Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 risk governance: drivers, responses and lessons to be learned

Abstract The COVID-19 outbreak was neither unpredictable nor unforeseen, yet it blind-sided policymakers when it emerged, leading to unprecedented global restrictions on human activity and almost certainly triggering the first global economic contraction since WWII. This paper considers the key factors in the eruption of the crisis, as well as the lessons that should be learned from it. The paper begins with an outline of COVID-19’s spread, highlighting six key drivers that have determined its severity: the exponential pace of transmission, global interconnectedness, health-sector capacity, wider state capacity, the economic impact of suppression measures, and fragilities caused by the 2008 financial crisis. The paper then proceeds by considering the steps that have been taken in response to five key challenges, corresponding to elements of the IRGC risk governance framework: technical assessment, risk perception, evaluation, management and communication. While acknowledging that only tentative conclusions can be drawn at this early stage, the paper ends with a series of ten recommendations designed to increase preparedness for future crises.
Spatial variability of soil carbon and water storage across loess deposit catenas in China’s Loess Plateau region

Abstract: The impact of hillslope vegetation restoration on the distribution and variability of carbon and water storage was studied across two catenary sequences of soils in the Liudaogou watershed of China’s Loess Plateau. Soil organic carbon storage (SOCS) under different land uses in the two catenas decreased significantly in the upper soil layers (<50 cm) but was relatively stable in the deeper soil layers (>50 cm). However, soil inorganic carbon storage (SICS) in the two catenas fluctuated (two maxima) with increasing soil depth. There was no significant difference of SOCS within the 200 cm soil profile between forestlands (FO) and grasslands (GR) at the catenary scale (p > 0.05). However, SICS in the 0–200 cm soil profile differed markedly between FO and GR (p < 0.05) in both catenas due to different degrees of root-facilitated CaCO3 redistribution. Based on the coefficient of variance (CV), soil water storage (SWS) was divided into three layers: active layer (0–100 cm, CV = 20%–30%), subactive layer (100–200 cm, CV = 10%–20%), and stable layer (200–500 cm, CV < 10%). The SWS in the 0–500 cm soil profile was slightly higher in GR than in FO on the two slopes because of the higher water consumption under tree plantation than native grasses. SOCS, SICS, and SWS can be predicted by multiple regression equations using different soil properties. The study demonstrated that SOCS, SICS, and SWS respond differently to vegetation restoration at the catenary scale, which must be taken into account for improving ecosystem model predictions of soil carbon and water fluxes in sloping lands.
Predicting Future Intimate Partner Violence with Past Intimate Partner Violence: The Moderating Role of Proactive and Reactive Criminal Thinking

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern with serious consequences for individuals, families, and society in general. In an effort to expand knowledge in this area, this study assessed whether proactive (planned, calculated, amoral) and reactive (impulsive, irresponsible, emotional) criminal thinking mediated or moderated the past IPV–future IPV relationship in 1,238 individuals released from federal prison. Evaluating the indirect effect of past IPV on future IPV via proactive and reactive criminal thinking failed to produce any significant mediated effects. There was evidence, however, of a moderating effect for proactive criminal thinking, such that prior IPV predicted subsequent IPV recidivism only when proactive criminal thinking was elevated. Reactive criminal thinking, by contrast, failed to moderate the past IPV–future IPV relationship. These findings suggest that proactive criminal thinking may serve as a risk factor for future IPV in individuals with a prior history of domestic violence.
The “other” Spanish: Methodological issues in the study of speech timing in Chilean Spanish

This paper is a preliminary account of speech rhythm and some phonological properties of Chilean Spanish in spontaneous dialogues. Different dialects of Spanish have been studied using rhythm metrics measuring the durational variability of vocalic and consonantal intervals. There are, however, methodological issues regarding the segmentation of intervals, often overlooked in previous research, such as the criteria for categorising certain segments into the different intervals and the segmentation of different voice qualities. The present study addresses this gap and compares rhythm metrics obtained using two methods of segmentation based on the available literature. The analyses reveal that a strictly ‘acoustic’ approach to segmentation of intervals results in slightly inflated metrics. Nevertheless, both methods show there is significant durational interval variability in Chilean Spanish, compared to other dialects of Spanish, that may be connected to phonological properties of the variety. this This explores
Algorithmically Controlled Electroporation: A Technique for Closed Loop Temperature Regulated Pulsed Electric Field Cancer Ablation

