Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of elevated temperature and [CO2] on spring phenology and photosynthetic recovery of boreal Norway spruce

In recent decades, several methods have been devised to study the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, [CO2], and temperature on tree and plant physiological responses. This has resulted in the development of a range of systems to expose tree species to elevated [CO2] and/or temperature and it has become obvious that there is a strong need for multifactor experiments, which at the tree and stand level can become both a technical and financial challenge. Most available information on the effects of elevated [CO2] and increased temperature on trees comes from single factor experiments on seedlings or saplings and the results from these studies may not be directly applicable to mature trees or forest stands. This thesis is based on data gathered from mature Norway spruce trees growing in whole-tree chambers in northern Sweden, where both temperature and [CO2] were controlled according to climate conditions predicted to prevail in the year 2100. As spring is such an important season for boreal tree species, it was this period in which I was most interested. Spring phenology (bud burst and shoot growth) and the timing and extent of photosynthetic recovery was studied in relation to elevated temperature and [CO2] over a three-year period. From the analysis presented herein, phenological development of buds was enhanced with elevated temperature and new shoots emerged 10 to 20 days earlier than in ambient temperature. The duration of the shoot growth period was not affected by [CO2] or temperature and while shoot length varied between treatments, neither temperature nor [CO2] had any significant effect. These differences could not be explained by an accumulation of temperature sum (Tsum) nor could ecophysiological simulation models predict these events. Although the models were not able to predict the regulation of the timing of bud burst, they did provide a clear indication that rest completion in Norway spruce trees growing in northern Sweden takes place near the spring equinox, meaning that high air temperatures are not physiologically effective until late in the spring. Elevated temperature also enhanced the recovery of the photosynthetic apparatus, as seen in variable chlorophyll fluorescence, apparent quantum yield, and light saturated photosynthesis, but elevated [CO2] had no effect during the spring period. While measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence were a reasonable indicator of photosynthetic capacity, they cannot be used as a proxy for photosynthesis measurements since net photosynthesis is so variable and responsive to temperature and [CO2]. Rising air temperatures will lead to earlier spring photosynthetic recovery of boreal Norway spruce forests and this will ultimately affect the length of the growing period. The commencement and rate of spring photosynthetic recovery are two of the most important factors governing the potential annual carbon sequestration by boreal forests.
An exploration of the relationship between interleukin 37, 8-ohdg and a number of anthropometric measurements in iraqi rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background: Anti-inflammatory intermediaries like interleukin-37 (IL-37) have a central function in the disease regulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was designed to explore the relationship between IL-37, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) and certain anthropometric measurements in RA patients, and to investigate whether there are any correlations between IL-37 and 8-OHDG. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 60 patients with RA and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (HCs). IL-37 and 8-OHDG serum concentrations were estimated by ELISA. The width of waist (W.W), hip (W.H), thorax (W.T) and neck (W.N) were calculated, along with body mass index (BMI) for all subjects. Results: IL-37 and 8-OHDG serum concentrations were significantly greater in patients with RA. Nevertheless, RA patients showed lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and hemoglobin (Hb). Elevated serum concentrations of IL-37 were found to be positively associated with waist to hip ratio (W/H), waist to thoracic ratio (W/T), waist to neck ratio (W/N), ESR and Hb, while raised serum concentrations of 8-OHDG were positively related with W/H, W/T, SBP, DBP, creatinine and total cholesterol (TC). IL-37 exhibited the highest ROC curve value in comparison to other studied markers. Conclusion: Both anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-37) and the marker of DNA impairment (8-OHDG) form part of RA’s pathogenesis. IL-37 and 8-OHDG may be used as possible biomarkers of active RA.
Aspectos biológicos de "Hippodamia convergens e Cycloneda sanguinea" (Coleóptera: Coccinallidae ) sobre "Bemisia tabaci" biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae )

FIGUEIRA L. K. , L. C. TOSCANO, F. M. LARA, A. L. BOICA JR. Biological aspects of Hippodamia convergens e Cycloneda sanguinea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Bol. San. Veg. Plagas, 29: 3-7. S. graminum
Multi-Segmental Motion in Foot during Counter-Movement Jump with Toe Manipulation

