Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precision Prairie Reconstruction (PPR): A Technique for Increasing Native Forb Species Richness in an Established Grass Matrix

Precision Prairie Reconstruction (PPR) is a site-specific application for enhancing native species richness (specifically, native forbs) in old fields dominated by a few non-native grass species. The method consists of establishing microcommunities of native grasses and forbs in an existing grass matrix. The microcommunities are created by broadcast seeding simulated small-scale disturbances (8.06 m2) installed over a percentage of the site. The PPR results were compared with two standard restoration techniques: herbicide/drill-seeding and rototill/broadcast seeding. A PPR design that disturbed only 25% of the area resulted in total species richness, native grass frequency, and native forb richness, stability, and density over the entire plot that were similar to what was found in the conventional rototill/broadcast method and produced better results than the herbicide/drill-seeding method. The PPR technique involved less cost and less overall disturbance than traditional herbicide application/drill-seeding or rototill/broadcast seeding methods. PPR offers an alternative approach for increasing native grass and forb diversity in old fields dominated by a few non-native grass species.
Examining users' personal information sharing awareness, habits, and practices in social networking sites and e-learning systems

Reports of identity theft continue to be widely reported, while users continue to share an increasing amount of personal information online, especially within social networking sites (SNS) and e-learning systems (ELS). Research has suggested that many users lack awareness of the threats that risky online personal information sharing poses. However, even among users who claim to be aware of security threats, actual awareness is still lacking. Research indicates that users’ habits influence their practices. However, the relationship between habit and practices is not always clear. Habit theory has been validated across many disciplines, with very limited attention in Information Systems. Thus, the main goal of this study was to assess the influence of users’ personal information sharing awareness (PISA) on their habits (PISH) and practices (PISP), while comparing the three constructs between SNS and ELS. Empirical survey instrument was developed based on prior literature. A total of 390 responses were received, and path analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. All three constructs demonstrated high reliability. Users’ habits were determined to have the strongest influence on their practices. Information gained from this study may help organizations in the development of better approaches to the securing users’ personal information.
Resilience of fishes and invertebrates to prolonged drought in two California streams

Long-term data are needed to assess spatial and temporal variability of communities and their resilience to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, particularly in climatic regions marked by high interannual variability (e.g. mediterranean-climate). A long-term study at four sites on two streams in mediterranean-climate California (annual sampling over 20 yr) allowed us to quantify the influence of a 5-yr prolonged drought on stream invertebrate and fish communities. Invertebrate community composition did not show recovery following drought. The primary environmental factors influencing community composition, identified through principle components and multiple correspondence analyses were precipitation and flow permanence. Invertebrate taxon richness and abundance exhibited few responses (some site specific) and recovered quickly. Native fish abundance was lowest during the drought period and highest during the wet years that occurred at the end of the study period. Importantly, the prolonged drought facilitated the establishment and success of the invasive green sunfish (Centrarchidae: Lepomis cyanellus) that was then resilient to subsequent large flow events. There was high spatial synchrony in the temporal changes among all four sites, and three distinct periods were identified: early drought, late drought, and post-drought years. However, we still found differences among sites along the flow permanence gradient from temporary to perennial in the response to drought of both invertebrate and fish assemblages likely as a result of changes in substrate, vegetation, and other habitat characteristics. The observed lack of resilience and negative impacts to biodiversity due to prolonged drought associated with long-term habitat changes is important because hydroclimatic extremes are predicted to increase in frequency and magnitude with global climate change.
Wireless Communication System with RF-based Energy Harvesting: From Information Theory to Green System

