Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of dew and radiation fog inputs in the local water cycling of a temperate grassland in Central Europe

Abstract. In a warmer climate, non-rainfall water (hereafter NRW) formed from dew and fog potentially plays an increasingly important role in temperate grassland ecosystems under the scarcity of precipitation over prolonged periods. Dew and radiation fog occur in combination during clear and calm nights, and both use ambient water vapor as a source. Research on the combined mechanisms involved in NRW inputs to ecosystems are rare, and the condensation of soil-diffusing vapor, as one of the NRW input pathways for dew formation, has hardly been studied at all. The aim of this paper is thus to investigate the different NRW input pathways into a temperate Swiss grassland at Chamau during prolonged dry periods in summer 2018. We measured the isotopic compositions (δ18O, δ2H, and d = δ2H − 8 · δ18O) of both ambient water vapor and the NRW droplets on leaf surfaces combined with eddy covariance and meteorological measurements during one dew-only and two combined dew and radiation fog events. We employed a simple two end-member mixing model using δ18O and δ2H to split the dew input pathways from different sources. Our results showed a decrease of 0.8–5.5 mmol mol−1 in volumetric water vapor mixing ratio and a decrease of 4.8–16.7 ‰ in ambient water vapor δ2H due to dew formation and radiation fog droplet deposition. A nighttime maximum in ambient water vapor δ18O (−15.5 ‰ to −14.3 ‰) and a 3.4–3.7 ‰ decrease in ambient water vapor d were observed for dew formation in unsaturated conditions. In conditions of slight super-saturation, a stronger decrease of ambient water vapor δ18O (0.3–1.5 ‰) and a minimum of ambient water vapor d (−6.0 ‰ to −4.7 ‰) were observed. The combined foliage NRW and ambient water vapor δ18O and δ2H suggested two different input pathways: (1) condensation of ambient water vapor and (2) of soil-diffusing vapor. The latter contributed 9–42 % to the total foliage NRW. The dew and radiation fog potentially produced 0.06–0.39 mm night−1 NRW gain on foliage, which was comparable with 2.8 mm day−1 daytime evapotranspiration. The ambient water vapor d was correlated and anti-correlated with ambient temperature and ambient relative humidity respectively, suggesting an only minor influence of large-scale air advection and highlighted the dominant role of local moisture as a source for ambient water vapor. Our results thus highlight the importance of NRW inputs to temperate grasslands during prolonged dry periods and reveal the complexity of the local water cycle in such conditions including different pathways of water deposition.
CEO
 overconfidence and bank systemic risk: Evidence from U.S. bank holding companies

Following the 2007 – 2008 financial crisis, the attention of financial regulators and academics has shifted from bank individual risk to bank systemic risk, that is, banks' exposure to future systemic crises. In this paper, we examine whether CEO overconfidence could explain cross-sectional heterogeneity in the systemic risk of U.S. bank holding companies. Using measures of overconfidence based on CEOs' options exercise behaviour and language used in the Managerial Discussion and Analysis of the 10K-filings, we find that banks with overconfident CEOs have higher systemic risk than their counterparts with non-overconfident CEOs. Banks with overconfident CEOs also have higher holding of private mortgage-backed securities and higher leverage. During the 2007 – 2008 financial crisis, banks with overconfident CEOs experienced higher realized systemic risk. Our work shows that the behaviour of overconfident bank CEOs could impose negative externalities beyond individual bank boundary.
Effects of different pre-treatments and germination media on seed germination and seedling growth of Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr

Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. is one of the lesser known multipurpose leguminous tree species found in North East India. Like many other legumes this species too have hard coated seeds which prevent seed germination and thus there is a need to investigate the most appropriate method to break its dormancy. Six pre treatments (tap water, gibberellic acid (GA3) @ 500 ppm, stratification, sulphuric acid @ 98%, boiling water and nicking) and two media (top of paper (TOP) and sand) were use to evaluate seed germination traits and initial growth parameters of the seedling of this tree species. Along with these pre treatments, seeds sown in TOP media and tap water gave maximum seed germination (72%) and it was followed by seeds exposed to GA3 for 24 hours (64%) while the least seed germination was reported in seeds treated with sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for 5 minutes. Least germination time (Mean Germination Time) was reported from the seeds treated with H2SO4 for 1 minute while maximum was reported from the boiling water treatments. Under sand medium, highest germination was reported in control (66.67 %) and it was followed by boiling water treatment (58.33%) and minimum (16.67%) in seeds treated with H2SO4 for 5 minute. Seed treated with H2SO4 for 5 minutes took minimum germination time too. Interestingly, irrespective to the media, all the seedling growth parameters showed maximum response towards hormonal (GA3) treatment and minimum towards H2SO4 treatment. Significant correlations were found between all the seedling growth parameters except for collar diameter and root-shoot ratio. Uttam Thangjam and Uttam Kumar Sahoo *
Optimal Bandwidth Positions for a Terminal Embedded Antenna: Physical Bounds and Antenna Design

This article considers a small embedded planar antenna in a square-shaped terminal of 25 cm2 at a frequency band near 900 MHz, intended for long-range communication. This article aims to shows how the Q-factor bounds can be used to predict the performance of such an antenna. Both to determine the optimal bandwidth and the variations in the total efficiency but also to help to inspire the antenna design shape. The choice of shape and position impacts both bandwidth and efficiency. The latter is illustrated by a center-edge positioned folded inverted F-antenna with higher efficiency, as compared to, a more bandwidth optimal meander antenna at the corner. Fabrication and measurements show that the corner positioned antenna is close to bandwidth optimal, and also that it and the associated optimal current have a similar radiation pattern.
The relationship among freezing tolerance, vernalization requirement, Ppd alleles and winter hardiness in European wheat cultivars

SUMMARY Winter hardiness of wheat is a complex trait involving a system of structural, regulatory and developmental genes, which interact in a complex pathway. The objective of the present work was to study the relationship among the main traits determining the level of adaptation and the possibility for target manipulation of breeding material by using molecular markers and phenological parameters. Wheat cultivars from different ecoclimatic environments of Europe were included for analysis. Gene-specific assay showed that photoperiod sensitivity of the studied cultivars was determined by polymorphism in the Ppd-D1 allele. The study established the relationship among winter hardiness, LT50 (the temperature at which 50% of plants are killed), photoperiod sensitivity, vernalization duration and earliness per se genes in the environment of Lithuania. The cultivars from Northern and Western Europe exhibited stronger requirement for vernalization and photoperiod. Although the group of cultivars from the southern latitudes were characterized by earliness, they possessed a stronger level of LT50. The level of LT50 was found to be the most crucial component of winter hardiness, the other traits served as supplementary components.
Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from soil: The effect of organic matter and fertilisation method

Greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions into the atmosphere derived from the use of fertilisers is a serious issue for the sustainability of agricultural systems, also considering that the growing global demand for food requires an increasingly productive agriculture. Emissions dynamics are very variable and are determined by many factors and their reciprocal interactions. Among driving factors, soil type (mineral, organic and microbiological composition), fertilisation method, climate, and the cropping system. In the present experiment, the combined effect of soil organic matter (SOM) and fertilisation method on the emissions of GHGs and ammonia (NH₃) was investigated. Liquid fraction of digestate from pig slurries, compost from organic fraction of municipal solid wastes, and urea were applied on bare soil with two levels of organic matter (OM1: 1.3% and OM2: 4.3%). Emissions were directly monitored by a static chamber system and a portable gas analyser. Results show that soil organic matter as well as the composition of the fertilisers affect greenhouse gasses emissions. Emissions of methane (CH₄) produced by digestate and compost during experimental period were higher in correspondence of lower organic matter content (0.58-0.49 kg CH₄ C/ha/day and 0.37-0.32 kg CH₄ C/ha/day for digestate and compost respectively), contrary to what was observed for urea. For all fertilisers, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were higher in correspondence of higher organic matter level. In particular, CO₂ emissions were 11.05%, 67.48% and 82.84% higher in OM2 than OM1 for digestate, urea and compost respectively. Likewise, N₂O emissions were 87.45%, 68.97% and 92.11% higher in OM2 than OM1 for digestate, urea and compost respectively. The obtained results show that the content of organic matter in soils plays a key role on the emissions of GHGs, generally enhancing the levels of gas emissions.
Mating in wild yeast: variable interest in sex after spore germination

