Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal and spatial variation of oak growth–climate relationships along a pollution gradient in the midwestern United States

The Kalman filter procedure was used to evaluate temporal variation in associations between physiologically based climate indices and radial growth of black oak (Quercusvelutina Lam.) and white oak (Quercusalba L.) at seven similar sites along the Ohio River corridor acidic-deposition gradient. Physiological response variables were derived by a model that used daily weather data to estimate effects of climate on growing season net photosynthesis and woody respiration. Correlations between oak radial growth indices and physiological response variables deteriorated over the period of record (1900–1987) at all seven study sites; there was no spatial association between the deterioration and the acidic-deposition gradient. This deterioration of growth–climate correlations was temporally associated with decreased growing season temperature at all seven sites; no consistent temporal trend was found for growing season precipitation. The effects of decreasing temperature on modeled physiological response variable.
Enhancing the sustainability of school improvement initiatives

ABSTRACT Schools address students’ educational needs by delivering a range of traditional and innovative programs. Selecting, implementing, and sustaining a new program is a school improvement initiative. Despite investments of (often) substantial resources, many such programs have relatively short school lives. Effective educational initiatives need to survive in order to continue to deliver personal, social, and economic benefits. However, practical guidance for sustainable implementation of new initiatives in school settings is relatively lacking. Drawing from literature and interviews with 70 school leaders and teachers, we created and delivered to 10 educational sites a self-assessment site improvement tool. Principal components analysis identified 20 components, and feedback from sites indicated the practical usefulness of the tool. Adopting a systems perspective with explicit attention to interactions between goals, processes, and emerging outcomes has the potential to generate more thorough consideration of the range of components that influence sustained program implementation leading to site improvement.
Mycotoxin exposure and human cancer risk: A systematic review of epidemiological studies.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in investigating the carcinogenicity of mycotoxins in humans. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of data linking exposure to different mycotoxins with human cancer risk. Publications (2019 and earlier) of case-control or longitudinal cohort studies were identified in PubMed and EMBASE. These articles were then screened by independent reviewers and their quality was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Animal, cross-sectional, and molecular studies satisfied criteria for exclusion. In total, 14 articles were included: 13 case-control studies and 1 longitudinal cohort study. Included articles focused on associations of mycotoxin exposure with primary liver, breast, and cervical cancer. Overall, a positive association between the consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and primary liver cancer risk was verified. Two case-control studies in Africa investigated the relationship between zearalenone and its metabolites and breast cancer risk, though conflicting results were reported. Two case-control studies investigated the association between hepatocellular carcinoma and fumonisin B1 exposure, but no significant associations were observed. This systematic review incorporates several clear observations of dose-dependent associations between aflatoxins and liver cancer risk, in keeping with IARC Monograph conclusions. Only few human epidemiological studies investigated the associations between mycotoxin exposures and cancer risk. To close this gap, more in-depth research is needed to unravel evidence for other common mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A. The link between mycotoxin exposures and cancer risk has mainly been established in experimental studies, and needs to be confirmed in human epidemiological studies to support the evidence-based public health strategies.
Effect of packaging materials and dissolved oxygen on the survival of probiotic bacteria in yoghurt

Summary The effects of packaging materials on the dissolved oxygen and the survival of the probiotic bacteria in yoghurt were studied. Oxygen adapted and non-oxygen adapted strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. were incorporated in yoghurts, which were packaged in oxygen permeable high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), oxygen-barrier material (NupakTM) and NupakTM with an oxygen scavenging film (Zero2TM). During storage the dissolved oxygen increased steadily in HIPS packaged yoghurt whereas it remained low in yoghurts packaged in NupakTM and Zero2TM. In all yoghurts, no significant decreases were observed in the viability of either oxygen adapted or non-oxygen adapted cells of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. Thus, although the dissolved oxygen in yoghurt can be influenced by the type of packaging material, it may not affect the survival of probiotic bacteria in yoghurts.
Does Use of Unbordered Plots Affect Estimation of Upland Rice Yield

