Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of narasin (Monteban® G100) for chickens for fattening (Elanco GmbH)

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of the coccidiostat narasin (Monteban® G100) for chickens for fattening. In a previous opinion, uncertainties remained on the identification and characterisation of the non‐genetically modified production strain of the active substance narasin. The Panel could not conclude either on the safety of Monteban® G100 for chickens for fattening or on the efficacy of the additive at the minimum applied concentration. The FEEDAP Panel excluded risks for environment but the risk for sediment compartment could not be assessed. The applicant provided supplementary information to cover the data gaps and substituted the narasin production strain from Streptomyces spp. NRRL 8092 to Streptomyces spp. NRRL B‐67771. The information submitted to taxonomically identify the production strain did not allow to assign it to any described microbial species. Based on the information provided, the Panel concluded that the use of Monteban® G100 did not raise safety concerns as regards the production strain for the target animal, consumer, user and environment. The Panel concluded that 70 mg narasin/kg complete feed was safe for chickens for fattening with a margin of safety of 1.4; narasin from Monteban® G100 was unlikely to increase shedding of Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni. Narasin, when used in chickens for fattening at 70 mg/kg feed, was not expected to pose a risk to the aquatic compartment and to sediment, while a risk for the terrestrial compartment could not be excluded. No risk for groundwater was expected, nor for secondary poisoning via the terrestrial food chain, but the risk of secondary poisoning via the aquatic food chain could not be excluded. The Panel concluded that 60 mg narasin/kg feed was efficacious in controlling coccidiosis in chickens for fattening.
Studies on effect of nitrogen and weed management on yield and economics of late sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 with an objective to assess the economic feasibility of various treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in Split plot design with 16 treatment combinations viz. F1:RDN (120 Kgha-1), F2:25% N FYM+75% N through chemical fertilizer, F3:50% N FYM+50% N through chemical fertilizer, F4:75% N FYM+25% N through chemical fertilizer under nitrogen management practices in main plot and W0:Weedy check, W1:Weed free, W2:VESTA (Clodinafop 15% + metsulfuron methyl 1%), W3:TOTAL (Sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron methyl 5%) under weed management treatments in sub plot with three replications. Results revealed that the treatment F1:100% RDF was found significantly superior over rest of the treatments in all aspects of yield and yield attributes. The length of spike and test weight (1000-grain weight) was found non-significant. No. of grains spike-1, maximum grain & straw yield was recorded with F1 100% RDF which was significantly superior over rest of the treatments and remained at par with F2 25% NFYM + 75% N through chemical fertilizer under nitrogen management practices while the application of herbicide VESTA 400 g (Clodinafop 15% + metsulfuron methyl 1%) given maximum yield and yield attributing characters remained at par with TOTAL 32 g (Sulfosulfuron 75% + metsulfuron methyl 5%) and found significantly superior over rest of the treatments. The treatment combination F1W2:100% RDF along with VESTA 400 g (clodianfop 15% + metsulfuron methyl 1%) was found maximum with respect to net income and B-C ratio over rest of the treatment combinations.
Risk of severe COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients during the period from wild-type to Omicron variant: real-world evidence from Japan

Background Many studies have reported that the Omicron variant is less pathogenic than the Delta variant and the wild-type. Epidemiological evidence regarding the risk of severe COVID-19 from the wild-type to the Omicron variant has been lacking. Methods Study participants were COVID-19 patients aged 18 and older without previous COVID-19 infection who were notified to the Nara Prefecture Chuwa Public Health Center from January 2020 to March 2023, during the periods from the wild-type to the Omicron variant. The outcome variable was severe COVID-19 (i.e., ICU admission or COVID-19-related death). The explanatory variable was SARS-CoV-2 variant type or the number of COVID-19 vaccinations. Covariates included gender, age, risk factors for aggravation, and the number of general hospital beds per population. The generalized estimating equations of negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the adjusted incidence proportion (AIP) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for severe COVID-19. Results Among 77,044 patients included in the analysis, 14,556 (18.9%) were unvaccinated and 520 (0.7%) developed severe COVID-19. Among unvaccinated patients, the risk of severe COVID-19 increased in the Alpha/Delta variants and decreased in the Omicron variant compared to the wild-type (AIP [95% CI] was 1.55 [1.06–2.27] in Alpha/Delta and 0.25 [0.15–0.40] in Omicron), but differed by age. Especially in patients aged ≥80, there was no significant difference in the risk of severe COVID-19 between the wild-type and the Omicron variant (AIP [95% CI] = 0.59 [0.27–1.29]). Regarding the preventive effect of vaccines, among all study participants, the number of vaccinations was significantly associated with the prevention of severe COVID-19, regardless of variant type. After stratified analyses by age, patients aged ≥80 remained a significant association for all variant types. On the other hand, the number of vaccinations had no association in Omicron BA.5 of patients aged 18–64. Conclusions Patients aged ≥80 had less reduction in risk of severe COVID-19 during the Omicron variant period, and a greater preventive effect of vaccines against severe COVID-19, compared to younger people. Our findings suggest that booster vaccination is effective and necessary for older people, especially aged ≥80. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.23-00274.
Use of Botanicals by Farmers for Integrated Pest Management of Crops in Karnataka

