Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic and Climate Contributions on the Changes in Terrestrial Water Storage in India

Despite the rapid depletion of groundwater and significant changes in surface water storage, the role of anthropogenic and climatic factors on terrestrial water storage (TWS) in India remains largely unexplored. Here, we provide a hydrologic framework based on the Variable Infiltration Capacity‐SIMple Groundwater Model (VIC‐SIMGM) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data sets to estimate the contribution of climate variability and anthropogenic groundwater pumping on TWS in the Indian basins. The VIC‐SIMGM model was satisfactorily calibrated and evaluated against observed monthly streamflow and groundwater anomalies for the 17 river basins in India. The modeling setup combined with the GRACE data can be used for understanding the role of climate variability on surface and groundwater (shallow) storage in India. A significantly high correlation between TWS anomaly from GRACE (TWSAGRACE) and the VIC‐SIMGM (TWSAVIC) was found in the majority of India except in northwest India. The negative correlation in northwest India is primarily due to considerable groundwater pumping for irrigation. Groundwater storage anomaly explains a significant variability of GRACETWSA in India, indicating the influence of anthropogenic groundwater pumping for irrigation. However, in the absence of anthropogenic influence, soil moisture is the major contributor to TWSA in the majority of India. The net anthropogenic depletion of TWS in north India is considerably higher than that estimated from the GRACE as the increase in precipitation has, during the recent decades, contributed to slowing down the declining rate of TWS.
Toxicological Study of Leaf Extracts of Loranthus micranthus Linn Using Albino Wistar Rats

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of high sub-chronic doses of the aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of Loranthus micranthus on biochemical parameters of albino rats. Acute toxicity studies were performed according to standard methods. The animals were divided into 5 groups (n = 5). Aqueous and methanol extracts of L. micranthus leaves were administered in doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to four groups of rats respectively for 30 days through the intraperitoneal route. The fifth group served as control and received saline (5 ml/kg b.w, i.p). Blood samples were collected by retrorbital puncture and analyzed for biochemical and haematological parameters using assay kits. Acute toxicity studies indicated that both extracts had an LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The results indicated significant (p<0.001) increases in alkaline phosphatase serum levels in both extract treated groups. The extracts also produced significant elevation in serum bilirubin levels when compared with normal control (p<0.05). Both extracts did not affect the levels of alanine and aspartate transaminases significantly (p>0.05). There were significant increase in the serum levels of urea in the extracts treated rats (p<0.05; p<0.01). The 2000 mg/kg aqueous extract produced significant increases in mean serum chloride and bicarbonate levels of treated rats when compared with control (p<0.01). The extracts produced significant decrease in the serum creatine kinase levels of treated rats in a non-dose related manner when compared with control (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in sodium and potassium levels of treated rats. The methanol extract had no significant effect on the haematological indices studied. The aqueous extract produced significant reductions in the haemoglobin and PCV of treated rats (p< 0.01). The total and differential leucocyte counts were not affected by extract treatment (p>0.05). From these results, the extracts caused significant biochemical changes but were not cytotoxic to leucocyte cell lines. Therefore, there should be caution in the long term use of these extracts.
Biochemical evaluation of colubrid snake phylogeny

Quantitative biochemical comparisons of albumin differences within the snake family Colubridae were performed, using micro-complement fixation analysis. These tests support the recognition of the subfamilies Colubrinae and Natricinae, and corroborate their distinctness from snakes usually placed in the subfamilies Xenodontinae and Lycodontinae. Genetic differentiation within each of the two latter subfamilies is much greater than that measured within either the Colubrinae or the Natricinae. Reallocation of some genera and recognition of some additional taxa are proposed and a summary classification of the revised family Colubndae is presented.
Identification and validation of fusarium head blight and Fusarium-damaged kernel QTL in a Frontana/Remus DH mapping population

Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study investigated a ‘Frontana/Remus’ doubled haploid population (n = 210 lines) to map and validate the ‘Frontana’ resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) focusing on Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK). The plant material was evaluated in six epidemic situations for Fusarium resistance in inoculated field experiments, with either Fusarium graminearum or F. culmorum. Other studies have focused on FHB QTL, but it is important to evaluate how far these QTL determine FDK values. The data show that the genetic regulation of FHB resistance is more complex than earlier proposed. FHB resistance QTL were identified on chromosomes 3A, 4A and 6B. Markers showed association with FDK resistance on chromosomes 3D and at the marker Xs12m15_4. QTL on 2B, 4B, 5A and 7B chromosomes were responsible for both FHB and FDK resistance; in this case, the same QTL influenced both traits and possibly other traits during disease development. These QTL are very important, because they can be considered to be real Fusarium resistance QTL. The use of markers in breeding programmes, which are associated only with FHB or FDK resistance may be questionable and require further research. Heading date QTL were detected on chromosomes 1A, 2D and 7B overlapping with neither FHB nor FDK resistance QTL. The QTL identified in the ‘Frontana/Remus’ population were in good agreement with earlier results from the literature.
How Do Discrimination and Self-Esteem Control Beliefs Affect Prosociality? An Examination Among Black and Latinx Youth

