Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cryoprotective Response as Part of the Adaptive Strategy of the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, against Low Temperatures

Simple Summary Low environmental temperature acts as a barrier that imposes limits on the geographic distribution of insects. However, due to Earth’s global warming, temperature might no longer be an impediment for insects to colonize some new areas. The spread of pest insects will depend on their adaptive response to cold periods and to thermal anomalies associated with climate change. In this study we analyzed whether the red palm weevil (RPW), one of the worst palm pests worldwide and native to warm areas, has physiological mechanisms that could configure an adaptive response to cold. We find that RPW is capable of rapidly producing substances that reduce chill injuries, primarily glucose as well as glycerol and several amino acids (mainly alanine). Therefore, this work shows for the first time that RPW is able to develop adaptive biochemical responses to deal with low temperatures, similar to those used by overwintering insects. Our results could be useful to improve models predicting the possible spread of RPW to new geographical areas, and also to try to prevent its adaptive response by disrupting the metabolic pathways regulating the involved substances. Abstract The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is one of the worst palm pests worldwide. In this work, we studied the physiological basis underlying its adaptive strategy against low temperatures. Specifically, we analyzed the main low-molecular-weight biochemical substances acting as possible endogenous cryoprotectants, as well as their efficiency in reducing cold injury by preserving K+/Na+ homeostasis. Wild pre-pupae were cold-treated (5.0 ± 0.5 °C) or non-treated (23 ± 1 °C) for 7 days. We then determined the levels of: (a) glucose, trehalose and glycerol, spectrophotometrically, (b) amino acids, by liquid chromatography and (c) potassium and sodium, by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Cold-treated larvae increased their potassium level, suggesting some degree of chill injury. However, part of the cold-exposed animals was able to develop an efficient overall cryoprotective response which primarily includes glucose, as well as glycerol and several amino acids (mainly alanine). Our study shows for the first time that RPW is capable of deploying effective physiological mechanisms for a rapid response to cold, which could be relevant to improving predictive models of geographic distribution, especially in a context of climate change. The knowledge of the specific molecules involved would allow future studies to try to prevent its adaptive strategy, either by natural or chemical methods.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Blood Levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids on Reading and Writing (Dis)Abilities

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there are associations between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) blood levels, reading/writing performance and performance in neuropsychological tasks. Moderate to strong correlations were found between PUFA levels (specific omega-6/omega-3 ratios) and reading/writing abilities, and the former and neuropsychological test scores. Mediation models analyzing the direct and indirect effects of PUFA on reading and writing scores showed that the effects of fatty acids on learning measures appear to be direct rather than mediated by the investigated visual and auditory neuropsychological mechanisms. The only significant indirect effect was found for the difference in accuracy between the left and right visual fields in visual-spatial cueing tasks, acting as a mediator for the effect of PUFA ratios on writing accuracy. Regression analyses, by contrast, confirmed the roles of phonological awareness and other visual attentional factors as predictors of reading and writing skills. Such results confirm the crucial role of visual-spatial attention mechanisms in reading and writing, and suggest that visual low-level mechanisms may be more sensitive to the effects of favorable conditions related to the presence of higher omega-3 blood levels.
Financial well-being – A Generation Z perspective using a Structural Equation Modeling approach

The current pandemic situation in the global economy has urged the need to revolutionize the financial services industry with a keen eye on consumers’ financial needs for sound financial decisions, which is necessary for financial well-being. The purpose of the study is to assess the financial well-being of Indian Gen Z students in relation to financial literacy, financial fragility, financial behavior, and financial technology. In addition, the study also tries to determine how Gen Z students’ financial well-being is influenced by other factors such as gender, age, parental education, employment status, and monthly income in India. The study uses the scientific data analysis approach, Partial Least Squares-SEM model to estimate, predict, and assess the hypotheses. A sample of 271 University students from India was surveyed using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Questions were incorporated to understand the effect of financial literacy, technology, fragility, behavior, demographic and parental characteristics on financial well-being. The results indicate that financial behavior is positively related to financial well-being, while financial fragility is negatively associated. However, financial literacy and financial technology do not significantly affect financial well-being. The results also show that financial well-being is significantly influenced by gender, parental education, employment status, and monthly income change. Understanding Indian Gen Z student financial well-being will expand the students’ understanding of the importance of financial literacy for well-planned financial behavior and informed decisions, hence high levels of financial well-being. Government and financial institutions can more effectively identify gaps and deficiencies in student financial well-being.
Comparison of the effectiveness of an e-health program versus a home rehabilitation program in patients with chronic low back pain: A double blind randomized controlled trial

