Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of multiple-resistant waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer] with preemergence and postemergence herbicides in corn in Ontario

Abstract: Waterhemp is a competitive, summer annual, broadleaf weed that poses a considerable threat to Ontario grain farmers. Populations with multiple resistance to Group 2 (ALS-inhibitors), Group 5 (photosystem II inhibitors), and Group 9 (EPSPS inhibitors) herbicides have been confirmed in Ontario. If left uncontrolled, waterhemp competition can result in corn yield losses of up to 74%. The objective of this research was to evaluate preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides for control of multiple-herbicide resistant (MR) waterhemp. Two field studies at two locations (Cottam and Walpole Island) were conducted in 2016 and 2017. Fifteen PRE and 12 POST herbicides were evaluated for waterhemp control, density, and aboveground biomass and corn yield. At 8 wk after application (WAA), S-metolachlor/mesotrione/atrazine (1393/139/524 g a.i. ha−1) and S-metolachlor/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone/atrazine (1259/140/35/588 g a.i. ha−1) applied PRE were the most efficacious, controlling MR waterhemp 87% and 91%, respectively. At 8 WAA, the most efficacious POST herbicides were mesotrione + atrazine and dicamba/atrazine, controlling MR waterhemp 92% and 87%, respectively. Reduced waterhemp interference with the PRE herbicides evaluated resulted in corn yield that was similar to the weed-free control.
Lower Ionospheric turbulence variations during the intense seismic activity of the last half of 2019 in the broader Balkan region.

<p>In this paper, we investigate the ionospheric turbulence from TEC observations, before and during the intense seismic activity of September 2019 at Albania (main shock at l=19.445<sup>o</sup>E, j=41.372<sup>o</sup> N, M<sub>w</sub>=5.6) &#160;and at Marmara sea (main shock at l=28.19 <sup>o</sup>E, j=40.872<sup>o</sup>N, M<sub>w</sub>=5.7), as well as of November 2019 at Albania (main shock at l=19.470<sup>o</sup>E, j=41.381<sup>o</sup>N, M<sub>w</sub>=6.4), and at Bosnia-Herzegovina (main shock at l=17.961<sup>o</sup>E, j=43.196<sup>o</sup>N, M<sub>w</sub>=5.4). </p><p>The Total Electron Content (TEC) data of 6 Global Positioning System (GPS) stations of the EUREF network, which are being provided by IONOLAB (Turkey), were analysed using Discrete Fourier Analysis in order to investigate the TEC variations. The results of this investigation indicate that the High- Frequency limit f<sub>o</sub>, of the ionospheric turbulence content, increases by aproaching the site and&#160; the time of the earthquake occurrence, pointing to the earthquake location (epicenter). We conclude that the LAIC mechanism, through acoustic or gravity wave, could explain this phenomenology. In addition the proximity of the tectonic active areas to the GPS stations offer us an opportunity to discriminate the origin of the disturbances</p>
The Influence of Corporate Governance Practices on Financial Distress of Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange: Moderating Influence of Financial Leverage

Corporations across the world continue to experience financial distress, which has led corporate stakeholders to question the existing corporate governance mechanisms. Financial distress is not a good phenomenon and generally results in loss of wealth. Based on the agency theory, the resource dependence theory and the stewardship theory, the study sought to investigate the moderating influence of financial leverage on the relationship between corporate governance practices and financial distress. The study used secondary data derived from the audited financial statements and annual reports of companies listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange for a ten year period from 2008 to 2017. Panel regression analysis techniques and descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. The study was undertaken using an ex-post facto explanatory research design. The results of the study indicate that financial leverage has a significant moderating influence on the relationship between corporate governance practices and financial distress. Based on these findings, the study recommends that corporate managers should aim at achieving optimal debt levels that balance beneficial and adverse effects.
Using otolith microchemistry to assess nursery habitat contribution and function at a fine spatial scale

