Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity, Population Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Species in Dry Woodlands Adjacent to Molapo Farms in Northern Botswana

The diversity, population structure and regeneration status of woody species were studied at Xobe and Shorobe Villages in northern Botswana. A total of 130 and 111 quadrats of 20 × 20 m size were laid down at 50 m intervals along parallel line transects at Xobe and Shorobe, respectively. A total of 46 woody species, 27 from Xobe and 41 from Shorobe were recorded. Of the 46 woody species, only 22 were recorded at both sites. Ten genera and six families were found only in Shorobe while one genus and one family were found only in Xobe. The diversity and evenness of woody species were 1.5 and 0.5 in Xobe, respectively, and 2.18 and 0.6 in Shorobe, respectively. The similarities of woody species in terms of richness of species, genera and families at the two sites were about 50%, 54% and 56%, respectively. The mean densities of woody species were 2745.7 ± 1.35 and 4269.7 ± 36 individuals ha-1 at Xobe and Shorobe, respectively. Despite differences in absolute numbers, the total mean densities of woody species at both sites did not exhibit significant (P = 0.35) differences. At both sites, woody species were dominated by individuals of only a few species, which also exhibited the highest values of important value index. The population structure patterns of the woody species were categorized into five groups. The species in the first group exhibited reverse J-shaped distribution, which indicates stable population structures. The species in the second group showed relatively good recruitment but the regeneration is negatively affected. The species in the other three groups exhibited hampered regeneration as a result of disturbances caused by humans, domestic animals and annual fires. The parameters assessed indicate the need for attention and appropriate management interventions by the relevant national authorities at various levels.
A Polyphasic Approach to Compare the Genomic Profiles of Aflatoxigenic and Non-Aflatoxigenic Isolates of Aspergillus Section Flavi

Aflatoxins (AF) are highly toxic compounds produced by Aspergillus section Flavi. They spoil food crops and present a serious global health hazard to humans and livestock. The aim of this study was to examine the phylogenetic relationships among aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus isolates. A polyphasic approach combining phylogenetic, sequence, and toxin analyses was applied to 40 Aspergillus section Flavi isolates collected from eight countries around the world (USA, Philippines, Egypt, India, Australia, Indonesia, China, and Uganda). This allows one to pinpoint the key genomic features that distinguish AF producing and non-producing isolates. Based on molecular identification, 32 (80%) were identified as A. flavus, three (7.5%) as A. parasiticus, three (7.5%) as A. nomius and one (2.5%) as A. tamarii. Toxin analysis showed that 22 (55%) Aspergillus isolates were aflatoxigenic. The majority of the toxic isolates (62.5%) originated from Egypt. The highest aflatoxin production potential was observed in an A. nomius isolate which is originally isolated from the Philippines. DNA-based molecular markers such as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) were used to evaluate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among these 40 Aspergillus isolates, which were originally selected from 80 isolates. The percentage of polymorphic bands in three RAPD and three ISSR primers was 81.9% and 79.37%, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance showed significant diversity within the populations, 92% for RAPD and 85% for ISSR primers. The average of Polymorphism Information Content (PIC), Marker Index (MI), Nei’s gene diversity (H) and Shannon’s diversity index (I) in ISSR markers are higher than those in RAPD markers. Based on banding patterns and gene diversities values, we observed that the ISSR-PCR provides clearer data and is more successful in genetic diversity analyses than RAPD-PCR. Dendrograms generated from UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) cluster analyses for RAPD and ISSR markers were related to the geographic origin.
Leaf anatomy and morphology of Eugenia rotundifolia applied to the authentication of the “ abajurú ” commercially sold

