Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concentration, Spatial Distribution, Contamination Degree and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Urban Soils across China between 2003 and 2019—A Systematic Review

This study provides an overview of the studies of heavy metal pollution regarding As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni in the urban soils throughout 71 cities of China, based on data from online literature, during the period 2003–2019. The concentrations, spatial distributions, contamination degrees and health risks of heavy metals in the urban soils were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the mean values of eight heavy metals all exceeded the soil background values in China, and the kriging interpolation method showed that the hot-spot cities with heavy metal contamination in urban soils were mainly concentrated in the southwest, southcentral, southeast coast, northcentral and northwest regions of China. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated that Hg and Cd were at moderate contamination levels and that the levels of the other six metals did not appear contamination. The pollution index (PI) showed that Cd and Hg reached high contamination levels, and the other metals reached moderate contamination levels. The integrated pollution index (IPI) and potential ecological risk index (PRI) indicated that the integral urban soils in the study areas ranked high contamination levels and moderate ecological risk degree, respectively, and Cd and Hg should be labeled as priority metals for control in the urban soils around China. The human health risk assessments for the heavy metals indicated that ingestion was the dominant exposure pathway for having adverse effects on human health. The mean Hazard index (HI) values of eight heavy metals all showed that adverse effects on human health were unlikely, and the mean carcinogenic (CR) values of As, Cr and Ni for children and adults all suggested an acceptable carcinogenic risk to human beings. In addition, children exposed to these heavy metals faced more serious non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health threats compared to adults. The results could provide valuable information for demanding the better control of heavy metal pollution and mitigation of the adverse effects on residents by environmental regulators in national urban regions.
A single micropyle in the eggs of the most basal living actinopterygian fish, Polypterus (Actinopterygii, Polypteriformes)

Breeding of Polypterus, the most basal living actinopterygian, provided the opportunity to study the surface structure of its eggs with SEM for the first time. The investigation revealed the previously overlooked presence of a micropyle at the animal egg pole, thus rejecting recent textbook belief that the eggs of Polypterus slack a micropyle. Comparison with data for other gnathostomes demonstrates that eggs with a micropyle are a further synapomorphy for Actinopterygii and confirm membership of the Cladistia in that group.
Sendai Virus, a Strong Inducer of Anti-Lentiviral State in Ovine Cells

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are widely spread in the ovine and caprine populations, causing an incurable disease affecting animal health and production. Vaccine development is hindered owing to the high genetic heterogeneity of lentiviruses and the selection of T-cell and antibody escape mutants, requiring antigen delivery optimization. Sendai virus (SeV) is a respiratory paramyxovirus in mice that has been recognized as a potent inducer of innate immune responses in several species, including mouse and human. The aim of this study was to stimulate an innate antiviral response in ovine cells and evaluate the potential inhibitory effect upon small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infections. Ovine alveolar macrophages (AMs), blood-derived macrophages (BDMs), and skin fibroblasts (OSFs) were stimulated through infection with SeV encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). SeV efficiently infected ovine cells, inducing an antiviral state in AM from SRLV naturally-infected animals, as well as in in vitro SRLV-infected BDM and OSF from non-infected animals. Supernatants from SeV-infected AM induced an antiviral state when transferred to fresh cells challenged with SRLV. Similar to SRLV, infectivity of an HIV-1-GFP lentiviral vector was also restricted in ovine cells infected with SeV. In myeloid cells, an M1-like proinflammatory polarization was observed together with an APOBEC3Z1 induction, among other lentiviral restriction factors. Our observations may boost new approximations in ameliorating the SRLV burden by stimulation of the innate immune response using SeV-based vaccine vectors.
Tricin Isolated from Enzyme-Treated Zizania latifolia Extract Inhibits IgE-Mediated Allergic Reactions in RBL-2H3 Cells by Targeting the Lyn/Syk Pathway

Tricin, a flavone present in rice bran, is confirmed as the major efficacious compound present in the enzyme-treated Zizania latifolia extract (ETZL), which protects against UVB-induced skin-aging. However, the suppressive mechanism of tricin on allergic responses remains unknown. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the mechanisms of tricin and ETZL on mast cell degranulation in IgE-activated rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3) cells. We investigated the regulatory effects of tricin and ETZL on degranulation, production of cytokines and lipid mediators, and signaling proteins involved in the IgE-bound high-affinity IgE receptor activation, mitogen-activated protein kinase, arachidonic acid and Syk. The production of β–hexosaminidase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4, leukotrienes (LT) B4, LTC4 and prostaglandin E2 in IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells were significantly inhibited by exposure to tricin or ETZL. Moreover, tricin and ETZL inhibit the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, p38, JNK, protein kinase Cδ and phospholipase Cγ1 were effectively suppressed by both samples. Exposure to tricin or ETZL also significantly decreases the phosphorylation of Lyn and Syk, but has minimal effect on Fyn. Taken together, our data indicate that tricin and ETZL are potential anti-allergic materials that could be applied for the prevention of allergy-related diseases.
Screening for Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.) Germplasm Using Germination and Seedling Traits under Simulated Drought Conditions

