Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Memoirs: On the Morphology of the Cranial Muscles in Some Vertebrates

IN the following paper I have described . and compared the development of some of the cranial muscles in Scyllium canicula, Squalus acanthias, Acipenser sfcurio, Lepidosteus osseus, Amia calva, Salino fario, Ceratodus Forsteri, Triton cristatus, Rana temporaria, Alytes obstetricans, Bufo lentiginosus, Pelobates fascus, Chrysemys marginata, Lacerta agilis, chick, rabbit, and pig. The object has been to determine as far as possible the morphology of the muscles, and so to deduce a morphological classification of the motor nuclei of the cranial uerves, more especially in mammals and man. A subsidiary object has been to ascertain what evidence is afforded by these muscles in regard to the speculations of zoologists on the phylogenetic relations of the various vertebrate groups. The paper is a sequel to one previously published on some of the cranial muscles of Sauropsida. The adult anatomy of the muscles has been described by Vetter, Furbringer, Pollard, McMurrich, Allis, Jaquet, Driiner, Ecker and Gaupp, Mivart, Krause, and others referred to in the paper. In the majority of cases observation of the development of the muscles merely serves to support deductions as to their homologies already made from consideration
Simultaneous bilinguals who do not speak a tone language show enhancement in pitch sensitivity but not in executive
 function

Previous studies have reported perceptual advantages, such as when discriminating non-native linguistic or musical pitch differences, among first-year infants growing up in bilingual over monolingual environments. It is unclear whether such effects should be attributed to bilinguals’ enhanced perceptual sensitivity and/or cognitive abilities, and whether such effects would extend to adulthood. Twenty-four Dutch, 24 Dutch simultaneous bilingual (DSB), and 24 Chinese Mandarin speakers were examined by three sets of tasks assessing their linguistic pitch and music perception, executive function, as well as interactions across these modalities. Results showed degrees of advantages for DSB and Chinese participants’ over their Dutch peers in lexical tone discrimination and pitch-related music tasks. In tasks related to executive function, no difference was observed between DSB and Dutch participants, while Chinese participants’ performances were modulated by cognitive interference of language processing. Findings suggest that listeners’ enhanced sensitivity to linguistic and musical pitch may stem from acoustic (DSB) and experience (Chinese) rather than cognitive factors. Moreover, Dutch participants showed robust correlations between their linguistic and musical pitch perception, followed by limited correlations in DSB, and virtually no correlation among Chinese participants, illustrating how distinct language experiences can lead to specific pitch perception patterns between language and music.
Applying Popperian falsifiability to geodynamic hypotheses: empirical testing of the episodic crustal/zircon production hypothesis and selective preservation hypothesis

ABSTRACT Even though Earth scientists widely recognize the episodic distribution of zircon ages, the cause of the episodes remains unresolved. Two competing explanations have emerged. Some interpret zircon age peaks as pulses of continental crust production, whereas others suspect production remains relatively constant with the episodes caused by variable preservation potential. However, in their current forms, neither hypothesis contains enough details to rigorously test them on a global scale. Here, we integrate existing ideas of continental evolution into a reduced hypothesis of episodic zircon production coupled with proportionate zircon destruction. We treat global zircon destruction as being random from the collective destructive processes of surface weathering and erosion, delamination of lower continental crust and mantle lithosphere, and subduction. Using Popperian falsifiability as a framework, we interpret selective preservation and present a testable version of it. Likewise, we present an episodic zircon production hypothesis accompanied with testable postulates. Next, both geodynamical hypotheses are tested using standard statistical approaches. The results falsify our interpretation of selective preservation in ten ways and supports the hypothesis of episodic global zircon production coupled with proportionate global zircon destruction.
Armed Conflict and the Timing of Childbearing in Azerbaijan