Eugenia rotundifolia Casar. , Myrtaceae, occurs in the sandy coastal environments of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo States. To the best of our knowledge, E. rotundifolia was not included in ethnobotanical and nor in pharmacological research, but its leaves are sold in a public market of Rio de Janeiro City as “abajurú”, the common name for Chrysobalanus icaco L. , Chrysobalanaceae. C. icaco, in contrast, has been studied and its medicinal effects reported. Since E. rotundifolia is often sold in the public market as “abajurú,” this paper describes and compares the leaf anatomy and morphology of E. rotundifolia with C. icaco, previously described in the literature, in order to provide tools for the authentication of commercialized “abajurú. ” Phyllotaxy; texture; color; margin; midrib prominence; stomata type; type and shape of midrib and petiole vascular bundle; the presence of marginal vein, secretory cavities, which are seen as translucent dots, and overlying cells only in E. rotundifolia; and the presence of trichomes, periclinal divisions in adaxial face epidermis, hypodermis and vascular bundle extensions only in C. icaco were found to be the most distinguishable diagnostic characters.
Carbon Price instead of Support Schemes: Wind Power Investments by the Electricity Market

This paper studies wind power development within electricity markets with a significant carbon price as the sole incentive. Simulation of electricity market and investment decisions by System Dynamics modelling is used to trace the evolution of the electricity generation mix over a 20-year period from an initially thermal system. A range of carbon prices is tested to determine the value above which market-driven development of wind power becomes economically possible.This requires not only economic competitiveness in terms of cost-price, but also profitability versus traditional fossil-fuel technologies. Results stress that wind power is profitable for investors only if the carbon price is significantly higher than the price required for making wind power MWh’s cost-price competitive on the basis of levelized costs. In this context, the market-driven development of wind power seems only possible if there is a strong commitment to climate policy, reflected in a stable and high carbon price. Moreover, marketdriven development of wind power becomes more challenging if nuclear is part of investment options.
Ultra-Compact Polarization Splitter Based on Silica Liquid Crystal Photonic Crystal Fiber Coupler

─ An ultra-compact polarization splitter based on dual core nematic liquid crystal silica photonic crystal fiber (NLC-PCF) is proposed and analyzed. The refractive index difference between the NLC and silica material guaranties the index guiding through the reported splitter. The dual core NLC-PCF has strong polarization dependence due to the birefringence between the two polarized modes. The coupling characteristics of the proposed design are studied thoroughly using full vectorial fine difference method (FV-FDM) and the propagation analysis is performed by full vectorial finite difference beam propagation method (FVFD-BPM). The numerical results reveal that the reported splitter has short device length of 482 μm with low crosstalk better than -20 dB with wide bandwidths of 31.5 nm and 19 nm for the quasi TE and quasi TM modes, respectively. The compact coupling lengths as well as the low crosstalks over reasonable bandwidths are the main advantages of the reported
Cadmium-Related Effects on Cellular Immunity Comprises Altered Metabolism in Earthworm Coelomocytes

The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is known to modulate the immune system, challenging soil-dwelling organisms where environmental Cd pollution is high. Since earthworms lack adaptive immunity, we determined Cd-related effects on coelomocytes, the cellular part of innate immunity, which is also the site of detoxification processes. A proteomics approach revealed a set of immunity-related proteins as well as gene products involved in energy metabolism changing in earthworms in response to Cd exposure. Based on these results, we conducted extracellular flux measurements of oxygen and acidification to reveal the effect of Cd on coelomocyte metabolism. We observed a significantly changing oxygen consumption rate, extracellular acidification, as well as metabolic potential, which can be defined as the response to an induced energy demand. Acute changes in intracellular calcium levels were also observed, indicating impaired coelomocyte activation. Lysosomes, the cell protein recycling center, and mitochondrial parameters did not change. Taken together, we were able to characterize coelomocyte metabolism to reveal a potential link to an impaired immune system upon Cd exposure.
The Causes of Quasi-homologous CMEs

