Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of irrigation rate on Sudan grass yield, grown as a second crop

The aim of the present study was to establish the effect of irrigation rate on the yield of Sudan grass variety Engje-1, grown as a second crop for silage on meadow-cinnamon soil for the region of Southern Bulgaria. For this purpose, an experiment with Sudan grass variety Endje-1 on the experimental field of the Agricultural Institute Stara Zagora, after its predecessor barley, was conducted. The Sudan grass was harvested in the brooming stage. Five variants were explored: Variant 1 without irrigation (control); Variant 2 with optimal irrigation, 75-80% of field capacity (FC); Variant 3 irrigation as Var.2 but with removal of the first watering; Variant 4 irrigation as Var.2 but with removal of the second watering; Variant 5 irrigation as Var.2, but with removal of the third watering. It was found that the efficiency of 1m3 of irrigation water was the highest at the optimum variant (Var.2), where 5.36 kg of dry mass (DM) were produced by 1 m3 of water. With the removal of the second irrigation (Var.4), the yield on the dry mass decreased by 6.4% compared to the optimal variant (Var.2), and with the removal of the first irrigation (Var.3) the losses on the dry mass reached, 12.3%, respectively. The highest values of this indicator were obtained by varying the second irigation (Vаr.4) 7.53 kgDM/m3 water. The coefficient of efficiency of the irrigation rate, representing the ratio between the increase of the yield (in comparison with the version without irrigation Vаr.1), and the size of the realized irrigation norm had the highest value in the version without second irrigation (Vаr.4) and the lowest values for the version without first irrigation (Vаr.3).
Effectiveness of Common Household Washing of Tomatoes on the Removal of Pesticide Residues

The effectiveness of common household washing processes of tomatoes on the removal of pesticide residues was investigated in Iringa, Tanzania. Analyses of cleaned-up extracts were carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Nine pesticide residues were detected in unwashed and washed samples. The compounds detected were chlorothalonil, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, profenofos, endosulfan sulphate, endosulfan ether, lambda cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and metalaxyl. The concentrations of chlorothalonil, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, profenofos, cypermethrin and lambda cyhalothrin in some unwashed and washed samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Washing reduced the concentrations of chlorothalonil and endosulfan sulphate in tomatoes by 22.2–98.0% (mean = 70%) and 33.3–55.6% (mean = 44.4%), respectively. The effectiveness of washing processes on the removal of pirimiphos methyl, chlorpyrifos and profenofos residues in tomatoes had mean values of 78.1%, 73.2% and 47.4%, respectively. The mean reduction of cypermethrin residues due to washing process was 70.2%, whereas that for lambda cyhalothrin was 56.7%. The effectiveness of washing process on the removal of metalaxyl residues had a mean of 44.9%. The results have shown that household washing removes large amounts of pesticide residues from contaminated crop produce, although large proportions of some compounds remain and can pose health risks to the consumers. Keywords: pesticide; organophosphorus; pyrethroid; organochlorine; tomato; household washing.
Field Performance of False Horn Plantain (Musa AAB) Corms Treated Mechanically and with Hormone Solutions

The growth and yield performance of macropropagated plantlets of the False Horn plantain cultivar ‘Apantu’ was evaluated due to the lack of reliable data on the effectiveness of that planting material under typical farming conditions in West Africa, Ghana. Corms were either mechanically treated by the Plants Issus de Fragments de tige (PIF) technique to destroy the apical meristem or remained intact as untreated controls. Subsequently, PIF-treated corms were vacuum infiltrated with either natural or synthetic plant hormone solutions. Emerging plantlets were harvested, acclimatized for three months and planted in a freshly prepared field. Vegetative growth characteristics of each mother (main) plant were taken at 6 and 9 months after planting and for the main and first sucker crop along with yield parameters at harvest, respectively. The results indicated that treatment induced growth differences at 6 and 9 months after planting and were no longer significant at harvest. Consequently, final growth performance was quite homogenous across all treatments for the main and sucker crop, respectively. In contrast, fruit yield parameters of the main and sucker crops were to some extent affected by treatment; however, hormone infiltration tended to have little additional effect over the PIF-treatment. Nevertheless, treating corms with hormonal solutions enhanced the production of rooted plantlets at the nursery stage and ensured improved field performance.
Five shades of women: evidence from Italian listed firms

