Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential for Early Forecast of Moroccan Wheat Yields Based on Climatic Drivers

Wheat production plays an important role in Morocco. Current wheat forecast systems use weather and vegetation data during the crop growing phase, thus limiting the earliest possible release date to early spring. However, Morocco's wheat production is mostly rainfed and thus strongly tied to fluctuations in rainfall, which in turn depend on slowly evolving climate dynamics. This offers a source of predictability at longer time scales. Using physically guided causal discovery algorithms, we extract climate precursors for wheat yield variability from gridded fields of geopotential height and sea surface temperatures which show potential for accurate yield forecasts already in December, with around 50% explained variance in an out‐of‐sample cross validation. The detected interactions are physically meaningful and consistent with documented ocean‐atmosphere feedbacks. Reliable yield forecasts at such long lead times could provide farmers and policy makers with necessary information for early action and strategic adaptation measurements to support food security.
Incorporation of strontium (90Sr2+) into the skeleton of the hermatypic coral Galaxea fascicularis

The rate of 90Sr2+ deposition in Galaxea fascicularis was linear with respect to Sr2+ concentration (0.01–20 mM) and refractory to DCMU (1 μM), an inhibitor of photosynthesis. The deposition rate of 90Sr2+ in polyps incubated under a light intensity of 200 μE. m−2 s−2 was not significantly different from that in polyps incubated in total darkness. The deposition rate of 45Ca2+ (1–20 μM), on the other hand, exhibited saturation kinetics. In addition, it was DCMU sensitive and enhanced by light. Our results therefore support observations reported elsewhere that KsrA is inversely correlated with growth rate in reef corals. However, Sr2+ and Ca2+ deposition in G. fascicularis does not appear to involve similar biochemical mechanisms.
Reversible Melanization Following Substrate Color Reversal in Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) and Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Abstract Some freshwater turtle species show substrate color-convergence of the dorsal integument, thus facilitating crypsis. Because turtles move among aquatic habitats with variable substrate colors, we tested whether melanization was reversible in juvenile Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) and Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). We reared individuals as controls (those reared on black or white substrates for 160 days) or as reversal treatments (those reared on black or white substrates for 80 days and then reversed treatments from black to white or white to black). Mean intensity (a measure of total reflectance of the visual spectrum) of the third vertebral scute of the carapace (TVSC) and dorsal head skin (DHS) of black substrate control groups declined (turtles darkened) slightly in C. p. marginata but more so in T. s. elegans. In the white substrate control groups, mean intensity of TVSC and DHS increased (turtles lightened) substantially in both species. During the first 80 days in both species, intensity of the TVSC and DHS of black-white and white-black reversal groups largely paralleled the black and white substrate control groups, respectively. Following reversal of substrates in both species, mean TVSC and DHS intensities of the black-white and white-black reversal groups converged with the white and black substrate control groups, respectively. Therefore, reversal of TVSC and DHS melanization was complete, or nearly complete, by day 160. Therefore, it seems plausible that, in both species, reversible melanization could allow substrate color convergence in juveniles that experience different environments with variable substrate colors.
Degradation of caseins from milk of different species by extracts of Centaurea calcitrapa

Two purified aqueous extracts of Centaurea calcitrapa, a plant from the Compositae family, were shown to degrade bovine, ovine, and caprine milk caseinates. The corresponding hydrolysis patterns were monitored by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and compared with those of a commercial mixture of chymosin and pepsin. The plant proteases degraded both α s - and β-caseins more extensively than the commercial rennet, thus yielding proteolytic patterns where different specificities toward such substrates are apparent. The animal rennet was found to display the greatest clotting power per milligram of protein but the least specificity toward ovine and caprine caseins. It is, therefore, suggested that the said plant extracts be used as an alternative to commercial animal rennets especially in the manufacture of caprine and ovine milk cheeses.
Lifetime reproductive success and its correlates in female Eurasian red squirrels

