Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Substrate quality drives fungal necromass decay and decomposer community structure under contrasting vegetation types

Fungal mycelium is increasingly recognized as a central component of soil biogeochemical cycling, yet our current understanding of the ecological controls on fungal necromass decomposition is limited to single sites and vegetation types. By deploying common fungal necromass substrates in a temperate oak savanna and hardwood forest in the midwestern USA, we assessed the generality of the rate at which high‐ and low‐quality fungal necromass decomposes; further, we investigated how the decomposer ‘necrobiome’ varies both across and within sites under vegetation types dominated by either arbuscular or ectomycorrhizal plants. The effects of necromass quality on decay rate were robust to site and vegetation type differences, with high‐quality fungal necromass decomposing, on average, 2.5 times faster during the initial stages of decay. Across vegetation types, bacterial and fungal communities present on decaying necromass differed from bulk soil microbial communities and were influenced by necromass quality. Moulds, yeasts and copiotrophic bacteria consistently dominated the necrobiome of high‐quality fungal substrates. Synthesis. We show that regardless of differences in decay environments, high‐quality fungal substrates decompose faster and support different types of decomposer micro‐organisms when compared with low‐quality fungal tissues. These findings help to refine our theoretical understanding of the dominant factors affecting fast cycling components of soil organic matter and the microbial communities associated with rapid decay.
A Novel Structure to Reduce Degradation Under Mechanical Bending in Foldable Low Temperature Polysilicon TFTs Fabricated on Polyimide

In this study, a novel structural device, named as a wing-shaped TFT, is proposed and is demonstrated to prevent fast deterioration under mechanical bending in foldable devices. After long-term mechanical bending, standard low-temperature polysilicon TFTs exhibit instability behaviors such as sub-channel formation, serious threshold voltage shifts, an on-current (ION) increase, and an off-current (IOFF) decrease. These phenomena are believed to be due to additional oxide traps along the channel-width edges of the gate insulator after bending. In order to suppress this degradation, a wing-shaped structure is proposed. By extending the active layer, degradation regions are shifted away from the main channel. Therefore, the reliability of the devices is enhanced. The transfer characteristics show enhanced electrical behavior after being held for 48 hours in a static bent condition, with an 88% drop in threshold voltage shift as well as a 55% decrease in subthreshold swing degradation, proving better durability of the foldable TFT to bending stress for devices with these wings. Time-dependent transfer characteristics, a COMSOL simulation, and device geometry are discussed to support our findings.
Caracterização molecular de cultivares de batata Solanum tuberosum L. utilizando marcadores RAPD e SSR

ROCHA, E. A. Molecular characterization of potato cultivars (solanum tuberosum L.) using RAPD and SSR markers. 2008. 87p. Dissertation (Master Program in Agronomy/Plant Biotecnology) – Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The introduction of new cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has been an adopted strategy to increase the productivity of this culture. Potato presents narrow genetic base, what makes the identification of their cultivars using morphologic markers difficult. Thus, it is necessary to use methods that can identify them and evaluate their genetic variability in its germoplasm. This work was carried out to evaluate the genetic divergence and to identify potato cultivars, using RAPD and SSR markers. A total of 16 cultivars were evaluated, supplied by the Multiplanta Vegetal Technology Ltda company. The genomic DNA was amplified with RAPD primer and with pairs of SSR primers.The generated fragments were analyzed by agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, depending on the marker. The genetic distances were gotten by Jaccard coefficient and the groupings were carried out using UPGMA method. Additionally, the values of PIC were calculated for used RAPD and SSR primers. The 25 RAPD primers generated 92 polymorphic bands and the 20 pairs of SSR primers produced 136 polymorphic bands, which were enough to establish the genetic similarity among studied cultivars. The grouping analysis produced the dendrograms that allowed a genetic distinction of cultivars. The values of PIC demonstrated high informative content of RAPD and SSR primers and, with the use of 6 RAPD and 3 SSR primers, it was possible to identify all the 16 analyzed cultivars. RAPD and SSR markers were adjusted for genetic diversity studies and the characterization of potato cultivars, confirming the potential of the techniques in the analysis of fingerprinting in the genetic characterization of potato cultivars. 2 Guidance Committee: Luciano Vilela Paiva – UFLA (Adviser), Claudia Teixeira Guimaraes – Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Co-Adviser).
A Report of Freshwater Sponge (Porifera: Spongillidae) in Central Nebraska

