Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral Light Absorption of Ambient Aerosols in Urban Beijing during Summer: An Intercomparison of Measurements from a Range of Instruments

ABSTRACTAerosol light absorption is important to radiation balance, but it is difficult to accurately quantify using measurements. An intercomparison experiment for the measurement of the aerosol absorption coefficient (bap) was performed at an urban site in Beijing during the summer of 2012, including the filter-based particle soot absorption photometer (PSAP) and aethalometer (AE-31), and the reference photoacoustic extinctiometer (PAX), CRDS-Neph (cavity-ring down spectroscopy/nephelometer) system, and multi-angle absorption photometer (MAAP). The CRDS-Neph system and PAX performed poorly due to unexpected reasons. The corrected bap of the PSAP agreed well with the reference values determined by the MAAP, implying the applicability of this correction scheme as well as the credibility of the reference bap of the MAAP. A new conversion factor with a value of ~7.1 ± 0.05 m2/g at ~530 nm was established by regressing the reference bap against the AE-31 recorded black carbon (BC) concentrations, which is lower than the previously used value (8.28 m2/g). Accordingly, the absorption Angstrom exponent (αap) was estimated as 0.85 ± 0.21 on average. It was ~1 on clean days but significantly lower during pollution episodes, implying the main contributor to aerosol light absorption is freshly-emitted BC on clean days but aged BC during pollution. BC core sizes and the coating are likely to have a great impact on the αap, which needs further investigation. The mass absorption efficiency of BC was estimated by regressing the bap against the filter-analyzed elemental carbon (EC) concentrations, resulting in a mean of 9.2 ± 0.5 m2/g at 670 nm. It was remarkably higher during pollution episodes than on clean days, implying a high variation of aerosol properties, such as the mixing state, with pollution levels.
The Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Degradation and Chloroplast Structure in Tomato Yellow Mutant

Yellow mutant is an important material for studying chlorophyll biosynthesis, degradation and the genetics and development of chloroplasts. The chlorophyll biosynthesis and degradation pathways of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant ym (Yellow mutant) and control ZS4 (Zhongshu 4) were studied. Photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the variety ym and ZS4 were measured. The results showed that ym was more sensitive than the variety ZS4, while the variety ym has more tolerant to low light. The chloroplasts in ym exhibited onset of degradation compared with ZS4 under the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The lack of chlorophyll-protecting material or the chloroplast grana degradation causes the leaf fade.
Beta-blockers and Statins: Role in Portal Hypertension and Beyond

Clinically significant portal hypertension is a cornerstone in cirrhosis’s natural history, significantly impacting these patients’ morbidity and mortality. Unless adequate preventive measures are implemented, the recurrence rate of bleeding can reach up to 65% of patients and with mortality of 57%. The goals in portal hypertension treatment focus on reducing the hepatic venous portal gradient, both by reducing portal blood flow and intrahepatic resistance. Nonselective beta-blockers and esophageal varices ligation have been the standard of care in esophageal varices’ treatment. Currently, statins and carvedilol’s role in reducing portal pressure, preventing esophageal variceal bleeding, and other advanced liver disease complications seem to be promising.
Pilzfarbstoffe, 54 [1] / Fungal Pigments, 54 [1]

Abstract Fruitbodies of the basidiomycete Boletopsis leucomelaena contain the leuco-peracetates of thelephoric acid and cycloleucomelone (3 and 4, respectively). The latter compound is accompanied by a series of analogues, containing five, four, and three acetyl residues. The properties of Akagi’s “leucomelone” (1) and “protoleucomelone” (2) correspond to those of cycloleucomelone (7) and its leuco-peracetate 4.
Estimation of Phenotypic and Genetic Trends in Economic Traits of Murrah Buffaloes

