Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Observations on the Last Pterocarya (Juglandaceae) Occurrences in Eastern North America

Premise of research. Pterocarya (Juglandaceae) was widespread in the Cenozoic of the Northern Hemisphere, including western and eastern North America, but presently survives only in the Caucasus Mountains and eastern Asia. We describe two macrofossil fruit occurrences, one from the Miocene of Maryland and one from the Pliocene of Alabama. These augment existing palynological evidence of its survival in eastern North America to the Pliocene. We also explore hypotheses for its demise in what should have been a promising modern-day refugium. Methodology. The morphology of both fossils was observed using a dissecting microscope, and characters of extant and previously described fossil species of Pterocarya, both from the literature and from living specimens, were examined. Measurements of wing size and fruit size were made with imaging software to establish a wing-to-fruit ratio. Pivotal results. The fossils from the Miocene of Maryland can be assigned to Pterocarya section Platyptera, aff. P. rhoifolia, of Japan. The new Pterocarya fruit from the Pliocene of Alabama cannot be assigned to a modern section. It possesses an abnormally large nut and the lowest wing-to-fruit ratio of any living or fossil species. We describe this fruit as P. magnifructa, a new species. Conclusions. Pterocarya was a common constituent of the Miocene flora of the mid-Atlantic coast but became restricted to southeastern North America in the Pliocene, where it was apparently less common. The size and wing-to-fruit ratio of the Pliocene specimen suggest that it may have been evolving toward biotic dispersal, perhaps in response to climate change and/or competition from the radiating diversity of accompanying Carya species.
Analytical Determination and Influence Analysis of Stiffness Matrix of Ball Bearing under Different Load Conditions

Bearing stiffness, as one of the most important service characteristics for ball bearing, plays a crucial role in the bearing design and rotor dynamic analysis. To rapidly and accurately calculate the stiffness matrix of ball bearing under the arbitrary load conditions, a 5-DOF analytical model for bearing stiffness matrix analysis has been established by the ball–raceway contact analysis, implicit/explicit differential method, and matrix operations. The model has been validated comparing with the previous methods and experimental results. Based on this, the model has been used to investigate the influences of the load and operation conditions, the structural parameters variation on stiffness of ball bearing. The results show that property increasing axial preload can inhibit the attenuation of speed-varying stiffness, and the contact states between balls and raceways also have significant influence on the change in the stiffness of ball bearings. Besides, a larger curvature coefficient of inner raceway and a small curvature coefficient of outer raceway can effectively improve the stiffness of ball bearing at high speed. Therefore, the proposed method can be a useful tool in bearing optimize design and performance analysis of ball and rotor system under various load conditions.
Describing Non-selective Gas Sensors Behaviour via Logical Rules

This work presents an ongoing research aimed at interpreting the responses of non-selective gas sensors (such as metal oxide resistive ones) in terms of simple IF THEN rules. In particular, it is shown how a logical combination of the output of three extremely low-cost sensors, namely MQ131, MQ136 and TGS2602, can be arranged to produce IF THEN inferences able to discriminate among CO, SO2 and NH3 emissions. The outcome is quantitatively similar to that obtained with high-selective and costly chemical sensors. The experimental results, albeit grounding on an empirical base, seem to support the idea that smart compositions of low-cost sensors are able to manifest surprising discrimination abilities.
Impact Analysis of Education in Emergency (EiE): A Case of Wangduechhoeling Lower Secondary School, Bhutan

