Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling Impacts of Climate Change on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Productivity: A Review of Models, Outputs and Limitations

The use of crop modelling in various cropping systems and environments to project and upscale agronomic decision-making under the facets of climate change has gained currency in recent years. This paper provides an evaluation of crop models that have been used by researchers to simulate maize growth and productivity. Through a systematic review approach, a comprehensive assessment of 186 published articles was carried out to establish the models and parameterization features, simulated impacts on maize yields and adaptation strategies in the last three decades. Of the 23 models identified, CERES-maize and APSIM models were the most dominant, representing 49.7% of the studies undertaken between 1990 and 2018. Current research shows projected decline in maize yields of between 8% - 38% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios by the end of the 21st century, and that adaptation is essential in alleviating the impacts of climate change. Major agro-adaptation options considered in most papers are changes in planting dates, cultivars and crop water management practices. The use of multiple crop models and multi-model ensembles from general circulation models (GCMs) is recommended. As interest in crop modelling grows, future work should focus more on suitability of agricultural lands for maize production under climate scenarios.
Diel, daily, and spatial variation of coral reef seawater microbial communities

Reef organisms influence microorganisms within the surrounding seawater, yet the spatial and temporal dynamics of seawater microbial communities located in proximity to corals are rarely investigated. To better understand reef seawater microbial community dynamics over time and space, we collected small-volume seawater samples during the day and night over a 72 hour period from three locations that differed in spatial distance from 5 Porites astreoides coral colonies on a shallow reef in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands: near-coral (sampled 5 cm horizontally from each colony), reef-depth (sampled 2 m above each colony) and surface seawater (sampled 1 m from the seawater surface). At all time points and locations, we quantified abundances of microbial cells, sequenced small subunit rRNA genes of bacterial and archaeal communities, and measured inorganic nutrient concentrations. Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus cells were consistently elevated at night compared to day and these abundances changed over time, corresponding with temperature, nitrite, and silicate concentrations. During the day, bacterial and archaeal alpha diversity was significantly higher in reef-depth and near-coral seawater compared to the surface seawater, signifying that the reef influences the diversity of the seawater microorganisms. At night, alpha diversity decreased across all samples, suggesting that photosynthesis may favor a more taxonomically diverse community. While Prochlorococcus exhibited consistent temporal rhythmicity, additional taxa were enriched in reef seawater at night compared to day or in reef-depth compared to surface seawater based on their normalized sequence counts. There were some significant differences in nutrient concentrations and cell abundances between reef-depth and near-coral seawater but no clear trends. This study demonstrates that temporal variation supersedes small-scale spatial variation in proximity to corals in reef seawater microbial communities. As coral reefs continue to change in benthic composition worldwide, monitoring microbial composition in response to temporal changes and environmental fluctuations will help discern normal variability from longer lasting changes attributed to anthropogenic stressors and global climate change.
Improve the design process of pile foundations using construction control techniques

