Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-Destructive Portable Analytical Techniques for Carbon In Situ Screening Before Sampling for Dating Prehistoric Rock Paintings

Direct dating of prehistoric paintings is playing a major role in Paleolithic art studies. Very few figures can be directly dated since the necessary condition is that they contain organic carbon-based material. Thus, it is very important to check the presence of organic carbon-based material in situ before sampling in order to protect the visual integrity of the paintings or drawings. We have tested and compared 3 different portable analytical systems that can be used in cave environments for detecting carbon in prehistoric paintings: (1) a very compact X-ray fluorescence (XRF) system in Villars Cave (Dordogne, France); (2) a portable micro-Raman spectrometer in Rouffignac Cave (Dordogne, France); and (3) an infrared reflectography camera in both caves. These techniques have been chosen for their non-destructiveness: no sample has to be taken from the rock surface and no contact is made between the probes and the paintings or drawings. The analyses have shown that all the animal figures have been drawn with manganese oxides and cannot be directly dated by radiocarbon. However, carbon has been detected in several spots such as black dots and lines and torch marks. 14C results were obtained from 5 torch marks selected in Villars Cave, with ages between 17.1–18.0 ka cal BP. Three methods were used to identify carbon in black pigments or to confirm the presence of torch marks by carbon detection. Thanks to these new analytical developments, it will be now possible to select more accurately the samples to be taken for 14C dating prehistoric paintings and drawings.
Frogs of the Family Rhacophoridae (Anura: Amphibia) in the Northern Hoang Lien Mountains (Mount Fan Si Pan, Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province), Vietnam

Based on the results of own field work as well as data from the literature (Smith, 1924; Ahl, 1931; Bourret, 1937, 1942; Smirnov and Ho, 1983; Nguen and Ho, 1996; Orlov, 1997; Inger et al., 1999; Orlov and Rybaltovsky, 1999; Orlov and Ho, 2000a, 2000b; Ziegler and Weitkus, 1999; Ziegler and Hermann, 2000) and additional museum collections we identified 32 species among 5 genera of the family Rhacophoridae, in Vietnam. This estimate is derived from those species that have been examined by ourselves as well as taking into account the current understanding of rhacophorid taxonomy based on the information available from «Amphibian Species of the World» (Frost, 1985, 1999, 2000; Duellman, 1993). Adopting the higher classifications of S. S. Liem (1970); W. C. Brown and A. C. Alcala (1994) and J. A. Wilkinson and R. C. Drewes (2000) we conclude that the following genera are present in Vietnam: Chirixalus , Polypedates , Philautus , Rhacophorus , and Theloderma . In the spring of 1999, field work was conducted in the northern Hoang Lien Mountains (Fan Si Pan Mountain, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam). We found 8 species of rhacophorids previously not known to occur in Vietnam. We provide detailed descriptions of these and a description of the new species of Rhacophorus . The rhacophorid diversity for the Hoang Lien Mountains included 4 genera and 20 species. Thus the total number of rhacophorid species in Vietnam is increased upto 40 species. Small part of these collections have not been identified and, therefore, are not included in this list. Some material is represented by a single specimen and we refrain from drawing any taxonomic conclusions until additional material becomes available.
The Preparation and Characterization of an Aggregated Gliadin Fraction from Wheat

An aggregated gliadin fraction was prepared by gel filtration on Sephacryl S300 in a solvent containing 6-0 M guanidine hydrochloride. This was reduced, alkylated, and separated by ion exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE of the resulting fraction showed a number of polypeptides, mostly with apparent Mrs of around 44 000. The amino acid composition was similar to those reported previously for monomeric a-, fi- and y-gliadins. Automated amino acid sequencing from the N-terminus also showed the presence of sequence types characteristic of a-, fi-, and y-gliadins, but the major sequence type was not related to any described previously. This sequence was NH2-Ser-His-Ile-Pro Gly-Leu-Glu-Arg-Pro-Ser-Gln-Gln-Gln-Gln-Leu
Seasonal variation in foraging conditions for Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus in upland habitats and their effects on juvenile habitat selection