ABSTRACT Advance in crop genomics have led to a demand for more accurate and precise phenotyping of a large number of genotypes for discovering genes and mechanisms underpinning important agronomic traits. The use of unbordered plots for field phenotyping is one approach for reducing the resources needed, but competition effects between neighboring lines may confound vari-etal performance. Four field experiments were conducted in Benin to examine whether grain yields of 14 diverse upland rice ( Oryza sativaspp.) varieties determined in unbordered one-row or two-row plots differ from those measured in self-bordered four-row plots and to examine if statistical models including covariates based on plant characteristics (height, panicle number, and days to heading) for correcting competition effect can improve the estimation of the yield in unbordered plots. Mean grain yield across all varieties ranged from 118 to 378 g m -2 in four experiments. There was no significant variety ´ row number interaction effect on grain yield, except for the highest yielding experiment. In that experiment, the variety row number interac´ -tion was significant for one-row versus four-row plots, but not for two-row versus four-row plots. In one-row plots in this high-yielding experiment, the neighborhood covariate model based on panicle number improved residual mean square by 20%, but relative selection intensity by 3% only. Similarly, the covariate models based on height or panicle number in both one- and two-row plots in the other experiments improved just 4%. We conclude that unbordered one- or two-row plots can provide reasonable estimates of grain yield of upland rice without any bias due to competition effects, except for high-yielding one-row plots (>350 g m
Seroprevalence of Brucella ovis-epididymitis, smooth-Brucella, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and Maedi-Visna in sheep slaughtered in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Brucella ovis-epididymitis, smooth-Brucella, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and Maedi-visna in sheep slaughtered in Minas Gerais, Brazil and to study their simultaneous occurrence, including caseous lymphadenitis, at sheep and flock levels. The study was conducted at a sheep slaughterhouse with Federal Inspection Service. Sera from 594 animals from 21 flocks were collected, in 2007. The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) was employed to detect anti-B. ovis and anti-Maedi Visna antibodies, whereas Rose Bengal (RB) and the 2-mercaptoethanol test (2ME) were used to test anti-smooth Brucella antibodies. For the detection of anti-Leptospira antibodies, sera were examined by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), while for the detection of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii ELISA was used. Prevalence of antibodies against smooth Brucella, B. ovis-epididimitis, Leptospira spp. , toxoplasmosis and Maedi-Visna found in sheep from Minas Gerais was 0.00%, 24.04%, 25.96%, 10.46% and 3.08%, respectively; whereas the seroprevalence in flocks was 0.00%, 80.95%, 90.48%, 71.43% and 23.81%, respectively. Moreover, when data on antibodies anti-Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, previously obtained, were included, about 60% of the flocks showed animals that were exposed to four or more of the studied agents. However, only 25.47% of the sheep exhibited simultaneously antibodies against more than one pathogen. Thus, data from the present study on sheep slaughtered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, showed no antibodies to smooth-Brucella and a low frequency of antibodies anti-Maedi Visna lentivirus, and a high and widespread seroprevalence of B. ovis, Leptospira spp. , and T. gondii among animals and flocks.
A Simple Equation for the Energy Stored by Voltage-Dependent Capacitances

The parasitic capacitances of semiconductor power devices that contribute to the switching losses are voltage dependent, which can make calculations of their stored energy difficult. Typically, manufacturers will provide effective capacitance values to aid in circuit design and component selection. However, stored energy calculations using these effective capacitor values are erroneous. In this letter, we derive a new equation for the stored energy in the voltage-dependent capacitance associated with a semiconductor depletion region, such as in diodes and transistors. In particular, we show that the ½ term in ½ CV2 should be replaced by a new term γ, which depends on the device structure. By applying our proposed method to several commercial diodes and transistors, we show that it matches the measured data much better than using the effective capacitances. The proposed equation will enable better power circuit design by improving the accuracy of stored energy calculations.
Effects of animal age on the eating quality of sheep meat