Harvesting energy from ambient environment is a new promising solution to free electronic devices from electric wire or limited-lifetime battery, which may find very significant applications in sensor networks and body-area networks. This paper mainly investigate the fundamental limits of information transmission in wireless communication system with RF-based energy harvesting, in which a master node acts not only as an information source but also an energy source for child node while only information is transmitted back from child to master node. Three typical structures: optimum receiver, orthogonal receiver and power splitting receiver are considered where two way information transmission between two nodes under an unique external power supply constraint at master node are jointly investigated in the viewpoint of systemic level. We explicitly characterize the achievable capacity-rate region and also discuss the effect of signal processing power consumption at child node. The optimal transmission strategy corresponding to the most energy-efficient status, namely the point on the boundary of achievable capacity-rate region, is derived with help of conditional capacity function. Simulation confirms the substantial gains of employing optimal transmission strategy and optimum receiver structure. Besides, a typical application on minimizing required transmit power to green system is presented.
DETECTION OF WHEAT SEED MYCOFLORA WITH SPECIAL REFERANCE TO DRECHSLERA SOROKINIANA

Wheat seed samples collected from different locations of three districts viz Sialkot, Narrowal and Gujranwala, were analyzed in the Seed Pathology laboratory to study the associated mycoflora by using the Standard blotter method (SBM). A total of 14 genera and 22 species of fungi were isolated, among which Drechslera sorokiniana was recovered with maximum mean frequency (18.1%),other pathogenic fungi include D. tetramera (15.66), D. teres (12.5), Alternaria alternata (9.75), A. tritici (4.33), A. triticola (6.41), Fusarium semitectum (10.58), Cercospora spp . (2.75) F. solani (1.08), F. oxysporum (1.66), Stemphylium solani (5.66), S. botryosum (2.55), Cladosporium herbarium (3.41), Phoma spp (6.5) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (3.25). Among five tested fungicides as seed treatment and poisoned food technique, Score® (Difenoconazole) and Topsin-M® (Thiophanate methyl) exhibited the best performance to inhibit the mycelial growth of D. sorokiniana followed by AmistarTop ® (Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole) while Halonil ® (Chlorothalonil) and Curzate-M ® (Cymoxanil + Mancozeb) were least effective.
Substrate influence on the properties of thermally sprayed WC–CrC–Ni cermet coatings

High velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) technology needs in the last time to offer increased throughputs and feed powder utilization efficiencies. Heat input into the substrate component depends mainly on the spraying parameters and has to be rapidly built-up from the substrate material in order to achieve good mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the applied coatings. Therefore one should consider the influence of the thermal conductivity of the substrate on the properties of the sprayed coatings. In the frame of this research work, a WC-20CrC-7Ni feedstock powder was deposited using HVOF spraying method onto aluminum, brass and stainless steel. The importance of the substrate thermal …
Effect of conjoint applications of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on soil nutrient status and productivity of apple (Malus domestica Borkh)

The present investigation was carried out at Progeny-cum-Demonstration Orchard, Charna, Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh for two years to evaluate the effect of conjoint application of chemical fertilizers(CF) and organic manures(OM) on soil nutrient status, tree growth, yield and quality of apple fruits. Treatments comprised different levels of CF, FYM, enriched manure (EM) and vermicompost (VC). Conjoint applications did not influence the soil pH, EC and bulk density but improved the soil organic carbon, N, P, K, Zn and Fe status of soils. Higher doses CF [100 and 75% of recommended dose (RD)] in conjunction with different levels of OM gave markedly higher fruit yield and better growth parameters as compared to sole application of 100% RD of CF. Application of 100% RD + 3.5 kg EM or 75% RD + 5 kg EM or 75% RD + 10 kg VC per tree increased the fruit yield considerably over sole application of 100% RD of CF. Thus higher yield of apple with appreciable tree vigour and fruit quality can be obtained from balanced nutrition of plants.
Production and Characterization of Murine Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing Conformational and Linear Epitopes Localized on Human IgA2 Molecules

