Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relation between Corporate and Government Debt Maturity in Europe

This article investigates the gap-filling explanation for corporate debt maturity choices in a multi-country setting. We argue that companies adjust their debt maturity in response to shocks in government debt maturity both at home and abroad; the difference between the two effects depends on the markets’ relative size and level of integration. Focusing on the European case and treating the Economic and Monetary Union as a shock in market integration, we find strong empirical support for our predictions. Our results have relevant implications for the opportunity for individual governments to use their debt maturity structure as a policy tool.
Studies on some non-conjugated and conjugated polymer systems for holographic recording

Holographic 3D displays provide highly realistic images without the need for special eyewear, making them valuable tools. Current commercially available holographic 3D displays employ photopolymers that lack image updating capability, resulting in their limited use and high cost per 3D image. Photorefractive polymers are dynamic holographic materials that permit recording of highly efficient reversible holograms. The present chapter gives a brief introduction to photorefractive polymers. Mechanism of photorefractive polymers, requirement of photorefractive medium and different materials used for the fabrication of photorefractive devices are discussed in detail. Theoretical and experimental techniques used for design, fabrication and characterization of photorefractive polymers are also outlined. Discussions are also focused on conducting polymers, especially on conjugated photoconducting polymers. Moreover, the role of photosensitizers for achieving higher carrier generation efficiencies are presented. 2 Photorefractive Polymers – An Introduction 1.1 Photorefractive effect and mechanism Photorefractive (PR) effect is the non-local and non-uniform refractive index change of a material when it is subjected to a non-uniform intensity distribution of light. This phenomenon was first reported in 1966 in electro-optic crystal, LiNbO3 (Lithium Niobate) by Ashkin et al. and described as an undesirable ―optical damage‖ [1]. Photorefractivity is a multi-step process comprising of two distinct phenomena such as photoconductivity and electro-optic effect [2]. A variety of valuable applications were reported using the photorefractive effect. In order to visualize the PR effect in a better way, the PR material is exposed to an interference pattern, resulting from the intersection of two coherent laser beams. In 1968, phase recording of optical information (holographic data storage) was done in lithium niobate crystals using PR effect [3]. Usual holographic materials such as photopolymers, photochromics, thermoplastics, etc. belong to WORM type material; write once read many. Unlike these permanent recording materials, holograms can be written and erased in PR materials many times without any chemical processing [4]. Photorefractive materials are now considered to be promising candidates for holographic storage and information processing applications. In 1991, Moerner and co-workers established the photorefractive effect in organic polymers [5]. Research on photorefractive polymers have shown remarkable progress in terms of efficiency, speed, and operating wavelengths. Today, performance of photorefractive polymers excels the performance of the best inorganic photorefractive crystals. As mentioned, photorefractive effect is the combined effect of photoconductivity and first order electro-optic effect, also known as
The effect of heavy metals on spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Comparative toxicity of most heavy metals changes with the increase of impact (concentration) and only cadmium occurred to be most toxic in the entire range of investigated concentrations. In the case of relatively low concentrations, toxicity of investigated heavy metals decreased in the following order: Cd>Cr>Ni>Cu>Pb>Zn, and in the case of relatively high impact: Cd>Cu> Ni>Cr>Zn>Pb. More severe impact on the root growth at the comparatively low and medium concentrations, and more severe inhibition of shoot growth at higher concentrations of all investigated metals were detected. Stimulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids at lower concentrations is characteristic feature for the impact of metals. For most metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd) maximal content of chlorophylls was registered in the range of concentrations between 1 and 3 μM.
Association between motor and math skills in preschool children with typical development: Systematic review

