Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suitability of shrub establishment on Wyoming mined lands reclaimed for wildlife habitat

—Restoring coal mined land to pre-mining shrub cover, density, height, community composition, and diversity to renew wildlife habitat quality is a priority for reclamation specialists. Long-term shrub reestablishment success on reclaimed mined land in Wyoming and suitability of these lands for wildlife habitat are unknown. Fourteen reclaimed study sites, 10 yr old or older, were selected on 8 mines in Wyoming to evaluate shrub reestablishment and wildlife habitat value for antelope (Antilocapra americana) and sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Five sites were categorized as fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) sites and 9 as fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush (A. canescens/Artemisia tridentata spp. wyomingensis) sites. Published data describing antelope and sage grouse–preferred habitat requirements in sagebrush-grassland steppe ecosystems were used to evaluate shrub community value of sampled sites for wildlife habitat. Mean shrub canopy cover, density, and height for fourwing saltbush sites were 5.8%, 0.23 m–2, and 41.6 cm, respectively, compared to 5.6%, 0.61 m–2, and 31.1 cm for fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush sites. Two fourwing saltbush and 4 fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush sites provided sufficient cover for antelope, while 2 fourwing saltbush and 4 fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush sites were adequate for sage grouse. Only 1 fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush site provided high enough shrub densities for sage grouse. One fourwing saltbush and 7 fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush sites provided ample shrub heights for antelope, while 1 fourwing saltbush and 8 fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush sites were sufficient for sage grouse. One fourwing saltbush and 1 fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush site provided enough grass, forb, and shrub composition for antelope, while no site in either reclamation type was satisfactory for sage grouse. Shrub diversity was 3 times higher for fourwing saltbush/big sagebrush sites (0.984) than for fourwing saltbush sites (0.328). Individually, sites seeded with multiple shrub species had higher canopy cover, density, and diversity compared with single-species shrub seedings. Achieving premining shrub cover, density, height, community composition, and diversity within existing bond-release time frames is unrealistic, considering that some native shrublands require 30-60 yr to reach maturity.
Comparison of Radiology and Histopathology in Thymic Epithelial Tumours

Tumours of the thymus gland have a limited evidence base due to their low incidence rate. The Masaoka-Koga staging system has been known as the strongest prognostic indicator for both survival and recurrence of thymic tumours but there is no standardised way to assess clinical staging in pre-operative images. As appropriate staging can influence patients’ need for adjuvant therapy, it is important to evaluate if current imaging can accurately predict post-operative staging. This was a retrospective study comparing the pre-operative radiological staging and post-operative pathological staging of 34 patients. This was conducted at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital between March 2013 and October 2016. A Kappa statistic was used to evaluate agreement between the assessments. 61.8% (21 out of 34) of the CT stages agreed with the pathology stages: 78.6% (11 out of 14) in stage I; 41.7% (5 out of 12) in stage II; 40% (2 out of 5) in stage III; and 100% (3 out of 3) in stage IV. There was moderate agreement between the preoperative CT assessment and the post-operative pathological staging (kappa coefficient = 0.42, p value < 0.01). With further analysis of a larger sample size it could be concluded that radiological staging of thymic tumours before surgery is quite accurate but requires standardisation and utilisation of other imaging techniques to ensure appropriate levels of care.
The history and natural regeneration of a secondary oak-beech woodland on a former wood-pasture in Hungary

Characteristic features of European woodland include both a reduction in natural forest areas and an increase in former agricultural areas occupied by secondary woodland. The management of these areas is challenging in terms of nature conservation, agricultural and forestry management and policy. The aim of our study was to reconstruct the history and to document the current tree stand structure for a secondary oak-beech woodland in Hungary. Towards the end of the 1800s, this area which was once almost completely occupied by a continuous forest, had been transformed into a wood-pasture. As a result of its gradual abandonment, the closed forest stand of the pasture increased from 10 to 52% between 1963 and 2005. The most characteristic feature of this woodland is the abundance of large trees. Globally, the number of large and ancient trees is rapidly diminishing. Therefore preserving and maintaining such areas, where large trees could live, is an essential management task.
Stellar Model Analysis of the Oscillation Spectrum of η Bootis Obtained from MOST