Background: There are two subclasses of human IgA (IgA1 and IgA2) that differ in antigenic properties and in chemical composition. The constant domains of α1 and α2 heavy chains have >95% sequence homology though major structural differences exist in the hinge region. Quantitation of IgA subclass levels depends on the availability of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for conserved conformational or linear epitopes restricted to each subclass. Objective: To produce, select and characterize monoclonal antibodies specific for human IgA2. Methods: Splenocytes from BALB/C mice immunized with a human IgA2 myeloma protein were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells. Fused cells were grown in hypoxanthine, aminopterine and thymidine (HAT) selective medium and cloned by limiting dilution assay. Antibody (Ab) secreting cells were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the specificity of secreted MAbs was further analyzed, using a panel of purified myeloma proteins and some animal sera by ELISA and immunoblotting. The affinity constant (Kaff) was also determined by ELISA. Results: Four murine hybridoma clones designated 2F20G5, 2F20B5, 3F20E3 and 6F20H11 were obtained that secreted MAbs specific for the human IgA2. 2F20G5 and 6F20H11 MAbs react with linear epitope(s) while 2F20B5 and 3F20E3 react with conformational epitope(s) located to human IgA2 subclass. 2F20G5 MAb displays a weak cross-reactivity with monkey and rabbit sera and a strong cross-reactivity with cat and dog sera while the other three MAbs showed no cross-reactivity with the animal sera tested. Conclusion: These MAbs, especially 6F20H11 with high affinity constant (6.03 ×10 9 M -1 ) are useful tools for quantitation of human IgA2 subclass levels in various diseases. Cross-reactivity of 2F20G5 MAb with some animal sera suggests phylogenic conservation of the epitope recognized by this MAb.
Sexual behavior of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Pregnant versus cycling females

Sexual behavior was observed in fifteen female and seven male captive adult chimpanzees over a period of three months. Relative frequencies of successful and unsuccessful copulatory attempts were compared to levels of anogenital swelling and reproductive status. In addition, the data were analyzed in relation to three indicators of female primate sexuality: (1) proceptivity, indicated by female attempts at sexual interaction; (2) attractivity, indicated by male‐initiated attempts; and (3) receptivity, evident when a female responds positively to male initiation. The data suggest that increased level of anogenital swelling enhanced female proceptivity and attractivity, but not receptivity. Comparison of cycling vs pregnant females revealed that attractivity and receptivity increased during pregnancy, while proceptivity was relatively unchanged. The total success rate (copulations/attempts) was 63.3% (42% for female‐initiated attempts and 77% for male‐initiated attempts). Pregnant females copulated at a high rate, almost double that of cycling females. Sexual activity during pregnancy and the occurrence of anogenital swelling during pregnancy are discussed in terms of female reproductive strategies.
Estuarine and oceanic influences on copepod abundance and production of a subtropical coastal area

We investigated the influence of nutrient-rich oceanic waters in comparison to the estuarine outflow from Santos Bay (SE Brazil) on copepod abundance and production on the adjacent inner shelf. Zooplankton samples were collected with a Multinet in spring 2005 and in summer 2006. Copepod biomass was derived from length―weight regressions, and growth rates were estimated from empirical models. Altogether, 58 copepod taxa were identified. The highest abundances were due to small-sized organisms including nauplii, oncaeids and copepodids of paracalanids and clausocalanids. Biomass and secondary production mirrored copepod abundance, with Temora copepodids accompanying the above-mentioned taxa as major contributors. The contribution of naupliar biomass and production was low (2.2 and 3.8% of the total, respectively). The influence of the Santos Bay outflow was observed only in spring when Coastal Water (CW) dominated at the study site; whereas in summer the inner shelf was occupied by CW in the suface layer and the oceanic South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) in the bottom layer. The SACW intrusion had more of an influence for the increase in copepod production than the Santos Bay plume. The distribution and dynamics of the oceanic water masses seemed to be the most important influence on copepod diversity and production at this subtropical site.
Gluco‐oligosaccharide synthesis by free and immobilized β‐glucosidase

