Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water deficit changes patterns of selection on floral signals and nectar rewards in the common morning glory

Abstract Understanding whether and how resource limitation alters phenotypic selection on floral traits is key to predict the evolution of plant–pollinator interactions under climate change. Two important resources predicted to decline with our changing climate are pollinators and water in the form of increased droughts. Most work, however, has studied these selective agents separately and in the case of water deficit, studies are rare. Here, we use the common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) to investigate the effects of experimental reduction in pollinator access and water availability on floral signals and nectar rewards and their effects on phenotypic selection on these traits. We conducted a manipulative experiment in a common garden, where we grew plants in three treatments: (1) pollinator restriction, (2) water reduction and (3) unmanipulated control. Plants in pollinator restriction and control treatments were well-watered compared to water deficit. We found that in contrast to pollinator restriction, water deficit had strong effects altering floral signals and nectar rewards but also differed in the direction and strength of selection on these traits compared to control plants. Water deficit increased the opportunity for selection, and selection in this treatment favoured lower nectar volumes and larger floral sizes, which might further alter pollinator visitation. In addition, well-watered plants, both in control and pollinator deficit, showed similar patterns of selection to increase nectar volume suggesting non-pollinator-mediated selection on nectar. Our study shows that floral traits may evolve in response to reduction in water access faster than to declines in pollinators and reinforces that abiotic factors can be important agents of selection for floral traits. Although only few experimental selection studies have manipulated access to biotic and abiotic resources, our results suggest that this approach is key for understanding how pollination systems may evolve under climate change.
Socioeconomic Determinants of Demand for Life Insurance in Pakistan: A Time-Series Analysis

This study examines the determinants of life insurance demand in Pakistan using time series data from 1985 to 2023. The objective is to analyze the short- and long-term relationship between the demand for life insurance and socioeconomic factors. The study finds that the net premium insurance amount, real GDP per capita, and population are stationary at first difference, while the interest rate, savings, and inflation are stationary at the level. The ARDL (1, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3) model is selected based on the Akaike information criterion. The Bound F-test confirms the existence of a long-term relationship between the variables. In the short-run, the interest rate has an insignificant positive relationship with life insurance demand at first difference; however, it has a significant negative relationship at the first and second legs. Real GDP per capita has a significant positive relationship with life insurance demand, while population and savings are significantly and positively associated with life insurance demand. Inflation has a significant positive impact on life insurance demand. The error correction term is significantly negative, indicating the adjustment towards the long-run equilibrium. In the long-run, interest rate, population, and real GDP per capita positively and significantly affect life insurance demand, while savings and inflation have a negative and significant impact.
Re-Thinking Visitor Experience with Ancient Manuscripts via the Holographic Showcase: The Case of the Codex4D Project and Its First Public Results from a Mixed-Method Evaluation In Situ

Ancient manuscripts are precious and fragile objects, preserved in libraries, museums, and archives. Some of them are masterpieces, made with several materials and insights, but generally they are not accessible to wide communities of users. The purpose of this study is to present the preliminary results of the Codex4D project: a holographic showcase, conceived for museums, presenting the first 4D model of an ancient manuscript to the public at the Science Festival in Genoa in 2022. The manuscript, preserved in the Angelica Library in Rome, has been represented in a multidimensional digital model, documenting both its visible and invisible aspects, on the surface and in the stratigraphic layers. We analysed the visitor experience: informal learning, the meaning-making process, interactions between visitors, and gesture-based interaction with the showcase. The methodology used for evaluation is based on four different qualitative methods (grounded theory, narrative inquiry, case study, and digital ethnography). We collected notes from observation, narratives from interviews, and answers from structured interviews. The main findings are patterns of the visitors’ experiences with a digital interactive 4D model of an ancient manuscript, supported by storytelling, and a list of design issues and possible improvements for the next version of the Codex4D holographic showcase.
Art as a spiritual practice. The interplay between artistic creation and spiritual search in seven Colombian artists