Human toes are crucial for vertical jumping performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effect of hallux abduction manipulation on foot inter-segment kinematic alterations and plantar loading redistribution during the countermovement jump (CMJ). Thirteen participants were recruited to join in this experiment, for the collection of the foot inter-segment kinematics and plantar pressure data. During the take-off phase, the contact area presented a significant increase while the pressure-time integral decreased in the second metatarsal (M2), whilst the third metatarsal (M3) and fourth metatarsal (M4) decreased significantly in pressure-time integral with Toe-Manipulation (TM). During the landing phase, maximum force and peak pressure were smaller in the big toe (BT) after hallux abduction manipulation. HXFFA (hallux-forefoot angle) showed a greater pronation after manipulation in the frontal plane (0%–26% and 50%–100%) with p = 0.002 and p < 0.001. In the transverse plane, the smaller adductions were found during 62%–82% in take-off and 62%–91% in landing (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). There was a redistributed plantar loading during the landing phase from the medial to lateral forefoot. However, a reduced hallux range of motion in the TM session was exhibited, compared to Non-Toe-Manipulation (NTM).
Portable microcontroller‐based electrostimulation system for nerve conduction studies

Despite nerve conduction study (NCS) being an established procedure in the evaluation of neuromuscular disorders, its utility has been restrained by commercially available products or approaches presented in the literature that are either costly, physically large, dependent on specialised medical personnel to operate or targeted to specific conditions, evaluating only one or two nerves. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop a point-of-care device for NCS that can be used to evaluate several nerves, yet is still portable, low-cost and easy to operate. The developed device is composed of three modules: (i) controller module and graphical user interface, responsible for system synchronisation and configuration, data management, graphical visualisation of the evoked action potential and stimulus voltage feedback (maximum error of 3.92%); (ii) stimulation module, which operates in a constant voltage mode and delivers a monophasic stimulus pulse with amplitudes between 0.84 and 230 V, with a discrete increment of 2.32 ± 0.64 V (mean ± SD) and duration of 100 or 200 μs; and (iii) data acquisition module, based on the ADS1298 front-end that records the evoked action potentials after the stimulus, with a sample rate of 16 or 32 kHz, 24-bit resolution and selectable voltage gain of 1 up to 12. Results demonstrated that the system could reliably deliver stimulation pulses through different loads (100 Ω, 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ) and accurately record data through frequencies of 10 Hz up to 10 kHz. Additionally, NCS of the ulnar motor nerve in a sample of healthy individuals showed that the device could effectively activate a peripheral nerve and record compound action potentials within normal limits established by the literature.
Response of Row Spacing, Bio-fertilizer and Nitrogen Levels on Yield Attributes and Quality Parameters of Chickpea (Cicer arietnium L.) under Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh, India

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 2 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com An experiment was conducted during of rabi 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Soil Conservation and Water Management farm of the C. S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur to find out the response of row spacing, bio-fertilizer and nitrogen levels on yield attributes i.e. number of pods /plant, number of seeds/pod 1000-seed weight, protein content in (% & kg/ha), nodules/plant and fresh & dry weight (mg) of nodules/plant of chickpea crop. The treatments comprised of 2 row spacing i.e. 40 cm and 60 cm, 3 biofertilizer i.e. Rhizobium leguminosarum culture (seed coating @ 20 g kg -1 seed), Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) @ 2.5 kg ha -1 in soil and Rhizobium leguminosarum + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 3 nitrogen level i.e. N10 kg ha -1 , N20 kg ha -1 and N30 kg ha -1 in Split plot design with 3 replications. Results obtained in regarded to yield attributes and protein content showed that the 60 cm row spacing produced significantly higher yield attributes in both the years on pooled basis recorded number of pods/plant (57.57), number of seeds /pod (1.72), 1000seed weight (147.64 g), nodules/plant (28.08), fresh & dry weight nodules/plant (76.58 and 44.37 mg ) and protein content in per cent (21.06) but maximum recorded protein in kg/ha under 40 cm row spacing (295.86 kg/ha). Among the bio-fertilizer the performance of dual inoculation of Rhizobium leguminosarum culture + PSB was the best & have recorded significantly superior number of pods /plant (57.61), number of seeds /pod (1.89), 1000seed weight (148.75)nodules/plant (29.70), fresh & dry weight nodules/plant (81.34 and 48.12 mg) and protein content in per cent (21.26)& (302.02) kg /ha. However nitrogen level @ 30 kg ha -1 recorded significantly higher on number of pods /plant (147.64 g), number of seeds /pod (1.97), 1000seed weight (149.47g), nodules/plant (30.54), fresh & dry weight nodules/plant (81.34 and 48.12 mg) and protein content in per cent (21.15)& (313.22) kg /ha. Nitrogen levels 30 kg ha -1 was found superior in all respect as compared to other treatments combinations. K e y w o r d s Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Rhizobium leguminosarum culture and protein content Accepted: 05 January 2020 Available Online: 10 February 2020 Article Info Int.J.Curr.Microbiol. App.Sci (2020) 9(2): 452-459
Development of Skin Lotion Containing Antioxidant Extract from Coffee Pulp and Study on Its Stability