Little has been reported about the occurrence of freshwater sponges in Nebraska and no publications have previously recorded from central Nebraska waters. A large colony of freshwater sponges was discovered on the steel interior walls of a sunken (3.5 meters) delivery truck in a sand/rock quarry of the Platte River Valley near Kearney, Nebraska. Samples were collected and characteristics of the sponge were examined under magnification. Morphology indicates the sponge is a member of the genus Ephydatia. Although the species was not conclusively determined, it shares the most characteristics with E. muelleri. This is the first confirmed record of sponges from the Platte River drainage and central Nebraska. Introduction Sponges are filter-feeding animals that use large networks of internal channels to filter food and are thus exposed to waterborne pollutants. Thus sponges are potentially sensitive indicators of water quality and have been shown to be susceptible to changing pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and other potential environmental contaminants (Kahlert and Neumann 1997, Hill and Hill 2002). Several thousand species of sponges have been identified, of which the vast majority are marine. Spongillidae is the only identified family of sponges found in North American fresh waters. In the United States, approximately 30 species of freshwater sponges have been identified with most found in the There is limited information on sponges in Nebraska. To date, only a single publication has recorded the presence of sponges in Nebraska. Dawson (1966) identified species associated with a fish hatchery in the northern Nebraska sandhills as Meyenia mulleri, Spongilla fragilis, and Carterius tubispermis. The taxonomy of sponges is currently undergoing substantial changes and Van Soest, et al. (2010) designate these species as Ephydatia muelleri, Eunapis fragilis, and Heteromeyenia tubisperma, respectively. This paper represents the first record of sponges in the Platte River Valley of central Nebraska.
Differential Roles of Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation

The roles of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in long-term potentiation (LTP) were investigated in the CA1 area of hippocampal slices, using electrophysiological and biochemical approaches. A brief high-frequency stimulation, but not low-frequency stimulation, delivered to Schaffer collateral/commissural afferents produced a stable LTP and activated both CaM kinase II and 42 kDa MAPK. Different from the activity of CaM kinase II, the increase in MAPK activity was transient. At a concentration of 50 μm, but not of 30 μm,PD098059, a potent inhibitor of MAPK kinase, markedly inhibited the induction of LTP. Although the two concentrations had similar inhibitory effects on MAPK activity, only 50 μm PD098059 suppressed the activation of CaM kinase II. Application of calmidazolium, an antagonist of calmodulin, blocked both CaM kinase II activation and the LTP induction without affecting the increase in 42 kDa MAPK activity. Application of neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoted the induction of LTP, with concomitant activation of CaM kinase II. Under the same conditions, BDNF failed to activate MAPK in hippocampal slices. These results indicate that, although the LTP induction is accompanied by increases in two kinase activities, only CaM kinase II activation is required for this event.
A Bifunctional Electroactive Ti4O7-Based Membrane System for Highly Efficient Ammonia Decontamination

Herein, an electroactive filtration system, consisting of a Ti4O7 anode and a Pd-Cu co-modified nickel foam cathode, was developed and applied for the decontamination of ammonia from water. When assisted with an external electrical field, ClO• was generated on the surface of the Ti4O7 anode, which then reacted selectively with ammonia to generate N2. The anodic byproduct, NO3−, could also be reduced efficiently at the functional cathode to produce N2 as well. Electron paramagnetic resonance technique and radical scavenging tests synergistically verified the essential role of ClO• during the highly efficient ammonia conversion process. Relative to conventional batch systems, the developed flow-through design demonstrated enhanced ammonia conversion kinetics, thanks to the convection-enhanced mass transport. The proposed technology also showed desirable stability across a wide environmental matrix. This work provides new insights for the development of advanced and affordable continuous-flow systems towards effective decontamination of ammonia.
Time-Series Momentum: Is It There?

