Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resilience in coastal dune grasslands: pH and soil organic matter effects on P nutrition, plant strategies, and soil communities

Soil organic matter (SOM) and pH are key ecosystem drivers, influencing resilience to environmental change. We tested the separate effects of pH and SOM on nutrient availability, plant strategies, and soil community composition in calcareous and acidic Grey dunes (H2130) with low, intermediate, and/or high SOM, which differ in sensitivity to high atmospheric N deposition. Soil organic matter was mainly important for biomass parameters of plants, microbes, and soil animals, and for microarthropod diversity and network complexity. However, differences in pH led to fundamental differences in P availability and plant strategies, which overruled the normal soil community patterns, and influenced resilience to N deposition. In calcareous dunes with low grass‐encroachment, P availability was low despite high amounts of inorganic P, due to low solubility of calcium phosphates and strong P sorption to Fe oxides at high pH. Calcareous dunes were dominated by low‐competitive arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants, which profit from mycorrhiza especially at low P. In acidic dunes with high grass‐encroachment, P availability increased as calcium phosphates dissolved and P sorption weakened with the shift from Fe oxides to Fe‐OM complexes. Weakly sorbed and colloidal P increased, and at least part of the sorbed P was organic. Acidic dunes were dominated by nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants, which increase P uptake through exudation of carboxylates and phosphatase enzymes, which release weakly sorbed P, and disintegrate labile organic P. The shifts in P availability and plant strategies also changed the soil community. Contrary to expectations, the bacterial pathway was more important in acidic than in calcareous dunes, possibly due to exudation of carboxylates and phosphatases by NM plants, which serve as bacterial food resource. Also, the fungal AM pathway was enhanced in calcareous dunes, and fungal feeders more abundant, due to the presence of AM fungi. The changes in soil communities in turn reduced expected differences in N cycling between calcareous and acidic dunes. Our results show that SOM and pH are important, but separate ecosystem drivers in Grey dunes. Differences in resilience to N deposition are mainly due to pH effects on P availability and plant strategies, which in turn overruled soil community patterns.
The tissues of articulate brachiopods and their value to predators

The punctate brachiopods Liothyrella neozelanica and Neothyris lenticularis were compared with the impunctate Notosaria nigricans and the bivalve molluscs Mytilus edulis and Lima colorata in terms of the force needed to crush the shells, the time needed to drill through shells by a standard apparatus, the organic content of the internal tissues (ash-free dry mass, AFDM), the tissue density (AFDM per unit volume between the shell valves) and the inorganic content of the internal tissues and whole animals. At one site M. edulis needed greater force to fracture its shell ( $\times $ 3.5), more time to drill through the shell ( $\times $ 10.8) and contained more AFDM ( $\times $ 6.2) than the brachiopod L. neozelanica. At a second site there was no significant difference between the brachiopods N. lenticularis and N. nigricans and the bivalve L. colorata in terms of force needed to crush the shells, but the bivalve was $\times $ 2 to $\times $ 30 harder to drill through and contained 10.7 times as much tissue AFDM as N. lenticularis and 4.2 times as much as N. nigricans. The impunctate N. nigricans had 2.6 times as much AFDM in its internal tissue as the punctate N. lenticularis. Cost-benefit ratios showed neither group to be consistently better prey items for predators in terms of reward (AFDM available) per unit effort. The punctate brachiopods had the lowest tissue densities (AFDM per internal volume) with values of 5-8 mg cm $^{-3}$ , the impunctate N. nigricans was next at 12-16 mg cm $^{-3}$ and the bivalve molluscs were highest with values of 45-120 mg cm $^{-3}$ . Tissue inorganic contents were also markedly different. The punctate brachiopods had values of 47.3% (N. lenticularis) and 56.2% (L. neozelanica), whereas the figure for the impunctate N. nigricans was 30.2%, and the bivalves were much lower at 12.8% (M. edulis) and 14.2% (L. colorata). These results suggest that predation pressures may be low on articulate brachiopods because of the very low tissue density and high inorganic content (because of the presence of spicules) of the internal tissues, both of which are characteristics which are not consistent with the possession of potent chemical defences.
Seed dispersal of the tropical tree, Platypodium elegans, and the escape of its seedlings from fungal pathogens

