Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Risk Factors of Recipient Surgical Site Infection in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction with Vascularized Fibular Bone Grafts

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of recipient surgical site infection (RSSI) after oral and maxillofacial reconstruction with vascularized fibular bone grafts (VFBG). Material and Methods: This retrospective study was performed in patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery, with VFBG, at the Dental Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University. Demographic, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were recorded. Any infection at the recipient site occurring within 30 days post-operatively, by criteria from the Center of Disease Control, was defined as RSSI. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test, Student's t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient with statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: There were twenty-one patients who met the eligibility criteria. The incidence of RSSI after oral and maxillofacial reconstruction with VFBG was 47.6% (10/21 patients), and the success rate of VFBG was 95.2%. American Society of Anesthetics (ASA) physical status class II and oral contamination were significant risk factors for RSSI (p-value=0.004 and p-value=0.031, respectively). Length of hospital stay was significantly higher in the RSSI group (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of RSSI after oral and maxillofacial reconstruction with VFBG was high, and ASA physical status class II and oral contamination were significant risk factors for RSSI.
Biochar for Wastewater Treatment—Conversion Technologies and Applications

Biochar as a stable carbon-rich material shows incredible potential to handle water/wastewater contaminants. Its application is gaining increasing interest due to the availability of feedstock, the simplicity of the preparation methods, and their enhanced physico-chemical properties. The efficacy of biochar to remove organic and inorganic pollutants depends on its surface area, pore size distribution, surface functional groups, and the size of the molecules to be removed, while the physical architecture and surface properties of biochar depend on the nature of feedstock and the preparation method/conditions. For instance, pyrolysis at high temperatures generally produces hydrophobic biochars with higher surface area and micropore volume, allowing it to be more suitable for organic contaminants sorption, whereas biochars produced at low temperatures own smaller pore size, lower surface area, and higher oxygen-containing functional groups and are more suitable to remove inorganic contaminants. In the field of water/wastewater treatment, biochar can have extensive application prospects. Biochar have been widely used as an additive/support media during anaerobic digestion and as filter media for the removal of suspended matter, heavy metals and pathogens. Biochar was also tested for its efficiency as a support-based catalyst for the degradation of dyes and recalcitrant contaminants. The current review discusses on the different methods for biochar production and provides an overview of current applications of biochar in wastewater treatment.
Sources and fate of dissolved free amino acids in epilimnetic Lake Michigan water1

The importance of the “microbial food web” to energy flow and nutrient cycling processes in pelagic zones of lakes and other aquatic systems is widely recognized (e.g. Sherr et al. 1983; Sieburth 1984; Caron et al. 1985; Fahnenstiel et al. 1986; Stockner and Antia 1986) but details of nutrient transformations by the various components of the food web are still unclear. Modes of transfer of photosynthesized nutrients from phytoplankton to free-living bacteria (Azam and Ammerman 1984; Cole et al. 1982; Coveney 1982) and other heterotrophs and the relative importance of the various heterotrophs in making inorganic nutrients available to phytoplankton are only partially understood. Release rates of specific classes of labile materials (e.g. amino acids, organic acids, and carbohydrates) must be determined to assess the importance of these compounds in the link between autotrophic and hetero-
Reproduction of the deep-water shrimp Aristeus antennatus (Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata)

