Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crop evapotranspiration : guidelines for computing crop water requirements

(First edition: 1998, this reprint: 2004). This publication presents an updated procedure for calculating reference and crop evapotranspiration from meteorological data and crop coefficients. The procedure, first presented in FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 24, Crop water requirements, in 1977, allows estimation of the amount of water used by a crop, taking into account the effect of the climate and the crop characteristics. The publication incorporates advances in research and more accurate procedures for determining crop water use as recommended by a panel of high-level experts organised by FAO in May 1990. The first part of the guidelines includes procedures for determining reference crop evapotranspiration according to the FAO Penman-Monteith method. These are followed by updated procedures for estimating the evapotranspiration of different crops for different growth stages and ecological conditions.
Direct measurements of cosmic rays with the calorimetric electron telescope on the international space station

The CALorimetric Electron Telescope, CALET, has been measuring high-energy cosmic rays on the International Space Station since October 13, 2015. The scientific objectives addressed by the mission are to search for possible nearby sources of high-energy electrons and potential signatures of dark matter, and to investigate the details of galactic cosmic-ray acceleration and propagation. The calorimetric instrument, which is 30 radiation lengths or 1.3 proton interaction lengths thick with fine imaging capability, is optimized to measure cosmic-ray electrons by achieving large proton rejection and excellent energy resolution well into the TeV region. In addition, very wide dynamic range of energy measurement and individual charge identification capability enable us to measure proton and nuclei spectra from a few tens GeV to a PeV scale. Nearly 20 million cosmic-ray shower events over 10 GeV per month are triggered and the continuous observation has been kept without any major interruption since the start of operation. Using the data obtained over 6.5 years of operation, we will present a brief summary of the CALET observation including electron spectrum, and proton and nuclei spectra as well as the performance study on orbit with MC simulations.
Typing of Candida spp. from Colonized COVID-19 Patients Reveal Virulent Genetic Backgrounds and Clonal Dispersion

Advances in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 allowed the survival of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. However, due to the clinical characteristics of severe patients, they resulted in the appearance of colonization events. Therefore, we speculate that strains of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients have virulent genetic and phenotypic backgrounds involved in clinical worsening of patients. The aim of this work was to virutype Candida spp. strains isolated from colonized COVID-19 patients, analyze their genomic diversity, and establish clonal dispersion in care areas. The virulent potential of Candida spp. strains isolated from colonized COVID-19 patients was determined through adhesion tests and the search for genes involved with adherence and invasion. Clonal association was done by analysis of intergenic spacer regions. Six species of Candida were involved as colonizing pathogens in COVID-19 patients. The genotype analysis revealed the presence of adherent and invasive backgrounds. The distribution of clones was identified in the COVID-19 care areas, where C. albicans was the predominant species. Evidence shows that Candida spp. have the necessary genetic tools to be able colonize the lungs, and could be a possible causal agent of coinfections in COVID-19 patients. The detection of dispersion of opportunistic pathogens can be unnoticed by classical epidemiology. Epidemiological surveillance against opportunistic fungal pathogens in COVID-19 patients is an immediate need, since the findings presented demonstrate the potential virulence of Candida spp.
Seismic energy release in Mexican subduction zone earthquakes

We estimated radiated seismic energy ( Es ) from 18 shallow, thrust Mexican subduction zone earthquakes (4 × 1022 ≦ M ≦ 1.1 × 1028 dyne-cm; 11 ≦ H ≦ 37 km) using digital accelerograms from the Guerrero Accelerograph Array and neglecting stations with large site effects. Es is computed by integrating squared velocity spectra, after applying geometrical spreading and Q corrections. We discarded epicentral recordings for the largest Michoacan event. We find that log ( Es / M ) = −4.152 ± 0.275, which gives a median value of Es / M and apparent stress (σ a ) of 7.1 × 10−5 and 24 bars, respectively. The median Es / M value is in accordance with Gutenberg and Richter's (G-R) (1956) formula for Es , in which Es / M = 5 × 10−5 is implicit. Worldwide Es / M data, where Es is computed from local records, mostly fall between 5 × 10−5 and 5 × 10−4 for events with M ≧ 1022 dyne-cm. On the other hand, Es / M values, generally, lie between 5 × 10−6 and 5 × 10−5, if Es is estimated from teleseismic records. Especially anomalous are the Es / M data from Kikuchi and Fukao (1988) for large and great earthquakes, which fall near 5 × 10−6. Thus, while Es from local data suggests that the G-R relation seldom overestimates seismic energy release, the teleseismic data point to the contrary. The cause of this discrepancy may lie in the difficulty of resolving incoherent radiation from the fault and inappropriate choice of t * in the analysis of teleseismic data.
MET in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Cross ‘a Long and Winding Road’ Looking for a Target

