Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of simulated seedling defoliation on growth and yield of cotton in southern New South Wales

Abstract. Early-season leaf loss due to damage by thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is considered an important issue by Australian cotton growers. To understand the potential impact of early-season leaf loss in the southern region of New South Wales, we investigated the effects of artificial defoliation on cotton growth, maturity timing and lint yield over four seasons (2013–14 to 2016–17) in commercial cotton crops in the Riverina district. Four defoliation scenarios were investigated: (i) complete defoliation, 100% removal of all true leaves from all plants; (ii) partial defoliation by plant, 100% removal of all true leaves from 75% of plants; (iii) partial defoliation by leaf, removal of 75% of leaf area from all individual true leaves on all plants; and (iv) no defoliation. Defoliation was done by hand at the onset of the 2-, 4-, and 6-node growth stages. Defoliated plants were initially shorter than undefoliated (control) plants, but by ∼100-days post seedling emergence, height differences were no longer statistically significant in two of the four seasons. Defoliation did not affect the total number of bolls shortly before harvest. However, complete defoliation delayed crop maturity by up to 18 days and partial defoliation by plant delayed crop maturity by up to 8 days. Because of the delays, fully defoliated plants often had fewer open bolls shortly before harvest and yielded significantly less than undefoliated plants in three of the four seasons. A laboratory experiment with caged cotton seedlings showed that weekly introductions of up to10 thrips per seedling (predominantly onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), the most abundant species on cotton in the region) caused significant clubbing in true leaves, but the total leaf area was not significantly reduced at the 6-node stage. Implications of the results for southern cotton integrated pest management are discussed.
Long‐term ecological studies in northern lakes—challenges, experiences, and accomplishments

We review three long‐term research programs performed over the last four decades on the ecology and management of oligotrophic lake systems with different fish communities at 69° N in Norway. Through whole‐lake perturbation experiments, intensive culling of stunted fish removed 35 tons (1984–1991) of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus in Takvatn (15 km2) and 153 tons (1981–1983, 2002–2004) of European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus in Stuorajavri (25 km2). In Takvatn, the overcrowded charr population decreased to 20% of the initial abundance, whereas brown trout Salmo trutta abundance increased. Somatic growth improved strongly in both species. In charr, ontogenetic habitat shifts broke down, the diet changed to more benthos, and plankton‐borne parasites decreased. High abundance of juvenile, littoral charr provided new prey for trout, creating an alternative, predator‐regulated stable state. Similar density reductions, positive effects on growth and reduced parasite loads occurred in whitefish in Stuorajavri. Despite the heavy culling, however, a new stable state did not occur and the fish community returned to the pre‐culling situation. In the Pasvik watercourse, vendace Coregonus albula invaded around 1990 after an upstream introduction. The population of this non‐native, highly specialized planktivore increased rapidly, resulting in steep density declines in zooplankton and the native planktivorous whitefish morph, and large changes in energy flow and structure and dynamics of the lacustrine food web. These programs show that long‐term research is essential for understanding the ecology of manmade disturbances and providing a scientific basis for management efforts.
Emergence and features of the multipartite genome structure of the family Burkholderiaceae revealed through comparative and evolutionary genomics

The multipartite genome structure is found in a diverse group of important symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria; however, the advantage of this genome structure remains incompletely understood. Here, we perform comparative genomics of hundreds of finished β-proteobacterial genomes to study the role and emergence of multipartite genomes. Nearly all essential secondary replicons (chromids) of the β-proteobacteria are found in the family Burkholderiaceae. These replicons arose from just two plasmid acquisition events, and they were likely stabilized early in their evolution by the presence of core genes, at least some of which were likely acquired through an inter-replicon translocation event. On average, Burkholderiaceae genera with multipartite genomes had a larger total genome size, but smaller chromosome, than genera without secondary replicons. Pangenome-level functional enrichment analyses suggested that inter-replicon functional biases are partially driven by the enrichment of secondary replicons in the accessory pangenome fraction. Nevertheless, the small overlap in orthologous groups present in each replicon’s pangenome indicates a clear functional separation of the replicons. Chromids appeared biased to environmental adaptation, as the functional categories enriched on chromids were also over-represented on the chromosomes of the environmental genera (Paraburkholderia, Cupriavidus) compared to the pathogenic genera (Burkholderia, Ralstonia). Using ancestral state reconstruction, it was predicted that the rate of accumulation of modern-day genes by chromids was more rapid than the rate of gene accumulation by the chromosomes. Overall, the data are consistent with a model where the primary advantage of secondary replicons is in facilitating increased rates of gene acquisition through horizontal gene transfer, consequently resulting in a replicon enriched in genes associated with adaptation to novel environments.
Assessing Heutagogical Elements in Learning of Engineering Education: Instrument Validation