Morphology, structure, and function of t h e reproductive system of the shrimp Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Monthly samples were taken by trawling on the continental slope (400 to 800 m) of the northwestern Mediterranean during 1984, 1985, l986 and 1989. Sexual characteristics, thelycum, petasma, genital apertures, appendix masculina, and rostrum were considered and possible functions in reproductive behaviour are suggested. The roles of testis, proximal and medial vas deferens regions, and terminal ampulla in hemispermatophore formation were assessed. During mating hemispermatophores join and form a compound spermatophore. The sperm mass in the compound spermatophore was surrounded by 5 layers secreted along the vas deferens duct. Open-type thelycum species with external mating and fertilization such as A. antennatus need to develop a complex spermatophore to protect the sperm mass. The structure of sperm was examined for the first time in A. antennatus. The peculiar morphological features of this immobile sperm differ considerably from sperm cells of other decapod groups. lt is suggested that this spermatophore formation and spcrm structure have taxonomic and phylogenetic value. Spermatogenesis and spermatophore formation divided male gonad development and functionality into 3 stages. Oogenesis can be divided into 6 stages t a k ~ n g ~ n t o consideration cytological changes in the oocytes. A key to macroscopically identify sexual stages oi gonad dcvelopn~ent which can be used externally on fresh or llve specimens is proposed based on the study of gametogenesis and gonad and sexual characteristic development and function.
Caracterização físico-química de farinhas de mandioca de diferentes localidades do Brasil

A farinha de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) e produzida em diferentes regioes do Brasil e faz parte do habito alimentar do brasileiro. Caracteriza-se num alimento de alto valor energetico, possui teor elevado de amido, contem fibras e alguns minerais como potassio, calcio, fosforo, sodio e ferro. Entre os diferentes estados, os do Norte e Nordeste consomem quantidades de farinha de mandioca bem maiores que os demais. Frente a importância economica e nutricional deste produto, com o presente trabalho, objetivou-se caracterizar farinhas de mandioca de diferentes estados do Pais, esperando com isso fornecer informacoes referentes a composicao e as caracteristicas fisico-quimicas do produto, tanto para as industrias produtoras quanto aos consumidores. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, quanto a composicao centesimal, as farinhas analisadas diferem entre si e entre as regioes produtoras, inclusive para classificacoes de mesmo grupo e subgrupo. Para proteinas e acidez, as farinhas nao estao de acordo com os limites da legislacao. As farinhas apresentam teores baixos a moderados de fibras, contudo, devido ao seu amplo consumo, contribui como importante fornecedor de fibras na alimentacao. A classificacao de algumas farinhas quanto a cor nao esta de acordo com as analises de seus componentes de cromaticidade.
Temperature‐dependent interactions explain unexpected responses to environmental warming in communities of competitors

Summary 1 Predictions about how species will respond to climate warming are based commonly on eco-physiological models or niche models. One critique of this practice is that it ignores interspecific interactions. 2 We examined how resource competition affects the responses of two ciliate species, Colpidium striatum Stein and Paramecium tetraurelia Sonneborn, to warming in laboratory microcosms. 3 We found that warming had a negative effect on Colpidium abundance and a negligible effect on Paramecium abundance in the absence of interspecific competition. When Colpidium and Paramecium competed, however, Paramecium coexisted with Colpidium at low and high temperatures, and was competitively excluded at intermediate temperatures. 4 Temperature-dependent strength of the interaction between Colpidium and Paramecium may explain the unexpected responses of Paramecium, which were inconsistent with its response to temperature in the absence of Colpidium. 5 Our results provide further support for the important role of species interactions in understanding how species respond to environmental warming, and suggest that the complex interplay between species interactions and climate may make it extremely difficult to predict accurately how species embedded in complex communities will respond to climate warming.
ON EIGENVALUES AND COLORINGS OF GRAPHS, II

A. J. Hoffman, I . B . M . , Nev York* and Leonard Howes, The City University of N. Y. 1. I n t r o d u c t i o n . I n t h e l a s t s e c t i o n of a p rev ious paper w i t h t h e same t i t l e [l], s e v e r a l theorems r e l a t i n g t h e e igenva lues of t h e adjacency ma t r ix of a graph G t o t h e c o l o r i n g number and r e l a t e d f u n c t i o n s of G w e r e s t a t e d without proof . The purpose of t h e pres e n t paper is t o supply t h e p roof s of t hose theorems, and some ostens i b l y s t r o n g e r r e s u l t s ob ta ined l a t e r . To e x p l a i n o u r r e s u l t s , some d e f i n i t i o n s a r e r equ i r ed . I f G is a graph, A(G)-the adjacency ma t r ix of G is a matr ix w i t h r o w s and columns corresponding t o t h e v e r t i c e s o f G , and A(G) = A = ( a i j ) = 1 if i and j a r e ad jacen t v e r t i c e s , 0 o the rwise . (A l l graphs a r e f i n i t e , und i r ec t ed , w i t h a t most one edge j o i n i n g a p a i r of v e r t i c e s , and no edge j o i n i n g a ve r t ex t o i t s e l f . ) I f G i s a graph, G t h e complementary graph o f G is def ined by t h e equa t ion J I = A(G) + A(;) . A c l i q u e is a graph G such t h a t A(G) = J I , -
Is tropical montane forest heterogeneity promoted by a resource-driven feedback cycle? Evidence from nutrient relations, herbivory and litter decomposition along a topographical gradient

