Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term influence of stand thinning and repeated fertilization on forage production in young lodgepole pine forests

Integration of trees with forage and livestock production as silvopastoralism is another potential component of intensive forest management. Stand thinning and fertilization may enhance growth of crop trees and understory forage for livestock. We tested the hypothesis that large-scale precommercial thinning (PCT) (particularly heavy thinning to ≤1000 stems·ha−1) and repeated fertilization, up to 20 years after the onset of treatments, would enhance production of graminoids, forbs, and shrubs as cattle (Bos taurus L.) forage. Results are from two long-term studies: (1) PCT (1988–2013) and (2) PCT with fertilization (PCT–FERT) (1993–2013) of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stands in south-central British Columbia, Canada. Mean biomass estimates of graminoids, forbs, total herbs, and shrubs were not affected by stand density. However, fertilization enhanced mean biomass estimates of graminoids, forbs, and total herbs, but not shrubs. Thus, the density part of our hypoth.
Comparison of effectiveness of 7.5% Povidone-iodine with 1% Clotrimazole ear drops and lignocaine in Otomycosis

Objectives: Our study is comparing the effectiveness of 7.5% Povidone-iodine with 1% Clotrimazole ear drops and lignocaine in the management of Otomycosis to highlight the importance of replacing conventional antifungals in routine practice. Setting: Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Study design: A prospective randomized control trial Methodology: This study was conducted for 12 months in our institute from July 2014 to June 2015. A total number of 148 patients with clinically diagnosed Otomycosis between the ages group 15 to 55 years were studied. All patients with a clinical diagnosis of Otomycosis presenting with all four features of earache, itching, earblockage, and ear discharge in ENT OPD were included. Ear swabs were taken and sent for fungal culture. Patients were divided into A and B groups each comprising of 74 patients. Group A received 1% Clotrimazole ear drops and lignocaine and group B received 7.5% Povidone-iodine for 14 days after the results of cultures were received. At the end of 14 days, patients of both groups were compared based on the resolution of symptoms and
Illusory effects of performance management: the case of contracts for excellence in New York school districts

ABSTRACT Performance Management systems are ubiquitous in contemporary public management. However, evidence of their performance effects is inconclusive. The Contracts for Excellence (C4E) reform required 58 New York State public school districts to develop individualized reform plans and report compliance and performance measures to authorities. This study evaluates C4E’s impact on organizational performance using a difference-in-differences approach. Findings suggest negative or precisely estimated null effects on standardized test scores ranging from −0.02 to −0.07 standard deviations. Findings suggest undesirable organizational responses may have compromised the reform, such as crowding out of local revenue collection and inflation of performance metrics.
Role of Wnt and Notch signalling pathways on the neural differentiation of human Müller stem cells and their modulation by growth factors