Gluco‐oligosaccharides were synthesized through the enzymatic condensation of D‐glucose at high concentration using a commercial almond β‐glucosidase. The synthesis reactions were carried out with both free and immobilized enzyme, with or without sorbitol, an efficient depressor of water activity (aw) in the presence of different glucose concentrations. The yield and the composition of the gluco‐oligosaccharides produced changed with the reaction mixture and the form of the enzyme used (free or immobilized). The use of 5 M glucose solution permitted only disaccharides to be obtained, whereas with a glucose concentration of 7.5 M glucose, di‐, tri‐, and tetrasaccharides were produced. A 7.5 M glucose solution used with 4.4 M sorbitol gave three times more disaccharides than the same solution without sorbitol. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme was much more active in synthesis. The synthesis yield (oligomers mg/mL · mg of enzyme) after immobilization was 573% compared to that of the free enzyme, when a 7.5 M glucose solution was tested. The effects of substrate concentration, sorbitol addition and enzyme immobilization were investigated. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Estimating Stable Factor Models By Indirect Inference

Financial returns exhibit common behavior described at best by factor models, but also fat tails, which may be captured by α-stable distributions. This paper concentrates on estimating factor models with multivariate α-stable distributed and independent factors and idiosyncratic noises under the assumption of time constant distribution (static factor models) or time-varying conditional distribution (GARCH factor models). While the simulation from such a distribution is straightforward, the estimation encounters difficulties. These difficulties are overcome in this paper by implementing the indirect inference estimation method with the multivariate Student’s t as the auxiliary distribution.
Composted Green Waste as a Container Medium Amendment for the Production of Ornamental Plants

Seed germination and crop growth characteristics were determined for Tagetes spp. L. 'Lemondrop', marigold; Catharanthus roseus Don. 'Little Pinkie', vinca; Petunia hybrida Vilm. 'Royalty Cherry', petunia; Dendranthema xgrandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura 'White Diamond', chrysanthemum; Pittosporum tobira Ait. 'Wheeleri', sweet mock orange; Photinia xfraseri Dress. , photinia and Juniperus sabina L. 'Moon Glow', juniper grown in various size containers containing blends of composted green waste (CGW) and UC Mix. Seed germination, plant height, and stem and root fresh and dry mass were lowest in unamended CGW. For most plants studied, a CGW: UC Mix blend containing at least 25% UC Mix was required for adequate growth and development. Germinating seeds and young seedlings were most adversely affected by unamended CGW. As plants grew and were transplanted into larger containers (10- and 15-cm pots, 530 and 1800 mL), they were better able to grow in media with higher CGW content.
Imidazole catalyzed silica synthesis: Progress toward understanding the role of histidine in (bio)silicification

Histidine is an amino acid present in proteins involved in biosilica formation and often found in peptides identified during phage display studies but its role(s) and the extent of its involvement in the silica precipitation process is not fully understood. In this contribution we describe results from an in vitro silicification study conducted using poly-histidine (P-His) and a series of different molecular weight synthetic polymers containing the imidazole functionality (polyvinylimidazole, PVI) for comparison. We show that the presence of imidazole from PVI or P-His is able to catalyze silicic acid condensation; the effect being greater for P-His. The catalytic mechanism is proposed to involve the dual features of the imidazole group—its ability to form hydrogen bonds with silicic acid and electrostatic attraction toward oligomeric silicic acid species.
An analysis of serum levels of cytokines and relative factors in depression patients