Black and Latinx youth are situated in a maladaptive discriminatory context in the United States; however, prosociality may be one way that youth can promote their own positive development in the face of these experiences. We examined the longitudinal associations between discrimination and prosociality among 380 Black and Latinx early adolescents (MW6age = 12.38 years, 52% female) and considered race/ethnicity and self-esteem control beliefs as potential moderators to this association. Discrimination predicted higher levels of prosociality among Black youth 6 months later, but not among Latinx youth. Discrimination also predicted higher prosociality among youth with very high self-esteem control beliefs 6 months later, but not among youth with lower levels of self-esteem control beliefs. None of these associations were significant when looking across a 1-year time frame. Our findings support the predictions of self-esteem enhancement theory and highlight the importance of considering how youth’s unique racialized experiences can inform how they respond to discrimination.
Insect flower visitation frequency and seed production in relation to patch size of Viscaria vulgaris (Caryophyllaceae)

We examined frequency of pollinator visits, seed set, and seed predation in relation to plant patch size of the perennial caryophyllaceous herb Viscaria vulgaris in two areas in southern Sweden. The Dalsland area had approximately ten times more Viscaria plants per unit area than the Sma˙land area. Long-tongued bumblebees and to a lesser extent Lepidoptera were the most important pollinators in both areas. Honeybees and bumblebees with short proboscides were mainly nectar robbers and/or pollen collectors. Insect visitation per Viscaria plant and patch size were either unrelated or negatively correlated. However, bumblebee visitation was twice as high in the Dalsland area compared to Sma˙land, while no such difference was found in Lepidoptera
Overview on artificial reefs in Europe

Artificial reefs in Europe have been developed over the last 40 yrs. Most of these reefs have been placed in the Mediterranean Sea, but there is an increasing interest on the part of northern European countries. Fish stock enhancement and fishery management are the main purposes of reef construction in the Mediterranean Sea and on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, while nature conservation/restoration, research, and recreation have been the main purposes served in the other European regions to date. Artificial reef deployment falls under some general regulations concerning the protection of the sea against pollution due to the dumping of unsuitable materials. Specific Regional Plans relating to the use of artificial reefs in the marine environment and Guidelines for reef construction have been derived from these general regulations. In spite of recent developments, national and/or regional programs for the deployment of artificial reefs and/or their inclusion in overall management plans for integrated management of coastal zones are in force only in the majority of Mediterranean countries, while only a few projects have, to date, been undertaken in the other European Regions. Moreover, there is a noteworthy lack of plans, in many countries, for the management of the reefs after their deployment.
Socio-Ecological Nature of Drowning in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review to Inform Health Promotion Approaches

Most deaths by drowning (91%) have occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Southeast Asia (35%) and Africa (20%), in proportion to total drowning deaths worldwide. Poor data collection in LMICs hinders the planning, implementation, and evaluation of prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to review the rates and risk factors of unintentional drowning in LMICs and to identify drowning prevention strategies within a socio-ecological health promotion framework. A systematic search, guided by PRISMA, was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Informit health, PsycINFO (ProQuest), Scopus, SafetyLit, Google Scholar, and BioMed Central databases for all relevant studies published between 2012 and 2017. McMaster appraisal guideline was used for critical review. The disparity of available drowning data was observed across selected countries. The highest rates were identified in low-middle income South-east Asian countries. The socio-economic background of the family, overcrowding, and living close to water bodies were important predictors for paediatric drowning in LMICs, while the presence of mother as caregiver was identified as a protective factor. The over-reliance on active injury prevention strategies was identified. Further research focusing on developing relevant upstream drowning prevention and water safety promotion is needed to ensure the sustainability of drowning prevention in LMICs.
Use of line transect methods to estimate abundance of benthic stream fishes

