Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling climate-change-induced shifts in the distribution of the koala

Context The impacts of climate change on the climate envelopes, and hence, distributions of species, are of ongoing concern for biodiversity worldwide. Knowing where climate refuge habitats will occur in the future is essential to conservation planning. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species highly vulnerable to climate change. However, the impact of climate change on its distribution is poorly understood. Aims We aimed to predict the likely shifts in the climate envelope of the koala throughout its natural distribution under various climate change scenarios and identify potential future climate refugia. Methods To predict possible future koala climate envelopes we developed bioclimatic models using Maxent, based on a substantial database of locality records and several climate change scenarios. Key results The predicted current koala climate envelope was concentrated in south-east Queensland, eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria, which generally showed congruency with their current known distribution. Under realistic projected future climate change, with the climate becoming increasingly drier and warmer, the models showed a significant progressive eastward and southward contraction in the koala’s climate envelope limit in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The models also indicated novel potentially suitable climate habitat in Tasmania and south-western Australia. Conclusions Under a future hotter and drier climate, current koala distributions, based on their climate envelope, will likely contract eastwards and southwards to many regions where koala populations are declining due to additional threats of high human population densities and ongoing pressures from habitat loss, dog attacks and vehicle collisions. In arid and semi-arid regions such as the Mulgalands of south-western Queensland, climate change is likely to compound the impacts of habitat loss, resulting in significant contractions in the distribution of this species. Implications Climate change pressures will likely change priorities for allocating conservation efforts for many species. Conservation planning needs to identify areas that will provide climatically suitable habitat for a species in a changing climate. In the case of the koala, inland habitats are likely to become climatically unsuitable, increasing the need to protect and restore the more mesic habitats, which are under threat from urbanisation. National and regional koala conservation policies need to anticipate these changes and synergistic threats. Therefore, a proactive approach to conservation planning is necessary to protect the koala and other species that depend on eucalypt forests.
Consumer perceptions of environmental and social sustainability of wood products in the Finnish market

Abstract Consumers in today's world can perceive an additional benefit associated with responsible business practices and the sustainability of purchased products. However, in Scandinavian context, there is a lack of knowledge of consumer perceptions toward environmental and social sustainability of wood products. Our data on adult Finnish consumers (private end-users) (N=227) were collected during 2004–2007 as interview exit data from home retail centers selling building materials. The perceived environmental and social sustainability of wood products was investigated using exploratory factor analysis, and the phenomenon was observed to be a two-dimensional construct consisting of “General environmental and social sustainability” and “Specific social sustainability” reflecting strong consumer need for product safety. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the “General” dimension also explains the consumer's self-declared willingness to pay for sustainable wood products. The results also indicate that the respondents may be segmented based on their perceptions on product level environmental and social sustainability: the most environmentally and socially conscious group can be profiled by gender (female), older age, and summer cottage ownership.
Acetate and Lactate Production During Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste Driven by Lactobacillus and Aeriscardovia

Background: In a previous study, single-stage processes were compared with two-stage processes, using either food waste alone or mixed with thin stillage as substrate. Overall methane yield increased (by 12%) in two-stage compared with single-stage digestion when using food waste, but decreased when food waste was co-digested with thin stillage (50:50 on VS basis). The obtained difference in methane yield was likely caused by a higher acetate level in the first stage reactor operating with food waste alone (around 20 g/L) compared to the reactor also treating thin stillage (around 8 g /L). The present study sought to shed additional light on possible causes of the large difference in methane yield by scrutinizing the microbial community in the first- and second-stage reactors, using a combined Illumina sequencing and qPCR approach. Results: In the first-stage process, acid-tolerant Aeriscardovia and Lactobacillus formed a highly efficient consortium. For food waste with high levels of acetate (20 g/L, equal to 0.14 g acetate/g VS) was produced but when thin stillage was added the pH was lower (<4), resulting in lactate production exceeding acetate production. This difference in hydrolysate composition between the reactors resulted in development of slightly different communities in the second-stage, for both hydrolysis, fermentation, and acetogenesis. High acetate concentration appeared to promote proliferation of different syntrophic consortia, such as various syntrophic acetate oxidizers, members of the genus Syntrophomonas and candidate phylum Cloacimonetes, likely explaining the higher methane yields with two-step compared with single-stage digestion of food waste. Conclusion: Using food waste as sole substrate resulted in enrichment of Lactobacillus and Aeriscardovia and high acetate yields in the first-stage reactor. This was beneficial for biogas yield in two-stage digestion, where efficient acid-degrading syntrophic consortia developed. Addition of thin stillage contributed to low pH and higher lactate production, which resulted in decreased methane yield in the two-stage process compared with using food waste as sole substrate.
Methods of Goods Delivery to the Historic Core of the City of Šibenik During the Tourist Season

