Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Converting conventional agriculture to poplar bioenergy crops: soil greenhouse gas flux

ABSTRACT Conversion of agricultural fields to bioenergy crops can affect greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Soil GHG emissions were measured seasonally in poplar bioenergy and agricultural fields at three Northwestern US locations. A forest stand was also used at one location for comparison. A portable gas analyzer was used to measure CO2 efflux and CH4 and N2O fluxes were first measured with chambers and later with gradients. Agricultural soil had 17% larger CO2 efflux rates than poplar soil. Chamber fluxes showed no differences in CH4 uptake but did show higher N2O fluxes in poplar than agricultural soil. Gradient CH4 uptake rates were highest in agricultural soil in the summer but showed no N2O flux differences. Forest soils had smaller quarterly CO2 efflux rates than agricultural soils and greater CH4 uptake rates than poplar soils. The largest GHG contributor to soil GHG flux was CO2, with those being ∼1000 times larger than CH4 flux rates and ∼500 times larger than N2O flux rates based on CO2 equivalences. Converting conventional agricultural cropland to poplar bioenergy production does not have adverse effects on soil greenhouse gas flux and these results could be useful for modeling or life cycle analysis of land use conversion.
Mass Spectrometry and 1H-NMR Study of Schinopsis lorentzii (Quebracho) Tannins as a Source of Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Principles

The ethyl acetate extract of the commercial tannin Tan’Activ QS-SOL (from Schinopsis lorentzii wood), employed for the production of red wine, was subjected to chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, providing nine fractions (A-1–A-9), which were estimated for total phenols content (GAE), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ORAC), and hypoglycemic activity (α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition). All the fractions were analyzed by means of HPLC/ESI-MS/MS and 1H-NMR to identify the principal active constituents. Fractions A-1 and A-3 showed the highest antioxidant activity and gallic acid (1), pyrogallol (3), eriodictyol (6), catechin (12), and taxifolin (30) were identified as the major constituents. The highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed in fractions A-7–A-9 containing condensed (9′, 15, 18, 19, 23, and 27) hydrolysable tannins (13 and 32) as well as esters of quinic acid with different units of gallic acid (5, 11, 11′, 14, and 22). This last class of gallic acid esters are here reported for the first time as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors.
Dysregulated oscillatory connectivity in the visual system in autism spectrum disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasingly associated with atypical perceptual and sensory symptoms. Here we explore the hypothesis that aberrant sensory processing in ASD could be linked to atypical intra- (local) and inter-regional (global) brain connectivity. To elucidate oscillatory dynamics and connectivity in the visual domain we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) and a simple visual grating paradigm with a group of 18 adolescent autistic participants and 18 typically developing controls. Both groups showed similar increases in gamma (40-80Hz) and decreases in alpha (8-13Hz) frequency power in occipital cortex. However, systematic group differences emerged when analysing local and global connectivity in detail. Firstly, directed connectivity was estimated using non-parametric Granger causality between visual areas V1 and V4. Feedforward V1-to-V4 connectivity, mediated by gamma oscillations, was equivalent between ASD and control groups, but importantly, feedback V4-to-V1 connectivity, mediated by alpha (8-14Hz) oscillations, was significantly reduced in the ASD group. This reduction was correlated with autistic traits, indicating an atypical visual hierarchy in autism, with reduced top-down modulation of visual input via alpha-band oscillations. Secondly, at the local level in V1, coupling of alpha-phase to gamma amplitude (alpha-gamma PAC) was reduced in the ASD group. This implies dysregulated local visual processing, with gamma oscillations decoupled from patterns of wider alpha-band phase synchrony, possibly due to an excitation-inhibition imbalance. More generally, these results are in agreement with predictive coding accounts of neurotypical perception and indicate that visual processes in autism are less modulated by contextual feedback information.
Malta and Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain) cart-ruts and rock prehistoric calendar at Zonzamas, Lanzarote -"Quesera"/Cheeseboard

