Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical Spectra of Small‐Scale Sprite Features Observed at 10,000 fps

Spectra of small‐scale sprite structures, downward and upward propagating streamers, glow, and beads, were recorded with a slitless spectrograph at 10,000 frames per second (fps) from aircraft missions in 2009 and 2013. The spectra are dominated by emissions from molecular nitrogen, the first positive band in the red, and in the blue the second positive band plus the first negative band of molecular nitrogen ions. The excitation threshold for the blue emissions is higher than for the red emissions, so the blue/red ratio can, in principle, be used as a proxy for the electron energy leading to the emissions. We extracted for analysis time series of spectra from 11 sprites: 18 time series from downward propagating streamers, 6 from upward propagating streamers, 14 from glow, and 12 from beads. The total number of spectra in the 50 time series is 953. Blue emissions are almost exclusively associated with streamers indicating the more energetic nature of streamers compared with glow and beads. Both downward and upward propagating streamers start and end with low blue emissions indicating time variations in the associated processes. Because the red and blue nitrogen emissions are significantly affected by quenching, which is altitude dependent, and we do not have sufficiently accurate altitudes, the observed spectral blue/red ratios cannot be directly applied to sprite models.
Metabolic and developmental functions of the transcription factor Gcn4p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The bakers’ yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae executes two well established pathways, the ‘General Amino Acid Control’ (GAAC) and the ‘Unfolded Protein Response’ (UPR), which are in contrast to mammals not essential but enable yeast cells to adapt to environmental changes and different stress conditions. The bZIP transcription factor Gcn4p represents the global key regulator of the GAAC and herein regulates transcription of numerous metabolic genes of amino acid or purine biosynthesis in response to amino acid starvation. Gcn4p is also involved in the regulation of the developmental cell-surface flocculin Flo11p, which is required for diploid pseudohyphae formation and for adhesion upon nutrient starvation. This dual function as metabolic and developmental activator could be separated by a Gcn4p variant carrying a single amino acid substitution in its leucine zipper, Gcn4pL267S. This mutation abolishes FLO11 expression and results in a reduced but sufficient transcriptional activity for the induction of amino acid biosynthetic genes. Gcn4pL267S is impaired in homodimer formation and presents a significantly more stable protein compared to wild type Gcn4p. A helix breaker substitution in Leu253 results in a transcriptionally inactive, but highly stable protein variant. This is due to a feedback circuit between transcriptional activity of Gcn4p and its own stability, which depends on the Gcn4p-controlled cyclin Pcl5p. Gcn4pL253G reduces the expression of Pcl5p and therefore its own degradation. Hac1p plays an important role in the yeast UPR system and represents a bZIP transcription factor, alike Gcn4p. This work presents first evidence for a so far unknown function of Hac1p in the GAAC. Hac1p is not only able to activate Gcn4p specific target genes, but also FLO11 expression is reduced in yeast cells deleted for HAC1 and diploids can neither grow adhesively when starved for amino acids nor develop pseudohyhae upon nitrogen starvation. Promoter analysis of FLO11 identified a promoter element influenced by both, Hac1p and Gcn4p, in response to amino acid starvation that was previously identified to confer regulation by amino acid starvation. Transcription factor specific stress situations result in repression of the respective antagonist. First results indicate novel evidence in Hac1p regulation, which might be of clinical interest due to the involvement of the UPR system in tumorogenesis in mammal ian.
Increased risk of cyanobacterial blooms in northern high-latitude lakes through climate warming and phosphorus enrichment

