Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequestration and Oxidation of Cr(III) by Fungal Mn Oxides with Mn(II) Oxidizing Activity

Biogenic manganese oxides (BMOs) have gained increasing attention for environmental application because of their sequestration and oxidizing abilities for various elements. Oxidation and sequestration of Cr(III) by BMOs, however, still remain unknown. We prepared BMOs in liquid cultures of Acremonium strictum strain KR21-2, and subsequently conducted single or repeated treatment experiments in Cr(NO3)3 at pH 6.0. Under aerobic conditions, newly formed BMOs exhibited a rapid production of Cr(VI) without a significant release of Mn(II), demonstrating that newly formed BMO mediates a catalytic oxidation of Cr(III) with a self-regeneration step of reduced Mn. In anaerobic solution, newly formed BMOs showed a cessation of Cr(III) oxidation in the early stage of the reaction, and subsequently had a much smaller Cr(VI) production with significant release of reduced Mn(II). Extraordinary sequestration of Cr(III) was observed during the repeated treatments under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobically sequestered Cr(III) was readily converted to Cr(VI) when the conditions became aerobic, which suggests that the surface passivation is responsible for the anaerobic cessation of Cr(III) oxidation. The results presented herein increase our understanding of the roles of BMO in Cr(III) oxidation and sequestration processes in potential application of BMOs towards the remediation of Cr(III)/Cr(VI) in contaminated sites.
Antihyperglycemic Effects and Mode of Actions of Musa paradisiaca Leaf and Fruit Peel Hydroethanolic Extracts in Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effects of Musa paradisiaca (M. paradisiaca) leaf and fruit peel hydroethanolic extracts and to suggest their probable mode of actions in nicotinamide (NA)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The leaf and fruit peel hydroethanolic extracts were analyzed by GC-MS that indicated the presence of phytol, octadecatrienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and octadecadienoic acid as major components in the leaf extract and vitamin E, octadecenamide, β-sitosterol, and stigmasterol as major phytochemicals in the fruit peel extract. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.5), 15 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of NA (120 mg/kg body weight). The NA/STZ-induced diabetic rats were, respectively, treated with M. paradisiaca leaf and fruit peel hydroethanolic extracts at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight/day by oral administration for 28 days. The treatment of NA/STZ-induced diabetic rats with leaf and fruit peel extracts significantly improved the impaired oral glucose tolerance and significantly increased the lowered serum insulin and C-peptide levels. The HOMA-IR (as the index of insulin resistance) and QUICKI (as a marker for insulin sensitivity), as well as HOMA-β cell function were significantly alleviated as a result of treatment of diabetic rats with leaf and fruit peel extracts. In association, the elevated serum-free fatty acids, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased. In addition, the suppressed adipose tissue PPARγ, GLUT4, adiponectin, and insulin receptor β-subunit mRNA expressions were upregulated while the elevated adipose tissue resistin expression was downregulated in diabetic rats as a result of treatment with the leaf and peel extract. Based on these results, it can be concluded that M. paradisiaca leaf and fruit peel hydroethanolic extracts have antihyperglycemic effects which may be mediated via their insulinotropic and insulin-sensitizing effects.
Introducing Cultural Prompts in a Semantic Data Browser

Cultural awareness is considered a key skill in various settings. The existing mainstream computer systems for training learners on cultural awareness use immersive simulations environments. Such simulation environments offer high fidelity but usually have pre-defined learning path variations with related content. Informal learning environments can offer alternative solution where learning could be exploratory and content dynamic. In our previous work[1], we presented a semantic data browser as an informal learning environment where the navigation paths are laid out by exploiting relationships in ontologies and content from social spaces in the form of semantically augmented digital traces. In this paper, we propose introduction of cultural prompts in this semantic data browser to raise the cultural awareness of learners. Although presented in the context of our semantic data browser, the prompt mechanism can be adapted in other semantic data browsers that consume ontologies and semantically augmented content.
INFLUENCE OF REINFORCING STEEL CORROSION ON FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF RC MEMBER CONFINED WITH CFRP SHEET