Eight consecutive low-frequency radial p-modes are identified in the G0 IV star η Bootis based on 27 days of ultraprecise rapid photometry obtained by the MOST (Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars) satellite. The MOST data extend smoothly, to lower overtones, the sequence of radial p-modes reported in earlier ground-based spectroscopy by other groups. The sampling is nearly continuous; hence, the ambiguities in p-mode identifications due to aliases, such as the cycle day-1 alias found in ground observations, are not an issue. The lower overtone modes from the MOST data constrain the interior structure of the model of η Boo, giving a best fit on a grid of ~300,000 stellar models for a composition of (X,Z) = (0.71,0.04), a mass of M = 1.71 ± 0.05 M☉, and an age of t = 2.40 ± 0.03 Gyr. The surface temperature and luminosity of this model, which were constrained only by using the oscillation modes, are close (1 σ) to current best estimates of η Boo's surface temperature and luminosity. With the interior fit anchored by the lower overtone modes seen by MOST, standard models are not able to fit the higher overtone modes with the same level of accuracy. The discrepancy, model minus observed frequency, increases from 0.5 μHz at 250 μHz to 5 μHz at 1000 μHz and is similar to the discrepancy that exists between the Sun's observed p-mode frequencies and the p-mode frequencies of the standard solar model. This discrepancy promises to be a powerful constraint on models of three-dimensional convection.
Indicators of Value Added Agri-Businesses on Small Farms in Kenya: An Empirical Study of Kiambu and Murang’a Counties

Kenya is ranked among the top ten largest economies in Africa and bearing the tag of middle income. This tag should motivate the country to have food security but this does not seem to be the case as many small farmers, who are the backbone of the economy, are not adding value to their agricultural produce. Adding value is an entrepreneurial process that creates wealth for both the farmers and the country. This study investigated the factors that influence value addition on small farms in Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and a multi-stage sampling technique where 15 locations from Kiambu and Murang’a counties were identified. 388 farms were selected by line transect technique for this study. Descriptive statistics was used to estimate the extent of value addition in agribusinesses on small farms. Linear Probability Model (LPM), Logit, and Probit models were used to estimate the determinants of value addition on the small farms. The study reveals that kenya’s agrarian economy is suffering from limited value addition as the statistics show that 6% of small farmers add value to their agricultural produce. It was discovered that farm sizes are negatively correlated with value addition. The distance to the market and accessibility to loan facilities were found to be the major determinants of value addition in Kenya. The study recommended that the government should create rural markets for the farmers and facilitate financial institutions to lend money to small farmers at reasonable interest rates. Small and Micro Enterprises should be encouraged to play an active role of value addition in the agri-businesses of the Kenyan middle-income economy.
Protein Expression and Purification

t -Crystallin is a taxon-restricted crystallin found in eye lenses of reptiles and a few avian species but presumably absent in mammals. The level of t -crystallin in the lens varies among different species. In the crocodile lens, it is the least abundant crystallin and is present in trace amounts. We present a method for cloning, overexpression, and purification of crocodilian t -crystallin utilizing a combination of gel filtration and ionexchange chromatography yielding an extremely purified protein. The protein gets profusely expressed resulting in a fairly high yield and exists as a monomeric entity of 47.5 kDa molecular mass. The recombinant t -crystallin exists in a properly folded native state as probed by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy and exhibits enolase activity. q 2002 Elsevier
Astrometric confirmation of young low-mass binaries and multiple systems in the Chamaeleon star-forming regions