ABSTRACT In recent years, the precise design of the pile foundations has gained considerable attention due to its important role in the cost management of the civil projects. While the piles are mostly designed using static analysis methods, their resistance during the construction process is controlled by other control methods. This inconsistency increases the cost and the delay in the construction plan. In order to address these issues, new approaches for a more reliable and economically efficient design of the piles incorporate the effects of construction control techniques in the initial design. In this paper, we use the results of the Dynamic load test (DLT), the static load test (SLT), and the dynamic formulas to improve the resistance factor of the LRFD method for the initial design. The results show that the DLT at BOR and the SLT have the greatest effect in increasing the resistance factors of the static analysis methods.
Proximate Composition, Minerals and Heavy Metals Content of Cassava, Plantain and Yam Flour Sold in Some Markets in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The quality of retailed samples of cassava, yam and plantain flour produced in private homes without adequate monitoring is a concern to consumers. Consequently, this study was aimed at determining proximate composition, minerals and heavy metals content of fifteen (15) packaged and 15 exposed samples of flours obtained from three (3) supermarkets and 3 open markets in Port Harcourt, respectively using standard methods. Control samples were prepared in the laboratory. This study was carried out between April - August, 2017. Results obtained showed significant differences (p=.05) between each of the flours. Protein content of exposed cassava flour (2.3%) was higher than other cassava flour samples. Meanwhile, that of yam flour (3.22%) used as control was the highest among all flours. Crude fibre content of the cassava flour (3.12 - 5.46%) was higher than that of other flour samples. Ash content of the flour samples were lower than that of plantain flour (2.7 - 7.07%). Both moisture content of plantain flour used as control (13.22%) and exposed plantain flour (10.3%) were higher than that of other flour samples. Potassium, sodium, iron and calcium content of the packaged flour samples were higher than their respective control and exposed samples with few exceptions. Interestingly, heavy metals content of all samples were below Codex Alimentarius Commission permissible limits of 1.5, 1.0 and 1.0 mg/Kg for Pb, Cd and As, respectively. Therefore, flour fortification to improve their nutritional qualities as well as retailing only sealed flour samples could increase consumers’ confidence.
Developing strategies for reducing work-related discomfort in optometry students

Background: Work-related physical discomfort occurs in Australian optometrists. The purpose of this paper is to explore appropriate methods for educating optometry students about work-related discomfort before they commence clinical practice. Methods: Two surveys were distributed: one to students at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales; the second to clinical teachers at four Australian and New Zealand optometry teaching institutions. The surveys were subject to descriptive analysis. Results: Sixty-four optometry students (48% response rate) and 46 academic and clinical teachers (30% response rate) participated. Students reported discomfort in the previous 7 days (56% respondents) and previous 12 months (77% respondents), most commonly in the lower back, neck, shoulder and elbow/arm. Informal instruction by clinical supervisors was the first preference for students learning how to reduce work-related discomfort (28% respondents). Advice from seniors/friends who have experienced discomfort and formal instruction in practical classes were also accepted learning methods. Patient comfort was rated more important than personal comfort when performing clinical procedures (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, p<0.01). Informal instruction and comments during clinic supervision was the most common form of instruction (89%) reported by optometry teachers. Conclusion: Work-related discomfort is experienced by optometry students and should be raised as an issue during training. Clinical teachers, both within optometry clinics and at external placements, should also receive training so that appropriate advice is given to students. Further investigation is required to identify tasks and environments which demonstrate a reduced risk of work-related discomfort and then maximise student exposure to these positive examples. ©Long et al: Licensee HFESA Inc.
Interdecadal variation of Changma (Korean summer monsoon rainy season) retreat date in Korea

This study applied statistical change‐point analysis to the time series of the Changma retreat date (CRD) on the Korean Peninsula over a recent 30‐year period (1985–2014) and detected that the CRD has been delayed by about 10 days since 2000. The average CRD is July 14 for 1985–1999 and July 24 for 2000–2014. Corresponding to the CRD delay, the July rainfall is concentrated in the northern South Korea during 2000–2014, whereas tends to be intense along the southern coast during 1985–1999. The delayed CRD is associated with, in the lower and mid‐troposphere, a strengthened cyclonic circulation around Lake Baikal–eastern Sea of Japan and an enhanced anticyclonic circulation in East China Sea. Thus, northerlies from strengthened cyclones and anomalous southerlies from the enhanced anticyclones converge at the northern‐central Korean Peninsula. The anomalous anticyclone is associated with the strengthening of the western North Pacific subtropical high that has strengthened in meridional direction in the later epoch, supplying warm and moist air to Korean Peninsula. The result is verified by the enhanced warm and moist anomalous upward flows in the latitude where Korean Peninsula is placed. The delayed CRD in the latter epoch is related to the decreased spring snowfall over East Asia except for the vicinity of the Lake Baikal, which results in severely hot weather in the East Asia continent from spring to July. The continent heating from spring to July weakened (increases), the thermal gradient between continent and ocean, thereby forming a low‐pressure system on East Asia and a high‐pressure system in western North Pacific, resulting in the strengthening of Changma rain belt in July and delayed the Changma withdrawal.
Role of fusion protein in Newcastle disease virus pathogenesis