Studies of lab strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have uncovered signaling pathways involved in mating, including information processing strategies to optimize decisions to mate or to bud. However, lab strains are heterothallic (unable to self-mate) while wild yeast are homothallic. And while mating of lab strains is studied using cycling haploid cells, mating of wild yeast is thought to involve germinating spores. Thus, it was unclear whether lab strategies would be appropriate in the wild. Here, we have investigated the behaviors of several yeast strains derived from wild isolates. Following germination, these strains displayed large differences in their propensity to mate or to enter the cell cycle. The variable interest in sex following germination was correlated with differences in pheromone production, which were due to both cis- and trans-acting factors. Our findings suggest that yeast spores germinating in the wild may often enter the cell cycle and form microcolonies prior to engaging in mating.
Carbohydrate 3′-sialyllactose as a novel target for theranostics in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

We previously demonstrated that the carbohydrate 3′-sialyllactose is overexpressed in cancer stem-like cells such as metastatic pancreatic and poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells, and undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In this study, we investigated the possibility of 3′-sialyllactose as a target for theranostics in cancers using a recombinant mouse monoclonal antibody r3B1E2 that binds to 3′-sialyllactose. Immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed an elevated expression of 3′-sialyllactose in tumors of pancreas, stomach, and testis, while no expression of 3′-sialyllactose was observed in corresponding normal controls. In addition, a stage-independent expression of 3′-sialyllactose was observed, especially in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The level of serum 3′-sialyllactose in PDAC subjects was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, providing excellent AUC of 0.88. We next explored the therapeutic potential of r3B1E2 for PDAC in vitro. Treatment of r3B1E2 with 3′-sialyllactose-bearing human PDAC cells exhibited a complement-dependent cytotoxicity, whereas no significant activity of r3B1E2 against 3′-sialyllactose-negative cells was observed. Collectively, these findings raise the possibility of 3′-sialyllactose as a novel target for theranostics in PDAC.
Effects of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and Delayed Harvest on Soybeans