It is noticed that the abundant Malta cart-ruts fabrication by different cut shape in rocks is similar to “Quesera”/Cheeseboard Lanzarote rock prehistoric lunisolar calendar building. Even more, some Malta cart-ruts associated structures are similar to this Lanzarote rock calendar. Cart-ruts are hand made artifacts that in Malta started to be built up at Bronze Age; at present, they may be found throughout all Mediterranean area (North and South) and also in Atlantic islands, including Lanzarote, as described in this paper, British Islands and Azores. Rock calendar-like structures in Malta are associated to cart-ruts; we have analyzed those at San Gwan, Ta Cenc and San Pawl tat-Targa. It is uncertain whether they might have been used as calendars. Cart-rut purposes have been debated. Some of them may be associated to water collection, but their use to bear vehicles is not credible for many of them are constructed on steep hills, or even top of mountains, and with no sign of vehicles or living beings close to them. We put forward an astronomical /religious purpose for some of them to measure time and directions (space), like most Malta temples do have, i.e.: main door oriented to South, Summer Solstice marking and a Sun calendar throughout 12 months starting June 21st (Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temples). Search of a universal purpose for all extant cart-ruts in all areas, which are time stratified, is not a right approach for us. Keywords: Malta, Cart-ruts, Lanzarote, Quesera/Cheeseboard, Lunisolar calendar, Iberian writing, Guanche writing, Zonzamas, Canary Islands, Guanches, Majos, Archaeoastronomy
Estimation of Genetic Architecture in Agro-Morphological Traits of Garden Pea in Mid Hill Region of Uttarakhand

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) 2n = 2x = 14 is one the most important legume crop of India, Based on genetic diversity, Central Asia, the Near East, Abyssinia and the Mediterranean have been recognized as centres of origin for pea (Gritton, 1980). Pea is rich source of different phyto-nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants benefiting for human health. Greens pods are excellent source of Folic acid, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) & Vitamin K. It is grown at higher altitudes in tropics with temperatures from 7 to 30 °C (Duke, 1981). The overall yield of pea is low in India as compared to the world average yield due to the narrow genetic base and limited variability used in the development of local varieties (Kumar et al., 2004). Genetic variability plays an important role in a crop in selecting the best genotypes for making rapid improvement in yield and quality characters as well as to select the potential parent for hybridization programmes.
Possible Diagnostic Delays and Missed Prevention Opportunities in Pneumocystis Pneumonia Patients Without HIV: Analysis of Commercial Insurance Claims Data-United States, 2011-2015.

Background Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a life-threatening but treatable and preventable fungal infection in immunocompromised persons. Previous studies suggest that persons without HIV who develop PCP (PCPHIV-) experience more acute, severe illness than persons with HIV who develop PCP (PCPHIV+). We analyzed health insurance claims data to compare demographics, underlying conditions, symptoms, and prescriptions for PCPHIV+ and PCPHIV-. Methods We used the IBM MarketScan Research Databases to identify patients diagnosed with PCP during 2011-2015. We analyzed claims 1 year before to 3 months after diagnosis to compare PCPHIV+ and PCPHIV-. Results Among 3938 patients, 70.4% were PCPHIV-. Compared with PCPHIV+, PCPHIV- were more likely to be older (median, 60 vs 45 years; P < .0001), female (51.5% vs 20.2%; P < .0001), hypoxemic (13.5% vs 7.1%; P < .0001), and to die within 90 days (6.6% vs 4.2%; P < .0001). The most common underlying conditions among PCPHIV- included chronic pulmonary diseases (54.6%), solid tumors (35.1%), hematologic malignancies (20.1%), and rheumatologic conditions (14.0%). The median time between the first visit for PCP-related symptoms and PCP diagnosis was longer for PCPHIV- than PCPHIV+ (25 vs 16 days; P < .0001). In the 3 months before PCP diagnosis, PCPHIV- were less likely to have an outpatient prescription for PCP prophylaxis than PCPHIV+ (6.9% vs 10.6%; P = .0001). Conclusions PCPHIV- may experience a prolonged illness course and diagnostic delays compared with PCPHIV+. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for PCP in immunocompromised patients with compatible symptoms, regardless of HIV status.
Décompositions tensorielles pour la complétion de bases de connaissance. (Tensor decompositions for knowledge base completion)

