Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence of nonlinear interaction between quasi 2 day wave and quasi‐stationary wave

The nonlinear interaction between the westward quasi 2 day wave (QTDW) with zonal wave number s = 3 (W3) and stationary planetary wave with s = 1 (SPW1) is first investigated using both Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Mesosphere Electric Dynamics (TIMED) satellite observations and the thermosphere‐ionosphere‐mesosphere electrodynamics general circulation model (TIME‐GCM) simulations. A QTDW with westward s = 2 (W2) is identified in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region in TIMED/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperature and TIMED/TIMED Doppler Imager (TIDI) wind observations during 2011/2012 austral summer period, which coincides with a strong SPW1 episode at high latitude of the northern winter hemisphere. The temperature perturbation of W2 QTDW reaches a maximum amplitude of ~8 K at ~30°S and ~88 km in the Southern Hemisphere, with a smaller amplitude in the Northern Hemisphere at similar latitude and minimum amplitude at the equator. The maximum meridional wind amplitude of the W2 QTDW is observed to be ~40 m/s at 95 km in the equatorial region. The TIME‐GCM is utilized to simulate the nonlinear interactions between W3 QTDW and SPW1 by specifying both W3 QTDW and SPW1 perturbations at the lower model boundary. The model results show a clear W2 QTDW signature in the MLT region, which agrees well with the TIMED/SABER temperature and TIMED/TIDI horizontal wind observations. We conclude that the W2 QTDW during the 2011/2012 austral summer period results from the nonlinear interaction between W3 QTDW and SPW1.
Carabid activity‐density increases with forest vegetation diversity at different spatial scales

More diverse forests are generally more resistant to insect herbivores. This might be due to positive effects of tree diversity on predation. Although the enemies hypothesis has received conflicting evidence in forest ecosystems. Carabids were sampled by pitfall trapping in a tree diversity experiment, at the centre of plots ranging from one to five tree species mixtures. The composition and vertical structure of the vegetation was assessed at three scales, in the understorey, in the canopy of the experimental plots, and in the surrounding area of each plot. None of the tested vegetation variables had an effect on the species richness of carabids. In contrast, the vegetation compositional diversity at the understorey, canopy and surrounding scales had additive and positive effects on the activity‐density of the carabids. Our findings indicate that more diverse forests can host a higher activity‐density of predatory carabids, as a result of the combined effect of horizontal and vertical vegetation diversity, which might increase both habitat quality and the amount of feeding resources. This highlights the relevance of manipulative tree diversity experiments to identify the ecological filters shaping local carabid communities.
Global climate change and invariable photoperiods: A mismatch that jeopardizes animal fitness

Abstract The Earth's surface temperature is rising, and precipitation patterns throughout the Earth are changing; the source of these shifts is likely anthropogenic in nature. Alterations in temperature and precipitation have obvious direct and indirect effects on both plants and animals. Notably, changes in temperature and precipitation alone can have both advantageous and detrimental consequences depending on the species. Typically, production of offspring is timed to coincide with optimal food availability; thus, individuals of many species display annual rhythms of reproductive function. Because it requires substantial time to establish or re‐establish reproductive function, individuals cannot depend on the arrival of seasonal food availability to begin breeding; thus, mechanisms have evolved in many plants and animals to monitor and respond to day length in order to anticipate seasonal changes in the environment. Over evolutionary time, there has been precise fine‐tuning of critical photoperiod and onset/offset of seasonal adaptations. Climate change has provoked changes in the availability of insects and plants which shifts the timing of optimal reproduction. However, adaptations to the stable photoperiod may be insufficiently plastic to allow a shift in the seasonal timing of bird and mammal breeding. Coupled with the effects of light pollution which prevents these species from determining day length, climate change presents extreme evolutionary pressure that can result in severe deleterious consequences for individual species reproduction and survival. This review describes the effects of climate change on plants and animals, defines photoperiod and the physiological events it regulates, and addresses the consequences of global climate change and a stable photoperiod.
Variation Among Isolates of Fusarium graminearum Associated with Fusarium Head Blight in North Carolina

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight (FHB) can reduce yield of wheat and decrease the value of harvested grain by accumulation of detrimental toxins. Understanding the variability of the fungal population associated with infection could improve disease control strategies. Sixty-six isolates of Fusarium graminearum associated with FHB were collected in North Carolina and tested for in vitro growth rate, in vitro production of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone, and pathogenicity on three cultivars of soft red winter wheat. Significant differences among isolates were found for all three traits. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis revealed high levels of genotypic diversity among isolates. Isolates of F. graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. avenaceum acquired from the Pennsylvania State University Fusarium Center were included for comparison in all tests. In vivo levels of DON were measured for the five isolates associated with the highest levels of disease and the five isolates associated with the low.
Miocene diversification of an open‐habitat predatorial passerine radiation, the shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes: Laniidae)

