Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Has Neuroimaging Taught Us on the Neurobiology of Yoga? A Review

Yoga is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, with several implicated physical and mental benefits. Here we provide a comprehensive and critical review of the research generated from the existing neuroimaging literature in studies of yoga practitioners. We reviewed 34 international peer-reviewed neuroimaging studies of yoga using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): 11 morphological and 26 functional studies, including three studies that were classified as both morphological and functional. Consistent findings include increased gray matter volume in the insula and hippocampus, increased activation of prefrontal cortical regions, and functional connectivity changes mainly within the default mode network. There is quite some variability in the neuroimaging findings that partially reflects different yoga styles and approaches, as well as sample size limitations. Direct comparator groups such as physical activity are scarcely used so far. Finally, hypotheses on the underlying neurobiology derived from the imaging findings are discussed in the light of the potential beneficial effects of yoga.
Innate Immune Defense Mechanisms by Myeloid Cells That Hamper Cancer Immunotherapy

Over the past decade, cancer immunotherapy has been steering immune responses toward cancer cell eradication. However, these immunotherapeutic approaches are hampered by the tumor-promoting nature of myeloid cells, including monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Despite the arsenal of defense strategies against foreign invaders, myeloid cells succumb to the instructions of an established tumor. Interestingly, the most primordial defense responses employed by myeloid cells against pathogens, such as complement activation, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity and phagocytosis, actually seem to favor cancer progression. In this review, we discuss how rudimentary defense mechanisms deployed by myeloid cells can promote tumor progression.
Four Dimensional Gravity Forward Model in a Deep Reservoir

In this work, we calculate the gravity signature of small density changes in a real-case deep reservoir. Based on the 3D forward density modeling of constrained geometries and using parameters of the involved rocks and fluids, we compute the differential gravity signature before and after the production period of the Volve oil field in the North Sea. Causative sources of the retrieved residuals are spatially correlated with positions of the most productive wells, locating areas of maximum density change. Results show that the 4D gravity forward model is capable of resolving residual gravity signatures also for deep and small density changes. In particular, we locate ∼−13 μGal gravity minima over the 2750 m deep reservoir; this minima was caused by the −53 kg m–3 density change related to production and injection activity.
Risk Factors and Mortality of Black-Tailed Deer in a Managed Forest Landscape

Abstract We investigated the influence of habitat use on the risk of death of Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) on Heceta Island in Southeast Alaska, USA. A mosaic of even and uneven-aged forests covered much of the island and provided a model setting in which to assess relationships between habitat use and mortality of deer. We radiocollared and monitored 51 adult females, 11 adult males, and 19 young of the year. We compared risk of death with habitat composition, habitat distribution, topography, distances to features such as roads, and functional habitat characteristics such as seasonal forage biomass within 50-, 500-, and 1,000-m circular buffers around relocations of deer. Those buffers encompassed habitats used at scales of radio-locations, home ranges, and landscapes. We addressed hypotheses that related habitat composition and distribution to risk of death from malnutrition, predation, and hunting. Predation by wolves (Canis lupus) and malnutrition were the principal causes of death of adult females and young, whereas hunters killed most adult males. Habitat factors at scales of 500 and 1,000 m had the greatest effect on mortality of adult females and young, whereas habitat characteristics in the immediate vicinity of radio relocations had the greatest effect on mortality of adult males. Malnutrition was positively associated with use of forage-poor habitats such as pole-stage, second-growth forest. Use of precommercially thinned second growth increased risk of death for young deer. Use of level terrain was the most influential factor with respect to predation and increased risk of death at all scales. Use of open habitats, such as muskegs and young clearcuts, also increased risk of death. Use of shrub-sapling-stage clearcuts in landscapes accessible by roads increased risk of death from hunting. We showed that use of specific habitats and the landscape context of those habitats were important factors influencing mortality of deer. We also demonstrated the importance of comparing habitat use with measures of fitness rather than simply with availability when evaluating habitat suitability for deer. Our results should be useful to wildlife researchers investigating contributions of habitat to fitness and population dynamics of ungulates, and to wildlife managers attempting to manipulate habitats to benefit deer populations.
Inference From Complex Networks: Role of Symmetry and Applicability to Images