Simple Summary Around 3% of patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) harbour a MET exon 14 skipping mutation (METex14). Early mutation identification is important for accurate treatment of these patients because they receive more benefit from chemotherapy than from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Moreover, the treatment landscape of this disease has radically changed in recent years thanks to the introduction of new selective and potent MET inhibitors (MET-Is). The aim of our review was to summarize the historical milestones since the discovery of the MET pathway through studies investigating the role of MET in the prognosis of NSCLC patients harbouring MET alterations to the discovery of MET exon 14 skipping mutation, the real target of this pathway in NSCLC. Moreover, we focused on the results from pivotal clinical trials of MET inhibitors and on mechanisms of resistance to these drugs. The last section of this review is dedicated to future developments. Abstract Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) can harbour different MET alterations, such as MET overexpression (MET OE), MET gene amplification (MET AMP), or MET gene mutations. Retrospective studies of surgical series of patients with MET-dysregulated NSCLC have shown worse clinical outcomes irrespective of the type of specific MET gene alteration. On the other hand, earlier attempts failed to identify the ‘druggable’ molecular gene driver until the discovery of MET exon 14 skipping mutations (METex14). METex14 are rare and amount to around 3% of all NSCLCs. Patients with METex14 NSCLC attain modest results when they are treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). New selective MET inhibitors (MET-Is) showed a long-lasting clinical benefit in patients with METex14 NSCLC and modest activity in patients with MET AMP NSCLC. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating new small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, or antibodies drug conjugate (ADCs). This review focuses on the prognostic role of MET, the summary of pivotal clinical trials of selective MET-Is with a focus on resistance mechanisms. The last section is addressed to future developments and challenges.
Assessing the spatial variability of soils in Uganda

Minai, Joshua O. M.S., Purdue University, May, 2015. Assessing the Spatial Variability of Soils in Uganda. Major Professor: Darrell G. Schulze. Uganda’s soils were once considered the most fertile in Africa, but soil erosion and soil nutrient mining have led to soil degradation and declining agricultural productivity. Lack of environmental awareness among farmers, traditional agricultural practices, minimal inorganic fertilizer use, and little to no use of improved crop varieties all contribute to continued soil degradation. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the spatial distribution of selected physical and chemical soil properties in Uganda on a national scale utilizing the data collected by Nkonya et al. (2008), and (2) to identify the major factors and processes that are dominant in explaining the spatial variability of these physical and chemical soil properties in Uganda on a national scale. This study used a 2003 Uganda National Household Survey dataset that included analyses of 2,185 soil samples that covered western, southwestern and northwestern Uganda, representing ~50% of the country. Variables included pH, organic matter, total N, available K, total K, total P, and soil texture (Nkonya et al., 2008, IFPRI Research Report 159). Ordinary kriging was used for spatial analysis, while a generalized linear model was used
Biostratigraphy and Taxonomy of Devonian Megaspores, Arctic Canada

ABSTRACT Late Middle and Upper Devonian megaspores and miospores have been obtained from approximately 15,240 m (50,000 ft.) of strata from 7 sections in the Canadian Arctic. These sections include: the Okse Bay Group on Ellesmere Island; the Blackley (oldest), Cape De Bray, Weatherall, Hecla Bay, Beverley Inlet and Parry Islands Formations on Melville, Prince Patrick and Banks Islands; and the Imperial Formation of the District of Mackenzie. The palynomorphs recovered are assignable to 19 genera and 47 species. Of these, 38 are megaspores and 9 are miospores. Two genera, 21 megaspore species, 3 miospore species and 14 varieties assignable to 4 species of megaspores are described as new. Seven assemblage zones, Givetian to Famennian in age, are established on the basis of the relative abundance and the first or last occurrence of characteristic species. From oldest to youngest these are: 1) the Macromanifestus zone; 2) the Delicatus zone; 3) the Grandis zone; 4) the Medius zone; 5) the Maclarenii zone; 6) the Devonica zone and 7) the Magnifica zone. The contact between the Grandis-Medius zones approximates the Givetian-Frasnian boundary whereas that of the Devonica-Magnifica zones approximates the Frasnian-Famennian boundary. By utilizing megaspore counts and some sedimentological data, the depositional environments have been classified into continental, stable nearshore marine, unstable nearshore marine, and offshore marine. End_Page 643------------------------
Field studies on factors affecting very fine and ultra fine particulate organic matter deposition in low‐gradient sand‐bed streams