Maize is known to be susceptible to drought stress, which negatively affects vegetative growth and biomass production, as well as the formation of reproductive organs and yield parameters. In this study, 27 responsive traits of germination (G) and seedlings growth were evaluated for 40 accessions of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) germplasm collection, under no stress and simulated drought stress treatments by 10%, 15%, and 20% of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The three treatments significantly reduced G% and retarded seedlings growth, particularly the 15% and 20% PEG treatments; these two treatments also resulted in a significant increase of abnormal seedlings (AS). The heritability (H2) and correlations of the traits were estimated, and drought tolerance indices (DTIs) were calculated for traits and accessions. The H2 of G% values were reduced, and H2 for AS% increased as the PEG stress increased. Positive correlations were found between most trait pairs, particularly shoot and root traits, with 48 highly significant correlations under no stress and 25 highly significant correlations under the 10% PEG treatments, particularly for shoot and root traits. The medium to high heritability of shoot and root seedling traits provides a sound basis for further genetic analyses. PCA analysis clearly grouped accessions with high DTIs together and the accessions with low DTIs together, indicating that the DTI indicates the stress tolerance level of maize germplasm. However, the resemblance in DTI values does not clearly reflect the origin or taxonomic assignments to subspecies and varieties of the examined accessions.
Avaliação hematologica de caprinos exóticos e nativos no semi-árido paraibano

O presente experimento foi conduzido na Estacao Experimental de Pendencia, pertencente a Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuaria da Paraiba S.A. (EMEPA), localizada no municipio de Soledade -PB, na microrregiao do Curimatau Ocidental, Semi-arido da Paraiba. Objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar uma avaliacao hematologica de caprinos exoticos e nativos criados no Semi-arido paraibano. Foram utilizadas 40 femeas das racas Boer, Savana, Anglo-Nubiana e Moxoto, sendo 10 de cada raca, com idade media de cinco meses, distribuidos num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repeticoes, criadas em sistema semi-intensivo. Foram registradas as variaveis ambientais na sombra e no sol as 9:00 e as 15:00 horas, com auxilio de termometros de maxima e minima temperaturas, bulbo seco e bulbo umido e de globo negro, e determinado o indice de temperatura do globo negro e umidade (ITGU), na sombra e no sol. Para a realizacao da hematimetria e leucometria foram coletadas amostras de 5 mL de sangue de cada animal, em tubo a vacuo com anticoagulante. A analise de variância revelou efeito de raca para os seguintes parâmetros hematologicos: eritrocitos, hematocrito e hemoglobina. Para o numero de eritrocitos houve diferenca significativa entre as racas Savana, Anglo-Nubiana e Moxoto, mas a raca Boer nao diferiu em relacao as racas Savana e Anglo-Nubiana. Houve efeito significativo para a variavel leucocitos, tendo as racas Savana e Moxoto diferido das racas Boer e Anglo-Nubiana. Embora fatores como raca e ambiente influenciem sobre os parâmetros hematologicos, todas as racas apresentaram medias dentro dos limites normais para a especie, demonstrando estarem bem adaptadas as condicoes climaticas do semi-arido.
Total Worker Health® Needs Assessment to Identify Workplace Mental Health Interventions in Rural and Urban Jails.

