Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fragmentation and dewatering transform Great Plains stream fish communities

Biodiversity in stream networks is threatened globally by interactions between habitat fragmentation and altered hydrologic regimes. In the Great Plains of North America, stream networks are fragmented by >19 000 anthropogenic barriers, and flow regimes are altered by surface water retention and groundwater extraction. We documented the distribution of anthropogenic barriers and dry stream segments in five basins covering the central Great Plains to assess effects of broad-scale environmental change on stream fish community structure and distribution of reproductive guilds. We used an information-theoretic approach to rank competing models in which fragmentation, discharge magnitude, and percentage of time streams had zero flow (a measure of desiccation) were included to predict effects of environmental alterations on the distribution of fishes belonging to different reproductive guilds. Fragmentation caused by anthropogenic barriers was most common in the eastern Great Plains, but stream desiccation beca.
Regardless of Whether Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels Increase Air Temperature, Flowering Phenology Will Be Affected

Many species, particularly those that flower in spring, are flowering 3–5 d earlier than they did in the first half of the twentieth century. This has been interpreted as a consequence of rising temperatures. However, correlated with this rise in temperature is an increase in atmospheric CO2, which may also modify phenology. The effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on time of flowering were examined in 22 Asteraceae species. Plants were exposed to three treatments, ambient CO2 with ambient temperature, elevated CO2 (700 μL L−1) with ambient temperature, and elevated CO2 with elevated temperature ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$\mathrm{ambient}\,+1.5^{\circ }\mathrm{C}\,$$ \end{document} ). On average, elevated CO2 by itself advanced flowering by 4 d; increasing temperature as well as CO2 advanced flowering by an additional 3 d. There were marked differences among species in response to treatment. In elevated‐CO2 conditions, this was related to photoperiodic response: CO2 was more likely to hasten phenology in long‐ than in short‐day species. Early‐ and late‐flowering species did not differ in response to elevated CO2, but the combined effect of elevated CO2 and temperature hastened flowering more in early‐ than in late‐flowering species. The direct effect of CO2 on phenology may be as important as its indirect effect through climate change.
Contagion effects of successive bond rating downgrades of a leading firm

The object of this paper is to study the impact of successive changes in ratings of a leading firm on competitors of the same sector. Two courses of research are being mobilized regarding, on the one hand, the incidence of downgrading of ratings on the value of the firms and on the other hand, the contagion effects associated with the report of bad news. The analysis of the successive downgrading of the ratings of Alcatel, world leader in the telecommunications infrastructure allows us to point out the contagion effects among the main French and European competitors.
The Production of Bio-yoghurt with Probiotic Bacteria, Royal Jelly andBee Pollen Grains

In this study, the yoghurt and bio-yoghurt were produced using probiotic bacteria (Lb. gasseri ATCC 33323, Lb. rhamnosus DSM 20245 and Bif. angulatum DSM 20098 and/or Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Str. thermophilus as yoghurt starter), royal jelly (0.6%) and bee pollen grains (0.8%). The samples were analyzed for chemical, rheological, sensory evaluation and microbiological interval during storage. Addition of the probiotic, royal jelly and bee pollen grains to the yoghurt starter cultures increased the coagulation time of the produced functional yoghurt than that of the control. The total solid, ash, fat, protein and acidity contents significantly increased while, lactose contents and pH values significantly decreased during storage period up to 21 days of all treatments. From the microbiology term there was decrease of the LAB, Str. thermophilus, Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lb. gasseri ATCC 33323, Lb. rhamnosus DSM 20245 and Bif. angulatum DSM 20098 during storage periods. Also, the probiotic level after three weeks of storage was greater than 6 log cfu/ml. The produced functional yoghurt had better sensory and rheological characteristics than those of control yoghurt; overall, all functional yoghurt treatments were acceptable up to the end of the storage period.
Using pre-speaking activities to increase pupils’ oral confidence in English

ii Acknowledgement . v 1.0 Introduction . 1 1.1 Background and research question . 1 1.2 Personal motivation . 3 2.0 The idea behind The English Mode (TEM) . 5 3.0 Literature review . 7 3.
Feeding habits of Perlodidae (Plecoptera) in the hyporheic habitats of Alpine streams (Trentino-NE Italy)

