Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Origin and Fate of Industrial Ammonium in Anoxic Ground Water—15N Evidence for Anaerobic Oxidation (Anammox)

Elevated ammonium concentrations in pump‐and‐treat effluent from a volatile organic compounds–contaminated municipal aquifer originate from two industrial sources: infiltration of drainage from the blending operations of a fertilizer company (FC) located in the recharge area ( of 500 to 700 parts per million [ppm] N and of 150 to 300 ppm N) and leakage from waste water treatment ponds maintained by an adjacent chemical company (CC) ( of 50 to 70 ppm N, with no ). Geochemical and isotope data are used to trace the mechanisms for the strong attenuation observed between the source areas and the municipal ground water treatment wells ( < 10 ppm N). Conservative mixing calculations demonstrate a loss of and along the flowpath relative to K+ and Cl−. Reactive loss of in these anoxic ground water is attributed to anaerobic oxidation by anammox bacteria. Lines of evidence leading to this conclusion include (1) loss of both and under anoxic conditions along the flowpath; (2) a progressive enrichment of and , indicating reactive loss of ammonium and nitrate; (3) values greater than coexisting , which precludes loss by nitrification to ; and (4) significant N2 overpressuring with increasing values. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation by anammox bacteria uses nitrate as the electron donor: . The recently discovered anammox reaction is more energetically favorable than denitrification and is now considered to play a major role in the global nitrogen cycle. It has been observed in waste water bioreactors and sea water but not previously in ground water.
Values of natural and human‐made wetlands: A meta‐analysis

The values of goods and services provided by wetland ecosystems are examined through a meta‐analysis of an expanded database of wetland value estimates and with a focus on human‐made wetlands. This study extends and improves upon previous meta‐analyses of the wetland valuation literature in terms of the number of observations, geographical coverage, wetland class and integrity, and the measurement of the effects of scarcity and anthropogenic pressure. We find that water quality improvement, nonconsumptive recreation, and provision of natural habitat and biodiversity are highly valued services. Substitution effects are observed through the negative correlation between values and abundance of other wetlands. Wetland values are found to increase with anthropogenic pressure. An extended metaregression model with cross effects shows that the valuation of specific services varies with the type of wetland producing them. Human‐made wetlands are highly valued for biodiversity enhancement, water quality improvement, and flood control.
Excess Control Rights, Bank Capital Structure Adjustment and Lending

We investigate whether excess control rights of ultimate owners in pyramids affect banks' adjustment to their target capital ratio. When ultimate control rights and cash-flow rights are identical, banks increase their capital ratio by issuing equity and by reshuffling their assets without slowing their lending. However, when control rights exceed cash-flow rights, banks are reluctant to issue equity to increase their capital ratio and, instead, shrink their assets by mainly cutting their lending. A deeper investigation shows that this behavior is only apparent in family-controlled banks and in countries with relatively weak shareholder protection rights. Our findings provide new insights in the capital structure adjustment process and have critical policy implications for the implementation of Basel III.
Cytology of Coconut Endosperm

The cytology of coconut endosperm was studied from tender nuts from an ordinary tall variety of coconut palm. Cellular endosperm development becomes visible in nuts about 6 months old, at which stage a thin coating of jelly-like endosperm tissue is seen around the periphery of the large embryo-sac cavity. The endosperm tissue is thicker at the antipodal end. The nuclei in the young coconut embryos are diploid (2n = 32), and they divide by normal mitosis. Nuclei of varying sizes were observed in the endosperm tissue, and they showed very active mitosis, the frequency of division being higher in regions nearer to the micropyle. Three different chromosome counts were made in the dividing nuclei, 48 (3n), 96 (6n), and 192 (izn). This shows that increase in size of nuclei is due to euploid increase in chromosome number. In addition to normal mitosis, a C-mitotic type of division was also observed in the 3n and 6n nuclei, and it is suggested that this type of aberrant mitosis is responsible for the attainment of higher levels of ploidy in coconut endosperm.
Improvement of aerosol optical depth retrieval from MODIS spectral reflectance over the global ocean using new aerosol models archived from AERONET inversion data and tri-axial ellipsoidal dust database