Mathematics has been the subject in which many school-age children have revealed many difficulties. Research carried out in an attempt to understand the causes of failure in this area pointed to a positive association between mathematical performance and motor performance. Given the importance of math development in future school outcomes, knowing which specific motor components are most associated with math performance can help educators define better strategies for teaching mathematics. In this sense, the present systematic review study aimed to identify the components of motor skills most positively associated with mathematical performance in children with typical development who attend preschool. The PRISMA methodology (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used in this study. The databases searched were ERIC, PubMED, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 2,909 articles were identified, of which 18 were included in this systematic review. The main results showed positive associations between fine motor skills, namely fine motor coordination and visuomotor integration, and mathematical performance. The math skill of numerical counting was the most associated with FMS. The main characteristics of the instruments used showed that the tasks of copying figures or drawings are the most used to assess visuomotor integration and the tasks of handling objects with pinch-like movements are the most used to assess fine motor coordination. Given the importance of mathematical performance in future school results, identifying early children with difficulties in fine motor skills will help educators to design better strategies for teaching mathematical skills. In this sense, the need to identify instruments to assess fine motor skills in preschool children with characteristics that facilitate their administration by the educator in the classroom context, i.e., requiring little administration time, not requiring much experience or training, the possibility of being administered to the group/class, few material resources, and the results can be easily interpreted, classified, and associated with mathematical performance.
Phylogeny and character evolution in the genus Crepis L. (Cichorieae,Compositae)

In 1947 Babcock published his widely acknowledged monograph of the genus Crepis L. including a sectional classification of the species as well as extensive hypotheses about character evolution. To reinvestigate Babcock’s evolutionary hypotheses and the generic delimitation of Crepis L. a phylogenetic analysis was conducted using ITS and chloroplast matK sequence data. The results revealed Crepis L. to be polyphyletic. A monophyletic clade including Central Asian and North American species of Crepis section Ixeridopsis is clearly isolated from Crepis sensu stricto and, as also supported by additional morphological evidence, needs to be transferred to the genus Askellia Weber (1984). A second clade comprising the genera Lapsana L. and Rhagadiolus Juss. as well as a statistically strongly supported clade of several Crepis species is sister to a third clade: the monophyletic Crepis s.str. Within Crepis s.str. the molecular data do not support Babcock’s sectional delimitation which is mainly based on his hypotheses about karyotype evolution. Hence, morphological and karyological characters are re-assessed with regard to the molecular phylogeny.
Choline supplementation regulates gut microbiome diversity, gut epithelial activity, and the cytokine gene expression in gilts

Choline is an essential nutrient that is necessary for both fetal development and maintenance of neural function, while its effect on female ovarian development is largely unexplored. Our previous study demonstrated that choline supplementation promotes ovarian follicular development and ovulation, although its underlying mechanism was unclear. To uncover the potential regulation pathway, eighteen female Yorkshire × Landrace gilts were fed with either standard commercial diet (Control group, n = 9) or choline supplemented diet (Choline group, additional 500 mg/kg of control diet, n = 9) from day 90 of age to day 186. At day 186, feces samples were analyzed for effects on the gut microbiome using 16S ribosomal RNA gene V3–V4 region sequencing with Illumina MiSeq, serum samples were analyzed for trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) using HILIC method, and jejunum tissues were analyzed for immune related gene expression using qRT-PCR. Our results show that choline supplementation did not alter the circulating level of TMA and TMAO (P > 0.05), but rather increased gut microbiome alpha diversity (P < 0.05). Beta diversity analysis results showed that the choline diet mainly increased the abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, but decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes, and Euryarchaeota at the phyla level. Meta-genomic analysis revealed that choline supplementation activated pathways in the gut microbiota associated with steroid hormone biosynthesis and degradation of infertility-causing environmental pollutants (bisphenol, xylene, and dioxins). To further verify the effect of choline on intestinal activity, a porcine intestine cell line (IPEC-J2) was treated with serial concentrations of choline chloride in vitro. Our data demonstrated that choline promoted the proliferation of IPEC-J2 while inhibiting the apoptotic activity. qRT-PCR results showed that choline significantly increased the expression level of Bcl2 in both IPEC-J2 cells and jejunum tissues. The expression of IL-22, a cytokine that has been shown to impact ovarian function, was increased by choline treatment in vitro. Our findings reveal the beneficial effect of choline supplementation on enhancing the gut microbiome composition and intestinal epithelial activity, and offer insights into how these changes may have contributed to the ovarian development-promoting effect we reported in our previous study.
Brain network changes in adult victims of violence