ABSTRACT This paper explores the ways in which artistic creation and spiritual search interrelate in the life and work of seven Colombian artists who took part at the Laboratory of Art and Spirituality in Bogotá (2022–2023). Based on a hermeneutic analysis of different narrative and reflexive materials produced by the artists during a ten-month period of spiritual and artistic exploration, the first part delineates the artists’ understanding and practice of spirituality in a plural world. The Discussion section investigates the connections between their artistic and spiritual practices, emphasizing their understanding of art as a vehicle for accessing and communicating spiritual insights. Thus, this work aims at contributing both to the study of the shapes spirituality takes today and to the investigation of their relationship to the arts.
Off-platform Social Networks and Gig Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic in India

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted gig work in urban areas across India. In this article, we investigate the nature of responses from gig workers at a time of no or partial work. The platform studies literature has documented the role of on-platform networks in the accrual of value and creation of the gig work opportunities. Taking a cue from the economic sociology literature, specifically social reproduction theory, we examine the role of off-platform networks in enabling work during the pandemic in India. We draw on ethnographic fieldwork among ride-hailing and food-delivery app workers conducted in Kanpur and Kolkata between April 2020 and July 2021. Our findings show that during the pandemic, platform workers turned to four kinds of networks for monetary and non-monetary support: household members, dispersed kinship ties, neighbourhood networks and work-related ties. We argue that despite the individual strategies visible on the surface, these personal networks served as an essential infrastructure to sustain platform-based service work. We use social reproduction theory to understand how off-platform networks were vital for reproducing the gig worker as well as for the generation of value for platforms.
Determination of Metal Content by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in Polish Red and White Wine Samples in Relation to Their Type, Origin, Grape Variety and Health Risk Assessment

The main objective of the research was to assess the influence of selected factors (type of wine, grape variety, origin, alcohol content and daily consumption) on the concentration levels of 26 elements in 53 Polish wine samples, also using chemometric analysis tools. Concentration of Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V, Zn and Zr was analyzed by ICP-MS, while concentration of Ca, Na, K and Mg was determined by ICP-OES. White wines were characterized by higher concentrations of Al, As, Be, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mg, Na, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, Zn and Zr (mean values: 0.075–86,403 μg·L−1 in white wines, 0.069–81,232 μg·L−1 in red wines). Red wines were characterized by higher concentrations of Ba, Cd, Cr, K, Mn, Se and Sr (mean values: 0.407–1,160,000 μg·L−1 in white wines, 0.448–1,521,363 μg·L−1 in red wines). The results obtained for the health risk assessment indices, including the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ, mean values per glass of wine: 2.097 × 10−5 (Cr)—0.041 (B) in all wines), indicate that the analyzed elements do not show a potential toxic effect resulting from wine consumption. The chemometric analysis confirmed that elements such as Li, Ti, Ca, Mn, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mg, Cu, Se and B were closely related to local conditions and soil properties, and the presence of Fe, Cr, V and Pb was related to contamination of the soil.
Optical absorption properties of phytoplankton in various seas

This is a review of the experimental data concerning the sea phytoplankton absorption properties. Basing on the own and the accessible from literature results, the spectral courses and the absolute magnitudes of the light absorption coefficients by phytoplankton, as well as their connections with the chlorophyll a concentration observed in the different areas of the World Ocean have been characterized. Also analysed were the similarités and the differences in phytoplankton absorption properties measured “ in vivo” and “ in vitro” in acetone extracts of phytoplankton. In this way many empirical correlations between the “ in vitro” and “ in vivo” spectra were determined. This facilitated the development of a semiempiric, mathematical modelling of living phytoplankton absorption properties on the basis of the known optical properties of its extracts in acetone. Using the above mentioned semiempirical modelling and the pigment distribution data for different seas (Wozniak and Ostrowska, 1990), the typical features of light absorption by phytoplankton in different biological types of seas were determined.
Augustan and Julio-Claudian Athens: A New Epigraphy and Prosopography

