Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The mineralization rate of black soil carbon in the deep layers of Japanese volcanic ash soil may be easily accelerated by labile carbon supply

ABSTRACT The stability of black soil carbon in the deep layers of Japanese volcanic ash soil (i.e., buried A horizons) is often explained by its unique chemical (molecular structure) and physical (associated with short-range-order minerals) recalcitrance. However, the stability of black soil C in buried A horizons may be changed by labile C supply for soil microbes. Here, we hypothesized that the mineralization of black soil C in buried A horizons of Japanese volcanic ash soil could be easily accelerated by a supply of labile C (i.e., a priming effect; PE). To test our hypothesis, we investigated the direction and magnitude of the PE with a buried A horizon in Japan using 13C-labeled glucose (2.188 atom %) in a short-term (21 days) incubation study. We also investigated the effect of mineral nitrogen (N), which could contribute to microbial activity in this incubation study. We found that a positive PE occurred by glucose supply with (182%) or without (181%) mineral N input over the 21-day incubation, and its values were very similar to the PE ratios previously reported in other deep soils. The estimated mean residence time (MRT) of black soil C considering PE was clearly accelerated by glucose supply, regardless of mineral N input, compared with the initial soil MRT. These results strongly support our hypothesis that the mineralization rate of black soil C in buried A horizons is easily accelerated by a labile C supply, and it also demonstrates important implications for the effects of global warming on buried A horizons (e.g., increased root exudation, fine root biomass supply, and N deposition) in Japanese volcanic ash soils.
Fibrolytic enzymes improving in vitro rumen degradability of tropical forages.

During specific times of the year, especially dry seasons, tropical forages typically have poor nutritional value due to high contents of neutral and acid detergent fibres, and low crude protein in their composition, which may reduce productivity of ruminant livestock production and lead to increased enteric methane (CH4 ) emissions per unit of generated product in forage-bases systems. In order to increase fibre degradability and the efficiency of energy utilisation from low-quality forages, exogenous fibrolytic enzymes have been studied. In this assay, we evaluated the effects of increasing dose levels of fibrolytic enzymes extract (FEE) produced by Trichoderma reesei on in vitro rumen organic matter degradability, fermentation parameters, total gas and CH4 production of tropical forages. Forage samples were analysed for their bromatological composition, and enzyme activity from FEE was performed for xylanase and endoglucanase. The in vitro gas production technique was used in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement with five FEE dose levels (0, 5, 50, 500 and 5,000 µl) and three substrates (Cynodon spp., Panicum maximum and Cenchrus ciliaris L.). The highest dose level of FEE increased degradability, total gas and CH4 production in all substrates (p < .05). Butyrate concentration also increased while acetate:propionate ratio and pH decreased with the addition of FEE (p < .05). These results indicated that the use of fibrolytic enzymes can be a reliable strategy to improve degradability of low-quality forages, contributing to the sustainability and intensification of livestock production in tropical countries.
VAINLY BEATING THE AIR: SPECIES-CONCEPT DEBATES NEED NOT IMPEDE PROGRESS IN SCIENCE OR CONSERVATION