Time series momentum (TSM) refers to the predictability of the past 12-month return on the next one-month return and is the focus of several recent influential studies. This paper shows that asset-by-asset time series regressions reveal little evidence of TSM, both in- and out-of-sample. While the t-statistic in a pooled regression appears large, it is not statistically reliable as it is less than the critical values of parametric and nonparametric bootstraps. From an investment perspective, the TSM strategy is profitable, but its performance is virtually the same as that of a similar strategy that is based on historical sample mean and does not require predictability. Overall, the evidence on TSM is weak, particularly for the large cross section of assets.
Speculative trading in Chinese housing market: a panel regression method

ABSTRACT The major Chinese cities experienced dramatic increases in their house prices in the recent years. This paper derives the fundamental value of the housing markets based on the personal disposable income of individual cities. By controlling macroeconomic variables and government intervention, we detect speculative trading based on fundamental value and historical price movements. Fundamentalists expect house prices to converge to the fundamental values while chartists hold a momentum trading expectation. Further differentiating the cities into tier-1 and non-tier-1, the non-tier-1 cities are found to be subject to a risk of plummeting arising from the interaction terms between the fundamentalists and chartists.
Bubbly and Buoyant Particle–Laden Turbulent Flows

Fluid turbulence is commonly associated with stronger drag, greater heat transfer, and more efficient mixing than in laminar flows. In many natural and industrial settings, turbulent liquid flows contain suspensions of dispersed bubbles and light particles. Recently, much attention has been devoted to understanding the behavior and underlying physics of such flows by use of both experiments and high-resolution direct numerical simulations. This review summarizes our present understanding of various phenomenological aspects of bubbly and buoyant particle–laden turbulent flows. We begin by discussing different dynamical regimes, including those of crossing trajectories and wake-induced oscillations of rising particles, and regimes in which bubbles and particles preferentially accumulate near walls or within vortical structures. We then address how certain paradigmatic turbulent flows, such as homogeneous isotropic turbulence, channel flow, Taylor–Couette turbulence, and thermally driven turbulence, are modified by the presence of these dispersed bubbles and buoyant particles. We end with a list of summary points and future research questions.
Cinema, Human Rights And Development: The Cinema As A Pedagogical Practice

This article seeks to rethink the importance of the cinema as a teaching and learning methodology of Law. Much is said about the importance of different methodologies to the teaching and learning of Law, such as cinema, music and literature. But there is not much said about why it is important. In this sense, the question to be solved is: why cinema can be used as an important pedagogical practice to teach human rights? To answer the question, the main hypothesis, to be tested by Popperian method, suggests that cinema manages to generate an emotional participation of the spectator, including the student. This hypothesis is explained by the theory of projection-identification, which says cinema can eliminate the distance created in the students by the scientific objectification. Moreover, human rights films seem to present a load of truth, increasing the emotional participation of the students; therefore, it seems to increase the will of the student to learn new subjects and get involved in human rights issues.
Research paramedics’ observations regarding the challenges and strategies employed in the implementation of a large-scale out-of-hospital randomised trial

