Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abiotic and biotic factors and their interactions as causes of oak decline in Central Europe

Summary Incidences of oak decline have occurred repeatedly during the past three centuries as well as in the most recent decades. On the basis of historical records and dendrochronological measurements, oak decline in Central Europe has been attributed to the single or combined effects of climatic extremes (winter frost, summer drought), defoliating insects, and pathogenic fungi. Starting from a literature review, we discuss the possible roles of various abiotic (air pollution, nitrogen eutrophication, soil chemical stress, climatic extremes, site conditions) and biotic factors (insect defoliation, borer attack, infection by pathogenic fungi, microorganisms) that have been related to oak decline. On the basis of investigations on Quercus petraea and Quercus robur at three different levels (from experiments with young trees to monitoring on a supraregional scale), we suggest a conceptual model of the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors responsible for the onset of oak decline. This model should be valid for Central European oak stands at more acidic sites (soil pH (H2O) £ 4.2; on soils with higher pH, pathogenic Phytophthora species may contribute to oak decline). The combination of severe insect defoliation in at least two consecutive years with climatic extremes is the most significant complex of factors in the incidence of oak decline. Combined with defoliation, summer drought or winter ⁄ spring frost or both have to occur within the same year or in consecutive years to trigger major outbreaks of decline. Important additional stress factors are the following: (1) hydromorphic site conditions which, particularly in the case of Q. robur, render the trees more susceptible to drought stress as a result of an impairment of root growth in the subsoil; and (2), possibly, excess nitrogen which, in combination with drought stress, results in distinct decreases in the foliar concentrations of allelochemicals in Q. robur, thereby probably making the trees more susceptible to insect defoliation. Air pollution, soil chemical stress (including excess manganese), and nitrogen-induced nutritional imbalance do not seem to be important causal factors in the complex of oak decline. On the basis of the model, the appearance of the most recent oak decline in North-western Germany can be adequately explained.
Deep denoising autoencoder for seismic random noise attenuation

Attenuation of seismic random noise is considered an important processing step to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of seismic data. A new approach is proposed to attenuate random noise based on a deep-denoising autoencoder (DDAE). In this approach, the time-series seismic data are used as an input for the DDAE. The DDAE encodes the input seismic data to multiple levels of abstraction, and then it decodes those levels to reconstruct the seismic signal without noise. The DDAE is pretrained in a supervised way using synthetic data; following this, the pretrained model is used to denoise the field data set in an unsupervised scheme using a new customized loss function. We have assessed the proposed algorithm based on four synthetic data sets and two field examples, and we compare the results with several benchmark algorithms, such as f- x deconvolution ( f- x deconv) and the f- x singular spectrum analysis ( f- x SSA). As a result, our algorithm succeeds in attenuating the random noise in an effective manner.
Comparison of methodological quality between the 2007 and 2019 Canadian dietary guidelines

Abstract Objective: With significant shifts in the dietary recommendations between the 2007 and 2019 Canadian dietary guidelines, such as promoting plant-based food intake, reducing highly processed food intake and advocating the practice of food skills, we compared their differences in guideline development methods. Design: Two reviewers used twenty-five guided criteria to appraise the methods used to develop the most recent dietary guidelines against those outlined in the 2014 WHO Handbook for Guideline Development. Setting: Canada. Participants: 2007 and 2019 dietary guidelines. Results: We found that the 2019 guidelines were more evidence-based and met 80 % (20/25) of the WHO criteria. For example, systematic reviews and health organisation authoritative reports, but not industry reports, constituted the evidence base for the dietary recommendations. However, recommendations on food sustainability and food skill practice were driven primarily by stakeholders’ interests. By contrast, less information was recorded about the process used to develop the 2007 guidelines, resulting in 24 % (6/25) consistency with the WHO standards. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that a more transparent and evidence-based approach is used to develop the 2019 Canadian dietary guidelines and that method criteria should support further incorporation of nutrition priorities (food sustainability and food skills) in future dietary guideline development.
Caracterização imuno-histoquímica das alterações encefálicas em bovinos com hepatopatia tóxica por Senecio sp

Senecio spp. poisoning is an important cause of illness and death of cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and is often manifested by neurologic clinical signs and histological brain changes. Histological evaluation was performed on liver and brain samples of ten cattle naturally poisoned by Senecio sp. Samples of cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum were stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and immunohistochemistry was carried out, employing anti-fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), anti-S100 protein and anti-vimentin antibodies. The histological finding in the brain included mild to severe vacuolation in the white matter and the junction of gray and white matter, characterized as spongy degeneration. Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant findings compared with the brains of eleven adult cattle without liver and/or brain changes used as controls.
Disparities in Coronavirus 2019 Reported Incidence, Knowledge, and Behavior Among US Adults