Debate over species concepts has been a persistent theme in biology. We briefl y summarize competing species concepts and facets of the debate itself. We maintain that the inherent subjectivity within all species concepts is likely to ensure continued disagreement on where to place species limits. Although the debate itself contributes to the understanding of speciation and evolutionary processes, it can take on political overtones through posturing, caricatures, and provocative statements. Empirically, neither basic nor applied science would seem to have been slowed appreciably because the species-concept debate remains unresolved. Similarly, continued disagreement must be placed in its proper context (e.g., be shelved) when considering the preservation of biodiversity. To a considerable extent, this has occurred within the conservation community. The biological species concept (BSC) and its inclusion of diagnosably distinct populations as subspecies remain dominant in ornithology. This may be att ributable, in part, to the seemingly infi nitely fi ne divisions possible under phylogenetic species concepts (PSC)—which, among other things, could strain public credulity over what constitutes a species. Nevertheless, the strengths of each of these concepts are being applied to improve our understanding of biodiversity. The longstanding disagreement over species concepts should not become an impediment to responsible conservation and wildlife manage- ment. It probably has not occurred broadly yet, but there may be potential for such an eff ect in the political arena. Received, accepted. Resumen. —El concepto de especie es un tema polemico en biologia. Resumimos brevemente los distintos conceptos de especie y las facetas del debate. Consideramos que la subjetividad inherente en todos los conceptos de especie garantizan un continuo desacuerdo en como delimitar las especies. Aunque el debate en si mismo contribuye a entender el proceso de especiacion y otros procesos evolutivos, muchas veces se desarrolla en terminos demasiado caricaturescos, burlescos y provocativos. De hecho, la continuidad del debate no parece haber ralentizado ni la ciencia basica ni la aplicada. De igual modo, el continuo desacuerdo debe contextualizarse cuando consideramos la conservacion de la diversidad. El concepto biologico de especie (BSC) y la inclusion de las poblaciones diagnosticables como subespecies, sigue predominando en ornitologia. Esto puede deberse en parte a las infi nitas divisiones que se pueden realizar bajo el concepto fi logenetico de especie (PSC), lo que entre otras cosas, puede afectar el entendimiento del publico en general sobre que es una especie. Sin embargo, los puntos fuertes de cada concepto se estan aplicando para llegar a un mejor entendimiento de la biodiversidad. Este desacuerdo historico sobre el concepto de especie no tiene por que ser un impedimento para una politica responsable para la conservacion y gestion de la vida salvaje.
Coastal-Fish Communities along the Northern Coast of the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea: Responses to Salinity and Eutrophication

The Gulf of Finland is an elongated estuarine sea receiving a large freshwater input and nutrient load, especially in the east from the River Neva. The surface water salinity of the gulf increases from < 1 to 6‰ from east to west, and the less haline eastern areas of the gulf are the most eutrophied. Five study areas in the archipelago zone were surveyed with multimesh gill nets in summer 1998. Our results confirmed that salinity is an important factor influencing species richness in the northern coastal waters of the Gulf of Finland, as marine species gradually disappeared towards the less haline eastern areas. However, the conventional indicators of eutrophication derived from lakes (high total catches, high catches of cyprinids) did not show logical differences between more and less eutrophic coastal areas. The higher productivity in the eastern part of the gulf has not led to higher fish biomasses in the archipelago zone. A potential factor affecting fish communities seems to be the high fishing pressure in some coastal areas.
Loss-Driven Channel Pruning of Convolutional Neural Networks

SUMMARY The increase in computation cost and storage of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) severely hinders their applications on limited-resources devices in recent years. As a result, there is impending necessity to accelerate the networks by certain methods. In this paper, we propose a loss-driven method to prune redundant channels of CNNs. It identiﬁes unimportant channels by using Taylor expansion technique regarding to scaling and shifting factors, and prunes those channels by ﬁxed percentile threshold. By doing so, we obtain a compact network with less parameters and FLOPs consumption. In experimental section, we evaluate the proposed method in CIFAR datasets with several popular networks, including VGG-19, DenseNet-40 and ResNet-164, and experimental results demonstrate the proposed method is able to prune over 70% channels and parameters with no performance loss. Moreover, iterative pruning could be used to obtain more compact network.
Early stages and the classification of the milkweed butterflies (Lepidoptera: Danainae)

The Danainae, or milkweed butterflies, are a moderate-sized group of around 150 species that are of considerable ecological, physiological and behavioural interest. There are two currently accepted classifications for the subfamily and the aim of this study was to try to resolve this conflict using characters derived from the eggs, larvae and pupae. The 130 new characters (of which 85 are illustrated) are analysed by both phenetic methods (average linkage cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis) and by cladistic techniques (Wagner tree, character compatibility analysis and manually derived cladograms). Overall, the results corroborate the more recent classification of the Danainae. However, some points of difference are found and, after component analysis, an alternative classification is presented in accordance with the conventions for constructing annotated Linnaean hierarchies.
Nanoscale Observations of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Deposition on Phyllosilicates by an Ectomycorrhizal Fungus