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a closed-loop temperature based feedback algorithm on ablative outcomes for pulsed electric field treatments. Methods: A 3D tumor model of glioblastoma was used to assess the impact of 2 μs duration bipolar waveforms on viability following exposure to open and closed-loop protocols. Closed-loop treatments evaluated transient temperature increases of 5, 10, 15, or 22 °C above baseline. Results: The temperature controlled ablation diameters were conditionally different than the open-loop treatments and closed-loop treatments generally produced smaller ablations. Closed-loop control enabled the investigation of treatments with steady state 42 °C hyperthermic conditions which were not feasible without active feedback. Baseline closed-loop treatments at 20 °C resulted in ablations measuring 9.9 ± 0.3 mm in diameter while 37 °C treatments were 20% larger (p < 0.0001) measuring 11.8 ± 0.3 mm indicating that this protocol induces a thermally mediated biological response. Conclusion: A closed-loop control algorithm which modulated the delay between successive pulse waveforms to achieve stable target temperatures was demonstrated. Algorithmic control enabled the evaluation of specific treatment parameters at physiological temperatures not possible with open-loop systems due to excessive Joule heating. Significance: Irreversible electroporation is generally considered to be a non-thermal ablation modality and temperature monitoring is not part of the standard clinical practice. The results of this study indicate ablative outcomes due to exposure to pulses on the order of one microsecond may be thermally mediated and dependent on local tissue temperatures. The results of this study set the foundation for experiments in vivo utilizing temperature control algorithms.
Hemolymph Changes Resulting from Injection of Escherichia coli Into the Larvae of the Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The present investigation used Galleria mellonella larvae as an infection model to describe the virulence of Escherichia coli, the most frequent causes of several common bacterial infections in humans and animals. Some hemolymph physical properties such as hemolymph volume - and its relation to body water content, hemolymph density, and pH, along with a quantitative estimation of hemolymph proteins, lipids and carbohydrates were recorded in G. mellonella larvae at different time intervals post-injection with a sub-lethal dose (LD20) of E. coli into the larval hemocoel.A decrease in fresh body weight and body water content with an increase in the hemolymph volume was observed at all time intervals post-larval treatment. This may be due to the loss of tissue water and gained it into the hemolymph. At the same time, bacterial injection decreased the hemolymph density and pH immediately following injection, while the viscosity and acidity of the hemolymph restored its original level with time. The bacterial injection also recorded an obvious decrease in the hemolymph proteins and lipids of the treated larvae at all time intervals post-treatment. This may be due to their elimination and/or their involvement in immune defence reactions or may be due to the intensive consumption and depletion of nutrition during infection. On the contrary, the levels of hemolymph carbohydrates increased at all-time intervals post bacterial injection into larvae. This increase may be due to the release of stored sugars (treehouse) which is responded strikingly due to bacterial infection causing an increase in the level of glucose and glycogen in the hemolymph. These results may lead to a better understanding of the regulatory events and the physiology of infected insects.
Fertilizante mineral e resíduo orgânico sobre características agronômicas da soja e nutrientes no solo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mineral fertilizer NPK associated with the organic waste "poultry litter" on the agronomic characteristics of soybean as well as nutrient levels in the Cambisol. The experiment was carried out in Itutinga, southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in a randomized blocks experimental design with three replications in split-plot. The cultivar used was BRS Favorita RR. The treatments applied to plots consisted on four doses of "poultry litter" (0; 3; 6 and 9 Mg ha-1), applied in the total area. The subplots were the five doses of mineral fertilizer NPK 04-30-10 (0; 100; 200; 300 and 400 kg ha-1), applied to the groove seeding. Fertilization with mineral fertilizers provides an increase in plant and first pod height, number of pods per plant and yield of soybean. Fertilization with organic waste "poultry litter" increases the plant and first pod height, weight of 100 grains, number of pods per plant and yield of soybean, however at higher doses favors the lodging of plants. The use of poultry litter is viable in agronomic and economic terms in the soybean crop. The addition of poultry litter increases the contents of potassium and sulfur in the soil.
γ‐Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in Humans

Abstract: Despite γ‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) therapeutic uses and the increasing concern about its toxicity, few studies have addressed GHB dose‐related effects under controlled administration and their relationship with its pharmacokinetics. The study design was double‐blind, randomized, crossover, and controlled. As a pilot pharmacology phase I study, increasing doses of GHB were given. Single oral sodium GHB doses (40, 50, 60, and 72 mg/kg) were administered to eight volunteers. Plasma and urine were analyzed for GHB by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Physiological effects, psychomotor performance, and subjective effects were examined simultaneously. GHB produced dose‐related changes in subjective effects as measured by questionnaires and VAS. GHB showed a mixed stimulant‐sedative pattern, with initially increased scores in subjective feeling of euphoria, high, and liking followed by mild‐moderate symptoms of sedation with impairment of performance and balance. Mean peak GHB plasma concentrations were 79.1, 83.1, 113.5, and 130.1 μg/L for 40, 50, 60, and 72 mg/kg, respectively. GHB‐mediated physiological and subjective effects were dose dependent and related to GHB plasma concentrations. GHB urinary excretion was mainly related to administered doses. GHB‐mediated subjective and physiological effects seem dose dependent and related to GHB plasma concentrations. Results suggest a high abuse liability of GHB in the range of dose usually consumed.
Influence of the Capture Method on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Myofibrillar Proteins of Fin from Frozen, Stored Squid (Illex argentinus)