Article history: Received: 12 May, 2020 Accepted: 11 August, 2020 Online: 14 September, 2020 Practically level of design element (i.e., explore, sharing, connect) is an essential of heutagogical approach. The self-determined learning process can be at ease with the implementation of these elements, and the critical step is reliability to measure teaching and learning feedback. Although various instruments were proposed in the literature to assess heutagogy elements, the specific potential Rasch Measurement Model to determine the practicality levels of heutagogy element is less emphasized. This paper aimed to validate the research instrument (six constructs with 65 items). The instrument was administered to N=175 students for a pilot study. The Rasch model was conducted to examine reliability (0.93, 0.94) with α = 0.97, separation index (3.75, 4.01) for item and person, respectively. Besides, item fit (three-item dropped), polarity and standardized correlation residual (no overlapping items). The findings have shown that the instrument has high validity and reliability for use in measuring the practical level of heutagogy elements.
Vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of recurrent acute respiratory tract infections in children aged <5 years

Background: Children with Vitamin D deficiency are at an increased risk for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Till now, few studies have been conducted on the use of Vitamin D against ARTIs, but the findings are conflicting and not conclusive. Aim: The aim was to study the effect of Vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of recurrent ARTIs in under-five children. Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 310 children aged between 1 and 5 years diagnosed with ARTI were included. They were randomized into two groups: Group A (oral Vitamin D 120,000 IU with standard treatment; n = 155) and Group B (placebo with standard treatment only; n = 155). Follow-up of the patient was done every month for a period of 6 months to document the recurrence of acute attacks of ARTI. R version 3.6. 0 software was employed to analyze the data. Results: Twelve children (3.9%) in Group B were unable to follow-up, and hence, 143 were considered for statistical analyses in that group. Among the 298 children, 63.7% were males and majority (25.5%) of them were in the age group of 11–20 months. Cough (96%), fever (93%), and rhinitis (85.2%) were the commonly encountered symptoms. On day 4th (after Vitamin D supplementation), majority in Group A (40%) had recovered completely compared to Group B (5.6%). Within 5 days, Group A patients were 7 times (odds ratio: 6.97, Confidence interval: 3.5–13.8; P < 0.0001) more likely to have a high recovery rate compared to Group B patients. The proportion of patients with minimal attacks (three or four) of ARTI was significantly less in Group A (7.7%) compared to Group B (32.4%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Children with Vitamin D supplementation had better and rapid recovery from ARTIs and reduced frequency of ARTI attacks.
Preferred Reporting Items for Root and Canal Anatomy in the Human Dentition (PROUD 2020) – A Systematic Review and a Proposal for a Standardized Protocol

Objective: Consistent reporting of publications in a given topic is essential. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the reporting items in previous publications related to root canal anatomy in major Endodontic journals. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed by 2 independent reviewers using a customized search strategy in major Endodontic journals through Scopus until November 2019. Studies investigating root and canal anatomy were included. The selected publications were divided into 7 categories according to the study design: micro-computed tomography (microCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) experimental studies (extracted teeth), CBCT and 2D clinical studies, CBCT and 2D case reports in addition to others (i.e. staining and clearing method and root sectioning). The selected studies were evaluated according to three domains: 1) Criteria for study sample selection; 2) Criteria for methodological procedures and 3) Criteria for detection and evaluation. Results: After the removal of duplicated and irrelevant papers, 137 articles were included. Results showed that microCT studies reported accurately the tooth type, number of teeth, classifications used, qualitative and/or quantitative analysis (if required) and the evaluation process. However, sample size calculation, calibration, and reproducibility were not reported in the majority of microCT studies. CBCT clinical studies presented information for the type of study, inclusion/exclusion criteria, number of patients, tooth type, and number of teeth. However, the majority did not report sample size calculation and calibration of examiners. Radiographic exposure descriptions and classifications used were not reported adequately in CBCT and 2D case reports. Sample size calculation, calibration and reproducibility were not reported in staining and clearing method. Conclusion: Despite accurate presentation of certain items, there is considerable inconsistent reporting of root and canal morphology regardless of the type of study and experimental procedure used. The PROUD checklist protocol presented in this systematic review aims to provide an accurate description of root canal anatomy in experimental, clinical, and case report publications.
Global Citizenship Skills among University Students and its Relationship with their Identity Orientation