Dans cette these, nous abordons le probleme de prediction de liens dans des tenseurs binaires d'ordre trois et quatre contenant des observations positives uniquement. Ce type de tenseur apparait dans les problemes de recommandations sur le web, en bio-informatique pour completer des bases d'interactions entre proteines, ou plus generalement pour la completion bases de connaissances. Ces dernieres nous permettent d'evaluer nos methodes de completion a grande echelle et sur des types de graphes relationnels varies.Notre approche est parallele a celle de la completion de matrice. Nous resolvons de maniere non-convexe un probleme de minimisation empirique regularise sur des tenseurs de faible rangs. Dans un premier temps, nous validons empiriquement notre approche en obtenant des performances superieures a l'etat de l'art sur de nombreux jeux de donnees.Ces performances ne peuvent etre atteintes que pour des rangs trop eleves pour que cette methode soit applicable a l'echelle de bases de connaissances completes. Nous nous interessons dans un second temps a la decomposition Tucker, plus expressive que la decomposition Canonique, mais plus difficile a optimiser. En corrigeant l'algorithme adaptatif Adagrad, nous arrivons a optimiser efficacement des decompositions Tucker dont le cœur est aleatoire et fixe. Ces methodes nous permettent d'ameliorer les performances en completion pour une quantite faible de parametres par entites.Finalement, nous etudions le cas de base de connaissances temporelles, dans lesquels les predicats ne sont valides que sur certains intervalles de temps. Nous proposons une formulation faible rang et une regularisation adaptee a la structure du probleme, qui nous permet d'obtenir des performances superieures a l'etat de l'art.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) Using STS 316L

This study aimed to understand the effect of heat accumulation on microstructure formation on STS 316L during multilayer deposition by a laser metal deposition (LMD) process and to predict the microstructure morphology. A comprehensive experimental and numerical study was conducted to quantify the solidification parameters (temperature gradient (G) and growth rate (R)) in the LMD multilayer deposition process. During deposition, the temperature profile at a fixed point in the deposit was measured to validate the numerical model, and then the solidification parameters were quantified using the model. Simultaneously, the microstructure of the deposit was investigated to confirm the microstructure morphology. Then, a relationship between the microstructure morphology and the G/R was proposed using a solidification map. The findings of this study can guide the design of scanning paths to produce deposits with a uniform structure.
Characterization of Nanoparticles Using DSPE-PEG2000 and Soluplus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characterized hydration method to prepare nanoparticles using Soluplus, a block copolymer with amphipathic properties, and distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DSPE)-PEG2000 owing to particle size distribution, zeta potential, particle stability, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observed and 31P-NMR spectra. The results showed that, in a suspension of DSPE-PEG2000 and Soluplus at a ratio of 1/1, the prepared microparticles were stable for five days in the dark and at 25 °C. It was also confirmed that the 1/1 suspension of DSPE-PEG2000/Soluplus was stable for five days under the same conditions with the magnesium chloride solution. TEM measurements confirmed the presence of micelle-like particles of 50 to 150 nm in the 1/1 ratio mix of DSPE-PEG2000/Soluplus. 31P-NMR spectral data confirmed that DPSE-PEG2000/Soluplus at mixing ratio of 1/1 has a strong intermolecular with the phosphate group, indicated by the fact that the peak shift and the full width at half maximum were the largest compared with DSPE-PEG2000 with the intermolecular interaction. On the basis of the findings of this study, we conclude that microparticles can be formed using DSPE-PEG2000 and Soluplus via the hydration method, and that the optimum weight ratio of DSPE-PEG2000 to Soluplus is 1/1.
Efficacy of a group career construction intervention with urban youth of colour