IMPORTANCE Jail officers are an underserved population of public safety workers at high risk for developing chronic mental health conditions. OBJECTIVE In response to national calls for the examination of stressors related to the unique work contexts of correctional facilities, we implemented a pilot study informed by the Total Worker Health® (TWH) strategy at two urban and two rural jails. DESIGN Participatory teams guided areas of interest for a mixed-data needs assessment, including surveys with 320 jail officers to inform focus groups (N = 40). SETTING Urban and rural jails in the midwestern United States. PARTICIPANTS Jail correctional officers and sheriff's deputies employed at participating jails. MEASURES We measured mental health characteristics using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Mental Health scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and the two-item Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Constructs to identify workplace characteristics included emotional support, work-family conflict, dangerousness, health climate, organizational operations, effectiveness of training, quality of supervision, and organizational fairness. RESULTS On the basis of general population estimates, we found that jail officers were at higher risk for mental health disorders, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Jail officers identified workplace health interventions to address individual-, interpersonal-, institutional-, and community-level needs. CONCLUSION Implementation of a TWH needs assessment in urban and rural jails to identify evidence-informed, multilevel interventions was found to be feasible. Using this assessment, we identified specific workplace health protection and promotion solutions. WHAT THIS ARTICLE ADDS Results from this study support the profession's vision to influence policies, environments, and systems through collaborative work. This TWH study has implications for practice and research by addressing mental health needs among jail officers and by providing practical applications to create evidence-informed, tailored interventions to promote workplace health in rural and urban jails.
Foliar Elemental Analysis of Brazilian Crops via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Foliar analysis is very important for the nutritional management of crops and as a supplemental parameter for soil fertilizer recommendation. The elemental composition of plants is traditionally obtained by laboratory-based methods after acid digestion of ground and sieved leaf samples. This analysis is time-consuming and generates toxic waste. By comparison, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry is a promising technology for rapid characterization of plants, eliminating such constraints. This worked aimed to assess the pXRF performance for elemental quantification of leaf samples from important Brazilian crops. For that, 614 samples from 28 plant species were collected across different regions of Brazil. Ground and sieved samples were analyzed after acid digestion (AD), followed by quantification via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to determine the concentration of macronutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu). The same plant nutrients were directly analyzed on ground leaf samples via pXRF. Four certified reference materials (CRMs) for plants were used for quality assurance control. Except for Mg, a very strong correlation was observed between pXRF and AD for all plant-nutrients and crops. The relationship between methods was nutrient- and crop-dependent. In particular, eucalyptus displayed optimal correlations for all elements, except for Mg. Opposite to eucalyptus, sugarcane showed the worst correlations for all the evaluated elements, except for S, which had a very strong correlation coefficient. Results demonstrate that for many crops, pXRF can reasonably quantify the concentration of macro- and micronutrients on ground and sieved leaf samples. Undoubtedly, this will contribute to enhance crop management strategies concomitant with increasing food quality and food security.
NITROGEN RUNOFF AND LEACHING LOSSES IN BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS UNDER TWO DIFFERENT STOCKING RATES IN SOUTHERN CHILE

En la Region de los Lagos de Chile se produce el 60% de la leche y el 45% de la carne del pais, esperandose un aumento de la produccion en un futuro cercano. Existe escasa informacion local sobre los impactos ambientales de esta creciente produccion agropecuaria. Un experimento de campo fue llevado a cabo durante el 2004 para medir las perdidas de nitrogeno (N) por lixiviacion y arrastre superficial en sistemas de produccion de carne de la zona basados en el pastoreo. Para el pastoreo se utilizo terneros Holstein-Friesian de 220 kg de peso vivo inicial, organizados en dos tratamientos con cargas de 3,5 y 5 terneros ha-1. Las muestras de agua fueron colectadas durante 6,5 meses con lisimetros superficiales y capsulas ceramicas, y analizadas para nitrato y amonio. Las perdidas totales de N fueron calculadas como el producto de la concentracion de N en las muestras y la cantidad de drenaje disponible, para cada fecha de muestreo. Se observo diferencias significativas en las perdidas totales de N entre los dos tratamientos (11,1 y 29,9 kg N ha-1, respectivamente; P=0.05). La principal via de perdida de N fue la lixiviacion, la cual contribuyo con un 99% del total de N perdido (P=0.05). El nitrato fue la principal forma para la perdida de N por arrastre (71%) y lixiviacion (99%). La concentracion promedio de nitrato en los lixiviados estuvo siempre bajo el limite de la Directiva de la Union Europea. Sin embargo, la concentracion de nitrato en muestras de arrastre tuvo un maximo de 116 ± 13.8 y 82 ± 22.4 mg L-1 para los tratamientos de 3.5 y 5 terneros ha-, respectivamente. Bajo las condiciones experimentales estudiadas, las perdidas de N desde sistemas de produccion de carne fueron bajas. Esto fue relacionado con la baja cantidad de N aplicado como fertilizantes, y las propiedades fisicas y quimicas de suelos volcanicos
Effects of High-Frequency Pulsed-DC Electrofishing on a Wild Brown Trout Population

Abstract I determined the effects of annual exposure to high-frequency (>800 Hz), pulsed-DC electrofishing on the occurrence of spinal injuries, growth, size structure, and population density of wild brown trout Salmo trutta in a high-alkalinity stream in central Pennsylvania. I compared population statistics of brown trout in a section (section A) of Spruce Creek that was electrofished annually from 1985 to 1996 with those in another section (section B) that was electrofished annually from 1985 to 1991 and again in 1996. The frequency of spinal injuries of brown trout in section A (43.6%) was not significantly higher than that in section B (38.0%). The frequency of spinal injuries in angled brown trout from another section of Spruce Creek that had never been exposed to electrofishing was 15.5%. Median lengths of brown trout (ages 1–3) in section A were greater than those of brown trout in section B. Relative weights of brown trout in section B were higher than those in section A only in 1996, but these d.
Photoluminescence of ZnO Nanowires: A Review