The aim of this work was to test the effects of animal age on consumer perceptions of sheep meat quality. Experiment 1 tested eating quality scores (tenderness, liking of flavour, juiciness and overall liking) derived from untrained consumers of grilled M. longissimus lumborum (LL) or M. biceps femoris (BF) derived from Merino ewes ranging from 8.5 to 68.5 months of age. The ewes were derived from one farm and all received a pelleted diet (60% hay, 30% lupin grain and 10% barley grain) that sustained growth between 118 and 173 g/day for at least 22 days pre-slaughter. In experiment 2 consumer testing of grilled LL and roasted BF and M. semimembranosis (SM) was conducted on a commercial line of 12-month-old White Suffolk x Merino lambs (0 erupted incisor teeth) v. a line of Merino yearling sheep about 22 months old (with either 2 or 4 erupted incisor teeth). The results of experiment 1 showed a significant effect of muscle (LL>BF, P<0.001) and a cubic effect of animal age on the consumer scores for grilled steaks. The cubic relationship was due to meat from lamb (8.5 months) and hogget (20 months) having higher scores than those of older animals. There was a close relationship between the objective measures of tenderness and the consumer tenderness score (r 2 = 0.53, P<0.001). Results of experiment 2 indicated no significant difference between the grilled LL for the crossbred lamb and 22-month-old (2-4 teeth) Merino yearling sheep. However, the consumer scores for the roasted BF and SM were significantly depressed in the 2-4 tooth yearling Merino categories. In conclusion, this work clearly underpins the current Australian definition of lamb, lamb having better eating-quality attributes than older animals with fully erupted permanent incisor teeth, particularly in muscles from across the carcass. However, this work also highlights the eating quality attributes of older sheep (6 or more permanent incisor teeth) particularly for the LL, and suggests that negative influences of flavour associated with older sheep meat are minimal when the product is served in the absence of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat. Finally, the results suggest the possibility of a new 'yearling' sheep meat category based on animals in the 2-4-tooth dentition category.
Effect of pigment distribution on the color expression of Gerbera hybrida petal: Effect of pigment distribution on the color expression of Gerbera hybrida petal

In order to explore the expression mechanism of flower colors of Gerbera hybrida, the microstructure and pigment distribution in Gerbera petal were compared. The results indicated that flower pigments of Gerbera consist of anthocyanin and carotenoids. White flowers have no pigment that can express color; In red, purple, pink flowers, the main anthocyanin pigment is distributed evenly inside its cells, while there were large quantity in upper palisade tissue epidermal cells. Pigment in orange-yellow flowers are distributed in epidermal cell and palisade tissue, and the ratio of anthocyanin and carotenoid determines the color expression. The yellow flowers are due to the high concentration of carotenoid, initially distributed in above palisade tissue
Deep Brain Stimulation Approach in Neurological Diseases

The technique was emanated in early 1960s; nowadays, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a huge practice in treatment of various movement disorders along with some psychiatric disorders. The advancement of DBS in different neurodegenerative diseases and managing patients with refractory brain disorders are closely related to the developments in technology. This development in regard with the device advancement along with the safe coupling of DBS to high-resolution imaging can help us to shape our knowledge in brain-wide networks and circuits linked with clinical aspects. DBS is found to be useful in learning and memory. On the contrary, traditional epilepsy surgeries are more complicated and technologically DBS is easier and more feasible. There are mild adverse effects of this DBS treatment, but a number of studies have shown positive treatment outcome with movement disorders and many kinds of psychiatric disorders too.
An Antidiabetic Thiazolidinedione Is a High Affinity Ligand for Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) (*)