ABSTRACT The physicochemical and functional properties of actomyosin from fins of frozen, stored squid caught either by jigging machines (AME1) or by trawling (AME2) were investigated. At time 0 SDS-PAGE, 10% of AMEl and AME2 showed the characteristic polypeptide bands of myofibrillar proteins and two components of 155 kDa and 55 kDa. Both the degradation of the myosin heavy chain and an increase in the 155-kDa component occurred earlier in AME2. Irrespective of the capture method used, no significant changes in protein solubility and a decrease (P < 0.05) in reduced viscosity were observed in both AMEl and AME2. Surface hydrophobicity (SoANS) of AMEl increased (P < 0.05) during the first month of storage and remained unchanged thereafter. The SoANS of AME2 was unchanged. The initial value of SoANS of AME2 was higher than that of AMEl. The emulsion activity index and the emulsion stability of AME2 increased (P < 0.05) during the first month of storage, whereas the emulsion activity index and emulsion stability of AMEl remained unchanged during the frozen storage period. These results indicate that the capture method influences the rate of autolysis and the functional properties of myofibrillar proteins of fin from frozen, stored squid.
Paleolimnological Evidence of Early Eutrophication in Lake Erie

Data obtained on diatom remains found in a core taken from the central Basin of Lake Erie have allowed the reinterpretation of the observed changes in the lake in the light of the existing literature, new data, and some new ideas on the operation of planktonic ecosystems. The basic conclusion is that Lake Erie has exhibited mesotrophic to eutrophic conditions, at least in parts, since approximately 1850, and that the initial disturbance to the lake's metabolism was the most important one. In common with other planktonic ecosystems, Lake Erie exhibits some long-term fluctuations which make the interpretation of long-term trends very difficult. Events in the basin over the last 50 to 60 years must be viewed in the light of these long-term fluctuations and must be interpreted with care.Key words: paleolimnology, eutrophication, plankton, ecosystems, Lake Erie, metabolism, phosphorus, loadings, fluctuations
Association of anthropometric variables with dyslipidemia in obesity

Background: Obesity leads to dyslipidemia and predisposes to risk of atherosclerosis and premature death. Anthropometric variables when correlated with lipid profile help to screen at risk individuals who are more susceptible for developing obesity-related morbidities. Aim and Objective: This study aims to determine the association of dyslipidemia of obesity with body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric indices. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done in the Department of Physiology, National Institute of Medical Science and Research, Jaipur. Lipid profile parameters were measured and compared between the groups and their association with BMI and other anthropometric indices was observed. SPSS software version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables. The statistical difference in mean value was tested using unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Pearsons correlation was determined between BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and lipid profile parameters. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The anthropometric parameters such as weight, BMI, and WHR were found highest in the obese Class II; also, the intergroup difference was significant. The intergroup difference in the mean level of total cholesterol (TC), serum triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). BMI, WC, HC, and WHR had positive correlation with TC, serum TGs, and LDL-C and negative correlation with HDL in both obese groups. WHR was the best anthropometric variable to predict for dyslipidemia as it had the highest correlation coefficient compared to others. Conclusion: This study shows that there was positive correlation between dyslipidemia and anthropometric variables in obesity. Hence, simple anthropometric measurements can be used as clinical tools to target the vulnerable within the obese population to prevent various cardiometabolic complications.
Valuable Components of Dried Pomaces of Chokeberry, Black Currant, Strawberry, Apple and Carrot as a Source of Natural Antioxidants and Nutraceuticals in the Animal Diet

Abstract The chemical analysis of dried pomace of chokeberry, apple, black currant, strawberries and carrot was performed to determine the composition and content of nutrients and bioactive substances, among others the content of vitamins, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and essential fatty acids. The antioxidant properties were determined in the extracts of pomace by determining the total antioxidant potential (TRAP) and antioxidant activity against DPPH radical. Tested pomaces contained 12-15% protein, approximately 18-20% crude fibre, approximately 2.7-4.0% ether extract and 1.8-3.0% ash. The highest level of anthocyanins was found in chokeberry pomace, followed by black currant pomace and several times less in strawberries and apples. The content of phenolic acids ranged from 12.91 mg/100 g in black currants to 630.30 mg/100 g in dried chokeberries. In terms of vitamins the richest source of vitamin E was chokeberry pomace (152.3 mg/100 g), while most of the carotenoids were found in dried carrot (15.35 mg/100 g). The chain of antioxidant activity was as follows: black currant>chokeberry>apple>strawberry>carrot, while in terms of antioxidative capacity it was chokeberry>apple>black currant>strawberry>carrot.
The Effects of Achene Heteromorphism on the Dispersal Capacity of Bidens pilosa L.