This study is a reference work for the study of Roman Athens: the Epigraphical Catalogue (Part I) represents a supplement to the Inscriptiones Graecae as it pertains to Athens in the Augustan and Julio-Claudian periods; the Prosopographical Catalogue (Part II) offers a prosopography of the period, as it relates to the material of Part I.
Comparative Transcriptomics Identify Key Pituitary Circular RNAs That Participate in Sheep (Ovis aries) Reproduction

Simple Summary Booroola fecundity gene (FecB) is known as the main gene for multiple lambs in sheep, which has been shown to affect the reproduction of Small Tail Han sheep. The three genotypes of FecB are BB (two copies of FecB mutation), +B (one copy of FecB mutation), and ++ (without FecB mutation). FecB ++ genotype Small Tail Han sheep usually have one offspring. Interestingly, we found that FecB ++ Small Tail Han sheep also had high-reproductive-capacity individuals (multiple lambs per litter). The pituitary affects reproductive processes of animals through a variety of hormones. How pituitary circular RNAs (circRNAs) affect fecundity in FecB ++ genotype sheep remains unknown. Through RNA sequencing, we speculated that changes in circRNAs may be related to the response of the pituitary to steroid hormones, and directly or indirectly affect the pituitary function and the fecundity of sheep. These results provide new insights into pituitary function and high fecundity in sheep. Abstract CircRNAs have been found to play key roles in many biological processes and have diverse biological functions. There have been studies on circRNAs in sheep pituitary, and some important circRNAs have been found. But there are still few studies on circRNAs in sheep pituitary with different fecundity. In this study, we obtained the circRNAs expression profiles in the pituitary of FecB ++ genotype Small Tail Han sheep with different fecundity and estrous phases. A total of 34,878 circRNAs were identified in 12 pituitary samples, 300 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE circRNAs) (down: 104; up: 196) were identified in polytocous sheep in the follicular phase (PF) and monotocous sheep in the follicular phase (MF) (PF vs. MF), and 347 DE circRNAs (down: 162; up: 185) were identified in polytocous sheep in the luteal phase (PL) and monotocous sheep in the luteal phase (ML) (PL vs. ML). Cortisol synthesis and secretion pathway (follicular phase) and estrogen signaling pathway (luteal phase) were obtained by functional enrichment analysis of circRNAs source genes. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis of key DE circRNAs revealed that oar-circ-0022776 (source gene ITPR2, follicular phase) targeted oar-miR-432, oar-circ-0009003 (source gene ITPR1, luteal phase) and oar-circ-0003113 (source gene PLCB1, luteal phase) targeted oar-miR-370-3p. We also explored the coding ability of DE circRNAs. In conclusion, our study shows that changes in the pituitary circRNAs may be related to the response of the pituitary to steroid hormones and regulate the reproductive process of sheep by affecting the pituitary function. Results of this study provide some new information for understanding the functions of circRNAs and the fecundity of FecB ++ genotype sheep.
SPARROW regional regression for sediment yields in New Zealand rivers.

This paper reports on the application of the SPARROW regression model for predicting mean annual sediment yield in streams throughout New Zealand. SPARROW generates sediment (or nutrient) sources as a function of subcatchment parameters such as areas of different erosion terrains, modifies the loads according to generation and land-to-water delivery factors, and routes the sediment down a dendritic stream network, allowing for stream and lake erosion or deposition. The parameters for the model are determined by nonlinear calibration to measured yields at stream monitoring stations (over 220 sites in New Zealand). Areas of different erosion terrains were the key source in the model, while the mean annual rainfall and slope were key source modifiers. Land cover also emerged as a significant source modifier. A model with these terms gave a regression R of 0.925 to the measured yields, in log space. Stream erosion and deposition terms were not statistically significant, so they would have to be imposed rather than calibrated to stream yield data.
Silviculture-ecology of three native California hardwoods on high sites in north central California