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are an increasing problem at many locations throughout the world but are rarely reported in aquatic habitats at high latitudes. Shallow lakes are a major feature of northern permafrost landscapes and are likely to experience large-scale changes in their limnological properties in the future as a consequence of climate warming. In the present study, we addressed the question of what preconditions would be necessary to stimulate the growth and dominance of bloom-forming cyanobacteria in northern fresh waters. We analysed the summer phytoplankton of 18 lakes on eroding permafrost (thaw lakes) and on glacier-scoured rock (rock basin lakes) in subarctic Quebec, Canada, to determine their phytoplankton community structure and the biomass contribution of cyanobacteria. This survey was complemented with an incubation experiment to evaluate the direct warming and indirect phosphorus (P) enrichment effects of climate change on cyanobacterial bloom development. All lakes contained diverse phytoplankton communities, often dominated by chrysophytes, dinoflagellates and chlorophytes. Cyanobacteria were present in all waterbodies, but their contribution to the total community biovolume was highly variable (mean of 8.7%, range 0.1%–47%). Cyanobacterial community biovolumes correlated positively with surface water temperatures, and negatively with dissolved organic carbon, soluble reactive phosphorus, iron and manganese concentrations in the surface waters. Phosphorus enrichment of water from a thaw lake resulted in a fourfold increase of chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and an increase in the cyanobacterial pigments echinenone and zeaxanthin. The phytoplankton counts showed that there was a sharp decrease in diversity (expressed as decline of the Shannon–Wiener index from 1.69 to 0.16), accompanied by a shift to cyanobacterial dominance, notably by the heterocystous, potentially toxic species Dolichospermum cf. planctonicum. Increased temperature led to an initial doubling of cyanobacterial biovolume, followed by the development of a chrysophyte bloom. Combined warming and P enrichment led to reduced phytoplankton biodiversity, with a community composed of cyanobacteria and chrysophytes. There was also a pronounced response by the picophytoplankton community; picocyanobacteria were strongly stimulated by P enrichment, while picoeukaryotes increased in response to warming. The current inoculum levels of cyanobacteria in subarctic lakes and their responsiveness to temperature and phosphorus indicate the potential for an abrupt increase in their abundance, accompanied by a decrease in phytoplankton diversity. Ongoing climate change will increase the risk of noxious cyanobacterial blooms in northern lakes and ponds, with potentially negative consequences for higher trophic levels.
The breadth of business model reconfiguration and firm performance

Looking at business models as systems of interdependent elements, we study how the breadth of an incumbent firm’s business model reconfiguration influences its performance. Drawing on the metaphor of firms searching on a performance landscape, we argue that the relationship between business model reconfiguration breadth and performance should form an inverted U-shape. While firms can gain from increasing business model reconfiguration breadth, these benefits need to be traded-off against the increasing complexity of its associated changes. We further predict that this inverted U-shape will flip for highly performing firms while being amplified for firms heavily active in innovation. Using data from an original survey of knowledge-intensive business services firms, we find that, on average, business model reconfiguration has little effect on performance. However, U-shaped effects clearly emerge when accounting for the effects of past performance and innovative activity. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the conditional nature of the advantages stemming from business model reconfiguration.
Protein Interactions Studied by Biochemical and NMR Spectroscopic Methods

This work is concerned with protein interactions studied by biochemical and NMR spectroscopic methods, focusing the applicability of PFG diffusion NMR spectroscopy. Mutational studies at p53 DBD demonstrate that cooperative binding of DNA can be ascribed to intermolecular salt bridges which in addition explain the different DNA binding behavior of p63 on structural grounds. For the transcription independent apoptosis induction of p53 by complexation with Bcl-xL, a p53-Bcl-xL model complex could be calculated from chemical shift perturbation experiments. Heat shock proteins are highly overexpressed in tumor cells and regulate apoptosis by conformational stabilization. Different effects of AMP-PNP, ADP, Geldanamycin and Radicicol binding to the N-terminal domain of Hsp90 could be shown by NMR titrations experiments. A helical secondary structures is induced in natively unfolded Hsp12 by SDS micelles which was studied in greater detail by NMR spectroscopy.
Assessing remotely sensed and reanalysis products in characterizing surface soil moisture in the Mongolian Plateau