In this paper, we identified the magnetic source locations of 142 quasi-homologous (QH) coronal mass ejections (CMEs), of which 121 are from solar cycle (SC) 23 and 21 from SC 24. Among those CMEs, 63% originated from the same source location as their predecessor (defined as S-type), while 37% originated from a different location within the same active region as their predecessor (defined as D-type). Their distinctly different waiting time distributions, peaking around 7.5 and 1.5 hr for S- and D-type CMEs, suggest that they might involve different physical mechanisms with different characteristic timescales. Through detailed analysis based on nonlinear force-free coronal magnetic field modeling of two exemplary cases, we propose that the S-type QH CMES might involve a recurring energy release process from the same source location (by magnetic free energy replenishment), whereas the D-type QH CMEs can happen when a flux tube system is disturbed by a nearby CME.
‘ Nutrition and cognitive efficiency ’ Vitamin-mineral supplements and intelligence

Seven studies, using the double-blind placebo-controlled design that is expected in clinical trials, have examined the impact of vitamin-mineral supplementation on children’s performance in intelligence tests. Of these, five have reported that the taking of supplements was associated with improved performance by some children (Benton & Roberts, 1988; Benton & Buts, 1990; Benton & Cook, 1991a; Schoenthaler et al. 1991a,b), whereas two report negative findings (Crombie et al. 1990; Nelson et al. 1990). As the strengths and weaknesses of these studies have been debated elsewhere the present paper will address other questions (Benton, 1988,1991~; Letters, 1988; Rippere, 1988; Blinkhorn, 1991; Cole & Whitehead, 1991; Peto, 1991; Schoenthaler, 1991). The present paper, after commenting about the impact of vitamin-mineral supplementation on children, examines a more general question: ‘Is it likely that sub-clinical deficiencies of micronutrients exist in Western industrialized societies to the extent that psychological functioning is disrupted? ’ This general question is important because much of the scepticism and controversy which surround the reports that the intelligence scores of some children respond to supplementation, reflects the certainty that sub-clinical deficiencies occur extremely rarely, if they exist at all.
Effect of planting methods on the growth and yield of coarse rice.

An experiment was conducted to determine the e ffect of seeding techniques on growth and yield of rice. It was laid out in arandomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement s. Sowing methods (flat and bed) were assignedto main-plotwhileseeding techniques (dry seed drill, dry seed broadcast, soaked seed drill, soaked seed broadcast andconventionaltransplanting technique) were maintained in-plots.The resultsshowed thathigher paddy yield was obtained in flat sowingmethodas compare tobed sowing. Flat sowing also had maximum number of tillers andpanicleswith the highest unfilled spikelets. Among seeding techniques, conventionaltransplanting technique had maximum number of tillersand paniclesper unit area ,spikeletsperpanicleand paddy yield than other seeding techniques. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that conventionaltransplanting on flat is a better planting techniqueofriceunder the agro -climatic conditions of Dera Ismail Khan.
Vermicompost and chemical P fertilizer on yield of maize and soil properties in Ebantu District, Western Highlands of Ethiopia

Integrated use of lime with organic and chemical fertilizers is considered as a good approach for sustainable crop production under acidic soils. Vermicompost (VC) and chemical phosphorus (P) fertilizer when used with lime play a vital role in enhancing productivity of acidic soils. Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive cropping seasons of 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the effects of lime, VC and chemical P fertilizer on yield and yield components of maize in Ebantu District, Western highlands of Ethiopia. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design as a factorial combination of two lime rates (0, and 4 t CaCO3 ha-1), three VC rates (0, 2.5 and 5 t VC ha-1) and three chemical P rates (0, 20 and 40 kg P ha-1) which were replicated three times. Relevant crop parameters were measured following standard procedures. Tasseling days (102), silking days (109), highest leaf area index (5.91), plant height (3.48 m), cob length (47.83 cm), number of grain per cob (644) and above ground dry biomass yield (22 t ha-1) were exhibited by 5 t ha-1 VC and 40 kg ha-1 chemical P fertilizer with lime of 0 and 4 t ha-1 while the highest 1000-seed weight (508 g), grain yield (4.87 t ha-1) and harvest index (24%) were obtained at 2.5 t ha-1 VC and 40 kg P ha-1 with lime. Integrated application of organic and chemical fertilizers with lime amended the acidic soils and improved its fertility which in turn increased crop yields. Combined use of VC at 2.5 t ha-1 and chemical P fertilizer at 20 kg ha-1 with lime at 4 t ha-1 is economically optimum and could be recommended for reclaiming soil acidity and improve nutrients for maize as it enhanced grain yield and yield components of maize plant in strongly acidic soils for the two consecutive years pooled together. Key words: Maize yield, lime, Vermicompost (VC), phosphorus (P), integrated application.
Hydrogen Sulfide Impairs Meiosis Resumption in Xenopus laevis Oocytes

