Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements in Medicago sativa L. grown along the E75 route section Belgrade-Leskovac

The contents of heavy metals and trace elements and their accumulation in Medicago sativa L. , cultivated on Eutric cambisol along the E75 route section Belgrade-Leskovac, were examined in order to assess the health and safety of animal feed. The samples of soil and aerial parts of the plant material were collected from both sides of lanes at 10, 30, 50 and 400 m perpendicular to the direction of the highway. Soil and plant analyses of the metals content were done according to ICP methodology. The results showed that at the locality L 14, a distance of 30 and 50 meters away from the lanes, the content of total forms of Cr, Ni and Pb in soil was above the maximum permissible concentration. In the plant biomass it was determined the following: in a sample from the location L 14 at a distance of 50 meters from the lanes concentrations of Ni and Co were higher than normal values, and concentrations of Fe and Pb were above toxic levels or maximum tolerance levels for animal feed; determined Fe content in the sample of alfalfa at location L 11, 400 m away from the lanes, and Ni in the sample from the site D 12 at a distance of 50 m from the lanes, was above the normal values, while in the sample from D12 location, at a distance of 30 m from the lanes, the content of Pb was above the toxic levels or maximum tolerance levels for animal feed. The results suggest a caution in the use of alfalfa, grown near the highway route, for animal feed because of the potential entry of heavy metals into the food chain.
Gradual loss of genetic diversity of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. populations in the invaded range of central Serbia

As an invasive allergenic weed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. causes serious public health and economic problems in invaded ranges of Europe. Over the last two decades, while expanding toward southern parts of Serbia, this common ragweed has become a very troublesome plant species in the whole country. Considering the importance of genetic studies in understanding of invasive species, our main objectives in this study were to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic structure of Ambrosia artemisiifolia populations from Central Serbia, a relatively recently invaded region. Comparing values of genetic measures obtained by microsatellite analyses, a number of differences were detected in genetic diversity between sampled populations. Allelic richness-r (ranged from 5.42 to 7.80), the mean number of alleles per locus-NA (5.8-8.4) and the mean number of rare alleles per locus-NR (2.8-5.8) have quite similar ranges across populations. We observed greater genetic variability in populations from the northern part of investigated area than in southern populations. Based on pairwise Fst values, AMOVA results and PCo Analysis, moderate differentiation among population was detected, while the STRUCTURE analysis clearly separated SR-Kru and SR-Les. Data obtained for analyses of differentiation and gradual losses of genetic diversity of sampled populations provides useful information about invasion dynamics of common ragweed in recently invaded region. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173002 and the Secretariat for Science and Tehnological Development, Province of Vojvodina (No. 114-457-2173/2011-01]
The Potential of Rat Inner Cell Mass and Fetal Neural Stem Cells to Generate Chimeras

The rat chimera is an important animal model for the study of complex human diseases. In the present study we evaluated the chimeric potential of rat inner cell masses (ICMs) and fetal neural stem (FNS) cells. In result, three rat chimeras were produced by day 5 (D5) Sprague-Dawley (SD) blastocysts injected with ICMs derived from day 6 (D6) and D5 Dark Agouti (DA) blastocysts；four rat chimeras had been generated by D5 DA blastocyst injected with D5 SD ICMs. For the requirement of gene modification, cultured rat inner cell mass cells were assessed to produce chimeras, but no chimeras were generated from injected embryos. The potential to generate chimeras from rFNS and transfected rFNS cells were tested, but no chimeric pups were produced. Only 2 of 41 fetuses derived from D5 DA blastocyst injection with SD LacZ transfected rFNS cells showed very low number of LacZ positive cells in the section. These results indicate that DA and SD rat ICMs are able to contribute to chimeras, but their potential decreases significantly after culture in vitro (P＜0.05), and rFNS cells only have the potential to contribute to early fetal development.
Scale-dependent bias from primordial non-Gaussianity in general relativity