Recent studies indicate that variation in juvenile survival may be particularly important in driving avian population dynamics. The quality of habitats available to inexperienced juveniles of migrant species is critical to their survival because they must obtain enough food to build up fat reserves for migration, while avoiding predation. We radiotracked 110 juvenile Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus, a species of high conservation concern in the UK, to quantify for the first time seasonal patterns in foraging habitat and food abundance during this potentially key life-history period. Key attributes of foraging plots were compared with those on control plots (representing the broad habitat types selected by foraging juveniles) during 2007–08. Birds foraged on invertebrates in grass-rich plots during June to mid-July and then shifted to foraging mainly on moorland berries in higher-altitude, heather-rich plots during mid-July to early-September. Juveniles selected invertebrate foraging plots with low soil acidity, and increasingly selected plots with high earthworm (an important food) biomass and grass cover, but low grass and all vegetation height as the season progressed. In contrast, earthworm biomass and grass cover remained constant, and grass and all vegetation height increased, on control plots. Juveniles selected berry foraging plots with higher abundance of ripe Bilberries Vaccinium myrtillus and Crowberries Empetrum nigrum than found on control plots. Juvenile Ring Ouzels thus appear to require access to short, grass- and invertebrate-rich habitat during early summer, and taller, heather-dominated and berry-rich areas in late summer. The use of two distinct habitat types during the pre-migratory period illustrates the need for a detailed understanding of the requirements of juvenile birds.
Análise de repetibilidade da ocorrência de oídio em genótipos de soja

Estimou-se o coeficiente de repetibilidade das notas de ocorrencia de oidio (Erysiphe diffusa) no foliolo mais infectado e da porcentagem de foliolos infectados, a fim de estimar o numero minimo de avaliacoes necessarias para predicao do valor real de tres grupos genotipicos, em ensaios de melhoramento genetico de soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], conduzidos em casa de vegetacao na Universidade Federal de Vicosa, nos periodos de novembro de 2004 a fevereiro de 2005 e setembro a novembro de 2006. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco repeticoes, sendo cada repeticao representada por uma planta. As estimativas dos coeficientes de repetibilidade (r) foram obtidas por meio dos metodos: analise de variancia, componentes principais e analise estrutural. A determinacao do numero minimo de medicoes necessarias para predizer o valor real dos individuos baseou-se nos coeficientes de determinacao (R2) preestabelecidos (0,80, 0,85, 0,90, 0,95 e 0,99). Para o foliolo mais infectado e a porcentagem de foliolos infectados, utilizando qualquer um dos metodos, considerando as cinco primeiras, cinco ultimas e as nove avaliacoes, com quatro avaliacoes, foi obtida uma predicao com confiabilidade em torno de 85% e as nove avaliacoes realizadas apresentaram uma predicao de confiabilidade em torno de 90% para os genotipos de duas regioes (MT e GO-1). Os genotipos da regiao GO-2 apresentaram, praticamente, todos os coeficientes de repetibilidade inferiores e quantidade de avaliacoes necessarias superiores aqueles das regioes MT e GO-1. As avaliacoes de oidio com um intervalo de 15 dias reduziram ligeiramente o coeficiente de repetibilidade.
Wax ester biosynthetic pathway

Wax esters occur widely among bacteria, plants and mammals. There are three gene families encoding enzymes capable of synthesizing wax esters. Two of them exist in plans; the jojoba-like wax synthase (WS), and the bifunctional wax synthase/diacylglycerol acyl transferase (WS/DGAT). In this paper, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships among and between WS and WS/DGAT, based upon primary sequence homology of the encoded proteins. Nine candidate genes were chosen for experimental characterization using yeast as a heterologous expression host. Three of the expressed gene products were detected immunologically, Arabidopsis WS At5g55340, a maize WS and a moss WS. Moreover, by feeding these transgenic yeast strains with potential fatty acid and fatty alcohol substrates, we demonstrated that At5g55340 and the maize WS were expressed in a functional state, and could direct the synthesis of novel ester lipids. Based upon the ability to form different esters from different precursors, we were able to deduce the substrate preferences of these two enzymes. These characterizations indicate that At5g55340-encoded WS has a rather narrow substrate preference, producing
Explaining user experience in mobile gaming applications: an fsQCA approach