Background: Notable advancements in the selection indices have led to the development of exceptional breeding strategies, which have eventually led to the selection of elite dairy animals. The comparison of trends is facilitated by their estimation which permit the assessment of progress in a particular trait. The purpose of this study was to investigate genetic trends in economic traits of Murrah buffaloes, which is predominantly present as a high milk producer using the regression method. The study was designed to estimate the phenotypic, genetic and environmental trends, which represent the changes accrued over time and hence, determines the efficiency of breeding programme. Methods: The present study was conducted on 659 Murrah buffaloes, sired by 188 bulls, over a period of 27 years (1991-2017). The economic traits studied were first lactation milk yield (FLMY), first lactation length (FLL), age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (FCI), first service period (FSP) and first dry period (FDP). The phenotypic trends were obtained as regression of population performance on year and the genetic trends were obtained by Smith method I and II. Result: The results revealed that the phenotypic trends obtained were significant and desirable for all the traits except for first lactation length, which was non-significant. The standard errors obtained by Smith method-I were higher than those obtained from method-II. As the Smith method-II avoids year to year fluctuations in the environment and those of contemporaries, it gives more realistic estimate as compared to the first method with lower standard error.
Vertebrate tracks of the Río Negro province, Patagonia, Argentina: stratigraphy, palaeobiology and environmental contexts

To date, the tetrapod ichnological record in the Rio Negro province, Argentina, is knownfrom six areas from the Permo-Triassic to Neogene. Tetrapod tracks have been identified in different palaeoenvironments and geodinamic contexts. The oldest track record is represented by the therapsid tracks from the Los Menucos Group. A prevailing Dicynodontipus and Dicynodontipus-like footprints, Lopingian-Early Triassic in age, comes from the Tscherig and Puesto Vera localities, while Pentasauropus tracks, presumably Late Triassic in age, were recognized in the Yancaqueo locality. A tridactyl track-bearing level, still unpublished (related to El Refugio Formation, Middle-Upper Triassic), has been found in the Puesto Pradofarm, in the Arroyo de la Ventana area. Some tracks classified as cf. Anomoepus and undetermined tridactyl tracks have been identified in the Perdomo farm (Marifil volcanic Complex). The Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) record is represented by the ornithopod, sauropod and theropod tracks from the Candeleros Formation (Ezequiel Ramos Mexia area). Moreover, cf. Iguanodontipodidae, sauropod and avian tracks from the Anacleto and Allen Formations characterise the latest Cretaceous (Campanian-early Maastrichtian) of the Paso Cordoba area. Avian tracks were also reported from the Ingeniero Jacobacci area, from the Angostura Colorada Formation (upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian), and from the Rio Negro Formation (upper Miocene-lower Pliocene) along the shoreline of the province. In this area, tens of tracksites and several ichnotaxa have been studied. In regard of palaeoenvironments, ichnosites are constrained to three main sedimentary settings: fluviovolcaniclastic, fluvial/fluvial-aeolian and shallow marine systems. Finally, a brief discussion about palaeobiology and heritage issues is provided.
Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Live Microbial Cultures on Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Safari Asian Elephants

Background: Wildlife tourism has been shown to increase stress in a variety of species and can negatively affect the survival, reproduction, welfare, and behaviour of individuals. The use of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites has favoured the development of non-invasive methods to study physiological conditions and could aid in successful and effective strategies for the management and conservation of endangered species. Methods: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of live microbial cultures to find patterns of physiological stress hormone in faeces of 18 safari Asian elephants of 30-62 years age and body weight (3495 ± 133.34 Kg) for two months. They were randomly divided into three groups, with six elephants in each, i.e. control with no probiotic (T1) and the other two with probiotics, which contained 1 × 109 CFU/g concentrate of Lactobacillus acidophilus (T2) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T3) @ every 50 kg body weight per day. Faecal samples were taken on 0, 30th, 40th and 50th day of the experiment. Result: It was observed that the mean faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, demonstrated by the elephants of T2, and T3 groups were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from the control group (T1) and remained unaffected on the supplementation of live microbial cultures.
Game Theory in Biology