One-dimensional ZnO nanostructures (nanowires/nanorods) are attractive materials for applications such as gas sensors, biosensors, solar cells, and photocatalysts. This is due to the relatively easy production process of these kinds of nanostructures with excellent charge carrier transport properties and high crystalline quality. In this work, we review the photoluminescence (PL) properties of single and collective ZnO nanowires and nanorods. As different growth techniques were obtained for the presented samples, a brief review of two popular growth methods, vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) and hydrothermal, is shown. Then, a discussion of the emission process and characteristics of the near-band edge excitonic emission (NBE) and deep-level emission (DLE) bands is presented. Their respective contribution to the total emission of the nanostructure is discussed using the spatial information distribution obtained by scanning transmission electron microscopy−cathodoluminescence (STEM-CL) measurements. Also, the influence of surface effects on the photoluminescence of ZnO nanowires, as well as the temperature dependence, is briefly discussed for both ultraviolet and visible emissions. Finally, we present a discussion of the size reduction effects of the two main photoluminescent bands of ZnO. For a wide emission (near ultra-violet and visible), which has sometimes been attributed to different origins, we present a summary of the different native point defects or trap centers in ZnO as a cause for the different deep-level emission bands.
The Terahertz Dynamics of an Aqueous Nanoparticle Suspension: An Inelastic X-ray Scattering Study

We used the high-resolution Inelastic X-ray Scattering beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to measure the terahertz spectrum of pure water and a dilute aqueous suspension of 15 nm diameter spherical Au nanoparticles (Au-NPs). We observe that, despite their sparse volume concentration of about 0.5%, the immersed NPs strongly influence the collective molecular dynamics of the hosting liquid. We investigate this effect through a Bayesian inference analysis of the spectral lineshape, which elucidates how terahertz transport properties of water change upon Au-NP immersion. In particular, we observe a nearly complete disappearance of the longitudinal acoustic mode and a mildly decreased ability to support shear wave propagation.
Radiometric Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis of KOMPSAT-3A Using the Reflectance-Based Method

In recent years, Korea has sustained consistent access to remote sensed data by launching Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-3A (KOMPSAT-3A, K3A)—an updated version of the high-resolution KOMPSAT series. This KOMPSAT-3A required calibration and validation (Cal/Val) before and after its launch to enable proper functional characterization and to maintain the veracity of data collected. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) executed the initial prelaunch calibration in the laboratory and we performed the Cal/Val of KOMPSAT-3A during the Launch and Early Operation Phase (LEOP) in the field. Two suitable sites in Korea and Mongolia with stable weather, almost uniform terrain, and near Lambertian diffusion, provided the necessary tarp reflectance to calculate the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients. The surface reflectance was determined using 12 and four well-calibrated reference reflectance tarps employing the FieldSpec® 3(Analytical Spectral Devices Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) Spectroradiometer. Subsequently, the top of atmosphere (TOA) radiance was estimated using radiative transfer code (RTC) software based on the Atmospheric and Topographic Correction (ATCOR). In addition, cross calibration was simultaneously performed at the Libya-4 pseudo invariant calibration site (PICS) for KOMPSAT-3A TOA radiance, using the spectral band adjustment factor (SBAF) compensated Landsat 8 reflectance and the Second Simulation of Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S) to compute cross calibration coefficients. The results of the KOMPSAT-3A absolute calibration coefficient show that the R2 values were over 0.99, implying a significant correlation for almost all bands between the TOA radiance and the KOMPSAT-3A spectral band response at both campaign sites. However, this study reveals a difference of less than 5% calibration gains for all bands compared to the prelaunch values, while the cross calibration gain is below 5% in visible bands and above 5% in the near infrared band. An effort to optimize the reliability of the absolute calibration coefficients resorted to the rigorous quantification of uncertainties amongst atmospheric conditions, the digital number (DN), the reflectance tarp, the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), and ozone levels. Therefore, we presumed that the total uncertainty was 4.27%, which conforms to some published results.
Spaced Retrieval and Episodic Memory Training in Alzheimer’s Disease

Introduction This study replicated and extended the findings from the author's previous pilot study to further explore how a spaced retrieval (SR) memory training program might be effectively applied to help persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) improve both short- and long-term recall of recent episodic events. Methods A quasi-experimental within-subject group study was conducted with 15 participants with a diagnosis of AD. Results Compared to a control condition, all participants were able to spontaneously recall significantly more specific details about trained events, and their recall was significantly enhanced when they were provided with cues. Although the findings indicated that people with AD were able to encode information during training, recall gains diminished by the end of the maintenance period. Discussion This study provides evidence that individuals with mild to moderate AD can learn and recall new episodic information through SR training. These findings support the use of SR as an intervention tool to help individuals maintain their functioning in episodic recent memory. However, more research into maintaining the long-term recall of recent episodic events is warranted.