Coffee pulp, a major coffee waste in the coffee industry, has been found to contain bioactive compounds that can provide high antioxidant activity and hence, can be utilized as a natural antioxidant source. One of the beneficial utilizations of coffee pulp extract is its application in skin cosmetics, such as skin lotion. The application of antioxidant on the skin is one way to avoid skin damages and diseases from happening, which can be caused by free radicals generated through ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. The aim of this study is to apply the coffee pulp extract powder into skin lotion formulation, and to study the phenolic content, antioxidant activity and the stability of the formulated lotions. First, the coffee pulp (CP) was extracted at sample to solvent ratio of 1:10 (w/v) using ethanol/water mixtures at various extraction temperatures and times to obtain the optimum extraction condition. The resulting coffee pulp extract at optimum condition (50°C, 120 minutes) was pulverized into coffee pulp extract powder. The yield of the pulverization was 0.217146 g powder/g CP. The coffee pulp extract powder was then added into skin lotion formulation with four different concentrations (0.125 %, 0.25 %, 0.5 % and 1 % by mass). All coffee pulp skin lotions were found to show good physical stability and considerably higher antioxidant activity (IC50 : 5,805 ppm – 55,776 ppm) compared to commercial lotions (IC50 : 505,018 ppm – 557,218 ppm).
Root−to−Shoot Signaling and Leaf Water−Use Efficiency in Peach Trees under Localized Irrigation

Global climate change is affecting important natural resources including water. Increasing temperature will change rate of evaporation and transpiration, leading to variations in water availability, ground water recharge, and water consumption by plants. Thus, competition for water will be a major future challenge for agriculture. Increasing water productivity at farm level is necessary to increase the efficiency of the irrigation system, plant water−use efficiency (WUE) and to optimize irrigation management. We test the hypothesis that in field−grown, drip−irrigated nectarine trees, the roots in the un−irrigated inter−row soil produce chemical signals that increase in summer to induce stomatal closure and so increase WUE. Concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) were determined in leaf, root, and xylem sap of drip−irrigated (D) trees in which only about 25% of the soil volume was wetted and compared with those of trees irrigated using microjets (M) in which the whole soil volume was wetted. We also examined the effects of increased ABA on root−to−shoot dry matter ratio, the ratio ABA to indole−3−acetic acid (IAA), sap pH, and fruit and shoot growth. Both D and M trees were maintained at optimal water status as judged by pre−dawn leaf water potentials (about −0.3 MPa). There were no significant differences between treatments in mean fruit size (fruit diameter) or in tree yield (total fruit weight). However, shoot length was strongly reduced in D trees (to 75%) compared to M trees (100%). The concentrations of ABA in the inter−row roots of D trees were increased by 59% and that in the leaves by 13% compared to in the M trees. Despite the similar water status of D and M trees, a clear chemical signal was triggered in terms of a significant increase in the ABA/IAA ratio. This signal influenced leaf stomatal conductance which was 40% lower in D trees than in M trees. The associated responses in photosynthesis and transpiration raised the WUE of D trees by 7%–10% compared to M trees. This field study shows that in drip−irrigated trees, an ABA root−to−shoot signal issues from the inter−row roots growing in soil that dries out during a Mediterranean summer (hot, low rainfall). This ABA−induced WUE increase was achieved principally through reduced stomatal conductance and reduced transpiration.
Ensayos de procedencias de Pinus pinaster Ait. en el centro de España: resultados a la edad de 32 años

