Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of stand structure on surface fire ignition potential in Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris forests in southern Finland

Forest fire ignition potential was investigated in Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce) and Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) dominated stands of 0, 15, 3045, and 4060 years of age. A series of small-scale (<0.5 m2) ignition tests were carried out in experimental plots on 61 different days in June, July, and August. Ignition success percentages were analyzed in relation to stand structural properties, preclassified stand types, and the output of the Canadian Fire Weather Index system. In addition, the number of average stand-type-specific fire days was estimated based on weather data (JuneAugust) for southern Finland for the years 19912002. Factors in stand structure that significantly correlated with the ignition success percentage were canopy depth and leaf area index, the correlation coefficients being 0.575 (p < 0.005) and 0.582 (p < 0.005), respectively. In Pinus sylvestris dominated stands, ignition tests produced self-sustained surface fires in 32.0%, 24.0%, and 19.3% of cases in 0-, 15-, a.
Effect of Shading on Development, Yield and Quality of Bastard Balm Herb (Melittis melissophyllum L.)

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of Melittis melissophyllum shading on its development and accumulation of phenolics. Their content (verbascoside, apiin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, coumarin, 3,4-dihydroxycoumarin, o-coumaric acid 2-O-glucoside as well as o-coumaric, p-coumaric, chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and cichoric acid) was determined in the herb using HPLC-DAD. The results showed that the content of abovementioned flavonoids and phenolic acids was highest in plants grown under full sunlight. On the other hand, a higher content of coumarin was observed in shaded plants, especially after the seed-setting stage. A similar tendency was noted for the amount of chlorophyll a and b. The content of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, the activity of polyphenol oxidase and catalase and the antioxidant capacity of plant extracts (measured using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays) were found to be the highest in the plants grown in full sunlight. However, the plants grown in moderate (30%) shade were found to thrive best.
Timing of growth hormone injections and reproduction in gilts

Sixty-eight Yorkshire × Landrace gilts were selected at 85 kg body weight (BW) and exposed to a mature boar for 20 min d−1 to detect puberty. At the onset of puberty, gilts were allocated to receive daily intramuscular injections of porcine growth hormone (pGH, 90 μg kg−1 BW) from either 14 to 17 d (GH17, n = 22) or from 14 to 22 d (GH22 n = 22) after puberty, inclusively. A third group of gilts served as controls (n = 24) and received vehicle buffer. A single blood sample was obtained from each gilt on days 14, 17 and 20. Also, four gilts from each pGH treatment and eight control gilts were sampled at 15-min intervals for 8 h on day 16. Gilts were slaughtered 30 d after puberty at which time their ovaries were recovered for the determination of ovulation rate. Injection of pGH resulted in elevated serum concentrations of triiodothyronine, insulin and glucose (P 0.1) treatment effect on mean serum concentrations of LH or FSH. However, pGH treatment tended (P = 0.1) t.
Single unit and beta oscillatory activities in subthalamic nucleus are modulated during visual choice preference

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the supply of dopamine to basal ganglia nuclei, leading to pathological beta band (13–35 Hz) oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). STN and beta activity are recognized in motoric functions but their role in cognitive functions remains elusive. We examined single unit and beta local field potential (LFP) activity in the STN during a visual choice preference task in PD patients (n = 12) undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery. Patients viewed 2 of 5 possible animal picture‐pairs and were instructed to choose their favorite (“fav”) picture by clicking the left or right mouse key. A block of trials consisted of 50–75 picture‐pair presentations. Single unit histograms and LFP spectrograms were aligned to picture presentation and point of decision for pairs that included the fav and non‐fav pictures, respectively. A total of 58 neurons from 26 blocks of trials were analyzed. Thirty of 58 neurons showed a selective change in spiking activity 0.20–0.65 s to fav picture presentation, which preceded the shortest recorded reaction time (=0.7 s), and 17/58 neurons showed no significant response in our task. Beta LFP significantly desynchronized in response to fav but not non‐fav pictures in all trials, and in 14/26 blocks of trials, the desynchronization was followed by a “beta burst” and ramp‐up to baseline activity. Neurons with choice preference responses were found throughout the dorsoventral extent of the STN. STN single units and beta activity are modulated during visual choice preference, and this suggests a role for STN beta activity in cognitive processing.
Study on the characteristics and mechanisms of nicosulfuron biodegradation by Bacillus velezensis CF57