Objetive We conducted a randomized double blind clinical trial, to compare the effectiveness of McKenzie exercises and electroanalgesia via an e-Health program versus a home rehabilitation program on functionality, pain, fear of movement and quality of life in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Methods Seventy-four participants with non-specific chronic low back pain were randomized to either the e- Health program group (n = 39) or the home rehabilitation program group (n = 35). The interventions consisted of the e-Health program group performing McKenzie exercises and received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, while the home rehabilitation group attended an information session to explain the exercises, which they then performed at home with printed instructions. Both groups performed 3 weekly sessions for 8 weeks. The following were analyzed main measures: pain, disability, fear of movement, quality of life, trunk muscle endurance and trunk anteflexion motion were assessed at baseline and at 2 months. Results Independent samples Student’s t-tests showed that although the patients who followed the e-Health program showed significantly greater improvement than those who followed the home disability rehabilitation program in terms of intensity of pain, lumbar flexion mobility (P < 0.001), and the following dimensions of quality of life (P < 0.005), both groups improved significantly in the immediate post-treatment follow up compared with baseline scores. Conclusions Patients with chronic low back pain who followed an unsupervised home intervention supported by an individualized video exercise program showed greater post-treatment improvement than those who followed the same program with printed instructions.
The Effect of Proactive Personality on Creativity: The Mediating Role of Feedback-Seeking Behavior

While the effects of a proactive personality on creativity have been well established, the behavioral mechanism underlying this relationship remains poorly understood. This study suggests the salience of the mediating mechanism of feedback-seeking behavior in explaining the process by which proactive individuals can perform creative outcomes. Specifically, based on the two axes—the types (inquiry vs. monitoring) and the methods (frequency vs. breadth)—this study proposes that four methods of feedback-seeking behavior (frequency of feedback inquiry, breadth of feedback inquiry, frequency of feedback monitoring, and breadth of feedback monitoring) mediate the relationship between the proactive personality and creativity. The results, which are based on data collected from 367 individuals across Korean companies, reveal that the proactive personality has a significant indirect effect on creativity via two methods only: frequency of inquiry and frequency of monitoring. Finally, this study represents a theoretical and practical contribution to academic research on creativity and proactivity in the workplace.
Modeling symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation in grain legumes globally with LPJ-GUESS (v4.0, r10285)

Abstract. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) from grain legumes is of significant importance in global agricultural ecosystems. Crops with BNF capability are expected to support the need to increase food production while reducing nitrogen (N) fertilizer input for agricultural sustainability, but quantification of N fixing rates and BNF crop yields remains inadequate on a global scale. Here we incorporate two legume crops (soybean and faba bean) with BNF into a dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS (Lund–Potsdam–Jena General Ecosystem Simulator). The performance of this new implementation is evaluated against observations from a range of water and N management trials. LPJ-GUESS generally captures the observed response to these management practices for legume biomass production, soil N uptake, and N fixation, despite some deviations from observations in some cases. Globally, simulated BNF is dominated by soil moisture and temperature, as well as N fertilizer addition. Annual inputs through BNF are modeled to be 11.6±2.2 Tg N for soybean and 5.6±1.0 Tg N for all pulses, with a total fixation of 17.2±2.9 Tg N yr−1 for all grain legumes during the period 1981–2016 on a global scale. Our estimates show good agreement with some previous statistical estimates but are relatively high compared to some estimates for pulses. This study highlights the importance of accounting for legume N fixation process when modeling C–N interactions in agricultural ecosystems, particularly when it comes to accounting for the combined effects of climate and land-use change on the global terrestrial N cycle.
The impact of experience and age of board members on profitability and efficiency: Evidence from state enterprises and parastatals in emerging markets

Chiri (2017) described Zimbabwe’s state enterprises and parastatals (SEPs) as a burden to the fiscus. The article seeks to determine the effect of board member experience and age on profitability and efficiency of SEPs, respectively, as there has been little research, particularly in emerging markets. A positivist paradigm was adopted using a cross-sectional survey. The target population of the study consisted of all SEPs totalling 107 from which a sample of 20 SEPs was selected from the clusters using the simple random sampling technique. The Likert scale questionnaire was administered to respondents from the line ministry and targeted SEPs. The categorical principal component analysis was used as the main data analysis method. The value from Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s test of sphericity and Cronbach’s alpha proved that the data obtained from the sample was adequate and reliable. A simple ANOVA conducted obtained a significance value of 0.000 leading to acceptance of both hypotheses because of p-value (0.000) < 0.001. The article concludes that board experience is a critical determinant of profitability and a positive relationship between the age of board members and SEPs efficiency exists. A policy framework on diversity in experience and age of board members should be enforced. The study is critical since SEPs occupy strategic sectors of the economy yet their contribution to gross domestic product continued to drop (World Bank, 2017).
Comparison of Timing and Volume of Subsurface Drainage under Perennial Forage and Row Crops in a Tile-Drained Field in Iowa