On recherche l'importance relative des causes de la mortalite des jeunes plantes; on etudie l'effet de la distance de dispersion sur la probabilite de survie des jeunes plantes et sur l'importance relative des causes differentes de mortalite; enfin on precise l'effet de la lumiere sur la mortalite
Impact of mirids and fungal infestation on dieback of cocoa in Cameroon

A study was carried out between March 2016 and April 2017 with the aim to determine the relationship between mirid infestations and dieback process of cocoa plants due to fungal infestations. Three infestation types on different cocoa organs was studied in-farm and in the laboratory as well as the fungal diversity of the cocoa organs and interaction between these fungi and dieback. It emerges from this work that Sahlbergella singularis presented a developmental cycle of 28.35 ± 5.10 days in the laboratory and 42.53 ± 6.70 days in the farm. As for fungal diversity, Lasiodiplodia sp. (34%) had the highest abundance followed by Fusarium sp. (23%), then Asperllus sp. (16%). These fungi became opportunistic due to mirid attack, leading to dieback of the host plant. This clearly shows the combined actions of mirids and fungi in dieback processing.
Calloused hands, shorter life? Occupation and older-age survival in Mexico

BACKGROUND Inequalities in mortality are often attributed to socioeconomic differences in education level, income, and wealth. Low socioeconomic status (SES) is generally related to worse health and survival across the life course. Yet, disadvantaged people are also more likely to hold jobs requiring heavy physical labor, repetitive movement, ergonomic strain, and safety hazards. OBJECTIVE We examine the link between primary lifetime occupation, together with education and net worth, on survival among older adults in Mexico. METHODS We use data from four waves (2001, 2003, 2012, and 2015) of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). We estimate age-specific mortality rates for ages 50 and over using a hazards model based on a two-parameter Gompertz function. RESULTS Primary lifetime occupations have a stronger association with survival for women than men. Women with higher socioeconomic status have significantly lower mortality rates than lower status women, whether SES is assessed in terms of schooling, wealth, or occupation. Occupational categories are not jointly related to survival among men, even without controls for education and wealth. There are significant survival differences by wealth among men, but no disparities in mortality by education. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with recent studies of the Mexican population, we fail to find the expected gradient in the association between some measures of SES and better survival among men. CONTRIBUTION Our estimates extend this anomalous pattern among Mexican men to another dimension of SES, occupation. SES differentials in mortality are substantially larger for Mexican women, highlighting an important gender disparity.
On the Feistel Counterpart of the Boomerang Connectivity Table Introduction and Analysis of the FBCT

At Eurocrypt 2018, Cid et al. introduced the Boomerang Connectivity Table (BCT), a tool to compute the probability of the middle round of a boomerang distinguisher from the description of the cipher’s Sbox(es). Their new table and the following works led to a refined understanding of boomerangs, and resulted in a series of improved attacks. Still, these works only addressed the case of Substitution Permutation Networks, and completely left out the case of ciphers following a Feistel construction. In this article, we address this lack by introducing the FBCT, the Feistel counterpart of the BCT. We show that the coefficient at row Δi, ∇o corresponds to the number of times the second order derivative at points Δi, ∇o) cancels out. We explore the properties of the FBCT and compare it to what is known on the BCT. Taking matters further, we show how to compute the probability of a boomerang switch over multiple rounds with a generic formula.
Changes in the Properties of Porcine Myosin during Postmortem Aging

