Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS AND MANURE ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF JAPANESE KNOTWEED LEAVES AND THEIR USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the effective organisms (EM) and the granulated manure on the chemical properties of Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) and the possibility of using them as a component of functional food. The field experiment was carried out in 2015-16 at the Lipnik Experimental Station (53°12'N; 14°27'E), Poland. The experiment consisted of four objects in four replications: control, effective microorganisms – EM, manure, effective microorganisms + manure. In the experiment, EmFarma PlusTM was used, which contained a mixture of specially selected non-genetically modified strains of microorganisms and their metabolites in the fermented mixture of natural ingredients. The granulated manure contained N – 2.1, P2O5 – 1.6, K2O – 5.9, Ca – 2.0, Mg 0.5 (% DM), organic substances (60% DM), and humic substances (25% DM). Compared with the control the EM, manure, and EM+manure study groups had significantly higher amounts of crude fat, by 17.8, 0.8 and 15.7 g.kg-1 , respectively. The EM and EM+manure groups had significantly higher amounts of crude ash, by 7.4 and 16 g.kg-1 , respectively. The highest phosphorus levels were observed in the EM group by 0.62 g.kg-1 . The EM and EM+manure groups had significantly higher amounts of potassium, by 3.8 g.kg-1 . The higher amounts of calcium (by 1.52 g.kg-1 ) had the EM+manure group. The EM, manure and EM+manure study groups had significantly higher amounts of zinc (6.5, 7.2, 17.6 mg.kg-1 , respectively), iron (2.1, 2.0, 14.1 mg.kg-1 , respectively) and manganese (16.4, 49.6, 16.0 mg.kg-1 , respectively). The highest molybdenum levels were found in the group fertilized EM and manure, 4.5 and 5.5 mg.kg-1 , respectively. Due to the high nutrient content, leaves of Japanese knotweed can be used as an alternative source of components in the production of functional foods and pharmaceutical preparations.
Plant Biostimulants: Importance of the Quality and Yield of Horticultural Crops and the Improvement of Plant Tolerance to Abiotic Stress—A Review

Biostimulants are among the natural preparations that improve the general health, vitality, and growth of plants and protect them against infections. They can be successfully used in both agri- and horticultural crops. The main active substances used in such preparations are humic and fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates, compounds containing nitrogen, seaweed extracts, beneficial fungi, and bacteria. Biostimulant formulations may be single- or multi-component, but the synergic action of several different components has been observed. Many groups of biostimulants have been distinguished through their method of application (soil, foliar), the material from which they were produced (plant, animal), or the process by which they were created (hydrolysis, fermentation, extraction). Natural soil stimulants can induce the development of beneficial soil organisms that provide substrates for plant growth. The use of natural preparations that are not harmful to the environment is particularly important in connection with the progressive processes of soil degradation and atmospheric pollution. This review gives an overview of the importance and influence of different natural plant biostimulants on both the yield and quality of crops.
Artisanal and farmer bread making practices differently shape fungal species community composition in French sourdoughs

Preserving microbial diversity in food systems is one of the many challenges to be met to achieve food security and quality. Although industrialization led to the selection and spread of specific fermenting microbial strains, there are still ongoing artisanal processes that may allow the conservation of a wider species diversity and genetic diversity. We examined whether the diversity of artisanal practices could lead to an increased level in fungal species diversity for bread making. We used an interdisciplinary participatory research approach including bakers, psycho-sociologists and microbiologists to analyze French bread making practices and describe fungal communities in naturally fermented sourdough of 27 bakers and 12 farmer bakers. Bread making practices were classified in two groups: the farmer-like practice group and the artisanal-like practice group. The well-known bakery yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was dominant (i.e. with a relative abundance over 50%) in only 24% of sourdoughs while other yeast species, belonging to the Kazachstania genus, were dominant in 54% of sourdoughs. Bread making practices were found to drive the distribution of fungal species across sourdoughs. The most striking bread making practice effect was the occurrence of Kazachstania humilis in sourdoughs made with artisanal-like practices and the occurrence of Kazachstania bulderi in sourdoughs made with farmer-like practices. Phenotypic divergences between sourdough and nonsourdough strains were found for K. humilis but not for K. bulderi. Overall, our results showed that preserving bread making practice diversity allows the preservation of a higher species and phenotypic diversity in microbial communities.
The Functional Connectivity between the Locust Leg Pattern Generating Networks and the Subesophageal Ganglion Higher Motor Center