The effect of delayed harvest was investigated with two soybean cultivars that were grown weed free or in competition with johnsongrass or hemp sesbania over a 3-yr period. Johnsongrass reduced the yield of early-maturing ‘Hill’ soybean 32, 35, and 36% when harvested at an average of 1, 2, or 3 wk after maturity, when compared to weed-free yields of 2490, 2430, and 2270 kg ha−1, respectively. Late-maturing ‘Lee 68’ yields were reduced 27, 29, and 39% on three harvest dates compared to weed-free yields of 2570, 2310, and 2200 kg ha−1, respectively. Seed grades of both cultivars improved with delayed harvest, but this was offset when johnsongrass was present. Hemp sesbania reduced yields of Hill 23% on the first harvest date and 26% on the second and third dates. Yields of Lee 68 were reduced 16, 22, and 28% by hemp sesbania on three successive harvest dates. The value of soybean yields adjusted for excessive foreign material, moisture, and damaged kernels was decreased by delayed harvest when hemp sesbania was present in Lee 68 and when johnsongrass was present in both cultivars.
Metabolomics Profiling of Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: Identification of Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 continues to spread rapidly with high mortality. We performed metabolomics profiling of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients to understand better the underlying pathologic processes and pathways, and to identify potential diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers. Design: Blood was collected at predetermined ICU days to measure the plasma concentrations of 162 metabolites using both direct injection-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Setting: Tertiary-care ICU and academic laboratory. Subjects: Patients admitted to the ICU suspected of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, using standardized hospital screening methodologies, had blood samples collected until either testing was confirmed negative on ICU day 3 (coronavirus disease 2019 negative) or until ICU day 10 if the patient tested positive (coronavirus disease 2019 positive). Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Age- and sex-matched healthy controls and ICU patients that were either coronavirus disease 2019 positive or coronavirus disease 2019 negative were enrolled. Cohorts were well balanced with the exception that coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients suffered bilateral pneumonia more frequently than coronavirus disease 2019 negative patients. Mortality rate for coronavirus disease 2019 positive ICU patients was 40%. Feature selection identified the top-performing metabolites for identifying coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients from healthy control subjects and was dominated by increased kynurenine and decreased arginine, sarcosine, and lysophosphatidylcholines. Arginine/kynurenine ratio alone provided 100% classification accuracy between coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients and healthy control subjects (p = 0.0002). When comparing the metabolomes between coronavirus disease 2019 positive and coronavirus disease 2019 negative patients, kynurenine was the dominant metabolite and the arginine/kynurenine ratio provided 98% classification accuracy (p = 0.005). Feature selection identified creatinine as the top metabolite for predicting coronavirus disease 2019-associated mortality on both ICU days 1 and 3, and both creatinine and creatinine/arginine ratio accurately predicted coronavirus disease 2019-associated death with 100% accuracy (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Metabolomics profiling with feature classification easily distinguished both healthy control subjects and coronavirus disease 2019 negative patients from coronavirus disease 2019 positive patients. Arginine/kynurenine ratio accurately identified coronavirus disease 2019 status, whereas creatinine/arginine ratio accurately predicted coronavirus disease 2019-associated death. Administration of tryptophan (kynurenine precursor), arginine, sarcosine, and/or lysophosphatidylcholines may be considered as potential adjunctive therapies.
Microbial Diversity in the Sawmill Environment: Implications on the Health of Sawmill Workers and Merchants, Nigeria

There is an increasingly high suspicion of occupational health diseases amongst workers in sawmill factories. Hence this study aimed to determine the microbial diversity in some sawmill factories in Okada, Edo State, Nigeria to evaluate potential implications of the factory’s processing area on the health of the workers and wood merchants. Bacteria and fungi count in the bioaerosols within the processing area of each factory was performed with the passive air sampling technique. While in the sawdust samples, microbial counts were carried out with the pour plate technique. Identification of the microbes was performed with macroscopic and microscopic examinations as well as standard phenotypic tests. Mean total viable count (TVC) and total fungi count (TFC) of bioaerosols in the air within the processing area of the sawmill factories were found to be greater than 4162.99 CFU/m while mean total coliform count (TCC) was reported as 756.28 CFU/m. Fisher (F) one-way ANOVA test of the TVC and TCC dataset of bioaerosols from the four sawmill factories indicated no significant difference (p = 0.77 and 0.83 for TVC and TFC respectively) in the mean TVC and TFC of the bioaerosols. Bacterial (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Klebsiella and Serratia) and fungal (Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium) species were isolated from the bioaerosols and sawdust samples. Results of this study indicated that workers in the sawmill factories and other wood merchants who visit sawmill processing area are most likely exposed to airborne contaminants that may cause occupational diseases such as ophthalmic irritations and dermatitis. Hence it is recommended that sawmill workers and other visitors wear personal protective gadgets in the processing area of the sawmill factories.
The feasibility of assessing cognitive and motor function in multiple sclerosis patients using robotics