Thiazolidinedione derivatives are antidiabetic agents that increase the insulin sensitivity of target tissues in animal models of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In vitro, thiazolidinediones promote adipocyte differentiation of preadipocyte and mesenchymal stem cell lines; however, the molecular basis for this adipogenic effect has remained unclear. Here, we report that thiazolidinediones are potent and selective activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily recently shown to function in adipogenesis. The most potent of these agents, BRL49653, binds to PPARγ with a Kd of approximately 40 nM. Treatment of pluripotent C3H10T1/2 stem cells with BRL49653 results in efficient differentiation to adipocytes. These data are the first demonstration of a high affinity PPAR ligand and provide strong evidence that PPARγ is a molecular target for the adipogenic effects of thiazolidinediones. Furthermore, these data raise the intriguing possibility that PPARγ is a target for the therapeutic actions of this class of compounds.
Topographic Affinities of Hormone-Producing Cells in the Rat Anterior Pituitary Gland

We examined the topographic cell affinity of different types of hormone-producing cells in the rat anterior pituitary gland. Pituitaries were removed from 8-10 week-old male SD rats, and were fixed in sublimate-formalin. The 40 μm sections were obtained with a Microslicer, then double-immunolabeled (FITC and TexasRed methods) using antibodies against five types of pituitary hormones. Topographic affinity was examined three-dimensionally using a confocal microscope, and was expressed as attachment rate. Statistical analysis revealed that the different types of hormone-producing cells did not exist at random locations in the gland, but rather showed specific topographic affinities. The following pairs of cell types were observed to have significantly high affinities: LH and PRL cells, ACTH and GH cells, and TSH and GH cells. In contrast, the following pairs of cell types were observed to have no significant affinities: GH and PRL cells, ACTH and LH cells, TSH and LH cells, ACTH and TSH cells, and cells of the same type. These specific topographic affinities between different types of anterior pituitary cells may be intimately related to cell-to-cell interactions in the gland.
The Influence of Synoptic Weather Types and Moisture Transport Pathways on Precipitation Isotopes in Southern Patagonia

We analyzed 28-year-long monthly oxygen isotope composition of precipitation (δ18Op) data from Punta Arenas (Chile) on the leeward side of the Andes to understand how different synoptic weather types and moisture transport pathways influence δ18Op variability in this region. Combining weather station 6 h precipitation data and atmospheric back trajectories, we found that in such a region where the atmospheric circulation pattern is dominated by very strong westerlies, an increased monthly proportion of easterly-delivered precipitation—with the air-mass trajectory path evading the influence of Andean “isotopic rain shadow” and having less rainout en route—would increase δ18Op. These synoptic easterlies are a result of quasi-stationary blocking-like flow that are an important but underappreciated part of regional circulation patterns and climate. In addition, synoptic easterlies are more often associated with heavy precipitation events as shown by weather station data and higher deuterium excess that indicates weaker post-condensation raindrop re-evaporation. Therefore, our analysis demonstrated the process link between the frequency of synoptic weather types characterized by blocking-like flow and temporal variations in δ18Op in Southern Patagonia. We conclude that isotope proxy paleo-records in this region could provide unique insights into the behaviors and dynamics of the large-scale Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds over long timescales.
Desempenho e qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais leves submetidas a dietas contendo torta de nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus)

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da inclusao da torta de nabo forrageiro, TNBF, (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%) na racao sobre os parâmetros produtivos e qualidade dos ovos de galinhas poedeiras. Foram utilizadas 240 poedeiras comerciais leves, entre 52 e 60 semanas de idade, uniformizadas por peso e postura, dispostas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com seis repeticoes de oito aves por tratamento. O experimento teve duracao de oito semanas, dividido em quatro periodos de duas semanas cada. Houve efeito da TNBF (P < 0,05) sobre o consumo de racao, porcentagem de postura, massa dos ovos, indices de cor e avaliacao sensorial. Nao houve efeito dos tratamentos para conversao alimentar e peso dos ovos. O uso da torta de nabo forrageiro na racao de galinhas poedeiras afeta negativamente os parâmetros produtivos e a qualidade sensorial dos ovos.
Effects of cadmium and lead on the accumulation of Ca2+ and K+ and on the influx and translocation of K+ in wheat of low and high K+ status