Pacific madrone, tanoak, and California black oak are the most economically promising native California hardwoods. Volume and value data indicate upward trends in growing stock levels and prices received for their products. These trends are likely to continue. They suggest research is particularly needed for: (1) seed fall and regeneration, (2) sprout growth and development, (3) stand growth and yield, and (4) species adaptation and strategy. Much new material in these categories is presented here. The ability to produce copious amounts of seed at frequent intervals is a hallmark of Pacific madrone and tanoak, and only slightly less so for California black oak. Few of these seeds result in trees, but enough do so to insure continuous environmental tuning of the species. For Pacific madrone a seedbed free of an organic layer, which harbors invertebrates (slugs) and post-emergence fungi, is best for regeneration. A partially shaded environment is best for natural development of the oaks. Reversing polarity of tanoak and California black oak acorns speeds up germination and enhances seedling survival and growth. Fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorous significantly boosted California black oak seedling height growth, but was less effective for tanoak. In spite of irrigation, fertilization, shading, and use of containers, survival of tanoak seedlings in a plantation was only 33 percent after 4-6 years. Dieback and deformation were rampant. Tanoak apparently cannot be established in conventional plantations. Survival of California black oak was 64 percent after 7 years and establishment in standard plantations is recommended. In clearcuttings, sprouts of these hardwood species initially number up to 150 per clump, but after 10 growing seasons decrease to less than 35. Height and crown width after 10 years is about 20 and 10 feet, respectively, with only minor differences among species. For the same timespan, sprouts in a shelterwood are about half as tall and three-fourths as wide. Based on new volume tables, cubic volu.me growth of thinned stands ranged from 48 to 93 cubic feet per acre per year with indications that thinning to 100-125 square feet of basal area per acre was best. Ecologically, Pacific madrone, tanoak, and California black oak possess a host of adaptations that serve them well in severe environments. Huge numbers of seeds and sprouts insure that the species both remain in place and capture new area. Other adaptive phenomena discussed are the means taken to discourage competition beneath tree crowns, epicormic branching, the role of seed disseminators, competitiveness of sprouts, the stretched-out germination period, root-shoot ratios, thickened rootstocks, need for multiple stems per clump, and ability to withstand high moisture stress.
Evaluation of late cardiac effects after multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Introduction Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is associated with important cardiovascular morbidity during the acute phase. Follow-up shows a swift recovery of cardiac abnormalities in most patients. However, a small portion of patients has persistent cardiac sequelae at mid-term. The goal of our study was to assess late cardiac outcomes of MIS-C. Methods A prospective observational multicenter study was performed in children admitted with MIS-C and cardiac involvement between April 2020 and March 2022. A follow-up by NT-proBNP measurement, echocardiography, 24-h Holter monitoring, and cardiac MRI (CMR) was performed at least 6 months after MIS-C diagnosis. Results We included 36 children with a median age of 10 (8.0–11.0) years, and among them, 21 (58%) were girls. At diagnosis, all patients had an elevated NT-proBNP, and 39% had a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<55%). ECG abnormalities were present in 13 (36%) patients, but none presented with arrhythmia. Almost two-thirds of patients (58%) had echocardiographic abnormalities such as coronary artery dilation (20%), pericardial effusion (17%), and mitral valve insufficiency (14%). A decreased echocardiographic systolic left ventricular (LV) function was detected in 14 (39%) patients. A follow-up visit was done at a mean time of 12.1 (±5.8) months (range 6–28 months). The ECG normalized in all except one, and no arrhythmias were detected on 24-h Holter monitoring. None had persistent coronary artery dilation or pericardial effusion. The NT-proBNP level and echocardiographic systolic LV function normalized in all patients, except for one, who had a severely reduced EF. The LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), as a marker of subclinical myocardial dysfunction, decreased (z < −2) in 35%. CMR identified one patient with severely reduced EF and extensive myocardial fibrosis requiring heart transplantation. None of the other patients had signs of myocardial scarring on CMR. Conclusion Late cardiac outcomes after MIS-C, if treated according to the current guidelines, are excellent. CMR does not show any myocardial scarring in children with normal systolic LV function. However, a subgroup had a decreased GLS at follow-up, possibly as a reflection of persistent subclinical myocardial dysfunction.
Effects of Straw Mulching on Soil Properties and Enzyme Activities of Camellia oleifera–Cassia Intercropping Agroforestry Systems