Individual variation in lifetime reproductive success (number of weaned offspring in a lifetime) of female red squimels was studied in two populations in North Belgium for 8 yr. Fitness, the number of reproducing offspring, was calculated combining expected survival to reproductive age of dispersing young and reproductive performance of local recruits. Of 66 resident females, 20 (30%) never produced young. 89% of territorial females had offspring, while all non-territorial females failed to reproduce. Lifetime reproductive success of mothers (females that produced at least one weaned young) averaged 5.04 young (range 1-11), fitness averaged 2.07 (range 0.26-4.44). Both measures of reproductive success were strongly correlated (R 2 =0.73). Variation in fitness and lifetime reproductive success was mainly the consequence of variation in the number of litters produced. Variation in body condition, foot length (size) and territory quality explained 50% of variation in the number of litters. Variation in the number of young/litter, age at first breeding and year of birth were not significantly correlated with variation in lifetime reproductive success. We conclude that large, heavy females that established home ranges in food-rich areas live longer and produce more young than lighter, shorter-lived females living in poorer territories. and discuss the occurrence of chance-events affecting reproductive output in young and old squirrels
Empirical Evidence of Changing Food Demand and Consumer Preferences in Russia

Abstract We investigate food preference changes in Russia that may have resulted from political, economic, and other changes. Our empirical framework utilizes advances in consumer theory and exploits provincial-level panel data on food consumption and supply shifters to identify price and income effects. Our findings indicate that consumers underwent a structural preference change that began in 2007 and continued into 2014. To illustrate the magnitude of this change, we contrast economic effects for select food commodities across regions. The new insights will be useful in designing timely and effective food and trade policies, as well as informing strategy decisions of agribusiness industry players.
Root Structure in the Fern Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C. Chr. (Polypodiaceae)

The cortex of Platycerium bifurcatum roots has an unusual anatomy. A thick sclerenchyma sheath in the inner cortex is interrupted opposite each protoxylem pole by a large cell whose inner tangential wall is thickened where it is in contact with the endodermis. This thickened wall is interrupted by numerous simple pits. The endodermal cell interior to each idioblast lacks a Casparian strip and suberin lamellae. In a Calcofluor uptake experiment conducted with excised roots, Calcofluor was readily transported into the stele. These endodermal cells appear, therefore, to be a possible pathway for apoplastic movement of substances into the stele. Lateral root primordia are initiated in the stele opposite the sites of the large cortical idioblast.
Early Birds: An Exploration of Early College Initiative High Schools in New York City and College Persistence

The Early College Initiative (ECI) high schools in New York City provide opportunities to take college-credit courses up to the equivalent of an associate’s degree while in high school. In this study, we measure the association between attending an ECI high school and college persistence. Our sample is the 3,271 students who graduated from New York City public high schools in the ECI network between Fall 2006 and Fall 2013 and enrolled in college. We use survival analysis to measure the relationship between demographic, academic, and behavioral risk factors and persistence of ECI graduates. We find that Black and Latinx students are as likely as White students to persist, when both high school achievement and behavioral factors, such as attendance, are taken into account. Differences in persistence do exist by gender with young women more likely to persist when compared with young men. This study provides empirical evidence that attending early college high schools has the potential to narrow racial and ethnic gaps in postsecondary outcomes.
Levels of true digestible lisiane and metabolizable energy for growing pigs: effect on nitrogen and energy balance