Purpose In the complex ecosystem of mobile applications multiple factors have been used to explain users’ behavior, without though focusing on how different combinations of variables may affect user behavior. The purpose of this paper is to show how price value, game content quality, positive and negative emotions, gender and gameplay time interact with each other to predict high intention to download mobile games. Design/methodology/approach Building on complexity theory, the authors present a conceptual model followed by research propositions. The propositions are empirically validated through configurational analysis, employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on 531 active users of mobile games. Findings Findings identify ten solutions that explain high intention to download mobile games. Alternative paths are identified depending on the gender and the time users spend playing mobiles games. The authors highlight the role of price value and game content quality, as well as that of positive emotions, which are always core factors when present. Originality/value To identify complex interactions among the variables of interest, fsQCA is employed, differentiating from traditional studies using variance-based methods, leading to multiple solutions explaining the same outcome. None of the variables explains the intention to download on its own, but only when they combine with each other. The authors extend existing knowledge on how price value, game content quality, emotions, gender and gameplay time combine to lead to high intention to download mobile games; and present a methodology for how to bridge complexity theory with fsQCA, improving our understanding of intention to adopt mobile applications.
Jackfruit and Its Many Functional Components as Related to Human Health: A Review

Abstract: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is an ancient fruit that is widely consumed as a fresh fruit. The use of jackfruit bulbs and its parts has also been reported since ancient times for their therapeutic qualities. The beneficial physiological effects may also have preventive application in a variety of pathologies. The health benefits of jackfruit have been attributed to its wide range of physicochemical applications. This review presents an overview of the functional, medicinal, and physiological properties of this fruit.
Reconstructing the Anomalodesmata (Mollusca: Bivalvia): morphology and molecules

The extant anomalodesmatan bivalves have always proved rather enigmatic and difficult to interpret, both in terms of their relationships to other bivalve taxa and the interrelationships of the constituent families. These difficulties stem from their diverse and often highly specialized life habits which have resulted in a wide array of disparate morphologies, and also from the fact that many are extremely rare. Classifications based on morphological characters have been dogged by fears that convergent and parallel evolution has masked phylogenetic signals. Molecular surveys of members of 12 of the 15 constituent families, using the 18S rRNA gene, have revealed that anomalodesmatans are robustly monophyletic and lie within the basal heterodonts. The Anomalodesmata should no longer be regarded as a subclass, but as a part of the Heterodonta. Here we present an enhanced analysis of 32 anomalodesmatan species (representatives of 12 families). Our results, subjected to Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, challenge our understanding of the internal relationships within the Anomalodesmata. In particular they indicate the need for a re-distribution of the families traditionally placed in the Thracioidea and Pandoroidea into a 'thraciid' lineage (Thraciidae + Cleidothaeridae + Myochamidae) and a 'lyonsiid' lineage (polyphyletic Lyonsiidae + Clavagellidae + Laternulidae + Pandoridae). The endolithic Clavagella and endobenthic Brechites and Penicillus form a robust clade. The hypothesis that the carnivorous septibranchs are monophyletic can, thus far, be neither supported nor rejected. Mapping critical morphological characters onto our molecular results provides evidence of multiple loss of some characters (e.g. prismato-nacreous shell microstructure and shell spicules) and also multiple gain of others (e.g. chondrophores)
Analysis of KRAS/NRAS mutations in PEAK: A randomized phase II study of FOLFOX6 plus panitumumab (pmab) or bevacizumab (bev) as first-line treatment (tx) for wild-type (WT) KRAS (exon 2) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

