Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Soil Metal Bioavailability in Roadside Soils of Different Ages

Finding a reliable method to predict soil metal bioavailability in aged soil continues to be one of the most important problems in contaminated soil chemistry. To investigate the bioavailability of metals aged in soils, we used roadside soils that had accumulated metals from vehicle emissions over a range of years. We collected topsoil (0–10 cm) samples representing new-, medium- and old-aged roadside soils and control site soil. These soils were studied to compare the ability of the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT), soil water extraction, CaCl2 extraction, total metal concentrations and optimised linear models to predict metal bioavailability in wheat plants. The response time for the release of metals and the effect on metal bioavailability in field aged soils was also studied. The DGT, and extractable metals such as CaCl2 extractable and soil solution metals in soil, were not well correlated with metal concentrations in wheat shoots. In comparison, the strongest relationships with concentrations in wheat shoots were found for Ni and Zn total metal concentrations in soil (e.g., Ni r = 0.750, p = 0.005 and Zn r = 0.833, p = 0.001); the correlations were still low, suggesting that total metal concentrations were also not a robust measure of bioavailability. Optimised linear models incorporating soil physiochemical properties and metal extracts together with road age as measure of exposure time, demonstrated a very strong relationship for Mn R2 = 0.936; Ni R2 = 0.936 and Zn R2 = 0.931. While all the models developed were dependent on total soil metal concentrations, models developed for Mn and Zn clearly demonstrated the effect of road age on metal bioavailability. Therefore, the optimised linear models developed have the potential for robustly predicting bioavailable metal concentrations in field soils where the metals have aged in situ. The intrinsic rate of release of metals increased for Mn (R2 = 0.617, p = 0.002) and decreased for Cd (R2 = 0.456, p = 0.096), Cu (R2 = 0.560, p = 0.083) and Zn (R2 =0.578, p = 0.072). Nickel did not show any relationship between dissociation time (Tc) and road age. Roadside soil pH was likely to be the key parameter controlling metal aging in roadside soil.
On counter-examples to Aizerman and Kalman conjectures

Counter-examples to Aizerman's and Kalman's conjectures are considered. Investigation of the behaviour in the vicinity of the origin and at a distance from the origin is done. The simultaneous existence of both: a limit cycle and asymptotic or finite-time convergence is proved through the LPRS method and the Lyapunov method, respectively. Conclusions regarding the complex behaviour of these nonlinear dynamic systems are given.
Nephroprotective Effect of the Herbal Composition BNO 2103 in Rats with Renal Failure

(1) Background: this research aims at studying the nephroprotective properties of BNO 2103 in a model of chromate-induced renal failure in rats and at proving the possibility of using BNO 2103 in clinical practice for the complex treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). (2) Methods: fifty rats divided into five groups were studied. The drugs BNO 2103, Prednisolone and Lespephril were administered within 20 days. The excretory function and the functional state of kidneys, blood biochemical parameters and indicators of nitrogen metabolism were determined. (3) Results: under the influence of BNO 2103, there was a significant improvement in renal excretory function, in nitrogen metabolism and blood biochemical parameters compared with the control pathology group. BNO 2103 also outperformed the comparators in most indicators. (4) Conclusions: BNO 2103 has demonstrated nephroprotective, hypoazotemic and diuretic effects; and can be used to implement to the combined therapy of CKD.
Fatty acid composition, vitamin A content and oxidative stability of milk in China

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of geographical region and lactation stage on the fatty acid composition, vitamin A content and oxidative stability of milk from Holstein cows and to determine the relationship between milk fat components and milk stability. Fatty acids composition (C10:0, C11:0, C12:0, C13:0, C14:1, C18:0, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, γ-C18:3, α-C18:3, C20:0, C20:1 and C22:0), vitamin A and oxidative stability were differed between region, but were not affected by stage of lactation. Differences in milk composition could be related to region differences because the use of grass-based forage and altitude condition in four regions. The oxidation stability of milk was closely related to monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and all-trans-retinol. MUFA were negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase (r = −0.207). All-trans-retinol was positively correlated with total antioxidant capacity value (0.208), and negatively correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (r = −0.265). These findings may be used to assess and improve milk quality of china.
Bias Testing of the Public Safety Assessment: Error Rate Balance Between Whites and Blacks for New Arrests