This paper aims to examine empirically the impact of gender diversity on corporate performance by both comparing different positions occupied by female directors on the boards and their personal-specific characteristics. ,The paper examines a sample of Italian listed companies during 2006–2015. To deal with endogeneity issues, the authors use a generalized method of moments as an empirical methodology. ,The empirical findings show that the positive effect of both independent and executive women directors on firm performance is moderated by the specific characteristics of female directors. Specifically, the analyses show that foreign and busy females negatively impact on performance. Conversely, graduate female directors strengthen the positive link between executive women and firm performance. ,The paper sheds light on the consequences of appointing different types of female directors (i.e. independent, executive, graduate, foreign and busy) on firm performance. Our empirical research that investigates the association between gender diversity and performance in the Italian context based on a longitudinal study, which involves a period of ten years, allowing consideration both of the years before and after the introduction of the gender quota law (Golfo–Mosca law).
Crime Risk near Reported Homeless Encampments: a Spatial Analysis

i Acknowledgements . ii List of Tables . iv List of Figures . v Introduction . 1 Literature Review. 5 Spatial Theories of Crime . 5 Homelessness and Victimization . 12 The Myth of Homelessness and Criminality . 15 Spatial Context of Homelessness . 17 Homelessness in Portland: Considering the Local Context . 19 Research Contribution . 21 Data and Methodology . 22 Data Sources . 22 Homeless Camps . 23 Crime. 27 Methodology . 30 Results . 35 Research Question 1 . 35 Multiple buffers . 36 Research Question 1a . 37 Research Question 2 . 37 Research Question 2a . 39 Discussion . 43 Research Question 1 . 43 Research Question 2 . 46 Limitations . 49 Future Research Directions . 52 Conclusion . 54 References . 57
The Effects of Royal Jelly Acid, 10-Hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic Acid, on Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Astrocytes Stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide and Hydrogen Peroxide

The increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, necessitates the search for natural immune- and cognitive-enhancing agents. 10-Hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA), the main fatty acid of royal jelly, has several pharmacological activities. Given the fundamental role of astrocytes in regulating immune responses of the central nervous system, we used cortical astrocytes to examine the effect of 10-H2DA on the expression of genes associated with neuroinflammation and the production of neurotrophins, as well as cellular resistance to H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. Astrocytes, pretreated with a range of concentrations of 10-H2DA for 24 h, were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 3 h, after which the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, and IGF-1) was evaluated. In the absence of LPS, 10-H2DA had no significant effect on the mRNA expression of neurotrophins or cytokines except for IL-1β, which significantly increased with low doses of 10-H2DA (3 µM). 10-H2DA (10 µM) pretreatment of LPS-stimulated cells did not significantly inhibit the expression of cytokine encoding genes; however, it significantly lowered the mRNA expression of GDNF and tended to decrease BDNF and IGF-1 expression compared with LPS alone. Additionally, 10-H2DA did not protect astrocytes against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Our data indicate no anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or neurotrophic effect of 10-H2DA in astrocytes undergoing inflammation or oxidative stress. The effect of IGF-1 inhibition by 10-H2DA on neuronal ketogenesis needs investigation.
Osmotic dehydration kinetics of fresh and frozen blueberries considering volume shrinkage in a novel ternary solution