Introduction: AIRWAYS-2 was a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of the i-gel supraglottic airway device with tracheal intubation in the initial airway management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). In order to successfully conduct this clinical trial, it was necessary for research paramedics to overcome multiple challenges, many of which will be relevant to future emergency medical service (EMS) research. This article aims to describe a number of the challenges that were encountered during the out-of-hospital phase of the AIRWAYS-2 trial and how these were overcome. Methods: The research paramedics responsible for conducting the pre-hospital phase of the trial were asked to reflect on their experience of facilitating the AIRWAYS-2 trial. Responses were then collated by the lead author. A process of iterative revision and review was undertaken by the research paramedics to produce a consensus of opinion. Results: The main challenges identified by the trial research paramedics related to the recruitment and training of paramedics, screening of eligible patients and investigation of protocol deviations / reporting errors. Even though a feasibility study was conducted prior to the commencement of AIRWAYS-2, the scale of these challenges was underestimated. Conclusion: Large-scale pragmatic cluster randomised trials are being successfully undertaken in out-of-hospital care. However, they require intensive engagement with EMS clinicians and local research paramedics, particularly when the intervention is contentious. Feasibility studies are an important part of research but may fail to identify all potential challenges. Therefore, flexibility is required to manage unforeseen difficulties.
Genetic and molecular analyses of barley for seedling and adult plant resistance against rust diseases

Ricardo/Gus F3 and BC1F2 populations were studied to determine the inheritance of unknown seedling resistance (USR) to leaf rust in the barley cultivar Ricardo. Genetic studies revealed that the USR in Ricardo was conferred by a single dominant gene, which was tentatively designated RphRic. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) of the F3 population using a multiplexready PCR technique mapped RphRic on chromosome 4H. Given that this is the first gene for leaf rust resistance mapped on chromosome 4H, it was catalogued as Rph21. The presence of an additional gene, Rph2, in Ricardo, was confirmed by test of allelism and the Rph2-linked marker ITS1. An uncharacterised adult plant resistance (UAPR) against P. hordei, also found in Ricardo, appeared to be distinct from Rph20 based on marker analysis. Both Rph21 and the UAPR identified represent new useful sources of resistance to P. hordei.
IPP in Afrikaans: a corpus-based investigation and a comparison with Dutch and German

In the West-Germanic languages we expect an auxiliary of the perfect to select a past participle. In a subset of these languages, however, some verbs select an infinitive instead, i.e. in constructions known as infinitivus pro participio (IPP). The phenomenon is well-studied with regard to Dutch and German, but for Afrikaans an extensive study based on empirical data is still lacking. In order to fill this void, the present paper uses a corpus study to identify the verbs which – obligatorily or optionally – take the IPP form in Afrikaans. Verb classes showing the IPP effect in Afrikaans, Dutch and German are compared, and crosslinguistic similarities and differences are identified. The result is a corpus-based typology of IPP verbs in the three languages in question. Zusammenfassung: In den westgermanischen Sprachen wäre eigentlich zu erwarten, dass Perfekt-Hilfsverben immer ein Partizip Perfekt selektieren. In einer Untergruppe dieser Sprachen selektieren einige Verben jedoch einen Infinitiv, den so genannten infinitivus pro participio (IPP). Während dieses Phänomen hinsichtlich des Niederländischen und Deutschen bereits eingehend erforscht worden ist, fehlt zum Afrikaans bisher eine umfangreichere, empirisch fundierte Studie. Um diesem Mangel abzuhelfen, werden in dem vorliegenden Beitrag mittels einer Korpusuntersuchung diejenigen Verben identifiziert, die im Afrikaans – obligatorisch oder optional – in der IPP-Form auftreten. Wir vergleichen die Verbklassen, die auf Afrikaans, Niederländisch und Deutsch den IPP-Effekt zeigen, und stellen Ähnlichkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen den Sprachen fest. Das Ergebnis ist eine korpusbasierte Typologie von IPP-Verben in den drei betroffenen Sprachen. Open Access. © 2020 Dirix/Augustinus/Van Eynde, published by De Gruy ter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110668476-005 110 Peter Dirix/Liesbeth Augustinus/Frank Van Eynde
Future aspirations of rural-urban young migrants in Accra, Ghana

