Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toolkits for Equity: An Antiracist Framework for Scholarly Publishing

Abstract Fueled by a recent groundswell of support, scholarly publishing organizations are formalizing their focus on equity and inclusion, yet there is still a lack of effective programs and solutions actually in place. A cross-organizational working group is developing antiracism toolkits (for organizations, for allies, and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) to transform scholarly publishing workplaces and organizational cultures. The resources, which will be hosted at c4disc.org, provide a common framework for analysis, a shared vocabulary, best practices, and training materials to guide individuals and organizations as they address systemic inequities specific to the scholarly publishing community. Originally planned as a presentation at the NC Serials Conference in March 2020, this article introduces the toolkits and explains why an antiracist framework is essential to transforming scholarly publishing.
The investigation of saturation in the species richness of communities: some comments on methodology

A central task for ecologists is to explain the variation in local species diversity or richness. Often, this has been undertaken by reference to a limit to community richness that may be set by local ecological factors such as the physical environment, the interactions among species (e.g. competition, predation, parasitism) (Cody and Diamond 1975) and the disturbance regime (Huston 1979). Communities that have reached this upper limit on species richness are said to be 'saturated' (Terborgh and Faaborg 1980). However, the diversity of different communities often fails to converge to a single upper limit under similar conditions (Ricklefs 1987). In these instances, it is necessary to refer to limiting effects caused by biogeographic processes that operate at regional levels, such as the process of colonization from the surrounding region (Cornell 1985a, b, Ricklefs 1987). If the species richness of a locality is limited by the supply of colonising species from the surrounding region, then the community is said to be 'unsaturated'. In order to know whether to invoke primarily local ecological or regional biogeographic explanations, it becomes necessary to discover whether communities are saturated. One way to address this question is to examine the relationship between local species richness (LSR) and regional species richness (RSR) in standardised samples taken from comparable habitats from different geographical areas (Terborgh and Faaborg 1980, Cornell 1985a, b). If local ecological factors have limited the species richness (i.e. the communities are saturated), then LSR will reach an upper limit that is independent of increasing RSR. If, instead, regional processes govern local diversity then, all things being equal, LSR should increase with increasing RSR. Many studies that have used this basic procedure have concluded that there is little evidence for community saturation (e.g. Cornell 1985a, b, 1985, Ricklefs 1987, Cornell and Lawton 1992, Hawkins and Compton 1992, but see Aho 1990, Aho and Bush 1993, Kennedy and Guegan 1994). Here, we suggest a method to remove a possible source of bias in the typical method of analysis and then we make some additional suggestions regarding statistical testing. Consider the definitions of RSR and LSR, which roughly correspond to Whittaker's (1972) definitions of alpha and gamma diversity. We use the following set terminology:
ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Introduction The scientific naming of domestic animals is a problem. Attention was drawn to it by Bohlken (1958, 1961), and the matter was raised again by Dennler de La Tour (1968). Following on these leads, I (Groves, 1971; BZN 27: 269-272) applied to the Commission to have names given to 'domesticates' excluded from the provisions of the Code. After a few less than supportive comments the proposal sank like a stone. Lost, but not forgotten: Corbet & Clutton-Brock (1984) returned to the question and made their own proposals. In this short review, I will explain what the nature of the problem is, survey the four different solutions that have been proposed, and make some further remarks of my own.
IMMUNOLOGY Effects of Fumonisin B 1 on Selected Immune Responses in Broiler Chicks

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate immune responses in chicks fed fumonisin B1 (FB1). Day-old male chicks were randomly allotted to dietary treatments: 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg FB1/kg diet. In Experiment 1, chicks were fed diets for 3 wk and were injected intravenously with 4.6 × 10 6 Escherichia coli on Day 21. Blood samples were collected at 60, 120, and 180 min postinjection, and liver, spleen, and lung were collected after 180 min. Chicks fed 200 mg FB1/kg diet had significantly higher numbers of bacterial colonies in blood, spleen, and liver (P < 0.05) than control chicks. In Experiment 2, chicks were placed on the diets for 4 wk and were injected with 0.5 mL inactivated Newcastle Disease
A Comprehensive Survey of Preference for Personal Health Record Features in Patients with Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes often do not adequately adhere to self-management regimens. Personal Health Record (PHR) systems can aid patients with diabetes in managing their disease by encouraging patient provider communication, providing education and lifestyle information, and providing tools for disease management. While demonstrated to be a useful tool, PHR acceptance among chronic disease patients is low. This study investigated the influence of certain patient characteristics on interest in PHR features. Patients were asked to rate how often they would likely use certain PHR features. Statistical analysis was performed on the data. The analysis revealed several patterns regarding desired features for patients with respect to patient knowledge, technology experience, and health state. Designers of these systems should consider how these factors can influence system use. Strategies for encouraging patients to continually use these systems should also be considered.
The Effects of Common Over-the-Counter Moisturizers on Skin Barrier Function: A Randomized, Observer-Blind, Within-Patient, Controlled Study