Osmotic dehydration (OD) is a nonthermal technology for preserving and processing fruit (Junqueira et al., 2021; Dermesonlouoglou & Giannakourou, 2018; Kowalska et al., 2017). This method can extend the shelf life of blueberries and produce intermediate-moisture products with better stability (GrajalesLagunes et al., 2019; Yu et al., 2016). The further development of OD in blueberries is hindered by osmotic agents and efficiency (Yu et al., 2016; Ciurzyńska et al., 2016; Kucner et al., 2013; Ketata et al., 2013). Sucrose is one of the most commonly used osmotic agents in the OD of blueberries (Yadav & Singh, 2014; Vega-Gálvez et al., 2012). However, the use of sucrose to dehydrate fruits will increase the sugar content and the calorific value of the final products, which are important because glycemic index and calorific intake are dietary concerns among consumers, particularly those who are diabetics (Shi et al., 2017). In recent studies, many researchers have tried a variety of low sugar solutions, including polyols and low-sugar fruit juice, to reduce the calorie content and glycemic index of dehydrated products (Cichowska et al., 2018; Akharume et al., 2016). The high viscosities of sucrose, polyols and low-sugar fruit juice solution limits their applications in the OD of blueberries at low temperature (<25 °C), and many physicals methods, such as vibration and stirring, cannot improve the efficiency (Dimakopoulou-Papazoglou & Katsanidis, 2019; Telis et al., 2004; Tonon et al., 2007). Higher temperature can improve the OD efficiency, but high temperature is harmful to the anthocyanins and phenols in blueberries (Allan-Wojtas et al., 2001; Yu Y et al., 2017). Anthocyanins are antioxidants and important solutes in a healthier product (Grajales-Lagunes et al., 2019). To improve the efficiency of OD for blueberries, the use of a ternary solution can increase the osmotic pressure gradient of the solution without reaching the saturation limit of the OD solute (Dimakopoulou-Papazoglou & Katsanidis, 2019; Telis et al., 2004; Derossi et al., 2015). Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a common OD solute in ternary solutions (Telis et al., 2004; Tonon et al., 2007; Derossi et al., 2015). However, excessive intake of sodium in the human-body can cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (Rodrigues et al., 2016; Silva et al., 2014). In studies of the OD of fruits and vegetables, calcium chloride (CaCl2) is a new salt substitute (Silva et al., 2014; Jesus Junqueira et al., 2017). Compared with NaCl, CaCl2 has lower effects on the physio-chemical and sensory properties of dehydrated products and can also avoid the negative effects of NaCl (Jesus Junqueira et al., 2017). In addition, the skin of blueberries is a determinant factor that hinders mass transfer during the OD process (Kucner et al., 2013; Ketata et al., 2013). Freezing treatment is a low-cost and ordinary processing technology Osmotic dehydration kinetics of fresh and frozen blueberries considering volume shrinkage in a novel ternary solution
Dielectric Properties of Wood-Polymer Composites: Effects of Frequency, Fiber Nature, Proportion, and Chemical Composition

The characterization of the dielectric properties of wood–polymer composites (WPCs) is essential to understand their interaction with electromagnetic fields and evaluate their potential use for new applications. Thus, dielectric spectroscopy monitored the evolution of the dielectric properties of WPCs over a wide frequency range of 1 MHz to 1 GHz. WPCs were prepared using mixtures of different proportions (40%, 50%, and 60%) of wood and bark fibers from various species, high-density polyethylene, and maleated polyethylene (3%) by a two-step process, extrusion and compression molding. Results indicated that wood fibers modify the resistivity of polyethylene at low frequencies but have no effect at microwave frequencies. Increasing the fiber content increases the composites’ dielectric properties. The fibers’ cellulose content explains the variation in the dielectric properties of composites reinforced with fibers from different wood species. Indeed, composites with high cellulose content show higher dielectric constants.
KeratinocytesNonspecific Th1 Cells to Kill Autologous Hypersensitivity by Licensing Hapten IL-17 Amplifies Human Contact