ABSTRACT Soil moisture (SM) plays a crucial role in the dynamics of coupled atmosphere, water, energy, and carbon cycles. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution and variations of SM in the Mongolian Plateau were investigated for the period of 1982–2018 based on four gridded SM datasets. Taking the observed SM from 33 monitoring stations as a reference, the reliability of these four gridded products was validated, and the three-cornered hat (TCH) method was also applied to evaluate their uncertainties. Major results indicated that all these four products underestimated the SM in this region at different levels. The ERA-Interim SM performed much better than other three products, with a higher R of 0.53 and lower ubRMSE of 0.0378 m3·m−3. Except for ECV, the surface SM exhibited a decreasing trend at −0.0004 to −0.0008 m3·m−3/decade in the warm season (from April to October) over the past 37 years. The greatest decreases in SM occurred in the summer season. Precipitation change plays a more important role in explaining the variations of SM than temperature reported by partial correlation analysis. The results of this study will benefit our understanding of the climate change effects and the protection of the ecological systems in this region.
The influence of low-intensity resistance training combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on autonomic activity in healthy adults: A randomized controlled cross-over trial

Background: Low-intensity resistance training (RT) combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is one method of exercise to improve the deterioration of physical function. However, it is unclear whether low-intensity RT combined with NMES (RT + NMES) can be safely implemented. Objective: This study aimed to examine the influence of low-intensity RT + NMES on autonomic activity and cardiovascular responses in healthy adults. Methods: This study was an open-label, randomized controlled cross-over trial. The exercise intensity of isometric knee extension RT was set to 40% of the maximum voluntary contraction (peak torque). NMES was adjusted to a biphasic asymmetrical waveform with the frequency maintained at 50 Hz and a phase duration of 300 μs. The difference in the change in autonomic activity and cardiovascular responses was compared by assessing heart rate variability, blood pressure, and heart rate during RT and RT+NMES. Results: Twenty healthy male college students (mean age 21.0±0.6 years) participated in this study. The ratio of low- and high-frequency components of heart rate variability, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate increased during exercise in the RT and RT+NMES sessions (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in autonomic activity and cardiovascular responses throughout the sessions during RT and RT+NMES. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results demonstrated that low-intensity RT+NMES was safe and did not induce excessive autonomic and cardiovascular responses in healthy adults.
Seasonal Incidence of Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood on Grapes, Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Thompson Seedless) in Bijapur

In recent years, two species of phytophagus thrips belonging to the family Thripidae i.e. Scirtothrips dorsalis and Thrips sps have been found causing serious damage to fruits crop specially Grape, is most common fruits. Bijapur is one of the major districts of Karnataka in grape cultivation (6137 ha) with an annual production of 1.22 lakh tones (Anon., 2012). The fresh grape berries are good source of sugars, carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins and minerals. Fruits are used for table purpose, wine, juice, raisins and canning. Fresh and dried fruits have various uses in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. The fruits are considered to be laxative, stomachic, diuretic and cooling agents. The juice of unripe berries is used as astringent in throat infections. Tannins can also be extracted as a byproduct from wine industry. It is an important fruit crop, earning foreign exchange (Dry et al., 2004).
Production of Extracellular Virulence Factors By Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates From Patients With Chronic Lung Disease - A Short Communication