Microorganisms colonizing surfaces can exude a wide range of substances, generally called Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS). While EPS has often been visualized as thick mature strata embedding microbes, the initial phases of EPS production, its structure at the micro- and nanoscale and the microbial wall areas involved in its exudation are less known. In this work we use Atomic Force Microscopy to image EPS produced by the fungus Paxillus involutus on phyllosilicate surfaces. Hyphal tips initially deposit EPS which assumes the shape of a “halo” surrounding hyphae. The fusion of adjacent EPS halos is likely responsible for the creation of EPS monolayers covering mineral surfaces. It is also proposed that a specific region of hyphae initiates the formation of mineral channels produced by fungi. The results presented here permit for the first time to propose a model for the initial stages of EPS accumulation in fungi and filamentous microorganisms in general.
Early selection for wood density in young coastal Douglas-fir trees

Selection age for wood density in vigorous coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) was determined by examining the following: strength of the correlation between total-stem wood density of 50-year-old trees and their breast-height density when the trees were 5 through 30 years old (breast-height age); efficiency in terms of gain per year of tree improvement effort by selecting at ages 5 through 30, relative to selecting at age 50. The linear regression and rank correlation between total-stem and breast-height densities improved as age increased from 5 to 15 years, but showed no significant improvement from 15 to 30 years. Densities of early-growth rings fluctuated considerably and their exclusion from the calculation of breast-height density enhanced the linear regression with total-stem density. Efficiency estimates in terms of gain per year showed an optimum value at age 15, but the estimates for ages 10–14 were nearly as efficient.
Analysis of early tree height in forest genetic trials is enhanced by including a spatially correlated residual

This study explores the use of a mixed linear model including spatially correlated residuals in addition to the traditional randomized complete block (RCB) analysis in 12 forest genetic trials. The analysis of early height data from progeny and clonal tests of three species (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. , Pinus pinaster Ait. , and Pinus radiata D. Don) showed that there was significant spatial variation in all trials. Adding a basic first-order separable autoregressive error term more effectively modelled the spatial variation than the RCB model and greatly reduced the block and plot variances. There was no evidence that extended spatial modelling was required. The spatial analysis greatly improved the accuracy of genetic value estimation in some trials and was accompanied by large changes in rank of the genetic entries and by greater gains in selection relative to the RCB analysis.
Combining labour market and unemployment policies with environmental sustainability? A cross-national study on ecosocial innovations

Abstract Labour market and unemployment policies in particular are rarely connected to issues of environmental sustainability. In the present article, the link is examined by focusing on ecosocial innovations in four European countries – Finland, Germany, Belgium and Italy. These innovations are small-scale associations, cooperatives or organizations that create new integrative practices combining both social and environmental goals. By asking how their social practices are linked with labour market and unemployment policies, we explore the scope for new ecosocial policies. The results of this cross-national case study lead to three lessons to be learnt for a future ecosocial welfare state: at the sectoral level, organizational level and individual level. In summary, many valuable ideas, instruments and programmes towards sustainability already exist in the field, but they are not yet integrated in the current labour market and unemployment policies.
Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene -Taq1 (RS 731236) Associated With Plasma Vitamin D Group Levels Among Breast Cancer Patients in H. Adam Malik Hospital, Medan

