Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increasing Survival of Splice-grafted Watermelon Seedlings Using a Sucrose Application

Rootstock regrowth can prevent effective healing of grafted vegetable seedlings and outcompete the scion for light, space, and nutrients later in production. Rootstock regrowth is especially problematic for watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) because the crop is most commonly grafted using methods where meristematic tissue remains on the rootstock. The objective of this study was to test whether sucrose solutions [0% (water control), 1%, 2%, and 3%] applied as a drench to rootstock seedlings before grafting would increase the survival of watermelon grafted using the splice method where both rootstock cotyledons were removed to eliminate meristem tissue and rootstock regrowth. Starch accumulation in rootstock seedlings was the highest for plants that received 3% sucrose solution (71%), followed by plants that received 2% sucrose solution (52%), 1% sucrose solution (29%), and water (6%) ( P < 0.0001). Survival (%) of splice-grafted watermelon seedlings 21 days after grafting was the greatest for plants that received 2% and 3% sucrose solution (89% and 82%, respectively), followed by plants that received 1% sucrose solution (78%), and was the lowest for plants that received water (58%) ( P < 0.0001). There was a signiﬁcant interaction due to repeat for both starch accumulation and grafted transplant survival; however, environmental conditions were similar for both repeats: the daily average temperature was 23 8 C, the relative humidity (RH) was 64% to 67%, and the daily average light intensity was 224–243 m mol · These results indicate that drench applications of sucrose solution to rootstock seedlings before grafting can increase grafting success when both cotyledons are removed from the rootstock before grafting, but further research is needed to optimize the environmental conditions for the survival of grafted plants. respec- 1% grafted plants re- ceived sucrose solution repeat 1 in repeat 2, survival of grafted plants received water repeat 1 48% in repeat 2. In repeat 1, to variation among replicates, no signiﬁcant difference in plant survival be- cause of treatment at each measurement date, even though ﬁnal plant survival was 22% greater with 2% sucrose solution compared water Plant survival declined over the course of the study; there was no loss in grafted plants at 7 d (100% survival on average), but plant survival declined to 98% on average at 10 d, 88% on average at 14 d, and 62% on average at 21 d after grafting. In repeat 2, there was no signiﬁcant difference in plant survival because of sucrose treatments at 7 d (99% on average) or 10 d (88% on average) after grafting; but at 14 d after grafting, survival of plants treated with water (61%) was lower than that of plants treated with sucrose solu- tion (87% on average). Survival declined even further at 21 d after grafting for plants treated with water (48%) compared with plants treated with sucrose on average). These results indicate that a drench application of a sucrose solution to rootstock
Divergent ESG Ratings

Responsible investors require data to underpin their stock and sector selections. Regardless of the rating agency, bond ratings for a particular issuer are broadly similar. This is not the case for ESG ratings. Companies with a high score from one rater often receive a middling or low score from another rater. This article examines the extent of, and reasons for, disagreement among the leading suppliers of ESG ratings. The weightings given to each pillar of an ESG rating also vary across agencies. Many asset managers contend that ESG ratings can help investors to select assets with superior financial prospects, and the authors therefore review the investment performance of portfolios and of indexes screened for their ESG credentials. In the authors’ opinion, ESG ratings, used in isolation, are unlikely to make a material contribution to portfolio returns. TOPIC: ESG investing Key Findings • Data are essential for making investment decisions, and most institutions rely wholly or partly on external providers of ESG data. However, there is minimal correlation between ESG ratings from alternative agencies. • This article explains why different raters’ appraisals diverge. The article also examines whether ESG is associated with subsequent fund or index outperformance. • Over the longest available period, ESG indexes did not outperform the “parent” index from which they are derived. Equally, however, for the two indexes that most closely represent what ESG investors actually do (FTSE4GOOD and MSCI-ESG) there is no evidence of underperformance.
ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM AGAINST BACTERIA FROM PAEDIATRIC DIARRHOEAL STOOL SAMPLES IN THE TROPICS

INTRODUCTION There are about two billion cases of diarrhoeal disease worldwide every year, and 1.9 million children younger than 5 years of age perish from diarrhoea each year, mostly in developing countries. This amounts to 18% of all the deaths of children under the age of five and means that more than 5000 children are dying every day as a result of diarrhoeal diseases. Of all child deaths from diarrhoea, 78% occur in the African and South-East Asian regions (WHO, 2014). © 2016 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Techn ology (KNUST) Journal of Science and Technology, Vol. 36, No. 3 ( 2016), pp 64-74 64
Insolation and Greenhouse Gas Forcing of the South American Monsoon System Across Three Glacial‐Interglacial Cycles