Introduction Stressful experiences such as violence can affect mental health severely. The effects are associated with changes in structural and functional brain networks. The current study aimed to investigate brain network changes in four large-scale brain networks, the default mode network, the salience network, the fronto-parietal network, and the dorsal attention network in self-identified victims of violence and controls who did not identify themselves as victims. Materials and methods The control group (n = 32) was matched to the victim group (n = 32) by age, gender, and primary psychiatric disorder. Sparse inverse covariance maps were derived from functional resting-state measurements and from T1 weighted structural data for both groups. Results Our data underlined that mostly the salience network was affected in the sample of self-identified victims. In self-identified victims with a current psychiatric diagnosis, the dorsal attention network was mostly affected underlining the potential role of psychopathological alterations on attention-related processes. Conclusion The results showed that individuals who identify themselves as victim demonstrated significant differences in all considered networks, both within- and between-network.
Phylogenetic relationships among Chinese ranids inferred from sequence data set of 12S and 16S rDNA

Phylogenetic relationships among twenty-nine species of Ranidae representing thirteen genera were investigated on the basis of 1005 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequences, of 12S and 16S rRNA gene fragments. Sequence data were analyzed using maximum parsimony, likelihood maximum, and neighbour joining with all indel and missing/ambiguous sites deleted. Among the twenty-nine ranids studied, two clades are well supported by the results of the three analyses, the first consists of twenty-one species in the genera Rana, Glandirana, Rugosa, Pelophylax, Amolops, Odorrana, and Hylarana; and the second includes eight species in the genera Fejervarya, Hoplobatrachus, Paa, Nanorana, Altirana, and Limnonectes; the six genera with multi-species samples - including Amolops, Pelophylax, Rugosa, Rana, Odorrana, and Paa - are recognized as distinct lineages with higher bootstrap and quartet puzzling supports: the phylogenetic relationships between species within each lineage are resolved well. The results testify that the traditional genus Rana is heterogeneous. On the basis of the phylogenetic relationships of these taxa, it is suggested that the genera Paa, Nanorana, and Altirana should be removed from the subfamily Raninae and to be included in the subfamily Dicroglossinae. The torrent frog of the genus Amolops should be retained in the subfamily Raninae rather than in a distinct subfamily Amolopinae of its own. The inclusion of Fejervarya limnocharis in the genus Limnonectes is not supported.
Effects of the Kuroshio on internal tides in the Luzon Strait: A model study

Internal tides have a great impact on the meridional overturning circulation and climate variability through contributing to diapycnal mixing. The Luzon Strait (LS) is one of the most important sites of internal tide generation in the global ocean. In this study, we evaluate the effect of the Kuroshio on the M2 and K1 internal tides in both summer and winter seasons in the South China Sea (SCS), particularly within the LS. High-resolution ocean numerical simulations with the Kuroshio Current were compared with those without. We found that the Kuroshio has negligible impact on the generation site of internal tides. Compared to seasonal variability in the total barotropic to baroclinic conversion rate over the LS, the Kuroshio has relatively little influence. However, the Kuroshio flow strongly guides the propagating direction of the internal tides from the LS into the SCS. The Kuroshio also substantially decreases the southward energy fluxes going out of the LS. For both M2 and K1 tides, turning off the Kuroshio leads to a weaker energy exchange between the background shear and internal tides. Turning off the Kuroshio also weakens the divergence of internal tide energy due to the advection of background flow. Thus, our results reveal a non-negligible effect of the Kuroshio on the internal tides in the LS. If one aims to realistically simulate, or better understand, internal tides, these results indicate that one should include realistic oceanic circulation fields.
Short‐term modulation of the exercise ventilatory response in humans