One of the strengthening methods for reinforced concrete member is to confine the member using carbon fiber sheet (thereinafter, CFRP sheet). Strengthening by the confinement at the compression zone of the flexural member using CFRP sheet increases the ultimate strain of that zone. This leads to improvement of the plastic deformation capacity of the member. On the other hand, in order to obtain enough improvement, it is necessary for reinforcing steel at the tension zone of the flexural member to have an enough ultimate strain. However, when the reinforcing steel corrosion is occurred in the confined flexural member, rupture of reinforcing steel at the tension zone may occurs ahead of compression failure at the compression zone, because mechanical properties of reinforcing steel decrease due to corrosion. The result may be that the ductility desired by strengthening with confinement is insufficient. The objectives of this study are to establish the application scheme of strengthening by confinement using CFRP sheet for a member in which reinforcing steel corrosion has already occurred and to clarify the performance change in ductility due to reinforcing steel corrosion after strengthening by confinement using CFRP sheet has been applied for a flexural member. In order to examine these points, reversed cyclic loading test was carried out for RC beams, with corroded longitudinal reinforcing steel, strengthened by confinement using CFRP sheet. The following test parameters were considered in this study: corrosion loss of longitudinal reinforcing steel, confinement ratio of CFRP sheet and number of loading cycles.
targeted therapies Vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease: pathophysiology and novel

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/content/122/24/3892.full. html Updated information and services can be found at: (83 articles) Sickle Cell Disease (497 articles) Review Articles (536 articles) Red Cells, Iron, and Erythropoiesis (2303 articles) Free Research Articles Articles on similar topics can be found in the following Blood collections http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/site/misc/rights.xhtml#repub_requests Information about reproducing this article in parts or in its entirety may be found online at: http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/site/misc/rights.xhtml#reprints Information about ordering reprints may be found online at: http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/site/subscriptions/index.xhtml Information about subscriptions and ASH membership may be found online at:
Growth of Mucuna accessions under fallow and their influence on soil and weeds in a sub-humid savanna environment

Objective: To study the growth and influence of Mucuna species on soils and weed growth in fallow land. Methodology and results: Growth of Mucuna cochinchinensis, M. jaspaeda, M . pruriens var. utilis, M. veracruz (black seeded), and M.veracruz (white seeded), and their influence on soil fertility and weed growth were studied under fallow. Over 60% of the fallow weeds were grasses of which 71% were perennials. Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum orbiculare, Digitaria horizontalis, and Rottboellia cochinchinensis were the dominant grasses, while Tephrosea bracteolata and Tridax procumbens were the dominant broadleaved weeds. Germinability differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the Mucuna accessions from 58% in M. veracruz (black seeded) to 83% in M. cochinchinensis. M. cochinchinensis had highest leaf area index (LAI, 15.5), dry matter (5 t/ha) and ground cover (80%), and its canopy persisted for 15 weeks after planting (WAP). All the accessions except M. pruriens var. utilis suppressed over 50% of the dry weed weight with the highest reduction (80%) by M. cochinchinensis. The soil pH was reduced, while organic matter, available P and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) were higher in soils planted with Mucuna. Conclusion and application of findings: Mucuna species (M. cochinchinensis best bet) can be adopted by farmers for soil fertility improvement and weed suppression in traditional farming systems in the sub-humid savanna zones of the tropics.
Gender, Status, and Openness to Being Wrong: Field Experimental Evidence from Scientific Peer Review

Many organizations, particularly those in the domain of scientific research, rely on experts to evaluate new ideas. However, when the objects to be evaluated are complex and require the opinions of multiple experts, it is unclear whether experts should provide evaluations independently or collaboratively. Although normative models of decision-making suggest that information exchange among individuals improves judgments, it is unknown whether and under what conditions experts actually utilize information from one another. Here, we report an experiment that measures information utilization among 277 expert reviewers of 47 multidisciplinary applications for awards. Reviewers were faculty at US-based medical schools. In particular, we measure whether reviewers do or do not update how they score applications after observing the scores of artificial “other reviewers. ” The scores of other reviewers were randomly generated and their discipline was experimentally assigned to be same or different to that of the reviewer. We found that reviewers updated scores in 47% of cases after exposure to the artificial stimuli. Contrary to normative models, reviewers were insensitive to the disciplinary expertise of the stimulus. Much more important was the reviewer’s own identity: female reviewers updated their scores 12% more often than males. Similarly, reviewers with relatively high status (​H​-index) updated substantially less often than low-status reviewers. Lastly, updating was more common for the mediumand high-scoring applications, leading to high turnover in the top proposals before and after exposure to the stimuli. The experiment reveals extends findings on social influence within non-expert groups to experts, and suggests a new pathway through which bias can enter evaluations through the gendered openness to external information.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PRODUCTIVE IMPACTS OF BEAK TRIMMING AND FEED FORM IN JAPANESE QUAIL