Research on fertility changes in former Soviet states of the South Caucasus is scant and has overlooked the role of armed conflicts. This study contributes to filling these gaps by providing the first detailed account of fertility changes in Azerbaijan since independence and by exploring them in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Estimates from retrospective birth history data from the 2006 Demographic and Health Survey show that since 1991 period fertility declined to almost below-replacement levels, essentially as a result of stopping behavior, and, only recently, slight birth postponement. While the conflict seems to have little influence on aggregate trends, discrete-time logit models accounting for unobserved heterogeneity reveal a 42–45 percent higher risk of transitioning to the second birth for women who have been exposed to conflict violence—whether in the form of forced migration or because of residence in the conflict-torn Karabakh region—than for nonexposed women. Never-migrant women from Karabakh have also significantly higher probability of having a first child. Further positive effects on fertility are observed for women who lost a child during peak conflict years. Risk-insurance and replacement effects are possible mechanisms explaining such fertility responses.
Seasonal Incidence, Biology and Management of Grape Mealy bug

The incidence of grape mealy bug correlated positively and significantly with maximum temperature at one week lead time and during the week of observation. Where as, it correlated negatively and significantly with minimum temperature at one, two, three and four weeks lead time. Similarly, it also correlated negatively and significantly with morning and afternoon relative humidities that existed during the week of observation, one, two, three and four weeks lead time. The female had three nymphal instars while the male had four. The total life cycle of grape mealy bug took more days during winter than summer. The nymphal period, adult longevity and fecundity were more during winter than summer irrespective of hosts. Similarly, the above parameters were more when reared on pumpkin as compared to sprouted potato irrespective of seasons. Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.7 ml + Fish oil rosin soap @ 5 g/l recorded highest net profits of Rs. 79,035/ha followed by dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.7 ml/l with Rs. 77,835/ha and were at par with each other. The treatments viz., dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.7 ml/l, Verticillium lecanii @ 2 g/l, Metarhizium anisopliae @ 2 g/l and Clerodendron inerme @ 5% were economical.
Effect of Potassium Chloride on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Three Rape Seed Varieties

Salinity stress is one of the crucial factors affecting at different stages of growth and development of the crop. In the present research, the seeds of three rape seed varieties like Toria selection, Sindh Raya and Sarhein-95 were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 and 2%) of KCl to demonstrate the effect of salt stress on seed germination and early seedling growth of rape seed varieties. Seed germination and seedling growth decreased with the increase of KCl grown in Petri dishes within seven days. Highest germination and seedling growth was recorded in Sindh Raya than Toria and Sarhein-95. On the basis of all growth characteristics, the three genotypes were found to be more sensitive under KCl salt stress.
Rethinking four social issues of the COVID-19 pandemic from social work perspectives

ABSTRACT The first COVID-19 case in Taiwan was confirmed on 21 January 2020. Compared to the global case fatality rate, the people in Taiwan have been affected moderately by this disease, from a medical point of view. However, when looking back to their life experiences over the past six months, one must pay attention to the social dimensions of this pandemic. In this article, we examine four key social issues that can provide some insights into the social work imagination, after this worldwide health crisis is over.
Characterization of wheat genotypes for drought tolerance and water use efficiency

The selection of wheat genotypes according to their drought tolerance is essential to off-season cultivation. The objective of this work was to characterize wheat genotypes through yield and components, morphological characteristics under water stress, and irrigated water use efficiency in the Cerrado region in Brazil. Genotypes were planted during the winters of 2016 and 2017 since there is no precipitation during this season and water levels can be measured. They were then submitted to four water regimes: WR1, WR2, WR3, and WR4, representing 100 %, 83 %, 50 %, and 30 % of evapotranspiration replacement. The following variables were evaluated: peduncle length (PL), number of ears m–2 (NE m–2), hectoliter weight (HW), thousand grain weight (TGW), drought resistance index (DRI), irrigated water use efficiency (IWUE) and yield. Most variables showed correlation with yield and can be a useful tool for breeding programs. PL and HW were best correlated with yield. BRS 264 (irrigated biotype) was productive in treatments receiving the greatest number of irrigation treatments. Given that WR1 registered the highest water level, it was not expected that the rainfed biotype (BR18) would show a higher yield than an irrigated biotype (BRS254). BRS404 (rainfed biotype) was the most productive under moderate stress treatment (WR3). Aliança (rainfed biotype) showed a higher yield under severe stress. Rainfed biotypes presented a higher DRI than the irrigated ones. These genotypes can be used as a reference in breeding programs under each water regime in which their performance was outstanding. None of the variables studied contributed to the selection of the most efficient wheat genotypes in the IWUE.
Population Dynamics of Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci and Incidence of Mungbean Yellow Mosaic India Virus (MYMIV) on Blackgram