Foi conduzido um experimento no Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Lavras com o objetivo de estudar o balanco de nitrogenio e energetico em racoes contendo reduzido teor de proteina bruta (PB) e diferentes niveis de energia e lisina para suinos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 52 suinos machos castrados (peso inicial = 36,13 ± 2,8 kg) de alto potencial genetico, alojados individualmente em gaiolas de metabolismo (unidade experimental). Os tratamentos consistiram em 12 dietas formuladas com tres niveis de energia metabolizavel (EM) (3060, 3230 e 3400 kcal/kg) e quatro de lisina digestivel verdadeira (LISD) (0,7; 0,9; 1,1 e 1,3%) com 14% PB mais um tratamento controle, com 3230 kcal EM/kg, 1,03% LISD e 18% PB. Utilizouse um DBC no tempo em fatorial 3x4+1, com quatro repeticoes, para verificar o N absorvido (NA), N retido (NR), a relacao NR/ NA (%), energia absorvida (EA), energia retida (ER) e a relacao ER/EA (%). Na relacao nitrogenio retido /nitrogenio absorvido houve regressao linear decrescente (P 0,05) entre o tratamento controle e as demais dietas experimentais. Conclui-se que os niveis 3230 kcal EM/kg e 1,03% de LISD podem ser utilizados sem afetar o aproveitamento do nitrogenio pelos suinos em crescimento, em racoes com reduzido teor de proteina bruta.
Combinations of fixation methods for adolescent forearm diaphysis fractures

Aim: There is no consensus on treatment of forearm both bone diaphysis fractures in adolescents. In this study, we report the results of intramedullary fixation, plate-screw fixation, and combination of those methods in forearm fractures of adolescents. Material and Methods: A total of 62 patients that were surgically treated, and completed their treatments in 11-year period (20032014) were included in the study. The forearm diaphysis double bone fracture was fixated with intramedullary nail in 23 adolescents. Both bones were fixated with plate-screw in 20 adolescents. In 19 patients, one bone was fixated with intramedullary nail, the other was fixated with plate-screw. Clinical results were graded in accordance with Price classification system. Results: Three treatment groups were similar for clinical success. All three methods may be used with success rates of 65-75%. Conclusions: The surgeon may choose intramedullary nail, plate-screw or their combination in accordance with the results of closed reduction maneuver in treatment of adolescent forearm double diaphysis fractures.
Current status of global research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping

Background: Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a major global health concern due to its pathogenicity and widespread distribution around the world. Despite a growing interest, little is known about the current state of research on COVID-19. This bibliometric study evaluated the contemporary scientific literature to assess the evolution of knowledge on COVID-19, identify the leading research stakeholders, and analyze the conceptual areas of knowledge development in this domain. Methods: Bibliometric data on COVID-19 related studies published until April 1, 2020, were retrieved from Web of Science core collection. Further, a quantitative evaluation and visualizations of knowledge areas in COVID-19 research were created by statistical and text-mining approaches using bibliometric tools and R software. Results: A total of 422 citations were retained in this study, including journal articles, reviews, letters, and other publications. The mean number of authors and citations per document was 3.91 and 2.47, respectively. Also, the top ten articles, authors, and journals were identified based on the frequencies of citations and publications. Networks of contributing authors, institutions, and countries were visualized in maps, which highlight discrete developments in research collaborations. Major areas identified through evaluating keywords and text data included genetic, epidemiological, zoonotic, and other biological topics associated with COVID-19. Conclusions: Current status of COVID-19 research shows early development in different areas of knowledge. More research should be conducted in less-explored areas, including socioeconomic determinants and impacts of COVID-19. Also, global research collaboration should be encouraged for strengthening evidence-based decision-making preventing and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and aftermath.
The Roles of Segment and Tone in Bi-dialectal Auditory Word recognition