The effects of cadmium and lead on the internal concentrations of Ca2+ and K+, as well as on the uptake and translocation of K(86Rb+) were studied in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. a. MV-8) grown hydroponically at 2 levels of K+ (100 uM and 10 mM). Cd2+ and Pb2+ were applied in the nutrient solution in the range of 0.3 to 1000 u.M. Growth was more severely inhibited by Cd2+ and in the high-K+ plants as compared to Pbz+ and low-K+ plants. Ions of both heavy metals accumulated in the roots and shoots, but the K+ status influenced their levels. Ca2+ accumulation was increased by low concentrations of Cd2+ mainly in low-K+ shoots, whereas it was less influenced by Pb2+. The distribution of Cd2+ and Ca2+ in the plant and in the growth media indicated high selectivity for Cd2+ in the root uptake, while Ca2+ was preferred in the radial and/or xylem transport. Cd2+ strongly inhibited net K+ accumulation in high-K+ plants but caused stimulation at low K+ supply. In contrast, the metabolis-dependent influx of K+(86Rb+) was inhibited in low-K+ plants, while the passive influx in high-K+ plants was stimulated. Translocation of K+ from the roots to the shoots was inhibited by Cd2+ but less influenced in Pb2+-treated plants. It is concluded that the effects of heavy metals depend upon the K+-status of the plants.
Storage of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds with different moisture contents and temperatures

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiologica das sementes de camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) McVaugh), com diferentes graus de umidade (46 e 40%), submetidas a diferentes condicoes (temperatura ambiente - media de 26,5°C, câmara a 20°C e câmara a 10°C) e periodos de armazenamento (30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 dias). Apos cada periodo, foram retiradas amostras dos tratamentos para as avaliacoes do grau de umidade e da qualidade fisiologica das sementes. A reducao do grau de umidade afetou negativamente a viabilidade e o vigor das sementes, e a temperatura de 10°C nao foi favoravel ao armazenamento das sementes. Assim, as sementes de camu-camu devem ser armazenadas com grau de umidade elevado (proximo a 46%) e, preferencialmente, sob temperatura de 20°C, para manter a viabilidade e o vigor por maior periodo de tempo.
Resilient dynamic event‐triggered control for multi‐area power systems with renewable energy penetration under DoS attacks

Resilient dynamic event-triggered control design problem is concerned for frequency stabilisation of multi-area power systems with renewable energy penetration under transmission delay and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. The main works are presented as followings: (1) A novel state-space model is established to describe multi-area power systems with solar and wind generation disturbance under load frequency control and virtual inertia control (LFC-VIC). (2) The influence of DoS attacks is considered and first modelled by model-based average dwell time (MDADT). A criterion of preserving desired exponential H ∞ performance is obtained about the required lower bound of average dwell time (ADT) of sleep intervals, namely τ F > ln ⁡ λ 0 / α 1 and the tolerable upper bound of ADT of attack intervals, namely τ D < − ( ln ⁡ λ 1 + ( α 0 + α 1 ) d M ) / α 0 . (3) To reduce communication load, a dynamic event-triggered mechanism (DETM) is proposed and designed jointly with resilient LFC-VIC scheme by using piecewise Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional method and LMIs technique. (4) To defence DoS attacks actively, based on the resulting MDADT criterion, a dynamic prediction strategy is proposed to compensate the packet drops with unknown bound subjected to attack strategy. Finally, a numerical example for a two-area power system is carried out to verify the designed resilient LFC-VIC scheme and the DETM.
Astyanax vermilion and Astyanax burgerai: new characid fishes (Ostariophysi: Characiformes) from Northeastern Bahia, Brazil

speciesknown from northeastern Brazilian drainages by having distal portion of pelvic fins dark, a combination of sexually dimorphiccharacters, posteroventral portion of body and fins (except pectoral) reddish in life, and inconspicuous humeral and caudalspots. It also differs by having highest body depth just anterior of dorsal-fin origin, 32-34 lateral-line scales, and presence ofone or two maxillary teeth.