Sputa from 114 patients with chronic lung disease were analysed. Thirteen patients (11.4%) exhibited colonisation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 11 of these thirteen strains (84.6%) produced proteases, nine produced haemolysin (76.90%). Multiantibiotic resistance appears to correlate with production of extracellular virulence factors.
Phenotypic characterization of camels and their production system in Yabello and Melka Soda Districts, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The objectives of the study were to characterize the production system of camel in Yabello and Melka Soda districts and to characterize phenotypically camel based on quantitative and qualitative traits. A total of 192 households were selected for characterization of the production system and 300 camels were sampled randomly for characterization of phenotypic traits. Camels of Melka Soda had significantly higher in heart girth, barrel girth, body weight, hip width, chest depth and hump circumference (P<0.05) than Yabello camels. Sex of the camels had significant (P<0.05) effect on forelimb length, hind limb length, wither height, heart girth, barrel girth, body weight, chest width, hump circumference, hump length, fore hoof circumference and hind hoof circumference. Body weight and all the body measurements were significantly (P<0.05) affected by age. Heart girth and barrel girth were found to be the most important variables for estimation of body weight in camels. In male sample populations of linear body measurements, heart girth and barrel girth had strong positive correlation (r=0.93) with body weight. In female sample camels body weight had strong positive and significant (P<0.05) correlation with heart girth (r=0.95). This phenotypic information can serve as a basis for designing appropriate conservation, breeding and selection strategies for camels in the study area and could be complemented with genetic analyses. Thus attention should be given to exploit the performance of camels based on their specialization to fulfill the current demand of camel and camel by-products in the Borena and also in different parts of the country. The present study can be used to understand the camel resources of the study sites for future genetic improvement and conservation actions.
MATURITY AND QUALITY OF APPLE FRUIT DURINIG THE HARVEST PERIOD AT APPLE INDUSTRY

1(Paper 104-16). Received August 15, 2016. March 28, 2017. 2 Agronomist, Fischer S/A Agroindústria. Rod. SC 453, km 24, Caixa Postal 131, CEP 89580-000, Fraiburgo-SC. Email: mgoncalves@ fischerfrutas.com 3Agronomist, PhD, Researcher at Estação Experimental de Caçador, EPAGRI. Rua Abílio Franco, 1500, CEP 89500-000, Caçador-SC. Corresponding author. Email: argenta@epagri.sc. gov.br 4 Agronomist, PhD, Researcher at Estação Experimental de Caçador, EPAGRI. Rua Abílio Franco, 1500, CEP 89500-000, CaçadorSC. Email: mariucciamartin@epagri.sc. gov.br MATURITY AND QUALITY OF APPLE FRUIT DURINIG THE HARVEST PERIOD AT APPLE INDUSTRY1
Projecting global land use‐driven evolutionary history loss

Recent studies have mapped the global hotspots hosting high phylogenetic diversity (PD), but not the regions where this diversity is under threat due to human land use. This is because, to date, it is not clear how much PD is lost as species of a given taxon go extinct. The aim of this study was to identify the global regions projected to suffer the highest PD loss due to human land use in the near future.
The structuring role of artificial structure on fish assemblages in a dammed river of the Pearl River in China

To address the fish use patterns of artificial structures mimicking floating macrophytes deployed in a impounded tributary of the Pearl River, China, field experiments were performed from December 2014 to June 2016 using multi-mesh gillnet. The fish assemblages using artificial structures differ in terms of species richness, abundance, body size, diversity indices, and ecological traits from fish assemblages on natural barren habitats of this river. Overall, fish abundance, species richness, Shannon diversity index, and functional richness were higher at the artificial structures than at the control sites, while fish length and functional evenness was greater at the control sites in comparison to artificial structures. The introduction of artificial structures did not result in statistically significant effects on fish biomass as artificial structures attracted more individuals with smaller size. Seasonal changes of chlorophyll-a and transparency may affect the efficiency of artificial structure in harboring fishes. This study revealed that artificial structures, as synthesized habitats, are effective in acting as a “fish attractor” and an alternative tool to provide new habitats for smaller individuals in a dammed river like the Youjiang River which is a structure-less ecosystem.
Five causes why boron essentiality on humans has not been confirmed: A hypothesis