Background Moisturizers possibly improve atopic dermatitis (AD) by restoration of skin barrier, although some have detrimental effects. Objective The aim of the study was to estimate the effects of several routine moisturizers on barrier functions. Methods This is a randomized, forearm-controlled, observer-blind study. Patients older than 12 years with clear to moderate AD were randomized to 1 of 4 moisturizers (Cetaphil Cream, Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Vaseline) applied to nonlesional skin of 1 forearm and no moisturizer to the opposite forearm for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, pH, and TEWL after tape stripping were evaluated at weeks 0 and 4. In addition, participants without AD underwent baseline measurements only. Results Twenty patients with AD completed the study. Baseline measurements between the AD group and 10 non-AD controls were similar. After the intervention (AD group), mean TEWL improved in the treated forearm and worsened in the untreated one, but the difference was not significant. There was no significant change in pH or in TEWL after tape stripping. Capacitance significantly improved in the moisturizer forearm. The study was underpowered as recruitment fell short. Conclusions The effects of moisturizers on nonlesional AD skin were small and need to be addressed when powering future studies. Broadening investigations beyond the classic barrier properties might be useful in future studies.
23 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (muscarinic receptors) are prototypical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activated by the endogenous neurotransmitter acetylcholine and play key roles in regulating the activity of many vital functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Studies of muscarinic receptors as well as rhodopsin and b adrenergic receptors have revealed several characteristics of GPCRs, which are also true for other GPCRs. Here, we present an overview of the historical background and current studies of muscarinic receptors focusing on studies carried out in our laboratory. List of Abbreviations: AC, adenylyl cyclase; AKAP, cAMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein; GAP, GTPase-activating protein; GPCR, G protein-coupled receptor; GRK, G protein-coupled receptor kinase; i2, second intracellular loop; i3, third intracellular loop; IP3, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate; KO, knockout; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; PKA, cAMP-dependent protein kinase; PKC, protein kinase 3 Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor C; PLC, phospholipase C; RGS, regulators of G protein signaling; RH, regulator of G protein signaling homology; TM, transmembrane; TRPC6, transient receptor potential-canonical subtype; WT, wild-type
Isolation of fungal contaminants associated with post-harvest stored grains in Dawanau market, Kano, Nigeria.

The present study was an attempt to assess the diversity of fungi associated with stored grains sold in Dawanau market, Kano, Nigeria in 2009. Grain samples of maize, sorghum, groundnut and soybean were collected and screened for diversity of fungal contaminants. Samples were cultured for seven days to obtain maximum growth and later sub – cultured and identified by microscopic examination. Four hundred and eight isolates (408) were recovered from all types of grains throughout the research. The recovered isolates belong to seven species, namely; Rhizopus species, Mucor species, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium species and Fusarium species. Aspergillus flavus was the most frequently recovered (25.49%) from all the grains sampled, while Aspergillus fumigatus was the least (7.84%) recovered. Maize samples haboured the highest number of fungal contaminants, 123 (30.1%) with soya bean habouring the least number 67 (16.4%) of the fungal contaminants. It can therefore be concluded that stored cereal grains from the market should be decontaminated before either selling to consumers or farmers as fungal contaminants recovered range from spoilage causing to toxigenic fungi liable to pose risk to users of the grains and also reduce the economic value of the products.
Understanding user trust in artificial intelligence-based educational systems: Evidence from China

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has penetrated the field of education. Trust has long been regarded as a driver for the acceptance of technology. Netnography and interviews were used to investigate trust in AI-based educational systems from the perspective of users. We identified the factors influencing trust in AI-based educational systems and categorized them as being related to technology, context and individual. Technology-related factors encompass functionality, helpfulness, interpretability, dependability and interaction interface. Context-related factors encompass benevolence of educational organizations, data management, teachers? competencies, official norms and knowledge characteristics. Individual-related factors encompass perception of the nature of learning, propensity to interact with teachers, perception of AI and autonomy orientation. The results from this paper will contribute to the literature on trust in technology and AI ethics in education.
A modified YOLOv3 detection method for vision-based water surface garbage capture robot

To tackle the water surface pollution problem, a vision-based water surface garbage capture robot has been developed in our lab. In this article, we present a modified you only look once v3-based garbage detection method, allowing real-time and high-precision object detection in dynamic aquatic environments. More specifically, to improve the real-time detection performance, the detection scales of you only look once v3 are simplified from 3 to 2. Besides, to guarantee the accuracy of detection, the anchor boxes of our training data set are reclustered for replacing some of the original you only look once v3 prior anchor boxes that are not appropriate to our data set. By virtue of the proposed detection method, the capture robot has the capability of cleaning floating garbage in the field. Experimental results demonstrate that both detection speed and accuracy of the modified you only look once v3 are better than those of other object detection algorithms. The obtained results provide valuable insight into the high-speed detection and grasping of dynamic objects in complex aquatic environments autonomously and intelligently.
Firearm purchasing and storage during the COVID-19 pandemic