This paper closely examines the impact of Education in Emergency (EiE) amid the pandemic in Wangduechhoeling Lower Secondary School (WLSS), under Bumthang district, Bhutan. The study also tries to look into how each pupil can exercise a right to learn during the pandemic despite their family background. It touches upon several aspects such as learning progress of the students, learning gaps, and its contingency programs. It further highlights how students’ parents would play a parental role in providing spontaneous learning space and time. And this case study assesses the effectiveness of the implementing EiE programs in the school. Using the central limit theorem (CLT), we analyzed the data from 30 percent of the population (180 students and 90 parents). The findings of the study revealed that most students had responded that online learning was effective. 94.4 percent of the students responded that learning through EiE was effective, and 88.8 percent of the students enjoy EiE lessons. However, 36.6 percent of the students responded that they faced difficulty in using different learning forums. 96.6 percent of the students had textbooks with them, 81.1 percent of teachers assessed tasks given through Television, Radio, Self-Instructional Materials (SIM) lessons. The findings also indicated that 81.6 percent of the parents had been supportive in their children’s learning. Due to emergence of COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent closure of the school, 57.7 percent of students’ interest towards learning was affected. On other hand, the study depicted that 97.7 percent of students were excited to return to school as and when reopens. In addition, the study revealed that while 64 percent of the students had availed 60 percent special data packages discount, 55.7 percent of them had not availed it.
Sex hormones and cortisol during experimental trauma memory consolidation: Prospective association with intrusive memories

ABSTRACT Background Trauma- and stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are more common in females than in males. Sex hormones affect learning and emotional memory formation and may be associated with the development of PTSD. Most previous studies have indexed these hormones in isolation. Objectives: To investigate associations of sex hormones and cortisol during memory consolidation on the development of intrusive memories. Methods: We employed an experimental trauma film paradigm in 61 healthy women and indexed salivary testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, and cortisol on day one and day two post experimental trauma exposure and their effects on intrusion frequency, distress, and vividness. Intrusive trauma memories were indexed by means of a diary in which participants documented intrusion frequency, distress, and vividness. Results and conclusion: Participants reported an average of 5.3 intrusions over the course of seven days (SD = 4.6, range 0-26). Progesterone, and estradiol indexed on day one predicted intrusion frequency, with higher progesterone and lower estradiol predicting more intrusive memories (p-values AUC progesterone 0.01 and estradiol 0.02). There was no evidence for associations between hormone concentration indices on day two and intrusion outcomes. Further research on the roles of gonadal and adrenal hormones in trauma memory formation is needed to advance our efforts to understand their influence on PTSD development. HIGHLIGHTS We examined effects of sex hormones and cortisol post-experimental trauma on intrusive memories. Progesterone and estradiol indexed on day one were associated with intrusion frequency. No significant association between hormones on day two and intrusive memory outcomes emerged
Comparative evaluation of three nanofilled resin-based dental composites: Cytotoxicity, surface roughness, and flexural properties

The clinical performance of dental composite restoration and its overall success are the result of physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the filling materials. The present study aimed to evaluate surface roughness, flexural properties, and cytotoxicity of two nanohybrids, namely, MI Gracefil and Herculite Ultra, and one nanoceramic dental resin composite DiamondLite. The surface roughness was assessed in two different grinding conditions. Flexural properties were measured by, the three-point bending test and the specimens’ fractured surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Weibull analysis was performed on the flexural strength data to determine the composites’ reliability. The cytotoxicity test was conducted on MC3T3-E1 cells by the MTS assay. The results showed that grinding conditions had a significant effect on all nanocomposites' surface roughness (p < .05). Herculite Ultra had a significantly higher flexural strength (125.8 MPa) and flexural modulus (9.8 GPa) as compared to other two nanocomposites (p < .05). Further, cytotoxicity results indicated that DiamondLite had the lowest cell viability during the incubation period (p < .05). The current study, therefore, concluded that the evaluated nanocomposites showed satisfactory surface roughness. Herculite Ultra flexural properties and Weibull modulus results make it a reliable choice for direct restorations. The cell viability results also showed that all three nanocomposites had moderate cytotoxicity, making them acceptable for direct application in the mouth.
Models of the Relationships between Egg Dimension and Egg Quality of Alabio Duck