An investigation was conducted on population dynamics of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci and incidence of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) on blackgram during Kharif 2015–16. observations of adult whitefly was recorded at weekly interval through yellow sticky trap at the field by installing just above the crop canopy for 24 hours and percent disease incidence of MYMIV was recorded. Results revealed that the whitefly was first observed from 28th SMW (15.83 whiteflies sticky trap-1). During this period maximum and minimum temperature was 30.40C and 24.20C while morning and evening RH were 91% and 74%, respectively. Further, wind speed, sunshine, rainfall and rainy days were observed 7.3 (kmh-1), 6.8 (hrs), 203.2 (mm) and 6 (days), respectively. The whitefly population was reached at its peak (67.83 whiteflies sticky trap-1) at 36th SMW. Correlation studies with maximum temperature was exhibited significantly positive (r=0.659), whereas wind speed (r=-0.812) and rainfall (r=-0.809) were showed highly negative significant association with whitefly. Path analysis revealed that evening RH had highest direct positive effect (1.4106) on whitefly followed by maximum temperature (1.0663), sunshine (0.0675), rainfall (0.0501) whereas, direct negative effect was exerted via rainy days (-0.6289) followed by wind speed. The first incidence of MYMIV (2.35%) was recorded on blackgram at 30th SMW which was gradually increased and reached at peak (100.00%) on 36th SMW. Maximum temperature showed significantly positive correlation (r=0.630) with incidence of MYMIV. Results revealed that severe attack of whitefly was occurred as pest outbreak and MYMIV incidence as epidemic form on blackgram due to erratic abiotic factors.
Selección de hábitat de Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora, Mustelidae) bajo la influencia de la represa hidroeléctrica del río Peñas Blancas y sus tributarios, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Los cambios producidos por actividades humanas sobre los ecosistemas acuaticos reducen y reconfiguran los habitats disponibles. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la seleccion de habitat de la nutria neotropical ( Lontra longicaudis ), en zonas con influencia de la represa hidroelectrica del rio Penas Blancas y algunos de sus tributarios, con el fin de recomendar acciones para la conservacion de la nutria. Se muestreo el rio Penas Blancas y tres de sus tributarios en busca de indicios de la nutria y la medicion de siete variables ambientales con el fin determinar la probabilidad de ocurrencia y detectabilidad. Ademas, se determino el uso de presas por parte de la nutria neotropical. Las variables ambientales mostraron que el ancho del rio y la proporcion de bosque fueron las variables mas influyentes en la ocurrencia de la especie. El caudal de compensacion del rio Penas Blancas mostro la probabilidad de ocurrencia mas alta. En cuanto a la dieta de la nutria, los peces fueron la categoria de presa mas frecuente en los ultimos anos. Los datos obtenidos indican la influencia de condiciones fisicas del rio sobre la ocurrencia de la nutria y la importancia de los peces como componente alimenticio.
A1 and A2A adenosine receptors play a protective role to reduce prevalence of autoimmunity following tissue damage