Objective To explore the serum levels of cytokines in patients with depression and their correlations with sex, age, depression severity and anxiety severity. Methods After enrolling subjects into the corresponding patient group and control group, the same trained researcher should continue to collect general information of the enrolled subjects as well as the HAMA and HAMD scoring results collection and assessment; And the serum levels of interlukin-1β(IL-1β), interlukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected with the method of enzyme-linked Immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) in two groups. Results ① The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α of depression group were significantly higher than these in control group (P 0.05). ③ No conspicuous differences were found between the young group and the middle-aged group in serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α (P>0.05). ④ Serum level of IL-6 in major depressive disorder group((6.24±4.68)pg/ml) was more higher than that in mild to moderate depression group((3.95±1.97)pg/ml), and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.467, P<0.05). ⑤There was significant differences in serum level of IL-6 between two groups, which were depression patients with and without anxiety (separately(5.80±4.37)pg/ml vs(3.87±1.80)pg/ml)(t=2.397, P<0.05). Conclusions ①There is a phenomenon of immune activation, and levels of blood cytokines are raised in patients with depression. ②Age and gender have no impact on depression in the level of cytokines. ③IL-6 may be an important biological index that reflected the severity of depression and anxiety. Key words: Depression; Immune activation; Cytokines
INHIBITION OF EHRLICH TUMOR GROWTH IN MICE BY ELECTRIC INTERFERENCE THERAPY (IN VIVO STUDIES)

A study of solid tumor growth retardation by employing extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields has been carried out. ELF electric fields were generated in tumor tissue in mice by the interference of two high frequency sinusoidal waves with the beat frequency centered at the tumor core. The results indicated a pronounced decrease in tumor growth rate in animals exposed to a 5-Hz interferential frequency for 1 hr daily. The 1 hr/day treatment produced a greater retardation effect than the 1 hr/week treatment. This indicates that treatment duration at the applied field frequency appears to play an important role in tumor growth delay. The dielectric properties of the tumor cells showed higher permittivity and conductivity values than homologous normal tissue. The permittivity of tumor cells treated daily with 5 Hz reaches nearly the same value as control tissue. Moreover, histological studies show that tumor tissues treated daily with the same frequency undergo partial regression and shrinkage of the aggregates of neoplastic cells leaving very little of them. We conclude that this new interferential technique is promising for tumor treatment in which a resonating electric field affects cell-to-cell communication.
On Opening a Box of Worms (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) — Historical Earthworm Specimens Transferred to Tokyo from the Saito Ho-on Kai Museum of Natural History in Sendai

A box discovered at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo held histori- cal specimens from Saito Ho-on Kai Museum dating from 1920-1930s coincident with author Dr. Shinkishi Hatais tenure and likely identified by him or his assistant, Mr. Shinryo Ohfuchi. A syn- type is newly recognized for Amynthas maculosus (Hatai, 1930) comb. nov., no others could be unequivocally proven so. However, several are candidates for neotypification under current ICZN (1999) rules as a first step to resolving zoological complexities of parthenogenesis and of taxo- nomic confusion persisting for >112 years. Neotypes are explicitly designated herein for Amynthas vittatus (Goto and Hatai, 1898), Duplodicodrilus acinctus (Goto and Hatai, 1899) new combina- tion (synonym yezoensis Kobayashi, 1938), and for topotypes of Amynthas? yunoshimensis (Hatai, 1930) itself a probable synonym of Metaphire hilgendorfi (Michaelsen, 1892), and of M. yamadai (Hatai, 1930) that is retained separately from M. soulensis (Kobayashi, 1938). Metaphire soulensis synonyms (shinkeiensis Kobayashi, 1938 and aokii Ishizuka, 1999) are re-stated. Details are pre- sented of two recently unearthed syntypes at the University of Tokyo Museum (UMUTZ), viz. Metaphire communissima (Goto and Hatai, 1899) herein designated the lectotype, and Amynthas levis (Goto and Hatai, 1899) itself a probable synonym of A. tokioensis (Beddard, 1892). Neotypi- fication is flagged both of Amynthas micronarius (Goto and Hatai, 1898), and of Amynthas carno- sus (Goto and Hatai, 1899) that is now separated from other synonyms of the A. corticis (Kinberg, 1867) species-complex. Metaphire hilgendorfi (Michaelsen, 1892) is confirmed in its proper genus based on material labelledPh. glandularis. � Unfortunately, mtDNA COI gene barcoding failed to provide conclusive results on these older, formol-fixed samples.