Agriculture has been facing the destructive activities of numerous pests like fungi, weeds, and insects from time immemorial, leading to radical decrease in yields. Insect pests are the big enemies of farmers as they destroy crops, stored grains; act as a vector of diseases of livestock etc. Chemical pesticides are used to control these pests, but their indiscriminate use has resulted in development of insecticide resistance in pests, and higher levels of residual toxicity resulting in conversion of fertile lands into infertile and toxic. In addition it also contributes to environmental pollution by contaminating air, soil and water which results in health hazards to human and wild life. Growing public awareness and concern about the adverse effects of pesticides have necessitated the need to look for eco-friendly, safer and effective organic methods of pest control. The best solution for this is to follow indigenous traditional ways of pest control followed by farmers by using plants which were once prevalent all over the world, but with the advent and use of modern synthetic pesticide these have almost vanished from the developed countries and are mow confined to some regions of developing countries. More than 2500 plant species belonging to 235 families have been found to possess the characteristic properties required for an ideal botanical insecticide. Hence an attempt was made during Rural Agricultural Work Experience program ( RAWE) to acquire information on the indigenous botanical sprays used by the farmers in Segalapalli, Kamtampalli, and Tadigol Villages of Srinivaspura Taluk, Kolar District of Karnataka.
Medically unexplained symptoms are common in women in tertiary neurological healthcare center: A survey cohort study of persons investigated for suspected multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background A significant proportion of individuals with suspicious onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) does not fulfill the diagnostic criteria. Although some receive other diagnoses, many remain undiagnosed and lack healthcare follow‐up. This study aimed to characterize persons with undetermined diagnosis (PwUD) through a questionnaire. Methods Incident cases with suspected MS were consecutively admitted to a tertiary neurological healthcare center in a prospective cohort study. Those who remained undiagnosed after 40 months (mean, range 31–52) were considered PwUD. They completed a modified questionnaire, previously used in a population‐based case‐control study of incident MS cases. Their responses were compared with two control cohorts, persons with MS (PwMS) and healthy controls, randomly selected from national registries, matched by age, gender, and area of residence. Results Out of 271 patients with suspected MS onset, 72 (20.3%) were PwUD with a female majority (79%). The response rate was 83% and 39% reported persisting MS‐like symptoms. Compared to controls (n = 548) and PwMS (n = 277), fewer PwUD were currently smoking (p = .4 and p = .03), consumed less alcohol (p = .04 and p = .01), and had children (p = .02 and p = .002). PwUD reported occurrence of other autoimmune disease in 29%, higher compared to PwMS and controls (p < .001 and p < .001). Conclusions UD is common among persons investigated for suspected MS, in particular among female parents. Our data suggest that PwUD can be characterized as nonsmokers with low alcohol consumption and a higher prevalence of autoimmune disease, in particular thyroid disease.
Indus Basin Floods: Mechanisms, Impacts, and Management

More than 138 million people in the Indus River Basin in Pakistan depend on irrigated agriculture. But rising population pressures, climate change, and the continuous degradation of ecosystem services have resulted in increased flood risks, worsened by inadequate flood planning and management. The devastating 2010 flood alone caused damage of about $10 billion. This report proposes a contemporary holistic approach, applying scientific assessments that take people, land, and water into account. It also includes planning and implementation realized through appropriate policies, enforceable laws, and effective institutions.
The Influence of ENSO Flavors on Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Activity

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a major source of seasonal western North Pacific (WNP) tropical cyclone (TC) predictability. However, the spatial characteristics of ENSO have changed in recent decades, from warming more typically in the eastern equatorial Pacific during canonical or cold tongue El Niño to warming more typically in the central equatorial Pacific during noncanonical or warm pool El Niño. We investigated the response in basinwide WNP TC activity and spatial clustering of TC tracks to the location and magnitude of El Niño using observations, TC-permitting tropical channel model simulations, and a TC track clustering methodology. We found that simulated western North Pacific TC activity, including accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) and the number of typhoons and intense typhoons, is more effectively enhanced by sea surface temperature warming of the central, compared to the eastern, equatorial Pacific. El Niño also considerably influenced simulated TC tracks regionally, with a decrease in TCs that were generated near the Asian continent and an increase in clusters that were dominated by TC genesis in the southeastern WNP. This response corresponds with the spatial pattern of reduced vertical wind shear and is most effectively driven by central Pacific SST warming. Finally, internal atmospheric variability generated a substantial range in the simulated season total ACE (±25% of the median). However, extremely active WNP seasons were linked with El Niño, rather than internal atmospheric variability, in both observations and climate model simulations.
Influence of Soil-Structure Interaction on Seismic Response of Influence of Soil-Structure Interaction on Seismic Response of Shear Buildings Shear Buildings