The star-forming regions in Chamaeleon are one of the nearest (distance ~165 pc) and youngest (age ~2 Myrs) conglomerates of recently formed stars and the ideal target for population studies of star formation. We investigate a total of 16 Cha targets, which have been suggested, but not confirmed as binaries or multiple systems in previous literature. We used the adaptive optics instrument Naos-Conica (NACO) at the Very Large Telescope Unit Telescope 4 of the Paranal Observatory, at 2-5 different epochs, in order to obtain relative and absolute astrometric measurements, as well as differential photometry in the J, H, and K band. On the basis of known proper motions and these observations, we analyse the astrometric results in our "Proper Motion Diagram" (PMD: angular separation / position angle versus time), to eliminate possible (non-moving) background stars, establish co-moving binaries and multiples, and search for curvature as indications for orbital motion. All previously suggested close components are co-moving and no background stars are found. The angular separations range between 0.07 and 9 arcseconds, corresponding to projected distances between the components of 6-845 AU. Thirteen stars are at least binaries and the remaining three (RX J0919.4-7738, RX J0952.7-7933, VW Cha) are confirmed high-order multiple systems with up to four components. In 13 cases, we found significant slopes in the PMDs, which are compatible with orbital motion whose periods range from 60 to 550 years. However, in only four cases there are indications of a curved orbit, the ultimate proof of a gravitational bond. Massive primary components appear to avoid the simultaneous formation of equal-mass secondary components. (abridged)
Evaluation of Cell-mediated Immune Response in PBMCs of Calves Vaccinated by Capri Pox Vaccines Using ELISA and Real-time RT-PCR

Corresponding Author: Nahideh Afzal Ahangran Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Phone: +98-9143411740 E-mail: n.afzalahangaran@urmia.ac. ir Abstract Background: The analysis of antigen-specific cytokine expression has been considered to evaluate the immune responses and vaccines efficacy in recent years. The aim of this study was to compare the cell-mediated immune response characteristics of two Capri pox virus (CaPV) vaccines against lumpy skin disease in cattle. Materials and Methods: Two Capri pox virus vaccines were administered to dairy cows of two farms and followed up to 5 weeks post vaccination. These vaccines were live attenuated Goat pox virus (GTP) Gorgan strain (n=20) and Sheep pox virus (SPP) Romanian strain (n=20). Cell-mediated immune response of vaccinated calves was evaluated using in vitro lymphocyte proliferation and IFN- and IL-4 release assay after stimulation with recall vaccine strains, and in vivo cytokine expression in PBMCs by real-time PCR. Results: Lymphocyte proliferation in GTPand SPP-vaccinated groups began to increase till reached to its peak at third week post vaccination and then decreased in the weeks thereafter. Stimulation index in stimulated PBMCs in GTPvaccinated calves was higher than SPP-vaccinated calves in all weeks, which indicated higher levels of immunogenicity produced by the GTP-vaccine in cattle. Also, in both vaccinated groups the peak release of IFN- and IL-4 proteins in cultured PBMCs in response to recall antigen was detected at week 3 post vaccination. Although the mean of the cytokine release in GTP-vaccinated calves was higher than SPP-vaccinated calves in all weeks of experiment, a significant difference was only observed at week 3 post vaccination (P<0.05). In contrast, the IFN- mRNA expression in PBMCs of vaccinated groups was induced early, peaked at week 1 post vaccination and decreased in the weeks thereafter, and this rate was higher in GTP-vaccinated calves compared with SPP-vaccinated calves in all weeks, but the significant difference was only found at week 3 post vaccination (P<0.05). However, the IL-4 mRNA expression showed delayed induction and peaked at week 3, and unlike the SPP group, it remained at this level in GTP group, until the end of experiment. Also this rate of expression in GTP-vaccinated calves was higher than SPP-vaccinated calves in all weeks and had a significant increase at week 5 post vaccination (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings show that due to induction of high level cell-mediated immune response in live attenuated GTP vaccine compared to SPP vaccine, GTP vaccine has a good immunogenic response, and therefore can be a better choice for vaccination against lumpy skin disease.
Bilateralism in Agriculture when Countries use Distorting Domestic Policies

A recent theoretical research proved that countries always have an incentive to deviate from global free trade when international markets are oligopolistic and when governments are politically biased. This result suggests that global free trade in agriculture (GFTA) cannot be reached as political bias and market power have both been identified. According to May (2011), bilateral agreements could eventually be used as alternative political tools to reach GFTA. This article extends the work of this author to determine whether bilateralism could also lead to GFTA in a realistic world where governments use distorting domestic policies to protect their agricultural sector.
Relations of Peer-Victimization Exposure in Adolescents with the Perceived Social Support, Parental Attitude, School Success, School Change and Area of Residence.