Summary 1. Ridges of tropical mountains often differ strikingly from neighbouring ravines in terms of forest structure, productivity and species composition. This heterogeneity is poorly understood despite its critical role in biodiversity maintenance, carbon and nutrient budgets. 2. We examined measures of tree biomass and productivity, foliage and litter quality (nutrient concentrations, specific leaf mass, phenolics), herbivory and leaf litter decomposition in each six plots laid out in upper and lower slope position in a tropical montane moist forest in southeastern Ecuador. 3. Productivity, quality of foliage and litter as well as herbivory were significantly lower in upper slope position, and closely correlated with soil nutrient concentrations and accumulated humus. The decomposition of upper slope leaf litter (decomposition rate k) was substantially lower than in litter from lower slope forest, whereas the site of decomposition (slope position) only had a marginal effect on the decomposition rate. 4. Our results suggest that the differences in stand structure, productivity, foliar quality, herbivory and decomposition between slope positions are ultimately due to stronger nutrient limitations in upper slope forest. We propose a general conceptual model that explains origin and maintenance of contrasting forest types along topographical gradients through down-slope fluxes of nutrients and water, and a nutrient-driven positive feedback cycle.
Effects of Mesopredators on Nest Survival of Shrub-Nesting Songbirds

Abstract Although nest predation is often the single largest source of mortality in avian populations, manipulative studies to determine predator impacts on nest survival are rare, particularly studies that examine impacts of mid-size mammalian predators (hereafter, mesopredators) on nest survival of shrub-nesting birds. We quantified nest survival and identified nest predators of shrub-nesting songbirds within 4 large (approx. 40-ha) exclosures and 4 control sites within a longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem. During 2003–2006, we located and monitored 535 shrub nests (222 with videography) for 4,804 nest-days to quantify daily nest survival and document predation events. We found no support for a treatment effect, suggesting mesopredators had little impact on daily nest survival (0.9303 in controls and 0.9260 in exclosures) of shrub-nesting songbirds. For the 5 most commonly monitored species, daily nest survival within species was constant. Our analysis suggested that shrub nests were most vulnerable during the nestling stage and presence of cameras on nests increased survival with the increase in survival being more pronounced during the incubation stage. We filmed 107 nest predation events, identifying predators at 88 nests. Of these 88 nests, snakes caused 33%, red imported fire ants (hereafter fire ants, Solenopsis invicta) 28%, raptors 17%, corvids 8%, mesopredators 6%, and small mammals 8% of nest predations. Cause-specific nest predation in controls and exclosures did not differ from expectation, providing evidence that compensatory predation did not occur. Nest predators differed from expectation with regard to nest stage; fire ants and raptors only depredated nests during the nestling stage. Presence of cameras had no effect on nest abandonment. Fire ants were the most prevalent nest predator, and nest predation by fire ants was only observed on nestlings, potentially reducing likelihood of renesting. Magnitude and timing of fire ant predation suggests that fire ants may be the most influential nest predator of shrub-nesting birds within the longleaf pine ecosystem. Our data suggest that controlling mesopredators will have no effect on nest success of shrub-nesting birds within longleaf pine forests.
Non-Performing Loans, Financial Stability, and Banking Competition: Evidence for Listed and Non-Listed Eurozone Banks