To better understand motivations behind purchase and storage of firearms during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used Amazon Mechanical Turk to conduct an online survey of individuals who did and did not purchase a firearm since 1 January 2020 in response to COVID-19. The survey was fielded between 1 and 5 May 2020. We asked about motivations for purchase, changes in storage practices and concern for themselves or others due to COVID-19. There were 1105 survey respondents. Most people who purchased a firearm did so to protect themselves from people. Among respondents who had purchased a firearm in response to COVID-19 without prior household firearm ownership, 39.7% reported at least one firearm was stored unlocked. Public health efforts to improve firearm-related safety during COVID-19 should consider increasing access to training and framing messages around the concerns motivating new firearm purchase.
Investigating the Effects of Chinese Cabbage Powder as an Alternative Nitrate Source on Cured Color Development of Ground Pork Sausages

Abstract This study investigated the effects of Chinese cabbage powder as a natural replacement for sodium nitrite on the qualities of alternatively cured pork products. Chinese cabbages grown in Korea were collected and used for preparing hot air dried powder. Different levels of Chinese cabbage powder were added to pork products and evaluated by comparing these products to those with sodium nitrite or a commercially available celery juice powder. The experimental groups included control (100 ppm sodium nitrite added), treatment 1 (0.15% Chinese cabbage powder added), treatment 2 (0.25% Chinese cabbage powder added), treatment 3 (0.35% Chinese cabbage powder added), and treatment 4 (0.4% celery juice powder added). The cooking yields and pH values of treatments 1 to 3 were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control. However, all of the alternatively cured products were redder (higher CIE a* values; p<0.05) than the control and this result was supported from higher nitrosyl hemochrome, total pigment, and curing efficiency. Furthermore, the inclusion of vegetable powders to these products resulted in considerably less residual nitrite content. However, Chinese cabbage powder (0.25% and 0.35%) was effective in producing alternatively cured meat products with a higher curing efficiency comparable to those of the traditionally cured control or the products with celery juice powder. Therefore, Chinese cabbage powder exhibited the efficacy for use as a natural replacer for alternatively cured meat products.
Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L.) genotypes under normal and moister stress condition in vegetative stage

The present investigation was carried out in 49 groundnut genotypes to assess the nature and extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance under normal and moisture stress condition in three replications in a completely randomized design in the vegetative phases. The observations on plant height, root length, root to shoot ratio, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading, relative water content, membrane stability index, number of days for flower initiation, percentage of wilted plants and percentage of recovered plants after re-watering were recorded to understand the drought tolerance ability of the genotypes. The results of the analysis of variance for all the characters studied were found to be highly significant in both the conditions indicating that the availability of enormous variability. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for majority of the traits. It indicates that the lesser influence of environment on the expression those traits and also shows that predominance of genetic factor controlling variability. Hence, early generation selection in this gene pool would be effective for the improvement of drought tolerance of groundnut.
Use of three inoculation methods in screening cowpea genotypes for resistance to two Colletotrichum species

Twelve cowpea cultivars were screened for reactions to infection by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and C. truncatum, causal agents of anthracnose and brown blotch diseases, respectively. Three different inoculation techniques were used: spraying a spore suspension on leaves of seedlings, injecting a spore suspension into stems, and wrapping wounded seedling stems with inoculum meal. Wrapping of wounded seedlings with inoculum meal of Colletotrichum spp. was the best method of inoculation because it produced optimal conditions for infection and disease development (.)
Modelling of hardwood forest in Quebec under dynamic disturbance regimes: a time‐inhomogeneous Markov chain approach

We investigate the consequences of global warming scenarios in Quebec forests using an inhomogeneous Markov chain model. This allows us to unify predictions from climate change models and mechanistic models of forest disturbance and growth and allows predicting the potential impacts of climate change on Quebec forests. The model predicts changes in fire rate in Quebec hardwood forests as well as possible growth enhancements due to increasing CO2 and temperature. Our original method consists of three steps. (i) We estimate biomass transition matrices from forest inventories using the Bayesian method. (ii) We incorporate dynamic disturbance and forest growth scenarios, and (iii) we simulate transient dynamics and stationary states. This modelling approach allows for sensitivity analysis and quantitative assessment effects of variability of climate change scenarios. We have considered published climate change scenarios for Quebec and conducted simulations for the most extreme predictions (the smallest and largest predicted changes). None of the considered scenarios is able to counterbalance the currently observed trend of increasing biomass in the next 40 years. By the beginning of 2090, the extreme scenarios diverge within about ±5% mean biomass. Synthesis. In this work, we have developed an original modelling approach incorporating time‐ inhomogeneous effects within the Markov chain framework. We applied this approach to examine effects of climate change in Quebec's forests. The results demonstrate that the current trend of increase in forest biomass is robust with respect to a broad range of climate change scenarios. This study was not possible with previously employed homogeneous Markov chain models. The model can also be extended to include different harvesting methods and land‐use practices, enabling better long‐term management of Quebec's forest.
Genetic Diversity, Trait Relationship and Path Analysis in Eggplant Landraces

In eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) significant genetic variability occurs in land races. They retain a number of distinctive features of plant breeding importance with enough diversity for further improvement. Land races can express good resistance and/or tolerance to some biotic stresses. This work was done to examine the variability among 33 land races of eggplant. Genetic divergence D2 analysis identified that the 33 genotypes could be grouped into 3 clusters. The maximum inter-cluster distance was between clusters I and cluster III. Genotypes belonging to these clusters may be utilized for hybridization for crop improvement. Fruit yield per plant, total phenol content, fruit width, ascorbic acid content, fruit circumference, number of long styled flowers per plant and days to first flowering contributed most of the genetic divergence. On the basis of inter-cluster distance and cluster mean values, local genotypes EP 11, EP 17, EP 20, EP 23, EP 27, EP 29, EP 30 were superior. Correlation analysis indicated that fruit width, number of long styled flowers per plant, fruit circumference, fruit length, numbers of fruit per plant and average fruit weight were positively, and significantly, correlated with fruit yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis indicated that plant height, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit circumference, number of fruits per plant, and average fruit weight had high positive, direct, effects on fruit yield. A low direct effect occurred for internodal length. Selection among genotypes can increase improvement in fruit yield and component characters.
Rings with cyclic injective hulls

Abstract We study the rings R whose injective hull E(RR) is cyclic, extending and simplifying many of the known results on the subject, and obtaining new ones. For example, we prove that if R is any ring such that E(RR) is cyclic and Dedekind-finite, then R is right self-injective. Moreover, in this case, the ring R turns out to be right co-Hopfian as well as left and right Hopfian. In particular, if E(RR) is cyclic, then R is right self-injective in the cases where R is commutative, finite-dimensional, semilocal, or strongly π-regular. We also investigate the Dedekind-finiteness of U-rings and modules, in particular those with cyclic injective hulls.
Cloning, Expression and Purification of the Subunits of the Mannose PTS Permease of Listeria monocytogenes EGD

The disease listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes. This common food-borne disease has been responsible for about 0.1 to 10 cases per million inhabitants per year. However, this disease is serious with its high fatality rates of 20% 30%, and 40% of all cases reported have been in pregnant women suffered from a foetal abortion. Recently the organism has acquired resistance to antibiotic treatment and the development of an alternative treatment is necessary. Class IIa bacteriocins such as leucocin A have been shown to be active against L. monocytogenes. However, the leucocin A receptor molecule responsible for growth inhibition within L. monocytogenes remains unclear. Various studies have implicated the mannose PTS permease (EIIt ) of L. monocytogenes as the putative receptor for class IIa bacteriocins. The results from studies reviewed indicate that the EIIt Man of L. monocytogenes could be the chiral receptor needed for bacteriocin interaction at the surface of targeted cells. Specifically, the membrane associated IID and IIC subunits were implicated in direct interaction with class IIa bacteriocins. Our study focused on cloning, expression and purification of the subunits of the mannose PTS permease of L. monocytogenes EGD. Primers were designed to amplify the subunit genes of the mptACD operon. The mptC, mptD and mptAB genes which were then successfully cloned into pET28a expression vector and transformed into E. coli JM109(DE3) host strain. Recombinant plasmids were screened using colony PCR. Subsequently recombinant pET28-C, pET28-D and pET28-AB was once again transformed and expressed in the E. coli BL21(DE3) pLysS expression host strain. After an induction at 30°C for 5 hours, IIC and IID were found to be expressed in the cell membrane, whilst IIAB was expressed in the cytosol of the host expression strain. Membrane proteins His-IIC, HisIID, and cytosol associated His-IIAB were purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Results for His-IIC yielded a 28 kDa protein and a 55 kDa co-purified protein. Results for His-IID yielded a 31 kDa protein and a 60 kDa co-purified protein. Results for His-IIAB yielded a 35 kDa protein and a 68 kDa co-purified protein. A western blot analysis revealed that all proteins purified carried an attached His-tag as detected by an anti-mouse peroxidase conjugate anti-His-tag antibody.