Key Points Question How do reported incidence, knowledge, and behaviors regarding coronavirus disease 2019 vary across sociodemographic characteristics in the US? Findings In this survey study, the largest differences in coronavirus disease 2019–related knowledge and behaviors were associated with race/ethnicity, sex, and age. African American participants, men, and people younger than 55 years were less likely to know how the disease is spread, were less likely to know the symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019, washed their hands less frequently, and left the home more often. Meaning These findings suggest that more effort is needed to increase accurate information and encourage appropriate behaviors among minority communities, men, and younger people.
A note on differences in coat structure between the black and white areas of piebald lambs

Summary Data are reported on a phenomenon in which piebald lambs having a coat of intermediate hairiness have black wool which is not only longer and coarser than the white wool on the same animal, but which has a different coat structure in terms of the fibre type array. Possible explanations for this effect which is apparently caused by the gene that restricts the production of pigment to certain areas of the skin are discussed. Hairy lambs and woolly lambs did not have this coat difference between the two colours.
Rapid expansion of lichen woodlands within the closed‐crown boreal forest zone over the last 50 years caused by stand disturbances in eastern Canada

Aim Our two main goals are first to evaluate the resilience of the boreal forest according to latitude across the closed‐crown forest zone using the post‐disturbance distribution and cover of lichen woodlands and closed‐crown forests as a metric, and second to identify the disturbance factors responsible for the regeneration and degradation of the closed‐crown forest according to latitude since the 1950s.
A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review of Valvular Heart Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Association With Antiphospholipid Antibodies

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a known cardiac manifestation of systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This systematic review aims to pool data from studies to estimate the frequency of valvular lesions in SLE patients. It also aims to demonstrate the association between VHD in SLE and antiphospholipid antibodies positivity. Methods We included 27 studies after identifying relevant abstracts from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from the time of inception of database to 2019. Inclusion criteria consisted of English-language case-control and cohort studies. Three reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing risk for bias. Results For VHD in SLE patients, the most commonly involved valve was the mitral valve, with 19.7% lesions being mitral regurgitation. In terms of morphological lesions, valve thickening (11.06%) and vegetations (11.76%) were among the most prevalent. Other commonly encountered lesions were mitral valve prolapse and tricuspid regurgitation in 9.25% and 10.86% of patients, respectively. A meta-analysis of 21 studies with 2163 SLE patients, of which 23.3% had valvular lesions, showed a significant association of anticardiolipin antibodies positivity with VHD (relative risk, 1.55; confidence interval, 1.10–2.18). Conclusions Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with VHD, and it should be considered a clinical manifestation of SLE in the absence of other valvular pathologies. There is a clear association between VHD in SLE and immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin antibodies positivity. This association suggests that this subgroup of SLE patients might benefit from a screening echocardiogram.
SEQUENCE-BASED DIFFERENTIATION OF STRAINS IN THE STREPTOMYCES CYANEUS SPECIES-GROUP

In an extensive numerical phenetic survey, a number of blue, red and gray spored streptomycete strains were grouped together as Streptomyces cyaneus species-group, a taxon which encompasses strains known to produce antitumor antibiotics, notably anthracyclines. In the present investigation these and related streptomycetes were the subject of morphological and 16S rRNA sequencing studies designed to clarify their taxonomic relationships. It is evident from these results that the Streptomyces cyaneus species-group encompasses misclassified strains and members of several distinct species. However, some of the red-spored strains (e.g. Streptomyces janthinus ISP 5206T, Streptomyces roseoviolaceus ISP 5277 T and Streptomyces violatus ISP 5209T) formed a distinct clade. In contrast, most of the blue and gray-spored strains showed much less sequence homology between and with one another and were scattered throughout the 16S rRNA Streptomyces tree. The improved classification of this group of streptomycetes provides an essential basis for establishing their industrial and economical significance.
“A cleaner break”: Genetic divergence between geographic groups and sympatric phenotypes revealed in ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta)