In this paper we examine the derivation of scale-dependent bias due to primordial non-Gaussianity of the local type in the context of general relativity. We justify the use of the Poisson equation in general relativistic perturbation theory and thus the derivation of scale-dependent bias as a test of primordial non-Gaussianity, using the spherical collapse model. The corollary is that the form of scale-dependent bias does not receive general relativistic corrections on scales larger than the Hubble radius. This leads to a formally divergent correlation function for biased tracers of the mass distribution which we discuss.
Study of cord blood nucleated RBC’s as a marker for fetal asphyxia

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is a serious problem globally and is a common cause of neonatal mortality and long term morbidity. Various Parameters are being used as predictors for birth asphyxia but the correlation between clinical presentation and the biochemical results has been unsatisfactory. NRBC count of the cord blood is reported in literature as a possible marker of perinatal asphyxia. In-utero hypoxic episode may induce a haemopoetic response of exaggerated erythropoiesis leading to the presence of nucleated RBC's in fetal circulation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether NRBC count of the cord blood can be a useful parameter to determine perinatal asphyxia. Methods: This prospective case control study was conducted in Chinmaya Mission hospital, Bangalore, India between July 2015 to June 2016.we have studied the NRBC counts from the cord blood of 50 neonates with perinatal asphyxia and 50 healthy neonates, thus comparing the results. Results: The mean NRBC /100 WBC for cases with birth asphyxia was 11.6 and that of the control group was 5.6. NRBC count was found to be significantly higher in neonates with low Apgar scores. There was correlation between the Apgar scores at 1 st and at 5 minutes, the degree of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and the NRBC counts. Conclusions: Therefore NRBC counts of the cord blood can be used as an effective tool to confirm perinatal asphyxia. It is a simple, quick, accurate and clinically effective test to diagnose and initiate treatment to prevent long term sequel of perinatal asphyxia.
Deposition temperature dependence of material and Si surface passivation properties of O3-based atomic layer deposited Al2O3-based films and stacks

The material composition and the Si surface passivation of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) films prepared by atomic layer deposition using Al(CH3)3 and O3 as precursors were investigated for deposition temperatures (TDep) between 200 °C and 500 °C. The growth per cycle decreased with increasing deposition temperature due to a lower Al deposition rate. In contrast the material composition was hardly affected except for the hydrogen concentration, which decreased from [H] = 3 at. % at 200 °C to [H] < 0.5 at. % at 400 °C and 500 °C. The surface passivation performance was investigated after annealing at 300 °C–450 °C and also after firing steps in the typical temperature range of 800 °C–925 °C. A similar high level of the surface passivation performance, i.e., surface recombination velocity values <10 cm/s, was obtained after annealing and firing. Investigations of Al2O3/SiNx stacks complemented the work and revealed similar levels of surface passivation as single-layer Al2O3 films, both for the chemical and field-ef.
Study of carcinoma breast in women under 40 years of age

Background: Carcinoma breast is the commonest malignancy in females worldwide. Although a disease of postmenopausal age, occurrence in young age is a poor prognostic factor. Hence this study was undertaken to study clinical presentation, extent of disease, treatment modalities, histopathological typing and grading of carcinoma breast in females upto 40 years and to compare tumor characteristics between very young (≤30 years) and young (30- 40 years) patients.Methods: This was a hospital based observational study conducted at Department of Surgery, GMC Nagpur, from July 2009 to November 2011. All cytologically or histologically proven cases of carcinoma breast in females ≤40 years of age giving consent were included. All the patients were evaluated by detailed clinical evaluation and investigated, treated with different modalities according to clinical stage and were followed up for a period of two months. Data was collected and tabulated into a master sheet and statistical tests were applied to test the significance of association.Results: Mean age was 35.24 years (19-40 years), 12 patients being under 30 years (very young). Mean duration of presentation 3.08 months. Mean lump size was 5.32 cm, 56% had lump >5 cm. Only 1/3rd of patients had EOBC, 2/3rd had LOBC/LABC. FNAC was 87% sensitive, ER positivity was low. All patients received multimodality treatment, 84% underwent mastectomy and none underwent BCT. We report two deaths. Very young group showed more incidence of node positivity, advanced stage of the disease and positive margin of resected specimen than young age group but had no significant difference with respect to tumor size and histopathological characteristics. Nulliparity, breast feeding and protective effect of early age at 1st pregnancy when were independently tested in operable and advanced staged cancer groups no statistically significant association was found.Conclusions: Carcinoma of breast in young females, although less common, is an aggressive disease. In India more patients present in advanced stage precluding BCT. Early diagnosis can improve outcome.
Canopy-forming species mediate the effects of disturbance on macroalgal assemblages on Portuguese rocky shores