ABSTRACT The efficacy of a three-week career construction counselling group intervention that was structured using the My Career Story workbook [Savickas, M. L. , & Hartung, P. J. (2012). My career story: An autobiographical workbook for life-career success. www.vocopher. com] was examined using a pre/post-test design. The group intervention was delivered within an urban high school largely comprising African American, Puerto Rican and Dominican students across two semesters. Both groups completed two pre/post-test measures of vocational identity and a career adaptability measure. Results indicated that the career construction intervention increased scores on measures of vocational identity and control and conﬁdence dimensions of career adaptability. Implications for career intervention with adolescents of colour and for future research are discussed.
Inhibition of Satellite RNA Associated Cucumber Mosaic Virus Infection by Essential Oil of Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott

The present results dealing with the antiphytoviral activity of essential oil indicate that these plant metabolites can trigger a response to viral infection. The essential oil from Micromeria croatica and the main oil components β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide were tested for antiphytoviral activity on plants infected with satellite RNA associated cucumber mosaic virus. Simultaneous inoculation of virus with essential oil or with the dominant components of oil, and the treatment of plants prior to virus inoculation, resulted in a reduction of virus infection in the local and systemic host plants. Treatment with essential oil changed the level of alternative oxidase gene expression in infected Arabidopsis plants indicating a connection between the essential oil treatment, aox gene expression and the development of viral infection.
Natural hybridization of Luciobarbus barbulus x Luciobarbus kersin and Luciobarbus barbulus x Luciobarbus xanthopterus in the Persian Gulf Basin

Among vertebrates, hybridization is common phenomena in cyprinid fishes particularly among closely related species/genera which share common habit and habitat (niche) requirements and desires. In this paper we report presence of two hybrids of Luciobarbus barbulus x Luciobarbus kersin and Luciobarbus barbulus x Luciobarbus xanthopterus from the Tigris River tributaries (the Persian Gulf basin), southwestern Iran. The hybrid specimens were identified on the basis of their intermediate morphological characteristics with the parent species and the position of them in the clade and close genetic distance with their maternal sequences. Our studies showed intermediate characteristics between putative hybrids and their parents. In the putative hybrid of L. barbulus and L. kersin, the general characteristics and morphometric measurements are similar to one parent especially paternal characteristics (L. kersin), although most of the meristic characteristics are similar to maternal characteristics (L. barbulus). The other putative hybrid between L. barbulus and L. xanthopterus show the general appearance for L. barbulus (the putative father) and some meristic characteristics were similar to L. xanthopterus (the putative mother). Low abundance of the hybrids shows that the hybridization might be a random event.
Advertisement calls of Fejervarya multistriata (Anura: Dicroglossidae), with a review of anurans in China

Vocalization plays an important role in the communication of anurans. In this study, the advertisement calls of male Fejervarya multistriata obtained in Lishui, Zhejiang, China during the breeding season were recorded. Their note number (NN), note duration (ND), note interval (NI), call duration (CD), pitch (PIT), call intensity (CIT) and dominant frequency (DF) were analyzed. The calls of F. multistriata are composed of one to 38 notes, and calls composed of fewer than ten notes have the highest frequency. Male frogs produced calls ranging from 1201 Hz to 3357 Hz with two DFs (1412.49 Hz and 2953.89 Hz). By comparing the differences among individual calls, it was found that the within-individual coefficients of variation (CVW) and among-individual coefficients of variation (CVA) for NN, NI, CD, PIT and DF were more than 10%, whereas that of CIT was less than 5%. The CVA/CVW ratios showed that ND is important for sexual selection, whereas NN, NI CD, PIT, CIT, and DF are important for individual recognition. Phylogenetic generalized least squares analysis showed that phylogenetic signals affect DF vs. snout–vent length (SVL) and CD of anurans in China, and accounting for phylogenetic signals, DF was negatively correlated with SVL. DF was found to be higher in anurans that breed in flowing water than in those that breed in stagnant water, after eliminating the effects of phylogeny and SVL. Therefore, we concluded that phylogenetic effects, SVL, and the water type of breeding habitats have a combined impact on the advertisement calls in anurans.
Effect of Different Spectral Power Distributions on Mesopic Visual Performance with Blue Light-filtering Intraocular Lens