Diversification of avifaunas associated with savannah and steppes appears to correlate with open habitats becoming available, starting in the Miocene. Few comparative analyses exist for families for which all species are predominantly adapted to these habitats. One such group is Laniidae (Passeriformes), which are small‐ to medium‐sized predatory passerines known for their distinctive behaviour of impaling prey. We used multispecies coalescent‐based and concatenation methods to provide the first complete species‐level phylogeny for this group, as well as an estimate of the timing of diversification. Our analyses indicate that Laniidae as currently delimited is not monophyletic, as the genus Eurocephalus is not closely related to the remaining species. The two species currently assigned to the monotypic genera Urolestes and Corvinella are part of the same clade as the Lanius species, and we propose that they are included in the genus Lanius, making Laniidae monogeneric. The initial diversification of the clade is inferred to have occurred very rapidly, starting about 7.2–9.1 million years ago, timing depending on calibration method, but in either case coinciding with the expansion of C4 grasses. An African origin is inferred in the biogeographic analysis. In the redefined Laniidae, cooperative breeding is inferred to be restricted to a single clade, characterized by gregarious behaviour and rallying. Migratory behaviour evolved multiple times within the family.
Chemical characterization of Lavandula dentata L. essential oils grown in Uberaba-MG

ABSTRACT: The essential oils of the different parts of Lavandula dentata L. (inflorescences and aerial part without inflorescences) collected in the city of Uberaba (minas Gerais State)were obtained by hydro distillation, and their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and compared to the chemical composition of essential oil of Lavandula hybrida and Lavandula officinalis. It was observed that the essential oils of the studied species have varied chemical composition and are composed mainly of monoterpenes. The essential oils of L. hybrida and L. officinalis showed a higher concentration of linalool and linaline acetate, while L. dentata L. presented higher concentration of fenchone, eucalyptol and camphor. Results indicate that the essential oil composition of L. dentata L. grown in Uberaba is similar to those produced in Curitiba - PR, providing a promising perspective for the cultivation and extraction of essential oils of this species in Minas Gerais.
An Exploratory Study of the Black-White Achievement Gap in eMINTS Student MAP Results

This report presents Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test results from the FY00, FY01, and FY02 eMINTS cohorts. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship among factors of race, enrollment in an eMINTS classroom, and performance on the MAP examinations. Findings from this study showed that, while eMINTS enrollment did not impact the achievement gap between Black and White students in a statistically significant way, the performance of both Black and White students was higher and the gap was reduced.
The Relationship between Erciyes, Selçuk, and Akdeniz Medical School Third-Year Students’ Learning Approaches and Their Non-attendance Attitude and Tendencies

Background: Non-attendance is an undesirable student behavior. Although some studies about the factors for non-attendance behavior have been carried out at medical schools, the learning approach of a student has not been studied and it can also be a factor for non-attendance. We aimed to assess the relationship between learning approaches and non-attendance attitude and tendency. Methods: This is a correlational study. 644 students registered in three medical schools were enrolled. Data were collected during May 2015. “The Revised Two Factor Learning Approach Scale”, “Non-attendance Attitude Scale” and “Non-attendance Tendency Scale” were used as data collection tools. Results: Out of 478 studied students, 10.3% mentioned that they never missed theoretical classes and 71.3% mentioned that they never missed practical classes. Sleeplessness was the most common reason for non-attendance. 45.6% of all students thought that non-attendance affected student success. The students’ mean score for deep learning was 29.5±6.1 and for superficial learning was 30.5±5.6. The mean score for non-attendance attitude scale was 54.4±12.8 and from non-attendance tendency scale was 90.5±19.6. Conclusion: Learning approach is an effective factor for attendance. As deep learning approach is adopted, tendency for non-attendance decreases and the attitude becomes positive. Keywords: LEARNING, STUDENTS, MEDICAL, ATTENDANCE, ATTITUDE
A Multiple Comparison of Service Quality between Public, Foreign Venture and Private Sector Banks in Nepal

The present study is aimed at multiple comparisons of service quality between public, foreign venture and private sector banks in Nepal. A sample of three hundred respondents is taken from public, foreign venture and private sector banks which are headquartered in Kathmandu. Factor analysis is employed to uncover the different dimensions of service quality. The service quality dimensions are compared using ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis tests, Tukey's HSD and Dunn's test. The results of the study indicate at a direct competition between foreign banks and private banks. Public sector banks seemed to be perceived low in at least two dimensions of service quality. Keywords- banks, multiple comparison, Nepal, service quality
South Atlantic intermediate water advances into the North‐east Atlantic with reduced Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the last glacial period