Understanding the relationship between biodiversity and stability is a central issue in ecology. This is particularly needed under current scenarios of biodiversity loss due to multiple anthropogenic stressors. In this study, we experimentally examined the combined effects of the loss of key functional species (canopy-forming macroalgae) and mechanical disturbance on macroalgal intertidal assemblages at 2 sites along the rocky coast of northern Portugal. We tested the model that the canopy may buffer the effects of disturbance on associated organisms, leading to the logical hypothesis that effects of mechanical disturbance would be lower where the canopy was left intact compared to patches where it was experimentally removed. The proposed model was supported by multivariate and univariate results, as both differences in the structure of whole assemblages and in the abundance of individual taxa between disturbed and undisturbed assemblages were reduced or prevented by the presence of the canopy, independently of the examined site. Specifically, only in the absence of the canopy did disturbance determine a decrease in the abundance of the red alga Ahn- feltiopsis devoniensis and an increase in articulated coralline algae of the genus Corallina. Present findings have relevant implications for understanding and predicting the consequences of multiple factors responsible for the erosion of biodiversity occurring globally in coastal areas, as current rates of loss of canopy-forming species in urban areas may be expected to exacerbate the effects of predicted climate change, including modifications in intensity and temporal patterns of storms.
Effect of Ionic Compounds of Different Valences on the Stability of Titanium Oxide Colloids

Titanium oxide particles of various morphologies have been prepared for applications of scientific or industrial interest in recent decades. Besides development of novel synthetic routes and solid-state characterization of the obtained particles, colloidal stability of titanium oxide dispersions was the focus of numerous research groups due to the high importance of this topic in applications in heterogeneous systems. The influence of dissolved ionic compounds, including monovalent salts, multivalent ions and polyelectrolytes, on the charging and aggregation behaviour of titanium oxide materials of spherical and elongated structures will be discussed in the present review.
Impact of Long Term Application of Municipal Solid Waste on Physicochemical and Microbial Parameters and Heavy Metal Distribution in Soils in Accordance to Its Agricultural Uses

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), being a rich source of organic materials, can be used for agricultural applications as an important source of nutrients for soil and plants. This is also an alternative beneficial management practice for MSW generated in developing countries. In the present study, MSW treated soil samples from last four to six years at farmer’s field in Rohtak and Gurgaon states (Haryana, India) were collected. The samples were analyzed for all-important agricultural parameters and compared with the control untreated soil samples. The treated soil at farmer’s field showed increase in total N by 48 to 68%, P by 45.7 to 51.3%, and K by 60 to 67% compared to untreated soil samples. Application of sewage sludge at different sites led to increase in microbial biomass C by 60 to 68% compared to untreated soil. There was significant increase in total Cu, Cr, Ni, Fe, Pb, and Zn in all sewage sludge amended soil samples; however, concentration of all the metals were still below the current permitted (EU) limits. To study the adverse effect of heavy metals accumulation on various soil microbial activities, the sewage sludge samples (from wastewater treatment plant at Gurgaon) were artificially contaminated with heavy metal concentration above the EU limits. They were then applied to soil samples with different rates (0.5 to 4.0%) and incubated for 90 days under laboratory conditions. The samples were drawn at different intervals and analyzed for various parameters like pH, EC, total N, P, K, microbial biomass C, carbon mineralization, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) exactable heavy metals. The results were compared to the uncontaminated sewage sludge. The increasing level of sewage sludge from 0.5 to 4% led to build of organic C and total N, P and K content at the early stages of incubation. But, organic C was decreased after 90 days because of decomposition of organic matter. Biomass production was significantly increased in both contaminated and uncontaminated sewage soil samples, but also led to slight increases in metal accumulation and their bioavailability in soil. The maximum metal concentrations were found in treatment with 4% of contaminated sewage sludge amendment. Keywords—Heavy metals, municipal sewage sludge, sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, quality.
Comparative Effectiveness of Defatted Hypotensive Crude Extract, Ethyl Acetate and Butanolic Fractions of Cassytha filiformis L. on Different Models of Hypertensive Rats