Symmetry is a mathematical concept only partially explored in networks, especially at the applicative level. One reason is a certain lack of interpretable inference obtained from networks. While the network systemic associations (links) between entities (nodes) emerge from the underlying dependence structure, this latter is only partially explicit via the established direct interactors and remains to a certain extent latent (distant node predicted paths). Verifiability of significant hubs, connectors, paths, and modules allows to build a knowledge base useful to infer latencies and/or validate complex associations. When symmetry is searched in images, reflection, translation and rotation are applicable transformations in n-dimensional Euclidean space that computational algorithms target. There is symmetry when original and transformed images cannot be distinguished. Once collected together, such transformations form an automorphism group, indicating a stable and robust global characteristic. It is common to step from images to quantifiable features for conducting inference. Deep learning is typically used to classify whole images reconstructed from the myriads of features in which these images are decomposed. However, with images considered at multiple scales and locations, symmetries are valuable for describing local characteristics. Casting local features into a network framework enables their associations to be explored by similarity or dissimilarity criteria. This is quite intriguing because network configurations may display topological features and connectivity patterns associated with synchronization and symmetry that reduce the redundancy of features to more compact functional descriptions. Then, identifying anomalies from unusual events, behaviors, patterns would spot network vulnerabilities and signs of symmetry breaking.
Chemical composition of mish "a traditional fermented dairy product" from different plants during storage.

This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of mish during storage. Ninety samples of mish were collected on the day of manufacture (day one) from three different dairy plants (DP1, DP2, DP3), transported to the laboratory of the Department of Dairy Production, Faculty of Animal Production in ice box and stored at 7 C for 28 days. Samples were analyzed for fat, protein, total solids, ash and titratable o acidity at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The results showed that fat, protein, total solids, ash and titratable acidity were high in DP1 and low in DP2, except for fat content which was low in DP3. During storage fat, protein, total solids, ash contents and titratable acidity increased to a maximum at day 21 and then decreased thereafter, while titratable acidity steadily increased towards the end. Towards the end of storage, the fat content slightly decreased in DP1 and increased in DP2 and DP3. The protein content slightly decreased towards the end in DP1 and DP2 and increased in DP3. The total solids and ash contents slightly decreased in all three plants at the end of storage, while titratable acidity increased towards the end of storage in all plants.
Within-plant distribution and seasonal population dynamics of flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) infesting French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya

The aim of this research was to study spatial distribution of flower thrips on French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya . Their build up and seasonal population dynamics was monitored using sticky blue colour traps and sampling of leavesandflowersintwoseasonsin 2002.ThripsinfestedFrenchbeansfromthesecondweekaftercropemergence . Their population peaked at peak flowering.The sticky trap catches were linearly related to the actual presence of thrips on the crop and could estimate population build up of adult thrips on leaves and flowers. On the plants, most adults were on flowers . Larvae mainly inhabited leaves, buds and pods. The two thrips species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande ) and Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom were spatially separated. The former colonized lower -canopy leaves and early flowers while the latter inhabited middle -canopy leaves and mature flowers. Overall, M. sjostedti was less than 5% of the total thrips population , implying thatF. occidentalis was the main thrips pest of French beans.This study suggests that French bean growers should monitor thrips population before initiating any control measure . In addition, they should commence thrips control early , at pre-flowering , using larvicides to reduce the thrips pool and their migration to flowers. A combina tion of monitoring with sticky traps and proper sampling would contribute to sustainable thrips management. Additional key words :Frankliniella ,Megalurothrips, monitoring, sampling .
CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF RESEARCH ON BACTERIAL BLIGHT OF RICE

New diseases arise when agriculture moves toward higher productivity. With a change of rice ecology, some formerly less important pests emerge, others vanish, and new ones appear. Bacterial blight is not a new disease of rice. Its importance to rice production in tropical Asia, however, was recognized only after the introduction of modern cultivars, which are highly responsive to nitrogen fertilizer. It is now a major rice disease throughout Asia. Bacterial blight is especially prevalent in irrigated and rainfed lowland rice areas in Asia. Severly infected leaves tend to dry quickly, and many farmers attribute the effects of the disease to drought, thus letting it go unnoticed. In the last twenty years, epidemics have been reported prior to the introduction of modern rices. Since the introduction and widespread cultivation of high­ yielding but susceptible rice cultivars, bacterial blight has become one of the most serious diseases of rice in Asia. In Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh States of India, major epidemics occurred in 1979 and 1980 ( 14); severe kresek was observed; and total crop failure was reported. Estimates of yield losses caused by bacterial blight are not available. The extent of yield loss depends on locality, season, weather, and cultivar. An increase in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer application favors disease development and thus causes greater yield loss (60) . The amount of nitrogen applied did not increase the incidence and severity of the disease in a resistant cultivar. In recent years the disease has been observed not only in all major rice­ producing countries of Asia, but also in the Sahelian countries of Africa (1)
Determinants and developments of employer provided training: evidence from a wage compressed environment