This research aimed to establish the relationship models between the length and width of Alabio duck (Anas platyrhynchos Borneo) eggs and the weight of eggshells, albumen, and yolk. Data were collected from 500 eggs and were further examined using Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. The results showed that egg length was positively correlated with eggshell, albumen, and yolk weights (r=0.28, 0.53, 0.52, respectively; P<0.05). These results were lower than the correlation between egg width and eggshell, albumen, and yolk weights (r=0.46, 0.66, 0.46, respectively; P<0.05). Egg length (x1) and egg width (x2) conjointly had a significant relationship with the weight of shell, albumen, and yolk, with a model of y = -2.59 + 0.34x1 + 0.15 x2 (R2=0.23; P<0.05); y = -51.98 + 0.49x1 + 2.06 x2 (R2=0.56; P<0.05); and y = -32.43 + 0.45x1 + 0.63x2 (R2=0.38; P<0.05), respectively. It was concluded that the length and width of Alabio duck eggs offer the potential to estimate albumen and yolk's weight.
Coupling Contraction-expansion Arrays with Spiral Microchannels to Enhance Microfluidic-Based Particle/Cell Separation

In the field of microfluidic inertial-based focusing of suspended particles, no research has been conducted to bring together two of the main directions of research, trapezoid spiral microchannels and contraction-expansion array (CEA)s. This paper addresses that gap by investigating two proposed CEAs (smooth and abrupt) inside a spiral channel compared to a uniform cross-section design at three different flow rates (i.e. 3, 6, and . The conservation equations of mass and momentum with a Lagrangian’-Eulerian (LE) approach are solved in OpenFOAM, using a four-way coupling between the phases. The results indicate that adding smooth transition CEAs to spiral microchannels, at a nominal flow rate , decreases the focusing duration (by about 29%) and the cell lysis probability (by about 52%) while keeping the separation efficiency high (nearly 100%). Overall, this study opens a promising new, integrated direction for passive microfluidic focusing of particles.
Hepatoprotective Potentials of Some Emerging Indian Medicinal Plants

When more organs are added to the vertebrate system, metabolites such as bile are generated, as well as glycogen, which is then detoxified and liver proteins are made. Because of the effect on the hepatic control system, you may have some severe difficulties with your general functioning if you have liver failure. Our present emphasis is on controlling the liver’s adverse effects, particularly the damage to hepatic tissues caused by conventional medications. We also went through individual signs and symptoms of liver disease, such as lipid catabolism, concurrent viral hepatitis, retained cell water, catabolism, and fibrosis and inflammation, all over the liver, in the liver, and excess, as well as inflammation and liver sickness, in particular. Different plant extracts (such as flavonoids, tannins, and vitamins) that have hepatoprotective properties, as well as the components that contribute to them, are discussed in this review article
Quality of the Human–Animal Bond and Mental Wellbeing During a COVID-19 Lockdown

ABSTRACT Companion animal ownership has been associated with a wide variety of physical and psychological health benefits. The extent to which a person gains any welfare advantages from the animal in their care, however, may be related to a wide variety of factors, one of which is the quality of the human–animal relationship. Thus far, little attention has been devoted to the role of attachment to one's companion animal on psychological wellbeing during a global pandemic, a time when mental health has been shown to be extremely poor. Therefore this study aimed to explore the relationship between the quality of the companion animal–human bond and mental wellbeing during a period of COVID-19-induced national lockdown in the United Kingdom. A purpose-designed online survey that aimed to measure sociodemographic background, companion animal ownership status, attachment level, and various components of mental wellbeing (depression, loneliness, positive experience, stress) was developed and completed by 249 UK-based adults (146 companion animal owners, 103 non-owners). Analysis revealed no significant relationship between companion animal ownership and any of the mental health outcome measures. Attachment to one's companion animal, however, was found to be a strong predictor of mental wellbeing, with higher bonds of attachment associated with higher levels of depression, loneliness, and lower levels of positive experience. Attachment to one's companion animal was not significantly associated with participants’ stress levels. Overall, findings from this study point to emotional vulnerability in people who are highly attached to their companion animal, although limitations must be borne in mind. This is an area worthy of further exploration, particularly considering the pandemic-induced rise in the number of people who have acquired a companion animal and the increment in mental health problems that has been predicted to emerge from COVID-19.
Long-term administration of a commercial supplement enriched with bioactive compounds does not affect feed intake, health status, and growth performances in beef cattle