Una nueva medicion a la edad de 32 anos de un ensayo de 52 procedencias de Pinus pinaster Ait. en varias localidades en el centro de Espana ha permitido revisar resultados previos. Se ha dispuesto de datos de una localidad, Penas Negrillas (CR), no medida en ocasiones anteriores. Se han considerado 11 variables que describen el crecimiento y la forma de los arboles. Circunstancias inevitables ante duraciones tan largas de un ensayo han hecho que los datos sean incompletos, lo que requiere un analisis estadistico elaborado, que se ha orientado a estimar la adaptabilidad media de las procedencias. Los resultados corroboran, en sus lineas generales, los obtenidos de la medicion anterior realizada a los 18 anos. El crecimiento y la forma de las procedencias de cada uno de los distintos grupos geograficos tradicionalmente diferenciados mediante marcadores geneticos es similar. Las procedencias del NO de la peninsula presentan un crecimiento mediocre pero con fustes bien conformados. Se exceptua la procedencia de Leiria que, junto a la de Arenas de San Pedro, son lideres en crecimiento y forma. Las procedencias del Sistema Iberico, provincia de Cuenca, tienen tambien buenos resultados en crecimiento y forma. Las procedencias de la meseta castellano-leonesa tienen la peor calidad de fuste con un crecimiento medio, mientras que las de las montanas del litoral mediterraneo espanol aparecen mediocres en ambas caracteristicas. Los origenes norteafricanos y de Corcega tienen crecimiento muy lento pero con excelentes fustes.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Hazard, Downstream Impact, and Risk Over the Indian Himalayas

Indian Himalayas are home to numerous glacial lakes, which can pose serious threat to downstream communities and lead to catastrophic socioeconomic disasters in case of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). This study first identified 329 glacial lakes of size greater than 0.05 km2 in the Indian Himalayas, and then a remote sensing‐based hazard and risk assessment was performed on these lakes. Different factors such as avalanche, rockfall, upstream GLOF, lake expansion, identification of the presence of ice cores, and assessment of the stability of moraine were considered for the hazard modeling. Further, a stochastic inundation model was applied to quantify the potential number of buildings, bridges, and hydropower systems that could be inundated by GLOF in each lake. Finally, the hazard parameters and downstream impact were collectively considered to determine the risk linked with each lake. A total of 23 lakes were identified as very high risk lakes and 50 as high‐risk lakes. The potential flood volumes associated with various triggering mechanisms were also measured and were used to identify the lakes with the most considerable risk, such as Shakho Cho and Khangchung Tso. This study is anticipated to support stakeholders and decision‐makers in identifying critical glacial lakes and make well‐informed decisions related to future modeling efforts, field studies, and risk mitigation measures.
Mustelus albipinnis sp. nov. (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) de la costa suroccidental de Baja California Sur, México

