Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive success and risk of predation in normal and melanistic colour morphs of the adder, Vipera berus

In a population of adders (Vipera berus) in Southwest Sweden, melanistic males were heavier than normal coloured males of the same length. Victory in male-male sexual combats was positively related to size. Higher risk of predation in the black morph was inferred from experiments showing a high predator attack rate on models of the black morph. Even the bright colour in newly moulted basking males of the normal morph gives cryptic protection. In females, melanism probably also affects body size and risk of predation by visually searching predators. The thermoregulatory influence of black colour, the reproductive success and the maintenance of two colour morphs in the population are discussed.
Carbon dioxide exchange between an undisturbed old-growth temperate forest and the atmosphere

We used the eddy-correlation techn~que to investigate the exchange of COZ between an und~sturbed old-growth forest and the atmosphere at a remote Southern Hemi- sphere slte on 15 d between 1989 and 1990. Our goal was to determine how environmental factors regulate ecosystem CO, exchange. and to test whether present knowledge of leaf- level processes was sufficient to understand ecosystem-level exchange. On clear summer days the maxlmum rate of net ecosystem COY uptake exceeded 15 pmo1.m '. s I, about an order of magnitude greater than the maximum values observed on sunny days in the winter. Mean nighttime respiration rates varied between - -2 and -7 pmol.m-'. s-l. Nighttime CO, efflux rate roughly doubled with a 10°C increase in temperature. Daytime variation in net ecosystem C02 exchange rate was primarily associated with changes in total photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD). Air temperature. saturation deficit, and the diffuse PPFD were of lesser. but still significant, influence. These results are in broad agreement with expectations based on the biochemistry of leaf gas exchange and penetration of radiation through a canopy. However. at night. the short-term exchange of CO, between the forest and the atmosphere appeared to be regulated principally by atmospheric transport processes. There was a positive linear relationship between noc- turnal CO, exchange rate and downward sensible heat flux density. This new result has implications for the development of models for diurnal ecosystem CO, exchange. The daytime light-use efficiency of the ecosystem (CO, uptakehncident PPFD) was between 1.6 and 7.1 mmol/mol on clear days in the summer but decreased to 0.8 mmol/ mol after frosts on clear winter days. Ecosystem COZ uptake was enhanced by diffuse PPFD, a result of potentially global significance given recent increases in Northern Hemisphere haze.
Industrial geography

ion are common. We seem well able to borrow from classical location theory, microeconomics, marxist economics and to a lesser degree (in recent years) organizational behaviour. Divisions among us seem more a question of terminology than real substance. One person’s minimization of labour costs becomes another’s illustration of the struggle between capital and labour. We all seem to agree that manufacturing firms (especially Japanese) do not like unions. We are committed to the study of structural change in the economy. The manifestation of these changes in urban and regional economies pervades the
Carcass characteristics of two strains of native broilers (White Naked Neck and Black Svrljig) fattened under a semi-intensive system

This study involves the analysis of two breeds [Naked Neck (NN) and Svrljig chickens (Sv)], that is, strains [White Naked Neck (WNN) and Black Svrljig strain (BSv)] of chickens (birds) of both sexes reared under a semi-intensive system until day 84 of age. At 28 days of age, the test birds were kept in a litter housing system (about 8 birds/m 2 ), following which they were provided a free-range paddock at 4 m 2 /bird. The following parameters were evaluated in the two strains and sexes of broilers (totalling 56 chickens) aged 84 days: body weight at slaughter, carcass weight, yields of breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, pelvis, back, head, neck, feet, abdominal fat and giblets. At the end of the fattening period, the test broilers of both sexes of the WNN strain had higher values (P 0.05); however, a similar yield was obtained for ready to grill carcass (61.73 to 61.99%) when compared with the black Svrljig strain. The differences obtained were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In addition to the genotype (breed, strain), broiler sex had a statistically significant effect (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) on body weight, carcass yield, yields of drumsticks and thighs, wings, head, feet, giblets and abdominal fat. Specifically, male broilers were found to have higher live body weight (1669.29 to 1480.07 g), carcass weight (1342.86 to 1198.28 g), yields of head (5.13 to 4.39%), drumsticks and thighs (34.26 to 33.96%), feet (5.39 to 5.06%) and giblets (6.46 to 6.31%), whereas the relative yields of carcass (conventional processing (CP): 80.96 to 80.44%; ready to roast (RR): 73.02 to 72.19%; ready to grill (RG): 62.30 to 61.45%), wings (14.06 to 13.76%) and abdominal fat (1.13 to 1.07%) were higher in female broilers.
String vacua with massive boson‐fermion degeneracy and non‐singular cosmology

We discuss marginal deformations of string vacua with Massive boson‐fermion Degeneracy Symmetry (MSDS), in connection to the cosmological evolution of the Universe from an early non‐geometrical era. In particular, we discuss recent results on the stringy mechanism that resolves both Hagedorn divergences and the Initial Singularity problem.
NH3 and NO2 fluxes between beech trees and the atmosphere - correlation with climatic and physiological parameters.