Using a representative employer‐employee level dataset, this paper answers four questions: (1) What characterises employer provided training in Norway? (2) What characterises firms that invest heavily in employer provided training? (3) Is it the same firms that invest in employer provided all the time? (4) Has the level of employer provided training increased in recent years? First, employer provided training in Norway is paid for by the firm and it creates skills that are quite general and transferable to other parts of the labour market. This result is especially interesting when found in a labour market like the Norwegian, characterized by a very compressed wage structure. Second, unionized firms, female dominated firms, high‐educated firms, small firms, firms using new work practices, and technology intensive firms are more likely to offer training to their workers. Third, firms that invested heavily in training in the previous period are most likely the same firms that invest much in training in the present period as well. Put simply: ‘Training firms’ train all the time, ‘Non‐training firms’ do not train at all. Fourth, the level of firm investments in training has increased in recent years, but the increase disappears as soon as we control for the level of education. Our interpretation of this is that higher level of education among the employees has created an increased need for training, so the level of training has increased, but for a given level of education, the level of training is approximately the same.
The Development of a Sustainability Framework via Lean Green Six Sigma Practices in SMEs Based upon RBV Theory

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are considered the driving force for the Malaysian economy. They stimulate the local economy, provide employment, and for large companies, they participate in supply chains. However, limited studies have been found on SMEs which are related to the achievement of sustainability. On the other hand, lean, green, six sigma and sustainability performance are among the most commonly discussed topics in the literature of business operations. Despite the linkages among these concepts, there have been nominal efforts at integrating the concepts of lean, green and six sigma concerning sustainability performance in SMEs. Therefore, this study suggests a conceptual framework for the implementation of lean, green and six sigma practices which impact on the sustainability performance within business operations of SMEs in Malaysia. This conceptual paper shines a light on the integration of lean green manufacturing practices with the combination of six sigma practices in SMEs. The combination of these concepts provides benefits to industry, as well as society. These days, society is demanding those business models which are socially responsible and more sustainable. Therefore, the sustainability concept has now become a basis to help understand many firms’ success in the current competitive contexts. Therefore, the findings emanating from the study will aid SMEs to understand the importance of lean green, six sigma practices which effect on their day to day performance, as well as to formulate an effective approach to pursue the path towards sustainability.
Red Rice (Oryza sativa) Plant Types Affect Growth, Coloration, and Flowering Characteristics of First- and Second-Generation Crosses with Rice1

Red rice is a major weed of rice in the southern U.S. and can intercross with rice. Knowledge of the plant phenotypes from such crosses would be valuable for identification and management of these plants. Male-sterile long-grain tropical japonicas ‘Kaybonnet-1789’ and ‘Cypress-1819’ were crossed with two awned and two awnless U.S. red rice types. F1 plants produced pubescent leaves, red pericarp, and medium-grain seeds. Crosses involving awned LA3 and TX4 red rice produced F1 plants with reddish-purple basal leaf sheaths and usually flowered within the same time periods as the parents, whereas those involving awnless StgS red rice had green basal leaf sheaths, flowered much later than either parent, and produced awnless F1 and F2 offspring. Crosses involving awned red rice produced F1 plants with long awns and F2 plants with awns ranging in length from zero to that of red rice parents. F1 plants were taller than either parent and produced intermediate culm angles similar to red rice, whereas F2 plants had culms ranging from erect (like rice) to more open than red rice. Thus, true F1 hybrids from crosses between pure breeding (homozygous) rice and red rice can be positively identified by a combination of traits including pubescent leaves, medium-grain seeds with red pericarps, open plant types, and heights greater than the red rice parent. F1 hybrids may be awned or awnless, have purple or green stems, or have normal or delayed heading. F2 plants have a broad combination of phenotypic traits found in both parents and F1 hybrids. Nomenclature: Red rice, Oryza sativa L. #3 ORYSA, ‘LA3’, ‘Stuttgart strawhull’, ‘TX4’; rice, Oryza sativa L. , ‘KBNT-1789’, ‘CPRS-1819’. Additional index words: Ecotype, biotype, gene flow, gene segregation, hybrid, outcrossing, phenotypic traits, rice, red rice, weedy rice. Abbreviations: IMI, imidazolinone; MS, male sterile; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; QTL, quantitative trait loci.
Comparative evaluation of malvasia wines: concordance and reliability of judgments