Abstract Capture and long‐distance translocation of cleaner fish to control lice infestations on marine salmonid farms has the potential to influence wild populations via overexploitation in source regions, and introgression in recipient regions. Knowledge of population genetic structure is therefore required. We studied the genetic structure of ballan wrasse, a phenotypically diverse and extensively used cleaner fish, from 18 locations in Norway and Sweden, and from Galicia, Spain, using 82 SNP markers. We detected two very distinct genetic groups in Scandinavia, northwestern and southeastern. These groups were split by a stretch of sandy beaches in southwest Norway, representing a habitat discontinuity for this rocky shore associated benthic egg‐laying species. Wrasse from Galicia were highly differentiated from all Scandinavian locations, but more similar to northwestern than southeastern locations. Distinct genetic differences were observed between sympatric spotty and plain phenotypes in Galicia, but not in Scandinavia. The mechanisms underlying the geographic patterns between phenotypes are discussed, but not identified. We conclude that extensive aquaculture‐mediated translocation of ballan wrasse from Sweden and southern Norway to western and middle Norway has the potential to mix genetically distinct populations. These results question the sustainability of the current cleaner fish practice.
The impact of serum visfatin, and resistin levels on insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background and : Women with polycystic serve as a model to estimate the functions of insulin resistance and chronic on serum level of insulin resistance markers. This study aimed to determine the association of the visfatin, resistin levels with insulin resistance in patients with polycystic syndrome, and its correlations with various parameters. 1.08 ng/ml), resistin (3.87 vs. 2.46ng/ml), and insulin (17.22 vs. 8.1 µlU/ml) levels than controls. They also had significant elevations in insulin resistance (2.41 vs. 1.92) and β insulin function (94.45 vs. 86.98). There was no significant variation in insulin sensitivity (88.77 vs. 92.08). Conclusion: There was an association between resistin, visfatin, and polycystic ovary syndrome-related insulin resistance. Many recent proteins are now considered as potential new markers of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. There was a strong connection between visfatin and resistin with insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome pathophysiology.
Elytral Color Dimorphism in Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Occurrence in Spring Populations and Relationship to Female Reproductive Development

Abstract Adults of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were collected from three sources: 1) overwintering sites near rice, Oryza sativa L. ; 2) a light trap placed in grassy vegetation and fallow fields; and 3) flooded rice plots near Beaumont, TX, from mid-April to late May 2005. Their color morph and reproductive status were surveyed. Frequency of the dark morph (36.0, 45.8, and 31.6% at each collection source, respectively) was significantly lower than that of the light morph (64.0, 54.2, and 68.4% respectively). Dark males accounted for only 3.5–7.4% of the populations, significantly less abundant than light males (28.8–32.0%) in each collection source. The morph frequency changed significantly with season in females, but not in males. Female-biased sex ratios were observed with the proportion of females to males being 1.5, 2.1, and 1.9 at each collection source, respectively. In most collections, ovarian development and mating status were similar between the females of different morphs, suggesting that elytral morph in this weevil might not be related to female reproductive development.
INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE EDUCATION AS A REVISION STRATEGY

The research aim was to identify the effect of revising the thematic unit “Changes in Chemical Reactions” using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the 8th grade of secondary school. This thematic unit is taught in chemistry lessons in the 2nd term of the 7th grade. A set of activities verified by a piece of pilot research was used to implement IBSE based on confirmation inquiry using the 5E Educational Model. The research was performed in ten Slovak secondary schools during the 1st term of the 2017/2018 school year. This research employed the quasi-experimental methodology involving pre-test–post-test two-group design. The research sample consisted of 292 8th grade students. They were divided randomly into a control (n=149) and experimental (n=143) group, and the intervention took place during 10 lessons. Cognitive tests based on the revised Bloom's taxonomy were used to measure students’ knowledge and skills before and after revision. The results indicate that using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the revision phase is more effective than teaching without using IBSE in terms of developing conceptual understanding. It affects the lower and higher cognitive processes (understanding, application, and analysis) and stimulates learning mainly in students with lower academic performance. Keywords: chemistry education, cognitive processes, confirmation inquiry, secondary school.
The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology: A New Approach in Technology Acceptance

Recently, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology has taken place as one of the most developed and intensive models to test technology adoption and acceptance. This research article reviews this model by presenting a description of its development and structure. Additionally, this article compares it with other former theories and models in this field. It studies the evolution stages of these theories and classifies them depending on their development method and the scientific field which they were developed in. Moreover, the model's determinants were classified depending on their influence on technology adoption. This model has been reported as robust and trusted for application on different technologies and viable after doing any modification operation over it. It also has the minimum amount of complexity according to its limited number of constructs and moderating variables that make it more applicable and understandable to study the acceptance behavior to any new technology.
Improvement of the plastid transformation protocol by modifying tissue treatment at pre- and post-bombardment in tobacco