Con base en seis individuos capturados en la plataforma externa frente a bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico, se describe una nueva especie de tiburon perteneciente al genero Mustelus Linck, 1790 (nombre comun sugerido: “perro lodero con aletas de bordes blancos”). M. albipinnis sp. nov. presenta una combinacion de caracteres distintivos, hasta ahora desconocidos; entre ellos, principalmente, los bordes de las aletas dorsales, pectorales, pelvicas y anal que son de color blanco; la distancia internasal, relativamente amplia (3.0 – 3.4 % de LT) y las aletas pelvicas de las hembras inmaduras, asimetricas en forma y tamano (este atributo es el primer registro en todos los elasmobranquios conocidos). Difiere de sus congeneres del Pacifico nororiental (M. californicus, M. dorsalis, M. henlei y M. lunulatus), ademas de los caracteres antes mencionados por las diferencias en el numero de vertebras, la disposicion del cartilago palatocuadrado y de los denticulos bucofaringeos, asi como la forma de los denticulos dermicos que se localizan debajo de la primera aleta dorsal. Esta nueva especie parece ser tipica de la plataforma externa, en profundidades mayores a 100 metros, aparentemente asociada a fondos duros y accidentados. Tal hecho no parece corresponder al patron que tienen las demas formas de este genero, es decir, habitantes de ambientes someros y fondos suaves.
From armed conflict to urban violence: transformations in the International Committee of the Red Cross, international humanitarianism, and the laws of war

The International Committee of the Red Cross traditionally seeks to protect and assist victims of armed conflict. Over the past 10 years, however, the International Committee of the Red Cross and several other major international humanitarian agencies have turned their attention to situations of urban violence that fall short of the international humanitarian law thresholds for armed conflict. This article examines the institutional consequences of expanding the International Committee of the Red Cross mandate to include urban violence, to make a three-fold argument. First, the incorporation of urban violence into its mandate has led to significant and surprising shifts in the organization’s humanitarian boundaries: from eschewing any effort to prevent or reduce conflict and prioritising neutrality and dialogue with all parties to conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross has begun engaging in violence-prevention and violence-reduction activities, compromising its neutrality and limiting dialogue with some armed groups. Second, because the International Committee of the Red Cross is such an important and influential actor in international humanitarianism, these shifts in its boundaries have the potential to transform definitions of humanitarianism. Third, these shifts may serve to undermine the moral authority of the International Committee of the Red Cross to persuade combatants in international humanitarian law contexts to comply with international humanitarian law, irrespective of the rightness or wrongness of their or their opponents’ goals. Ultimately, then, they may erode the distinction between jus ad bellum and jus in bello in the laws of war.
Enhancement of Gasoline Fuel Quality with Commercial Additives to Improve Engine Performance

In this study, a comparison was made to evaluate fuel properties and engine performance when using local gasoline fuel MU0 with two types of commercial fuel optimizer. MU1 (1/200 addition ratio of commercial additive U1 with local gasoline MU0), and MU2 (1/100 addition ratio of commercial additive U2 with local gasoline MU0) was investigated in addition to commercial enhanced gasoline MU3. Local gasoline MU0 has been adopted as a threshold for comparison. Performance tests conducted in a single-cylinder four stroke sparkignition engine using fuel samples (MU0, MU1, MU2, MU3) at engine speed range from 1200 to 2800 rpm with increment of 400 rpm and open throttle valve100% (WOT). The results showed an increased octane number and viscosity of fuel MU1 by about (3.49%, 16.92%) respectively, and reduction in the heating value by about 19.4%, with addition U1. Increase heating value and viscosity of fuel MU2 by about (1.68%, 22.31%), with addition U2. As well as, increase brake power by about (4%, 16%) at 2800 rpm with MU2 and MU3 respectively compared to local gasoline MU0. In addition, brake specific fuel consumption reduced with fuel MU3 and increased with (MU1, MU2). The brake thermal efficiency was enhanced with fuel MU1 and MU3 and the better improvement obtained for MU1 by about 22.47% at 2400 rpm.
CEO Implicit Motives: Their Impact on Firm Performance

Using 4,838 annual CEO letters to shareholders for 397 S&P 500 companies from the period 1993 to 2010, this paper examines how CEO implicit motives impact a firm's financial performance. The results show that after controlling for firm and year fixed effects, financial performance increases with a CEO's need for power and decreases with a CEO's need for achievement and need for affiliation. Implicit motives play a significant role in the determination of what makes each CEO unique, and they have persistent effects, even three years after being initially measured. The practical significance of these findings is that firms should carefully consider implicit motives when selecting a CEO. Boards of directors would do well to consider CEO implicit motives as part of their corporate governance “best practices. ” Institutional/retail investors may be able to use CEO letters as a useful source of information for making investment decisions.