The Nd isotopic composition (εNd) of seawater and cold‐water coral (CWC) samples from the Gulf of Cádiz and the Alboran Sea, at a depth of 280–827 m were investigated in order to constrain middepth water mass dynamics within the Gulf of Cádiz over the past 40 ka. εNd of glacial and Holocene CWC from the Alboran Sea and the northern Gulf of Cádiz reveals relatively constant values (−8.6 to −9.0 and −9.5 to −10.4, respectively). Such values are similar to those of the surrounding present‐day middepth waters from the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW; εNd ∼ −9.4) and Mediterranean Sea Water (MSW; εNd ∼ −9.9). In contrast, glacial εNd values for CWC collected at thermocline depth (550–827 m) in the southern Gulf of Cádiz display a higher average value (−8.9 ± 0.4) compared to the present‐day value (−11.7 ± 0.3). This implies a higher relative contribution of water masses of Mediterranean (MSW) or South Atlantic origin (East Antarctic Intermediate Water, EAAIW). Our study has produced the first evidence of significant radiogenic εNd values (∼ −8) at 19, 23–24, and 27 ka, which are coeval with increasing iceberg discharges and a weakening of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Since MOW εNd values remained stable during the last glacial period, it is suggested that these radiogenic εNd values most likely reflect an enhanced northward propagation of glacial EAAIW into the eastern Atlantic Basin.
Chemical Composition of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Fruit: Nutritional and Phytochemical Compounds

Mango fruit has a high nutritional value and health benefits due to important components. The present manuscript is a comprehensive update on the composition of mango fruit, including nutritional and phytochemical compounds, and the changes of these during development and postharvest. Mango components can be grouped into macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty, and organic acids), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and phytochemicals (phenolic, polyphenol, pigments, and volatile constituents). Mango fruit also contains structural carbohydrates such as pectins and cellulose. The major amino acids include lysine, leucine, cysteine, valine, arginine, phenylalanine, and methionine. The lipid composition increases during ripening, particularly the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The most important pigments of mango fruit include chlorophylls (a and b) and carotenoids. The most important organic acids include malic and citric acids, and they confer the fruit acidity. The volatile constituents are a heterogeneous group with different chemical functions that contribute to the aromatic profile of the fruit. During development and maturity stages occur important biochemical, physiological, and structural changes affecting mainly the nutritional and phytochemical composition, producing softening, and modifying aroma, flavor, and antioxidant capacity. In addition, postharvest handling practices influence total content of carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant capacity, and organoleptic properties.
Antiviral activity of N-ω-Chloroacetyl-L-Ornithine on in vitro replication of Chikungunya virus

The infections causes by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), family Togaviridae, genus Alfavirus, have become a health problem around the world, due to its widespread occurrence, the high morbidity rate and the absence of vaccines or antiviral treatments. We analyzed a competitive inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, enzyme key in the biosynthesis of Polyamines (PAs), N-ω-chloroacetyl-L-ornithine (NCAO), as a possible inhibitor of CHIKV replication because intracellular polyamines participate in the transcription and in vitro translation of CHIKV. NCAO does not have any cytotoxic effect on C6/36 cells even at a concentration of 1000μM at 72h after post-exposure but in Vero cells the cytotoxic effect was presented above 380μM at 48h post-exposure, which was considered when determining the inhibitory effect on viral replication. We demonstrate that NCAO inhibits the replication of CHIKV in Vero and C6/36 cells in a dose-dependent manner causing a decrease in the PFU/mL of at least 4-logarithm (p <0.01) in both cell lines. Viral yields were restored by the addition of exogenous polyamines, mainly putrescine. HPLC analyses it shown that NCAO decrease content of intracellular PAs even though in infected cells mainly decreased spermidine and spermine, so NCAO inhibits CHIKV replication, by depleting the intracellular polyamines in Vero and C6/36 cells, suggesting that this compound is a possible antiviral in CHIKV infections. Importance The infections caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), genus Alfavirus, have become a worldwide health problem, due to its high morbidity rate and the absence of vaccines or antiviral treatments. It is known that CHIKV use intracellular poliamines during transcription and traduction process, so the depletion of intracellular putrescine, spermidine and spermine reduce the viral replication. N-ω-chloroacetyl-L-ornithine (NCAO) is known as a competitive inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, key enzyme in Polyamines biosynthesis, but no studies have proven its activity on the inhibition of polyamine-dependent viral replication. Here we demonstrate NCAO inhibits in vitro CHIKV replication, so we propose NCAO as an antiviral candidate.
Rediscover and Refine QTLs for Pig Scrotal Hernia by Increasing a Specially Designed F3 Population and Using Whole-Genome Sequence Imputation Technology