3631 Background: PEAK estimated the tx effect of FOLFOX6 with pmab or bev in 1st-line WT KRAS mCRC. The PRIME study showed significantly improved progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with pmab + FOLFOX vs FOLFOX in pts with WT RAS (KRAS/NRAS exons 2, 3, 4) mCRC in a prospective-retrospective analysis (unpublished data). Methods: This prospective-retrospective analysis of PEAK was designed to assess the effect of pmab + FOLFOX6 or bev + FOLFOX6 on PFS (primary endpoint) and OS in WT RAS (KRAS/NRAS exons 2, 3, 4) mCRC. Pts were required to have WT KRAS exon 2 tumors. Bidirectional Sanger sequencing and Transgenomic SURVEYOR/WAVE analysis were independently conducted to detect mutations in KRAS exon 3 (codons 59/61), exon 4 (codons 117/146); NRAS exon 2 (codons 12/13), exon 3 (codons 59/61), exon 4 (codons 117/146); BRAF exon 15 (codon 600) in banked specimens. Results: 285 WT KRAS (exon 2) mCRC patients (pts) were randomized, 278 received tx. The current RAS ascertainment rate is 75%. T.
Applications of machine learning to agricultural land values: prediction and causal inference

This dissertation focuses on the prediction of agricultural land values and the effects of water rights on land values using machine learning algorithms and hedonic pricing methods. I predict agricultural land values with different machine learning algorithms, including ridge regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, random forests, and extreme gradient boosting methods. To analyze the causal effects of water right seniority on agricultural land values, I use the double-selection LASSO technique. The second chapter presents the data used in the dissertation. A unique set of parcel sales from Property Valuation Division of Kansas constitute the backbone of the data used in the estimation. Along with parcel sales data, I collected detailed basis, water, tax, soil, weather, and urban influence data. This chapter provides detailed explanation of various data sources and variable construction processes. The third chapter presents different machine learning models for irrigated agricultural land price predictions in Kansas. Researchers, and policymakers use different models and data sets for price prediction. Recently developed machine learning methods have the power to improve the predictive ability of the models estimated. In this chapter I estimate several machine learning models for predicting the agricultural land values in Kansas. Results indicate that the predictive power of the machine learning methods are stronger compared to standard econometric methods. Median absolute error in extreme gradient boosting estimation is 0.1312 whereas it is 0.6528 in simple OLS model. The fourth chapter examines whether water right seniority is capitalized into irrigated agricultural land values in Kansas. Using a unique data set of irrigated agricultural land sales, I analyze the causal effect of water right seniority on agricultural land values. A possible concern during the estimation of hedonic models is the omitted variable bias so we use doubleselection LASSO regression and its variable selection properties to overcome the omitted variable bias. I also estimate generalized additive models to analyze the nonlinearities that may exist. Results show that water rights have a positive impact on irrigated land prices in Kansas. An additional year of water right seniority causes irrigated land value to increase nearly $17 per acre. Further analysis also suggest a nonlinear relationship between seniority and agricultural land prices. Applications of Machine Learning to Agricultural Land Values: Prediction and Causal Inference
Meta-analysis of pyrosequencing for the rapid detection of isoniazid-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of pyrosequencing for the mutation detection of katG gene in isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Meta-analysis. Methods Searching PubMed,Web of Science,Elsevier,and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),Weipu and WANFANG DATA to obtain the relevant English and Chinese-language articles,respectively.A written protocol and explicit study selection criteria was followed.Quality of included trials was assessed by QUADAS (quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies). Subsequently,the characteristics of the included articles were appraised and extracted.Heterogeneity of the included articles was tested by using STATA 10.0,which was used to select proper effect model.The fixed effects model was adopted using Meta-Disc software.Finally,sensitivity analysis was performed. Results Totally 114 research papers were collected and 9 articles were selected.The accordance between pyrosequencing and conventional sequencing result was 100%. Eight studies were involved including 945 specimens when katG gene was detected.The overall sensitivity and specificity were 0.77 (0.73,0.80) and 1.00 (0.99,1.00),respectively.The area under the SROC was 0.9882. As inhA gene was detected,the overall sensitivity and specificity were 0.19 (0.15,0.24) and 1.00 (0.98,1.00). The test was stable. Conclusions Our meta-analysis reveals that pyrosequencing is a highly specific tool for detection mutation of katG gene of isoniazid resistance.This result suggests that it is useful for screening of isoniazid resistance in diagnostic test. (Chin J Lab Med,2013,36:329-332) Key words: Sequence analysis; DNA; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Isoniazid; Drug resistance; bacterial; Meta-analysis
Deciduous dentition of the aye aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis

Until the 1980s all interpretations of the deciduous dental formulae of the unusual and endangered prosimian primate Daubentonia madagascariensis were based on a publication more than 125 years old [Peters, 1866a]. Rather than being based on original material all later interpretations were exclusively derived from Peters' figures and descriptions. A relatively recent attempt by Luckett and Maier [1986] to establish the true milk dentition of the aye aye was based on histological evaluation of a late aye aye fetus from the collection of W.W. Hubrecht that was chemically preserved at least 80 years earlier. The death of a newborn aye aye at the Duke University Primate Center in 1992 finally made the following new evaluation of the D. madagascariensis deciduous tooth formula possible. Using X‐rays and dissection, it here is demonstrated that aye ayes have one incisor, one canine, and two premolars in both the upper and in the lower milk dentition. Therefore the deciduous dental formula of Daubentonia madagascariensis should read: $${{\hbox{1i}\cdot\hbox{1c}\cdot\hbox{2p}} \over{\hbox{1i}\cdot\hbox{1c}\cdot\hbox{2p}}}. $$ © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Management practices and opportunities in the East African highland banana (Musa AAA-EA) production in Uganda

The East African highland banana (Musa spp. AAA-EA) is a primary food and cash crop in Uganda. Despite its importance, yields are poor due to biotic and abiotic constraints. However, quantitative information on the importance, interactions, and geographic distribution of yields and constraints is scanty. On-farm quantification of the yield gap requires a tool for estimating bunch weight since quantification of production is very difficult as plants are at different stages of production at any given time. Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies requires a tool for identification of plant nutrient imbalances. The overall objective of this thesis, therefore, was to generate technologies and information that researchers and farmers can use to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of their banana-based systems. This study is based on data collected through monitoring of farmer plots, household surveys and group interviews in the banana growing belt of Uganda in 2006-2008. A tool for quantitative estimation of bunch weights, regardless of genotypic, developmental and spatial variations, was developed. Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) and Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms for diagnosing nutrient imbalance in bananas were derived. Actual yield levels observed in this study (averaged 9.7-25.5 t ha year) were more than double the official national statistics (5.5 t ha year). Biotic stresses (i.e. pests, weeds) were particularly important in the Central region, whereas abiotic stresses (i.e. nutrient deficiencies, drought) dominated in the South and Southwest regions. Poor soil fertility and drought seemed to be more important than suggested by past publication records and research investments. Fertilizer response was much higher where the tested blanket fertilizer application corresponded with the existing plant nutrient deficiencies. Application of external inputs (fertilizer and mulch) was very profitable (Marginal Rate of Return ≥1.00) in areas with good farm gate prices (e.g. Central region) and good crop response (e.g. Central and South regions), but was not profitable in areas far away (e.g. parts of the Southwest) and in areas with weak fertilizer response. High fertilizer prices were the most important constraint to adoption of fertilizer use. Other important constraints were poor availability, labour requirements for fertilizer application, and the belief that fertilizer negatively affected soil quality. This study concludes that that there is scope for increased input use in banana systems in Uganda, but that regional variations in crop response and input/output prices have to be taken into account. In addition, research efforts towards addressing poor soil fertility and drought should be increased. The study further concludes that demonstrating/testing of recommendations/ technologies in collaboration with farmers shortens and strengthens the adoption