This study is made to determine the predictive powers of the perceived social support, parental attitude, school success, school change and living in different area of residences variables in the students of 8.grade who are exposed to peer-victimization. The data of the research has been procured from 550 students who are the eighth-grader in Diyarbakir and Kocaeli. The data related to the predicted variable has been collected by using Peer-victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000) and the data related to the predictor variables has been gathered by using the Perceived Social Support Scale – Revised Form (Yildirim, 2004), the Parental Attitude Scale (Lamborn, Mounts, Steinberg & Dornbush, 1991) and the Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher. The statistical analysis of the gathered data has been performed in computer by using SPSS 11.5 packaged software. Multiple Regression Analysis is used in determining the variables predicting peer-victimization exposure which is the purpose of the study. On the other hand, the Stepwise Regression Analysis is implemented in order to determine the explanatory variables having high correlation coefficient and the predicted variable. The findings obtained by the research can be summerized as the following: School success, perceived social support and authoritarian parental attitude are the variables predicting the peer-victimization exposure. It has been found out that the other variables in the analysis do not predict the exposure of the students to the peer-victimization. The findings obtained in the research are discussed and commented and suggestions have been made based on the facts.
Study on the Role of Scholastic Achievement on the Eighth Graders Cross Domain Concept Mapping Ability

Abstract The present study was undertaken with the aim to find out the effect of concept mapping on the academic success of students. This study was conducted by survey method on 99 students of eighth grade with the objective to find the relationship between scholastic achievement and cross domain concept mapping ability for which the researcher used a self-made inventory. Concept mapping is a way of meaningful learning so it will definitely have an impact on the academic/scholastic achievement of students. The investigator here has operationalised cross-domain as interdisciplinary knowledge.
DETECTING DIFFERENCES IN SOME ELITE WHEAT LINES FOR SALT TOLERANCE THROUGH MULTI PARAMETERS EVALUATION I. MORPHOLOGICAL AND YIELD PARAMETERS

Salt tolerance potential of a newly developed wheat genotype (N-9760: V3) was assessed by comparing it with a known salt tolerant line (N-1073:V2) and a commercial cultivar (Inqlab: V1) using various growth parameters measured at the vegetative and maturity stages, The objectives were to know qualitative and quantitative tolerance status and possible utilization of the new genotype as well as to examine as to whether the parameters used to assess the tolerance at vegetative and maturity stages are affected differentially by various salinity levels. The experiment was conducted in pots using four salinity levels (EC 1.5, 5, 10 and 15 dS m -1 ). Root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, number of leaves and leaf area were recorded at the vegetative stage, while plant height, number of tillers, spike length and grain yield plant -1 were recorded at the maturity stage. Fresh weight of shoots, fresh and dry weights of roots, plant height, number of productive tillers and grain yield were least affected in V3 while shoot length, shoot fresh weight, number of leaves, leaf area and spike length were least affected in V2 by EC 15 dS m -1 . Both genotypes appeared tolerant but all the parameters studied at both stages were affected differentially by salinity levels and genotypes hence, testing of every new genotype appeared essential.
Collective Hydrodynamics of Swimming Microorganisms : Living Fluids