This study is an evaluation of predictive bias by race when using a pretrial risk assessment. We use data from Kentucky from July 2013 through December 2014 (n = 164,597) to evaluate differences across five error measures. Pretrial risk assessments were developed to respond to growing awareness about how intuitive processes were leading to disparate impact for people of color and the poor. This study contributes data to the debate about the merits of pretrial risk assessments. The crux of this debate is the lack of standards about how to assess predictive bias. Our analyses demonstrate that a more nuanced understanding of pretrial outcomes and decision making are needed before fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses of pretrial risk assessments.
CT imaging features of different clinical types of COVID-19 calculated by AI system: a Chinese multicenter study

Background The study is designed to explore the chest CT features of different clinical types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia based on a Chinese multicenter dataset using an artificial intelligence (AI) system. Methods A total of 164 patients confirmed COVID-19 were retrospectively enrolled from 6 hospitals. All patients were divided into the mild type (136 cases) and the severe type (28 cases) according to their clinical manifestations. The total CT severity score and quantitative CT features were calculated by AI pneumonia detection and evaluation system with correction by radiologists. The clinical and CT imaging features of different types were analyzed. Results It was observed that patients in the severe type group were older than the mild type group. Round lesions, Fan-shaped lesions, crazy-paving pattern, fibrosis, “white lung”, pleural thickening, pleural indentation, mediastinal lymphadenectasis were more common in the CT images of severe patients than in the mild ones. A higher total lung severity score and scores of each lobe were observed in the severe group, with higher scores in bilateral lower lobes of both groups. Further analysis showed that the volume and number of pneumonia lesions and consolidation lesions in overall lung were higher in the severe group, and showed a wider distribution in the lower lobes of bilateral lung in both groups. Conclusions Chest CT of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed more consolidative and progressive lesions. With the assistance of AI, CT could evaluate the clinical severity of COVID-19 pneumonia more precisely and help the early diagnosis and surveillance of the patients.
Community composition and cold tolerance of soil Collembola in a collapse karst doline with strong microclimate inversion

Abstract The study compared communities of soil Collembola along the inversed microclimatic gradient of the collapse doline of the Silicka ľadnica Ice Cave (Slovakia) in spring and autumn of 2005. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and the Mann- Whitney test revealed significant differences in abundance between sites and both seasons. Significantly higher abundance means and species richness were observed at most sites during the spring compared with the autumn. NMS ordination documented a clear delimitation of communities with remarkably different soil microclimates. The community pattern of the coldest section of the gradient, with low species richness and high mean abundance, was analogous to communities living in the harsh alpine and polar soils. The collapse doline with inversed microclimate hosted a high number of species (72) and a broad variety of montane forms (13), thus documenting that these karst landforms enhance local diversity of edaphic Collembola and serve as local refugia of specialized cold-tolerant species. The cold tolerance of the four abundant species at the doline cold sites, namely Ceratophysella sigillata, Tetrodontophora bielanensis, Protaphorura armata and Desoria tigrina, was tested in the laboratory using one-hour exposition survival tests. Within a temperature range from -2.4 to -7.8◦C, T. bielanensis was the most cold-sensitive species, with a lethal dose LD50 of -4.4◦C, while D. tigrina was the most cold-resistant, showing LD50 of -5.8◦C.
Trends, abrupt shifts and interannual variability of the Arctic Wintertime Seasonal Sea Ice from 1979 to 2019