The dynamic-chamber technique was used to investigate the correlation between NH3 and NO2 fluxes and different climatic and physiological parameters: air temperature; relative air humidity; photosynthetic photon fluence rate; NH3 and NO2 concentrations; transpiration rate; leaf conductance for water vapour; and photosynthetic activity. The experiments were performed with twigs from the sun crown of mature beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) at a field site (Höglwald, Germany), and with 12-wk-old beech seedlings under controlled conditions. Both sets of experiments showed that NO2 and NH3 fluxes depended linearly on NO2 and NH3 concentration, respectively, in the concentration ranges representative for the field site studied, and on water-vapour conductance as a measure for stomatal aperture. The NO2 compensation point determined in the field studies (the atmospheric NO2 concentration with no net NO2 flux) was 1.8-1.9 nmol mol-1 . The NH3 compensation point varied between 3.3 and 3.5 nmol mol-1 in the field experiments, and was 3.0 nmol mol-1 in the experiments under controlled conditions. The climatic factors T and PPFR were found to influence both NO2 and NH3 fluxes indirectly, by changing stomatal conductance. Whilst NO2 flux showed a response to changing relative humidity that could be explained by altered stomatal conductance, increased NH3 flux with increasing relative humidity (>50%) depended on other factors. The exchange of NO2 between above-ground parts of beech trees and the atmosphere could be explained exclusively by uptake or emission of NO2 through the stomata, as indicated by the quotient between measured and predicted NO2 conductance of approx. 1 under all environmental conditions examined. Neither internal mesophyll resistances nor additional sinks could be observed for adult trees or for beech seedlings. By contrast, the patterns of NH3 flux could not be explained by an exclusive exchange of NH3 through the stomata. Deposition into additional sinks on the leaf surface, as indicated by an increase in the quotient between measured and predicted NH3 conductance, gained importance in high air humidity, when the stomata were closed or nearly closed and/or when atmospheric NH3 concentrations were high. Although patterns of NH3 gas exchange did not differ between different months or years at high NH3 concentrations (c. 140 nmol mol-1 ), it must be assumed that emission or deposition fluxes at low ambient NH3 concentration (0.8 and 4.5 nmol mol-1 ) might vary significantly with time because of variation in the NH3 compensation point.
Phylogenetic Influence on Twining Chirality in Lianas from Amazonian Peru1

Abstract A majority of angiosperm species of vines and lianas use their stem apices for twining and adherence to support structures. Prior observations have suggested a strong predominance of twining orientation in a dextral (right-handed) direction. We present here the chirality of twining (handedness) for 60 taxa representing 21 families encountered in a terra firme Amazonian forest community in Peru. We surveyed 145 stems of climbers that represented one to eight individuals of a given taxon. We demonstrate that dextral chirality is phylogenetically widespread among angiosperm stem climbers and suggest that phylogenetic deviations from the dextral pattern represent independent evolutionary events. Phylogenetic constraint might be invoked to explain the dextral dominance among climbers, but dextral circumnutation is not ubiquitous in other angiosperm organs. Here we also clearly define climbing chirality because of the confusion in previous literature, and we compile published family-level reports of deviations from dextral orientation. This study underscores the need for approaching the twining chirality of plants from genetic, developmental, and physiologic perspectives to clarify the basis for the preferred twining orientation among angiosperm climbers.
Are competitive effect and response two sides of the same coin, or fundamentally different?