On human nutrition, Boron (B) is classified in the category of possible essential elements; this means that its essentiality has not been proven and various causes have prevented it. The objective of this review was to analyze the next five causes that have possibly prevented to demonstrate the essentiality of B in humans: (1) Low daily requirement of B; (2) High number of sources to supply B in diet (3) Short life expectancy of humans (LEH); (4) Lack a method to diagnose B in vivo and; (5) Lack an area with low intake of B. Because the requirement of B in humans is very low (1.0 mg day-1), in trials of nutrition all sources of B should be controlled. Because a deficiency of B inhibits the synthesis of the active form of vitamin D, known as Calcitriol (1,25-(OH)2-D3) and assimilation of Ca on humans, osteoporosis (OST) and arthritis (ART) could be diseases associated with a deficit of B. In the past, the short LEH (47 years) prevented that OST and ART were identified as symptoms of B deficit; however today the LEH is 73 years, under this situation, is possible that the mineral reserve on bones is not sufficient to ensure the properly body function, therefore incidence of OST and ART on the population could be increasing, especially in areas with low intake of B. On the other side, B hair analysis is a usefully diagnostic tool which could be used in experiments to demonstrate B essentiality on humans; these experiments should be conducted in areas where the population has low intake of B along with high incidence of OST and ART.
Drought Characteristics Derived Based on the Standardized Streamflow Index: A Large Sample Comparison for Parametric and Nonparametric Methods

The streamflow drought hazard can be characterized in a variety of ways, including using different indices. Traditionally, percentile‐based indices, such as Q95 (the flow exceeded 95% of time), have been used by the hydrological community. Recently, the use of anomaly indices such as the Standardized Streamflow Index (SSI), a probability index‐based approach adopted from the climatological community, has increased in popularity. The SSI can be calculated based on various (non)parametric methods. Up to now, there is no consensus which method to use. This study aims to raise awareness how the inherent sensitivity of the SSI to the used method influences derived drought characteristics. We compared SSI time series computed with seven different probability distributions and two fitting methods as well as with different nonparametric methods for 369 rivers across Europe. Results showed that SSI time series and associated drought characteristics are indeed sensitive to the method of choice. A resampling experiment demonstrated the sensitivity of the parametric SSI to properties of both the low and high end of the sample. Such sensitivities might hinder a fair comparison of drought in space and time and highlight the need for a clear recommendation which method to use. We could recommend overall suitable methods, for example, from the parametric approaches, the Tweedie distribution has several advantageous properties such as a low rejection rate (2%) and a lower bound at zero. However, the most suitable method depends on the used evaluation criteria. Rather, we stress that shown approach‐specific sensitivities and uncertainties should be carefully considered.
In Silico Analysis of NPHS1 Gene Mutations Identified in Patients with Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is autosomal recessive glomerular disease caused by increased permeability of the glomerular capillary wall for macro molecules. It is characterized by heavy proteinuria followed by hypoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, lipiduria and edema [1,2]. Diagnostic evaluation and prognostic classification depends on disease onset and response towards therapy. Differential diagnosis of NS can be narrowed down on the bases of disease onset as congenital, infantile and childhood. Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) appears in utero or during the first 3 months of life. In case of Infantile NS, the onset of the disease starts between the ages of 4 months to first year of life, whereas childhood onset NS cases are diagnosed after first year of life [3]. On the bases of patient’s response towards steroid therapy, data suggested two different types of nephrotic syndromes, steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). SSNS patients are managed by immunosuppressive therapy however; almost 20% patients with NS fail to respond steroid therapy and referred as SRNS having persistent proteinuria after 4 weeks of oral steroid therapy [4,5]. It is a life-threatening condition and renal transplantation is the only therapeutic option.
The first ecological study on the oldest allochthonous population of European cave salamanders (Hydromantes sp.)

The introduction of allochthonous species often represents a serious problem for ecosystems and native species. Usually, these cases involve common widespread species that show high adaptability and strong competitiveness against local species. Within amphibians, the introduction of allochthonous species mainly deals with anurans, while cases involving caudata are few and poorly studied. We report the first assessment of an introduced population of European plethodontid salamanders. This population is located in the French Pyrenees and represents the oldest allochthonous Hydromantes population. We reconstructed the history of its introduction and collected data on the ecology and feeding habits of this population. Our results show that this population is stable and reproductive, showing strong similarities to Italian mainland species of Hydromantes . This study provided the base for further studies focused on this allochthonous population of European cave salamanders.