Abstract The Arctic winter seasonal sea ice (WSSI) concentration from 1979 to 2019 is derived from passive microwave data. Based on Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, the WSSI time series includes regionally different trends, abrupt shifts and interannual variations. The time series of the first EOF mode (PC1) mainly represents the WSSI trend, which is characterized by an increase, particularly in the Pacific sector. PC1 confirms two abrupt shifts in WSSI in 1989 and 2007, with a variance of 31%. After 2007, the large-scale atmospheric circulation anomaly shows a strengthened wavenumber 3 structure at high latitudes associated with a mid-tropospheric low-pressure anomaly in central and western Siberia and a high-pressure anomaly in eastern Siberia in summer and autumn. These patterns have promoted the increased transport of moist static energy to the central Arctic and contributed to increased near-surface air temperatures that may enhance ice melting in summer and reduce ice growth in autumn and winter. The changes in ice melt and growth have had opposite effects in the Pacific and Atlantic sectors: WSSI has increased in the Pacific sector due to the replacement of multi-year ice by WSSI, and decreased in the Atlantic sector due to the replacement of WSSI by open water.
EGO DEPLETION AND ITS EFFECT ON AUDITORS’ JUDGMENT AND DECISION-MAKING QUALITY

Abstract This study aimed to examine the determinants of ego depletion and its effect on judgment and decision-making (JDM) quality. Auditing is one of the professions vulnerable to ego depletion, which is a temporary state of lack of cognitive resources to self-control caused by physical or psychological fatigue. Data were collected via online survey on 121 auditors in Indonesia who were selected by convenience sampling. The results showed that interpersonal conflict positively affected ego depletion. In line with ego depletion theory, the results supported previous research that ego depletion negatively affected JDM quality. Interestingly, this research also found that the level of industry-specific experience reduced the effect of ego depletion on JDM quality. In conclusion, psychological problems had a more significant influence on auditor cognitive resources than physical problems, which could then have an impact on his/her performance in generating judgments and decisions.
On PTAs and Bilateral Trade: Is GVC Trade Sensitive to the Breadth of Trade Policy Cooperation?

We study the relationship between the scope of trade policy cooperation and bilateral trade flows with a particular focus on global value chain (GVC) trade using data on the core and non-core provisions included in preferential trade agreements (PTAs). We find that broader PTAs have a larger impact on trade flows involving intermediates relative to flows involving all products, suggesting that GVC trade is particularly sensitive to the scope of trade policy cooperation. We also investigate different dimensions of heterogeneity in PTAs. We find that core provisions tend to drive the effect of PTAs on the level of GVC trade and that PTAs are particularly effective in raising the level of GVC trade between developing economies. We explore these issues using a sample of 189 countries over the period 1990–2015, with data obtained from the latest release of the EORA multi-regional input–output tables and UN-COMTRADE data.
Structure, Variation, and Reproducibility: Bayesian inference in problems arising from the study of RNA and an RNA-binding protein

of “ Structure, Variation, and Reproducibility: Bayesian inference in problems arising from the study of RNA and an RNA-binding protein ” by Lauren Alpert Sugden, Ph.D., Brown University, May 2014 Far from being solely a passive messenger between DNA and protein, RNA is a complex molecule involved in regulation at many levels. While the best-known RNAs, messenger RNAs (mRNA), do exist to carry information, there is also a large population of non-coding RNAs that can take on complicated structures that enable them to perform functions throughout the cell. Even mRNAs are not static molecules, however. Mechanisms for altering mRNA sequences result in transcripts that are no longer faithful representations of the information in the genome. One such mechanism is RNA editing by ADAR, which binds double-stranded RNA and targets a particular adenosine for conversion to inosine, which is recognized by the cell as guanosine. A major consequence of editing is amino-acid recoding, resulting in protein diversification. In this thesis, we look at three problems motivated by the study of RNA and ADAR. First, we propose a method for assessing the reproducibility of genome-scale studies that make a large number of predictions, using the prediction of ADAR binding sites as a motivating example. We then address the problem of avoiding false positives when identifying subtle signals such as ADAR modifications in highthroughput sequencing data in the presence of genetic polymorphisms specific to laboratory populations. Finally, we turn to structural prediction of RNA, inferring the common structural and sequence characteristics of a set of related transcripts.
STRATEGIES FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE THROUGH BEHAVIOURAL MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES

This study investigated the extent to which public secondary school administrators utilize behavioural modification strategies in enhancing organisational performance. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of all 81 school administrators of public secondary schools in Port Harcourt Local Government. A total of 67 respondents comprising 27 and 40 school administrators of public senior and junior secondary school respectively were used for the study based on the number of instrument retrieved. Data collection instrument was a 30 item questionnaire, in 4 clusters drafted using a 4 point scale titled “Behaviour Modification Technique and Organizational Performance Questionnaire ( BMTOPQ). A reliability coefficient of 0.79 was obtained using test - retest method. Validity was conducted by two experts from the departments of business education. Data was analyzed using mean for the research questions and z - test for the hypothesis. Findi ngs from the study identified areas for the application of behavioural modification strategies in public secondary schools, also, that positive reinforcement strategies are utilized to a high extent for the enhancement of organizational performance while t he extent to which punishment is generally used is low. Based on the findings it was concluded that behaviour modification practice is an important factor that can improve employee as well as organizational performance. Thus it was recommended among others that school administrators should try to adopt positive reinforcement which will enhance quality of work and increased in employee satisfaction and performance.
Engineering Human CNS Morphogenesis: Controlled Induction of Singular Neural Rosette Emergence

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural organoids have revolutionized in vitro modelling of human neurological disorders. Cell-intrinsic morphogenesis processes displayed within these tissues could serve as the basis for ex vivo manufacture of brain and spinal cord tissues with biomimetic anatomy and physiology. However, we must first understand how to control their emergent properties starting at the genesis of neural organoid formation, i.e. emergence of polarized neuroepithelium. In vivo, all CNS tissues develop from a singular neuroepithelial tube. Yet, current protocols yield organoids with multiple neuroepithelial rings, a.k. a. neural rosettes, each acting as independent centers of morphogenesis and thereby impeding coordinate tissue development. We discovered that the morphology of hPSC-derived neural tissues is a critical biophysical parameter for inducing singular neural rosette emergence. Tissue morphology screens conducted using micropatterned array substrates and an automated image analysis determined that circular morphologies of 200-250 and 150μm diameter are optimal for inducing singular neural rosette emergence within 80-85% forebrain and 73.5% spinal tissues, respectively. The discrepancy in optimal circular morphology for Pax6+/N-cadherin+ neuroepithelial forebrain versus spinal tissues was due to previously unknown differences in ROCK-mediated cell contractility. The singular neuroepithelium induced within geometrically confined tissues persisted as the tissues morphed from a 2-D monolayer to multilayered 3-D hemispherical aggregate. Upon confinement release using clickable micropatterned substrates, the tissue displayed radial outgrowth with maintenance of a singular neuroepithelium and peripheral neuronal differentiation. Thus, we have quantitatively defined a pertinent biophysical parameter for effectively inducing a singular neuroepithelium emergence within morphing hPSC-derived neural tissues. Significance Statement Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural organoids display emergent properties that, if harnessed, could serve as the basis for ex vivo manufacture of brain and spinal cord tissues with biomimetic macroscale anatomy and physiology. Their chaotic terminal structure arises from uncontrolled morphogenesis at their genesis, resulting in spontaneous induction of multiple neuroepithelial morphogenesis centers,a.k. a. neural rosettes. Here, we determined that neural tissue morphology is a pertinent biophysical parameter for controlling subsequent morphogenesis, and identified discrete circular tissue morphologies as optimal and effective at inducing singular neural rosette emergence within forebrain and spinal neural tissues. Thus, we developed an approach to reproducibly control the initial stage of hPSC-derived neural tissue morphogenesis enabling their manufacture with a biomimetic nascent CNS anatomy.
ACETYL-L-CARNITINE AND VITAMIN E PROTECT AGAINST INCREASED RISK OF CEREBRAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND HIGH BRAIN LIPIDS: BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Triton is a non-ionic detergent, which produces hyperlipidemia via inhibition of lipoprotein lipase. Oxidative damage takes place in plasma lipids, mainly LDL, leading to atherosclerosis. Complications of atherosclerosis, including cerebral atherosclerosis, constitute a major cause of death. Based on the anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) and vitamin E, this study was designed to evaluate their protective role against triton-induced oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in the brain of adult male rats. The present study was performed on 50 male albino rats, weighed 150±20 g. The animals were randomly assigned to five groups of ten rats each. Group I was used as control. Group II was injected I.V. with triton. Group III was treated with triton and ALC (I.P.). Group IV was treated with triton and vitamin E (orally). Group V was treated with triton and combination of ALC and vitamin E. Triton induced atherosclerosis via increased serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and LDL and total brain lipids. These effects were associated with decline in serum HDL level and total protein concentrations in the brain. Meanwhile, triton increased oxidative stress through an elevation in brain malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, associated with depletion of total thiol concentration, total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. The use of ALC and
Management strategies for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) in the face of climate change: climatic niche, clines, climatypes, and seed transfer