ABSTRACT The futures that young people imagine for themselves should serve as a guidepost to youth employment programmes. Drawing on data from interviews conducted with 30 young migrants in Accra, this article examines the futures young migrants imagine for themselves and the ways they are working to realise their aspirations. Findings suggest that while the young migrants were engaged in some economic activities in the urban informal economy, they regarded these as a means to transit towards their imagined futures. They had divergent plans for the future, whether to further their education and gain professional salaried jobs, or establish their own small-scale businesses. Nonetheless, their limited financial resources and social networks may affect transition to these imaginary futures. Engagement in paid work, saving groups and leisure-based activities are key activities young migrants engage in efforts to reach their plans. These findings have important implications for policy seeking to promote youth employment in Africa.
Effect of a Single Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection on Proteinuria in Patients With Diabetes

Purpose Proteinuria is the second most common complication after hypertension after systemic administration of bevacizumab. Therefore we aimed to analyze the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection on proteinuria in patients with diabetes. Methods Patients scheduled to receive IVB injection from May 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, were prospectively enrolled. In total, 53 patients with diabetes (26 with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and 27 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy) and 37 patients without diabetes were included. Urine tests were performed within 1 month of and 7 ± 1 days after IVB injection. Urinary protein, creatinine, and albumin concentrations were quantitatively measured, and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were calculated from these data before and after IVB injection. Results The mean urinary microalbumin concentrations and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio were significantly higher in patients with diabetes, both before and after IVB injection. There were no differences between patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. About 80% of patients with diabetes showed improved albuminuria or at least no harmful effect in terms of albuminuria. Patients with deteriorated baseline UACR showed more residual increase in UACR after IVB injection (P < 0.05 in all groups). Conclusions Close monitoring of renal function after IVB might be needed in patients with diabetes according to the severity of nephropathy. Translational Relevance Our results may provide information regarding the renal function of IVB-treated patients with diabetes.
Students’ Usage of Strengths and General Happiness are Connected via School-related Factors

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that there is a link between usage of strengths and various positive outcomes, such as finding meaning and happiness in life. In our present study, we aimed to find out how usage of strengths is connected to general happiness with school-related factors as mediating variables. 418 Finnish students aged 10–16 filled a self-report questionnaire consisting of measures of usage of strengths, school engagement, school-related happiness and general happiness. A structural equation model was built to investigate the relationships between the variables. It turned out that 53% of students’ overall happiness could be explained by the model. Usage of strengths was both directly and indirectly related to general happiness, emphasising the importance of using one’s strengths in schoolwork.
VO2 Estimation Equation Accuracy to Young Adults

Objective: analyze the agreement of the V#O2max values estimated by American College of Sports Medicine and Foster equations with direct measure gas analyze in young Brazilian males. e maximal oxygen uptake, as a health indicator and mortality predictor, can be assessed in different ways. e gold standard comprises the direct measurement of exhaled gases, which entails high cost. A more conveniently form can be estimation equations. Materials and methods: this study assessed VO2max of 41 young Brazilian males (21.4 ±2.2 years) by cardiopulmonary exercise test in a treadmill ergometer with a ramp protocol. Bland and Altman analysis was performed to verify the agreement between V#O2max measured and estimated values by ACSM and Foster equations. Results: the measured VO2max was 52.3 ± 4.9 ml.kg-1.min-1. e difference between the measured V#O2max and the estimated V#O2max by the ACSM equation (9.40±3.67) was approximately 7.5 times greater than the difference between the measured V#O2max and estimated V#O2max by Foster’s equation (1.25±3.46). Bland Altman graphics shows that only ACSM equation had mean differences that were significantly different om the measured value. Conclusions: the ACSM equation showed not appropriate for during treadmill stress testing young adults in a ramp protocol and Foster equation seems to be a more accurate estimator of V#O2max for this population, besides showed a bias along the aerobic capacity, trending to overestimates and underestimates V#O2max of least and most fit people, respectively.