Precipitation extremes with devastating socioeconomic consequences within the South American Monsoon System (SAMS) are expected to become more frequent in the near future. The complexity in SAMS behavior, however, poses severe challenges for reliable future projections. Thus, robust paleomonsoon records are needed to constrain the high spatiotemporal variability in the response of SAMS rainfall to different climatic drivers. This study uses Ti/Ca ratios from X‐ray fluorescence scanning of a sediment core retrieved off eastern Brazilian to trace precipitation changes over the past 322 Kyr. The results indicate that despite the spatiotemporal complexity of the SAMS, insolation forcing is the primary pacemaker of variations in the monsoonal system. Additional modulation by atmospheric pCO2 suggests that SAMS intensity over eastern Brazil will be suppressed by rising CO2 emissions in the future. Lastly, our record reveals an unprecedented strong and persistent wet period during Marine Isotope Stage 6 driven by anomalously strong trade winds.
Discriminating uniparental and biparental breeding strategies by monitoring nest temperature

Birds exhibit a wide diversity of breeding strategies. During incubation or chick-rearing, parental care can be either uniparental, by either the male or the female, or biparental. Understanding the selective pressures that drive these different strategies represents an exciting challenge for ecologists. In this context, assigning the type of parental care at the nest (e.g. biparental or uniparental incubation strategy) is often a prerequisite to answering questions in evolutionary ecology. The aim of this study was to produce a standardized method unequivocally to assign an incubation strategy to any Sanderling Calidris alba nest found in the field by monitoring nest temperature profiles. Using drops of >3 °C in nest temperature (recorded with thermistors) to distinguish incubation and recess periods, we showed that the number of recesses and the total duration of these recesses from 09:00 to 17:00 h UTC allowed us reliably (99.1% after 24 h and 100% when monitoring the nest for at least 4 days) to assign the incubation strategy at the nest for 21 breeding adults (14 nests). Monitoring nest temperature for at least 24 h is an effective method to assign an incubation strategy without having to re-visit nests, thereby saving time in the field and minimizing both disturbance and related increase in predation risk of clutches. Given the advantages of our method, we suggest that it should be used more widely in studies that aim to document incubation strategies and patterns in regions where ambient temperatures are at least 3 °C below the median nest temperature.
Seismic Velocity Changes Caused by Water Table Fluctuation in the New Madrid Seismic Zone and Mississippi Embayment

We use cross correlation of the ambient seismic field to estimate seasonal variations of seismic velocity in the Mississippi Embayment and to determine the underlying physical mechanisms. Our main observation is that the δt/t variations correlate primarily with the water table fluctuation, with the largest positive value from May to July and the largest negative value in September/October relative to the annual mean. The δv/v residuals after water level fluctuation correction correlate with air pressure in the short term and follow the trend of temperature in the long term. The δv/v residuals after water level fluctuation and air pressure correction correlate inversely with the wind speed. The correlation coefficients between water table fluctuation and δt/t are independent of the interstation distance and frequency, but high coefficients are observed more often between 0.3 and 1 Hz than between 1 and 2 Hz because high‐frequency coherent signals attenuate faster than low‐frequency ones. The δt/t variations lag behind the water table fluctuation by about 20 days, which suggests that the velocity changes can be attributed to the pore pressure diffusion effect. The seasonal variations of δt/t are azimuthally independent, and a large increase of noise amplitude only introduces a small increase to the δt/t variation. At close distances, the maximum δt/t holds a wide range of values, which is likely related to local structure. At larger distances, velocity variations sample a larger region so that it stabilizes to a more uniform value. We find that the observed changes in wave speed can be explained by a poroelastic model.
Covered and Uncovered Self-Expandable Metallic Stents in the Treatment of Malignant Biliary Obstruction