Nicosulfuron is one of the main sulfonylurea herbicides that have been widely used to protect maize crops. A total of 10 nicosulfuron‐degrading strains were isolated from the intestine tract of earthworm Eisenia foetida. Among them, Bacillus velezensis CF57 with the highest degradation efficiency was selected and studied in detail. The degradation characteristics of CF57 showed that it was able to effectively degrade nicosulfuron in a wide range of temperature, pH, and a low inoculation amount, and the response surface analysis revealed that the optimum degradation conditions were 30.8 °C, pH 6.31, and inoculation amount 3.04%. Meanwhile, CF57 could degrade high‐concentration nicosulfuron efficiently and posed a broad degradation spectrum of other sulfonylurea herbicides. Furthermore, the localization of degradation enzyme indicated that the nicosulfuron‐degrading enzyme was an extracellular fraction. By analyzing the metabolites of nicosulfuron, it could be further determined that the degradation of nicosulfuron by strain CF57 was mainly through the extracellular enzyme, and its possible degradation pathway was mainly derived from the cleavage of the C–N bond of the sulfonylurea bridge. These results may provide new insights into bioremediation of nicosulfuron‐contaminated environments and enrich the resources of degrading bacteria of sulfonylurea herbicides.
Continuous CO2 enrichment leads to increased nodule biomass, carbon availability to nodules and activity of carbon‐metabolising enzymes but does not enhance specific nitrogen fixation in pea

Recent research has shown that nodule nitrogen fixation is limited under a wide range of environmental constraints by lowered carbon flux within the nodule due to down-regulation of sucrose synthase activity. The aim of this work was to elucidate whether an increase in both carbon flux and activity of enzymes of carbon metabolism in nodules may lead to an increased nitrogen fixation. We report the effects caused by a continuous exposure to atmospheric CO 2 enrichment in modulated pea plants. CO 2 enrichment led to an enhanced whole-plant growth and increased nodule biomass. Moreover, nodules of plants grown at increased CO 2 showed a higher sugar content as well as enhancement of some activities related to nodule carbon metabolism, such as sucrose synthase, UDP glucose pyrophosphorylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Indeed, acetylene reduction activity, measured by the classical technique, was increased more than four times. However, when specific nitrogen fixation was determined as hydrogen evolution, no significant differences were detected, consistent with the lack of changes of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism such as glutamate synthase and aspartate aminotransferase. These results are discussed in the context of the regulation of nitrogen fixation and nodule metabolism.
Reversibility of acidification of mountain lakes after reduction in nitrogen and sulphur emissions in Central Europe

The reversal of water acidification has been recently indicated by both empirical data and experiments. The world's largest whole‐ecosystem “experiment” involving ~30% and ~40% reduction in nitrogen and sulfur emissions, respectively, has occurred in Central Europe due to the political and economic changes in the postcommunist countries since 1989. Parallel decreases in deposition rates of SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+ have resulted in a rapid reversal in hydrochemistry of acidified lakes in the Šumava Mountains and the High Tatra Mountains. Concentrations of SO42− and NO3− in lakes were reduced by 11–14 and 13–32 mmol m−3, respectively, between the late 1980s and middle 1990s. Leaching of calcium, magnesium, and aluminum from the watersheds decreased while lake water pH and alkalinity increased. The immediate decline in NO3− concentrations after reduced nitrogen emissions has suggested a rapid reversibility of nitrogen saturation of the mountainous ecosystems in response to decreased amounts of nitrogen deposition.
Species of the Silurian operculate rugose coral genera Araeopoma and Rhytidophyllum

Abstract The operculate rugose coral genera Araeopoma Lindstrom and Rhytidophyllum Lindstrom, represented in Silurian sequences on Gotland, are here revised and redescribed. These genera belong to the subfamily Araeopomatinae which is characterized by undifferentiated opercular septa. The affinities between Araeopoma and other operculate genera including Goniophyllum is discussed. The species treated in this paper are Araeopoma prismaticum (type species), Araeopoma elongation and Rhytidophyllum pusillum, all of which appear to be endemic on Gotland. Araeopoma has a rhabdacanthine septal microstructure, while that of Rhytidophyllum is unknown. Johannessen, W.H. , 1995: Species of the Silurian operculate rugose coral genera Araeopoma and Rhytidophyllum. GFF, Vol. 117 (Pt. 1, March), pp. 31–41. Stockholm. ISSN 1103–5897.
MicroRNA-367 directly targets PIK3R3 to inhibit proliferation and invasion of oral carcinoma cells

Abstract Recently, microRNA-367 (miR-367) has been reported to function as both tumor suppressor and oncogene in several cancer types, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular cancer and lung cancer. However, the biological function of miR-367 and its precise mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have not been well clarified. The aim of the present study was to study the roles of miR-367/PIK3R3 axis in OSCC. The levels of PIK3R3 and miR-367 were detected by quantitative PCR assay in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the biological roles of miR-367 and PIK3R3 in OSCC cells were assessed by cell proliferation and invasion. The mRNA and protein levels of PIK3R3 were determined by using quantitative PCR and Western blotting assays. Luciferase assays were used to confirm that PIK3R3 was one target of miR-367. In the present study, the miR-367 level was dramatically reduced in OSCC tissues and cell lines, and the PIK3R3 expression was significantly enhanced. What’s more, the PIK3R3 expression was negatively related to the miR-367 level in OSCC tissues. Furthermore, up-regulation of miR-367 obviously restrained OSCC cells proliferation and invasion. We confirmed that miR-367 could directly target PIK3R3 by luciferase reporter assay. Besides, knockdown of PIK3R3 also could markedly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells. Finally, overexpression of miR-367 in OSCC cells partially reversed the promoted effects of PIK3R3 up-regulation. Overexpression of miR-367 restrained OSCC cells proliferation and invasion via regulation of PIK3R3.
Flu Vaccination Attitudes, Behaviours, and Knowledge among Health Workers