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work is to analyze the interaction between the spectral transmittance of old-aged subjects, before and after cataract surgery and blue light-filtering intraocular lens implantation, and the spectral power distribution of common street lamps, under conditions typical of nighttime driving. We analyzed contrast threshold and visual reaction time in off-axis vision at different mesopic illumination conditions provided by high-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps. Three groups of subjects with different spectral transmittances participated: young subjects as control group, old-aged subjects with senile cataracts and the same subjects after cataract surgery and blue light-filtering IOL implantation. A clear interaction appears between the spectral power distribution and the spectral transmittance, depending on the visual task. Transparent ocular media allow benefiting from the greater short-wavelength content of the halide lamp. However, cataracts increase contrast threshold and visual reaction time values and also affects how the spectral power distribution influences these visual tasks. After surgery and intraocular lens implantation, visual performance improves for both lamps and the blue light-filter seems to influence spectral transmittance, which affects visual performance under light provided by greater short-wavelength content lamps. Cataract surgery is responsible for an improvement in contrast threshold and visual reaction time tasks, though blue light-filtering of the intraocular lens seems to prevent the visual system from benefiting from lamps with greater emission at short wavelengths.
Estimation of Postmortem Interval from Cartilage Changes of Rabbit Auricle

In forensic practice, estimating the time of death is one of the most important procedures but is often extremely difficult. There are many methods for estimating the time of death, which can be divided into two categories (rate methods and concurrence methods). Postmortem decompositional changes to auricular cartilage were analyzed to help establish a new methodology in determining the postmortem interval. Methods: The ears were collected from rabbits buried in simulated shallow graves for different time periods (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 days). The auricles were examined both macroscopically and microscopically to detect changes occurring over a specified time. Results: Numerous macroscopic changes including color and texture changes and gradual degradation of cartilage were observed. LM showed gradual structural changes in the tissue over time including: cartilage matrix density and nuclear material. Conclusion: Postmortem degradation of ear cartilage may be useful for estimating a presumptive postmortem interval.
Kinetic-scale Flux Rope in the Magnetosheath Boundary Layer

We here present a new type of kinetic-scale (∼1 ion gyroradius) flux rope (KFR) in the Earth’s dayside magnetosheath boundary layer with Magnetospheric Multiscale high temporal cadence data. This structure exhibits a slight twist of magnetic field that is possibly generated by a field-aligned current, which differs from typical dayside flux ropes usually observed within the current sheet where magnetic reconnection can occur. The perpendicular electron fluxes within 19–52 eV are increased ∼10% inside the KFR. Detailed analysis shows that these perpendicular electrons may encounter their mirror point (at the position of the KFR, strong field region) when traveling from the magnetosheath toward the ionosphere and will be reflected to the magnetosheath. A possible scenario is that this KFR is different from previous flux ropes that transfer electron flux to the magnetosphere but could intercept magnetosheath large pitch angle electron flux to the magnetosphere.
Land use changes the soil carbon stocks, microbial biomass and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in Brazilian semiarid area

ABSTRACT Land use affect soil C and microbial structure, especially in tropical dry areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the land use on physical, chemical, and microbiological attributes of soils from Brazilian semiarid. We analyzed soil physical, chemical, total carbon stocks (TCS), water-soluble carbon (WSC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial structure of soil from forest, no irrigation maize, succession areas (Anadenanthera falcate and Tabebuia alba) and secondary shrubby vegetation. The use of soil influences C stock. The forest soil showed higher TCS and MBC. The conversion in T. alba reduced in 9% soil total bacteria. The multivariate analysis showed that TCS, MBC and FAMEs contributed to separation of natural forest and other areas in the superficial layer. This study indicates that the conversion of forest into successional areas can decrease by up to 44% TCS and 68% MBC. The present study provided alarming data concerning the impact of land use on quality of soil in a tropical dry region in Northeastern Brazil. Our results provide an alternative tool for the management of deforested dry areas that could serve as guideline for management plan to sustainability for agricultural impacted dry areas.