Visual estimation of stream salmonid abundance using strip transect sighting models has become commonp8ace. Application of visual estimation to other stream fishes, particularly benthic forms, has been limited. Examination sf the distribution of sighting distances for the Roanoke darter (Bercina roanoka), Roanoke logperch (B. rexj, and black jumprock (kfoxostom~ cervinum) indicates that strip transect sighting models that assume probability of sighting remaining constant out to the limits of observer visibility are not appropriate for these benthic species. Our datasets indicate that distance sampling models that assume decreased sighting probability with increasing distance of the target from the observer provide a reasonable alternative to strip transect sighting models. There was a strong positive correlation between abundance estimates calculated using two alternative distance sampling models, as well as between the distance sampling model estimates and an estimate of abundance obtained with a backpack electroshocker. RCsumC : E9estimation visuelle de l'abondance des salmonidks dans les cours d'eau B l'aide de
A Low-Cost Acoustic Emission Sensor Based on Piezoelectric Diaphragm

Sensor monitoring is widely used in modern industrial automation. Industries require efficient and cost-effective monitoring and control systems. Regarding monitoring, new low-cost piezoelectric sensors have been tested in order to monitor processes through the acoustic activity generated. However, these sensors present the difficulties of being very fragile and being glued directly to the structure, thus being single-use sensors. Thus, the objective of this paper is to present a simple, effective and low-cost approach to increase the robustness of piezoelectric transducers and allow their reuse, such as a commercial acoustic emission sensor. For this, a low-cost piezoelectric diaphragm was encapsulated and tested. The characterization of the sensors is the first step in the analysis of the feasibility of an industrial application. Therefore, the sensor was characterized by the pencil lead break (PLB) method, which is recognized for simplicity and repeatability. A piezoelectric diaphragm and a commercial acoustic emission sensor were used as a comparison. Ten PLB tests were performed on a ceramic surface. Time and frequency analysis demonstrated a clear relationship between the enclosed PZT and the other sensors. Based on the good correlation of the results, it was found that the low-cost enclosed PZT can be used in the monitoring of machining processes, presenting greater robustness and simplicity in practical application.
Life-history parameters of different biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in relation to temperature and host plant : a selective review

Life-history parameters of different biotypes of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) species complex were reviewed. This included the B-biotype of B. tabaci, identified as B. argentifolii (Bellows & Perring). Comparisons were made among different biotypes on cotton, among host plants for biotype B and among the whitefly species B. tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), the greenhouse whitefly. The biotype identification of different populations of B. tabaci was summarized in a table. Biotypes discussed were A, B, Indian and biotypes of the Old World group. Temperature dependent relationships were estimated for egg development rate, development rate from egg to adult, immature mortality, adult longevity, sex-ratio, pre-oviposition period and fecundity. The fitted curves will be used as input for a simulation model of the population dynamics of B. tabaci in a greenhouse when parasitoids are released. The model makes it possible to evaluate the integrated effect of different life-history parameters and behavioural parameters of parasitoids on whitefly population levels in a greenhouse.
SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBER DISTRIBUTION AND AREA IN TRAINED AND STALLED STANDARDBRED HORSES

Four Standardbred horses followed a daily interval training program (5 × 700 m and 6 × 1000 m with 5-min rest periods) for 8 wk. Four more randomly selected animals served as stalled controls. Biopsy samples were taken from six limb muscles before and after the training period from all eight animals. No changes were observed in the percentage of fiber types for either group. However, significant (P < 0.05) increases in fiber area were noted for all three fiber types: slow twitch, high oxidative (ST) 13–17%; fast twitch, high oxidative (FTH) 13–17%; and fast twitch, low oxidative (FT) 21–29% for the six limb muscles in the trained animals. The results suggest that fiber area can be changed rather quickly with enforced exercise, and that FT fibers adapt more readily to high intensity interval exercise.
Bi-unitary multiperfect numbers, V

A divisor $d$ of a positive integer $n$ is called a unitary divisor if $\gcd(d, n/d)=1;$ and $d$ is called a bi-unitary divisor of $n$ if the greatest common unitary divisor of $d$ and $n/d$ is unity. The concept of a bi-unitary divisor is due to D. Surynarayana (1972). Let $\sig^{**}(n)$ denote the sum of the bi-unitary divisors of $n$. A positive integer $n$ is called a bi-unitary multiperfect number if $\sig^{**}(n)=kn$ for some $k\geq 3$. For $k=3$ we obtain the bi-unitary triperfect numbers. Peter Hagis (1987) proved that there are no odd bi-unitary multiperfect numbers. The present paper is part V in a series of papers on even bi-unitary multiperfect numbers. In parts I, II and III we determined all bi-unitary triperfect numbers of the form $n=2^{a}u$, where $1\leq a \leq 6$ and $u$ is odd. In parts IV(a-b) we solved partly the case $a=7$. In this paper we fix the case $a=8$. In fact, we show that $n=57657600=2^{8}. 3^{2}. 5^{2}. 7.11. 13$ is the only bi-unitary triperfect number of the present type.
Oil-contamination effects on a hypersaline microbial mat community (Camargue, France) as studied with microsensors and geochemical analysis