Abstract Feed additives including natural bioactive compounds (BCs) in combination with vitamin E (VitE) and organic Se could mitigate animal stress associated with intensive livestock farming due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Yeast and yeast derivate are included in feed additives as probiotic products and digestion promoters. Scutellaria baicalensis is a source of bioactive compounds and has been tested in monogastrics, exhibiting many immunostimulating and hepato-protective activities. However, the literature lacks information regarding S. baicalensis effects on beef cattle performance and health status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact on beef cattle's feed intake, health and oxidative status, and growth performances of the inclusion of a commercial supplement (CS) containing VitE, organic Se, yeast derivate, and S. baicalensis extract during the fattening and finishing period. A total of 143 Charolaise male cattle were allotted into 12 pens of 11–12 animals each and assigned to a control ( 463.9±21.48 body weight – BW) or a treated ( 469.8±17.91 BW) group. Each group included two replicates of three pens. The treated groups were supplemented with 20 gCSanimal-1d-1 . Feed intake was measured monthly on a pen base during two consecutive days. Total mixed ration and fecal samples were collected at three time points (monthly, from November to February) and pooled by replicate for the analyses to monitor digestibility. Blood samples were individually collected at the beginning and at the end of the trial for oxidative status and metabolic profile determination. Final BW and carcass weight were individually recorded to calculate average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yield. Similar feed digestibility between groups were observed during the whole experiment. Feed intake, growth performances, final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion rate, oxidative status, and metabolic profile were not affected by the dietary inclusion of the tested CS indicating no detrimental effect of the treatment. Different doses of this product should be tested in the future in order to provide a more complete report on the product efficacy.
Evaluation of the effectiveness and tolerability of sunitinib and pazopanib in the first line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Introduction. It is known that sunitinib and pazopanib are effective in the first-line and subsequent treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of sunitinib and pazopanib in the first-line treatment of mRCC. Material and methods. This study included 78 patients followed up in our clinic due to a diagnosis of mRCC, who received pazopanib or sunitinib treatment between 2006 and 2020. Along with clinical and laboratory findings, survival times obtained with each treatment and medication side effects were assessed. Sunitinib and pazopanib were compared in terms of effectiveness (ORR, PFS and OS) and tolerability. Results: The patients’ median age at diagnosis was 55 years (25–81). In the first-line treatment, 54 patients (69.2%) received sunitinib and 24 (30.8%) received pazopanib. The comparison of sunitinib and pazopanib yielded an ORR of 66.7% vs. 45.8% (p = 0.08), PFS of 24 months vs. 19 months (p = 0.66) and OS of 27 months vs. 30 months (p = 0.73), respectively. The most common side effect was hypothyroidism in those on sunitinib (25.9%) and nausea-vomiting in those on pazopanib (41.7%). In our study, hemoglobin ≥ 13 g/dL, an ECOG PS of 0–1 and the occurrence of hypothyroidism as a medication side effect were found to be predictive factors of PFS for both agents. An International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium score corresponding to the poor risk group was associated with a poor PFS. Conclusions: This study, which provides current real-world data, confirms that sunitinib and pazopanib have similar effectiveness and side-effect profiles in the first-line treatment of mRCC.
The Future Extreme Temperature under RCP8.5 Reduces the Yields of Major Crops in Northern Peninsular of Southeast Asia