The knowledge on particle deposition in streams is mainly based on investigations in mountain streams. No data exist from low‐gradient sand‐bed streams that largely differ in the morphological and hydraulic factors proposed to affect deposition. To identify physical control on particle deposition in low‐gradient streams, we assessed deposition of very fine and ultra fine organic particulate matter in 18 sand‐bed stream reaches. We added particles derived from lake sediment and assessed the mean transport distance SP and the deposition velocity vdep. Additionally, reach hydraulics were estimated by injections of a conservative solute tracer (NaCl). Among the low‐gradient streams, particle deposition kinetics were variable but similar to deposition in mountain streams. SP was solely related to the flow velocity. This relation was confirmed when comprising published data on deposition of fine organic particles. An association between particle deposition and transient storage factors was insignificant. We found significance of the transient storage to SP only for repeated measures within a single reach, when flow velocity and benthic conditions were nearly constant. Measured vdep/vfall ratios were much larger than unity in most reaches. Evidence from this relation suggests that the vertical transport of very fine and ultra fine organic particulate matter through the water column was caused mainly by vertical mixing. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the Role of Different Cell-Death-Related Genes in Sepsis Diagnosis Using a Machine Learning Algorithm

Sepsis, a disease caused by severe infection, has a high mortality rate. At present, there is a lack of reliable algorithmic models for biomarker mining and diagnostic model construction for sepsis. Programmed cell death (PCD) has been shown to play a vital role in disease occurrence and progression, and different PCD-related genes have the potential to be targeted for the treatment of sepsis. In this paper, we analyzed PCD-related genes in sepsis. Implicated PCD processes include apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, netotic cell death, entotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, parthanatos, autophagy-dependent cell death, oxeiptosis, and alkaliptosis. We screened for diagnostic-related genes and constructed models for diagnosing sepsis using multiple machine-learning models. In addition, the immune landscape of sepsis was analyzed based on the diagnosis-related genes that were obtained. In this paper, 10 diagnosis-related genes were screened for using machine learning algorithms, and diagnostic models were constructed. The diagnostic model was validated in the internal and external test sets, and the Area Under Curve (AUC) reached 0.7951 in the internal test set and 0.9627 in the external test set. Furthermore, we verified the diagnostic gene via a qPCR experiment. The diagnostic-related genes and diagnostic genes obtained in this paper can be utilized as a reference for clinical sepsis diagnosis. The results of this study can act as a reference for the clinical diagnosis of sepsis and for target discovery for potential therapeutic drugs.
Modeling Cosmogenic Nuclides in Transiently Evolving Topography and Chemically Weathering Soils

Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) are widely employed to infer denudation rates in mountainous landscapes. The calculation of an inferred denudation rate (Dinf) from TCN concentrations is typically performed under the assumptions that denudation rates were steady during TCN accumulation and that soil chemical weathering negligibly impacted soil mineral abundances. In many landscapes, however, denudation rates were not steady and soil composition was significantly impacted by chemical weathering, which complicates interpretation of TCN concentrations. We present a landscape evolution model that computes transient changes in topography, soil thickness, soil mineralogy, and soil TCN concentrations. We used this model to investigate TCN responses in transient landscapes by imposing idealized perturbations in tectonically (rock uplift rate) and climatically sensitive parameters (soil production efficiency, hillslope transport efficiency, and mineral dissolution rate) on initially steady‐state landscapes. These experiments revealed key insights about TCN responses in transient landscapes. (a) Accounting for soil chemical erosion is necessary to accurately calculate Dinf. (b) Responses of Dinf to tectonic perturbations differ from those to climatic perturbations, suggesting that spatial and temporal patterns in Dinf are signatures of perturbation type and magnitude. (c) If soil chemical erosion is accounted for, basin‐averaged Dinf inferred from TCN in stream sediment closely tracks actual basin‐averaged denudation rate, showing that Dinf is a reasonable proxy for actual denudation rate, even in many transient landscapes. (d) Response times of Dinf to perturbations increase with hillslope length, implying that response times should be sensitive to the climatic, biological, and lithologic processes that control hillslope length.
Next-generation sequencing in dermatology

Over the past decade, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has advanced our understanding, diagnosis, and management of several areas within dermatology. NGS has emerged as a powerful tool for diagnosing genetic diseases of the skin, improving upon traditional PCR-based techniques limited by significant genetic heterogeneity associated with these disorders. Epidermolysis bullosa and ichthyosis are two of the most extensively studied genetic diseases of the skin, with a well-characterized spectrum of genetic changes occurring in these conditions. NGS has also played a critical role in expanding the mutational landscape of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, enhancing our understanding of its molecular pathogenesis. Similarly, genetic testing has greatly benefited melanoma diagnosis and treatment, primarily due to the high prevalence of BRAF hot spot mutations and other well-characterized genetic alterations. Additionally, NGS provides a valuable tool for measuring tumor mutational burden, which can aid in management of melanoma. Lastly, NGS demonstrates promise in improving the sensitivity of diagnosing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This article provides a comprehensive summary of NGS applications in the diagnosis and management of genodermatoses, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, highlighting the impact of NGS on the field of dermatology.
Growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus lanatus) as affected by poultry manure application.

