Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foregut morphology of Pseudothelphusidae and Trichodactylidae (Decapoda: Brachyura) from northeastern Pará, Brazil

The gross morphology of foregut was investigated and described in detail for four freshwater crab species: a pseudothelphusid, Fredius reflexifrons (Ortmann, 1897) and three trichodactylids - Sylviocarcinus pictus (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), Valdivia serrata White, 1847, and Dilocarcinus septemdentatus (Herbst, 1783). In general, the gastric mills of freshwater crabs showed a similar degree of complexity in relation to other marine species of Anomura and Brachyura previously described in the literature. However, significant morphological differences were observed among the analyzed species, as in ossicle numbers, features and connection types. A total of 38 ossicles were described for S. pictus and V. serrata and 37 ossicles for D. septemdentatus and F. reflexifrons, respectively. The latter species can be distinguished from the others by the presence of a wide cardiac sac resembling two sacs. Most of the ossicles were connected through a rigid connection, and few ossicles were fused. The degree of calcification varied little among the studied species. The differences found among the species suggest that the morphological aspects of the foregut may be useful in the identification of similar species.
Growth, seasonality, and lizard life histories: age and size at maturity

Temperature influences the activity seasons, reproductive phenology, survival rates, and growth rates of lizards. We present a model of lizard growth that predicts phenotypic patterns of age and size at reproductive maturity in different thermal environments (i.e. different activity seasons). The model predicts a threshold in length of activity season: above this threshold (long season), lizards can mature one year earlier, but at a smaller size, compared to populations with activity seasons below the threshold. This environmentally imposed pattern reflects the proximate consequences of temperature. together with simple rules about the timing of maturation. A key prediction of the model is that age and size at maturity can vary non-linearly with the length of the activity season, and with the timing and duration of egg laying and hatching. We tested these predictions with published data from field studies of the phrynosomatid lizard Sceloporus undulatus, which is geographically widespread and occupies a range of thermal environments. We estimated activity seasons for each population by modeling the links between climates. microclimates and lizard body temperatures using heat-transfer principles. Female age at maturity showed the predicted threshold in length of activity season. whereas female size at maturity did not show the predicted threshold, but instead was negatively correlated with length of activity season. Two prairie populations were exceptions to this pattern: females matured in one year despite their short activity seasons, and consequently matured at an unusually small size. Prairie populations may have evolved differences in growth response and reproductive timing. The thermal environment appears to be an important correlate of life history variation among populations of Sceloporus undulatus.
THE SPIDER CRAB LIBINIA EMARGINATA LEACH, 1815 (DECAPODA BRACHYURA), AND THE STARFISH, AN UNSUITABLE PREDATOR BUT A COOPERATIVE PREY

1. Beide Geschlechter und alle Individuengrosen der Krabben Libinia emarginata fressen Asterias forbesi. 2. Dieses Rauber-Beute-Verhaltnis ist charakterisiert dadurch, das Asterias forbesi ihre Arme autotomisieren. 3. Die Krabben fressen soviel A. forbesi, das sie ihren Basalbedarf decken. 4. Das Ausmas, welches diese Rauber-Beute-Beziehung im Meer erlangt, ist ungeklart. Moglicherweise nimmt es zu wahrend der Hautungsperiode, weil die Krabben dann erhohte Kalzium-Mengen benotigen.
Predator–prey interactions between larval damselflies and mining larvae of Glyptotendipes gripekoveni (Chironomidae): reduction in feeding activity as an induced defence