Abstract City logistics has the goal of optimizing the entire logistics system within the city area and thus positively impact the quality of life. Different measures and initiatives, aimed at the optimisation of city logistics and reduction of the negative effects of urban freight transport are access zones or goods (freight) receiving points in the city centre, restrictions of vehicle dimensions, time schedule of delivery, consolidation strategies, use of urban distribution or consolidation centres, use of electric cars, use of urban public transport and mobility management. In the last couple of years, the city of Šibenik has experienced a tourism boom, which includes the organisation of numerous festivals in the old town core, an increase in the number of visitors, an increase in the number of catering and shopping facilities, private accommodation units, hotels and hostels. The increased number of tourists and commercial establishments also broaches the question of delivery of food and non-food products into the old part of the city, especially during the tourist season.
Contrasting Water Relations of Photosynthesis for Two Sphagnum Mosses

Sphagnum fallax and S. nemoreum differ in their vertical distributions above the water table on hummocks in Bloomingdale Bog (Adirondack Mountains, New York), and both exhibit decreasing water content with increasing height above the water table. We tested the prediction that S. netnoreum, a species better developed on hummock tops, would photosynthesize at greater rates when relatively dry than would S. fallax, which is more abundant in hollows and on hummock bases. Net photosynthesis declined sharply at tissue water contents (fresh-/dry-mass ratio) below 7.2 for S. fi/lax and 8.9 for S. nemoreum collected in spring. These values fell to 5.1 and 7.4, respectively, for plants collected in late summer. Thus both species exhibit adaptive seasonal acclimation, as reflected by the maintenance of relatively high net photosynthetic rates to lower water contents after a dry summer. Neither species showed significant response differences when collected from different heights above the water table. In direct contradiction to our hypothesis, Sphagnuin falax fixed carbon at greater rates than S. nemoreuln at low water contents for both spring and summer collections. This physiological contrast appears inconsistent with observed field distribution patterns for these species.
The Roman Food System in Southern Pannonia (Croatia) From the 1st–4th Century A.D.

Abstract Food is an excellent medium through which to explore trade, economies, migration and landscapes, yet little is known about food production and consumption in the Roman province of Pannonia. Here we explore the current evidence for agriculture, trade and diet in southern Pannonia (modern day eastern Croatia) and what this may say about life in the region. The influx of new ‘exotic’ foods and technologies had a profound influence on this region. The limited archaeobotanical data suggests complex trade and local agricultural systems that allowed large towns such as Mursa, Cibalae and Siscia to gain access to a wide range of food items. The large quantities of pottery found not only helps us understand traded goods but also the local tastes and fashions, as well as to infer the types of dishes that could have been cooked. More evidence is clearly needed in this region but what we can see so far is that urban centres along the Danube Limes were firmly integrated within the wider Roman food system and that diets were probably quite varied for many who lived there.
Relationship between Water Tolerance and Cyanide-resistant Respiration in Pear Rootstocks

1. To estimate flooding tolerance of several pear rootstocks, wilting of leaves, shoot growth and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reducing activity of fine roots were measured under an experimental flooding condition. Two strains of Pyrus calleryana, No. 6 and No. 8, were most tolerant to flooding, followed by strains No. 7 and No. 10. Seedlings of P. betulaefolia and P. pyrifolia were not tolerant to flooding.2. Evolution of HCN from the pear roots was determined by treating them with N2 gasand NaN3 solution. Root systems of the plants evolved the same level of HCN whether they were kept anaerobic or treated with NaN3. Untreated control pear roots did not evolve any HCN.3. The fine roots were collected before and after seven days of flooding and oxygen uptake measured in a 1mM KCN solution. KCN inhibited oxygen uptake about 10% in the fine roots of P. calleryana strains No. 6 and No. 8 collected before flooding; the inhibition decreased after seven days of flooding. But in the cases of P. betulaefolia and P. pyrifolia, KCN inhibited oxygen uptake of fine roots by more than 30% after flooding.
Rapid In‐Vitro Inactivation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Using Povidone‐Iodine Oral Antiseptic Rinse