Physicochemical and conformational changes, water-holding capacity (WHC) and the structure of heat-induced gel of porcine myosin were investigated to elucidate the relationship between denaturation of myosin and gelation properties during postmortem aging. The turbidity of porcine myosin upon heating increased as the period of postmortem aging increased. During postmortem aging, the increased velocity in values of aliphatic hydrophobicity of porcine myosin by heating was prominent, which suggested that porcine head was susceptible to conformational changes during storage. On the other hand, according to the changes in circular dichroism (CD) spectra of heated porcine myosin, the decrease in α-helix content was almost the same during postmortem aging, indicating no conformational changes in porcine myosin rod during aging. WHC values of porcine myosin gels showed a gradual decrease during storage. This coincided with the progressive loosening in its three dimensional ordering with increased postmortem aging period, as was revealed by SEM studies. In conclusion, conformational changes of myosin head by denaturation during postmortem aging of pork could cause a progressive loosening of heat-induced gel of porcine myosin. This result could be, in part, helpful in the subsequent use of pork in meat processing.
Interactions between soil, toxicant, and a lux‐marked bacterium during solid phase–contact toxicity testing

Bioluminescence‐based, solid‐contact toxicityassaysallow test bacterium and toxicant tointeract atthesolid‐solution interface. A lux‐marked bacterium, Burkholderia sp. RASC, and 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) were used to characterize these interactions. In the basic bioassay, cells were added to soil slurries containing 2,4‐DCP (0–120 μg ml−1). After 15 min, soil was removed by centrifugation, and bioluminescence in the supernatant was determined. Investigation of 2,4‐DCP adsorption to soil revealed that sorption was linear and not significantly (p > 0.1) affected by the presence of Burkholderia cells. The numbers of culturable Burkholderia cells in the assay supernatant were 48.2 to 64.8% of the inoculum and independent of the soil weight. The effect of soil on 2,4‐DCP toxicity was investigated by comparing soil aqueous extract and contact assays. The percentage bioluminescence for the contact assay was consistently higher than the extract assay at all test concentrations, and counts of viable Burkholderia cells were enhanced by the presence of 2,4‐DCP in the contact assay. Expressing results as specific bioluminescence decreased the variability in response and the discrepancy in results between the two protocols. We suggest that solid‐contact assays need improvement to ensure defined contact between cells and solid phase, and that the reporting of specific activity should be emphasized.
Causal analysis of the invasion of broad‐leaved forest by bamboo in Japan

In southwestern Tokyo the area covered by bamboo forest has expanded by a factor of 2.7 over the last 26 years. This has mainly been due to bamboo (Phyllostachyspubescens) invading secondary broad-leaved forests, probably after these were abandoned. In the first stage, bamboo sprouts develop from rhizomes at the periphery of the broad-leaved forest and then grow very quickly into young culms. In the next phase culm density increases annually, while the existing broad-leaved trees gradually lose their vitality and die. Finally, the broad-leaved forest is completely replaced by bamboo forest. The competitive ability of bamboo, based on its morphological and growth features, is suggested as the causal factor for the invasion: (1) bamboo can invade a neighboring broad-leaved forest by its vigorous rhizomes; (2) young bamboo culms can break through the canopy of broad-leaved trees; (3) bamboo quickly forms a crown in or above the canopy of the broad-leaved forest; (4) bamboo is very tolerant of strong wind and heavy snow accumulation; (5) bamboo culms, being very pliable during strong wind mechanically damage neighbouring broad-leaved trees.
Activation of β-Adrenergic Receptor Kinase During Myocardial Ischemia

During myocardial ischemia, a local release of noradrenaline coincides with an increased density of β-adrenergic receptors. The functional activity of these receptors, however, is mainly determined by their state of phosphorylation. The β-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK) specifically phosphorylates and thereby inactivates β-adrenergic receptors after stimulation by receptor agonists, facilitating the binding of the inhibitor protein β-arrestin to the receptors. βARK activation involves a translocation of the enzyme to the membrane. In the present study, we investigated the density and the functional activity of β-adrenergic receptors, the enzymatic activity of βARK in membranes and cytosol, the mRNA levels of βARK-1, and the expression of β-arrestin during stop-flow and low-flow ischemia in the isolated perfused rat heart. After 60 minutes of stop-flow ischemia, β-adrenergic receptor density was upregulated, but β-agonist–mediated adenylate cyclase activity was blunted. Simultaneously, βARK activity in the particulate fraction was significantly induced. The increase in βARK activity was reversible after inhibition of ischemia-evoked noradrenaline release by desipramine. Also, exposure to externally given noradrenaline increased βARK activity in the particulate fraction. Cytosolic βARK activity remained largely unchanged during stop-flow or low-flow ischemia. The steady state concentration of βARK-1 mRNA increased after 20 minutes of stop-flow ischemia and then returned to baseline values after another 20 minutes. Cardiac ischemia did not alter β-arrestin levels. During myocardial ischemia, an increase in the number of β-adrenergic receptors is paralleled by increased membrane activity of the receptor kinase βARK. This increased membrane activity may contribute to enhanced receptor phosphorylation and inactivation.
Phenotype classification of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Tokyo