Experimental observations indicate that, at sufficiently high cell densities, swimming bacteria exhibit coordinated motions on length scales (10 to 100 μm) that are large compared with the size of an individual cell but too small to yield significant gravitational or inertial effects. We discuss simulations of hydrodynamically interacting self-propelled particles as well as stability analyses and numerical solutions of averaged equations of motion for low Reynolds number swimmers. It has been found that spontaneous motions can arise in such systems from the coupling between the stresses the bacteria induce in the fluid as they swim and the rotation of the bacteria due to the resulting fluid velocity disturbances. 637 A nn u. R ev . F lu id M ec h. 2 01 1. 43 :6 37 -6 59 . D ow nl oa de d fr om w w w . a nn ua lr ev ie w s. or g by C am br id ge U ni ve rs ity o n 09 /0 2/ 12 . F or p er so na l u se o nl y. FL43CH26-Koch ARI 15 November 2010 14:32
Assessment of the Hydrocarbon Degrading Abilities of Three Bioaugmentation Agents for the Bioremediation of Crude Oil Tank Bottom Sludge Contaminated Libyan Soil

Bioremediation is a widely used environmental friendly treatment method for petrogenic hydrocarbon contaminated soils but its application to the treatment of crude oil tank bottom sludge (COTBS) contaminated soil is limited especially in Mediterranean countries such as Libya. Therefore in this study, the hydrocarbon degrading abilities of three bioaugmentation agents Pseudomonas sp (4M12), Pseudomonas xanthomarina (4M14) and Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus (1B16A) (isolated from COTBS polluted soils) applied as part of a biostimulation-bioaugmentation (BS/BA) strategy were assessed in COTBS contaminated Libyan soils. Biostimulated (BS) and natural attenuation (NA) microcosms were also set up for comparative purposes. Gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC- MS) analysis revealed a total soil petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) content of 30,703 mg kg-1 and 13,816 mg kg-1 respectively. Two carcinogenic fractions (naphthalene and benzenamine, 4, 4`methylenbis [2-methyl-]) and 4 mutagenic fractions (pyrene, phenanthrene, fluorene and anthracene) were detected. Substantial PAH degradation occurred in 4M14 and 4M12 samples within 15 days in contrast to up to 23 days in 1B16A, NA. However, substantial reduction in TPH (> 97%) was only observed in 4M12 and 4M14 inoculated microcosms within 15 days compared to 25-30 days in 1B16A inoculated, BS and NA microcosms. 4M14 inoculated microcosms were most efficient at complete removal (D100) of all carcinogenic and mutagenic fractions; 4M14 (9-10 days), 4M12 (9-15 days), 1B16A (15-23 days), BS (18-21 days) and NA (18-22 days). Pseudomonas xanthomarina was therefore shown as the best candidate for use in a BS/BA approach for treating COTBS contaminated Libyan soils. This study shows the importance of pre-screening bioaugmentation agents for the removal of carcinogenic and mutagenic fractions prior to use; in order to carry out safe, efficient and sustainable COTBS bioremediation in Libya.
THE STELLAR OBLIQUITY, PLANET MASS, AND VERY LOW ALBEDO OF QATAR-2 FROM K2 PHOTOMETRY

The Qatar-2 transiting exoplanet system was recently observed in short-cadence mode by Kepler as part of K2 Campaign 6. We identify dozens of starspot-crossing events, when the planet eclipses a relatively dark region of the stellar photosphere. The observed patterns of these events demonstrate that the planet always transits over the same range of stellar latitudes and, therefore, that the stellar obliquity is less than about 10°. We support this conclusion with two different modeling approaches: one based on explicit identification and timing of the events and the other based on fitting the light curves with a spotted-star model. We refine the transit parameters and measure the stellar rotation period (18.5 ± 1.9 days), which corresponds to a “gyrochronological” age of 1.4 ± 0.3 Gyr. Coherent flux variations with the same period as the transits are well modeled as the combined effects of ellipsoidal light variations (15.4 ± 4.8 ppm) and Doppler boosting (14.6 ± 5.1 ppm). The magnitudes of these effects correspond to a planetary mass of and , respectively. Both of these independent mass estimates agree with the mass determined by the spectroscopic Doppler technique ( ). No occultations are detected, giving a 2σ upper limit of 0.06 on the planet’s visual geometric albedo. We find no evidence for orbital decay, although we are only able to place a weak lower bound on the relevant tidal quality factor: (95% confidence).