein synthesis between 27–30 hr of regeneration, immediately preceding emergence of the first pair of tentacles. Following this, an increase in collagen‐rich mesogleal protein secretion was observed coincident with tentacle initiation. Inhibition of collagen secretion with the proline analog L‐azetidine‐2‐carboxylic acid (LACA) inhibited tentacle formation, and resulted in the development of unique “hypostome buds” at the distal regeneration surface. At the cellular level LACA did not inhibit the nerve cell differentiation that normally precedes tentacle growth, although some predicted decline in cnidocyte production was noted. It is proposed that mesogleal collagen secretion and structural organization may play a major role in the mechanical aspects of Hydra tentacle morphogenesis.
APPLICATION OF REINFORCEMENT LEARNING TO A TWO DOF ROBOT ARM CONTROL

: Automatic manipulators control poses a complex challenge for control systems, which have to deal with various dynamic and nonlinear effects. This paper presents a novel approach for motion control of a two DOF robot arm based on reinforcement learning. A new method to reduce the high computational efforts, which come along with this method, is presented. In order to accelerate the convergence of the learning process, a fuzzy logic system is integrated in the reward function. For further optimization of the implemented algorithm a library of already learned motions is created. The experimental result shows a significant improvement of learning efficiency.
Improving processor architecture exploitation by genetic algorithm based algebraic optimization

This report presents a new approach for the algebraic optimization of computationally intensive applications. The presented approach is based upon the paradigm of simulated evolution which has been proven for solving large non-linear optimization problems. We introduce a chromosomal representation of data-ﬂow graphs which ensures that the correctness of algebraic transformations realized by the genetic operators recombination , mutation , and selection is always preserved. We also present different ﬁtness functions allowing to simply adapt the algorithm to different processor architectures in order to produce the best feasible solution concerning the given target architecture. The presented method has been integrated as a C-to-C converter within a versatile compiler framework and has proven its efﬁciency for several DSP applications.
Sustainability and Strategy in U.S. Agri-Food Firms: An Assessment of Current Practices

Increasingly, many major U.S. agri-food firms are joining their European counterparts in incorporating sustainability initiatives into their business operations. This paper provides a content analysis of the sustainability initiatives reported by select U.S. agri-food firms throughout the supply chain in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. Among the results of our analysis, we find that many U.S agri-food firms continue to engage in a “hodgepodge” approach to sustainability without a clear link to their business strategy. Furthermore, these firms have transitioned their sustainability initiatives to focus on internal initiatives to address environmental and supply chain issues over time.
The endoplasmic reticulum network in the ascidian egg: localization and calcium content

In contrast with most other eggs, where the endoplasmic reticulum is mixed with many other organelles, in ascidians, continuous sheets and tubes of endoplasmic reticulum constitute the only prominent organelle in the immediate layer (0.5‐1μm) beneath the plasma membrane, and occupies 16–20% of the cortical volume. We took advantage of this unusual stratification of the organelles in the ascidian egg, to carry X‐ray microanalysis. Our measurements provide the first estimate of the calcium content of the endoplasmic reticulum network in an egg, and show it is the main calcium store.
Archaea in Biotechnology

Archaeal Phylogenetics Archaeal Diversity Uncultured Archaea Accessing Uncultured Genomes Archaeal Genome Sequences Fermentation and Production Products of Archaea Archaeal Processes Keywords: archaea; biomining using archaea; biotechnology; enzymes, archaeal; lipids, archaeal; phylogenetics, archaea; S-layer, archaeal
Zinc and cadmium hyperaccumulation by Thlaspi caerulescens from metalliferous and nonmetalliferous sites in the Mediterranean area: implications for phytoremediation.

Growth, tolerance and zinc and cadmium hyperaccumulation of Thlaspi caerulescens populations from three metal contaminated soils and three normal soils were compared under controlled conditions. Individuals of six populations were cultivated on five soils with increasing concentrations of zinc (50-25000 μg g-1 ) and cadmium (1-170 μg g-1 ). There was no mortality of normal soil populations in the four metal-contaminated soils, but plant growth was reduced to half that of populations from metal-contaminated soils. However, in noncontaminated soil, the growth of individuals from normal soils was greater than that of individuals from metal-contaminated soils. Individuals from normal soils concentrated three times more zinc in the aboveground biomass than those from metal-contaminated soils, but the latter accumulated twice as much cadmium. We conclude that populations of T. caerulescens from both normal and metal-contaminated soils are interesting material for phytoextraction of zinc and cadmium, but to optimize the process of phytoextraction it is necessary to combine the extraction potentials of both type of populations.
Ethical lapses: the role of neural competition and microemotions

Like other socio-affective decisions, ethical decisions depend on competitive decision episodes which accumulate evidence favoring alternative actions. In these episodes competition between alternatives is generally influenced by microemotions, discrete signals which express the large array of expected outcomes, intuitions, desires, needs, appraisals, conditioned reactions, social norms, priorities and values which can be brought to bear on the unconscious and conscious portions of decisions. Judgment and emotional intelligence are based on the quality of these episodes. Clinical disorders associated with judgment lapses can be used as models of ethical lapses which can shed light on mechanisms as well as prevention strategies.
Depredación de arañas hacia visitantes florales y herbívoros, balance entre mutualismo y antagonismo

(Palabras clave: densidad de tricomas, frecuencia de visitas, produccion de frutos, presion por depredacion) ABSTRACT. Spider predation on floral visitors and herbivores, balance between mutualism and antagonism: Spiders-plant interactions are usually complex and affect their host plants in multiple ways. The lynx spider Peucetia viridans camouflages to hunt flower visitors and herbivores potentially reducing the levels of herbivory and reproduction of their host plant. Plus, these green spiders are usually associated with plant species presenting trichomes, which usually facilitate the spider predation. We determined the balance of this double interaction on the forb Ruellia nudiflora in a dry forest of Costa Rica. In three different sites we performed an experiment changing the spider color to red to determine whether the increment on the spider detectability affects pollinators visitation frequency. We also estimated spider, pollinators and herbivores abundance and the levels of herbivory, trichomes density and fruit set. The presence of the spider was not associated to a decrease in pollinators visitation or fruit set. Spiders were associated to plants with low trichomes density. Herbivory was higher in plants with spiders than in plant without them, however, plants with low herbivory level and without spiders presented higher trichomes density. Sites differed in their assemblages of pollinators and herbivores but this did not affect the interactions studied. This is the first study showing that the spider P. viridans is associated with plants of the same species with low trichome density. If this spider affects pollinators visitations, the adaptive value of trichomes would be double; they reduce herbivory and repel the presence of pollinators predators. These results highlight the relevance of studying both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions to determine their relative importance.