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is addressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Three enzymes involved in H2S metabolism, cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, were detected in prophase I and metaphase II-arrested oocytes and drove an acceleration of oocyte meiosis resumption when inhibited. Moreover, meiosis resumption is associated with a significant decrease in endogenous H2S. On another hand, a dose-dependent inhibition was obtained using the H2S donor, NaHS (1 and 5 mM). NaHS impaired translation. NaHS did not induce the dissociation of the components of the M-phase promoting factor (MPF), cyclin B and Cdk1, nor directly impacted the MPF activity. However, the M-phase entry induced by microinjection of metaphase II MPF-containing cytoplasm was diminished, suggesting upstream components of the MPF auto-amplification loop were sensitive to H2S. Superoxide dismutase and catalase hindered the effects of NaHS, and this sensitivity was partially dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast to other species, no apoptosis was promoted. These results suggest a contribution of H2S signaling in the timing of amphibian oocytes meiosis resumption.
Current Issues in the Study of Social Stigma: Some Controversies and Unresolved Issues

This contribution identifies some of the major themes and controversies in current research on stigma and social disadvantage, paying particular attention to the perspective of the stigmatized. We examine the social contextual and interactive nature of stigmatization that determines its impact and consequences for those who are stigmatized. We outline some areas of research where different findings seem incompatible or have remained unresolved. Specifically, we identify moderators of the consequences of social stigma for the self, of the role of identification with the stigmatized group as a source of vulnerability or of resilience, as well as of how stigma affects task performance. In this way, we provide a thematic framework outlining the different ways in which the articles in this special issue contribute to the resolution of current controversies and debates in the literature on social stigma.
Cytomegalovirus Viremia after Living and Deceased Donation in Kidney Transplantation

Despite screening, effective anti-viral drugs and risk-balanced prophylaxis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a major cause of morbidity in transplant patients. The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the risk factors associated with CMV viremia after kidney transplantation in a large European cohort with standardized valganciclovir prophylaxis in the present era. A special focus was placed on the comparison of living and postmortal donation. We conducted a longitudinal observational study involving 723 adult patients with a total of 3292 patient-years who were transplanted at our center between 2007 and 2015. Valganciclovir prophylaxis was administered over 100 days for CMV+ donors (D) or recipients (R), over 200 days for D+/R−, and none in D−/R−. A CMV+ donor, rejection episodes, and deceased donor transplantation were identified to be associated with increased incidences of CMV viremia. Although we did not find a reduced overall survival rate for patients with CMV viremia, it was associated with worse graft function. Since we observed a relevant number of CMV infections despite prescribing valganciclovir prophylaxis, a pre-emptive strategy in patients with (suspected) adherence restrictions could be favored. Our data can help transplant physicians educate their patients about their individual CMV risk and choose the most appropriate CMV treatment approach.
Applying Movement Constraints to BLE RSSI-Based Indoor Positioning for Extracting Valid Semantic Trajectories

Indoor positioning techniques, owing to received signal strength indicator (RSSI)-based sensors, can provide useful trajectory-based services. These services include user movement analytics, next-to-visit recommendation, and hotspot detection. However, the value of RSSI is often disturbed due to obstacles in indoor environment, such as doors, walls, and furnitures. Therefore, many indoor positioning techniques still extract an invalid trajectory from the disturbed RSSI. An invalid trajectory contains distant or impossible consecutive positions within a short time, which is unlikely in a real-world scenario. In this study, we enhanced indoor positioning techniques with movement constraints on BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) RSSI data to prevent an invalid semantic indoor trajectory. The movement constraints ensure that a predicted semantic position cannot be far apart from the previous position. Furthermore, we can extend any indoor positioning technique using these movement constraints. We conducted comprehensive experimental studies on real BLE RSSI datasets from various indoor environment scenarios. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed approach effectively extracts valid indoor semantic trajectories from the RSSI data.
PROBING HOT SPOT AND COLD SPOT REGIONS OF SRF CAVITIES WITH TUNNELING AND RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIES

Point contact tunneling (PCT) and Raman spectroscopies are presented on high purity Nb samples, including pieces from hot spot and cold spot regions of tested SRF cavities and Nb coupons subject to similar treatment. Near ideal tunneling spectra with sharp coherence peaks and low zero bias conductance were observed on cold spot samples (Fermilab and Jlab ), revealing the bulk Nb gap at the surface, with minimal smearing of the density of states (DOS). Hot spot samples exhibit high smearing suggestive of pair breaking along with generally lower superconducting gap. In addition, pronounced zero bias conductance peaks were frequently observed in hot spot regions indicative of spinflip tunneling from magnetic impurities in the oxide layer. Optical microscopy reveals higher density of surface blemishes on hot spot samples. Raman spectra inside those blemishes show clear difference from surrounding areas, exhibiting enhanced intensity peaks identified as either amorphous carbon, hydrocarbons or the ordered NbC phase. The presence of surface NbC is consistent with TEM studies. Regions with excess C and O have been found by SEM/EDX spectroscopy in the hot spot samples, corroborating the Raman results. Such regions with high concentrations of impurities are expected to suppress the local superconductivity which may explain the observation of reduced gaps and the formation of hot spot regions at high accelerating field. We have found the development of high surface carbon regions to be a general consequence of strain in all Nb samples.
Title Insider Trading with Imperfectly Competitive Market Makers

We extend a market model of Kyle (1984) to a multi-period market model in which market makers are imperfectly competitive. When there are only a finite number of market makers who try to maximize their expected profits, Kyle’s λ, price sensitivity to the order flow, is higher than that of Kyle (1985), who assumes perfect competition among risk-neutral market makers. We show that in a multi-period setting, the price movement has a negative serial correlation as Roll (1984) and Glosten and Milgrom (1985).
Between-tumor and within-tumor heterogeneity in invasive potential

For women with access to healthcare and early detection, breast cancer deaths are caused primarily by metastasis rather than growth of the primary tumor. Metastasis has been difficult to study because it happens deep in the body, occurs over years, and involves a small fraction of cells from the primary tumor. Furthermore, within-tumor heterogeneity relevant to metastasis can also lead to therapy failures and is obscured by studies of bulk tissue. Here we exploit heterogeneity to identify molecular mechanisms of metastasis. We use “organoids”, groups of hundreds of tumor cells taken from a patient and grown in the lab, to probe tumor heterogeneity, with potentially thousands of organoids generated from a single tumor. We show that organoids have the character of biological replicates: within-tumor and between-tumor variation are of similar magnitude. We develop new methods based on population genetics and variance components models to build between-tumor and within-tumor statistical tests, using organoids analogously to large sibships and vastly amplifying the test power. We show great efficiency for tests based on the organoids with the most extreme phenotypes and potential cost savings from pooled tests of the extreme tails, with organoids generated from hundreds of tumors having power predicted to be similar to bulk tests of hundreds of thousands of tumors. We apply these methods to an association test for molecular correlates of invasion, using a novel quantitative invasion phenotype calculated as the spectral power of the organoid boundary. These new approaches combine to show a strong association between invasion and protein expression of Keratin 14, a known biomarker for poor prognosis, with p = 2 × 10−45 for within-tumor tests of individual organoids and p < 10−6 for pooled tests of extreme tails. Future studies using these methods could lead to discoveries of new classes of cancer targets and development of corresponding therapeutics. All data and methods are available under an open source license at https://github.com/baderzone/invasion_2019.