Abstract Pristine microbial mat samples from a hypersaline pond of a solar saltern (Camargue, France) were transferred into microcosms, contaminated in the laboratory with a viscous sulphur-rich crude oil, and characterized over time with microsensors for O2, pH and H2S, respectively. The goal was to gain information on how oil pollution affects the major autotrophic and heterotrophic processes involved in carbon cycling in coastal mats. Further, GC-MS analysis of mat samples taken directly after microsensor measurements was performed to investigate how the composition and the amount of oil changed over time in the oil contaminated mats. Pronounced biogeochemical changes in the microbial mat samples were observed during the experiment. The obtained results indicate that oil contamination stimulated organotrophic aerobic respiration and that C21-C28 alkanes of the crude oil were degraded/oxidized over time within the contaminated mats.
The first Met Office Unified Model–JULES Regional Atmosphere and Land configuration, RAL1

Abstract. In this paper we define the first Regional Atmosphere and Land (RAL) science configuration for kilometre-scale modelling using the Unified Model (UM) as the basis for the atmosphere and the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) for the land. RAL1 defines the science configuration of the dynamics and physics schemes of the atmosphere and land. This configuration will provide a model baseline for any future weather or climate model developments to be described against, and it is the intention that from this point forward significant changes to the system will be documented in the literature. This reproduces the process used for global configurations of the UM, which was first documented as a science configuration in 2011. While it is our goal to have a single defined configuration of the model that performs effectively in all regions, this has not yet been possible. Currently we define two sub-releases, one for mid-latitudes (RAL1-M) and one for tropical regions (RAL1-T). The differences between RAL1-M and RAL1-T are documented, and where appropriate we define how the model configuration relates to the corresponding configuration of the global forecasting model.
Analyzing Different Module Characteristics in Computer Adaptive Multistage Testing

Computer Adaptive Multistage Testing (ca-MST), which take the advantage of computer technology and adaptive test form, are widely used, and are now a popular issue of assessment and evaluation. This study aims at analyzing the effect of different panel designs, module lengths, and different sequence of a parameter value across stages and change in b parameter range on measurement precision in ca-MST implementations. The study has been carried out as a simulation. MSTGen simulation software tool was used for that purpose. 5000 simulees derived from normal distribution (N (0,1)) were simulated. 60 different conditions (two panel designs (1-3-3; 1-2-2), three module lengths (10-15-20), 5 different a parameter sequences (“0.8; 0.8; 0.8” - “1.4; 0.8; 0.8”-“0.8;1.4; 0.8” - “0.8; 0.8;1,4” - “1.4; 1,4; 1.4”) and two b parameter difference (small; large) conditions) were taken into consideration during analysis. Correlation, RMSE and AAD values of conditions were calculated. Conditional RMSE values corresponding to each ability level are given in a graph. Dissimilar to other studies in the literature, this study examines b parameter difference condition in three-stage tests and its interaction with a parameter sequence. Study results show that measurement precision increases as the number and length of the modules increase. Errors in measurement decrease as item discrimination values increase in all stages. Including items with a high value of item discrimination in the second or last stage contributes to measurement precision. In extreme ability levels, large difficulty difference condition produces lower error values when compared to small difficulty difference condition.
Suppressive Effects of Antinematodal Streptomyces spp. on Root-knot Nematodes of Cucumbers Caused by Meloidogyne incognita

Experiments were conducted to develop a microbial soil amendment for controlling plantparasitic nematodes using Streptomyces isolates NA-128, -150, -303, -359, -369 and -494. The acetone extracts of the cultured broth of these isolates suppressed the motility of secondstage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita. These nematode-controlling Streptomyces isolates (NS isolates) are expected to control root-knot nematodes in the field. We examined how NS isolates could be maintained on various agricultural materials (carrier), and found that paperpulp compost and vermiculite could maintain them at a high density for a long time. In a pot experiment in a greenhouse, treatments with NS isolates fixed on paper-pulp compost increased the shoot length and fresh shoot weight of cucumber plants, and suppressed gall formation as compared to the NS untreated control. These effects became more remarkable by using paperpulp compost as a carrier for fixation of NS. There was a significant interaction effect involving NS treatments and the carrier type on cucumber growth. In addition, NA-494 treatment with paper-pulp compost had the most remarkable effects on cucumber growth.