Abstract. New over-ocean aerosol models are developed by integrating the inversion data from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun/sky radiometers with a database for the optical properties of tri-axial ellipsoid particles. The new aerosol models allow more accurate retrieval of aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in the case of high AOD (AOD > 0.3). The aerosol models are categorized by using the fine-mode fraction (FMF) at 550 nm and the single-scattering albedo (SSA) at 440 nm from the AERONET inversion data to include a variety of aerosol types found around the globe. For each aerosol model, the changes in the aerosol optical properties (AOPs) as functions of AOD are considered to better represent aerosol characteristics. Comparisons of AODs between AERONET and MODIS for the period from 2003 to 2010 show that the use of the new aerosol models enhances the AOD accuracy with a Pearson coefficient of 0.93 and a regression slope of 0.99 compared to 0.92 and 0.85 calculated using the MODIS Collection 5 data. Moreover, the percentage of data within an expected error of ± (0.03 + 0.05 × AOD) is increased from 62% to 64% for overall data and from 39% to 5% for AOD > 0.3. Errors in the retrieved AOD are further characterized with respect to the Angstrom exponent (AE), scattering angle (Θ), SSA, and air mass factor (AMF). Due to more realistic AOPs assumptions, the new algorithm generally reduces systematic errors in the retrieved AODs compared with the current operational algorithm. In particular, the underestimation of fine-dominated AOD and the scattering angle dependence of dust-dominated AOD are significantly mitigated as results of the new algorithm's improved treatment of aerosol size distribution and dust particle nonsphericity.
Natural Length Scales of Ecological Systems: Applications at Community and Ecosystem Levels

The characteristic, or natural, length scales of a spatially dynamic ecological landscape are the spatial scales at which the deterministic trends in the dynamic are most sharply in focus. Given recent development of techniques to determine the characteristic length scales (CLSs) of real ecological systems, I explore the potential for using CLSs to address three important and vexing issues in applied ecology, viz. (i) determining the optimum scales to monitor ecological systems, (ii) interpreting change in ecological communities, and (iii) ascertaining connectivity between species in complex ecologies. In summarizing the concept of characteristic length scales as system-level scaling thresholds, I emphasize that the primary CLS is, by definition, the optimum scale at which to monitor a system if the objective is to observe its deterministic dynamics at a system level. Using several different spatially explicit individual-based models, I then explore predictions of the underlying theory of CLSs in the context of interpreting change and ascertaining connectivity among species in ecological systems. Analysis of these models support predictions that systems with strongly fluctuating community structure, but an otherwise stable long-term dynamic defined by a stationary attractor, indicate an invariant length scale irrespective of community structure at the time of analysis, and irrespective of the species analyzed. In contrast, if changes in the underlying dynamic are forcibly induced, the shift in dynamics is reflected by a change in the primary length scale. Thus, consideration of the magnitude of the CLS through time enables distinguishing between circumstances where there are temporal changes in community structure but not in the long-term dynamic, from that where changes in community structure reflect some kind of fundamental shift in dynamics. In this context, CLSs emerge as a diagnostic tool to identify phase shifts to alternative stable states associated with loss of resilience in ecological systems and thus provide a means to interpret change in community composition. By extension, comparison of the CLSs of ostensibly similar communities at different points in space can reveal whether they experience similar underlying dynamics. Analysis of these models also reveals that species in the same community whose dynamics are largely independent indicate different length scales. These examples demonstrate the potential to apply CLSs in a decision-support role in determining scales for monitoring, interpreting whether change in community structure reflects a shift in underlying dynamics and therefore may warrant management intervention, and determining connectivities among species in complex ecological systems.
The C9orf72-interacting protein Smcr8 is a negative regulator of autoimmunity and lysosomal exocytosis

A mutation in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic contributor to ALS. Zhang et al. found that C9ORF72's long isoform complexes with and stabilizes SMCR8. Smcr8 loss-of-function mutant mice exhibit a loss of tolerance for many nervous system autoantigens and increased lysosomal exocytosis in mutant macrophages.
Prevalence of Injuries among High School Students in Kieni West (District) in Nyeri County

Background: Injury among high school students has received disproportionately little attention as a public health concern in Kenya. Objective: To establish the prevalence of injuries occurring among high school students in Kieni West District, Nyeri County, Central Kenya. Methods: A Cross sectional study design was adopted where stratified random samples were recruited disproportionately to ensure adequate representation of most of segments of student population. Data was collected from 498 students (n = 294) girls and (n = 204) boys who were Original Research Article Warutere et al.; JSRR, 4(3): 189-197, 2015; Article no.JSRR. 2015.022 190 systematically randomly sampled from 83 classes from all ten schools in Kieni West district. Participants were asked about injuries they had sustained in the preceding 6 months. The injuries were coded using classification methods derived from International Classification of External Causes of Injuries (ICECI). The existing healthcare facilities and health records in the schools were examined and the principals of the schools were interviewed. Results: A total of 1490 injuries had occurred among the 498 respondents. Boys had higher mean number of injuries per student (3.39±0.65 n = 204) than the girls’ (2.72±0.46, n =294), a difference that was statistically significant (t=12.7, P 0.05; df = 4) Conclusion: Injury is a major but largely neglected contributor of disease burden among high school students in Kenya. The leading causes of these injuriesfalls and sporting activitiesare all preventable. It is important that effective interventions are developed, implemented and sustained to minimize the impact of injury among students. It is further suggested that safety management in schools should be re-evaluated in a bid to improve safety management status in schools.
Macrophage Populations, Myofibroblastic Cells, and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Chronically- Developing Rat Liver Cirrhosis Induced by Repeated Injection of Thioacetamide