Game theory in biology seeks to predict social behaviour and other traits that influence how individuals interact. It does this by tentatively assuming that current traits are stable endpoints of evolution by natural selection. The theory is used to model aggressive behaviour, cooperation, negotiation, and signalling, as well as phenotypic attributes like an individual’s sex and mating type. This book covers the basic concepts and the traditional examples of biological game theory. It expands the frontiers of the field, emphasizing the importance of the co-evolution of traits and the implications of variation for reputation, markets, negotiation, and other social phenomena. It also highlights that it can be important to embed game interactions in the environment and an individual’s life. A major new direction developed in the book is that game theory can be extended by incorporating behavioural mechanisms, including mechanisms of reinforcement learning. By doing this the theory can successfully describe important phenomena like social dominance in group-living animals that previously have been difficult to model. By focusing on behavioural mechanisms, game theory can also make closer contact with empirical observation and with current research in fields like animal psychology and neuroscience.
Effect of crop type and crop growth on atmospheric nitrogen deposition

Varying atmospheric nitrogen (N) depositions for different crops were observed at Bad Lauchstadt (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) when using the ITNI system (ITNI = Integrated Total Nitrogen Input), which is based on the 15N isotope dilution method. These differences were only partly explained by climatic influences. The effects of crops on the atmospheric N deposition measured by the ITNI system are discussed. For this purpose, data of six different plant species recorded in 1998 were re-analyzed. It was found that the airborne N input is closely correlated with the morphology and metabolism of crops. Daily atmospheric N depositions of 129.0–360.8 g per hectare were measured for the plant species used. The nutritional supply of plants, especially with N, is another factor of influence on the N input from the atmosphere which should be considered. To investigate this aspect, a pot experiment was conducted with the grass Lolium perenne at three different N levels. An increase in the airborne N uptake (corresponding to N fertilization) was observed as biomass production rose. Einfluss von Nutzpflanzenarten und deren Wachstum auf die atmospharische Stickstoffdeposition Im Rahmen von atmogenen Stickstoffdepositionsmessungen am Standort Bad Lauchstadt (Sachsen-Anhalt, Deutschland) mittels des auf der 15N-Verdunnungsmethode beruhenden ITNI-Systems (ITNI = Integrated Total Nitrogen Input), konnte festgestellt werden, dass es in Abhangigkeit von der Nutzpflanzenart zu verschiedenen N-Depositionen kommt. Diese Unterschiede liesen sich nur teilweise durch klimatische Einflusse erklaren. Im Beitrag wird die Wirkung der Pflanzenart auf den atmospharischen N-Eintrag diskutiert. Dazu wurden Datensatze des Jahres 1998, in dem sechs Nutzpflanzenarten getestet wurden, herangezogen. Es zeigte sich, dass die atmogene N-Deposition sehr stark von der Pflanzenart bzw. deren Stoffwechsel und morphologischen Merkmalen abhangig ist. Fur die untersuchten Nutzpflanzen konnten tagliche atmospharische N-Eintrage in der Grosenordnung von 129 bis 360,8 g pro Hektar festgestellt werden. Da diesbezuglich auch die Nahrstoffversorgung von Pflanzen insbesondere mit N eine Rolle spielt, wurde ein Gefasexperiment angelegt, in dem der Einfluss des Grases Lolium perenne auf den atmogenen N-Input bei drei N-Dungungsstufen untersucht wurde. Mit steigender Biomassebildung, entsprechend der N-Dungung, kam es zu einer Zunahme des atmogenen N-Eintrages.
The Association between Pesticide Exposure and Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Farmers in Magelang District, Central Java, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Excessive use of pesticides is known to cause neurotoxicity. Chronic effects of pesticide poisoning include neuropathy and tremors. AIM: This study aimed to determine the association between pesticide exposure and the occurrence of neurological signs and symptoms, especially neuropathy and tremor, in farmers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The study location was Seloprojo Village, Ngablak District, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province. Farmers as subjects were recruited to determine neuropathy using Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) and Diabetic Neuropathy Examination (DNE) scoring. Tremor events were measured with Tremor Rating Scale (TRS). Cholinesterase levels were examined using venous blood samples to determine the level of pesticide poisoning. RESULTS: Of the 120 farmers studied, 68.3% experienced pesticide poisoning with cholinesterase levels below normal values. Weakness of the upper limb was found in 10 subjects (8.33%), while weakness of the lower limbs was found in 6 subjects (5%). There were 59.2% farmers who met the neuropathy criteria from the DNS score and those who met the neuropathic criteria from the DNE score were 6.7%. Tremor symptoms were found in 71.7% of the farmers. There was no significant association between cholinesterase levels and DNS score (p = 0.737), but there were significantly lower levels of cholinesterase (p = 0.046) in the neuropathy group measured with DNE score. There was no significant association between cholinesterase levels and TRS (p = 0.204). CONCLUSION: Cholinesterase levels were significantly associated with neuropathy incidence measured with DNE criteria but statistically not related to tremors in farmers exposed to pesticides.
Effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and natural edible coatings on con-trolling postharvest fungal infection, shelf life extension and quality retention of strawberry (Fragaria× ananassaDuch.)