Th17 is a newly identiﬁed lineage of effector T cells involved in autoimmunity and immune responses to pathogens. We demonstrate in this study the pathogenic role of IL-17–producing CD4 + T lymphocytes in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to skin-applied chemicals. IL-17 + T cells inﬁltrate ACD reactions and predominantly distribute at the site of heavy spongiosis. Skin IL-17 + T cells were functionally and phenotypically heterogeneous: although pure Th17 prevaile d in ACD skin, hapten responsiveness was restricted to Th1/IL-17 (IFN- g + IL-17 + ) and Th0/IL-17 (IFN- g + IL-17 + IL-4 + ) fractions, and to lesser extent Th2/ IL-17 cells. In the IFN- g –dominated ACD environment, IL-17–releasing T cells affect immune function of keratinocytes by promoting CXCL8, IL-6, and HBD-2 production. In addition, compared with Th1, supernatants from Th1/IL-17 T cells were much more efﬁcient in inducing ICAM-1 expression on keratinocytes and keratinocyte–T cell adhesiveness in vitro. As a consequence, exposure to combined IFN- g and IL-17 rendered keratinocytes susceptible to ICAM-1–dependent Ag nonspeciﬁc T cell killing. Thus, IL-17 efﬁciently ampliﬁes the allergic reaction by rendering virtually all of the T lymphocytes recruited at the site of skin inﬂammation capable to directly contribute to tissue damage. The Journal of Immunology , 2010,
Comparison of Dry Matter Loss Rates from Static and Dynamic Grain Respiration Measurement Systems for Soybeans at 18% Moisture Content and 30°C

Time to reach 0.5% dry matter loss (DML) is the estimated maximum allowable storage time (MAST) for shelled corn and has been suggested for use with other grains. Respiration studies have reported various estimates of this threshold depending on the type of grain respiration measurement system (GRMS) and storage conditions tested. The objectives of this study were (1) to design and evaluate two GRMS in which oxygen needed for respiration was limited in a static system (S-GRMS) or continuously supplied in a dynamic system (D-GRMS) during storage and (2) to compare the effects of GRMS on DML rates (vDML) for 18% moisture content soybeans stored at 30°C for 20 d. In this study, S-GRMS and D-GRMS units were designed to conduct respiration tests. Respired CO2 (mg CO2) was measured over time and used to calculate the specific mass of respired CO2 (mg CO2 kg-1 d.b. beans) and subsequent DML (%) using stoichiometric ratios from the respiration chemical reaction. DML rates, vDML (% d-1), were estimated by least squares linear regression of DML and time data. Four replications of respiration tests were conducted in each GRMS. Average estimates of vDML were 0.0157% d-1 and 0.0189% d-1 for SGRMS and D-GRMS, respectively. Mean vDML from D-GRMS tests was 1.2 times greater than mean vDML from S-GRMS but not statistically different (p = 0.09). However, the coefficient of variation was 8 times greater for D-GRMS than for S-GRMS. More studies with a wider range of storage conditions should be conducted for development of a safety factor between both systems prior to using data from respiration of soybeans in the literature to estimate MAST.
The effects of the monetary policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary evidence from a pilot study using Austrian bank-level data

The Eurosystem’s monetary policy response to the COVID-19 crisis has been swift and powerful. Its policy package contained both extensions and enlargements of existing unconventional monetary policy measures, including the further loosening of their respective conditions. The Eurosystem also introduced new measures to meet the extraordinary challenge posed by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we provide a pilot study to analyze the credit supply effects of one important building block of the monetary policy rescue package: the Eurosystem’s targeted longer-term refinancing operations (TLTROs). The modalities and conditions of the current vintage of TLTRO, TLTRO III, were significantly relaxed in spring 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We draw on Austrian bank-level data and exploit an instrumental variable strategy to approximate the effects of the June 2020 TLTRO uptake on banks’ supply of new loans. We find evidence for an unambiguously positive effect of TLTRO participation on the supply of new loans in Austria. The estimated credit supply elasticity, however, differs substantially (ranging between 0.26 and 1.00), depending on the specification and caveats considered.
Tooth morphology and food processing in Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard, in O.F. Müller, 1789) and Ophiura albida Forbes, 1839 (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Based on the main feeding modes of two common European brittlestars, Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiura albida, the present study relates the species’ tooth morphology to their function in processing food items of different structural quality. Clusters of grinding dental papillae in the suspension feeding O. fragilis seem most appropriate for loosening compound food items, i.e., food boli, or potentially for grazing. Large triangular teeth are considered to be used as crushing and cutting instruments, most likely for processing loosened or broken up food masses into smaller digestible portions. In the mostly predating and scavenging O. albida, sharp and pointy or broad scale-like oral papillae may serve in gripping and fixing live benthic prey organisms or carrion, while the larger spine-like teeth may be applied as carnassial instruments thrusting into the flesh of a prey organism and tearing off pieces. Designating the two species either as grinders and cutters processing compound and hard structured food or as grippers and tearers handling softer textures, still awaits confirmation through feeding experiments and observational documentation.
The Effect of Gender, Experience, Context and Profi c ency on Teachers’ and Learners’ Perception of Corrective Feedback