ABSTRACT Judgments given by experts in wine-tasting competitions can be relevant in terms of the visible signs of quality they provide for consumers. Even though it is difficult to measure the quality of wines in absolute terms, sensorial analysis through tasting is the generally accepted way to assess it. In this paper, a statistical analysis is carried out of the results from the first competition of Malvasias of the World. The evaluations obtained according to wine type (dry or sweet), geographical location and judge are analyzed and compared. Additionally, possible differences between two Canarian varieties of malvasia (aromatic and volcanic malvasia) are analyzed. Finally, the internal consistency of two tastings using a range of statistical measures based on the judges’ scores is studied to show the degree of concordance and reliability among their wine judgments.
Speech-in-speech recognition: A training study

This study aims to identify aspects of speech-in-noise recognition that are susceptible to training, focusing on whether listeners can learn to adapt to target talkers (“tune in”) and learn to better cope with various maskers (“tune out”) after short-term training. Listeners received training on English sentence recognition in speech-shaped noise (SSN), Mandarin babble, or English babble. Results from a speech-in-babble posttest showed evidence of both tuning in and tuning out: (1) listeners were able to take advantage of target talker familiarity; (2) training with babble was more effective than SSN training; and (3) after babble training, listeners improved most in coping with the babble in which they were trained. In general, the results show that processes related both to tuning in to speech targets and tuning out speech maskers can be improved with auditory training.
BOO091031 ® Coping with school moves

School mobility is widely held to be disruptive to students' education either directly, by disrupting curriculum continuity or indirectly through social stress and engagement issues affecting the student. Paradoxically, mobility has not been consistently linked to poorer academic outcomes; where mobility was linked with lower academic achievement, behaviour problems and/or inadequate adjustment issues were also found. Adjustment problems implicate student coping strategies. There is a gap in the mobility literature in relation to coping strategies. This study tests the hypothesis that when particular academic coping strategies are employed by mobile students academic achievement is supported and behavioural problems are avoided. A sample of over one thousand secondary students was employed to gather measures of mobility, academic achievement, suspensions and coping strategies in the pursuit of the following questions: 1. Is mobility linked to lower achievement in Australian students? 2. Is mobility linked to suspensions in Australian students? 3. Are coping strategies employed by mobile students whose academic achievement is satisfactory or better different from those employed by mobile students who are failing? 4. Are coping strategies employed by mobile students who are suspended different from those employed by mobile students who are never suspended? Supporting prior findings the mobile students of this study achieved at lower levels and had more suspensions than the non-mobile students. Results indicate that positive coping strategies play an important role in the achievement profile of mobile students. Adaptive coping was linked to higher academic achievement while the converse was found for non-productive coping strategies in mobile students. Possible explanations for prior inconsistent findings are suggested. Children of mobile middle and high SES families and those whose moves are necessitated by parental employment such as military families, rarely report negative effects. In addition, pre-existing differences have been found to account for achievement differences between mobile and other students in longitudinal studies. Results here suggest that it is not only mobility per se that determines children's outcomes but rather the reasons for moving and the family's attitude to moving. Adolescent's coping repertoires have been found to be largely developed over time in concert with their family's reactions to the range of circumstances they face. They result from socialising influences found within the family. Strategies modelled at home might be the ones the child/adolescent learns to use to manage stress. This could explain why children of some highly mobile families rarely report adverse academic achievement outcomes.
Streptomycin-resistant epiphytic bacteria with homologous DNA for streptomycin resistance in Michigan apple orchards

Streptomycin-resistant bacteria were recovered from leaves of apple (Malus domestica) and from leaves and stems of various weed species collected from six orchards in Michigan that had been treated with streptomycin in recent years. Populations of streptomycin-resistant bacteria ranged from 2.0×10 3 to 5.7×10 5 cfu per apple leaf and from 2.0×10 4 to 1.4×10 6 cfu per gram fresh weight of tissue from weed species