Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upland Soil Charcoal in the Wet Tropical Forests of Central Guyana

A soil charcoal survey was undertaken across 60,000 ha of closed‐canopy tropical forest in central Guyana to determine the occurrence, ubiquity, and age of past forest fires across a range of terra firme soil types. Samples were clustered around six centers consisting of spatially nested sample stations. Most charcoal was found between 40 and 60 cm depth with fewest samples yielding material at 0–20 cm depth. The first core yielded charcoal at most stations. Charcoal ages of a random subsample ranged from less than 200 YBP to 9500 YBP with a noticeable peak between 1000 and 1250 YBP. Results reinforce a view that most closed‐canopy tropical forests in eastern Amazonia have been subject to palaeo‐fire events of unknown severity with a peak in charcoal age consistently appearing between 1000 and 2000 YBP. The two samples dated to the early Holocene represent some of the oldest indicators of paleo‐fire known from upland Neotropical forest soils. Ubiquitous soil charcoal in central Guyana further indicate both forest resilience to fire and the widespread propensity for regional forests to burn, particularly during anomalous periods of drought.
Diversity of laccases from lichens in suborder Peltigerineae

Abstract Following our previous reports of extracellular laccase activity in lichenized ascomycetes, we investigated the diversity of laccase isoforms in lichens in 20 species from the suborder Peltigerineae. The molecular masses of the active forms of most laccases varied between 135 and 190 kD, although some lichens within the family Peltigeraceae had laccases with higher masses, typically varying from 200 to over 350 kD. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to confirm the accuracy of the electrophoretic estimates of molecular masses. SEC also clearly distinguished laccase from tyrosinase, another abundant cell wall oxidase in the Peltigerineae. Most species contained one oligomeric laccase isoform. Analysis of replicate collections of four species from different localities showed the isoform a given species contains does not vary with geographical location. The absorption spectra of lichen leachates suggested lichen laccases sometimes resemble the “yellow” laccases found in some free-living fungi. The thermostabilities of lichen laccases were only moderate; most of their activity remained after several hours at 40°C, but at 50°C activity was rapidly lost. Results indicate that considerable diversity in laccase isoforms exists in lichens.
Systems Biotechnology: an Energing Trend in Metabolic Engineering of Industrial Microorganisms

The improvement of production processes to achieve commercially viable production levels is a prerequisite to any bioprocess. Currently, production strains are enhanced using a combination of random and targeted approach. By combining metabolomics technology and genome data analysis, it is possible to replace empirical target-selection strategies with a more scienti fi c approach. All steps of biotechnological development, from up-stream and mid-stream to down-stream processes will bene fi t signi fi cantly by taking systems biotechnological approaches. The prevalence of genome sequence information, in concert with modern molecular biology advances, should have facilitated the easy manipulation of speci fi c genes and pathways for the production of microbial metabolites. A notable success has been made on designing optimized production systems that maximize productivity and minimize raw materials costs for valuable metabolites. A remarkable advantage of this approach up-to-data and its relevant web resources is critically reviewed in this article. Indeed, this alternative approach will not only hopefully be useful for improving the productivity of many meaningful metabolites including antibiotics, enzymes, organic acids, etc. from industrially signi fi cant microorganisms but also will ensure correlation of many experimental reliabilities.
A Mixed Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Helmholtz Equation

In this paper, we introduce and analyze a mixed discontinuous Galerkin method for the Helmholtz equation. The mixed discontinuous Galerkin method is designed by using a discontinuous finite element pair for the flux variable and the scattered field with . We can get optimal order convergence for the flux variable in both - like norm and norm and the scattered field in norm numerically. Moreover, we conduct the numerical experiments on the Helmholtz equation with perturbation and the rectangular waveguide, which also demonstrate the good performance of the mixed discontinuous Galerkin method.
Individuality in the Female Songs of Wild Kloss’ Gibbons (Hylobates klossii) on Siberut Island, Indonesia

Observations and recordings were made of the female songs produced by 4 adult and mated female Kloss’ gibbons (Hylobates klossii) from a site on Siberut Island, the largest island of the Mentawai Island chain in Indonesia. A statistical analysis of song characteristics revealed that individuality occurs throughout the entire song. The implications of these findings, as well as comparisons to similar studies of individuality on other gibbon species, are presented.
Effect of Location, Year and Variety on Winter Cereal Forage Yield and Quality in the Southern Plateau of the Spain