A total number of 288 eight weeks old Japanese quail were chosen in this study for evaluating the impacts of beak trimming (BT) and feed physical forms (F) on physiological, productive performance and aggressive behavior parameters, in a 2 x 2 factorial experimental design. The birds were allocated into two main groups according to beak form [Intact beak (NB) and beak trimming (BT)], then each main group was divided in to two subgroups corresponded to feed form [mash (M) and pellet (P) feed], respectively. The obtained results indicated that beak forms and feed forms significantly changed the final body weight, egg production, feed conversion, fertility %, plumage conditions, aggressive pecking behavior, mortality rate, H/L ratio, plasma testosterone, progesterone and corticosterone concentration. However, there were insignificant differences among the groups in feed intake, hatchability, ovary and testes percentages. Interactions between beak trimming and feed forms factors had significant differences in the plumage conditions, aggressive pecking behavior, mortality rate and hematological parameters. In conclusion: using the beak trimming did not have an adverse effect on quail ability of feeding (mash or pellet) and beak trimming was consider suitable solution to minimize aggressive behavior, mortality rates and maximize productive and reproductive performance of Japanese quail.
Wealth Effects and Predictability of Firms’ Government Sales Dependency

In this paper, using a new channel of political connections, firm dependency on government sales, I study the value of political connections for firms. I find an economically and statistically significant relation between firm dependency on government entities in terms of revenues and the cross-section of future stock returns. Firms experience significantly higher profit margins post government dependency. In addition, past government sales significantly predict future government sales. The atypical features of government contracts and the information asymmetry between the contractor and contractee are likely to be behind the firms’ higher profit margins. Further tests based on attention and uncertainty proxies suggest that investors’ limited attention and greater valuation uncertainty contribute to abnormal returns. Furthermore, I find evidence suggesting that firms gain the wealth effects of political connections found by Cooper, Gulen, and Ovtchinnikov (2010) by winning material government contracts; however, the wealth effects of government dependency stay strong even after controlling for such connections.
COMPARISON AMONG MODELS TO DESCRIBE GROWTH CURVES OF RAHMANI LAMBS IN RELATION TO EWE MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION

A total of 702 records for 39 lamb’s progeny of 36 Rahmani ewes maintained continually between parities 1 and 6 were used. Milk production of dams was estimated at d 7 after lambing and milk samples were analyzed. Energy corrected milk, fat corrected milk and fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) were calculated. Lamb weights were obtained at birth then weekly. Factors affecting milk production and composition were studied. Linear and non-linear models were applied to describe lamb growth curves. All milk parameters tended to increase significantly with parity except milk fat percentage. The correlations of daily gain with milk yield and composition were mild positive in harmony with the positive regression coefficients of lambs’ daily gain on the same traits. The stepwise regression analysis indicated that milk yield was the best to predict daily gain of lambs followed by FPCM then total solids yield. Estimated parameters with lambs’ growth curves from different models were variable. Parameter a was the greatest for Brody model but parameter b was the greatest for Logistic followed by Gompertz models. Parameter c exhibited the earliest maturity from Logistic model. The results suggested that Gompertz model was the most suitable for predicting weights as it has recorded the best goodness of fit parameters.
Motor abilities’ model values of junior
rhythmic gymnasts in the Republic of Croatia

Knowing the current status of rhythmic gymnasts’ motor abilities allows a valid objective evaluation of their competitive preparedness and facilitate planning of their further development. The main objective was to determine possible differences in motor abilities of rhythmic gymnasts regarding program level they were competing in, their age and national ranking. Three groups of junior rhythmic gymnasts, competing in either A, B, or C level programs, were investigated. Both the multivariate analysis of variance and univariate analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in the selected motor abilities regarding the program level (flexibility, strength and coordination). A-level rhythmic gymnasts scored best in all the tests assessing flexibility, coordination and strength. The differences in motor abilities between junior rhythmic gymnasts with regard to their national ranking showed no statistical significance, whereas age was statistically significant. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed significant relations between certain motor abilities among rhythmic gymnasts in A, B and C level programs. The higher the level of a program, the higher the correlatives, and vice versa. Two tests had the largest contribution to the success achieved in the competition: the figure of eight with bending and forward bent on the bench. The scientific value of the proposed research is aimed at better planning, programming and control of training process in rhythmic gymnastics.
On the Parameterized Complexity of Clustering Incomplete Data into Subspaces of Small Rank

We consider a fundamental matrix completion problem where we are given an incomplete matrix and a set of constraints modeled as a CSP instance. The goal is to complete the matrix subject to the input constraints and in such a way that the complete matrix can be clustered into few subspaces with low rank. This problem generalizes several problems in data mining and machine learning, including the problem of completing a matrix into one with minimum rank. In addition to its ubiquitous applications in machine learning, the problem has strong connections to information theory, related to binary linear codes, and variants of it have been extensively studied from that perspective. We formalize the problem mentioned above and study its classical and parameterized complexity. We draw a detailed landscape of the complexity and parameterized complexity of the problem with respect to several natural parameters that are desirably small and with respect to several well-studied CSP fragments.
The Possible Stimulation of the Mid-Holocene Period’s Initial Hydrological Recession on the Development of Neolithic Cultures along the Margin of the East Asian Summer Monsoon