Muller glia mediates retina regeneration in zebrafish. Despite exhibiting Muller glial with stem cell (hMSC) characteristics in vitro by the human retina, retinal regeneration mediated by Muller glia following disease or injury has not been demonstrated. Notch, Wnt, TGFβ and HBEGF signalling is well known to regulate retinal neurogenesis and inflammation, but the roles of these molecules in the neural differentiation of hMSC are not known. This thesis aimed to establish whether there is an interaction between these signalling pathways and the role that these factors play during retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and photoreceptor differentiation of hMSC. The research showed that inhibition of Notch signalling caused downregulation of components of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway in these cells, as demonstrated by a decrease in mRNA expression of the Wnt ligand WNT2B and its target genes WISP-1 and AXIN2. Addition of TGFβ1 did not significantly change the expression of the Notch signalling target HES1 or the RGC marker BRN3A/B. Culture of hMSC with a combination of factors that induce their photoreceptor differentiation (FGF2, taurine, retinoic acid and Insulin growth factor; collectively called FTRI), markedly upregulated the expression of components of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway, including WNT2B, DKK1 and active β-catenin. Although FTRI did not modify mRNA expression of WNT5B, a component of the non-canonical/planar cell polarity Wnt pathway, it upregulated its secretion. Furthermore, TGFβ1 not only decreased WNT2B expression, but inhibited FTRI-induced photoreceptor differentiation of hMSC, as determined by expression of the photoreceptor markers NR2E3, rhodopsin and recoverin. Inhibition of TGFβ1 signalling by an ALK5 inhibitor prevented TGFβ1 induced changes in the expression of the two Wnt ligands examined. More importantly, inhibition of the canonical Wnt signalling by XAV-939 prevented FTRI-induced photoreceptor differentiation. Similarly, HBEGF, a factor shown to be upregulated by FTRI also decreased Wnt signalling components such as WNT2B, WISP-1, DKK1 and AXIN2. Inhibition of HBEGF by its specific inhibitor CRM197 prevented photoreceptor differentiation. These observations suggest that both Notch and Wnt signalling pathways can regulate the neurogenicity of hMSC in vitro and that TGFβ as well as HBEGF play important roles in mediating key pathways leading to either RGC or photoreceptor differentiation of hMSC. Targeting components of both Notch and Wnt pathways may constitute targets for potential induction of endogenous regeneration of the human retina and this merits further studies.
Retrieval of Aerosol Fine-mode Fraction over China from Satellite Multiangle Polarized Observations: Validation and Application

The aerosol fine-mode fraction (FMF) is an important optical parameter of aerosols, and the FMF is difficult to accurately retrieve by traditional satellite remote sensing methods. In this study, FMF retrieval was carried out based on the multiangle polarization data of Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Science coupled with Observations from Lidar (PARASOL), which overcame the shortcomings of the FMF retrieval algorithm in our previous research. In this research, FMF retrieval was carried out in China and compared with the AErosol RObotic NETwork 15 (AERONET) ground-based observation results, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) FMF products, and Generalized Retrieval of Aerosol and Surface Properties (GRASP) FMF results. In addition, application of the FMF retrieval algorithm was carried out, a new FMF dataset was produced, and the annual and quarterly average results of FMF from 2006 to 2013 were obtained in all of China. The research results show that the FMF retrieval results of this study are comparable with the AERONET ground-based observation results in China, with correlation coefficient (r), mean absolute 20 error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and the proportion of results that fall with the expected error (Within EE) are 0.770, 0.143, 0.170, and 60.96%, respectively. Compared with the MODIS FMF products, the FMF results of this study are closer to the AERONET ground-based observations. Compared with the FMF results of GRASP, the FMF results of this study are closer to the spatial variation in the ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 near the ground. The analysis of the annual and seasonal average FMF of China from 2006 to 2013 shows that the FMF high value area in China is mainly maintained in the area east of the 25 "Hu Line", with the highest FMF year being 2013, and the highest FMF season is winter.
Online Delivery of Teaching and Laboratory Practices: Continuity of University Programmes during COVID-19 Pandemic

A great number of universities worldwide are having their education interrupted, partially or fully, by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Consequently, an increasing number of universities have taken the steps necessary to transform their teaching, including laboratory workshops into an online or blended mode of delivery. Irrespective of the measures taken, universities must continue to maintain their high academic standards and provide a high-quality student experience as required for delivery of learning outcomes associated with each degree programme. This has created a challenge across the higher education landscape, where academics had to switch to remote teaching and different approaches to achieving laboratory delivery. As a result, students have not been receiving face-to-face teaching, and access to laboratory facilities has been limited or nearly impossible. This paper reviews numerous approaches taken by universities to deliver teaching and laboratory practices remotely, in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst also considering the potential impacts on the student learning experience. This review is primarily focused on the fields of engineering, science and technology, based on published literature including books, reviewing web-based provision of selected universities, institutional and national policy documents.
POPULATION DENSITY OF Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust IN DIFFERENT SPIKELET POSITION AT ANTHESISING MALE INFLORESCENCE OF Elaeis guineensis Jacq. IN SABAH AND SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