Summary 1. The ability to suppress neighbour growth and the ability to withstand growth suppression are widely viewed as two forms of competition, competitive effect and competitive response. 2. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to determine whether these two forms of competition were functionally linked, and to determine which plant traits are associated with effect and response competitive abilities among seedlings of 22 perennial North American prairie species. We further explored the trait-function relationship by growing plants under different soil fertilities and with different neighbour species. 3. To determine competitive abilities, we used a phytometer approach with two phytometer species: Poa pratensis and Achillea millefolium grown in competition with each of the 22 focal species under low and high fertility. Root and shoot morphological traits were measured and principal component analyses were used to reduce the dimensionality of the data. Three axes were extracted, which roughly corresponded to size, root and shoot architecture. 4. The hierarchy of competitive effect ability of the target species did not vary with either soil fertility or neighbour identity, while the hierarchies of competitive response abilities were highly variable among the treatments. Competitive effect ability was closely associated with size-related traits under high nutrient conditions, and with root-related traits under low nutrient conditions. In contrast, few plant traits axes were related to competitive response. 5. These findings indicate significant differences between competitive effect and response ability. We suggest competitive effect ability is a consistent trait of a species, linked to specific plant traits. In contrast, we found little evidence to support the idea that competitive response ability is itself a species trait, and instead it appears this may be simply a collection of different ways of avoiding or tolerating competition and ⁄ or low nutrient conditions. Supporting this argument was a lack of any consistency in which traits were associated with competitive response ability. 6. We recognize the limitations of a single study of seedlings under greenhouse conditions. However, we suggest these findings indicate a need to critically examine current assumptions about plant competition, how it is defined, and the traits which control a species’ competitive ability.
Efecto de la ventilación por presión positiva sobre los parámetros productivos de pollo de engorda, durante siete semanas en casetas de ambiente natural

The effect of positive pressure ventilation upon productive performance of commercial broilers was evaluated. 1524 oneday-old Peterson x Avian Farm unsexed chicks were housed in a natural environment house with two sections; each section was divided into six subsections. Birds were randomly assigned in two groups with six repetitions each one. In the section where the experimental birds were housed, a 1/3-HP-motor fan with arms of 0.5 m of diameter was set up; it had the capacity to move 300 m 3 of air per minute. In this experimental group, positive pressure ventilation was applied with a flow volume of 30 lt of air/minute/kg of body weight. In order to keep the abovementioned volume, necessary adjustments were done every four days. The control group did not receive a positive pressure ventilation. The feeding system was divided into three stages (starter, grower and finisher feeds). No restrictive system was applied, and the birds consumed feed and water ad libitum. On the 49 th day, the following productive data was determined: daily weight gain, mean body weight, cumulated feed intake, feed conversion ratio, general mortality percentage, mortality percentage due to ascitic syndrome (AS) (both percentages were normalized) productivity index and number of kilograms per square meter. Productive data of both experimental and control groups were compared using the "t" student test. The experimental group consumed less feed than the control one, 4.41 and 4.58 kg, respectively (P<0.05). A better feed conversion ratio was observed in the experimental birds (1.853:1) in comparison with the control ones (1.940:1) with a significant statistical difference. Minor percentages of general mortality and mortality caused by th e AS reached by the experimental group were 11.67 and 9.44%, respectively, whereas the control group reached 16.53 and 12.94% with significant statistical differences (P<0.05). At the end of the trial, the experimental group showed the best productivity index (P<0.05) reaching 227.84 points in comparison with the control group that reached 204.32. Finally, 23.76 kg per square meter were produced by the experimental group, whereas 22.24 kg by the control one (P<0.05). Results show that the application of positive pressure ventilation had a positive effect on most of the productive parameters.
SEXUAL SELECTION AND THE EVOLUTION OF SONG

Songs are complex acoustic signals produced mainly during the mating season. Such signals are found in many taxa but are most typical of birds, frogs, and insects. Darwin (38) noted that in these groups males are the predominant singers, and for this reason he attributed the evolution of song to sexual selection, that is, selection due to competition for mates. Darwin could muster no direct evidence that song or other display influences mating suc­ cess; only recently has such evidence begun to accumulate. Our fIrst goal here is to review and evaluate evidence that song influences mating success, via either female choice or male contests. Although convinced that sexual selection shapes display behavior, Darwin could not explain the evolution of a relationship between display and mating success. Fisher (50) first gave such an explanation in his discussion of female choice and male threat display. Our second goal is to review ideas and evidence on the evolution of relationships between song and female choice, and between song and success in male contests. We focus on the question of why listeners have evolved to respond to song in the contexts of female choice and male contest.
Autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) — Part I: Review of origins, design, and process operation

Increased legislative constraints have fuelled an interest in developing sustainable and economical methods for sludge digestion. Autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) is a robust process that produces Class A biosolids from a wide range of organic sludge (e.g., animal waste, sewage sludge, food processing waste etc.). The advantages of this technology include good biomass biodegradation, pasteurization and process stability. Thermophilic temperatures result from the metabolic heat released by microorganisms during digestion. Efficient aeration and mixing are needed in addition to adequate reactor insulation to maintain thermophilic temperatures. Significant advances have been made in the optimization and adaptation of ATAD technology since it was first introduced in the early 1970s. Continuing innovation and advancement of the process is reflected in the number of patents for “next” generation technologies. Despite the apparent benefits of this process, ATAD is still not well understood. This.
EFFECT OF SALT CONCENTRATION LEVEL AND SEASON ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WET-SALTED FERMENTED FISH SPECIES