Title of Document: ROLE OF FUSION PROTEIN IN NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS PATHOGENESIS Sweety Samal, Doctor of Philosophy, 2012 Directed By: Dr. Siba K. Samal, Professor and Associate Dean Department of Veterinary Medicine College of Agriculture and Natural Resources The fusion (F) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a type I membrane glycoprotein that mediates the merger of the viral envelope to the host cell membrane. The F protein activation initiates a series of conformational changes in the F protein leading to membrane merge which occurs at the cell surface at neutral pH thus modulating NDV entry and spread. The present studies have given an insight to understand the role of F protein in NDV pathogenesis by using established reverse genetic techniques. The F gene of NDV has six glycosylation sites, two of which are present in heptad repeats that facilitate conformational changes during fusion process. To understand the importance of the glycosylation sites in NDV replication and virulence, each site was eliminated individually and in combination on a cDNA clone of NDV strain BC. Our results suggest that glycosylation of F protein plays a major role in virulence and some of the N-glycosylation sites are critical for fusogenicity of the F protein thus modulating NDV infectivity. The F protein is synthesized as an inactive precursor, F0, which is only fusogenic after cleavage into disulfide-linked F1 and F2 polypeptides by host cell proteases. The amino acid sequence surrounding the F protein cleavage site determines the virulence of NDV, since different host proteases that cleave the F protein of virulent strains are present in more tissues than those that cleave the F protein of non-virulent strains. The role of conserved glutamine residue in NDV F protein cleavage site in viral pathogenesis has been examined. This study has helped us to understand the requirement of F protein cleavage site conserved amino acids in proteolytic processing and viral infectivity. Further in this study, the role of F protein cytoplasmic domain and conserved cysteine residues in viral pathogenesis have been explored using reverse genetics. These regions have been suggested to play important roles in F protein conformation, stability and thus affecting the fusion process and viral infectivity. In summary, the purpose of this work is to determine the important domains and residues of the NDV F protein that facilitates fusion process and regulates viral pathogenesis and immunogenicity. An understanding of how NDV F protein fusion process are regulated may lead to the creation of more effective therapies and better vaccine against NDV and other paramyxoviruses in general. ROLE OF FUSION PROTEIN IN NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS PATHOGENESIS
Modelling nitrification inhibitor effects on N2O emissions after fall- and spring-applied slurry by reducing nitrifier NH4+ oxidation rate

Abstract. Reductions in N2O emissions from nitrification inhibitors (NI) are substantial but remain uncertain because measurements of N2O emissions are highly variable and discontinuous. Mathematical modelling may offer an opportunity to estimate these reductions if the processes causing variability in N2O emissions can be accurately simulated. In this study, the effect of NI was simulated with a simple, time-dependent algorithm to slow NH4+ oxidation in the ecosystem model ecosys. Slower nitrification modelled with NI caused increases in soil NH4+ concentrations and reductions in soil NO3- concentrations and in N2O fluxes that were consistent with those measured following fall and spring applications of slurry over 2 years from 2014 to 2016. The model was then used to estimate direct and indirect effects of NI on seasonal and annual emissions. After spring slurry applications, NI reduced N2O emissions modelled and measured during the drier spring of 2015 (35 % and 45 %) less than during the wetter spring of 2016 (53 % and 72 %). After fall slurry applications, NI reduced modelled N2O emissions by 58 % and 56 % during late fall in 2014 and 2015 and by 8 % and 33 % during subsequent spring thaw in 2015 and 2016. Modelled reductions were consistent with those from meta-analyses of other NI studies. Simulated NI activity declined over time so that reductions in N2O emissions modelled with NI at an annual timescale were relatively smaller than those during emission events. These reductions were accompanied by increases in NH3 emissions and reductions in NO3- losses with NI that caused changes in indirect N2O emissions. With further parameter evaluation, the addition of this algorithm for NI to ecosys may allow emission factors for different NI products to be derived from annual N2O emissions modelled under diverse site, soil, land use and weather.
Paleoamerican Occupation, Stone Tools from the Cueva del Medio, and Considerations for the Late Pleistocene Archaeology in Southern South America