The aim of this work is to evaluate the attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge of health workers employed at an Italian University Hospital on the topic of vaccinations and in regard to flu vaccination. To this end, the study provided for the articulation of a computerised questionnaire on the digital platform EUSurvey which was administered online via e-mail to a sample of 457 health workers, in the period between November 2018 and March 2019. The data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. In particular, a logistic regression analysis was carried out in order to evaluate the relationship between the variables collected and the dichotomous outcome (vaccinated/unvaccinated subjects in the 2018–2019 season). The results, in line with what has been reported by the literature, highlighted that vaccine hesitancy is prevalent also among health workers. Furthermore, according to our study, only 30.6% of the health care workers had the flu vaccination. The survey points out the need to plan educational and informative interventions aimed at changing the attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge of health workers in the field of flu vaccination, for the purpose of protecting the health of healthcare personnel and their patients.
A Systematic Review of Active Video Games on Youth’s Body Composition and Physical Activity

Abstract In the past decade, active video games (AVGs) have started to find their way into communities, schools, and homes as a possible solution to promote physical activity (PA) and prevent childhood obesity. However, the evidence regarding its effectiveness on body composition and objectively measured PA in youth remains inconclusive. Thus, a systematic review on this topic is needed. This review synthesizes effects of AVGs on body composition and PA in youth. The initial search yielded 260 articles from 10 databases and 18 randomized-controlled trials were included after evaluating against eligibility and removing duplicates. Overall, AVGs showed positive effects in improving body composition and PA in overweight/obese youth as compared to the control conditions with only 2 studies displaying neutral effects on these outcomes as compared to traditional PA or comparison programs. For healthy youth, more than half of the studies (n = 10) demonstrated neutral effects of AVGs on these outcomes whereas only 6 yielded positive effects compared to the control conditions. Further, one study indicated that the control condition observed greater improvement in body composition compared with an AVG intervention in healthy youth. In summary, AVGs are deemed a promising addition to promote PA and health among overweight/obese youth with the goal of fighting childhood obesity.
The Influence of Caregiving on the Relation Between Marital Status and Psychological Health in a Grandparent Sample

Grandparent caregivers report poorer psychological and physical health, but relationship status has been shown to influence burden. The current study investigated depressive symptoms of 3288 grandparents who completed the third wave of the National Survey of Families and Households. The study found that those who are unmarried were more likely to be grandparent caregivers, and female participants reported higher depressive symptoms. Marital status and caregiving status were comparable predictors of depression, but marital status did not buffer the effects of caregiving status on depression. Caregiving status accounted for a significant amount of depressive symptom variance for depression, comparable to marital status and gender. There was a significant difference in depressive symptoms of married and unmarried grandparent non-caregivers but with a significantly lower baseline depression rate than grandparent caregivers. Future research should examine whether making social support options available to unmarried grandparent caregivers who lack informal support from a spouse may improve outcomes.
Adjustment for heterogeneity of variances by herd production level in dairy cow and sire evaluation

Abstract Additive genetic and environmental variances for all lactation milk yield and natural log of yield were estimated at three herd production levels by REML in a sire and nested-cow model. Data consisted of 121,136 first and later lactations for 91,206 Holstein cows from 526 sires. Each herd-year-season group was assigned to one of three production levels by mean yield of all cows freshening in the same herd-year. Variance components for untransformed yields increased with production level. Heritability was . 18, . 22, and . 24 for untransformed yield in low, medium, and high producing herds. Log transformation did not stabilize variances. Environmental variances for transformed yields decreased as production level increased. Heritability estimates were not significantly changed by log transformation of yields. Cows and sires were evaluated by three models. Models 1 and 2 used variances from the medium level and either untransformed or logtransformed yields. Model 3 used untransformed yields and the specific variances at the three production levels. Rank correlations of sire and cow evaluations from the three models were close to unity. Ranks of top sires were similar, but differences among ranks of top cows were large across models. If heterogeneity of variances is ignored, untransformed yields should be used.
A sub-adult skull of Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (Ornithischia: Lambeosaurinae): anatomy and comparison