Abstract: The current study investigated the effect of educa tion l setting, teachers’ gender and experience, along with learners’ proficiency level on the application of corrective feedback. Corrective feedback is one of the controversial iss ue which have received the researchers’ attention recently. To conduct this research, 60 EFL teachers and 80 EFL learners were selected through convenient sampling. Teachers were selected by considering gender (male and female), experience (experienced and inexperienced), educati onal setting (private institutes and universities) while learners were selected by consi dering their proficiency level (high and low). Affective and Effective Responses Feedback question naire was administered to the participants to collect data. The data were analyzed by using de scriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that gender, experience, educational setting a d proficiency level did not affect the participants’ response regarding the corrective fee dback. This finding may be due to unfamiliarity of the teachers and learners with ora l and written corrective feedback which makes it necessary to highlight it in teacher training co urses. Curriculum designers and book developers should pay attention to he instruction of correction strategies and corrective feedback in material development.
Disinfection and Clarification of Treated Sewage by Advanced Microfiltration

A study was conducted to investigate the use of an advanced membrane microfiltration system to disinfect and clarify secondary and primary treated sewage. The membrane microfiltration system tested incorporated a patented gas backwashing technique which significantly reduces fouling. A comprehensive microbiological testing program established that all indicator bacteria and viruses were removed by this system. Testing for chemical quality showed significant reductions in BOD, suspended solids, turbidity, phosphorus, oil/grease and heavy metals. Consistent filtration rates over several months were achieved without significant biological fouling. The study conclusively showed the capability of the microfiltration system to disinfect and clarify treated sewage.
Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 restrains stem cell ‐ like properties of ovarian cancer cells by enhancing vitamin D receptor and suppressing CD 44

Scientific evidence linking vitamin D with various cancer types is growing, but the effects of vitamin D on ovarian cancer stem cell‐like cells (CSCs) are largely unknown. The present study aimed to examine whether vitamin D was able to restrain the stemness of ovarian cancer. A side population (SP) from malignant ovarian surface epithelial cells was identified as CSCs, in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] treatment inhibited the self‐renewal capacity of SP cells by decreasing the sphere formation rate and by suppressing the mRNA expression levels of cluster of differentiation CD44, NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, Krüppel‐like factor 4 and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette subfamily G member 2. Additionally, 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment decreased the expression of Cyclin D1, whereas it increased the expression of β‐catenin and vitamin D receptor (VDR). Notably, immunofluorescence staining verified that 1α,25(OH)2D3 promoted the expression of β‐catenin in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, vitamin D3 delayed the onset of tumor formation derived from injection of ovarian CSCs to nude mice, by reducing CD44 and enhancing β‐catenin expressions in vivo. In conclusion, 1α,25(OH)2D3 restrains the stem cell‐like properties of ovarian cancer cells by enhancing the expression of VDR, by promoting the expression of β‐catenin in the cytoplasm, and by suppressing the expression of CD44. These findings provide a novel insight into the functions of vitamin D in diminishing the stemness of cancer CSCs.