Estuarine tributaries are vital links in connectivity for transient coastal fish undergoing ontogenetic habitat shifts, yet these resources are on the frontlines of anthropogenic change. Prioritizing actions to protect valuable fisheries may require fine-scale analyses of the relative value and function of tributaries as nurseries for regional populations. For sectioned otoliths from young-of-the-year (YOY) common snook Centropomus undecimalis; snook), we used laser ablationinductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and stable isotope analysis to obtain microchemical signatures distinguishing 9 tributaries (each <1.0 km2, <5 km apart) along a mangrove-tosaltmarsh gradient in the Little Manatee River (LMR), Florida, USA. Using canonical analysis of principal coordinates and jackknifed leave-one-out classification for 123 fish, 70 (56.9%) were classified correctly based on microchemical signatures, compared with 11.1% that would have been correctly classified by chance alone (χ2, p < 0.0001). Months later, 39 of 40 (98%) yr-1 snook collected from throughout the LMR were assigned to a YOY nursery tributary based on otolith core signatures. The 3 tributaries making the greatest contribution of YOY snook to the yr-1 population were in pristine, low salinity (0.5−1.5 psu) saltmarshes farthest from the estuary mouth. Since other studies have identified completely different spatial patterns in fish nursery use from year to year, this study should be replicated to assess temporal variation in snook contribution from these nurseries. Nevertheless, this fine-scale application of otolith microchemistry is encouraging for future efforts seeking to protect locations having the greatest likelihood of contributing to survival of fishes that make ontogenetic habitat shifts within coastal ecosystems.
Studying the effect of sesame flour on the technological properties of dough and bread quality

It has been proven that the sesame seed chemical composition when compared with wheat flour is distinguished by the larger content of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, mineral substances, protein, valuable for its amino acid composition, dietary fiber, and vitamins. In order to extend the assortment of bakery products with health properties, it is recommended that formulations of wheat bread should include sesame flour in the amount of up to 10 % to the weight of flour. It was established that the developed product with added sesame flour better satisfies the body need in proteins, when compared with wheat bread, by 7 % on average, and provides the body with a larger amount of fat, by 15.5 % with the predominant content of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly ω-6 and ω-9 acids, minerals, specifically calcium, magnesium ‒ by 26 % and 30 %. We have established patterns of influence of sesame flour on the formation of the structural-mechanical properties of dough. It was found that the introduction of sesame flour to dough leads to a decrease in the amount of gluten in the dough and its elastic properties, improves the plastic properties of dough, which leads to a shorter duration of dough kneading. Given the reduction in the specific volume of the dough with added sesame flour after 180 minutes of fermentation, it is recommended that the duration of dough fermentation when using a straight-dough technique should not exceed 120 minutes. It was established that following the introduction of 10 % of sesame flour the finished products contain up to 3 % of fat. Based on that, we can recommend replacing up to 3 % of margarine in the existing formulations of bakery products with sesame flour. It has been proven that the products with added sesame flour are better in retaining freshness, which is confirmed by the decrease in the friability of the crumb, an increase in its overall deformation and hydrophilic properties; they also contain more aromatic compounds than the bread baked from wheat flour.
Detection and characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes ( bla TEM and bla SHV ) among beta-lactam-resistant fecal coliforms of dairy cattle from Chhattisgarh, India

The aim of this study was to isolate the antimicrobial-resistant enterobacteria from cattle feces and to identify the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase gene among them. A total of 70 cattle fecal swab samples were collected from Durg, Chhattisgarh, India, and cultured in nutrient broth. Bacterial isolation recovered 120 gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed 90 (75%) coliform isolates (66 Escherichia coli , 20 Klebsiella sp., and two each of Enterobacter sp. and Citrobacter sp.) resistant to amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefixime, ceftazidime, imipenem, or meropenem. Bacterial isolates showed the highest resistance rate for ceftazidime (61.6%), followed by cefixime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (60%). The ESBL phenotype, assessed by combination disk method, was shown by 36 (40%) of the resistant isolates. PCR amplification revealed 20% and 31.6% positivity of bla T E M " role="presentation"> T E M T E M _{TEM} and bla S H V " role="presentation"> S H V S H V _{SHV} genes, respectively. bla T E M " role="presentation"> T E M T E M _{TEM} and bla S H V " role="presentation"> S H V S H V _{SHV} coexpression was recorded among eight (12.1%) E. coli and two (10%) Klebsiella sp. isolates. Restriction endonuclease analysis indicated clonal blaTEM and clonal and nonclonal blaSHV genes. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed the bla T E M " role="presentation"> T E M T E M _{TEM} and bla S H V " role="presentation"> S H V S H V _{SHV} genotypes. None of the isolates showed amplification of the carbapenemase gene. Phenotypic and genetic detection and characterization of ESBLs among Enterobacteriaceae bacteria illustrate the importance of planning and execution of effective control programs for emerging antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
Different Physiognomies and the Structure of Euglossini bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Communities