The oil palm male inflorescences provide food source and breeding sites for the pollinating weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus (E. kamerunicus) . The present study examined the difference in the formation of the oil palm male inflorescences on different soil types, and how the differences affect the population density of E. kamerunicus . Samplings of adult E. kamerunicus and the spikelets of fully-anthesising oil palm male inflorescences were conducted monthly for a period of 18 months at four oil palm plantations on peat and mineral soils in East Malaysia. Elaeidobius kamerunicus population density in peat soil areas was found to be lower than those in mineral soils (P<0.05). It was also found that the male inflorescences spikelet length in the study sites on peat soil areas were less uniform; spikelets on the upper part of the inflorescence were significantly shorter (= 12.80 cm) compared to the spikelets sampled from the bottom part of the inflorescence (= 14.91 cm, P< 0.05, P= 0.000-0.031). In addition, compared to the lower part of the inflorescence, significantly fewer weevils were found lodged on the spikelets sampled from the upper part of the inflorescence (Site 1 Top = 8 adult weevils per spikelet; Site 2 Top = 12 adult weevils per spikelet; Site 1 Bottom = 18 adult weevils per spikelet; Site 2 Bottom = 17 adult weevils per spikelet). However, no significant correlation was found between the length of the spikelet and the weevil density on each spikelet (r= 0.021-0.181). The result from this study demonstrates the influence of the soil types on the formation of the inflorescence, which requires further investigation.
Governance and Performance in Insurance Companies: A Bibliometric Analysis and A Meta-Analysis

This paper provides a review of theoretical contributions and empirical studies on the external and internal mechanisms of corporate governance of insurance companies and their effects on performance and/or risk. Thanks to the analysis of the studies published between 1985 and 2019 through bibliometric tools, we are able to illustrate the networks of scientific collaborations (co-authorship) and relationships between the most used terms, also highlighting the most significant groups of scholars and research strands. Additionally, the paper carries out a meta-analysis of around thirty quantitative articles that show a relationship between the quantitative-qualitative characteristics of the Board of Directors and the performance of the insurance company. The empirical studies show a consensus on the positive contribution of board size and the presence of independent directors on performance. Moreover, insurance research networks do not appear to be very interconnected, especially as regards to emerging markets. The paper also provides a useful starting point for future research aimed at defining the specificities of the governance-performance relationship of insurance companies within an evolving regulatory and market framework.
Understanding LOC/SOC phenomenology in tokamaks

Phenomenology of Ohmic energy confinement saturation in tokamaks is reviewed. Characteristics of the linear Ohmic confinement (LOC) and saturated Ohmic confinement (SOC) regimes are documented and transformations in all transport channels across the LOC/SOC transition are described, including rotation reversals, ‘non-local’ cut-off and density peaking, in addition to dramatic changes in fluctuation intensity. Unification of results from nearly 20 devices indicates that the LOC/SOC transition occurs at a critical value of the product of the density, edge safety factor and device major radius, and that this product increases with toroidal magnetic field. Comparison with gyro-kinetic simulations suggests that the effects of sub-dominant TEMs are important in the LOC regime while ITG mode turbulence dominates with SOC.
Manufacture of functional Kareish cheese fortified with Oat, Talbina, Lima bean and Sweet Lupin

Recently, fortification of kareish cheese with functional foods has gained momentum in response to the variable health status of developed countries, especially in Egypt. Functional foods such as oat, talbina, lima bean and sweet lupin were used in fortification of kareish cheese. Besides, determination of the chemical composition, microbiological counts, and rheological, organoleptic analysis. In this study, kareish cheese was made using reconstituted skim milk powder at a rate of 10% which was divided into 12 equal portions, one for the control and eleven were fortified with different concentrations 1%, 2% and 3% of the functional foods under study excepting for the ratio 3% of oat addition. The addition of those functional foods had an observed increasing effect on the content of cheese moisture, also a noticeable increase in fat, ash, fiber content, and slight increase in total protein. High acidity of kareish cheese remarkable by the addition. Total bacterial counts and lactic acid bacteria slightly decreased at zero time then started to increase significantly by the increase of the storage period until reached the maximum count at 21 days then the count began to decrease. Molds and yeasts increased by the increasing of storage period. The test results of Coliform and staphylococcus sp. Counts were negative. Rheological properties of kareish cheese were affected significantly by the addition of the functional foods under study. All treatments were sensually acceptable, but the most acceptable treatments were control and those fortified treatments with functional foods under study at ratio of 1%.
Colonization of the Beaufort Coastal Plain by Beaver ( Castor canadensis ): A Response to Shrubification of the Tundra?