This study explores the impact of rising near-future temperatures on crop yields, particularly rice and maize, in northern Thailand between 2020 and 2029. The potential for high temperatures in northern Thailand between 2020 and 2029 under the Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario indicates that Thailand experienced hot trends between 2020 and 2029 as measured by the annual maximum value of daily maximum temp (TXx), annual minimum value of daily maximum temp (TXn), annual minimum value of daily minimum temp (TNn), and annual maximum value of daily minimum temp (TNx). Northern Thailand had the most dramatic changes in TXn and TNn. Furthermore, TXn levels were found to be significantly higher in northern Thailand. The number of days when TX < 10th percentile (TX10p) intensity decreased, while the number of days with TN < 10th percentile (TN10p) intensity was increasing. The number of days when TN > 90th percentile (TX90p) has become increasingly rare in northern Thailand. The TN90p was dropping in northern Thailand, whereas the Warm Spell Duration Index (WSDI) was growing. Additionally, the cold spell duration index (CSDI) continues to decline. This indicates that the heat persistence index is increasing in northern Thailand. Temperature rises are the most likely to have a detrimental impact on agricultural production, and climate models can predict regional temperature changes with more precision than precipitation. Throughout the planting season (June-December), average yearly temperatures in rice and maize growing areas have climbed by 0.5–0.6°C. The impact estimates for maize and rice are generally negative, that is, −10 ± 4.6% per °C and −8 ± 3.5% per °C, respectively.
Mask industry assessment trend analysis 2006

Microelectronics industry leaders routinely name the cost and cycle time of mask technology and mask supply as top critical issues. A survey was created with support from SEMATECH and administered by SEMI North America to gather information about the mask industry as an objective assessment of its overall condition. This year's survey data was presented at BACUS and a detailed trend analysis is presented here. The annual survey is designed with the input of semiconductor company mask technologists, merchant mask suppliers and industry equipment makers. This year's assessment is the fifth in the current series of annual reports. With continued industry support the report can be used as a baseline to gain perspective on the technical and business status of the mask and microelectronics industries. The report will continue to serve as a valuable reference to identify trends in the mask industry. The results will be used to guide future investments on critical path issues. This year's survey is basically the same as the 2005 survey. Questions are grouped into categories: General Business Profile Information, Data Processing, Yields and Yield Loss, Mechanisms, Delivery Times, Returns and Services, Operating Cost Factors, and Equipment Utilization. Within each category is a multitude of questions that create a detailed profile of both the business and technical status of the critical mask industry. Note: the questions covering operating cost factors and equipment utilization were only added to the survey in 2005; therefore meaningful trend analysis is not yet available.
Detection of Plant Water Stress Using Leaf Temperature and Microclimatic Measurements in Almond, Walnut, and Grape Crops

Abstract. A mobile sensor suite was developed and evaluated to predict plant water status by measuring the leaf temperature and microclimatic variables in nut crop trees and grapevines. The sensor suite consists of an infrared thermometer to measure leaf temperature along with other relevant sensors to measure microclimatic variables. The sensor suite was successfully evaluated in commercial orchards in the Sacramento Valley of California on three orchard crops, i.e., almond (Prunus dulcis), walnut (Juglans regia), and grape (Vitis vinifera), for both sunlit and shaded leaves. Stepwise linear regression models developed for shaded leaf temperature yielded coefficient of multiple determination values of 0.90, 0.86, and 0.86 for almond, walnut, and grape crops, respectively. Stem water potential (SWP) was found to be a significant variable in all models. The regression models were used to classify trees into water stressed and unstressed categories. Critical misclassification errors (classifying a water stressed tree as unstressed) for sunlit and shaded leaf models were 8.8% and 5.2% for almond, 5.4% and 6.9% for walnut, and 12.9% and 8.1% for grapevine, respectively. Canonical discriminant analyses were also conducted using the sensor suite data to classify trees into water stressed and unstressed trees with critical misclassification errors for sunlit and shaded leaves of 9.3% and 7.8% for almond, 2.0% and 4.1% for walnut, and 9.6% and 1.6% for grapevine, respectively. These results show the feasibility of the sensor suite to determine plant water status for irrigation management of nut and vineyard crops.