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes pervasive motor, sensory and cognitive dysfunction. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the gold standard for assessing MS disability. The EDSS is biased towards mobility and may not accurately measure MS-related disabilities in the upper limb or in cognitive functions (e.g. executive function). Objective Our objectives were to determine the feasibility of using the Kinarm robotic system to quantify neurological deficits related to arm function and cognition in MS patients, and examine relationships between traditional clinical assessments and Kinarm variables. Methods Individuals with MS performed 8 robotic tasks assessing motor, cognitive, and sensory ability. We additionally collected traditional clinical assessments and compared these to the results of the robotic assessment. Results Forty-three people with MS were assessed. Most participants could complete the robotic assessment. Twenty-six (60%) were impaired on at least one cognitive task and twenty-six (60%) were impaired on at least one upper-limb motor task. Cognitive domain task performance correlated most strongly with the EDSS. Conclusions Kinarm robotic assessment of people with MS is feasible, can identify a broad range of upper-limb motor and sensory, as well as cognitive, impairments, and complements current clinical rating scales in the assessment of MS-related disability.
Responses of sapwood ray parenchyma and non‐structural carbohydrates of Pinus sylvestris to drought and long‐term irrigation

Summary Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) play a crucial role in tree resistance and resilience to drought. Stem sapwood parenchyma is among the largest storage tissue for NSC in mature trees. However, there is a limited mechanistic understanding of how NSC reserves, stem parenchyma abundance, and growth rates are interrelated, and how they respond to changing water availability. We quantified NSC, ray parenchyma abundance and ring width along four successive 5-year radial sapwood segments of the stem of 40 mature Pinus sylvestris trees from a 10-year irrigation experiment conducted at a xeric site in Switzerland. Percentage of ray volume (PERPAR) varied from 3.75 to 8.94% among trees, but showed low intra-individual variability. PERPAR responded positively to irrigation with a lag of several years, but was unrelated to %NSC. %NSC was lower in wider rings. However, wider rings still contained a larger NSC pool that was positively related to next year's ring growth. Our results suggest that stem ray parenchyma does not limit NSC storage capacity, but responds to long-term environmental drivers with years of delay. The observed carbon allocation patterns indicate a prioritization of storage over growth independent of growth conditions, likely as a mechanism to ensure long-term survival. Furthermore, NSC pool size proved to be a determinant for the inter-annual auto-correlation in tree-ring growth. Our study highlights the importance of long-term multi-parameter studies to better understand tree responses to environmental variability at different time-scales. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Pattern of genetic and morphometric differentiation in Maculinea Nausithous (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in the Carpathian basin

The level of variation and the pattern of differentiation were studied in two Western Hungarian (Transdanubia: Őrség region) and two Romanian (Transylvanian Basin) populations of Maculinea nausithous (Dusky Large Blue). The aim was to provide evidence on the genetic differentiation of the Transylvanian populations, which were relegated as M. nausithous kijevensis by RÁKOSY et al. (2010). In order to analyse genetic variance enzyme polymorphism was studied at 17 loci. The structure of phenotypic variation was investigated by performing morphometric analyses on 11 traits of the wings. Statistical procedures were chosen so, that the results obtained for morphological and genetic data could be compared. The results of all genetic surveys supported the differentiation of the Transylvanian populations from the Western Transdanubian (Őrség) ones. Hence, genetic results supported the existence of differentiation at the subspecies level in M. nausithous. The results of the morphometric analyses, however, were not obvious. In some analyses (phenogram) no clear phenotypic differentiation was observed between the two regions. Nevertheless, the results of hierarchical analysis of variance and Multiple Discriminant Analysis indicated a significant separation of specimens from the two regions. In addition, differences were detected in the level of variation between the two regions. Both genetic and phenotypic variation was higher in the Transylvanian than in the Őrség samples.
A new species of Pomatoschistus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Southern Anatolia

Pomatoschistus anatoliae sp. n. is described from estuary of Göksu River on the Mediterranean coast of the Anatolia. It is distinguished from its congeners by the suborbital papilla pattern, meristic, and ecological features. DNA barcoding based on COI sequences revealed that there is a high nucleotide sequence divergence to the nearest neighbour. Kimura’s two parameter distances between P. anatoliae sp. n. and other species of Pomatoschistus and Knipowitchia have found to be at least 5.1%. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4592CF50-07B5-4C25-892F-5D009057675B