ABSTRACT : The objective of this research was to study the production and quality of forage at three different times of the year (April, June and July) of six winter cereals in the southern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula. The cereals studied were Triticale (x Triticosecale wittm) cv. “Tritano”, Oat ( Avena sativa L.) cv. “Prevision” and cv. “Saia; Rye ( Secale cereale L.) cv. “Giganton”, Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. “Cameo” and cv. "Albacete”. The study was carried out in three different locations and over three successive years of harvesting. The three variables considered were location, year and cereal. The % dry matter (DM), % crude protein (CP), %acid detergent fiber (ADF), % neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and % ash content were determined for the three sampling periods and the quality was calculated in milk forage units (MFU/kg DM), the production in kg DM/ha, MFU/ha and kg CP/ha. In all three sampling periods the quality of the cereals was significantly influenced only by the year and by species. However, for production of dry matter (kg DM/ha), milk forage units (MFU/ha) and gross protein (kg CP/ha) all three variables were of significant influence as were their interactions. In the April sampling, the species which showed a significantly higher production (p≤0.05) was rye (1,693 kg DM/ha), which, along with its forage quality (16.56% CP, 0.886 MFU/kg DM) meant that the same occurred in MFU/ha and kg CP/ha. Significant differences between species were also found for the June sampling. The most productive cereal was again rye with 2,656 kg DM/ha, although its sharp fall in forage quality meant that barley cv Albacete (2,513 kg DM/ha) returned the highest production in forage units (1,934 vs. 1,951 MFU/ha) and barley cv. Cameo (2,413 kg DM/ha) in gross protein production (242 vs. 264 kg CP/ha). The significantly highest cereal production for July was barley cv. Albacete (4,923 kg DM/ha, 9.11% CP 0.722 MFU/kg DM). As a consequence of the results, we conclude that from the viewpoint of nutritional quality and production, rye is the most suitable for use in early spring in whatever year and location. However, barley cv. “Albacete” is the most appropriate for utilisation in later spring or early summer. (
Asymmetric distributions of H2O and SiO masers towards V627 Cas

We performed simultaneous observations of the H2O 6(1,6) - 5(2,3) (22.235080 GHz) and SiO v= 1, 2, J = 1 - 0, SiO v = 1, J = 2 - 1, 3 - 2 (43.122080, 42.820587, 86.243442, and 129.363359 GHz) masers towards the suspected D-type symbiotic star, V627 Cas, using the Korean VLBI Network. Here, we present astrometrically registered maps of the H2O and SiO v = 1, 2, J = 1 - 0, SiO v = 1, J = 2 - 1 masers for five epochs from January 2016 to June 2018. Distributions of the SiO maser spots do not show clear ring-like structures, and those of the H2O maser are biased towards the north-north-west to west with respect to the SiO maser features according to observational epochs. These asymmetric distributions of H2O and SiO masers are discussed based on two scenarios of a bipolar outflow and the presence of the hot companion, a white dwarf, in V627 Cas. We carried out ring fitting of SiO v = 1, and v = 2 masers and estimated the expected position of the cool red giant. The ring radii of the SiO v = 1 maser are slightly larger than those of the SiO v = 2 maser, as previously known. Our assumption for the physical size of the SiO maser ring of V627 Cas to be the typical size of a SiO maser ring radius (\sim4 au) of red giants yields the distance of V627 Cas to be \sim1 kpc.
Monolithic Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells: A Review of the Present Status and Advanced Characterization Methods Toward 30% Efficiency

Tandem solar cells are the next step in the photovoltaic (PV) evolution due to their higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) potential than currently dominating, but inherently limited, single‐junction solar cells. With the emergence of metal halide perovskite absorber materials, the fabrication of highly efficient tandem solar cells, at a reasonable cost, can significantly impact the future PV landscape. The perovskite‐based tandem solar cells have already shown that they can convert light more efficiently than their standalone sub‐cells. However, to reach PCEs over 30%, several challenges have to be overcome and the understanding of this fascinating technology has to be broadened. In this review, the main scientific and engineering challenges in the field are presented, alongside a discussion of the current status of three main perovskite tandem technologies: perovskite/silicon, perovskite/CIGS, and perovskite/perovskite tandem solar cells. A summary of the advanced structural, electrical, optical, radiative, and electronic characterization methods as well as simulations being utilized for perovskite‐based tandem solar cells is presented. The main findings are summarized and the strength of the techniques to overcome the challenges and gain deeper knowledge for further performance improvement is assessed. Finally, the PCE potential in different experimental and theoretical limits is compared with an aim to shed light on the path towards overcoming the 30% efficiency threshold for all of the three herein reviewed tandem technologies.
How the Internet Promotes China's Exports: A Firm‐Level Perspective