Adenosine is a potent modulator that has a tremendous effect on the immune system. Adenosine affects T cell activity, and is necessary in maintaining the T helper/regulatory T cell (Treg) ratio. Adenosine signalling is also involved in activating neutrophils and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which has been linked to autoimmune disorders. Therefore, adenosine, through its receptors, is extremely important in maintaining homeostasis and involved in the development of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aim to evaluate the role of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in involvement of autoimmune diseases. We studied adenosine regulation by NETosis in vitro, and used two murine models of autoimmune diseases: type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) induced by low‐dose streptozotocin and pristane‐induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have found that A1R enhances and A2AR suppresses NETosis. In addition, in both models, A1R‐knock‐out (KO) mice were predisposed to the development of autoimmunity. In the SLE model in wild‐type (WT) mice we observed a decline of A1R mRNA levels 6 h after pristane injection that was parallel to lymphocyte reduction. Following pristane, 43% of A1R‐KO mice suffered from lupus‐like disease while WT mice remained without any sign of disease at 36 weeks. In WT mice, at 10 days A2AR mRNA levels were significantly higher compared to A1R‐KO mice. Similar to SLE, in the T1DM model the presence of A1R and A2AR was protective. Our data suggest that, in autoimmune diseases, the acute elimination of lymphocytes and reduction of DNA release due to NETosis depends upon A1R desensitization and long‐term suppression of A2AR.
Blood parasite infection linked to condition of spring-migrating Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Numerous organisms exhibit carry-over effects, in which previous environmental conditions impact current performance. For example, reproductive output for many migratory birds can be impacted by events during the preceding migration. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838); hereafter scaup) declined dramatically during 1970s–2000s, and there is evidence linking reduced reproductive output to reduced body condition during spring migration. In addition to food availability and quality, haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp.) may be associated with condition of spring-migrating birds. We examined whether haemosporidian parasite infection status was linked to measures of size (mass, wing length, tarsus length, and keel length) and condition (body fat, size-corrected mass, wing-loading) in female spring-migrating scaup. Infection prevalence varied by year (21.7% in 2014; 47.1% in 2015) and percent body fat was negatively associated with the probability of infection. Body fat levels declined from 2014 to 2015, but at a similar rate for infected and uninfected birds. This pattern suggests that the increased prevalence in 2015 may have been related to the greater proportion of poor-condition birds being more susceptible to infection or recrudescence of latent infections. In light of forecasted range shifts and expansions of avian malaria vectors, the impact of haemosporidian parasites on migratory waterfowl condition warrants further investigation.
Evaluation of fungicides, biocontrol agents and botanicals for management of damping-off in cabbage seedlings caused by Fursarium moniliforme sheld

The antagonistic effect of 10 fungicides, four biocontrol agents and 10 locally available botanicals in controlling the growth and sporulation of Fusarium moniliforme in vitro were tested. A pot culture experiment was also conducted to study the effect of seed treatment and soil treatment alone or in combination on germination and seedling vigour of cabbage. In vitro evaluation of ten fungicides by poisoned food technique showed that all the fungicides efficiently inhibited complete inhibition of the linear growth of the fungus was observed with Thiophenate methyl, Carbendazim, Mancozeb, Difenconazole, Propiconazole, Hexaconazole, Sixer and Tricyclazole. Sporulation was completely inhibited by all the fungicides evaluated. In dual culture technique of the fungus and biocontrol agents, of the four biocontrol agents evaluated the antagonists, T. hamatum completely overgrew the pathogen, T. harzianum colonized on half of the growth of the pathogen, T. viride remained locked with the fungus at the point of contact and P. citrinum formed inhibition zone with the fungus. Sporulation was completely inhibited by all the four antagonists. Among the ten locally available botanicals tested by poisoned food technique in vitro, garlic extract showed maximum fungitoxic propertyfollowed wild sage (Lantana camara), onion (Allium cepa), neem (Azadirachta indica), goat weed (Ageratum conyzoides) and marigold (Tagetes erecta) . In pot culture experiment, the least disease incidence was recorded in soil treatment with carbendazim (26%) followed by T. harzianum (29%) and P. glabrum (29.7%). However,considering the various drawbacks and hazardous effects resulting from use of chemicals, biocontrol agents and plant extracts can be recommended to use in raising healthy seedlings free from pre- and post-emergence damping-off.
EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF PLASMID CURING ON ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE ON SOME CLINICAL ISOLATES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