Abstract Purpose To investigate the optimal contact time and concentration for viricidal activity of oral preparation of povidone‐iodine (PVP‐I) against SARS‐CoV‐2 (‘corona virus’) to mitigate the risk and transmission of the virus in the dental practice. Materials and Methods The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) USA‐WA1/2020 strain, virus stock was tested against oral antiseptic solutions consisting of aqueous povidone‐iodine (PVP‐I) as the sole active ingredient. The PVP‐I was tested at diluted concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%. Test media without any virus was added to 2 tubes of the compounds to serve as toxicity and neutralization controls. Ethanol (70%) was tested in parallel as a positive control, and water only as a negative control. The test solutions and virus were incubated at room temperature (22 ± 2 °C) for time periods of 15 and 30 seconds. The solution was then neutralized by a 1/10 dilution in minimum essential medium (MEM) 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 50 µg/mL gentamicin. Surviving virus from each sample was quantified by standard end‐point dilution assay and the log reduction value (LRV) of each compound compared to the negative (water) control was calculated. Results PVP‐I oral antiseptics at all tested concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, completely inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 within 15 seconds of contact. The 70% ethanol control group was unable to completely inactivate SARS‐CoV‐2 after 15 seconds of contact, but was able to inactivate the virus at 30 seconds of contact. Conclusions PVP‐I oral antiseptic preparations rapidly inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 virus in vitro. The viricidal activity was present at the lowest concentration of 0.5 % PVP‐I and at the lowest contact time of 15 seconds. This important finding can justify the use of preprocedural oral rinsing with PVP‐I (for patients and health care providers) may be useful as an adjunct to personal protective equipment, for dental and surgical specialties during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Compositional variation in the leaf, mace, kernel, and seed essential oil of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) from the Western Ghats, India

Abstract The essential oil (EO) from leaf, mace, kernel, and seed of Myristica fragrans Houtt. growing in the Western Ghats, India was investigated for the first time. The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-MS. The results revealed that yields of EO were 3.16%, 8.10%, 6.24%, and 5.21% for leaf, mace, kernel, and seed, respectively. The main fractions were found to be monoterpenes (53.77%–94.82%), phenylpropenes (1.96%–28.61%), and sesquiterpenes (1.21%–16.76%) and for all the four parts. The main constituents of leaf were sabinene (17.17%), eugenol (16.60%), myristicin (9.12%), caryophyllene (8.82%), and β-myrcene (4.74%). Sabinene (38.37%), α-pinene (8.16%), β-pinene (7.61%), D-limonene (7.07%), and 3-carene (5.05%) were predominant constituents of mace. The major constituents of kernel and seed were sabinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, and D-limonene. The major constituents of leaf, mace, kernel and seed of nutmeg can be utilised in the food, perfumery, aroma and pharmaceutical industries. Graphical Abstract
Multi-agent systems to enable Industry 4.0

Abstract The discussion paper “I4.0 language: vocabulary, message structure and semantic interaction protocols of the I4.0 language”, published by the working group “Semantics and Interaction of Industry 4.0 Components” of the GMA, also known as UAG of the AG 1 of the platform Industry 4.0 (I4.0), presented a concept for the language between I4.0 components. The main conclusion is: The increasing networking and cooperation of components enable new forms of organization and control. A clear understanding of machine interactions paves self-organized and self-optimized value creation in I4.0. Agent-based systems are an option for the realization of such I4.0 architectures. Due to their features, software agents are particularly well suited for representing I4.0 components and enabling I4.0 interactions. Agents are not only able to understand the necessary machine languages, but also the essential mechanisms for self-organization and self-optimization in value creation. The paper focuses on I4.0 scenarios described by the Platform I4.0 that describes challenges for the industry towards its digital future and demonstrates how emerging challenges in the area of I4.0 can be met with the help of agent-based systems.
The CWPS Rubik’s cube: Linking diversity of cell wall polysaccharide structures with the encoded biosynthetic machinery of selected Lactococcus lactis strains

The biosynthetic machinery for cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS) production in lactococci is encoded by a large gene cluster, designated cwps. This locus displays considerable variation among lactococcal genomes, previously prompting a classification into three distinct genotypes (A–C). In the present study, the cwps loci of 107 lactococcal strains were compared, revealing the presence of a fourth cwps genotype (type D). Lactococcal CWPSs are comprised of two saccharidic structures: a peptidoglycan‐embedded rhamnan backbone polymer to which a surface‐exposed, poly/oligosaccharidic side‐chain is covalently linked. Chemical structures of the side‐chain of seven lactococcal strains were elucidated, highlighting their diverse and strain‐specific nature. Furthermore, a link between cwps genotype and chemical structure was derived based on the number of glycosyltransferase‐encoding genes in the cwps cluster and the presence of conserved genes encoding the presumed priming glycosyltransferase. This facilitates predictions of several structural features of lactococcal CWPSs including (a) whether the CWPS possesses short oligo/polysaccharide side‐chains, (b) the number of component monosaccharides in a given CWPS structure, (c) the order of monosaccharide incorporation into the repeating units of the side‐chain (for C‐type strains), (d) the presence of Galf and phosphodiester bonds in the side‐chain, and (e) the presence of glycerol phosphate substituents in the side‐chain.
Physicochemical properties of the starchy flour extracted from sweet potato tubers through lactic acid fermentation