The development of information and communications technology (ICT), particularly the Internet, has reduced trade costs. However, it remains unclear whether these reduced costs are reflected in the “extensive margins” of firms’ exports (which refer to the probability of firms exporting) or the “intensive margins” (which refer to the value of firms’ export). To test this, we used the concepts of information cost and binary margins, an augmented trade model of firm heterogeneity, a two‐stage Heckman estimation, and data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey of Chinese firms in 2012. The results revealed that reduced trade costs from the use of ICT were positively related to extensive margins but that the connection with intensive margins was not significant. The results lead to the conclusion that reduced information costs related to a firm's exporting behavior were primarily reflected in variable trade costs. This study offers theoretical and empirical evidence for China's policies towards the Internet, which are relevant for the export of manufactured goods. The government should encourage the use of ICT to enhance firms’ export opportunities while facing current trade policy uncertainty.
Exploring the relationship between perceived technology-assisted teacher support and technology-embedded scientific inquiry: the mediation effect of hardiness

ABSTRACT This study examines the correlations between perceived technology-assisted teacher support; student hardiness (i.e. individual commitment, challenge, and control); and technology-embedded scientific inquiry (TESI) using a mediational model approach. Data were gathered from the series of questionnaires administered to 1566 Chinese students with an average age of 11.5. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis results confirmed our assumption that when students perceived technology-assisted teacher support, this promoted their TESI hardiness, indirectly increasing their perceived TESI. Perceived technology-assisted teacher support and TESI were found to be positively correlated in this structural model. However, by including TESI hardiness in the mediational mechanism, its direct relationship with both perceived technology-assisted teacher support and perceived TESI was insignificant, while the mediating effects remained significant. Therefore, TESI hardiness is of considerable importance for delineating the relationship between perceived technology-assisted teacher support and perceived TESI. It was revealed that both the interpersonal variable (perceived technology-assisted teacher support) and the individual variable (TESI hardiness) are vital in determining the effectiveness of TESI. These findings enhance the understanding of and approach to the promotion of students’ perception of scientific inquiry by emphasising the value of technology-assisted teacher support and hardiness.
Chemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Properties of Fermented Fish Products from Sardinellasp. in Nigeria

Abstract Sardinella sp. was subject to “chance inoculation” (natural) fermentation with or without treatment with spices at room temperature and was analyzed for chemical composition, microbiological and sensory properties. Results showed slight decrease in moisture content from 73 to 70% for unfermented and fermented products, slight increase in crude protein from 16 to 18%, in fat from 7 to 8% and in ash from 2-3% for the unfermented and fermented products, respectively. Fermentation caused a slight decrease in trimethylamine (TMA) from 20 to 18 kg/100 g in unfermented and fermented products while there was an inconsistent increase in peroxide value from 6 mEq/kg for the fermented products to 8 mEq/kg for the unfermented product. There was a consistent decrease in pH from 6.5 to 4.3 and a corresponding increase in titratable acidity from 0.69 to 1.84 NaOH/100 kg during fermentation of the products. Fermentation caused a slight decrease in total viable count of microorganisms, which ranged from 250 to 380 cfu/g for fermented and unfermented products. Sensory evaluation showed that fish fermented with 10% salt concentration had significantly (P < 0.5) higher score in taste and overall acceptability than that with 15% concentration.
Amino‐truncated amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ5‐40/42) produced from caspase‐cleaved amyloid precursor protein is deposited in Alzheimer’s disease brain

Caspase activation and apoptosis are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In view of the finding that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) undergoes caspase‐mediated cleavage in the cytoplasmic region, we analyzed amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) production in human neuronal and nonneuronal cells expressing wild‐type APP and the caspase‐cleaved form of APP (APPΔC). Biochemical analyses, including immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry, revealed that APPΔC‐expressing cells secrete increased levels of amino‐terminally truncated Aβ5‐40/42 and reduced levels of Aβ1‐40/42, compared with wild‐type APP‐expressing cells. We propose that Aβ5‐40/42 is derived from alternative β‐cleavage of APP by α‐secretase‐like protease(s), based on data from treatment of cells with inhibitors of BACE and α‐secretase. Apoptosis induction resulted in this alternative cleavage of APP in wild‐type APP‐expressing cells. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of the AD brain with an end‐specific antibody to Aβ5‐40/42 revealed peptide deposits in vascular lesions with amyloid angiopathy. The data collectively suggest that caspase cleavage of APP leads to increased production and deposition of Aβ5‐40/42 in the AD brain, and highlight the significance of amino‐truncated Aβ in the pathogenesis of AD.
The effect of organic milk production on certain milk quality parameters

In recent years there is growing interest of consumers for the consumption of organic milk, because of its favorable content of fatty acids that has a positive effect on human health. The aim of this study was to examine the content of fatty acids, vitamins A, C and α - tocopherol in milk which was obtained in different production systems, organic and conventional. The samples of conventional and organic milk were collected from farms located in Vojvodina, throughout all seasons. The prepared samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and high - performance liquid chromatography. The results proved that the milk produced in accordance with the principles of organic production had a higher content of polyunsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids compared with conventional milk (p<0.01) during the whole examination period, while the greatest differences were perceived in the pasture season. Also, organic milk had a higher content of vitamins A, C and α - tocopherol compared with the conventionally produced milk, although there was no statistically significant difference.
Leader-Following Formation Control of Nonholonomic Mobile Robots With Velocity Observers