Major purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of global citizenship skills among university students in Pakistan and its relationship with their identity orientations. Three indicators of global citizenship including social responsibility, global competence and global civic engagement were accepted to execute the research objective. The study followed four aspects of identity orientations including personal, social, collective and relational orientations. 324 students enrolled in selected Pakistani public sector universities participated in the study. Aspects of Identity Questionnaire (AIQ-IV) developed by Cheek and Briggs (2013) and global citizenship scale developed by Morais and Ogden (2011) were adapted as research instruments to collected the required data. Results show the prevalence of global civic engagement and social responsibility is comparatively lesser among the participants than other global citizenship skills. The students supported all four types of identity orientations. The study concludes that the four identity orientations have significant and direct associations with major global citizenship skills.
The influence of flow acceleration on stone stability

The stability of a bed of stones subject to a flow is often described in terms of a critical velocity or shear stress generated by the flow. These classical design methods like for example Shields, do not take the influence of flow acceleration into account. In experiments and practice, it appeared that when a flow is accelerated, stones start to move at a point where the so-called critical velocity is not reached yet. The movement of stones must have a second cause beside the velocity of flow. Only a little information is known on the influence of flow acceleration on stone stability of the bed. The objective of this thesis is to obtain more insight into the influence of acceleration of flow on the stability of stones. By carrying out experiments in a flume containing a local contraction, the stone stability in an accelerated flow is investigated. In the contraction the stability of two different stone sizes, subject to different velocity-acceleration combinations, is analysed. If the hypothesis is correct, than for some velocity-acceleration combinations movement occurs while for the same velocity combined with a lower acceleration no movement occurs. The shear stress occurring in the accelerated flow is determined using the shear velocity. According to the classical Shields method the shear velocity is responsible for the movement of the stones. Movement is detected for lower shear velocities then expected. According to the hypothesis this is a result of the extra generated force on the stones due to acceleration. After analysing the data it appeared that combinations of the same velocity and different accelerations showed differences in movement. The amount of movement goes up for an increase in acceleration combined with a constant or slightly decreasing velocity. This proves that there is a relation between the stability of the stones and a combination of the velocity and acceleration generated forces. The Morison equation is used to describe the relation between the forces acting on a stone. It combines the force generated by acceleration and the force generated by the peak velocities due to turbulence, as the sum of both forces. The extra force due to acceleration appeared to be of the same order as the force due to the velocity. Therefore, when looking at the stone stability in an accelerated flow, it is important to take the force generated by the acceleration into account. The resulting Morison force acting on a stone is proved to be responsible for the stability of the stones. Finally, a unique relation, valid for both stone diameters, between the force acting on the stone and the entrainment is found. This power relation consists of a dimensionless Morison-Shields parameter representing the force on a stone and a dimensionless entrainment parameter. The relation does not depend on stone size and is therefore expected to be universal in use.
Future ecosystem changes in the Northeast Atlantic: a comparison between a global and a regional model system

The biogeochemistry from a global climate model (Norwegian Earth System Model) has been compared with results from a regional model (NORWECOM.E2E), where the regional model is forced by downscaled physics from the global model. The study should both be regarded as a direct comparison between a regional and its driving global model to investigate at what extent a global climate model can be used for regional studies, and a study of the future climate change in the Nordic and Barents Seas. The study concludes that the global and regional model compare well on trends, but many details are lost when a coarse resolution global model is used to assess climate impact on regional scale. The main difference between the two models is the timing of the spring bloom, and a non-exhaustive nutrient consumption in the global model in summer. The global model has a cold (in summer) and saline bias compared with climatology. This is both due to poorly resolved physical processes and oversimplified ecosystem parameterization. Through the downscaling the regional model is to some extent able to alleviate the bias in the physical fields, and the timing of the spring bloom is close to observations. The summer nutrient minimum is one month early. There is no trend in future primary production in any of the models, and the trends in modelled pH and ΩAr are also the same in both models. The largest discrepancy in the future projection is in the development of the CO2 uptake, where the regional suggests a slightly reduced uptake in the future.
A Study of Virulence Factors Associated with ESβL Producing Escherichia Coli Isolates from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection at A Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Purpose: The study examined the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance patterns of Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine samples of UTI patients at the ObafemiAwolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife. Methods: Virulence tests for haemolysin, biofilm formation encapsulation and toxin production as well standard antibiotic susceptibility tests and phenotypic tests for ESβL production were conducted on the isolates under study. A further search for genes encoding ESβL production was made at the molecular using the Polymerase Chain Reaction/Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis method. Results: Of the thirty-six strains evaluated, all isolates were found to be resistant to at least two classes of antibiotics used in this study, of which 28 strains (77.8%) were found to carry a CTX-M ESβL gene type of the two genes tested. Encapsulation was found to be the most commonly encountered virulence factor associated with these isolates (97.2%). Conclusion: Multiple antibiotic resistances (in this case ESβL) can be said to be critical to the survival of uropathogenic E. coli in this environment.
Social Media Data Analytics to Enhance Sustainable Communications between Public Users and Providers in Weather Forecast Service Industry