A better understanding of past East Asian summer monsoonal (EASM) variations, which play a key role in the development of the largely rain-watered agriculture in China, could contribute to better appraising potential impacts on EASM with regard to global climate change. However, our knowledge of the relationship between mid-Holocene hydrological recession and the development of Neolithic culture is limited due to a lack of joint studies and a compilation of spatiotemporal data, especially on the episode of ~6–5 ka from the mid-Holocene Optimum (HO) along the peripheral realm of the EASM. Here, we suggest that the hydrological recession between ~6–5 ka, on the basis of lithology and geochemical element analysis, occurred not only in the Horqin sandy land, but also in other fluvial-lacustrine, stalagmitic, loess, and aeolian records across the whole monsoon-influenced boundary belt. These records indicated varied, more or less synchronous, and coherent moisture changes, yet with not entirely consistent onsets, durations, and degrees. We attributed this spatiotemporal complexity to the orbit-induced weakening of summer solar insolation, and the interactions of the Asian monsoon (AM) and westerlies, as well as topography and regional vegetation factors. Furthermore, the mid-Holocene initial hydroclimatic recession during ~6–5 ka within the thresholds of an eco-environment bearing a capacity system, might have facilitated the development of mid–late Neolithic culture and stimulated the north and northwest expansion and integration of region-specific Neolithic culture.
FEM modelling of the evolution of corrosion cracks in reinforced concrete structures

: Corrosion cracks are caused bythe increased volume of corrosion products during the corrosion of the reinforcement. After corrosion initiation the rust products from the corroded reinforcement will initially fill the porous zone near the reinforcement and then result in an expansion of the concrete near the reinforcement. Tensile stresses are then initiated in the concrete. With increasing corrosion, the tensile stresses will at a certain time reach a critical value and cracks will be developed. The increase of the crack width after formation of the initial crack is the subject of this paper. New results based on a Finite Element Analysis (FEM) are presented.
Stock Compensation and Employee Attention∗

We show that a company’s daily stock price movements affect the mood, effort level and decision making of its employees. Positive current-day stock returns are accompanied by greater reported economic confidence and job satisfaction, lower output, shorter working hours, lower per-hour productivity, more optimistically biased beliefs about firm performance, tougher grading of innovative ideas, and tougher evaluation of interviewees. These effects are very short lived, lasting one or two business days. The effects on mood and many types of behavior are larger for employees with larger prior stock and option grants. We show that the short-term effects of (plausibly exogenous) shock to moods is the opposite sign of cross-sectional correlations. Whereas happier employees in the cross section perform better and are more lenient evaluators, shocks that increase happiness longitudinally are accompanied by lower work effort and tougher evaluation. ∗The authors would like to thank Google for sharing the data used in this project, and in particular Atanas Valkov for his help in obtaining, interpreting, and anonymizing the data. Zitzewitz would also like to thank Google for their hospitality while a Visiting Scientist in the Summer and Fall of 2008. Cowgill was a full-time employee at Google for part of the time this research was conducted. At Google, Diana Adair, Todd Carlisle, Michael Comerford, Katie Hotchkiss, Geoff Mendal, Jonathan Rosenberg, Eric Schaffer, Prasad Setty, Sarah Tran, Hal Varian, Frank Wagner, and Tiffany Wu provided helpful comments. Cowgill thanks the Beyster Program at Rutgers, the Kauffman Foundation, Joseph Blasi, Hailey Bruce and Doug Kruse.
Generalization Performance of Deep Learning Models in Neurodegenerative Disease Classification

Over the past decade, machine learning gained considerable attention from the scientific community and has progressed rapidly as a result. Given its ability to detect subtle and complicated patterns, deep learning (DL) has been utilized widely in neuroimaging studies for medical data analysis and automated diagnostics with varying degrees of success. In this paper, we question the remarkable accuracies of the best performing models by assessing generalization performance of the state-of-the-art convolutional neural network (CNN) models on the classification of two most common neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) using MRI. We demonstrate the impact of the data division strategy on the model performances by comparing the results derived from two different split approaches. We first evaluated the performance of the CNN models by dividing the dataset at the subject level in which all of the MRI slices of a patient are put into either training or test set. We then observed that pooling together all slices prior to applying cross-validation, as erroneously done in a number of previous studies, leads to inflated accuracies by as much as 26% for the classification of the diseases.