Pig scrotal hernia is one of the most common congenital defects triggered by both genetic and environmental factors, leading to severe economic loss as well as poor animal welfare in the pig industry. Identification and implementation of genomic regions controlling scrotal hernia in breeding is of great appeal to reduce incidences of hernia in pig production. The aim of this study was to identify such regions or molecular markers affecting scrotal hernia in pigs. First of all, we summarized and analyzed the results of some international teams on scrotal hernia and designed a specially population which contains 246 male individuals. We then performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) in this specially designed population using two scenarios, i.e., the target panel data before and after imputation, which contain 42,365 SNPs and 18,756,672 SNPs, respectively. In addition, a series of methods including genetic differentiation analysis, linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis (LDLA), and haplotype sharing analysis were appropriate to provide for further analysis to identify the potential gene underlying the QTL. The GWAS in this report detected a highly significant region affecting scrotal hernia within a 24.8Mb region (114.1–138.9Mb) on SSC8. And the result of genetic differentiation analysis also showed a strong genetic differentiation signal between 116.1 and 132.7Mb on SSC8. In addition, the QTL interval was refined to 2.99Mb by combining LDLA and genetic differentiation analysis. Finally, two susceptibility haplotypes were identified through haplotype sharing analysis, with one potential causal gene in it. Our study provided deeper insights into the genetic architecture of pig scrotal hernia and contributed to further fine-mapping and characterize haplotype and gene that influence scrotal hernia in pigs.
Inter-Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage

Resource-oriented perspectives of strategic management are on the way to discovering a topic to which little attention has been paid so far within their own ranks: inter-firm networks. In this article, it is argued that the resource- and competence-based view ? despite its new facet of analysis ? falls back on a traditional firm-focused explanation. Conversely, the relational view, the youngest branch of strategic management, follows completely new explanatory paths. Here, an inter-firm focus is established. Overall, there are two related, but diametrically opposed strategic management approaches, each assigning a different kind of importance to the meaning of competition in the context of analysing cooperative inter-firm relations.
MicroRNA-mediated regulatory circuits : outlook and perspectives

MicroRNAs have been found to be necessary for regulating genes implicated in almost all signaling pathways, and consequently their dysfunction influences many diseases, including cancer. Understanding of the complexity of the microRNA-mediated regulatory network has grown in terms of size, connectivity and dynamics with the development of computational and, more recently, experimental high-throughput approaches for microRNA target identification. Newly developed studies on recurrent microRNA-mediated circuits in regulatory networks, also known as network motifs, have substantially contributed to addressing this complexity, and therefore to helping understand the ways by which microRNAs achieve their regulatory role. This review provides a summarizing view of the state-of-the-art, and perspectives of research efforts on microRNAmediated regulatory motifs. In this review, we discuss the topological properties characterizing different types of circuits, and the regulatory features theoretically enabled by such properties, with a special emphasis on examples of circuits typifying their biological significance in experimentally validated contexts. Finally, we will consider possible future developments, in particular regarding microRNA-mediated circuits involving long non-coding RNAs and epigenetic regulators. PAPER 2017 Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. RECEIVED
Study on behaviour of corroded RC beams repaired in shear with NSM CFRP rods

The near surface mounted reinforcement technique (NSM) is one of the promising techniques used nowadays. In the NSM technique, the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) rods are placed inside pre-cut grooves and are bonded to the concrete with epoxy adhesive. Experimental results obtained on concrete short beams taken from one beam exposed to a natural corrosion for 25 years then repaired only in flexion or in flexion and shear are reported. Results were compared to control beams. One 6-mm-diameter NSM CFRP rod is used to repair the beams. The beams were tested statically in three-point bending up to failure. Results showed that the failure mode of all repaired RC beams in flexion was by shear failure after CFRP rods slip. But the failure mode of the corroded RC beams repaired in both flexion and shear occurred due to concrete crushing. An increase was noticed in the ultimate shear capacity of those repaired beams.
German Consumption Inequality. An evaluation with a focus on the financial crisis.

How did the financial crisis impact on German demand? Are there significant differences in consumption behaviour depending on income? We analyse consumption data from 2005 to 2012/13 and find some indication for divergence of different income categories' consumption after 2009 and for a higher real interest rate sensitivity of higher income earners' consumption. Like in studies of income and wealth inequality, we also see a slight upward trend in consumption inequality that might have briefly staggered when the financial crisis hit.