We tested the hypothesis that increased external dead space (DS) elicits short‐term modulation (STM) of the exercise ventilatory response (EVR) in humans. STM is an augmentation of the EVR occurring within a single exercise trial. Twelve young men were studied at rest and during cycle exercise at 3 levels (10, 30, 50W; not randomized) in Control conditions (no added DS) and with 3 levels of increased DS (200, 400, 600ml; randomized). EVR (defined as the slope of VE vs. VCO2) increased progressively with the addition of increasing DS volumes (p<0.01), e.g. at 10W, from 23.0±6.7 in Control to 38.1±12.7 with 600ml DS. Increasing exercise intensity diminished EVR (p<0.01), e.g. with 400ml DS, from 32.7±8.0 at 10W to 26.2±4.8 at 50W; and the size of this effect varied significantly by DS level (p<0.01). The change in PETCO2 (dPETCO2) from rest to exercise was diminished by increasing DS volume (p<0.01), e.g. at 30W, from 4.2±2.7 mmHg in Control to 2.2±2.4 mmHg with 400ml DS, confirming that the increase in EVR was not due to stimulation by increased PETCO2. We conclude that EVR was augmented by increased DS with no significant change in dPETCO2, and hence that STM was observed. This is the first study that we are aware of to specifically address STM in humans and provides evidence of the capacity for modulation and plasticity of the EVR in young men.
Effect of irrigation and nitrogen on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) varieties in Vidharbha region

An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 1994 95 and 1995 96 to study the response of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Zernj. Cosson] to irrigation and nitrogen levels. Pusa Bold recorded 15.6 and 14.5% higher seed and oil yields than Varuna . Irrigation scheduling at an 0.8 IW:CPE ratio significantly increased the seed and oil yields ever 0.4 and 0.6 IW : CPE. Response to nitrogen was positive up to 120 kglha. The yield attributes, siliquael plant, seedslsiliqua and 1,000 seed weight, were enhanced by increasing irrigation and nitrogen levels.
FOOD-CONSUMPTION.

T he American diet has changed quite a bit over the last two decades. Beef consumption, for example, fell almost 7 percent between 19� and 1986-88, while chicken rose almost 72 percent, wr­ key 80 percent, and fish and shellfish more than 38 percent (table 1 ). Egg use has also declined, while cheese has increased steadily. Fresh fruits and vege­ tables reached record levels in 1988, with fresh broccoli one of the biggest gainers, increasing over 940 percent between 19fi6-68 and 1986-88. A variety of factors are responsible for the changes in U.S. consumption pat­ terns, including diet and health concerns and increases in real (adjusted for infla­ tion) disposable income. New products, particularly more convenient ones, have also contributed to shifts in consumption along with an aging population, advertis­ ing campaigns, smaller households, more two-earner households, more single-per­ son households, and an increasing propor­ tion of ethnic minorities in the U.S. population. The Economic Research Service (ERS) publishes per capita consumption statistics annually in Food Consumption, Prices, and Expenditures. ERS estimates are based on food disappearance data (see box). These data represent the amount offood available for human use. They can be used as a proxy to estimate human consumption even though the data may overstate what's actually eaten because they do not account for waste. Here are some of the highlights from the ERS bulletin: • Meat.poultry, andfish: In 1989, total meat, poultry, and fish consumption reached a record 187 pounds per person {boneless, trimmed equivalent), 6 pounds more than in 1971. However, we con­ sumed an average of 24 pounds less red meat, 26 pounds more poultry, and 4 pounds more fish and shellfish than in 1971.
Long-term watershed management is an effective strategy to reduce organic matter export and disinfection by-product precursors in source water