Subsurface drainage systems in Iowa increase the productivity of annual row crops, such as corn and soybeans, but also contribute to alterations in the hydrological balance of the region and leaching of nutrient pollutants, such as NO 3 -N. This study‘s objective was to determine whether perennial forage orchardgrass can reduce the volume and change the timing of subsurface drainage in tiled fields in Iowa, thereby contributing to reductions in NO 3 -N leaching and moderating changes in the hydrology. Research was conducted at Iowa State University‘s Agricultural Drainage Water Research Site, located in northwest Iowa. Six 0.05 ha plots (three control and three treatment plots), each including subsurface drainage with continuous flow monitoring, were planted to row crops (RC) consisting of either a corn-soybean rotation or continuous corn from 1990-2004 (the pretreatment period). During the treatment period (2006-2011), control plots remained in RC while treatment plots were planted to perennial forage (PF), a mixture of orchardgrass, red clover, and ladino clover, succeeding to a monoculture of orchardgrass. During the pretreatment period, control and treatment plots showed no difference in subsurface drainage. During the treatment period, over the entire drainage season (March to November), PF did not decrease subsurface drainage; however, during the month of May, PF decreased subsurface drainage by 32% (p 3 -N from row crop fields during this period. Further research including different perennial species is needed, and investigations in different geographical regions are needed, as differences in precipitation and weather will affect the timing and volume of subsurface drainage.
Cognitive, Emotional and Excitative Responses to Satirical News

ABSTRACT While satirical news has the potential to sway viewers’ political opinions, empirical evidence for these effects remains mixed. Although some studies have shown that satire consumption results in viewer attitudes being more in line with satirists’ positions, other studies did not. A possible explanation for these conflicting findings is the lack of clarity about the mediating processes that play a role in this relationship. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the degree to which both self-reported as well as physiological cognitive, emotional, and excitative responses influence viewers’ attitudes when watching satirical news. We conducted a lab experiment in which participants watched either three satirical or three regular news videos about the same topics. Results showed that satire affected viewers’ self-reported and physiological cognitive, emotional and excitative responses. Nevertheless, viewers’ attitudes were mainly impacted through an affective rather than a cognitive or excitative route. More specifically, only positive emotions mediated the relationship between satirical (vs. regular) news on message-congruent attitudes, but in two opposite directions, which suppressed an overall direct effect on viewers’ attitudes. This indicates the need to differentiate between emotions with the same valence when studying effects of satirical news.
Dietary composition of young sturgeons (Acipenseridae) from the Bulgarian section of the Danube River

ABSTRACT All sturgeon species currently living in the Danube River are either critically endangered or at the edge of extinction. Sturgeons are mainly benthic feeders, with a diet of molluscs, crustaceans, and small fishes. During the last two decades, we have seen a significant change in the species composition of benthic invertebrates in the Danube River as a result of anthropogenic impacts – hydrological and habitat modifications, introduction of alien and invasive species. The aim of this study was to investigate the food composition and the importance of different prey taxa, and to describe the feeding strategies of young sturgeons along the Bulgarian section of the Danube River. From June to August 2019, the stomach contents of 61 fish specimens from the species Acipenser stellatus, A. ruthenus, A. gueldenstaedtii were collected using gastric lavage. It was found that Obesogammarus obesus (Amphipoda) prevails in the diet of young of the year (YOY) A. stellatus and A. gueldenstaedtii, while Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia) was the main food item of A. ruthenus. Chironomidae larvae also had high occurrences in the diet of all sturgeon species. For the YOY specimens up to 35 cm total length, nearly 94% of prey items belonged to O. obesus and diet overlap was observed. Improved knowledge about the diet of the young sturgeons could lead to the determination of the species’ major feeding habitats in the Danube River, providing crucial information for their protection and restoration.
Prevalence and characterization of Salmonella isolated from vegetables salads and ready to eat raw mixed vegetable salads in Abidjan, Cte dIvoire