espanolEste trabajo analiza los efectos de la morosidad crediticia y de la (in)estabilidad financiera sobre la competencia bancaria en los mercados de credito de la zona euro. Los resultados sugieren que la mo- rosidad bancaria incrementa el coste marginal y el grado de competencia de los mercados bancarios. Este fenomeno es economicamente mas significativo para los bancos no cotizados que para los bancos cotizados. Los resultados son robustos a posibles problemas de endogeneidad derivados de la recesion economica y de la crisis de deuda soberana sobre el crecimiento de la morosidad. EnglishThis article analyses the effects of non-performing loans (NPLs hereafter) and financial (in)stability on banking competition in the Eurozone lending markets. Our results suggest that NPLs increase margin- al costs and the degree of competition in banking markets. This phenomenon is economically more significant for non-listed than for listed banks. The results are robust to any endogeneity due to the impact of the economic downturn and the sovereign debt crisis on the growth of NPLs.
Colour semantics in residential interior architecture on different interior types

Colour meaning is a challenging decision in interior architecture during the design process; however, specific meanings within different interior types have not yet been investigated. This study explored colour meaning in the context of residential interior types (eg, bedroom) under controlled conditions using 42 Munsell colours varying in hues, value, and chroma levels, with 14 adjectives (eg, comfortable, pleasant). The results demonstrate that some colours convey the same meanings (eg, vulgar) regardless of type of room; however, others (eg, beautiful) tend to require more complicated and sophisticated colour applications in different residential interiors. The study findings proved that colour meaning in RITs can be affected by all colour attributes. All colours that are named orange and red are selected for both negative and positive meanings. Colours that are named purple are selected less and only for negative connotations. The findings present an overall colour meaning guide for these residential interior types, which will be beneficial for decision makers (interior architects, designers, users) and colour researchers.
Effect of salinity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and some physiological parameters of Citrus jambheri

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviate the unfavorable effects of salinity stress on plant growth. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of AM fungi and salt on growth and some physiological parameters of Citrus jambheri rootstock. Four levels of salinity (2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m−1 as NaCl) and three mycorrhizal treatments (Glomus etunicatum, Glomus intraradices and non-mycorrhizal (NM) control) were used. As salinity increased, all measured characteristics of plants after 4.5-month growth except Na uptake, proline content, and electrolyte leakage decreased. Shoot dry weight and K uptake were significantly higher in G. intraradices-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. Root dry weight and shoot P uptake were significantly higher in G. etunicatum-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. G. intraradices-colonized seedlings had significantly higher proline content than NM controls and G. etunicatum-colonized seedlings at salinity levels of 4, 6 and 8 dS m−1. The electrolyte leakage percentage was significantly lower in G. intraradices-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. The data demonstrated that mycorrhizal citrus seedlings exhibited greater tolerance to salt stress than NM seedlings and the enhanced proline content seems to be one of the mechanisms involved.
Time of sowing and the presence of a cover-crop determine the productivity and persistence of perennial pastures in mixed farming systems