Aim Breast cancer was one of the most cancer occurred in women worldwide. Taq 1 polymorphism, a silent SNP, was thought to be genetic risk factor for breast cancer. This study was aimed to understand the relationship between vitamin D receptor gene–Taq 1 (RS 731236) polymorphism and plasma vitamin D level among breast cancer patients in RSU H. Adam Malik Medan. Material and Methods Blood sample was collected from 53 new breast cancer cases that had not received any chemotherapy. DNA isolation and gene amplification was done using PCR then followed with RFLP using Taq 1 restriction enzyme. The level of 25(OH)D was measured using ELISA. Result and Discussion Study results showed TT genotype was 92.5%, TC genotype was 7.5%, CC genotype was 0 % using Hardy-Winberg Equilibrium (HWE) p=0.77, mean value of vitamin D level in study subject was 28.16 ng/ml (CI 95%: 25.71-30.60). Fisher exact test analysis concluded that polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene-Taq1 associated with plasma vitamin D group levels among breast cancer patients in H. Adam Malik Hospital, Medan ( p= 0.033 ) but there was no difference in mean plasma vitamin D levels between genotype groups of Taq1 ( p=0.141 ). Conclusion Vitamin D receptor gene-Taq1 polymorphism was associated with plasma vitamin D group level and but no significant differences in mean plasma vitamin D levels between genotype groups of Taq1.
An observational study to evaluate fall in hemoglobin following abortions conducted by misoprostol and surgical methods

In India, the second most populous country in the world, abortion has been legal on a broad range of grounds since 1971. Over the past three decades, medical methods of abortion have been developed throughout the world and are now the standard methods of providing abortion care. Medical abortion, which involves the use of medications rather than a surgical procedure to induce an abortion, is an option for women who wish to terminate a first trimester pregnancy. The method is most commonly used up to 63 days of gestation but is also effective after. The centres for disease control and prevention estimates that 64% of abortions are performed before 63 days of gestation. Medical methods are safe, effective and avoids invasive procedures as in surgical abortion but requires active patient participation and follow up. Surgical methods on the other hand are completed in a single setting, have higher success rate but carries risk of perforation, adhesion formation and may affect the reproductive potential of women. In this study we are evaluating the fall in haemoglobin level in both the methods in women with early pregnancy failure.
Evidence for an intrarenal renin‐angiotensin system in the European lesser‐spotted dogfish

The existence of an intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in a perfused European lesser-spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula trunk preparation was examined by the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme by captopril. This resulted in a glomerular diuresis, an increase in urea and chloride clearance and excretion, and an increase in transport maxima for glucose. It is proposed that these results suggest the presence of an intrarenal RAS. # 2003 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
A Method for Napping Time Recommendation Using Electrical Brain Activity

Napping in the workplace has become popular. Knowing how to nap for brain benefits is important. We designed a nap experiment to investigate how napping after different sleep stages impacts procedural memory and sleepiness. In total, 45 nonhabitual nappers were randomly assigned to the Wake group (no napping), N2 group (napping and being woken after enough N2 sleep), and slow-wave sleep (SWS) group (napping and being woken after the end of the first cycle of slow-wave sleep). The results show that the N2 group produces benefits in procedural memory consolidation and sleepiness reduction. In contrast, the SWS group had a lower behavioral performance than the N2 group and their sleepiness. The Wake group had lower performance and higher sleepiness score than the other groups. The results suggest that the ideal napping time is 10–20 min of N2 sleep. Considering that people’s sleep-onset time might be different, we developed a napping time suggestion system using a single-channel electroencephalogram signal. The testing results show that the difference between a 10-min nap of N2 sleep calculated by our system and by an expert is only 0.45 min on average, which demonstrates the feasibility of waking people up at the right time.
The applicability of Rapoport's rule to the marine molluscs of the Americas

Aim We evaluated the applicability of Rapoport's rule (RR) to the marine molluscs of the Americas. The biogeographical pattern predicted by RR has been the subject of a large number of studies, some supporting it and some not. In this exercise, we attempted to generate results free of biases in taxonomy or geographical scale.
Research progress in activation of phosphorus containing substances and remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil

The phenomenon of soil phosphorus deficiency in China is very serious, which limits the agricultural production in China. Low molecular weight organic acids and phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms are widely distributed in the soil, and can be used as activators to improve the content of phosphorus in the soil. With the rapid development of industry and agriculture in China, heavy metal pollution in the environment is becoming more and more serious. China is rich in phosphate rock resources, but the grade of phosphate rock is low and the utilization efficiency is not high. Using phosphate rock to deal with heavy metal pollution has been favored by environmental scholars. This paper analyzes the main composition and application of phosphate rock in China, the activation of phosphate rock powder, the remediation effect and mechanism of phosphate rock powder and activated phosphate rock powder on heavy metals in soil, providing theoretical basis for the scientific utilization of low-grade phosphate rock and the treatment of heavy metal pollution.
Sclerophylly: Evolutionary advantage or mere epiphenomenon?

ABSTRACT The possible functional significance of sclerophylly (hard and coriaceous leaves) is discussed on the basis of different interpretations reported in old and recent literature. These, have been schematically divided into four groups of hypotheses, i.e. the “water conservation˚d hypothesis, the “resistance to negative turgour pressures˚d hypothesis, the “nutritional˚d hypothesis and the “protective˚d hypothesis. In particular, a section is devoted to discussing the first and second hypotheses in terms of relationships of sclerophylly to drought resistance strategies. Data reported in the literature lead to the conclusion that the sclerophyllous habitus per se seems not to be related to drought resistance of plants as previously thought. Nor do clear-cut relationships appear to exist between leaf sclerification and living leaf cells with thicker walls, leading to a high modulus of elasticity (ε), the latter known to be of importance for generating low leaf water potentials, i.e. higher driving forces for water uptake. Because leaf sclerification has proved to be related to soil nutrient deficiency, this leaf habitus can be considered as a mere epiphenomenon of nutrient stress. On the other hand, the selective advantage of sclerophylly as protection against herbivore attacks, though not demonstrated in different environments, seems to be of great interest and deserves further studies.
Molecular phylogeny of Neocalanus copepods in the subarctic Pacific Ocean, with notes on non-geographical genetic variations for Neocalanus cristatus

Monophylies of Neocalanus cristatus, Neocalanus plumchrus and Neocalanus flemingeri were revealed by nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (410 bp) but not of nuclear 18S rDNA gene (1802 bp). Intraspecific variations in mitochondrial 16S rRNA of N. cristatus collected from geographically distant regions were very low (<0.5%).
Estimation of Genetic (Co)variance Components for International Evaluation of Dairy Bulls

Abstract Within- and across-country genetic parameters need to be estimated prior to an international genetic evaluation of dairy bulls. A procedure based on the Expectation Maximization algorithm to produce restricted maximum likelihood estimates of such parameters, using national evaluation results from different countries, was tested by simulation. Individual performance records were generated for two populations of dairy cattle with separate breeding programmes but considerable genetic exchange to create ties between the populations. A genotype-by-country interaction effect was generated by simulating the data according to a genetic correlation of 90 between performance in the two countries. Within-country national evaluations were computed with animal models. The estimation procedure was tested using bull national evaluation results. The impact of factors such as data connectedness, time period, and bias in national evaluations on estimated parameters was investigated. When all data were included in .
The maroon boxer briefs: exploring erotic reflexivity in interview research

This article addresses both participants’ and researchers’ erotic arousal during in-depth interviewing and explores how these emotions can be both productive and informative. I briefly overview the scarce literature available and propose a new framework where arousal is considered as playful. I provide three cases from my research where erotic arousal was informative. These reflect on participants’ and researcher’s arousal through interview transcripts and research journal. I suggest that ignoring these instances overlooks important sources of information about the interview setting and propose ways in which these emotions can be included as informative insights in the analysis of research. Throughout this article, I also reflect on the ways in which erotic arousal is embodied and, thus, not always rational, and the limits of reflexivity. Finally, I conclude by acknowledging some of the complications of erotic arousal before suggesting its benefits.