1. The feeding methods and intensity of predation by larvae of the damselfly Erythromma najas on leaf-mining larvae of the chironomid Glyptotendipes gripekoveni were examined in artificial habitats differing in complexity. The experiments assessed the influence of chemical stimuli from the predator, light and the concentration of suspended food on the feeding activity of G. gripekoveni inside and outside of the mine. 2. Erythromma najas preyed upon G. gripekoveni as the latter grazed outside mines. The intensity of this predation decreased significantly at night in a habitat offering alternative prey. 3. When the food concentration for the chironomid was high, it significantly reduced both filtering activity and activity outside mines in response to the kairomone produced by E. najas. Feeding activity did not change when food was scarce. 4. The induced reduction in filter-feeding and deposit-feeding activity probably reduced predator success by reducing the probability of long-distance detection of a mine and location of the chironomid’s hole. 5. The predator can detect and catch mining prey in either the light (visually) or dark (mechanically). This may explain the lack of diel periodicity in the chemically induced differences in prey activity. 6. Reduced feeding activity of mining larvae in the chemically simulated presence of a larval damselfly can be explained as an induced antipredator behaviour, illustrating the trade-off between feeding demands and predation risk in a poorly known link of the littoral foodweb.
Effects of Protein Kinase Cα Overexpression on A7r5 Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Smooth muscle cell differentiation and proliferation are increasingly seen to be intimately tied to the etiology of atherosclerosis and hypertension. To determine the role of PKC alpha in the regulation of smooth muscle cell differentiation and proliferation, the rat embryonic smooth muscle cell line A7r5 was transfected with an expression vector containing the full-length PKC alpha cDNA. Neomycin-resistant clones which exhibited increased PKC alpha levels compared to wild-type cells were selected. The A7r5 cells overexpressing PKC alpha had altered morphology and decreased growth rates compared to wild-type cells and cells transfected only with the neomycin resistance gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that nuclear extracts from overexpressing clones gave a different pattern of protein-DNA binding to an AP-1 consensus oligonucleotide compared to wild-type cells. In contrast to the growth characteristics of these clones, their levels of cell differentiation marker proteins such as vinculin and desmin were not affected by PKC alpha overexpression. Moreover, the smooth muscle-specific differentiation marker alpha-actin was markedly reduced, while beta-actin levels were found to remain unchanged. Northern blot analysis confirmed that alpha-actin downregulation occurred at the RNA level. Western blot analysis revealed that A7r5 cells have five different PKC isoforms and that these isoform protein levels were not changed by PKC alpha overexpression. These findings suggest that PKC alpha regulates growth and differentiation of A7r5 smooth muscle cells and that these changes might result from altered expression/function of AP-1 transcription factors.
Moderating Role of Corruption Control on Firm Level Determinants of Corporate Sustainability Disclosure Compliance in Nigeria

This paper explores the moderating effect of corruption control in strengthening the influence of firm attributes on corporate sustainability disclosure compliance in Nigeria. The study focuses on the existing discussion on mandatory disclosure compliance with a corporate governance code. The extent of disclosure compliance is measured using a total unweighted disclosure index, developed from a panel data set of 118 companies listed on the Nigerian capital market. The companies were selected using a proportionate stratified sampling technique. The dataset for the period of 2011 to 2017 were first analyzed by static panel regression analysis. The regression models were subjected to further robustness checks under dynamic GMM panel regression analysis, to test for possible endogeneity. The findings revealed the significant moderating effect of corruption control, evidenced from the interaction of corruption control with selected firm attributes, namely; industry type, leverage and taxation. The research contributes to the existing literature, as it establishes the importance of control of corruption as an additional factor of corporate sustainability disclosure compliance within the context of Nigeria.
Degradabilidade in situ dos grãos de crambe, girassol e soja, e de seus coprodutos em ovinos