A consequence of rapid global warming has been the shrubification (increase in shrub abundance, cover, and biomass) of arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems. Shrubification is likely a key driver of predicted and observed changes in the biodiversity of the Arctic. The American Beaver ( Castor canadensis ) has a vast distributional range, covering most of north America below the tree line; however, it has not been recorded in tundra habitat of the Beaufort Coastal Plain of Yukon and Alaska. in 2015, we observed a beaver dam, lodge, and winter food cache on the Babbage River in Ivvavik National Park, Yukon, Canada. Local Inuvialuit hunters first observed beavers on two rivers immediately east of the Babbage River in 2008 and 2009. Together, these are the first observations of beavers on the Beaufort Coastal Plain and indicate initial attempts at colonization. Colonization of the Beaufort Coastal Plain by beavers may have been facilitated by shrubification of river valleys on the tundra of northern Yukon and adjacent Alaska, which is a consequence of rapid climate warming in the western Arctic.
Pondering a Global BIPA: Politeness and Impoliteness in Verbal Interactions

This opinionated research article is about politeness and impoliteness in verbal interactions within Indonesian interpersonal context. Accounts on politeness, camaraderie, distant language, close language, code-switching, and code-mixing are elaborated to come to the concept of impoliteness, i.e. rude situations and awkward situations. The interpersonal context here partly elaborates the types of hearer in the aspects of power and solidarity in Brown and Gilman’s theory (1968), the hearers of which are divided into superiors and close people in this article. Elements of both the Indonesian distant and close languages are presented, and how rude situations and awkward situations happen due to incompetence or ignorance of the two variants is illustrated. Illustrations of the Indonesian two variants and code-mixing of the two are given to highlight the rude and awkward situations. All this worldview on the teaching of Indonesian to non-native-speakers, i.e. pondering a global BIPA, should be regarded as efforts to develop as well as to market the Indonesian language to the global societies. Keywords Politeness, camaraderie, impoliteness, distant language, close language, rude situation, awkward situation, incompetence, code-switching, code-mixing, BIPA
Defying death: incorporating fossils into the phylogeny of the complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiidae, Marchantiophyta) confirms high order clades but reveals discrepancies in family‐level relationships

In recent years, the use of extensive molecular and morphological datasets has clarified the phylogenetic relationships among the orders of complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiidae). However, previous studies excluded extinct taxa; thereby, undersampling the actual taxonomic diversity of the group. Here, we conducted a total‐evidence analysis of Marchantiidae incorporating fossils. The combined dataset consisted of 11 genes—sampled from the nuclear, mitochondrial and plastid genomes—and 128 morphological characters. Sixty‐two species, representing all classes and orders within Marchantiophyta and genera within Marchantiidae were included in the analyses. Six fossils were scored from literature: two assigned to the outgroup (Metzgeriothallus sharonae and Pallaviciniites sandaolingensis) and four to the ingroup (Marchantites cyathodoides, M. huolinhensis, Ricciopsis ferganica and R. sandaolingensis). Tree searches were conducted using parsimony as the optimality criterion. Clade sensitivity was assessed across a wide range of weighting regimes. Also, we evaluated the influence of fossils on the inferred topologies and branch support. Our results were congruent with previously inferred clades above the order level: Neohodgsoniales was sister to a clade formed by Sphaerocarpales and Marchantiales. However, relationships among families within Marchantiales contradicted recent studies. For instance, a clade consisting of Monosoleniaceae, Wiesnerellaceae and Targioniaceae was sister to the morphologically simple taxa instead of being nested within them as in previous studies. Novel synapomorphies were found for several clades within Marchantiales. Outgroup fossils were more influential than Marchantiidae fossils on overall topologies and branch support values. Except for a single weighting scheme, sampling continuous characters and down‐weighting characters improved fossil stability. Ultimately, our results challenge the widespread notion that bryophyte fossils are problematic for phylogenetic inference.
Proximate Analysis and Evolution of Energy Value from Leaves and Stem of Sword Fern: Nephrolepis exaltata