Multidrug resistance (MDR) exhibited by some strains of Escherichia coli may be due to acquiring mobile genetic element (R-plasmid) by the bacteria, or intrinsically induced by inappropriate use of antibiotics by the hosts. Infection by such strains may result to prolonged illness and greater risk of death. The study evaluated the impact of curing on antibiotic resistance on selected clinical isolates of E. coli. Twenty clinical isolates of E. coli from our previous studies were re-characterized using conventional microbiological techniques. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was determined by disk diffusion method, MDR selected based on resistance to ≥ 2 classes of antibiotics. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was determined as ratio of the number of antibiotic resisted to the total number of antibiotics tested and considered significant if ≥. 0.2. The isolates that showed significant MAR index were subjected to plasmid curing using acridine orange, thereafter, profiled for plasmid and the cured ones were re-tested against the antibiotics they initially resisted. Out of the 20 isolates, 19 (95%) were confirmed as E. coli, all (100%) of which were MDRs, which was highest against augmentin (78.9%) followed by amoxacillin (52.6%). However, after the plasmid curing only 6 (31.6%) out of the 19 isolates cured retained significant MAR index and the level of the significance had reduced drastically in 16 (84.2%) isolates. Conclusively, curing assay can completely eliminate R-plasmid acquired resistance. More studied on plasmid curing agents for possible augmentation of the agents into antibiotics may see the rise of successful antibiotic era again.
Lane Keeping Maneuvers Using Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) and Model Predictive Control (MPC)

Safety has being a concern as a result of the high rate of road accidents and has led to the development of driver assistance system such as Active braking, Cruise Control, Lane departure warning lane keeping and etc. has become a very active research area. However, this paper presents the performance and robustness analysis of a model predictive control and proportional integral derivative control for lane keeping maneuvers of an autonomous vehicle using computer vision simulation studies. A simulation study was carried out where a vehicle model based on single tracked bicycle model was developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment together with a vision dynamic system. Both PID controller and MPC were simulated to maintain the desired reference trajectory of the vehicle by controlling steering angle. Further performance and robustness analysis were carried out and the simulation results show that the proposed control system for the PID control achieved its objective even though it was less robust in maintaining its performance under various conditions like vehicle load change, different longitudinal speed and different cornering stiffness. While in the case of MPC the optimizer made sure that the predicted future trajectory of the vehicle output tracks the desired reference trajectory and was more robust in maintaining its performance under same conditions as in PID.
Systematics of Alhagi: molecular phylogeny and morphology revisited.

Alhagi (Fabaceae) is a small genus of desert or semi-desert shrubs with about six species widely distributed throughout northern Africa, eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East to the Central Asia and small parts of India and China. Despite previous molecular and morphological studies on the genus, the taxonomy of Alhagi has been remained controversial. In order to delimit natural groups as well as to clarify interspecific relationships of Alhagi species distributed in Iran, 45 ingroup taxa representing 30 accessions of the genus Alhagi and 15 species from the sister genera Caragana, Chesneya, Ebenus, Gueldenstaedtia, Halimodendron, Hedysarum, Onobrychis, Taverniera, and also two species Astragalus arthuri and Colutea persica as outgroups were selected. The nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer was employed for phylogenetic reconstructions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The obtained results recovered Alhagi accessions as a well-supported monophyletic group. All three traditionally recognized species in Iran split into two distinct morphologically well-supported lineages similar to splits graph. According to the results, Alhagi maurorum and A. graecorum are recognized as two distinct species distributed in two phytogeographical regions of Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian. Also, as a complementary taxonomic treatment, the diagnostic key and description of the species were provided.