Ruminal degradability of crambe, sunflower and soybean grains and their by-products in sheep was evaluated by an “in situ” technique. Three 40 kg-Santa Ines fistulated sheep provided with ruminal cannula and kept in individual pens were analyzed. Feeds were incubated in the rumen in the following decreasing order 72, 48, 24, 18, 6, 3 and 0h. The potentially degradable fraction for DM in sunflower meal amounted to 73.7%, whereas it reached 34.6% in the case of CP, with medium ruminal degradation. Sunflower grain had low ruminal degradability for DM and CP (33.55 and 25.98%). Crushed soybean grain had soluble fraction of 23.15 and 7.79% respectively for DM and CP, with an effective degradability of 75.6 and 70.89%. Further, soybean whole grain presented low soluble fraction for DM and CP, respectively 4.79 and 8.73%, with low ruminal degradability. Crambe whole grain and crushed meal had the highest ADF rates, with low ruminal degradability for DM and CP. Rates for potentially degradable and soluble fraction were similar. Evaluated feeds had medium ruminal degradability, except for soybean crushed meal with the highest rate in ruminal degradability.
Optimal Strategies for CLSC considering Supply Disruption and Carbon Tax

Under the background of economic globalization, supply chain is becoming more and more complex, which is manifested in the instability of external environment. On the one hand, with the improvement of global environmental protection awareness, the government's policy tools for environmental impact (carbon tax) on the whole supply chain have become one of the major external problems faced by the supply chain enterprises; on the other hand, the intensification of competition between upstream and downstream in supply chains makes supply disruption an important proposition to be solved urgently. In this paper, the two propositions of green and supply disruption are reduced to two factors affecting the cost. The average total cost function of the manufacturer as a recycler is established. The practicability of the algorithm and the effectiveness of the model are verified by Lingo, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Genetic Algorithm, with the purpose of obtaining the optimal strategies for manufacturers who play the role of the recycler in the closed-loop supply chain.
Improved outcomes utilizing a novel pectin-based pleural sealant following acute lung injury

BACKGROUND Persistent air leaks after thoracic trauma are associated with significant morbidity. To evaluate a novel pectin sealant in a swine model of traumatic air leaks, we compared a pectin biopolymer with standard surgical and fibrin-based interventions. METHODS A standardized lung injury was created in male Yorkshire swine. Interventions were randomized to stapled wedge resection (n = 5), topical fibrin glue (n = 5), fibrin patch (n = 5), and a pectin sealant (n = 6). Baseline, preintervention and postintervention tidal volumes (TV) were recorded. Early success was defined as the return to near-normal TV (>95% of baseline). Late success was defined as no detectable air leak in the chest tube after chest closure. RESULTS There were no differences in injury severity between groups (mean TV loss, 62 ± 17 mL, p = 0.2). Early success was appreciated in 100% (n = 6) of the pectin interventions which was significantly better than the fibrin sealant (20%, n = 1), fibrin patch (20%, n = 1), and stapled groups (80%, n = 4, p = 0.01). The percent of return to baseline TV after sealant intervention was significantly increased in the pectin (98%) and staple arms (97%) compared with the fibrin sealant (91%) and fibrin patch arms (90%) (p = 0.02; p = 0.03). Late success was also improved with the pectin sealant: no air leak was detected in 83% of the pectin group compared with 40% in the stapled group (p = 0.008)—90% of the fibrin-based interventions resulted in continuous air leaks (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Pectin-based bioadhesives effectively seal traumatic air leaks upon application in a porcine model. Further testing is warranted as they may provide a superior parenchymal-sparing treatment option for traumatic air leaks.
HR3DHG version 1: modeling the spatiotemporal dynamics of mercury in the Augusta Bay (southern Italy)

Abstract. The biogeochemical dynamics of Hg, and specifically of its three species Hg0, HgII, and MeHg (elemental, inorganic, and organic, respectively), in the marine coastal area of Augusta Bay (southern Italy) have been explored by the high-resolution 3D Hg (HR3DHG) model, namely an advection–diffusion–reaction model for dissolved mercury in the seawater compartment coupled with a diffusion–reaction model for dissolved mercury in the pore water of sediments in which the desorption process for the sediment total mercury is taken into account. The spatiotemporal variability of the mercury concentration in both seawater ([HgD]) and the first layers of bottom sediments ([HgDsed] and [HgTsed]), as well as the Hg fluxes at the boundaries of the 3D model domain, have been theoretically reproduced, showing acceptable agreement with the experimental data collected in multiple field observations during six different oceanographic cruises. Also, the spatiotemporal dynamics of the total mercury concentration in seawater have been obtained by using both model results and field observations. The mass balance of the total Hg species in seawater has been calculated for the Augusta Harbour, improving previous estimations. The HR3DHG model could be used as an effective tool to predict the spatiotemporal distributions of dissolved and total mercury concentrations, while contributing to better assessing hazards for the environment and therefore for human health in highly polluted areas.
Developing a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy in India Using the SA 8000 Standard