The hypotensive effectiveness of defatted crude ethanolic extract, ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions of Cassytha filiformis L. have been compared on anesthesized prednisone-saline-induced (PN) and Prednisone-saline-LNAME -induced (PNL) hypertensive rats. Extract/fractions were given at the dose of 5 mg/kg each while a group treated by 100 μmol/kg oftempol was used as comparison. Extract/fractions/vehicle were commence in 3 consecutive doses intravenously every one hour interval. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) of the animals were measured (Biopac® MP 150 Data Acquisition System). Data were presented as the percentage changes of those parameters and analyzed by three way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Results showed that the ethanolic defatted extract and tempol decreased animal SBP, DBP, MAP and HR significantly (p 0.1). The average percentage decrease of animal SBP and MAP on PNL rats were higher (p 0.1). Repeated dose of all samples tent to decrease animal SBP and HR (p 0.1). These results indicated that the hypotensive effectiveness of the defatted ethanolic extract of Cassytha filiformis is better as compared to its ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions and these effects are greater on oxidative stress related hypertensive rats.
Chrysymenia wrightii (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) - a new non-native species for the European Atlantic coast.

Chrysymenia wrightii, originally described from Japan, was found for the first time from the European Atlantic coast. It was collected in several subtidal rocky bottom habitats (9-14 meters depth) of the Ria de Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain). In this work, a description of Galician gametophytic and tetrasporophytic plants is provided. They are similar to the Mediterranean and Japanese plants. DNA sequence data of materials from Galicia and Korea were investigated using nuclear SSU and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA and plastid rbcL sequences. No genetic variation was observed in the SSU, and only one substitution was detected in ITS and rbcL data between Galician and Korean samples, respectively. Our molecular data indicate that the Galician populations of C. wrightii are probably due to a recent introduction event from the northwest Pacific. Despite the fact that C. wrightii was formerly recorded as a new non-native species from a Mediterranean hotspot (Thau Lagoon, 1987-1989), it was never reported for the European Atlantic coast. After 30 years of its first report in the Mediterranean Sea, the simultaneous occurrence of C. wrightii in four subtidal localities of NW Spain suggests that this species may have colonized the region unnoticed for several years which may be related to its subtidal habitat and short life cycle. Similarly to the Mediterranean Sea, the introduction of C. wrightii on the European Atlantic coasts could be enhanced by the intensive aquaculture widely spread along the Galician coast. Curiously, C. wrightii is apparently restricted to both areas, the Ria de Arousa and the Thau Lagoon. In addition, many non-native species markedly represented in Galicia since the 1980’s were firstly reported in the Ria de Arousa. Consequently, the Ria de Arousa should be considered an outstanding European Atlantic hotspot of introduced marine species similar to the Solent region (South of England) or the Thau Lagoon.
Coupling between pressure solution creep and diffusive mass transport in porous rocks