Watershed management practices such as prescribed fire, harvesting and understory mastication can alter the chemical composition and thickness of forest detritus, thus affecting the quantity and quality of riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM). Long-term effects of watershed management on DOM composition were examined through parallel field and extraction-based laboratory studies. The laboratory study was conducted using detritus samples collected from a pair of managed and unmanaged watersheds in South Carolina, USA. Results showed that dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and ammonium (NH4+-N) concentrations were higher in water extracts from the unmanaged watershed than from the managed watershed (P<0.01). Pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed that water extracts from the unmanaged watershed contained more aromatic compounds than extracts from the managed watershed. For the field study, monthly water samples were collected for 1 year (2015) from the paired watersheds. DOC and TDN concentrations, as well as DOM aromaticity, were significantly higher in the unmanaged watershed than in the managed watershed for most of the year (P<0.05) and were linked to detrital thickness, precipitation and flow patterns. The formation potential of two regulated disinfection by-products was lower in the unmanaged watershed for most of 2015 (P<0.05). From this study, it appears that long-term watershed management practices may alter detrital mass and chemistry in ways that improve water quality.
Availability of cationic micronutrients in soil as influenced by integrated nutrient management in tomato-onion cropping system.

A field experiment was conducted to evaltuate the effect of integrated nutrient management on availability of cationic micronutrients in soil, crop response and economic feasibility of their use in tomato-onion cropping system. Application of organic manures in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers significantly improved the availability of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in soil. The availability of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn increased with increase in the level of organic manures application. Significant and positive correlation existed between OC and available cationic micronutrients like iron (r=0.830), copper (r=0.795), manganese (r=0.877) and zinc (r=0.816). Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that the combined use of organic manures with inorganic fertilizers is suitable for obtaining optimum yields.
Biogeography and Genetic Diversity of Toxin Producing Cyanobacteria in a Laurentian Great Lake

The North American Great Lakes are a vital source on a global scale, as they hold ~18 % of the potable water resources on our planet. Cyanobacteria of the genus Microcystis are commonly found in fresh water environments around the world, and since the mid-1990s also in Lake Erie. The reasons for the success for these potentially toxic cyanobacteria in Lake Erie are not completely understood. In this study we have applied modern molecular tools to analyze field samples to provide an insight into the genotypic composition and diversity of the Microcystis community in the past and present day Lake Erie. We have also analyzed a three-year data set to identify specific environmental factors that contribute to the abundance of Microcystis genotypes and microcystin production. In addition, in a laboratory-based study we examined the effect of nutrients on transcriptional activity of the microcystin synthetase gene mcyD. The results of this study suggest that, although toxic Microcystis form < 10 % of the total cyanobacterial population in Lake Erie, the toxin-producing Microcystis community in Lake Erie is diverse, and that these populations are stabile on a time scale of decades. Sediments acting as a reservoir of Microcystis are likely contributing to the persistence of the population. Although Microcystis is the dominant microcystin producer in the lake, other microcystin-producing cyanobacteria were also found in spatially isolated regions of the lake. While microcystin concentration in Lake Erie is correlated positively with total phosphorus (P<0.001) and surface reactive phosphorus (P<0.001), and negatively with the molar ratio total nitrogen to total phosphorus (P<0.001); toxic Microcystis abundance correlates negatively with NO3 concentration (P=0.04) and positively with surface water temperatures (ranging from 20.8 °C to 27.4 °C) (P=0.03). These observations, along with findings from culture based experiments, suggest decoupling of the factors governing proliferation of toxic cells and toxin production. Culture based experiments also suggested that the chemical form of phosphorus may be an important factor in regulating microcystin biosynthesis in Microcystis based on monitoring relative transcriptional activity of the mcyD gene. The transcriptional activity of mcyD was higher (P=0.118) in cells grown in BG11-medium containing 2.3 μM organic phosphorus (glycerol 2-phosphate disodium salt hydrate) than in cells grown in BG11-medium containing 2.3 μM inorganic phosphorus (K2HPO4).