In today’s global markets, issues related to Corporate Social Responsibility have greater importance on business performance, and international standards are defined as tools for companies to internalize their sustainability requests. The aim of this paper is to understand how the Social Accountability 8000 (SA 8000) standard is managed by developing countries, focusing on Indian certified companies, analyzing, in detail, of the motivations and benefits that prompted them to certification and barriers to its implementation. The research is based on a qualitative multiple case study. A total number of six companies participated in the research. The study showed that one of the main reasons for Indian companies of being SA 8000 certified is the willingness to satisfy the request for greater transparency on the part of stakeholders and the market in general. The study shows that by certifying SA 8000, Indian textile companies want to be promoters of a more sustainable and ethical way of doing business. The value of the research lies in the decision to focus on the Indian market, and in the textile sector, since India is the first country with the largest number of SA 8000 certified companies among developing countries and its textile industry is relevant all around the world.
Successional pathways on different surficial deposits in the coniferous boreal forest of the Quebec Clay Belt

To infer successional pathways on different surficial deposits in northwestern Quebec, we combined the chronosequence approach to the study of within-stand species' vertical distribution. The deposits sustained different frequencies of postfire stand composition types and successional trajectories. After fire, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. dominated all stands on organic deposits, while shade-intolerant species dominated the canopy in over 30% and 60% of stands, respectively, on fine- and coarse-textured deposits. In the absence of fire, P. mariana eventually dominates the canopy of all stands on every deposit. However, as the frequency of Larix laricina (DuRoi) K. Koch and Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. in old stands (>100 years) are, respectively, positively and negatively correlated with the deposits' paludification potential, changes in composition in this landscape appear to be driven by the species' tolerance to shade and paludification. Structural changes were characterized by the replacement of closed d.
Macroinvertebrate Assemblages, Stormwater Pollution, and Habitat Stressors in the Bronx River

The Bronx River, located within the Hudson-Raritan watershed in southeastern New York State, is an urban watercourse affected by stormwater pollution and urban development. Four sites along the river were sampled to examine relationships between 15 environmental variables and 26 benthic metrics. Macroinvertebrate assemblages presented low diversity and were dominated by aquatic worms and midge larvae. Variation in environmental factors among sites coincided with significant differences among benthic metrics. Moderate recovery of macroinvertebrate diversity was observed downstream from an intact riparian corridor (The New York Botanical Gardens) which may be functioning as a disturbance buffer, increasing stream habitat quality within an otherwise urbanized and degraded watercourse.
Logging damage to residual trees during sustainable harvesting of uneven-age stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran

Background: The frequency of wounded trees and intensity of wounds during logging operations can have serious impacts on stand growth and forest sustainability. The aims of the study were to evaluate and compare stand (tree and regeneration) damage level, wound characteristics, and damage types occurring when using a cable skidder in salvage logging and selection cutting. Methods: This study was conducted on four sites of mixed uneven-aged hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. At two sites, salvage logging was applied (SL1 and SL2), and low-intensity selection cutting (SC1 and SC2) was applied at the other two. A systematic plot sampling design was used on the study area for damage assessment. Results: The percentage of regenerating trees damaged was 2.8, 2.1, 4.3, 1.4 %, in SL1, SL2, SC1, and SC2, respectively. The corresponding percentage of damaged trees was 4.3, 3.7, 4.9, 1.7 %. Most of the damage (48–79%) to the stand occurred during the winching stage at all the sites. Most of the wounds were located on the bole (51–78%). The average wound height and wound size at selection cutting sites were significantly higher than at the salvage logging sites. The incidence of high-intensity wounds at the salvage logging sites (55% at SL1 and 57% at SL2) was higher than at the selection cutting sites (24% in SC1 and 30% in SC2). Regenerating beech (Fagus orienalis Lipsky) and alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey) had the highest incidence of damage. The number of damaged trees increased with increasing winching distance. Conclusion: Damage levels in stands during salvage logging and low-intensity selection cutting are lower (about a quarter) than the damage level to residual trees (12–23%) and regeneration (5–11%) from conventional selection cutting in uneven-aged mixed hardwood stands in the Hyrcanian forests. Because of the ecological and conservation value of deadwood, if the incidence of wind-fallen trees is low, the wood should be left in forest stands due to the high cost of salvage logging and the damage caused to residual and regenerating trees.
A Novel Methodology to Assimilate Sub-Path Flows in Bi-Level OD Matrix Estimation Process

Traditional bi-level origin-destination (OD) matrix estimation process adjusts the matrix (at the upper level) based on the deviation between the observed and simulated traffic counts. The problem is mathematically under-determined, and the quality of the solution can be enhanced by restricting the upper level search space with information from other sources. This paper presents a methodology that assimilates sub-path flows in the upper level objective function. The contributions of the study are two-fold: first, it proposes the idea of “structural comparison of sub-path flows” to relax the requirement of “known” penetration rate of vehicles’ trajectories; second, it proposes an innovative upper level formulation where the structural difference between the observed and assigned sub-path flows is integrated with the traditional deviations between the observed and assigned link flows. The sub-path flows can be estimated from advanced data sources such as Bluetooth MAC scanner. The proposed methodology is tested using simulation on a realistic network from Brisbane, Australia and results indicate its practical relevance for situations when the penetration rate of Bluetooth trajectories is generally unknown. The proposed method has a better ability to maintain structural consistency and showed considerable improvements in the quality of OD estimates as compared to the traditional traffic counts-based approach.
Diversidade de Calliphoridae (Insecta: Diptera) na base de extração petrolífera da Bacia do Rio Urucu, na Amazônia brasileira

The diversity and abundance of blow flies in three environments (anthropic gaps, tree-fall gaps, and primary "terra firme" forest) of Porto Urucu/AM were evaluated in annual collects realized in 2004, 2005, and 2006. During these three years were collected 2,121 specimens belonging to 14 species. The most abundant species were Chloroprocta idioidea (Robineau- Desvoidy), Eumesembrinella randa (Walker), and Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani). Primary forests and tree-fall gaps enviroments, showed higher blow flies abundance than anthropic gaps, with diversity and equitability index higher than anthropic gaps, when the dominance value was high.
Problems of Development of a Cloud-Oriented Educational Environment of the University

The article shows that at the current stage of development of modern universities, it is necessary to ensure the functioning of the educational environment, which will fully realize the conditions for academic mobility, communication and cooperation between research and teaching staff (RTS) and students. That is, it is necessary to introduce a cloud-oriented educational environment of universities (COEE) for more efficient organization of the academic community, which brings together both RTS and students. It is shown that for the effective implementation of COEE in universities it is necessary to develop new models that reflect the main components of COEE, processes and the relationships between them. There is proposed a multi-cloud COEE model based on the principles of modular arithmetic. The proposed modification of COEE will increase the reliability of storage and processing of data shared by the academic community of several universities at once, both for scientific work and for exchanging experience in introducing advanced teaching methods and new educational and methodological developments of university research and teaching staff who participate in the project. There are analyzed the models of reliable storage of large volumes of data for COEE. There are shown the advantages of models based on modular arithmetic over models based on a positional number system.