Received 29 September 2000; revised 25 January 2002; accepted 30 January 2002; published XX Month 2002. [1] Pressure solution is widely regarded as a mechanism of ductile deformation in the upper crust. It is driven by stress differences and its rate is affected by temperature, grain size, and fluid chemistry. Pressure solution involves dissolution at grain contacts under high stress and precipitation at grain contacts on pore surfaces under low stress, leading to porosity reduction by precipitation in the pore space or by grain indentation. For a system closed at a grain scale, pressure solution is traditionally described by a mechanism involving three steps: (1) dissolution at intergranular interfaces, (2) diffusion of solutes inside the contact between two grains, and (3) precipitation on the surface of the grains in contact with the pore fluid. In this paper we propose a model where we have added a fourth step to this process, diffusive transport to other open pores, to account for the macroscopic diffusion of solutes in pore fluids, such that the deformation is not closed at the grain scale. In this model, differences in mineral solubility due to variations in stress and grain size produce concentration gradients which drive diffusive mass transport. The interaction between pressure solution at a grain scale and transport over distances of several grains can lead to the amplification of initial porosity heterogeneities and subsequent localization of deformation. Regions of intense dissolution compact and form ‘‘bands’’ in close proximity to regions where the porosity reduction is mainly due to cementation. Pressure solution augmented by large-scale diffusional transport will cause mass transport from fine-grained to coarse-grained rock volumes. We show that such processes are important during both diagenesis of sediments and compaction of fault gouge. INDEX TERMS: 3902 Mineral Physics: Creep and deformation; 5114 Physical Properties of Rocks: Permeability and porosity; 8045 Structural Geology: Role of fluids; 8159 Tectonophysics: Evolution of the Earth: Rheology—crust and lithosphere; KEYWORDS: cementation, compaction, diagenesis, gouge, pressure solution, transport Citation: Gundersen, E. , F. Renard, D. K. Dysthe, K. Bjorlykke, and B. Jamtveit, Coupling between pressure solution creep and diffusive mass transport in porous rocks, J. Geophys. Res., 107(0), XXXX, doi:10.1029/2001JB000287, 2002.
QUASI CLIFFORD ALGEBRAS AND SYSTEMS OF ORTHOGONAL DESIGNS

The representation theory of Clifford algebras has been used to obtain information on the possible orders of amicable pairs of orthogonal designs on given numbers of variables. If, however, the same approach is tried on more complex systems of orthogonal designs, such as product designs and amicable triples, algebras which properly generalize the Clifford algebras are encountered. In this paper a theory of such generalizations is developed and applied to the theory of systems of orthogonal designs, and in particular to the theory of product designs.
Full Length Research Paper Biochemical and textural properties of frozen stored (-22°C) gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata ) fillets

Skinned, vacuum packed post-rigor gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fillets were stored frozen at -22°C for up to 340 days. Sampling was carried out on fresh fillets at days 34, 91, 183, 266 and 340 of frozen storage. Tests related to muscle integrity (activity of -glucosidase and the protein content of centrifugal tissue fluids), myofibrillar protein denaturation (Ca2+- and Mg2+-ATPase activities in actomyosin extracts) and lipid degradation products (free fatty acids, peroxide values and thiobarbituric reactive substances) showed that storage time affected the integrity of muscles, and caused structural changes to myosin (or ‘actomyosin’) and hydrolysis and oxidation of lipids. A slight decrease in salt soluble proteins was observed after 266 days of frozen storage suggesting that storage time hardly affected the formation of aggregates. The water holding capacity of the stored frozen fillets decreased with storage time and was associated with the damage in muscle structures (protein content in centrifugal tissue fluids), denaturation of myofibrillar proteins and lipid degradation products (free fatty acids and peroxide value). The firmness and toughness of the frozen fillets, as measured by the Warner-Bratzler shear knife, increased slightly with storage time. The changes in toughness were associated with the state of myofibrillar proteins and changes in water holding capacity of the stored frozen fillets.