The beneficial or detrimental effect of dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) is a controversial issue. With reference to an idealized R/C shear building, a comprehensive comparison between the results obtained with a classical fixed-base analysis and a complete SSI analysis is provided in the present paper. The shear-type structure is modeled as generalized Single Degree Of Freedom (SDOF) system using the principle of virtual displacements. The foundation consists of surface square foundations resting on different soil conditions, consistent with the provisions of EC8-part I. SSI effects in the far-field of earthquakes was evaluated by direct application of the elastic pseudo-acceleration/displacement design spectra proposed in EC8, taking into account the change in natural period and damping of the soil-structure system. SSI effect in near-field area of earthquakes was analyzed using the computer program SASSI2000 (Lysmer et al ., 1999), by means of a set of ten actual earthquakes recorded within a distance of 20 km from fault The proposed analyses can be easily used by consultants who want to face the task of SSI in an immediate and simplified manner, without devoting resources into complex analysis. The charts proposed in this paper could be incorporated in seismic guidelines.
Lower bone strength in young patients with Fontan circulation compared to controls.

OBJECTIVES Previous reports indicate bone deficits in patients with Fontan circulation. However, the consequences of these deficits on bone strength and when these changes occur are unclear. AIM To compare the tibial bone strength-strain index between young patients (6-19 years) with Fontan circulation and age- and sex-matched controls, and to determine strength-strain-index in subgroups of children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-19 years) versus controls. METHOD The tibia was examined with peripheral quantitative CT. Based on the assessed data, bone strength-strain index was calculated in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. RESULTS Twenty patients with Fontan and twenty controls (mean age 13.0 ± 4.4 years; 50% females) were examined. Patients had a lower strength-strain index in the lateral direction compared to controls (808.4 ± 416.8mm3 versus 1162.5 ± 552.1mm3, p = 0.043). Subgroup analyses showed no differences regarding strength-strain index in children (6-12 years) with Fontan circulation compared to controls. However, the adolescents (13-19 years) with Fontan circulation had lower strength-strain indexes in both the lateral and anterior-posterior directions compared to controls (1041.4 ± 299.8mm3 versus 1596.4 ± 239.6mm3, p < 0.001, and 771.7 ± 192.4mm3 versus 1084.9 ± 215.0mm3, p = 0.004). When adjusted for height, there were differences between patients (6-19 years) and controls in strength-strain indexes in both the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. In subgroup analyses, the results remained robust. CONCLUSION Young patients (6-19 years) with Fontan circulation have a lower strength-strain index in the tibia compared to controls. Subgroup analyses show that this deficit is mainly driven by the differences in adolescents (13-19 years), which might suggest that bone strength decreases with age.
Dam removal: Listening in

Dam removal is widely used as an approach for river restoration in the United States. The increase in dam removals—particularly large dams—and associated dam‐removal studies over the last few decades motivated a working group at the USGS John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis to review and synthesize available studies of dam removals and their findings. Based on dam removals thus far, some general conclusions have emerged: (1) physical responses are typically fast, with the rate of sediment erosion largely dependent on sediment characteristics and dam‐removal strategy; (2) ecological responses to dam removal differ among the affected upstream, downstream, and reservoir reaches; (3) dam removal tends to quickly reestablish connectivity, restoring the movement of material and organisms between upstream and downstream river reaches; (4) geographic context, river history, and land use significantly influence river restoration trajectories and recovery potential because they control broader physical and ecological processes and conditions; and (5) quantitative modeling capability is improving, particularly for physical and broad‐scale ecological effects, and gives managers information needed to understand and predict long‐term effects of dam removal on riverine ecosystems. Although these studies collectively enhance our understanding of how riverine ecosystems respond to dam removal, knowledge gaps remain because most studies have been short (< 5 years) and do not adequately represent the diversity of dam types, watershed conditions, and dam‐removal methods in the U.S.
A positive test for the Greater Tarim Block at the heart of Rodinia: Mega-dextral suturing of supercontinent assembly

Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109, USA State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China *Email: bin.wen@yale.edu
Macrolichen Diversity Associated with a Regenerating Sacred Grove: A Case Study From Futsil Sacred Grove, Gangolihat, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India