The efficiency of starch extraction from sweet potato tubers was improved by lactic acid fermentation using a mixed culture inoculum. Study of the properties of the starchy flour showed that there was a significant reduction in the starch content and consequently the soluble and apparent amylose contents of fermented samples from all six varieties used. A fall in peak viscosity and viscosity breakdown was observed for fermented samples, while the pasting temperature was enhanced significantly. The fermented flour showed greater solubility and reduced swelling. Differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated a delay in gelatinisation and a fall in enthalpy of gelatinisation of the starch on fermentation. Unlike cassava, all the properties of the starch from sweet potato tubers, ie viscosity, swelling, solubility, gelatinisation temperature, amylose content and starch content, were affected by fermentation, and variation was also observed among cultivars. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Interactions among subtidal australian sea urchins, gastropods, and algae: effects of experimental removals

The subtidal region at Cape Banks, New South Wales, Australia, is char- acterized by large areas covered solely by encrusting coralline algae in association with large densities of invertebrate grazers. Orthogonal removals of these grazers: the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii; the limpets Patelloida alticostata, P. mufria, and Cellana tra- moserica; and the turbinids Australium tentiforme and Turbo torquata, were done at two sites and two times to investigate the interactions among these species and their effects on the algal community. These manipulations had large effects on both the algal and animal communities, although the type and intensity of these interactions altered at different temporal and spatial scales. Initially, the removal of urchins and/or all species of limpets resulted in a rapid increase in the amount of noncrustose algae in these areas. Removal of turbinids, however, had no significant effect. Where both limpets and urchins had been removed, the cover of foliose algae continued to increase quickly and was :80-100% after 12 mo. In areas where only urchins were removed, the increase in the cover of algae was slower, and only approached 100% after 18-24 mo. Where only limpets had been removed, 3 mo after an initial increase in the cover of filamentous algae the cover declined to be only slightly more than in control areas. These results were similar at all sites and times. In one series of removals, the effects of some of the species of limpets were separated. In this case, the increase in the cover of algae was found to be fastest when only P. mufria was left (the urchins and other limpets removed), than when all limpets and urchins had been removed. Initially, the removal of the urchins generally resulted in a large increase in the re- cruitment and density of the limpets. Approximately 1 yr following the removal of the urchins, however, the density of adult and juvenile limpets of all species had declined to near zero. Removal of the larger species of limpets, P. alticostata and Cellana, also increased the rate of recruitment of the smaller species, P. mufria. Thus, these invertebrate grazers, especially the sea urchins, appeared to be necessary for the maintenance of the areas of crustose algae. Similarly, the sea urchins were found to be necessary for the continued presence of the limpets within these areas. The strong effects of the urchins on this community, and the application of the situation to theories concerning keystone species and facilitation, are discussed in relation to the important but more subtle effects of the limpets.
Outcome in Patients with Partial and Full-Thickness Cheek Defects following Free Flap Reconstruction—A Multicentric Analysis of 47 Cases

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the extent of tumor resection and free flap reconstruction influences functional outcome and complications in patients with solid malignancies of the cheek. Therefore, we retrospectively assessed recipient site complications and functional outcomes in 47 patients with solid malignancies of the cheek who underwent either partial (n = 30; 63.8%) or full-thickness (n = 17; 36.2%) cheek resection with free flap reconstruction. Complications occurred in 12 (70.6%) patients after full thickness resections with creation of through-and-through defects compared to 14 (70.6%) patients with partial defects (p = 0.138). Among those 26 patients (55.3%), major recipient site complications, like development of salivary fistula or free flap loss, were observed in 10 (21.3%) and 2 (4.3%) cases, respectively, while minor complications, like wound dehiscence and local infections, were found in 14 (29.8%) and 9 (19.1%) patients. Complications were noticed particularly after reconstruction of suborbital defects (69.2%; p = 0.268), of which occurrence of salivary fistulae was the most common (46.2%; p = 0.035). Similarly, functional outcomes including oral incompetence, ectropion, and trismus were not affected by the extent of resection (p = 0.766). However, oral incompetence was higher in patients with tumors originating from the oral cavity (p = 0.020) and after the performance of mandibulectomy (p = 0.003). Overall, there was no difference in functional outcome or recipient site morbidity between tumor resections resulting in full-thickness and partial defects.