Archaeological excavations at the Cueva del Medio performed during the 1980s and 1990s yielded an important record of both faunal and stone tool remains, as well as data, to discuss issues that occurred during the Terminal Pleistocene. Due to that, the shaped Paleoamerican artifacts collected in the author’s excavations were partially informed. The present article provides unpublished data on the field-work, the results of a techno-morphological analysis of the stone tools, and considerations about early hunter-gatherer societies along with their regional paleo-environmental interactions, as well other topics regarding the regional archaeological process during the last millennium of the Pleistocene. Findings from there have been extremely useful for discussing diverse paleo-ecological and archaeological topics and have extended the knowledge and discussions about different Pleistocene scientific issues, mainly related with flora, fauna, and the colonization of southern Patagonia.
Study Of Primary Caesarean Section In Multiparous Women

Background: This prospective study was carried out to assess, indication, maternal & fetal outcome of primary caesarian in multiparous women. Materials & Methods: 50 women with primary CS (caesarean section) studied in multiparous women studied and analysed. Results: Most of women belonged to >25yrs age group, rural, & low socio-economic group, Malpresentation, Low AFI (amniotic fuid index), Fetal Distress were most common indications. Post operative uneventful in majority of cases. Conclusion: Antenatal care in multigravida, USG (ultra-sonography) Analysis Close monitoring can reduce CS(caesarean section) in multipara. [ Saluja J K NJIRM 2014; 5(2) :27-29]
The application of forensic geology to investigate the substitution of zinc ingots between China and Brazil

Abstract This paper presents the investigation of fraud and of the theft of metal acquired by a Brazilian company from a Chinese supplier. Zinc ingots were transported by ship from China to the city of Londrina, in Paraná State, Brazil. However, they were substituted at some point during their journey, and replaced with bags containing fine crushed rock. In this case of a classic ‘substitution’ it was possible to use geological methods to investigate the crushed rock. As such, the mineralogical, petrological and isotope analysis showed the replaced rock did not originate from a Brazilian provenance. Therefore, the substitution possibly occurred before the cargo's arrival in Brazil. An inadequate chain of custody of the cargo, during transportation from Asia to Brazil, including the onward journey from Paranaguá to Londrina, is likely to have provided the opportunity for the material exchange to take place. Collaboration between the Brazilian Federal Police and geological experts based in academia enabled the crime to be investigated and solved.
Comparative population ecology of sclerocarya birrea (A. RICH.) HOCHST. Subspecies Caffra (SOND) in two rural villages of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Sclerocarya birrea (A Rich.) Hochst. subspecies caffra (Sond) is a plant species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. In South Africa, it is dominant in the Baphalaborwa area in the Limpopo Province. Throughout its distribution range, S. birrea is a keystone species that is highly utilized by herbivores and people. Understanding the utilization pattern assist in determing if the population is not negatively affected. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the distribution patterns and population status of S. birrea in Ga-Makhushane and Tshivhongweni villages in the Limpopo Province. The study will investigate the influence of culture in utilization of S. birrea resources since the study area are made up of communities of people from different cultures. Nearest-neighbour method of sampling individuals within a population of plants was used to collect data on S. birrea populations which was analyzed using Analysis of Variance. It was found that the populations were regularly distributed meaning there is an antagonistic relationship of the species with the users in both villages, and there was also a significant difference in distribution patterns between the two villages. It was concluded that although S. birrea is regularly distributed in both villages, there are differences in terms of interplant distances, heights, stem circumferences and canopy covers. It means that the two culturally different communities have different preferences when they harvest resources form S. birrea species.
Comparison of atmospheric correction models: FLAASH and 6S code and their impact on vegetation indices (case study: paddy field in Subang District, West Java)