In many existing formation control approaches for nonholonomic mobile robots, the leader velocity is required to be measured and transmitted to the follower for controller design. Though some existing approaches can remove such a requirement, they have their respective shortcomings. For example, some are discontinuous, while others only ensure local closed-loop stability. In this article, we develop novel continuous formation controllers for mobile robots without measurement of the leader velocity such that communication between the mobile robots is not required. To address the unavailability issue of the leader velocity, observers based on adaptive control technique are proposed to obtain estimation of the leader velocity from information of the follower's onboard sensors. The effect of the velocity estimation error on the closed-loop stability is considered in the stability analysis based on Lyapunov stability theory, and it is shown that global stability of the combined observer–controller closed-loop system is ensured by the developed approaches. The effectiveness and performance of the developed approaches is illustrated using experimental results.
VIABLE SEED POPULATIONS IN ALBERTA PRAIRIE TOPSOILS

Naturally disseminated seeds in soil obtained from native and cultivated grass stands were permitted to germinate and grow in pots at different soil temperatures or in greenhouse flats at a constant temperature. There were differences in numbers of seeds of various species germinating at various temperatures, but greatest differences were among sites. Grazing affected number of seeds of a species that germinated, with grasses decreasing and weeds increasing as intensity of grazing increased. Viable seeds ranged in number from 204 to 12,342/m2, Distribution of numbers of seeds in topsoils was skewed, with the mode at 780/m2. The presence of viable seeds of many species on or in the topsoil would, upon its disturbance, assure secondary plant succession.
Investigate of Haemostatic and Fibrinolytic System Parameters among Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients in the Khartoum State

Introduction: A sickle cell anaemia one of a haemoglobinopathy, which constituted as a model for genetically inherited disorders, the course of the disease involves may crises, the investigation of hemostatic components as fibrinogen and fibrinolysis as D-dimer, reflect the overall hemostatic status in the sickle cell anaemia patients. Aim: To investigates hemostatic and fibrinolytic system parameters among sickle cell anaemia patients in the Khartoum state. Methods: The study was conducted in Khartoum state, in JafarIbn Auf Reference Hospital for children as descriptive case-control, a laboratory-based study from 2017-18, specimens were collected randomly of the study population with irrespective to age and gender, blood draw in tri-sodium citrate container, the ethical and consent were obtained. The fibrinogen level was estimated by CA51 semi-automated coagulation analyzer optically based, and the D-dimer were assayed by MISPA-i2, a nephelometric based, the results for each parameter were recorded and using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software for analysis by independent T-test and the statistical significance > 0.05. Results: A hundred participants fifty as study group (HbSS) sickle cell anemic Sudanese child clinically and laboratory-confirmed and fifty healthy as the control group, in comparing a mean of fibrinogen show statistically insignificant (P value 0.645) study group 291.1 ± 107.8 mg/dL and control group 283.4 ± 49.1 mg/dL, but there was a significant difference in comparing a mean of D-dimer in study group 0.56 ± 0.33 μg/mL and control group 0.33 ± 0.14 the P. value 0.00015. Conclusion: The level of D-dimer may be used as a hypercoagulability biomarker in comparison to the level of fibrinogen level for sickle cell anaemia Sudanese child.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Terpenoids through Lipase-Mediated Resolution Approaches

This review article focuses on the scientific developments concerning the lipase-mediated synthesis of terpenoids that have been reported in the literature during the last twenty years. More specifically, this review describes in depth the resolution approaches that allow the preparation of the chiral building blocks used for the stereoselective synthesis of bioactive terpenoids. The synthetic methods that have given new and innovative perspectives from a scientific standpoint, and the preparative approaches that possess industrial importance, are described thoroughly.
HABITAT-LIMITED RECRUITMENT OF CORAL REEF DAMSELFISH

Spatial variation in abundance of reef fishes with dispersing larvae often has been attributed to variation in the supply of new colonists from the plankton, which we term “supply determination. ” We conducted field experiments with three species of planktivorous damselfishes (Dascyllus flavicaudus, D. trimaculatus, and Amphiprion chrysopterus) to distinguish between the influence of supply determination and spatial variation in suitable microhabitat (“habitat determination”) on patterns of abundance, and to evaluate whether habitat became limited. In experiments where the abundance of initially unoccupied habitat suitable for these fishes was manipulated among a series of plots, colonization and population trajectories were followed for up to six years. Additional experiments explored the effect that the densities reached on colonization plots had on settlement. Colonization experiments revealed positive linear relationships between the time-averaged abundance of adults and of new colonists among experime.