Toltal of 75 nymphs of Dictyogenus fontium, Perlodes intricatus and Isoperla (cf) rivulorum and 22 juvenile Perlodinae were collected in hyporheic habitats of the Noce Bianco watershed (Trentino, NE Italy). The identification of their life stages allowed considerations regarding their presence in the hyporheos, mainly used as a refuge habitat, particularly during vulnerable phases of their life cycle (neanid stage and pre-imaginal phase). This function is possible, given the more stable environmental conditions and the minor predatory pressures in this habitat. The gut content analyses of the three species assigned them to the engulfers-carnivorous functional feeding group, with slight resource partitions between the two largest species. P. intricatus appears to feed on less mobile and fleshy preys while D. fontium prefers more sclerotized and active preys. The results indicate that the hyporheos acts not only as a refuge area but also as a trophic habitat for some Perlodidae species.
Cloning of a vacuolar H + -pryophosphatase gene from emphemeral plant Olimarabidopsis pumila whose overexpression improve salt tolerance in tobacco

Olimarabidopsis pumila is a close relative of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana but, unlike A.thaliana , it is a salt-tolerant ephemeral plant that is widely distributed in semi-arid and semi-salinized regions of the Xinjiang region of China, thus providing an ideal candidate plant system for salt tolerance gene mining. The vacuolar H + -translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase (V-H + -PPase) is an electrogenic proton pump that play pivotal role in translocating protons into vacuoles in plant cells. A V-H + -PPase gene, OpVP , was isolated from O. pumila in this study. The OpVP cDNA has an open reading frame of 2 313 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 770 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular mass of 80.7 kDa. The OpVP shows high amino acid similarity with other Brassicaceae V-H + -PPase genes. Expression profiles under salt and drought treatment, abcisic acid (ABA), indole-3-aceticacid (IAA) and gibberellins (GA) induction were investigated, and the results reveal that the expression of OpVP was induced in leaves under treatment with salt, drought, ABA, IAA and GA3. Overexpression of the OpVP gene confers enhanced salt tolerance to the transformed tobacco. Transgenic tobacco grows well in the presence of 200 mM NaCl, while wild-type plants exhibit chlorosis and growth inhibition, even death. Compared with wild-type, transgenic plants accumulated more Na + in leaves. Moreover, the leaves of transgenic plants retain higher chlorophyll content during salt stress. This study shows that OpVP is a potential gene for salt tolerance, and can be used in future for developing salt tolerant crops. Key words: H + -pyrophoshatase, Olimarabidopsis pumila , salt, abiotic stress.
L’analisi termica di Fourier applicata alla modifica eutettica di una lega AlSi7

La “Fourier Thermal Analysis” (FTA) e una tecnica avanzata di analisi termica, sviluppata negli anni ’80-’90 per determinare il calore latente rilasciato in fase di solidificazione, allo scopo di indagare sulle cinetiche di nucleazione ed accrescimento delle varie fasi coinvolte. I risultati delle indagini condotte con questa metodologia hanno contributo allo sviluppo dei codici di calcolo per la modellazione dei fenomeni di solidificazione di leghe da fonderia come le ghise e le leghe Al-Si. Scopo di questo lavoro e la verifica delle potenzialita della FTA nello studio della modifica eutettica di una lega Al-Si, e piu in generale nella dinamica della solidificazione delle leghe Al-Si. La modifica eutettica viene impiegata allo scopo di incrementare le caratteristiche di resilienza e resistenza a fatica delle leghe Al-Si, l’efficacia del trattamento e vincolata alla presenza di una percentuale minima di elemento modificante. L’analisi termica puo essere impiegata per verificare il livello di modifica della lega, e quindi l’efficacia del trattamento. E stata presa in considerazione una lega della classe A356, modificata con Na metallico, e sono state confrontate le curve fs(t) e fs(T) ottenute con diversi livelli di modifica, allo scopo di correlare le caratteristiche delle curve di frazione di fase solida rispetto al tempo ed alla temperatura con le caratteristiche microstrutturali della lega.
Translation Theory ‘Translated’: Three Perspectives on Translation in Organizational Research

Translation theory has proved to be a versatile analytical lens used by scholars working from different traditions. On the basis of a systematic literature review, this study adds to understanding of the ‘translations’ of translation theory by identifying the distinguishing features of the most common theoretical approaches to translation within the organization and management discipline: actor–network theory, knowledge-based theory and Scandinavian institutionalism. Although each of these approaches already has borne much fruit in research, the literature is diverse and somewhat fragmented, but also overlapping. The authors discuss the ways in which the three versions of translation theory may be combined and enrich each other so as to inform future research, thereby offering a more complete understanding of translation in and across organizational settings.
XMM-Newton unveils the complex iron Kα region of Mrk 279