This study investigated if and how cross-dialect phonological similarity in segment and tone affects bi-dialectal listeners’ lexical access during spoken word recognition. Balanced bidialectal speakers of Xi’an Mandarin and Standard Chinese took part in an auditory-auditory priming experiment with a generalized lexical decision task. The primes were monosyllabic homophones from either Xi’an Mandarin or Standard Chinese, while the targets were disyllabic Xi’an Mandarin or Standard Chinese words. Primes and the first syllable of the target words overlapped in either only segment or both segment and tone within the same dialect or across the two dialects. In addition, a control condition was included where primes and targets shared neither tone nor segment. The results showed that cross-dialect phonological similarity in segment alone does not affect lexical access in bi-dialectal auditory word recognition while cross-dialect phonological similarity in both segment and tone poses a threat to the recognition system of bi-dialectal listeners. Cross-dialect homophones have been processed much more slowly and less accurately. We conclude that tonal information plays a significant role in constraining word activation in bi-dialectal auditory word recognition.
Growth characteristics and dynamics of protein synthesis in callus cultures from Glycine wightii (Wight & Arn.) Verdc.

Explantes cotiledonarios foram primeiramente cultivados em meio MS suplementado com 2,4-D 4,52 mM e cinetina 0,46 mM. O desenvolvimento dos calos foi acompanhado (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 ate 32 dias apos o subcultivo) e uma curva de crescimento foi determinada com base nos pesos fresco e seco dos calos. A curva de crescimento apresentou um padrao sigmoidal com quatro fases distintas. A maior porcentagem de crescimento foi observada na fase exponencial e a menor na fase estacionaria. Estes resultados indicam que o subcultivo dos calos pode ser realizado 20 dias apos a inoculacao. Os calos obtidos apos um periodo de 28 dias foram liofilizados, macerados e submetidos a extracao de proteinas soluveis, utilizando tampoes com diferentes valores de pH (2,6; 4,0; 6,0; 8,0 e 10,0) e o teor proteico dos extratos foi determinado pelo metodo de Bradford. O tampao pH 8,0 foi o mais eficiente na extracao de proteinas soluveis dos calos. A analise de aminoacidos mostrou que os calos apresentam um alto teor de acido aspartico/asparaina em um baixo teor de metionina. A dinâmica da sintese de proteinas nos calos foi acompanhada por ensaios eletroforeticos (SDS-PAGE).
Effect of flooding and draw-down disturbance on germination from a seashore meadow seed bank

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of flooding and draw-down on the germination from the coastal grassland seed banks and to determine whether the effect of flooding varies between the delta and the seashore. Seed bank samples were collected from three shore transects in SW Finland, two on the shore of the Baltic Sea and one on the delta of River Kokemaenjoki. Samples were germinated in non-flooded and flooded conditions for over a month, after which both treatments were maintained in non-flooded conditions. A total of 9267 seedlings of 47 species germinated and mean density of seeds in the soil was ca. 84 000/m2. Most of the seedlings were monocots (98%) and perennials (98%). Ca. 30–40% of the species found in the above-ground vegetation had a seed bank including the majority of the most abundant species. The number of seeds and species richness increased as the organic layer became thicker. The organic layer was thicker in the seashore samples and the seed bank was significantly larger than in the delta. The flooding and draw-down treatment significantly increased the number of germinating seedlings in the seashore and also increased species richness in two transects, one in the delta and the other in the seashore. Two species, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Typha latifolia, had significantly higher germination in the flooded treatment than in the non-flooded. Apparently, many species in these coastal grasslands have adapted to flood disturbance and for seeds of some species flooding may work as a positive signal, possibly breaking dormancy.
Recent Developments in Boolean Matrix Factorization

The goal of Boolean Matrix Factorization (BMF) is to approximate a given binary matrix as the product of two low-rank binary factor matrices, where the product of the factor matrices is computed under the Boolean algebra. While the problem is computationally hard, it is also attractive because the binary nature of the factor matrices makes them highly interpretable. In the last decade, BMF has received a considerable amount of attention in the data mining and formal concept analysis communities and, more recently, the machine learning and the theory communities also started studying BMF. In this survey, we give a concise summary of the efforts of all of these communities and raise some open questions which in our opinion require further investigation.
Estimating Paddy Rice Leaf Area Index with Fixed Point Continuous Observation of Near Infrared Reflectance Using a Calibrated Digital Camera