Strawberry is a nutritious, but highly perishable fruit, which require appropriate technology to maintain postharvest quality. Hence, an experiment was conducted to develop a safe technology for controlling postharvest fungal infection, shelf life extension and quality retention of strawberry using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and natural edible coatings. Two factor experiment comprised three MAP viz. control (without packaging), low-density perforated polyethylene (LDPPE) and low-density perforated plastic box (LDPPB); and four natural edible coatings viz. control (no treatment), aloe vera @ 1%, garlic @ 1:1 and chitosan coating @ 0.2%, was conducted in completely randomized design with 3 replications. MAP and natural edible coatings were significant on all the parameters studied. Results revealed that combined treatment of LDPPB along with edible garlic coatings showed best external appearance among the treatments. The maximum weight loss (38.53%) and TSS content (8.23%) were recorded in without packaging plus control, while the minimum weight loss (21.17%) and TSS content (6.40%) were found with LDPPB plus garlic extract. Maximum disease incidence (90%) and severity (46.33%) was found in control fruits, while minimum disease incidence (30.0%) and severity (6.37%) was recorded in combined treatment of LDPPB and garlic coatings. The shortest shelf life was found from control treatment, whereas the longest shelf life (6.36 days) was obtained from combined treatment of LDPPB and garlic coatings. Therefore, combined treatment of LDPPB along with edible garlic coatings was found to be better in respect of significantly reducing postharvest fungal infection, shelf life prolongation and quality retention of strawberry.
Low-Income Latina Mothers’ Scaffolding of Preschoolers’ Behavior in A Stressful Situation and Children’s Self-Regulation: A Longitudinal Study

SYNOPSIS Objective. Maternal control and directiveness in Latina/o families often do not show the negative associations with child adjustment seen in European American samples. This study tested the self-determination hypotheses that Latina maternal involvement and structure would be positively associated with preschool children’s later self-regulation, whereas directiveness and control would show negative relations. Design. At Time 1, 130 low-income Latina mothers were observed helping their 4- to 5-year-old children complete a stressful task. Maternal strategies for scaffolding children’s responses to stress were examined with detailed event coding. At Time 1 and Time 2 18 months later, a delay of gratification task assessed children’s self-regulation. Results. Children’s Time 2 ability to delay gratification at 5½ to 6½ years (controlling for delay of gratification at ages 4 to 5) was predicted by Time 1 maternal scaffolding strategies. Children showing the greatest delay gratification at Time 2 (controlling for delay of gratification at Time 1) had mothers who used instructive praise and nonverbal autonomy-promoting scaffolding strategies at Time 1. Negative predictors included nonverbal attention directing and restriction. Conclusions. The findings highlight the importance of physical guidance in Latina/o families and suggest that highly directive maternal strategies may not interfere with the development of self-regulation as is often found in European American families. These findings will be useful in developing interventions to promote self-regulation in Latina/o children from low-income families.
Analisis Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh di SD Negeri Karangrena 03