Our aim was to evaluate the occurrence of orchid bees in remnants of the Atlantic Forest. We sampled specimens from five regions of Southeast Brazil, covering three different physiognomies of the Atlantic Forest (mixed Araucaria forests with high altitude fields, Atlantic Semi-deciduous Forest and Atlantic Rain Forest). The distances between the sampling sites ranged from 24 to 746 km. Male orchid bees attracted by fragrances were actively sampled monthly during one year using entomological nets and aromatic traps. A total of 1,482 bees were captured, including four genera and at least 31 species. We observed differences in the abundance and richness of species sampled among sites. Climatic variables, mostly relative humidity, explained twice more of the observed differences in the Euglossini communities than simple spatial variation. Our study found differences in the composition of euglossine bee communities as well as in their patterns of abundance and dominance among different vegetation formations. However, the level of pairwise similarity among the Euglossini communities sampled, although highly variable, was not related to climatic factors or geographical distances between the sampling sites. The greatest dissimilarities in the composition of the orchid bee communities were observed between sites around 400 km from each other rather than among sites that were further apart. A possible explanation is that the sampled areas that were 400 km from each other were also highly dissimilar regarding climate, especially altitude.
Neuroinflammation and Alpha-Synuclein Oligomer Toxicity in the Pathogenesis of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease

Aggregated α-synuclein has emerged as the core constituent of the typical neuronal inclusions found in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Therefore, huge efforts have been made to unveil the mechanisms underlying α-syn toxicity. Accumulating evidence suggests extracellular α-synuclein oligomers (α-synOs) as potential culprits involved in the neurodegenerative process. To elucidate the pathways mediating α-synO non-cell- autonomous actions, several mechanisms including uncontrolled neuroinflammatory responses and protein-protein interactions have been put forward. Through an acute model based on the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of α-synuclein monomers, oligomers or fibrils in C57BL/6N mice we demonstrate that only α-synOs impair memory establishment in association with glial activation. Furthermore, our findings identify neuroinflammation as a driving force of α-synO detrimental action on memory, and the involvement of the Toll-like receptor 2. Based on recent data depicting the cellular prion protein (PrPC) as an α-synO interactor, we have further investigated its role in fostering α- synO harmful activities. We found that PrPC does not mediate α-synO toxicity in vitro or α- synO-induced memory deficiency in vivo. In fact, PrPC knock-out mice ICV injected with α-synOs display both memory impairment and gliosis. Consistently, our in vitro biochemical studies do not reveal any direct PrPC-α-synO binding. To evaluate the influence of neuroinflammation on PD pathogenesis, we have developed a “double-hit” approach. Using an acute mouse model based on the peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and subsequent ICV injection of α-synOs at an inactive dose, we demonstrate that the LPS induces a long-lasting neuroinflammatory response enhancing α-synO actions. Moreover, we show that the LPS peripheral administration worsens cognitive deficits even in an A53T PD mouse model. Altogether, by identifying neuroinflammation as an α-synO-mediator and as a factor influencing the initiation/progressions of PD, we highlight it as a valuable research topic to identify potential targets for developing new therapeutic strategies.
A Study of Midarm Circumference and Chest Circumference as a Predictor of Low Birth Weight