The weather forecast service industry needs to understand customers’ opinions of the weather forecast to enhance sustainable communication between forecast providers and recipients particularly influenced by inherent uncertainty in the forecast itself and cultural factors. This study aims to investigate the potential for using social media data to analyze users’ opinions of the wrong weather forecast. Twitter data from Korea in 2014 are analyzed using textual analysis and association rule mining to extract meaningful emotions or behaviors from weather forecast users. The results of textual analysis show that the frequency of negative opinions is considerably high compared to positive opinions. More than half of the tweets mention precipitation forecasts among the meteorological phenomena, implying that most Koreans are sensitive to rain events. Moreover, association rules extracted from the negative tweets reveal a pattern of user criticism according to the seasons and types of forecast errors such as a “false alarm” or “miss” error. This study shows that social media data can provide valuable information on the actual opinion of the forecast users in almost real time, enabling the weather forecast providers to communicate effectively with the public.
The Effect of Thiamine Administration on Interleukin-6 (Il-6) Enzyme, Lactate and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score in Patientswith Sepsis

Background: Thiamine, in particular, plays an important role in the treatment of sepsis because it plays a role in Interleukin-6 (Il-6) Enzyem and Lactate. Method: We conducted a thiamine administration on 24 sepsis patients (SOFA score ≥ 2) divided into 2 groups (thiamine and placebo groups). Thiamine was given in the size of 200 mg per intravenous drop per 12 hours for 72 hours. This study was carried out randomly from January to February 2020, and is an experimental controlled intervention study to examine the effects of thiamine on levels of Interleukin-6 and Lactic Acid, and SOFA scores in sepsis patients. The parameters measured were IL-6, lactic acid and SOFA scores. Results: In the thiamine group, IL-6 levels were lower compared to the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Lactic acid and SOFA scores did not change in both groups and were not statistically significant. The mean value of serial Interleukin-6 in group A at T0 (111.1 i�? ± 40.6 ng/dl), T1 (111.1 i�? ± 40.6 ng/dl), T2 (128.2 i�? ± 80 ng/dl), and T3 (97 i�? ± 45.4 ng/dl). The mean value of serial Lactic Acid in group A at T0 (2.37 i�? ± 0.23 mg/dl), T1 (1.84 i�? ± 0.49 mg/dl), T2 (1.47 i�? ± 0.22 mg/dl), and T3 (1.36 i�? ± 0.26 mg/dl). Conclusion: We believe that the administration of thiamine can reduce levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with sepsis, although this study did not find significant results.
Kategoriensystem zur Kodierung der interaktiven Einbettung sprachlicher Beiträge von Kindern in schulischen und vorschulischen Sprachförderaktivitäten

Mackowiak, Katja [Hrsg. ]; Beckerle, Christine [Hrsg. ]; Gentrup, Sarah [Hrsg. ]; Titz, Cora [Hrsg. ]: Forschungsinstrumente im Kontext institutioneller (schrift-)sprachlicher Bildung. Bad Heilbrunn : Verlag Julius Klinkhardt 2020, S. 121-140 Padagogische Teildisziplin: Empirische Bildungsforschung; Fachdidaktik/Sprache und Literatur;
Impact of Employment and Consumer Reliability in Buying Products Online in Kosovo

Informative technology and especially the internet has created great opportunities in the business field. Even the United States economy as a world superpower is based on the use and exploitation of the potential benefits of the internet (online access). One of these is electronic business (E-Commerce) or online and which relates to sales and purchases from home. Seeing that international trade is now focused in buying and selling online, this paper first analyzes the theory of purchasing online and confidence in online shopping, then analyzes the data on the income and credibility of the consumers for buying products.The methodology used in this paper is through the analysis of quantitative and qualitative methods. Through simple linear regression ( OLS ) measurements were made for the income and online purchases whereas the correlation shows the connection between these two variables. To find results in Kosovo, a structured questionnaire with nominal and ordinary data was used.Expected results of this paper serve a certain clientele and have to do with the awareness of people that using internet services is very profitable. Keywords: Internet, e-commerce, online purchases, services, etc. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-6-04 Publication date: September 30 th 2020