The purpose of present study was to prognosticate the amount of each nutrient in the Arial parts of sword fern “Nephrolepis exaltata”. The study was conducted at Sarva Vidhyalaya Campus, Kadi, Gujarat (India) during the period of December-2019 to March-2020. The prognostication of nutritive component including ash%, moisture%, Crude Protein%, Crude Fat%, Crude fibers% and Carbohydrate was taken from AOAC and Standard Lowry method for estimation of protein. The proximate analysis indicates the monumental presence of crude protein and carbohydrates, moderate presence of crude lipid and fibers. The ash content was 8.65% and 12.42% in leaves and stem respectively, which manifests the existence of inorganic minerals. The Crude protein was recorded as 21.25% and 30.0% in leaves and stems respectively, whereas the crude lipid was 8.41% and 1.47% respectively. The leaves and stems were found to be a good source of energy value with 359.766 Kcal/100 gm and 313.266 Kcal/100 gm respectively. Original Research Article Sharma et al.; IRJPAC, 21(17): 10-17, 2020; Article no.IRJPAC. 61303 11
Enhanced h6h transcript level, antioxidant activity and tropane alkaloid production in Hyoscyamus reticulatus L. hairy roots elicited by acetylsalicylic acid

Abstract Hyoscyamine (Hyos) and scopolamine (SCP) are drugs widely used as antimuscarinic to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s or to calm schizoid patients. In this study, with the aim of enhancing tropane alkaloid production in H. reticulatus hairy root cultures, the effects of the signalling molecule acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) were investigated at different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM) and inoculation times (24 and 48 h). As well as reducing biomass production, ASA treatment significantly enhanced the activity of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase (p < 0.01), which was highest at 48 h of exposure to 1 mM of ASA. The highest accumulation of Hyos and SCP (1.6- and 3.5-fold more than in the control, respectively) was obtained at 24 h of exposure to 0.1 mM ASA. Additionally, semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed an increased expression of the hyoscyamine-6-beta-hydroxylase (h6h) gene, involved in the last Hyos and SCP biosynthetic step, which correlated with the enhanced level of Hyos and SCP production under ASA elicitation. Our findings suggest that ASA, by stimulating the expression of key biosynthetic genes and enzymes, can be applied to increase commercial tropane alkaloid production in a H. reticulatus hairy root system. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Foliar Application of Zn Alleviates Salt Stress Symptoms of Pak Choi Plants by Activating Water Relations and Glucosinolate Synthesis

Several studies have related the application of micronutrients such as zinc, iron and molybdenum with alleviation of stress symptoms in horticultural plants. However, there are few studies that correlate the microelements with water relations. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of the foliar application of Zn on pak choi (Brassica campestris, L.) plants grown under saline conditions. When plants were grown in a nutrient solution containing 0 or 80 mM NaCl, shoot biomass was greatly decreased, while, in a separate experiment, Zn toxicity was observed when it was applied at concentrations above 50 µM as a foliar spray. In a third experiment, low Zn applications, mainly 25 µM, enhanced parameters such as gas exchange, biomass and glucosinolates synthesis in plants grown under saline conditions (80 mM NaCl). Also, Zn application provoked a rise in membrane integrity and decreased oxidative damage in root cells. In conclusion, Zn application decreased oxidative damage and increased the content of glucosinolates, which could act as important signals to improve water uptake and transport and, as a consequence, alleviate salinity stress in pak choi plants.