Background: 60–80% of neonatal deaths are due to low birth weight (LBW <2500 g) in developing countries.Aim & Objective:The objectives of this study was to identify a suitable anthropometric surrogate and to identify LBW babies in the resource limited settings like rural areas where 80–90% deliveries take place to screen the LBW babies.Subject and Method:This is a prospective observational study conducted in department of pediatrics of tertiary care hospital and medical college of western India. A total of 519 newborns were studied by random sampling method. BW and other anthropometric measurements were taken within 24 h of birth. Result:Mean birth weight significantlyincreases with increasing value of anthropometric measurement, all key anthropometric parameters were significantly correlated to each other. The correlation with birth weight is more for chest circumference (0.58)than mid upper arm circumference (0.54). Conclusion:CC is the better measurement to identify low birth-weight babies. Measurement of both MUAC and CC is of little additional value in predicting LBW babies. Chest circumference is a simple, quick, and valid screening tool for identifying LBW neonates in a community setting where there are problems of nonavailability of weighing scales.
Genotype determination of megalocytivirus from Indonesian Marine Fishes

Murwantoko, Sari DWK, Handayani CR, Whittington RJ. 2018. Genotype determination of megalocytivirus from Indonesian Marine Fishes. Biodiversitas 19: 1730-1736. Megalocytivirus is the newest genus within the family of Iridoviridae which can be divided into groups represented by red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) and turbot reddish body iridovirus (TRBIV), threespine stickleback iridovirus (TSIV). This virus caused serious systemic disease in cultured marine fishes for consumption and ornamental freshwater fishes with significant mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the genotype of megalocytivirus which infected marine fishes from Lampung, Karimun Jawa, Situbondo and Batam based on major capsid protein (MCP), ATPase, DNA polymerase, CY15 and IRB6. The liver, spleen and kidney tissues of humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis), tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus), baramundi (Lates calcarifer) were fixed in 10% phosphate-buffered formalin for histological and fixed in 70% ethanol for molecular analysis. Molecular analysis was performed by amplification of MCP, ATPase, DNA polymerase, CY15 and IRB6 genes and followed by sequencing. Genotype was determined by alignment of the sequences with various genotypes of megalocytivirus from Genbank. Histological examination showed that hypertrophy, inclusion body forming bearing cells were found in liver, spleen and kidney tissues. Polymerase chain reaction with MCP primer produced specific DNA bands. Those results confirmed the infection of megalocytivirus on marine cultured fish samples. The analysis from 10 isolates on five genes revealed that two genotypes of megalocytivirus as infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) and red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) genotypes were existed in Indonesia. The ISKNV genotype was confirmed in fish samples from Lampung, Jepara, Bali; while RSIV genotype was found in fishes from Batam, and Situbondo. Interestingly, both ISKNV and RSIV genotypes were confirmed in fish samples from Karimun Jawa. This paper is the first report on the present of ISKNV and RSIV genotypes in Indonesia based on MCP, ATPase, DNA polymerase, CY15 and IRB6 genes.
Seasonal pattern of nutrient cycling in the Atlantic Forest across a topographic gradient

Litter layer is the layer of organic detritus accumulated on the soil in forest ecosystems and can be influenced by biologic, edaphic, and climatic factors, increasing from boreal forest to the tropics, and being highly related with the net primary production of forest. In the present study litter was analyzed in three topographic positions; the effect of weather on the litterfall and litter layer amount, the amount of nutrients deposited, accumulated, and released from the litter layer to the soil and C stocks in the forest floor. No differences were found in the amount of litterfall deposited in the plots from the top, middle, and bottom of the hill. There was a large variation in the litterfall throughout the year. The highest litterfall rate was found at the end of the dry season. During the months of very low rainfall, greater litterfall and litter layer were found in the top hill plots. Litterfall is an important mechanism of the transference of nutrients from plants to soil, especially in the non-mobile nutrients and N, due to the high N concentration in the leaves and to the high dominance of Fabaceae trees. In 17 months, around 6.7 Mg ha-1 of C was deposited on the soil and a mean 2.6 Mg ha-1 were stored in the litter layer. In the year 2010, in the 12 months, the annual decomposition rate was 1.68.
A review of alligator and snake skin morphology and histotechnical preparations