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be divided into emphysema dominant, airway dominant, or mixed phenotypes using CT. Objective: We aimed to classify subjects with COPD in Tokyo based on CT findings and to investigate how these findings relate to clinical manifestation. Methods: The percentage of lung low attenuation area (%LAA) on chest CT was used to evaluate emphysema while airway wall thickness (Pi10) was used to evaluate airway disease. We introduced PVA on chest CT as an index of pulmonary vessel area. Reference ranges of %LAA and Pi10 were established based on chest CT normal subjects. Subjects with COPD were divided into four phenotypes using upper limits of reference ranges. Correlation between clinical findings and quantitative CT parameters were estimated. The proportions of each phenotype were evaluated based on Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) assessment. Results: Reference ranges were established based on 14 chest CT normal subjects. Twenty-five subjects with COPD were classified as emphysema dominant phenotype (52%), mixed phenotype (24%), airway dominant phenotype (12%), and CT normal phenotype (12%). %LAA correlated with FEV1/FVC more than with Pi10 and %PVA. CAT and mMRC scores significantly correlated with FEV1/FVC. No differences in the proportions of each phenotype were observed upon GOLD assessment. Conclusion: The emphysema dominant COPD phenotype was the most prevalent in Tokyo. *Correspondence to: Yuki Sumi, MD, PhD, Respiratory and Nervous System Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan, Tel: +81-3-5803-5372; Fax: +81-3-5803-0165; E-mail: sumi-alg@umin.ac. jp
Purely temporal ®gure±ground segregation

Visual ®gure±ground segregation is achieved by exploiting differences in features such as luminance, colour, motion or presentation time between a ®gure and its surround. Here we determine the shortest delay times required for ®gure±ground segregation based on purely temporal features. Previous studies usually employed stimulus onset asynchronies between ®gureand ground-containing possible artefacts based on apparent motion cues or on luminance differences. Our stimuli systematically avoid these artefacts by constantly showing 20 3 20 `colons' that ̄ip by 90° around their midpoints at constant time intervals. Colons constituting the background ̄ip in-phase whereas those constituting the target ̄ip with a phase delay. We tested the impact of frequency modulation and phase reduction on target detection. Younger subjects performed well above chance even at temporal delays as short as 13 ms, whilst older subjects required up to three times longer delays in some conditions. Figure± ground segregation can rely on purely temporal delays down to around 10 ms even in the absence of luminance and motion artefacts, indicating a temporal precision of cortical information processing almost an order of magnitude lower than the one required for some models of feature binding in the visual cortex [e.g. Singer, W. (1999), Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. , 9, 189±194]. Hence, in our experiment, observers are unable to use temporal stimulus features with the precision required for these models.
Impact of Free Cash Flows on Dividend Pay-Out in Jordanian Banks

Dividend pay-out is a concern for both managers and shareholders. The managers may use dividend policy to signal their performance. Thus, this study examines the effect of free cash flow, liquidity, bank size, leverage, profitability and bank age on the dividend pay-out ratio. The multiple regression analysis (panel data) was used to examine the hypothesis. The study found that free cash flow, liquidity, leverage and profitability were influential factors affecting the dividend pay-out ratio in Jordanian banks from 2004 to 2015. However, the bank size and bank age were found to be insignificantly related to the dividend pay-out in Jordanian banks. Similar to previous studies, this study suffered from different limitations. The main limitation was the data collection. The data was collected from Data Stream. However, only ten banks were found in the Data Stream reducing the sample to 120 observations/years. This study suggests that future studies to take into consideration the effect of the ownership structure on the dividend pay-out policy.
Effects of substrate and hydrodynamic conditions on the formation of mussel beds in a large river