Context: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are commonly used in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of covered self-expandable metallic stents (CSEMSs) and uncovered self-expandable metallic stents (UCSEMSs) for patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CNKI databases from 2010 to 2019. All randomized controlled trials, which compared the use of the CSEMSs and UCSEMSs for the treatment of malignant distal biliary obstruction were included in this study. Results: This meta-analysis included 1,539 patients enrolled in 13 trials. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of patients’ survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87 - 1.07; I2 = 32.6%), stent patency (HR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.69 - 1.22; I2 = 56.3%), and the overall complication rate (relative risks (RR) 1.35, 95% CI: 0.82 - 2.23; I2 = 0%). In particular, the CSEMSs group presented a lower rate of tumor ingrowth (RR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.15 - 0.57; I2 = 58.5%) than the UCSEMSs group. However, the CSEMSs group exhibited a higher rate of tumor overgrowth (RR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.00 - 2.66; I2 = 0%), sludge formation (RR 2.28, 95% CI: 1.36 - 3.82; I2 = 0%), and migration (RR 5.14, 95% CI: 1.90 - 13.88; I2 = 0%). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicated that there was no significant difference between the two stents, and each one had its advantages and disadvantages.
Intra- and Interspecific Interactions among Pioneer Trees Affect Forest-Biomass Carbon Accumulation in a Nutrient-Deficient Reclaimed Coal Mine Spoil

Pioneer trees play a key role in the recovery of a reclaimed ecosystem that is nutrient-deficient in the initial stage of reclamation. Clarifying the growth of pioneer trees and their response to intra- or interspecific competition is of great importance to help stewards manage reclaimed forest. Nevertheless, such documents are lacking. We utilized forestry inventory data from a R. pseudoacacia and P. tabuliformis mixed forest plot with an area of 8000 m2 to find out the effect of trees interaction on their growth (indicated by the amount of biomass carbon per stem) in a nutrient-lacking reclaimed ecosystem 17 years after reclamation in Pingshuo opencast coal mine, Shanxi Province, China. In total, 2133 tree individuals were measured and tagged; the kriging interpolation method was applied to map spatial variation of forest-biomass carbon (C). Univariate and bivariate mark correlation functions were employed to examine the effect of intra- and interspecific interactions on tree’s biomass C accumulation. The results showed that tree biomass C was 27.84 Mg ha−1 in the forest. C class structure of planted R. pseudoacacia followed inversed J-shaped distribution and seeded-in R. pseudoacacia and Ulmus pumila (a spontaneous species) had L-shaped distribution. P. tabuliformis, however, followed a nearly normal distribution. Patchy distribution was observed with regard to C spatial arrangement of all tree species. In terms of the intraspecific correlation of biomass C, no significant competitive or facilitative interactions (GoF p ≥ 0.05) was observed among conspecific trees of seeded-in R. pseudoacacia and P. tabuliformis. In contrast, significant negative interactions (GoF p < 0.05) or repulsion correlations between biomass C of planted R. pseudoacacia individuals and U. pumila individuals were found at the scale of 1–2 and 0–8.5 m, respectively. In term of the interspecfic spatial correlation of biomass C, a significant positive interaction between the heterospecific individuals of planted R. pseudoacacia and seeded-in R. pseudoacacia was observed at the scale of 2.5–4 and 12.5–15 m. Similarly, seeded-in R. pseudoacacia and U. pumila were found to be attracted by P. tabuliformis at 7–9 and 0–2 m, respectively. Conversely, significant departure effect was observed at the scale of 1–3 m between the biomass C of U. pumila and planted R. pseudoacacia and 4.5–5.5 m between the biomass C of U. pumila and seeded-in R. pseudoacacia. Consequently, R. pseudoacacia and P. tabuliformis could coexist for a long term and P. tabuliformis was a species that facilitated the accumulation of C of other tree species. Overall, complex intra- and interspecific interactions in nutrient-limit reclamation ecosystem affected biomass C accumulation. R. pseudoacacia–P. tabuliformis mixed forest could be an efficient reclamation pattern to restore biomass C in the Loess Plateau area.
The effects of shoe collar height on ankle sprain mechanics in athletes: A review of literature

Background: Our aim was to conduct a review to summarize the existing information regarding the effects of shoe collar height in altering ankle sprain mechanics in athletes. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus was conducted in September 2019. Results: There were 10 studies published from 1993 to 2019 that were included. Most studies showed high-top shoes limited ankle sprain kinematics and increased resistance to inversion moment in static but not dynamic testing. High-top shoes were associated with delayed pre-landing ankle evertor muscle activation and smaller electromyography amplitudes. Conclusions: There is currently weak evidence to support that high-top shoes can limit ankle sprain kinematics in dynamic testing. Further studies with more consistent study interventions and outcome variables are needed to definitively establish the effects of shoe collar height on ankle sprain mechanics in athletes. The Translational Potential of this Article: Multiple studies on the effects of shoe collar height and ankle sprain mechanics have been performed but there is a lack of consistency in terms of study design, intervention, and outcome measures. A formal systematic review and meta-analysis were not applicable due to the heterogeneity of studies, and mixed results from these studies can be confusing to interpret, making further research on this topic difficult as a result of lack of future direction. We summarized the existing literature on this topic to provide a clearer picture and guide future research on this controversial matter.
Tomato landraces: an analysis of diversity and preferences