ABSTRACT The anatomy, biochemistry, biomechanics, and evolution of reptile integument have been topics of intense interest in the scientific community for at least two centuries. As such, histological techniques were, and still are, employed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between tissue structure, function, and the evolution of reptile integument. However, histotechnical preparations of reptile skin present many challenges related to the unique microanatomical configuration of the integument in these animals. Reptilian epidermal scales may be thick and corneous and are often not penetrated well by either processing fluids or embedding media. The reptile dermis is a composite of several different tissue types with a range of biophysical properties creating many problems with tissue processing, sectioning, and staining. Further, lepidosaurs (snakes, lizards, and tuataras) exhibit epidermal modifications associated with the shedding cycle (i.e. ecdysis) that may also create histotechnical artifacts. Here, this study reviews the general skin morphology from crocodilians (alligators, crocodiles, and gharials) and lepidosaurs. Common difficulties encountered while preparing this organ for histological examination are explained and highlighted, and technical solutions and protocols are provided that mitigate these problems.
Influence of starch content on selected properties of hardboard

Influence of starch content on selected properties of hardboard. The aim of the research was to examine the possibility of producing wet-formed fiberboard using a different content of potato starch. The scope of works included the production of plates in laboratory conditions with 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20% mass content of potato starch and subjecting them to selected physical and mechanical tests. Thanks to the research, it was possible to produce a hard fiberboard hardboard using a mass fraction of starch. The results of the tests confirmed that as the starch content in the panel increases, the value of mechanical properties increases also.
Emergency remote teaching in a time of global crisis due to CoronaVirus pandemic

At the end of the day, the lesson learnt was so simple. With online and offline connections, the world is a global village (McLuhan, 1962) and a butterfly flapping its wings in Asia can cause a hurricane all around the world (Lorenz, 1972). Currently, it seems that the global education system is in the middle of this hurricane. These times, where we are all witnessing developments warily, are certainly interesting and strange, but the hope is that lessons will have been learned once things hopefully return to normal. Though there were early warnings to be prepared (White, Ramirez, Smith, & Plonowski, 2010) and already ongoing interruptions to education (Briggs, 2018; GCPEA, 2018), this is the first crisis to occur on the global scale in the digital knowledge age, and there will be socio-cultural, economic, and political consequences in the wake of this crisis. In other words, the educational landscape will feel the rush of air from the butterfly’s flapping wings to the full extent.
Promote Informal Formative Assessment practices in Higher Education: the potential of video analysis as a training tool

This article presents the theoretical and methodological framework, objectives and phases of a project of the University of Bologna aimed at promoting Informal Formative Assessment (IFA) practices in university teaching. The paper has two elements – the first, the use of video analysis in teacher training to develop the skills required for implementing IFA are examined through the University of South Australia example provided. The second – the IFA construct outlined within the project and the related indicator system developed to support university teachers in the systematic observation of videos and in reflection on their teaching practices (validated by an international panel of experts) are presented. Promuovere pratiche di Informal Formative Assessment all’universita: le potenzialita della videoanalisi come strumento di formazione Il contributo presenta il quadro teorico-metodologico, gli obiettivi e le fasi di un progetto dell’Universita di Bologna finalizzato a promuovere pratiche di Informal Formative Assessment (IFA) nella didattica universitaria. L’attenzione e focalizzata in particolare su due aspetti: il primo e relativo alle potenzialita della videoanalisi nella formazione dei docenti – analizzate anche attraverso l’esempio fornito dalla University of South Australia – al fine di promuovere le competenze connesse all’implementazione di pratiche di IFA; il secondo riguarda il costrutto di IFA delineato nell’ambito del progetto e il relativo sistema di indicatori – in corso di validazione da parte di un panel internazionale di esperti – messo a punto per accompagnare i docenti universitari nell’osservazione sistematica dei video e nella riflessione sulle proprie pratiche didattiche.