A trial was carried out in 2005 and 2006 rainy season to study the efficacy of different levels of poultry manure (PM) at the rates of 0, 3.3, 6.6 and 9.9 t ha -1 on growth and yield of Citrullus lanatus, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. The results showed that application of PM significantly enhance growth parameter vigour and number of fruits during the two seasons. The average weights of the fruits in year 2006 season were significantly higher than that of 2005. In 2005, average weights of the fruits are not significantly affected by lower rates of PM (0 & 3.3 t ha -1 ).
La Vegetazione marina bentonica fotofila del Mediterraneo: 2.: Infralitorale e Circalitorale: proposte di aggiornamento

Sono stati esaminati criticamente 44 Aggruppamenti vegetali fotofili dell'Infralitorale e del Circalitorale; di questi 29 sono stati ritenuti validi. Inoltre vengono proposti 3 nuovi Syntaxa. A phytosociological revision of 44 photophilic algae assemblages located in the infralittoral and circalittoral zone is presented. In all, 29 associations can be recognizeed. 3 new Syntaxa are presented too.
THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP ON JOB SATISFACTION AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE (STUDY ON THE REGIONAL LIAISON AGENCY FOR BANTEN PROVINCE IN JAKARTA)

This study aims to determine the influence of organizational climate and servant leadership on job satisfaction and its impact on employee performance. Design this study with explanatory. The population in this study were employees of the Banten Provincial Litraison Agency in Jakarta. The data collection technique in this study was by disibuting questionnaires directly to the object of the study, namely employees of the Banten Provincial Liaison Agency in Jakarta. The population of this study was employees of the Banten Provincial Liaison Agency in Jakarta with a total of 124 people. Quantitative analysis methods with SEM analysis tools and Smart PLS 3.3 tools. The findings in this study are: (1) The organizational climate has a positive and insignificant effect on job satisfaction; (2) Servant leadership has a positive and significant effect on employee performance; (3) The organizational climate has a positive and unsavory effect on job satisfaction; (4) Servant leadership has a negative and significant effect on employee performance; (5) Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on employee performance.
Cenozoic plate tectonic reconstructions and plate boundary processes in the Southwest Pacific

The Australia-Pacific-Antarctic plate circuit has long been a weak link in global plate reconstruction models for Cenozoic time. The time period spanning chron 20 to chron 7 (43-25 Ma) is particularly problematic for global plate models because seafloor spreading was occurring in two poorly constrained regions in the Southwest Pacific - the Macquarie Basin southwest of New Zealand, and the Adare Basin north of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. I present a new shipboard dataset collected aboard several recent geophysical cruises which places important constraints on the tectonic evolution of these two regions. Utilizing multibeam bathymetry, magnetic, gravity, and seismic data in the Macquarie Basin, I am able to locate tectonic features and magnetic anomalies with greater accuracy than was previously possible. These tectonic features and magnetic anomalies are then used to calculate relative motion between the Australia and Pacific Plates for chrons 18-11 (40-30 Ma). I use revised locations of the rifted margins along the boundary of the Macquarie Basin to determine a best-fit pre-rift reconstruction for this region. During this same time period, seafloor spreading between East and West Antarctica was occurring along the Adare Trough, an extinct spreading center located north of the Ross Sea. Motion along the Adare Trough accounts for roughly 180 km of previously unrecognized motion between East and West Antarctica. I present multibeam and seismic data in the Adare Basin that place constraints on the timing and character of motion along this plate boundary.
Aggregate stability of salt-affected kaolinitic soils on the North-east Plateau, Thailand

The aggregate stability of 56 salt-affected soil samples from the North-east Plateau, Thailand, was related to soil properties. The soils were Typic Natraqualfs and a Typic Endoaqualf, which are commonly used for paddy rice cultivation. The soil textures are mostly clays and clay loams with clay contents ranging from 313 to 849 g/kg. The dominant mineral in the clay fraction is kaolinite with minor smectite and traces of illite and a little quartz. Aggregate stability of these soils, measured by the wet sieving method, ranges from 3 to91%. Electrical conductivity measured by the saturation extract method ranges from 0.6 to 16.2 dS/m and exchangeable sodium percentage ranges from 5 to 31%, so that the soil samples can be variously classed as saline, sodic, saline–sodic, and normal. The soil property that is most strongly correlated with aggregate stability is pH (r = –0.84) followed by exchangeable potassium (r = +0.75), cation exchange capacity (r = +0.73), clay content (r = +0.72), extractable acidity (r = +0.66), and organic matter (r = +0.66). However contrary to much published literature, no significant relationships exist between aggregate stability and exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio, or electrical conductivity. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses indicated that aggregate stability of these mostly saline–sodic soils was well predicted by a combination of soil pH and clay content, which is convenient as they are properties determined in routine soil surveys. The presence of small amounts of smectite and illite may have reduced the stability of the dominantly kaolinitic soil aggregates.