1 UFR of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry-Genetic, University Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire. 2 Biochemistry-Microbiology Department, Agrovalorisation Laboratory, Jean Lorougnon GUEDE University, Daloa, Côte d ́Ivoire. 3 Laboratory Biology and Typing Molecular in Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 05 BP 1604 Cotonou, Benin. 4 UFR of Biotechnologies, Biosciences Laboratory, Félix Houphouët Boigny University Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire. 5 Department of Bacteriology-Virology, National Reference Center for Antibiotics, Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. 6 Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, School of Food Science, Nutrition and Family Studies, Faculty of Health Science and Community Services, University of Moncton, Canada. 7 Laboratory of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nanguy Abrogoua, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Potential Genes Associated with COVID-19 and Comorbidity

Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease are common comorbidities and dangerous factors for infection and serious COVID-19. Polymorphisms in genes associated with comorbidities may help observe susceptibility and disease severity variation. However, specific genetic factors and the extent to which they can explain variation in susceptibility of severity are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated candidate genes associated with COVID-19 and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. In particular, we performed searches against OMIM, NCBI, and other databases, protein-protein interaction network construction, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Results showed that the associated overlapping genes were TLR4, NLRP3, MBL2, IL6, IL1RN, IL1B, CX3CR1, CCR5, AGT, ACE, and F2. GO and KEGG analyses yielded 302 GO terms (q < 0.05) and 29 signaling pathways (q < 0.05), respectively, mainly including coronavirus disease-COVID-19 and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. IL6 and AGT were central in the PPI, with 8 and 5 connections, respectively. In this study, we identified 11 genes associated with both COVID-19 and three comorbidities that may contribute to infection and disease severity. The key genes IL6 and AGT are involved in regulating immune response, cytokine activity, and viral infection. Therefore, RAAS inhibitors, AGT antisense nucleotides, cytokine inhibitors, vitamin D, fenofibrate, and vaccines regulating non-immune and immune factors could be potential strategies to prevent and cure COVID-19. The study provides a basis for further investigation of genes and pathways with predictive value for the risk of infection and prognosis and could help guide drug and vaccine development to improve treatment efficacy and the development of personalised treatments, especially for COVID-19 individuals with common comorbidities.
Growth of (Platanus orientalis L.) Seedlings under Different Drought Stress Condition

A lath house study was performed in order that understand the adjustment responses to three different water conditions of Platanus orientalis L. seedlings trying to make them able to adjust to new under dry conditions. Eight months seedlings were exposed to three water regimes (90, 60 and 30% water holding capacity [WHC]) were used r with a completely randomize design. The following parameters were measured; seedling height, leaf area, total chlorophyll content in the leaves, root length, root to shoot ratio, total dry mass, and leaf area ratio. It is found that water stress significantly reduced height and base diameter of seedlings, total chlorophyll per leaf, biomass allocation. The highest mean of leaf area, chlorophyll content, total dry mass, and moisture content were found under the treatment of 90% and 60% (WHC). However, the highest mean in root length was obtained under 30 % of (WHC). The data show that 30 % of (WHC) reduce seedling growth of P. orientalis L. , on the other hand, seedlings showed positive responses to 90% and 60 of (WHC) in this research. Variations in root length can be used as an indicator for planting this species and tree development under drought stress condition.
Farmers Adapt to Climate Change Irrespective of Stated Belief in Climate Change or Farm Advisor Reinforcement of (Dis)belief: A Case Study in Northern California

Farmers are front line workers in the climate crisis. As in many parts of the world, climate change impacts like droughts and wildfires are becoming everyday experiences that natural resource-dependent communities must grapple with. This article draws on ethnographic methods, including over 100 interviews with crop and livestock farmers and institutional actors, to query climate change experience, belief, and response in Siskiyou County in rural northeastern California. I find that farmers recognize and describe changes in climate that align with meteorologic evidence of climate signals emerging above the noise of weather variability. Farmers often chronicle these changes in terms of weather cycles and harsh geographies. Local public farm advisors, like Cooperative Extension Advisors and USDA staff, echo these beliefs, which builds rapport with many farmers, while hindering the development of programming, including potential climate-related technical and financial assistance available to a broader set of farmers. Farmers respond to climate change impacts with a range of adaptations, irrespective of their stated belief in climate science. Findings bolster growing evidence that climate change belief and action are not tightly coupled, supporting efforts to retire the currently dominant knowledge-deficit paradigm of farmer climate change programming. Rather than focusing on trying to convince farmers of climate science - or even convince farm advisors themselves - this study suggests that more culturally appropriate interventions that skip belief and focus on action and outcomes could be more effective in increasing the pace and scale of farmer climate action.