Plastid transformation in higher plants has been established in tobacco using particle bombardment, and the p rotocol has been used as a model in other plant species; however, as target materials, tobacco leaves may be partially exposed to unexpected abiotic stresses—drought stress during post-bombardment culture and damage due to cutting before selection culture. Plastid transformation eciency may be increased by modication of leaf treatment to lessen such d amage. In the modied protocol, tobacco leaves were cut into pieces (5×5 mm) and placed on the culture medium plate (approximately ��y pieces per plate) for one day before bombardment. Aer bombardment, these pieces were transferred onto the non-selection medium and cultured for three days; they were then transferred onto spectinomycin selection culture medium. A transformation vector containing an aminoglycoside 3�-adenylylt ransferase gene and a greenuorescence protein gene were used for plastid transformation. Approximately four independent plastid transformants per bombarded plate were obtained on average using the modied protocol; the transformation eciency was 1.6 times higher than that in a control experiment using the standard protocol. Modied leaf treatment improved the eciency and stability of plastid t ransformation. �isnding should aid plastid transformant production in tobacco and other plant species.
Microsatellite analysis indicates the specific genetic basis of Czech bolting garlic.

Garlic, Allium sativum L. , is a vegetable long used for culinary and medical purposes. A certain level of garlic quality is required by the local consumers, which is usually preserved by the varieties grown in that region. The aim was to establish an assay offering fast and inexpensive differentiation of garlic varieties. Length polymorphism of microsatellite loci (SSR, ILP markers) is often used in such a case. No assays have been described earlier. A set of SSR and newly used ILP markers has been assembled and verified. SSR loci ASM53, ASM072, ASA08 and ASA17 were the most polymorphic. Up to 18 alleles were scored per these loci. Monomorphic loci were identified, and excluded from the assay. The assay allows for the authenticity and confirmation of Czech garlic varieties. Moreover, a cluster analysis separated the Czech bolting varieties, indicating their specific genetic basis. The breeding potential of contemporary garlic varieties and lines is discussed.
Ordinary Citizens in Swiss Public Television News: Representing a National Public Sphere?

ABSTRACT Similar to the European Union, Switzerland faces the challenge of a multilingual and multicultural public sphere. The swiss media finds itself in-between the goals of providing a national Swiss public and ensuring a political, social, and cultural integration on a domestic level. Therefore, the portrayal of ordinary citizens in public debates on Swiss television news becomes a matter of citizen actors representing the “people’s voice” as counterbalance to elite and civil institutional actors; as well as citizen actors as a representation of Switzerland’s multilingual and multicultural public sphere as an element of understanding, solidarity, and exchange between the three language areas. Our quantitative content analysis within the news of the first channels in each language region (SRF 1, RTS un and RSI LA 1) shows that although ordinary citizens function as counterparts to political and other elite actor groups, their high visibility does not equate strong voices being heard in the national public debate. Ordinary citizens very rarely get the chance to actively raise their voices or represent voices from other language areas.
Composition and Demographics of Beaver (Castor canadensis) Colonies in Central Illinois

Abstract Beavers (Castor canadensis) exhibit wide variations in colony composition and demographics over their broad geographic range, so regional population studies are important for sound management of this species. The objectives of this study were to investigate the: (1) size and sex-age composition of beaver colonies in Illinois, (2) reproductive potential of female beavers in these colonies and (3) efficacy of night-vision surveys versus removal trapping for estimating colony size. We harvested and aged 239 beavers (128 males:111 females) during the 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 trapping seasons. The average colony contained 5.6 beavers. Family groups consisting of a breeding pair and at least 1 offspring composed 86% of these colonies; the other 14% consisted of only a breeding pair. Samples of beavers harvested by commercial trappers were skewed towards yearlings and 2-y olds relative to samples taken from trapped-out colonies. Fetal rates were 3.0, 3.4 and 4.2/female for yearlings, 2-y olds and older adults, respectively. In utero loss was estimated as 13%. Our estimates suggest that over 50% of kits die during the first 6 mo of life. We found no evidence that the presence of older offspring in a colony allowed parents to raise more kits. Night-vision surveys conducted 10 m downwind from the den for 2.5 h after sunset underestimated the size of colonies, accounting for only 55% of the beavers present.