Abstract A two-band digital imaging system—one band for visible red (RED, 630–670 nm) and the other for near infrared (NIR, 820–900 nm)—was positioned 12 m above a 600-m2 rice field. The imaging system automatically logged bird’s-eye-view images at 10-min intervals from 0700 to 1700 JST daily during the 2008 paddy rice season. Radiometric corrections and midterm field validations for the pairs of two-band images utilized solar irradiance sensors and prior calibrations to calculate 0900-1500 JST daily-averaged reflectance factor (DARF). The DARF values in the RED and the NIR bands agreed with observations made with a portable spectroradiometer and showed smooth seasonal changes in terms of plant growth. During the before-heading period, NIR DARF values had a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.91 with the leaf area index (LAI). An empirically derived equation for LAI using NIR DARF values and the cosines of angles between the view and the planting row directions, and the view and the meridian directions, showed R2 values of 0.93, in estimations of LAI from the dataset (number of observations=52) acquired at four sample points centrally located within the viewing field. Validation indicated that the equation also worked well for the other six observation points spread across the viewing field, the data of which were not used in deriving the equation parameters. The DARF values observed in the NIR band calibrated with solar spectral irradiance sensors were useful for assessing rice LAI during the before-heading periods.
The status of grey seals in Britain

Grey seal pup production in Scotland was estimated through annual aerial surveys of the main grey seal breeding colonies. Between 3 and 7 counts of pups were obtained for each colony at intervals through the course of the breeding season. Pup production for individual colonies was estimated from the series of counts using a maximum likelihood model. At 3 colonies, 2 in England, annual pup production was estimated using ground counts. Between the early 1960s and the early 1990s, grey seal pup production progressively increased. At colonies in the Inner and Outer Hebrides, production appeared to stabilize during the 1990s and has remained so. Pup production at colonies in Orkney and in the North Sea has continued to increase but in recent years the rate of increase has declined. This may imply that the UK grey seal population is reaching some limit to its size. The observed changes in pup production imply that some density dependent factors are affecting the British grey seal population. Changes in either juvenile survival and/or female fecundity are the most likely options. Without knowing which of these, or what combination of these factors, is operating, estimating total population size is complicated.
Brand Image Analysis, Promotion, Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty

Customer loyalty is a measure of the sustainability of a business. If there are many loyal customers, the company will profit but if there are many customers who are less loyal, the company will lose money. Therefore, it is necessary to know the factors of customer loyalty. Research on brand image analysis, promotion, satisfaction and customary loyalty aims to find out the influence of brand image and promotion partially on satisfaction and customer loyalty; the influence of satisfaction on customer loyalty. The study used 200 students in Jakarta as respondents who were selected on a multi-stage basis. Stage 1, 5 universities were selected as random sample units. In the second stage, 40 students were selected as respondents randomly at the colleges. The results showed that there was an influence of brand image and promotion partially on satisfaction and customer loyalty; the influence of satisfaction on customer loyalty.
Adult Sex Ratio in the Parnassius Mnemosyne Butterfly: Effects of Survival, Migration, And weather

Sex ratio biases in animal populations influence the genetically effective population size, and thus are of interest in conservation. A butterfly group in which many authors report biases towards males is the genus Parnassius Latreille, 1804 (Papilionidae). Using a vulnerable woodland species, P. mnemosyne, we carried out a detailed marking campaign designed to eliminate biases towards individual sexes on marking. We then estimated the numbers of males and females using constrained linear models (CLMs) (Cormack-Jolly-Seber and Jolly-Seber in MARK); compared details of mobility between males and females using the Virtual Migration (VM) model; and built CLMs containing weather variables in order to directly assess weather effects on survival. The estimated population size was 4000 adults, with a male: female sex ratio of 1.5-1.6. Both daily and average catchability were higher for males, while the residence values (i.e., survival) were higher for females. Migration parameters were similar for the sexes, wit.