Landsat-8 data (level 1T) received by users are still in digital number and can be used directly for mapping land use / land cover. However, the data still has low radiometric accuracy when it is used to derive information such as vegetation index, biomass, land use / land cover classification, etc. so that so that it requires radiometric / atmospheric correction. In this study, we use atmospheric correction method of the second simulation of satellite in the solar spectrum (6S) and Fast Line-of-sight Atmospheric Analysis of Spectral Hypercube (FLAASH) to eliminate atmospheric influences and compare the results with field measurements. The atmospheric parameters used were aerosol optical depth (AOD), water vapour column and ozone thickness from MODIS data with the date and time of acquisition approaching with Landsat-8 data. From the analysis conducted on the spectral response of atmospheric corrected image shows the 6S model has better accuracy for the spectral response from the rice growth phase compared to the FLAASH model. The analysis of the values of vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, SAVI and MSAVI) shows that the 6S model has better accuracy for NDVI while for EVI, SAVI and MSAVI the FLAASH model has slightly better accuracy than 6S.
Fault‐Associated Magma Conduits Beneath Volcán de Colima Revealed by Seismic Velocity and Attenuation Tomography Studies

We present the results of tomographic studies using seismic velocity and attenuation in the area of the Colima Volcanic complex (CVC). Our dataset comprises body waves from local earthquakes recorded by the temporary seismic stations of the CODEX network in the Colima area and a few stations of the regional Mapping the Rivera Subduction Zone (MARS) networks, both deployed in 2006–2008. We obtain three‐dimensional distributions of seismic velocities and attenuation in the crust beneath the CVC area. At shallow depths, we observe a large negative anomaly to the south of CVC, coinciding with the location of the Central Colima Graben. This anomaly may represent debris avalanche deposits, as well as shallow magma reservoirs feeding the eruptions of the presently active Volcán de Colima. In contrast, the volcano edifice of Nevado de Colima, which is built of rigid igneous rocks, is associated with high‐velocity and low‐attenuation anomalies at shallow depths. In the deeper section, a major anomaly with high Vp/Vs, low Vs, and high S wave attenuation corresponds to the location of the regional Tamazula fault. As this represents a mechanically weakened zone of the crust, it may form the pathway that feeds CVC. Both velocity and attenuation models show that the fault‐associated conduit brought magma from the mantle through the lower crust to a depth of 15 km. Then, a light fraction of magma may continue to ascend, forming shallow reservoirs beneath the southern flank of CVC.
The Middle Miocene Flora of the Chalk Mountain Formation, Warrumbungle Volcano Complex, NSW, Australia

A Miocene ﬂora from the Chalk Mountain Formation occurring on a spur of the Warrumbungle Volcano Complex to the north-west of Coonabarabran, near Bugaldie is described. The ﬂora consists of representatives in the families Equisetaceae ( Equisetum sp. indet.), Isoetaceae and Araucariaceae ( Agathis sp.). Among the angiosperm families are Cunoniaceae ( Ceratopetalum priscum ), Moraceae, Myrtaceae ( Eucalyptus bugaldiensis ), Urticaceae ( Dendrocnide sp. A aff. D. excelsa ). This paper describes the ﬁrst fossil record of Dendrocnide (Urticaceae) leaves from Australia and the second post-Cretaceous record of the genus Equisetum , the ﬁrst from the Miocene. The ﬂora includes rainforest, swamp and sclerophyll plant forms and indicates a warming and drying climate as the Australian plate moved northwards during the Middle Miocene.