Interactions among different neuronal circuits are essential for adaptable coordinated behavior. Specifically, higher motor centers and central pattern generators (CPGs) induce rhythmic leg movements that act in concert in the control of locomotion. Here we explored the relations between the subesophageal ganglion (SEG) and thoracic leg CPGs in the desert locust. Backfill staining revealed about 300 SEG descending interneurons (DINs) and some overlap with the arborization of DINs and leg motor neurons. In accordance, in in-vitro preparations, electrical stimulation applied to the SEG excited these neurons, and in some cases also induced CPGs activity. Additionally, we found that the SEG regulates the coupling pattern among the CPGs: when the CPGs were activated pharmacologically, inputs from the SEG were able to synchronize contralateral CPGs. This motor output was correlated to the firing of SEG descending and local interneurons. Altogether, these findings point to a role of the SEG in both activating leg CPGs and in coordinating their oscillations, and suggest parallels between the SEG and the brainstem of vertebrates.
Allelopathic Potential of Ethanolic Extract and Phytochemical Analysis of Paspalum maritimum Trind

ABSTRACT: Allelopathy is defined as the ability of certain plants and microorganisms to interfere with the metabolism of other species through substances released into the environment, being an alternative to control weeds and diseases. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential and identify groups of secondary metabolites of Paspalum maritimum Trind. The species Lactuca sativa, Digitaria insularis, Emilia coccinea, and Portulaca oleracea were used as recipient plants. The ethanolic extract was obtained from shoot and root of donor species to evaluate the allelopathic potential. Potentially allelopathic effects were evaluated by means of germination tests, germination speed index, and initial seedling growth. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was also performed to identify the secondary metabolites. The ethanolic extract from both plant parts had an allelopathic effect on recipient species. The presence of condensed tannins, chalcones and aurones, flavonones, steroids, and saponins were detected in the most active fraction of the shoot of P. maritimum.
Global, multiplexed dendritic computations under in vivo-like conditions

Dendrites integrate inputs in highly non-linear ways, but it is unclear how these non-linearities contribute to the overall input-output transformation of single neurons. Here, we developed statistically principled methods using a hierarchical cascade of linear-nonlinear subunits (hLN) to model the dynamically evolving somatic response of neurons receiving complex spatio-temporal synaptic input patterns. We used the hLN to predict the membrane potential of a detailed biophysical model of a L2/3 pyramidal cell receiving in vivo-like synaptic input and reproducing in vivo dendritic recordings. We found that more than 90% of the somatic response could be captured by linear integration followed a single global non-linearity. Multiplexing inputs into parallel processing channels could improve prediction accuracy by as much as additional layers of local non-linearities. These results provide a data-driven characterisation of a key building block of cortical circuit computations: dendritic integration and the input-output transformation of single neurons during in vivo-like conditions.
Use of fresh water by an estuarine-resident marine catfish: evidence from gonadal and otolith chemistry analyses