A well-preserved skull from a previously unknown growth stage for the lambeosaurine hadrosaurid Hypacrosaurus stebingeri from the Campanian of western North America is described. This skull is equivalent in size to the smallest known growth stages for Corythosaurus, Hypacrosaurus altispinus and Lambeosaurus, and allows for a direct comparison of the juvenile growth stage of all four taxa for the first time. H. stebingeri is not diagnosed by any recognised autapomorphies, and the morphology of juvenile skulls is similar for all four taxa. Juveniles and sub-adults of H. stebingeri are characterised by an incipient cranial crest formed predominantly by the nasal, elongate narial openings with a reduced premaxilla-nasal fontanelle and a conspicuous bifurcation at the rostral end of the nasal. The bifurcation of the nasal is virtually identical to juveniles and sub-adults of Corythosaurus. These cranial morphologic similarities support the phylogenetic hypothesis that Hypacrosaurus is more closely related to Corythosaurus than to Lambeosaurus.
IS THE AGAR PLATE CULTURE A GOOD TOOL FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF Strongyloides stercoralis IN CANDIDATES FOR TRANSPLANTATION

Identification and treatment of chronic strongyloidiasis is the most important factor for avoiding the severe form, particularly in transplant candidates, in whom immunosuppressive therapy (including the use of corticosteroids) is a risk factor for the occurrence of severe disease. Definitive diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is usually made through detection of the larvae in stool samples, which have low sensitivity. Agar Plate culture is considered more efficient than other conventional methods in the parasitological diagnosis of S. stercoralis with high sensitivity. However, it has not been used to screen candidates for transplantation.
Metabolism and Immune Modulation in Patients with Solid Tumors: Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

Several immunotherapy agents are the standard of care of many solid malignancies. Nevertheless, the majority of patients do not benefit from the currently available immunotherapies. It is therefore of paramount importance to identify the prognostic and predictive factors of tumor response/resistance and to design effective therapeutic strategies to overcome primary resistance and improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. The aim of this review is to underline the influence of the tumor and host metabolism on the antitumor immune response and to discuss possible strategies to improve the efficacy of available treatments by targeting the specific metabolic pathways in tumors or immune cells and by modifying patients’ nutritional statuses. A systematic search of the Medline and EMBASE databases was carried out to identify scientific papers published until February 2020, which reported original research articles on the influence of tumor or host metabolism on antitumor immune response. The literature data showed the key role of glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, arginine, tryptophan, glutamine, lipid metabolism and microbiome on immune cell function. Moreover, specific nutritional behaviors, such as a low dietary intake of vitamin C, low glycemic index and alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, ornithine ketoglutarate, tryptophan and probiotic supplementation were associated with the potential clinical benefits from the currently available immunotherapies.
Devil Is in the Details: Use of Wild Food Plants in Historical Võromaa and Setomaa, Present-Day Estonia

Biodiversity needs to be preserved to ensure food security. Border zones create high but vulnerable biocultural diversity. Through reviewing scattered historical data and documenting the current use of wild food plants among people currently living in historical Setomaa and Võromaa parishes, we aimed to identify cross-cultural differences and diachronic changes as well as the role borders have played on the local use of wild plants. The Seto have still preserved their distinctive features either by consciously opposing others or by maintaining more historical plant uses. People historically living in Setomaa and Võromaa parishes have already associated the eating of wild plants with famine food in the early 20th century, yet it was stressed more now by the Seto than by Estonians. Loss of Pechory as the center of attraction in the region when the border was closed in the early 1990s brought about a decline in the exchange of knowledge as well as commercial activities around wild food plants. National support for businesses in the area today and the popularity of a healthy lifestyle have introduced new wild food plant applications and are helping to preserve local plant-specific uses in the area.
Rapid Recalibration of Peri-Personal Space: Psychophysical, Electrophysiological, and Neural Network Modeling Evidence

Abstract Interactions between individuals and the environment occur within the peri-personal space (PPS). The encoding of this space plastically adapts to bodily constraints and stimuli features. However, these remapping effects have not been demonstrated on an adaptive time-scale, trial-to-trial. Here, we test this idea first via a visuo-tactile reaction time (RT) paradigm in augmented reality where participants are asked to respond as fast as possible to touch, as visual objects approach them. Results demonstrate that RTs to touch are facilitated as a function of visual proximity, and the sigmoidal function describing this facilitation shifts closer to the body if the immediately precedent trial had indexed a smaller visuo-tactile disparity. Next, we derive the electroencephalographic correlates of PPS and demonstrate that this multisensory measure is equally shaped by recent sensory history. Finally, we demonstrate that a validated neural network model of PPS is able to account for the present results via a simple Hebbian plasticity rule. The present findings suggest that PPS encoding remaps on a very rapid time-scale and, more generally, that it is sensitive to sensory history, a key feature for any process contextualizing subsequent incoming sensory information (e.g., a Bayesian prior).