In order to explore the influences of rice straw mulching on soil fertility in agroforestry systems, the soil C and N contents and enzyme activities were investigated in a C. oleifera–cassia intercropping ecosystem in Central Southern China. Three straw mulching application treatments were set up in this study, in 2021, namely, straw powder mulching (SPM), straw segment mulching (SSM), and non-straw mulching as the control (CK). Soil samples were collected from three soil depths (0–10 cm,10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) in each treatment on the 90th-day after the treatments. The soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial carbon (MBC), soil enzyme activities (including acid phosphatase (ACP), urease (UE), cellulase (CL), and peroxidase (POD)), and soil water content (SWC) were determined. The results showed that the SOC significantly increased due to the mulching application in SPM and SSM, in the topsoil of 0–10 cm when compared to the CK. The SWC, SOC, TN, and MBC increased by 0.8 and 56.5, 3.5 and 37.5, 21.3 and 61.6, and 5.8% and 76.8% in the SPM and SSM treatments compared to the CK, respectively. The soil enzyme activities of ACP, UE, CE, and POD increased significantly due to straw mulching compared with CK throughout all soil layers. The soil enzyme activities of CL and POD were significantly higher in SSM than in SPM across the soil depth except for ACP. The enzyme activities of ACP were 14,190, 12,732, and 6490 U/g in SSM, SPM, and control, respectively. This indicated that mulching application enhanced the enzyme activity of ACP. Mulching had no significant effects on UE and CL, while the POD decreased significantly in the order of SPM > SSM > CK across all soil layers, being, on average, 6.64% and 3.14% higher in SSM and SPM, respectively, compared to the CK plots. The SOC and MBC were the key nutrient factors affecting the soil enzyme activities at the study site. The results from this study provided Important scientific insights for improving soil physicochemical properties during the management of the C. oleifera intercropping system and for the development of the C. oleifera industry.
Patient-reported outcomes and functional exercise capacity in a real-life setting in non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy: the Lung PLUS study

Introduction To better understand the impact of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and its treatment-related toxicity on early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) patients, we conducted the Lung PLUS study in a real-world setting. Methods This is a monocentric prospective longitudinal study up to 12 months post-treatment, evaluating clinician- and patient-reported toxicity (resp. CTCAE and PRO-CTCAE), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (EORTC QLQ-C30 and LC-13), activities of daily living (HAQ-DI) and functional exercise capacity (6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT)). A mixed model approach was applied to analyze the data. Results At baseline, clinicians and patients (n=51) reported mostly fatigue (63% vs 79%), cough (49% vs 75%) and dyspnea (65% vs 73%) of any grade. Dyspnea (p=.041) increased over time. Meaningful clinical improvements were particularly seen in pain, fatigue, and cough. Clinician reported clinically meaningful improvements and deteriorations over time in fatigue, cough, and dyspnea. Almost at every timepoint, more people reported deterioration to the clinician than improvement in aforementioned toxicities. Overall HRQoL (p=.014), physical (p=.011) and emotional (p<.001) functioning improved over time. At baseline, patients had a moderate daily functioning score and walked an average distance of 360 meters. No statistically significant differences were found in daily functioning and exercise capacity over time. Conclusion Our study showed an increase in patient-reported toxicity and dyspnea, without impacting functional status, following SBRT. Overall HRQoL, physical and emotional functioning improved over time. Understanding the impact of treatment on patient-reported outcomes is crucial to identify the needs/problems of patients to enhance their HRQoL.