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of salt concentration level and season on chemical composition of wet-salted fermented product (local name; fassiekh) processed from new two fish species (Labeo spp, local name; Debs, Schilbe spp local name Shilbaya) compared with popular fassiekh fish species (Hydrocynus spp, local name: Kass), in reducing the over fishing and use of Alestes and Hydrocynus spp.in fassiekh production in the Sudan. A assorted of 12 Kgs of each of three fassiekh fish species group, consisted of Hydrocynus spp; (25 -30 cm in total length), Labeo spp (20 -25 cm in total length) and Schilbe sp. (17 -22 cm in total length) were collected from Jebel Aulia Dam landing. Fish species were transferred to Khartoum fishing company for processing of fassiekh product. The samples were divided into 3 batches with three replicates. Each batch was treated with different common salt concentration level (20%, 25%, 33% and 0% as a control). The findings of the study clearly revealed, the chemical composition of fresh salted- fermented product showed no significant differences between Labeo and Hydrocynus spp. while Schilbe sp. recorded significantly higher fat content. The salt concentration level on studied fish species resulted in an increase in crude protein and ash content than fresh fish. The highest salt level (33%) resulted in significantly lower moisture content, and produced well wet-salted fermented product with reasonably long storage shelf life. The effect of different season's production time on wet-salted fermented product showed no significant differences in final product of wet-slated fermented fish species chemically. But there were differences in the duration of processing time, depending on ambient temperature. The study concluded that, the best fish species for production of fassiekh product was the Labeo sp. in winter time with 25% slat concentration level treatment. The second and third were Hydrocyun sp. and Shelibe sp. respectively at the same slat concentration level of treatment and season time.
Exploring the Interplay of Sequence and Structural Features in Determining the Flexibility of AGC Kinase Protein Family : A Bioinformatics Approach

In this study, data mining approach was used to generate association rules for predicting average flexibility from the various derived sequence and structural features. 21 parameters were calculated and their variable importance was calculated for 115 sequences of AGC kinase family belonging to mouse and human using Classification and Regression Tree (CART). Beta turns were found to have maximum influence on average flexibility while the total beta strands were found to exert minimum impact on average flexibility. Understanding the variable importance will prove useful as a simple pr edictor of flexibility from an amino acid sequence. This will aid in better understanding of phenomenon underlying the average flexibility and thus, will pave a way for rational design of therapeutics.
Diurnal variations of surface seawater pCO2 in contrasting coastal environments

We examined diurnal variations of surface seawater pCO2 (partial pressure of CO2) in a suite of coastal marine environmental systems in the vicinity of the South China Sea (SCS) from inshore and nearshore settings in Xiamen Bay, Shenhu Bay, and the southwestern Taiwan Strait, to offshore sites in the basin and on the slope of the northern South China Sea as well as in a coral reef system at Xisha Islands in the middle of the SCS. There were significant diurnal changes of surface pCO2, ranging from 1.0 Pa to 1.6 Pa (10‐16 µatm) in the offshore and oligotrophic sites, ~4.1 Pa in the Taiwan Strait, 5.1‐15.2 Pa in Xiamen Bay and Shenhu Bay, to as high as 60.8 Pa in the coral reef system at Xisha Islands. Processes that modulate these pCO2 diurnal variations were temperature, tide or current, and biological controls. Temperature was a major driver of the pCO2 diurnal variability in the oligotrophic regions, while tidal effects were important in the nearshore. In the coral reef system, biological metabolism dominated variability. Diurnal variability could have a potentially important implication on the estimate of air‐sea CO2 fluxes, which may result in an uncertainty of ±0.48‐0.77 mmol C m−2 d−1 for the offshore sites in the SCS. Such uncertainties were larger in nearshore settings.
THE MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTION: AN IN VITRO TEST FOR TOLERANCE

Tolerance, as defined by an inability to produce runt disease and the failure to elicit a normal lymphocyte transfer reaction, was induced in Lewis and Brown Norway rats by the neonatal injection of bone marrow from the opposite strain. When thymus, thoracic duct lymph, or lymph node cells from such tolerant Lewis and Brown Norway rats were cultured together, or were individually cultured with similar cells from an F1 hybrid of these strains, transformation was suppressed to the levels observed in nonmixed control cultures. In contrast, mixtures of cells involving nontolerant donors demonstrated significant transformation as measured by per cent enlarged cells and thymidine-3H uptake. The specificity of the tolerance was confirmed by the presence of transformed cells in mixtures involving cells from a tolerant donor and an unrelated or a partially related third strain of rats. From these results, it is suggested that the mixed lymphocyte reaction may be used as a simple test for tolerance and that it most likely represents an in vitro immune response.