The present study is based on a devoted sacred site of Gangolihat, Pithoragarh which is located in Futsil village and is dominated by Quercus leucotrichophora trees. Since sacred sites play an important role in biodiversity conservation through socio-cultural practices and taboos, the present site was extensively surveyed for macrolichen diversity because this grove which was earlier destroyed by villagers and is now under the phase of regeneration has no data about lichens which are pioneer colonizers and best bioindicators of a given forest. A total of 38 macrolichen species belonging to16 genera and 5 families were reported from the study area. Family Parmeliaceae was the dominating family with 18 species, followed by Physciaceae (11), Collemataceae (6), Ramalinaceae (2) and Cladoniaceae (1). The baseline data generated during the present study is likely to contribute the future climate change studies by comparing the present data sets viz. diversity of lichens and other climatic parameters such as temperature and moisture with that of the sacred sites when it will reach its climax condition in future.
Gadanki radar observations of F region field‐aligned irregularities during June solstice of solar minimum: First results and preliminary analysis

[1] In this paper we present the first results of F region field-aligned irregularities (FAI) made during the summer of low solar condition using the Gadanki mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere radar. FAI echoes were observed on all 20 nights of radar observations and were mostly confined to the postmidnight hours. Echo morphology is found to be very different from the equinoctial postsunset features reported earlier from Gadanki. Echo SNRs are lower by 25 dB than their equinoctial postsunset counterparts but are quite comparable to those of the equinoctial decaying FAI during the postmidnight hours. The Doppler velocities, which lie in the range of ±100 m s−1, are predominantly upward-northward during 0000–0300 LT and downward-southward afterward, in contrast to those observed as predominantly downward-southward associated with the decaying equinoctial postmidnight F region FAI. Spectral widths of the summer echoes, which are well below 50 m s−1 and are very similar to those of the decaying equinoctial irregularities, represent the presence of weak plasma turbulence. Simultaneous observations made using a collocated ionosonde show no ionogram trace during 2200–0530 LT except for a few cases of weak spread F events. Concurrent ionosonde observations made from magnetic equatorial location Trivandrum also show very similar results. The observations are discussed in the light of current understanding on the postmidnight occurrence of F region irregularities in the summer of low solar condition.
Changes in Frequency of Use and Satisfaction of Visitors on Urban Forest as Recreational Resources- Focused on Seonhaksan and Bibongsan Mountains, Jinju City, Korea -

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the frequency of use, users’ behaviour and satisfaction of Seonhaksan and Bibongsan mountains near city center improved through the park and green spaces projects implemented by Jinju City Hall from 2004 to 2016. The number of visitors per day was measured by observation surveys in 2004 and 2016. The users’ behaviour and satisfaction were measured by questionnaires in 2004 and 2017. The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis and independent sample t-test. The number of visitors per day increased about two times on weekdays and more than 2.5 times on weekends in 2016 than in 2004. Relatively the number of male visitors increased more than that of female visitors. The share of elderly visitors has increased and the number of visitors who live out of 1 km radius has increased. The goals of visit were changed from hiking or walking to various recreational activities, and the number of users visiting by car increased. The number of visits and the duration of visit has decreased. The inconveniences of trails and exercise facilities were significantly reduced, and the necessity of family recreational facilities fulfilled. The necessity of outdoor learning facilities and programs has not been recognized. Comprehensively, the results indicate that the recreational quality of Seonhaksan and Bibongsan mountains has improved. Further implementation of target-oriented parks and green spaces will be necessary in the future.
Limited impact of vector control on the population genetic structure of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes from the sleeping sickness focus of Maro, Chad

Tsetse flies (genus Glossina) transmit deadly trypanosomes to human populations and domestic animals in sub-Saharan Africa. Some foci of Human African Trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (g-HAT) persist in southern Chad, where a program of tsetse control was implemented against the local vector Glossina fuscipes fuscipes in 2018 in Maro. We analyzed the population genetics of G. f. fuscipes from the Maro focus before control (T0), one year (T1), and 18 months (T2) after the beginning of control efforts. Most flies captured displayed a local genetic profile (local survivors), but a few flies displayed outlier genotypes. Moreover, disturbance of isolation by distance signature (increase of genetic distance with geographic distance) and effective population size estimates, absence of any genetic signature of a bottleneck, and an increase of genetic diversity between T0 and T2 strongly suggest gene flows from various origins, and a limited impact of the vector control efforts on this tsetse population. Continuous control and surveillance of g-HAT transmission is thus recommended in Maro. Particular attention will need to be paid to the border with the Central African Republic, a country where the entomological and epidemiological status of g-HAT is unknown.