In order to clarify the cellular and molecular aspects in cirrhotic lesions, we investigated the response of macrophage populations, myofibroblastic cell development, and deposition of extracellular matrices (ECMs), as well as expression patterns of fibrogenic factors, in chronically-developing hepatic cirrhosis induced in rats by thioacetamide (TAA). As an animal model, male F344 rats were rendered cirrhotic by repeated intraperitoneal injection of TAA (100 mg/kg BW; twice a week), and were examined at post-first injection (PFI) weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20. Histologically, hepatocyte degeneration became evident in the perivenular and periportal areas with time, and from PFI weeks 10 micronodular lesions separated by fibrous septa were developed. ECMs (collagen types I, III, and IV, fibronectin and laminin) deposited with advancing lesions. ED1-immunopositive exudate macrophages showed an increased number for 20 weeks. ED2-immunopositive Kupffer cells and antigen-presenting macrophages reacting to OX6 (MHC class II-recognized antibody) revealed a transiently increased number at PFI weeks 1 and 3; interestingly, Kupffer cells became hypertrophic with time. The number of myofibroblastic cells reacting to α-smooth muscle actin was increased from PFI week 1, with a peak at PFI week 10. The semiquantitative analysis by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNAs could be increased for 20 weeks. These results indicated that different macrophage populations participated in chronically-developing rat hepatic cirrhosis with different kinetics patterns, and that these macrophages might be related to myofibroblastic cell development through the production of fibrogenic factors such as TGF-β1 and TNF-α.
Exertional Oxygen Requirements During Exercise Training in Advanced Interstitial Lung Disease

Purpose: Little is known about the oxygen requirements during physical exertion or exercise in individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD). This study examined exertional oxygen requirements, the relationships between exertional oxygen use, exercise capacity and aerobic training parameters, and predictors of change in exertional oxygen requirements during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Methods: A retrospective study of lung transplant candidates with advanced ILD who underwent at least 4 wk of outpatient PR between 2004 and 2014 was undertaken. Data were extracted at baseline, 4 wk, and 6 mo. Exertional oxygen was prescribed during PR to support continuous, moderate-intensity aerobic training. Results: The study cohort (n = 375) had a median age of 61 y (55-66 y), were 57% male, and most were diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 214). A variety of oxygen delivery systems were used and exertional oxygen requirements increased after 4 wk (0.5 [0.4-0.6] vs 0.5 [0.4-0.73], P < .001, n = 375) and 6 mo (0.44 [0.36-0.5] vs 0.5 [0.4-0.55], P < .001, n = 196) of PR. A higher exertional oxygen requirement was associated with lower 6-min walk distance and lower aerobic training intensity at all time points. There were no identified predictors of the change in exertional oxygen requirements. Conclusions: Individuals with advanced ILD had high exertional oxygen requirements to participate in moderate-intensity aerobic training, which increased over time. Exertional oxygen needs may affect exercise prescription and response during PR in ILD patients.
Timing of complementary feeding and associations with maternal and infant characteristics: A Norwegian cross-sectional study

Norwegian Health authorities recommend solid food to be introduced between child age 4–6 months, depending on both the mother´s and infant’s needs. The aim of this paper is to describe timing of complementary feeding in a current sample of Norwegian mother/infant-dyads and explore potential associations between timing of introduction to solid foods and a wide range of maternal and infant characteristics known from previous literature to influence early feeding interactions. The paper is based on data from the Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health. In 2016, a total of 715 mothers completed a web-based questionnaire at child age 5.5 months. We found that 5% of the infants were introduced to solid food before 4 months of age, while 14% were not introduced to solid food at 5.5 months of age. Introduction of solid food before 4 months of age was associated with the infant not being exclusive breastfed the first month, receiving only formula milk at 3 months, the mother being younger, not married/cohabitant, smoking, less educated and having more economic difficulties. Not being introduced to solid food at 5.5 months was associated with the infant being a girl, being exclusive breastfed the first month, receiving only breastmilk at 3 months, the mother being older, married and having 3 or more children. This study shows that there are still clear socioeconomic differences regarding timing of complementary feeding in Norway. Infants of younger, less educated and smoking mothers are at higher risk of not being fed in compliance with the official infant feeding recommendations. Our findings emphasize the importance of targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers for support on healthy feeding practices focusing on the infant`s needs to prevent early onset of social inequalities in health.
Development of a New Test of Accelerated Long-Term Forgetting in Epilepsy

Accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is a novel form of memory impairment in which epilepsy patients demonstrate intact recall and recognition after standard delays, but they show an accelerated rate of forgetting in comparison to controls when the retention period is extended. ALF has been evidenced in children with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE), who showed ALF for verbal material over a period of 1 week. Use of a minimum-learning criterion revealed that poorer initial learning was mediating the effect of ALF. The current study aimed to further investigate rates of forgetting in 5 children with IGE in comparison to 13 healthy controls, whilst developing a new spatial object-locations task to be used as a non-verbal measure of ALF. When tested immediately and at 30 minutes, memory for 2 stories was equivalent between groups but at 1 week there was a strong trend (approaching significance) for IGE participants to recall less verbal material than controls and there was a significant main effect of group and delay. IGE and control group participants did not differ in the number of trials required to reach criterion. Neither of the 2 measures of non-verbal, spatial memory revealed significant group differences, nor were there were group differences in verbal or non-verbal recognition performance. The findings are interpreted in relation to previous research and theories of memory consolidation. Directions for future research and further development of the spatial object-locations task are considered. DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TEST OF ACCELERATED FORGETTING 5
Effect of a High-Protein, High-Fiber Beverage Preload on Subjective Appetite Ratings and Subsequent Ad Libitum Energy Intake in Overweight Men and Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

Abstract Background Dietary protein and fiber have been shown to independently improve subjective measures of appetite control. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of a high-protein, high-fiber (HP/HFb) beverage taken as a preload compared with an isocaloric lower-protein, lower-fiber (LP/LFb) placebo beverage on subjective appetite ratings and subsequent energy intake at an ad libitum meal in healthy adults. Methods A total of 50 overweight/obese men and women [n = 25 men, 25 women; age 30 ± 2 y; body mass index (BMI) 29.6 ± 0.3 kg/m2] received a 160 kcal HP/HFb beverage containing 17 g protein and 6 g fiber on one occasion and an isocaloric LP/LFb placebo beverage containing 1 g protein and 3 g fiber on another occasion in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Thirty min after consumption of the beverage preload, an ad libitum pizza meal was provided to be consumed over a 30-min period. Visual analog scales (VAS) were used to assess subjective appetite ratings throughout the testing period. The Revised Restraint Scale (RRS) was used to classify participants as restrained or unrestrained eaters. Results HP/HFb led to greater reductions in postprandial desire to eat and hunger compared with LP/LFb (both, P < 0.05) but did not significantly affect postprandial fullness or prospective food consumption. Subsequent meal energy intake tended to be lower after HP/HFb compared with LP/LFb (P = 0.09). A subanalysis showed lower energy intake after HP/HFb in older participants (≥25 y) compared with LP/LFb, which was not observed in the younger participants (<25 y). Conclusions Compared with LP/LFb, a HP/HFb beverage preload reduced hunger, desire to eat, and tended to reduce subsequent food intake. Dietary restraint and age appear to influence subsequent energy intake and should be taken into account when designing nutrition interventions for weight reduction and/or maintenance. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02979717.
Computerized Attentional Training and Transfer With Virtual Reality: Effect of Age and Training Type

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess whether computerized attentional training improves dual-tasking abilities in older adults and whether its effect and transfer are modulated by age and the type of training provided. This study also used virtual reality (VR) as a proxy to measure transfer in a real life related context. Method: Sixty participants (30 older and 30 younger adults) were randomized to either: (a) single-task training (two tasks practiced in focused attention; visual detection and alphanumeric equation task); or (b) divided attention variable-priority training (varying the amount of attention to put on each task when performed concurrently). Training effects were assessed at pre- and post-training with tasks similar to the one used in training. Transfer was measured with the virtual car ride, an immersive dual-task scenario and a self-reported questionnaire. Results: In older adults, variable-priority improved attentional control abilities and led to better transfer in the VR dual-task scenario compared with single-task. Younger adults benefited equally from the two types of training and transfer was found on the Alpha span task when performed concurrently in VR. Single-task improved the ability of all participants to carry out the tasks in the focused attention condition. No transfer effects were found on the self-reported measure for either training type or age. Conclusion: Attention remains plastic in old age and programs designed to improve attentional control might be beneficial to older adults. Importantly, training can produce transfer to more real life related tasks and transfer remains possible throughout the life span.