Abstract. Incorporation of perennial pastures into cropping rotations can improve whole-farm productivity, profitability and sustainability of mixed farming systems in southern Australia. However, success in establishing perennial pastures depends on choice of species, time of sowing, method of establishment, seasonal conditions, and whether sowing is under a cover-crop. Field experiments were sown from 2008 to 2010 to determine effects of sowing time and the presence of a cover-crop on the performance of four perennial pasture species, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), at Yerong Creek, New South Wales (NSW). Results showed that lucerne was the most productive pasture, followed by chicory and phalaris, with cocksfoot being the poorest performer. Under favourable seasonal conditions, lucerne and chicory pastures produced 29.3 and 25.0 t ha–1 of total dry matter (DM), comprising 71% and 52%, respectively, of sown perennial species in the sward in their second growing season, when sown in autumn. Spring-sown pastures produced 24.6 and 18.3 t ha–1 of total DM in the second season, with 55% and 47% of sown species in the sward being lucerne and chicory, respectively. However, spring-sown pastures contained a very low proportion of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in the sward in the first 2 years, despite efforts to broadcast seeds at the break of season in the following year. It is recommended that non-legume perennial species, such as chicory and phalaris, be sown in autumn with companion annual legumes until methods are developed and tested to establish annual legumes reliably in spring. However, lucerne can be established in autumn or spring because it can fix its own nitrogen and is not reliant on a companion legume. Cocksfoot cv. Kasbah, in general, appears less suitable than the other perennial species for this medium-rainfall environment in southern NSW. Our study showed that pastures sown without a cover-crop had the most reliable establishment, whereas pastures sown with a cover-crop in a dry year had poor establishment or total failure, as well as a significant reduction of grain yield from the cover-crop. In a wet year, pastures established satisfactorily under a cover-crop; however, growth of the cover-crop still suppressed pasture DM production in subsequent years. Research is under way to model our data to determine the likely financial implications of establishing perennial pastures under cover-crops.
Entrepreneurship and natural resource rent-seeking: The roles of institutional quality

To examine the influence of institutional quality and entrepreneurship density on natural resource rents, we apply the two-step system GMM to a global sample of 60 economies over the period 2006â€“2016. Our results show that (i) an increase in entrepreneurship density increases total natural resource rents; (ii) an improvement in institutional quality reduces total natural resource rents; (iii) improvement in institutional quality reduces the rent-seeking activities by entrepreneurs. We can confirm these results by a series of robustness checks. Our study calls for concerted efforts toward institutional reforms to promote sustainable development of natural resources.
INCORPORATION OF FRESHWATER RHODOPHYTA INTO THE CASES OF CHIRONOMID LARVAE (CHIRONOMIDAE, DIPTERA) FROM NORTH AMERICA 1

Chironomid larvae incorporate pieces of freshwater red algae into their cases from a wide geographic range in North America, extending from southern Canada to central Mexico. The Rhodophyta used in this process represent two orders (Acrochaetiales and Batrachospermales), five genera (Audouinella, Batrachospermum, Lemanea, Paralemanea, and Sirodotia), and 14 species from 21 locations. Three genera from the chironomid subfamily Orthocladiinae make these cases: Cardiocladius, Eukiefferiella, and Orthocladius. The Eukiefferiella claripennis group was the most frequently observed infrageneric taxon using red algae in its cases. The cases were tubular in shape with longitudinally oriented strips of algae held together by silken threads. Some of the cases constructed with Batrachospermum and Sirodotia also had several lateral branches of the alga radiating from the tube.
Comparing warming and grazing effects on birch growth in an alpine environment – a 10-year experiment

Background : Tree encroachment of arctic tundra and alpine vegetation is a generally predicted response to climate warming. However, herbivory plays an important role in structuring these ecosystems and their responses to warming. Aims : To experimentally test how grazing and increased growing season temperature influence growth, physiognomy and stature of birch in the alpine zone. Methods: Trait responses of naturally regenerated birch saplings to warming (open-top chambers), and changed grazing regime (exclosures) were compared with those growing in unmanipulated conditions over a 10-year period (1999–2008). The effect of treatment over time and differences between treatments were analysed with repeated measures GLM (Generalised Linear Model) and simple contrasts in GLM. Results: Warming alone had no major effect on trait responses, however, significantly smaller leaves and an increased number of short shoots indicated warming-related growth constraints. Grazing showed a strong controlling effect on most traits, conserving low stature sapling stage characterised by fewer shoots and larger leaves, compared with non-grazed treatments. Conclusions: Although derived from one experimental site, the results point to a grazing-controlled response to environmental change, with climate (warming) as a secondary driver. This herbivore-driven masking of expected climate-driven tree expansion emphasises the necessity to consider changes in grazing regimes along with climate change, in order to avoid misleading interpretations regarding climate-driven tundra encroachment.