Abstract A numerical model for simulation of freshwater mussel dynamics was used to investigate the effects of substrate and hydrodynamic conditions on the formation of mussel beds in a 10-km reach of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Suitable habitats for mussel survival were identified by creating a dimensionless parameter (shear stress ratio) combining shear force and substrate type. This parameter is a measure of substrate stability that could be used in many different applications. Dispersal of juvenile mussels with flow as they detach from their fish hosts was simulated by a particle-tracking mechanism that identified suitable areas for colonization with the potential to evolve into mussel beds. Simulated areas of mussel accumulation coincided with reported locations of mussel beds, and simulated densities were in the range of abundant mussel beds in other reaches of the UMR. These results, although more qualitative than quantitative, provide insight into factors influencing the formation of mussel beds in a large river.
ASSESSMENT OF SELF-PERCEIVED HALITOSIS AND ITS RELATION WITH SOCIO- ECONOMIC STATUS IN INDIAN ADULTS

Objectives: Oral malodour commonly known as bad breath is termed as Halitosis. As one can understand, it is a major social stigma. It is important to asses if there is relation between selfperceived halitosis and socioeconomic status. Materials and methods: structured questionnaire was used which assessed self-perceived halitosis, oral hygiene practices and oral hygiene perception. Total 360 patients were assessed. Results: Out of 360 patients, 138 patients (38.3%) gave positive response when asked if they can smell their own breath. Only 19 people (5.3%) people had sought professional treatment for the problem, even when 53 patients (14.7%) had felt restrictions in social interaction due to the halitosis. Almost equal percentage of patients from different SES gave positive response which was in range of 34%-41%. Lower middle class and upper lower class responses were in the range of 5%7%. Conclusion: The study shows that there may exist a relation between socioeconomic status and selfperceived halitosis. The study presents the lack of knowledge about oral health, treatment modalities and attitude of patients towards dental treatments amongst patients irrespective of the socioeconomic status.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION QUALITY DIMENSIONS THAT AFFECT CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION OF E-BANKING SERVICES

Information quality has been evidenced to be significantly related with the use of the system in prior empirical study particularly in the e-commerce systems. However, contended that while the importance of information quality is indisputable, it is a subject that is under-explored. Therefore, this study is an attempt to determine the dimensions of information quality that influences customer satisfaction of services provided by e-banking, and to propose an information quality model for customer satisfaction. The study proposed a model on the basis of the information system success model and based on such model, the researcher highlighted general information quality dimensions that influence customer satisfaction of services provided by e-banking.
Comments on “Analysis of Fundamentals of Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media Using Dynamic Pore-Network Models: A Review” by V. Joekar-Niasar and S

The aim of the present comment is to clarify misinterpretations regarding the structural features and performance of two mechanistic models for steady-state two-phase flow in pore networks, specifically the model for ganglion dynamics and the model implementing the concept of decomposition in prototype flows (DeProF model) developed by M.S. Valavanides and A.C. Payatakes and to argue on certain viewpoints regarding the applicability of the Payatakes group research works on network models.
The Success and Relevance of Shareholder Activism through Proxy Proposals

This paper shows evidence for the corporate governance role of shareholder proposals using the largest sample yet examined. Claims of agenda-seeking by the sponsoring shareholders are exaggerated, because proposals are targeted at firms with generally poor governance structures. Moreover, proposal announcements have positive valuation effects, which match the subsequent voting otucomes in depending on both proposal characteristics and the target‟s governance quality. We analyze proposal success using sample selection models to control for the endogeneity of target selection. We conclude that shareholder proposals are a relevant control mechanism, countering recent arguments that they should be restricted by the SEC.