Abstract This study evaluates the agronomic and morphological traits, chemical composition and traits related to consumer perception of local tomato landraces mostly collected in the suburban area of Madrid. Results showed remarkable variability at all the studied levels in this small area – intra- and inter-accession variability, and in morphological, agronomical and quality traits – and was often dependent on the environmental conditions where the crop was grown. However, few morphotypes could be defined. Some morphological traits of the studied samples seemed to be associated. For instance, ribbed fruits ripened with green shoulder and dark flesh accumulated more soluble solids. Consumer appreciation and fruit morphology, i.e. traits related to fruit size and shape, seemed to be the main determinants of tomato-type definition, although nutrient content also played an important role. Consumers positively received heirloom tomatoes, especially when they were cultivated in the open-field near their area of selection where they express their full potential in the nutrient synthesis and sensory properties. Although total soluble solids content seems to be the main trait related to appreciation, some morphological traits could be determinant in consumers’ choice. Furthermore, some consumers were more interested in different tomato typologies and nutritional characters like acidity.
Mating system, male territoriality and agility as predictors of the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in hummingbirds (Aves: Trochilidae)

Male and female animals often exhibit differences in body size; this difference is known as sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Hummingbirds are an excellent model system to test functional hypotheses of SSD because they exhibit a wide range of body sizes and reproductive behaviour between the sexes. Here, using phylogenetic comparative methods, we tested whether mating system, male territoriality and agility predicted the evolution of SSD in this avian family. Our results first suggest that evolutionary increases in male-biased SSD are related to increases in lekking behaviour. Second, we found that male agility is positively related to increases in male biased-SSD albeit this is only likely to occur in males of territorial species. Finally, we found an allometric pattern for SSD consistent with Rensch’s rule that was not explained by our estimates of male competition and agility.
Acute protein-carbohydrate supplementation: effects on exercise-induced muscle damage.

In recent years, research investigating strategies to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage have become popular, with acute carbohydrate-protein supplementation gaining interest. The results of these studies are equivocal. A review of published peer-reviewed articles in reference to acute carbohydrate-protein supplementation and their impact on alleviating exercise-induced muscle damage is provided, in addition to an overview of the exercise-induced muscle damage process and rationale for their use. It can be concluded that there is potential for acute carbohydrate-protein supplementation to reduce some symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. Primarily, there is evidence of reduced increases in intramuscular proteins in serum and attenuated reductions in concentric muscle actions. However, there is little evidence of muscle soreness being alleviated. There are also substantial gaps in the literature, with information lacking in: (i) optimal dosage; (ii) optimal timing of supplementation; (iii) the effect on all paradigms of muscle function; and (iv) make-up of supplement(s), although whey protein concentrate and milk-based protein appear to provide benefits. Due to the conflicting results and the lack of studies conducted in this area it is difficult to provide definitive advice to the exercising individual. However, consuming carbohydrateprotein supplements would be recommended as they have demonstrated potential for reducing exercise-induced muscle damage and may be beneficial for other aspects of recovery.
Bridging the Gap between Secondary and Higher STEM Education – the Case of STEM@school

Our rapidly changing society needs highly-qualified STEM professionals (experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to develop solutions to the problems it is facing. Many of the students who graduate from a STEM programme in secondary education, however, opt out of STEM when enrolling in higher education, often due to a loss of interest. To ensure sufficiently high and qualified enrolment in higher STEM education, we need to bridge this gap between secondary and higher STEM education by showing our youngsters the relevance of science and technology to their personal life and environment. To this end, the project STEM@school promoted and studied the idea of integrated STEM in secondary education in Flanders, Belgium. In integrated STEM education, learning contents from the separate STEM courses are linked in an authentic way, as they often are in our environmental challenges. This approach encourages students as well as their teachers to acquire a robust understanding of STEM concepts, and a creative, inquisitive, and collaborative mindset. For the design of integrated STEM curricula, STEM@school united secondary-school STEM teachers and university researchers. This article elaborates on the principles, opportunities and challenges of the design and implementation of these curricula and discusses their promising effects on students’ conceptual understanding and attitudes towards STEM subjects. The article concludes with tips and tricks to get started with integrated STEM education in secondary schools.