We present the results of a ∼160 ks-long XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 279. The spectrum shows evidence of both broad and narrow emission features. The FeKα line may be equally well explained by a single broad Gaussian (FWHM ∼ 10 000 km s−1) or by two components: an unresolved core plus a very broad profile (FWHM ∼ 14 000 km s−1). For the first time we quantified, via the “locally optimally emitting cloud” model, the contribution of the broad line region (BLR) to the absolute luminosity of the broad component of the FeKα at 6.4 keV. We find that the contribution of the BLR is only ∼3%. In the two-line component scenario, we also evaluated the contribution of the highly ionized gas component, which produces the Fe xxvi line in the iron K region. This contribution to the narrow core of the FeKα line is marginal
Coupled DEM-FEM analysis for simulating ballasted rail tracks

Ballasted tracks play an essential role in its economy through transporting freight and bulk commodities between major cities and ports, and carrying passengers, particularly in urban areas. Ballast usually consists of hard and strong angular particles, which are derived from high strength unweathered rocks. Ballast aggregates undergo gradual and continuing degradation under cyclic train loadings. In this study, the load-deformation responses of ballasted rail tracks subjected to cyclic loading are studied experimentally using a large-scale Track Process Simulation Apparatus (TPSA), and numerically through a coupled discrete-continuum approach, namely, coupled DEM-FEM. Laboratory tests are carried out to examine the deformation and degradation responses of ballast subjected to cyclic train loading under a frequency of f=15 Hz and a lateral confinement of σxx=10 kPa. Test results reveal that significant settlements are observed during the initial load cycles, followed by gradually increased deformation, arriving at a steady value towards the end of testing. A rigorous coupling model based on discrete element method (DEM) and finite element method (FEM) is introduced to predict the load-deformation behaviour of the ballast assembly considering the interaction of discrete ballast grains and continuum subgrade. In this coupled model, the discrete ballast grains are modelled by DEM and the subgrade domain is modelled as a continuum by FEM. Interface elements are introduced to transmit the interacting forces and displacements between adjoining material domains (i.e. discrete and continuum) whereby the DEM transfers contact forces to the FEM, and then the FEM updates the displacements back to the DEM. The coupled model is validated by comparing the predicted ballast settlement responses with those obtained experimentally. Contact force distributions, stress contours and a corresponding number of broken bonds are analysed. This combined DEM-FEM model is also used to analyse the load-deformation of a fully instrumented track in Singleton, Australia, and the numerical predictions are compared with the field data.
Influence of bunch exposure on anthocyanins extractability from grapes skins ( Vitis vinifera L.)

In relation to bunch exposure to solar irradiance (sun exposed vs. leaf shaded conditions), anthocyanin ripening and extractability were studied in two grape cultivars ('Croatina' and 'Pinot Noir') coming from three different vineyards in Northern Italy. Analysis of anthocyanin content were carried out by HPLC and spectrophotometry, and a simulated maceration process was developed. Pigments extraction occurred mainly in the first few hours of the maceration process. Anthocyanins with disubstituted B-ring showed a faster extractability than the trisubsituted ones. Bunch exposure to sunlight seemed to be important for pigment extractability timing in winemaking, showing a delay in pigments release. This delay was only partially explained by the different pigments profile, with higher percentage of disubstituted compounds in shaded berries, because all the molecules indicated a similar extraction trend during maceration.
Harvest Tissue Source Does Not Alter the Protective Power of Stromal Cell Therapy Following Intestinal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

Background—Transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may be a novel treatment for intestinal ischemia. The optimal stromal cell source that could yield maximal protection following injury, however, has not been identified. We hypothesized that: 1) MSCs would increase survival and mesenteric perfusion, preserve intestinal histological architecture, and limit inflammation following intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R), and 2) MSCs harvested from different sources of tissue would have equivalent protective properties to the intestine following I/R. Methods—Adult male mice were anesthetized and a midline laparotomy performed. The intestines were eviscerated, the small bowel mesenteric root identified, and baseline intestinal perfusion was determined using Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI). Intestinal ischemia was established by temporarily occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 60 minutes with a non-crushing clamp. Following ischemia, the clamp was removed and the intestines were allowed to recover. Prior to abdominal closure, 2 × 106 human umbilical (USCs), bone-marrow (BMSCs) derived MSCs, or keratinocytes in 250μl of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) vehicle were injected into the peritoneum. Animals were allowed to recover for 12 or 24 hours (perfusion, histology, inflammatory studies), or 7 days (survival studies). Survival data was analyzed using log rank test. Perfusion was expressed as percentage of baseline and 12 and 24 hour data was analyzed using Correspondence: Troy A. Markel, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, 705 Riley Hospital Dr., RI 2500, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-437-2506. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. No disclosures to report ARJ performed survival and mesenteric perfusion ischemia/reperfusion experiments, performed statistical analysis, wrote the manuscript, edited the manuscript for final content; MMM made histology slides, scored slides, edited manuscript for final content, SK scored histology slides, edited manuscript for final content, NAD prepped tissue for cytokine analysis, edited manuscript for final content, TAM secured funding, oversaw all experiments, assisted in writing the manuscript, edited the manuscript for final content. HHS Public Access Author manuscript J Surg Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 August 01. Published in final edited form as: J Surg Res. 2016 August ; 204(2): 361–370. doi:10.1016/j.jss. 2016.05. 006. A uhor M anscript
A comparative prospective study of maternofetal outcome in advanced and younger maternal age group in higher socioeconomic strata