Abstract In this study, we examine how the Guri catfish Genidens genidens uses estuarine and freshwater habitats along the largest South American coastal lagoon, through the chemical analysis of otoliths and microscopic analysis of gonads. Chemical composition (Sr:Ca) of otolith edges allowed distinguishing between individuals who used the estuarine or freshwater compartments of the lagoon. The analysis of core-to-edge chemical profiles of each individual otolith revealed that the population may present two different patterns of habitat use along the lagoon. The ‘type 1’ pattern (89.5%) includes fish who appear to have been born in estuarine waters, whereas ‘type 2’ (9.5%) includes those fish born in fresh water. Nevertheless, juveniles from both patterns appear to migrate to estuarine waters. The gonad analysis shows G. genidens may reproduce in fresh water, as nearly 57% of all sampled fish were found to spawn in the freshwater portion of the lagoon. Also, the otolith core of many adult fish presented freshwater signatures, thus suggesting consistent fresh water use during early life. Our findings based on otolith and gonadal analyses challenge the previous classification of G. genidens as an estuarine resident. Rather, our results allow the suggestion that this species should be placed in the ‘estuarine and fresh water’ guild, which includes both fish completing their life cycles within the estuary and fish who consistently use freshwater habitats.
Effect of Dormex, CPPU and GA3 on berry growth and ripening of Pusa Seedless cultivar of grape

The effects of Dormex (40% aqueous Hydrogen Cyanamide), CPPU [N-(2-Chloro-4-Pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea] and GA3 on berry growth and ripening of Pusa Seedless cultivar of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) trained on telephone system were studied. The vines were treated with 1.5% Dormex (40% aqueous Hydrogen Cyanamide) solution immediately after pruning (January 4). The flowers of Dormex treated plants (D) were treated with GA3 (45 ppm) at full bloom stage and CPPU (0.1%) after fruit set, in combination of D+CPPU and D+GA3+CPPU. Dormex application induced early bud break by 30 days and enhanced ripening by 7 days in comparison to control. Both control and D grape berries followed double sigmoidal growth pattern. The berries of treatment D+CPPU and D+GA3+CPPU did not have the lag phase of growth in terms of fresh weight although they followed double sigmoidal growth pattern in terms of dry weight. The bunches from dormex treated plants were harvested 10 wk after flowering (AF), whereas that from the control plants, harvested 9 wk AF. The final berry weight was highest in T3 (30.24 g) followed by T2 (15.8 g). TSS of the berry was highest in case of D+GA3+CPPU.
Development strategy of service innovation: Near Field Communication system application

The research applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) to develop the conceptual framework and then discusses consumer attitudes and adoption behaviours with regard to NFC mobile payment system applications. Research results verify that specific factors of the TAM model and ID theory model could positively affect the NFC services adoption attitude of consumers. Furthermore, when consumers have good adoption attitudes toward innovation technology, then consumers' adoption behaviour with regard to the NFC mobile payment system will be effectively improved.
Toward Computer-Based Support of Meta-Cognitive Skills: a Computational Framework to Coach Self-Explanation

We present a computational framework designed to improve learning from examples by supporting self-explanation o the process of clarifying and making more complete to oneself the solution of an example. The framework is innovative in two ways. First, it represents the first attempt to provide computer support to example studying instead of problem solving. Second, it explicitly coaches a domain-general, meta-cognitive skill that many studies in cognitive science have shown to greatly improve learning. The framework includes solutions to three main problems: (1) to design an interface that effectively monitors and supports self-explanation; (2) to devise a student model that allows the assessment of example understanding from reading and self-explanation actions; (3) to effectively elicit further self-explanation that improves studentâs example understanding. In this paper, we describe how these solutions have been implemented in a computer tutor that coaches self-explanation within Andes, a tutoring system for Newtonian physics. We also present the results of a formal study to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the system. Finally, we discuss some hypotheses to explain the obtained results, based on the analysis of the data collected during the study. (http://aied.inf.ed.ac.uk/members00/archive/vol_11/conati/full.html)
Insights Into the Process of Guidingreflection During an Early Fieldexperience of Preservice Teachers