Over 200 000 forest inventory and ecological ground plots representing North America north of 36 degrees latitude were used to develop a climate niche model predicting the current distribution of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.)) across its natural range. The resulting 8-variable Random Forest algorithm had a 4.4 per cent overall error rate. This error was primarily a function of errors of commission, i.e. predicting presence of black spruce for plots in which it was absent (error = 6 per cent). In contrast, errors of omission, predicting an absence of black spruce when it was present, was 0.1 per cent. Height growth data from four disparate provenance test series containing a total of 316 populations were analysed using linear mixed model procedures to model the pattern of ecological genetic variation. The resulting model accounted for 62 per cent of the observed variation among populations. Climatic surfaces for the IPCC RCP6.0 scenario at three time steps (decades centred on 2030, 2060 and 2090) projected early and sustained geographic shifts in the realized climatic niche. Approximately 56 per cent of the contemporary distribution is predicted to be lost or threatened habitat by 2060. Mapped projections indicate the shift in the trailing edge encompasses the entire managed boreal forest in Canada. Emergent suitable habitat totalled 28 per cent. Projections of the ecological genetic model into the climate of the decade centred on 2060 indicate the challenge for forest management is in assuring a timely transfer of trailing edge populations to the future location of the climates for which they are optimally suited.
Explicit Instruction and Student Learning of Argumentation and Nature of Science

ABSTRACT The study investigated how explicit instruction of argumentation-in the context of socioscientific issues (SSI)- and explicit instruction of NOS, compared with explicit instruction of argumentation only, can develop grade 10 students’ argumentation skills and NOS conceptions. Participants were 36 grade 10 students enrolled in two sections that were randomly assigned into two groups: Treatment and Comparison. The treatment lasted for 4 months and involved two units about autotrophy and the nervous system. Both the Treatment and Comparison group participants received explicit instruction of argumentation -in the context of SSI. Yet, the Treatment group participants experienced explicit instruction of NOS. To assess participants’ argumentation skills and NOS conceptions, they were pre- and post-tested using two open-ended questionnaires as well as individual semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that there were improvements related to the learning of argumentation skills for participants in both the Treatment and Comparison groups, who experienced explicit argumentation instruction. Yet, the degree of improvement varied between the two groups, favoring the Treatment group. Results also showed developments in the NOS conceptions of the Treatment group participants who experienced explicit instruction of NOS and argumentation. These results were interpreted along the following themes: instruction of argumentation, instruction of NOS, and coupling of instruction for argumentation and NOS.