In this study, I examined the effects of achene heteromorphism within the infructescence on the dispersal capacity of Bidens pilosa. I found that central achenes are longer (94.4 vs. 71.8 mm) and heavier (2.10 vs. 1.73 g) than peripheral achenes. In addition, the germination of seeds from freshly collected central achenes was higher than that of peripheral achenes (88% vs. 52%); however, after 6 mo of storage there was no significant difference in the germination of seeds from achenes of the two positions (54% vs. 64%). Moreover, after 9 and 14 mo of storage, the germination of seeds from central achenes was lower than that of peripheral achenes (30% vs 58% and 4.6% vs. 14%, respectively). The viability of freshly collected seeds was independent of the position of the achene within the infructescence (88% vs. 83% for central and peripheral achenes, respectively). In general, the viability of the seed declined, for both central and peripheral achenes, as time of storage increased, but the loss of viability was faster for central than for peripheral achenes. I also found that infructescences are more likely to lose their central achenes before their peripheral ones. I found many infructescences (69%) bearing achenes only in the peripheral positions and very few infructescences (1.4%) bearing achenes only in the central position. This finding indicated that central achenes dispersed earlier than peripheral achenes. Finally, central achenes are more likely to be removed from the infructescence when tested with an artificial dispersal agent, as 40.4% of the infructescences tested had achenes removed from the central positions. In contrast, only 6.4% of the infructescences tested with an artificial disperser had achenes removed from the peripheral positions. These results demonstrated that central achenes were more likely to attach to potential dispersers than peripheral ones.
Effect of spinosad bait against Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in laboratory

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the mortalities caused by spinosad in Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.). Spinosad formulated bait, diluted in water, was compared with baits of malathion, trichlorfon, fenthion and deltamethrin. The lethal time increased for C. capitata (medfly) adults fed in lower concentrations of spinosad. The LT50 values for C. capitata were estimated in 106, 126 and 154 min for 80, 8 and 4 ppm, respectively. No differences at LT50 were observed for different ages, 2-3d, 3-5d and 5-7d old C. capitata exposed to 80 ppm. Both fruit fly species presented similar pattern of survival when treated with spinosad at 80 ppm. In general, fenthion and trichlorfon showed LT50 values lower than spinosad for different ages of medfly. After 180 min from initial exposure to spinosad bait, the mortality rates of 2-3d and 3-5d old C. capitata were similar to that by fenthion. The LT50 for A. fraterculus was estimated in 85.9 min, slightly shorter than for C. capitata when both species were exposed to 8 ppm of spinosad. Medfly adults exposed to concentrations equal or inferior to 0.4 ppm of spinosad showed LT50s longer than 12 h. Leaves treated and kept in the field with baits of spinosad, malathion, fenthion and deltamethrin, caused high mortalities of medfly adults until two days after treatment.
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Tunisian and Canadian Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Fruit

Abstract This study was designed to examine the essential oil composition, phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the essential oils and methanol extracts from two coriander fruit samples, the first from Tunisia (Tn) and the second from Canada (Can). The highest essential oil yield was observed for Can with 0.44% (w/w) and 0.37% (w/w) for Tn. Forty-five compounds were identified in the essential oils and the main compound of both samples was linalool. The total phenol contents varied between two coriander fruit samples; Can sample presented high polyphenol contents (15.16 mg GAE/g) compared with Tn one (12.10 mg GAE/g). Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among representing 0.7 mg GAE/g in Can and 0.34 mg GAE/g in Tn. The highest contents of total flavonoids were observed in Can sample with 13.2 mg CE/g Antioxidants of essential oils and methanolic extracts of these fruit samples were evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching and reducing power activity assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts of coriander fruits showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils. DPPH scavenging ability of methanolic extracts of two fruits was higher than that of synthetic antioxidant BHT (IC50 = 25 μg/mL). Both extracts and essential oils had lower β-carotene bleaching activity than BHA and BHT and had lower reducing power than ascorbic acid (EC50 = 40 μg/mL)