The purpose of this investigation was to gain insights into the process of guiding reflection during an early field experience. Four preservice teachers' (PTs') reflection on teaching was guided by the Reflective Framework for Teaching in Physical Education (RFTPE) (Tsangaridou & O'Sullivan, 1994). Other reflective assignments included a reflective journal, video analysis, and peer observation/reflection. Data collection techniques included open-ended interviewing, reflective journals, videotape analysis, and field notes. In contrast to previous Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) research, the findings indicated PTs were able to focus on multiple aspects of teaching: technical, situational, and sensitizing. All four PTs demonstrated the ability to consistently describe, justify, and critique meaningful events that occurred in the teaching/learning environment. Furthermore, the PTs' views on the value of guided reflection by the RFTPE (Tsangaridou & O'Sullivan, 1994) and the reflective assignments suggest that they perceived the early field experience as meaningful for their professional growth and development as prospective physical education teachers. Table of
Cooperative Accumulation of Dynein-Dynactin at Microtubule Minus-Ends Drives Microtubule Network Reorganization

Summary Cytoplasmic dynein-1 (dynein) is minus-end directed motor protein that transports cargo over long distances and organizes microtubules (MTs) during critical cellular processes such as mitotic spindle assembly. How dynein motor activity is harnessed for these diverse functions remains unknown. Here, we have uncovered a mechanism for how processive dynein-dynactin complexes drive MT-MT sliding, reorganization, and focusing, activities required for mitotic spindle assembly. We find that motors cooperatively accumulate, in limited numbers, at MT minus-ends. Minus-end accumulations drive MT-MT sliding, independent of MT orientation, and this activity always results in the clustering of MT minus-ends. At a mesoscale level, activated dynein-dynactin drives the formation and coalescence of MT asters. Macroscopically, dynein-dynactin activity leads to bulk contraction of millimeter-scale MT networks, demonstrating that minus-end accumulations produce network scale contractile stresses. Our data provides a model for how localized dynein activity is harnessed by cells to produce contractile stresses within the mitotic spindle. Highlights Processive dynein-dynactin complexes cooperatively form stable accumulations at MT minus-ends. Minus-end accumulations of motors slide MTs without orientation bias, leading to minus-end focusing. Minus-end accumulations of motors organize dynamic MTs into asters. Minus-end accumulations of motors drive bulk contractions of large-scale MT networks.
Enhancing Learning from Different Visualizations by Self-Explanation Prompts

The purpose of the two experiments was to investigate the potential effects of different types of visualizations and self-explanation prompts on learning human cardiovascular system in a multimedia environment. In Experiments 1 and 2, 70 and 44 college students were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions in a 2 × 2 factorial design with visualization type (animated vs. static) and prompting self-explanations (prompts vs. none) as the between subjects factors. The results of Experiment 1 revealed a positive effect of prompts on learning outcomes. Experiment 2, in which the no-prompts conditions were re-designed, partially replicated the results of Experiment 1. In addition, it revealed a significant interaction between the two factors on learning time, learning outcomes, and goal-driven self-explanations. The results of both experiments suggest that instructional designers should pay attention to learners' cognitive aspects, and utilize the combination of animated visualizations and self-explanation prompts when designing multimedia environments.
Population dynamics of Podocarpus lambertii in southern Brazilian forest–grassland mosaics

The grasslands conversion to forests is occurring globally and modifying the population dynamics of species. Here, we characterized the population dynamics of Podocarpus lambertii Klotzsch ex Endl. over four years in southern Brazilian forest–grassland mosaics. We asked (i) if the studied P. lambertii population would decrease or increase over time and (ii) what the role of forest patches is in the growth and recruitment of a P. lambertii population. Thus, we studied forest–grassland mosaics, stratified the population into four demographic classes, evaluated the population dynamics, and estimated the correlation between canopy cover and average number of individuals. All individuals of P. Lambertii occurred in forest patches. Density was high but decreased from seedlings to the reproductive stage. The population growth rate was λ = 1.025, and the recruitment of individuals was high and variable among years. The transition and mortality rates showed a pattern of reduction from seedlings to the reproductive stage. Mortality rate for seedlings and juveniles was low and concentrated at the smaller heights. The correlations between canopy cover and the average number of individuals were positive and significant. The ecological characteristics of this species and specific conditions provided by forest patches allow population growth and species conservation in the southern Brazilian forest–grassland mosaics.
THE IMPACT OF USING CLICKERS TECHNOLOGY ON CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION: STUDENTS’ AND TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES

The purpose of this paper is to report a study that examined the impact of using Clickers technology on classroom instruction from both the students’ and the teachers’ perspectives. The students in this study came from six high school Spanish classes, and the teachers were from six different subject areas in the high school and two elementary schools of the same school district. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using survey and interview methods. The findings from the study suggested that the use of Clickers seemed to be able to improve student interest and engagement in class activities as well as students’ scores on assessments.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Neonicotinoid insecticides are used extensively in agriculture and, as a consequence, are now detectable in nearby aquatic environments. Few studies have evaluated the effects of neonicotinoids on amphibians in these aquatic environments. In the present study, we examined the effects of 2 commercial formulations of neonicotinoids (active ingredients clothianidin and thiamethoxam) on survival and life‐history traits of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens). We used artificial pond mesocosms to assess the effects of these neonicotinoids, at nominal concentrations of 2.5 and 250 μg/L, on amphibian larval development through metamorphosis. We found no differences between controls and neonicotinoid exposure for any of the endpoints assessed for either wood frogs or leopard frogs. The present study suggests that concentrations meeting or exceeding observed levels of clothianidin and thiamethoxam in surface waters will not directly affect metamorphosis in 2 amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1967–1977. © 2019 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada.
Bayesian inference of infectious disease transmission from whole genome sequence data

Genomics is increasingly being used to investigate disease outbreaks, but an important question remains unanswered – how well do genomic data capture known transmission events, particularly for pathogens with long carriage periods or large within-host population sizes? Here we present a novel Bayesian approach to reconstruct densely-sampled outbreaks from genomic data whilst considering within-host diversity. We infer a time-labelled phylogeny using BEAST, then infer a transmission network via a Monte-Carlo Markov Chain. We find that under a realistic model of within-host evolution, reconstructions of simulated outbreaks contain substantial uncertainty even when genomic data reflect a high substitution rate. Reconstruction of a real-world tuberculosis outbreak displayed similar uncertainty, although the correct source case and several clusters of epidemiologically linked cases were identified. We conclude that genomics cannot wholly replace traditional epidemiology, but that Bayesian reconstructions derived from sequence data may form a useful starting point for a genomic epidemiology investigation.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF NEMATODES OF THE OPOSSUM Didelphis albiventris AND THE ARMADILLO Dasypus novemcinctus FROM SERRA DA CAPIVARA NATIONAL PARK

Serra da Capivara National Park (SCNP) in Northeast Brazil has the largest concentration of prehistoric sites in the Americas where studies of coprolites of ancestral parasitic fauna reported the presence of morphotypes of nematode eggs identified as Aspidoderidae and Trichostrongyloidea from dasypodid hosts. Among the current mammals inhabiting the park, the opossum Didelphis albiventris and the armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus were found roadkill in the nearby area. The aim of this work was to perform an integrative taxonomic analysis of adult nematode parasites of D. albiventris (N = 3) and D. novemcinctus (N = 2) found roadkill in the SCNP using morphological, ultrastructural and genetic approaches. The nematodes studied included Aspidodera raillieti and Aspidodera subulata (Aspidoderidae) collected from D. albiventris , and Aspidodera binansata, Aspidodera vazi (Aspidoderidae) and Hadrostrongylus speciosum (Trichostrongylidae) from D. novemcinctus . A new geographic locality of four species of Aspidoderidae and one Trichostrongylidae species are reported with new ultrastructural data using scanning electron microscopy of A. binansata and A. vazi . New genetic data of aspidoderids include sequences of partial 18S rRNA (SSU) and partial 28S rRNA (LSU) genes of A. raillieti , the first sequence of 16S rRNA of A. vazi and additional sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c-oxidase subunit 1, internal transcribed spacer 1, 2 and 5.8S rRNA gene of A. raillieti . These are the first partial sequences of 18S rRNA (SSU) and 28S rRNA (LSU) genes of species of the family Aspidoderidae, linked to a vouchered specimen.