Background: Maternal age in pregnancy is increasing over the world and has been widely documented. Nowadays many women delay their pregnancy even up to the 40th year of life because of different reasons like changing social and economic trend. Simultaneously higher advanced technique and better supported maternal and neonatal care also exist. Methods: To have an idea of balance between advanced age and advanced support this comparative prospective study was done on 40 advanced and 40 younger maternal age groups to compare the pregnancy outcomes. To find out the association Chi-Square and unpaired ‘t’ test was used. Results: It was observed in this study that Assisted reproductive techniques (mode of conception) and cesarean section rates were significantly higher in advanced maternal age. Although there were no significant differences in antenatal and postpartum complications between the two groups. Conclusions: It can be concluded that if a women with advanced maternal age is cared at a hospital with advanced techniques, the adverse pregnancy outcomes will not be different from the non-elderly women.
Perceived Individual Cultural Values and Erp Users: The Case of Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of espoused national cultural values of individuals on user mental acceptance of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Such an influence is mediated by perceived software quality, and perceived user satisfaction with ERP. The structural equation model shows evidence for power distance, and uncertainty avoidance influencing perceived software quality of ERP, even though their influences are relatively weak. Individualism, however, has no significant influence over perceived software quality, while perceived user satisfaction impacts user mental acceptance of ERP. This paper contributes to the body of ERP studies, as (1) validating the influence of cultural values as an independent and external factor impacting the behavioural adoption of ERP users, (2) applying the paradigm of Bagozzi framework to behavioural adoption and acceptance of Information Systems (IS) and (3) contributing to ERP studies in the Middle East from cultural and quantitative perspectives.
Student Self-Efficacy and Gender-Personality Interactions

Abstract The present study reveals that female students have significantly lower self-efficacy level and self-efficacy strength than their male peers in a course in Principles of Economics. This general conclusion does not hold for all personality types. The general conclusion of lower self-efficacy level in economics for female students compared to those of their male peers does only exist for female intuition and feeling ( NF ) and intuition and thinking students ( NT ) but not for the female sensing and perceiving student ( SP) . Furthermore, the result is revealing that the significant higher self-efficacy level for male students does only exist for male intuition and thinking students ( NT ) and not for male NF and SP students. Female students have significantly lower self-efficacy strength than their male peers. This does only exist for female intuition and thinking ( NT ) and sensing and perceiving ( SP ) students, but not for female NF students. The general result that male students have significantly higher self-efficacy strength than their female peers, does only encompass male intuition and thinking ( NT ) students and not the male SP and NF students. This study tells us that we should be cautions to conclude that self-efficacy is uniformly affected by gender. Gender-personality interactions do matter.
Production and leaf plasticity of rose plants sprayed with paclobutrazol and daminozide

The aim of this work was to evaluate morphological and anatomical alterations in leaves of ‘Yellow Terrazza’® and ‘Red White Terrazza’® pot roses sprayed with paclobutrazol (0, 40, 60, 80 mg L-1) and daminozide (0, 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000 mg L-1). The experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions using a factorial treatment design (cultivars x growth retardant doses) with five replications and experimental units arranged in randomized blocks. Cv. Yellow Terrazza ® presented higher plants, greater floral diameter and leaf area than cv. Red White Terrazza ®. Plant height, leaf area, and flower diameter decreased linearly with paclobutrazol and daminozide doses. In addition, paclobutrazol and daminozide applications changed leaf tissue proportions by increasing the thickness of leaf blade, mesophyll, palisade parenchyma, and spongy parenchyma but did not influence the thickness of leaf epidermis.
Changing prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of different shigella species in Tehran, Iran

During the 3 years of study period (April 2002 to April 2005) 220 strains of shigella isolated from fecal samples of patients having acute diarrhea. Shigella sonnei with 157 (78.5%) isolates had the highest frequency of isolation. Resistance to Ampicillin and Trimethoprime/sulphamethoxazole was observed in 88.5% and 98% isolates respectively. 11.5% of isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and 5.5% to ceftriaxone. Resistance to Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin was 2.5% and 1% respectively.