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan mendeskripsikan pelaksanaan pembelajaran jarak jauh, serta mengetahui faktor pendukung dan penghambat pelaksanaan pembelajaran jarak jauh di SDN Karangrena 03. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif. Partisipan dalam penelitian ini yaitu kepala sekolah, guru, dan orang tua atau wali murid. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan cara observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian ini dijelaskan sebagai berikut: 1) Pembelajaran jarak jauh di SDN Karangrena 03 dilaksanakan menggunakan metode daring dan luring, strategi yang diterapkan oleh guru yaitu menggunakan teknologi dengan media PJJ melalui Whatsapp group. 2) Faktor pendukung pelaksanaan pembelajaran jarak jauh yaitu guru mempersiapkan perencanaan yang matang dalam melaksanakan PJJ, adanya dukungan fasilitas internet dari sekolah, dan guru serta orang tua dapat memanfaatkan teknologi untuk komunikasi tanpa adanya kendala waktu. Faktor penghambat pelaksanaan pembelajaran jarak jauh yaitu sebagian besar orang tua tidak bisa selalu mendampingi peserta didik dalam belajar karena memiliki pekerjaan yang tidak bisa ditinggalkan, tugas yang diberikan guru memerlukan penjelasan lebih, dan motivasi belajar peserta didik menjadi menurun.
On the Nature of Molecular Associations, Static Permittivity and Dielectric Relaxation in a Uniaxial Nematic Liquid Crystal

One fluorinated terphenyl compound was studied by polarizing microscopy, x-ray diffraction and dielectric spectroscopy. It exhibits the nematic phase over a range of 107.80. The average intermolecular distance was observed to be more than in systems without any lateral fluorine substitution. Apparent molecular length was found to be more than the molecular model length, suggesting presence of antiparallel molecular associations. Optimized geometry, obtained by molecular modeling, yielded a dipole moment of 6.68 D. The observed principal dielectric constants are consistent with respective components of dipole moments and show quite a high value of dielectric anisotropy. The threshold voltage and the splay elastic constant have also been determined. Flip-flop mode dielectric relaxation frequency is found to increase with temperature, and the activation energy for the process is found to be 35.53 kJ mol–1.
Influence of Humidity on Clogging of Flat and Pleated HEPA Filters

The influence of humidity on changes to the pressure drop of flat and pleated HEPA filters clogged by polydisperse hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic aerosols has been studied. For flat filters, the results confirm the observations reported by Gupta et al. (1993) that with a hygroscopic aerosol at humidity below the deliquescent point, or with a non-hygroscopic aerosol, the particulate specific cake resistance decreases as relative humidity increases. For pleated filters as for flat filters, the results reveal that during the formation of the particulate cake, the increase in relative humidity leads to a decrease in the specific cake resistance. When the reduction in filtration area, specific to pleated filters, becomes large, the presence of humidity accelerates the filling of pleats causing a greater pressure drop for a same aerosol mass loading. With a hygroscopic aerosol at a humidity above its deliquescent point, the change in pressure drop through flat or pleated filters is not linear but characteristic of liquid aerosol filtration. The influence of humidity on the efficiency of pleated filters, measured by a soda fluorescein aerosol, has also been studied. For clean filters, the efficiency decreases with increasing relative humidity above 90%. For filters clogged with solid aerosol, change in efficiency versus collected surface mass reaches a maximum whose value depends on the relative humidity; when the aerosol is liquid, the efficiency decreases throughout the clogging.
Investigation of the Effects of Micromeria congesta Essential Oil Extract on Wound Healing in Rabbits and Molecular Genetics Applications

Background: The chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Micromeria congesta (M. congesta) have been previously revealed, but their effect on wound healing has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of M. congesta extract in rabbits where full-thickness skin wounds were used. Methods: Twentyone New Zealand rabbits that were used in the study were divided into 3 groups as Group I (M. congesta’s essential oil extract), Group II (Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) extract in pomade form) and Group III (control). Two wounds of 2.8 cm in size were created at the caudal border of the scapula. While the unhealed wound areas were measured on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days. Result: It was observed histopathologically and immunohistochemically that the healing was more noticeable in Group II in comparison to the others and the wound healing in Group I was more limited. In the genetic analysis, the expression levels of all the target genes in Group I and Group II were significantly higher than those in the control group on the 7th day (p less than 0.05). The results demonstrate that topical application of the oily form of M. congesta results in significant improvements on wound healing in rabbits.