Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PyCS3: A Python toolbox for time-delay measurements in lensed quasars

Time-delay cosmography is a competitive technique for measuring the current expansion rate of the Universe, that is, the Hubble Constant (see, e.g., Riess, 2019 for a review; Wong et al., 2020 for recent results). It relies on the strong gravitational lensing effect that happens when a massive foreground galaxy deviates the light from a background object, producing 2 or 4 mirage images of the same background source. In this configuration, the optical path length is slightly different in each multiple image and thus, the travel time of the photons along those paths is also slightly different. If the background source is varying, the same variations are visible in all multiple images with different delays. Lensed quasars or lensed supernovae are ideal targets to measure such (relative) time delays, because they are variable on short timescale, and are sufficiently bright to be observed at cosmological distance. These measured delays can be used to infer the so-called time-delay distance, D∆t, which is directly inversely proportional to the Hubble Constant. The method relies on three main ingredients :
Use of EcoTILLING to identify natural allelic variants of rice candidate genes involved in salinity tolerance

Rice is a salt-sensitive species with enormous genetic variation for salt tolerance hidden in its germplasm pool. The EcoTILLING technique allows us to assign haplotypes, thus reducing the number of accessions to be sequenced, becoming a cost-effective, time-saving and high-throughput method, ideal to be used in laboratories with limited financial resources. Aiming to find alleles associated with salinity tolerance, we are currently using the EcoTILLING technique to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small indels across 375 germplasm accessions representing the diversity available in domesticated rice. We are targeting several genes known to be involved in salt stress signal transduction (OsCPK17) or tolerance mechanisms (SalT). So far, we found a total of 15 and 23 representative SNPs or indels in OsCPK17 and SalT, respectively. These natural allelic variants are mostly located in 3′-untranslated region, thus opening a new path for studying their potential contribution to the regulation of gene expression and possible role in salt tolerance.
Strengthening of Cell Wall Structure Enhances Stress Resistance and Fermentation Performance in Lager Yeast

Brewing condition exposes lager yeast to a continuous mix of stresses, which decreases cell viability and fermentation efficiency. Recent studies have indicated the close correlation between strain stress resistance and cell wall modification. Here, using micafungin as the selection marker, two stress-resistant mutants, MR0–8 and MR1–2, with thickened cell walls, were screened via traditional UV mutagenesis strategy. Quantitative analysis of cell wall components in MR0–8 and MR1–2 showed 64% and 52% higher glucan contents, 26% and 33% higher mannan contents, and 34% and 31% higher chitin contents, respectively, than those in the parent strain. During high-gravity brewing, the mutant strains showed efficient fermentation rates, increased cell viabilities, and increased intracellular trehalose levels compared with those of the parent strain. Meanwhile, beers fermented by the mutants had balanced flavor profiles and lower contents of diacetyl than those of the parent strain fermented beer. Moreover, levels of protease A released from mutants under nutrient limitation stress were 0.5-fold of that from the parent strain. In summary, strengthening cell wall structure improved stress resistance and the newly screened strains showed great potential in high-gravity brewing.
Fumigation with Methyl Bromide to Kill Larvae and Eggs of the Codling Moth in Lambert Cherries

Complete kill of larvae of Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) in sweet cherries grown in British Columbia was obtained by fumigating with 32 g of methyl bromide per m3 for 2 h with fruit temperatures at 19. 5°C and above with a chamber load of 49%. Eggs also were killed under the same conditions but at 22°C and above.
THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF ERIGERON CANADENSIS, A SUCCESSIONAL WINTER ANNUAL

(1) Erigeron canadensis is one of several annual colonizing species in the eastern U.S.A. that typically germinate under a crop canopy during summer and autumn, overwinter as vegetative rosettes, then 'bolt' and flower the following summer. (2) Populations of E. canadensis were monitored over a 2-year period for seed input and germination, seedling survival, and flower and seed production. (3) Seedlings in two field populations in Illinois growing at low densities suffered only 1 Y mortality prior to the first frost in November. However, the populations suffered severe mortality in winter (16-86%4), due to frost heaving. (4) Winter survival correlated closely with rosette size, and ranged from O% for small rosettes up to 1OO survival of rosettes in large diameter-classes (>5 cm). (5) At maturity, 80%. of the E. canadensis individuals exhibited symptoms of aster yellows, a mycoplasma disease transmitted by the aster leaf hopper (Macrosteles fascifrons). As a result, seed production was reduced by 53%.
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) demographic response to hardwood forests managed under the selection system

The Brown Creeper (Certhia americana Bonaparte, 1838) has been identified as one of the most sensitive passerines to partial forest harvest in North America. The effect of selection logging on Brown Creeper density, nest timing, nest survival, and nest and foraging site selection was examined in five silviculture treatments (intensive group selection, typical group selection, old single-tree selection, recent single-tree selection, and control forests) of Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada. As Brown Creeper nests under the bark of large, decaying trees, we hypothesized that Brown Creeper density, timing of breeding, nest survival, and nest and foraging site selection would be negatively affected by silviculture through the removal of large, decaying trees as part of providing safe conditions for loggers. We monitored 101 nests of Brown Creeper during the 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons, mapped territories to estimate density, and conducted foraging surveys. Brown Creeper density was reduced by about 42% in .
The role of COP1/SPA in light signaling: Growth control, cell-cell communication and functional conservation in plants

Light is one of the most important environmental factors affecting almost all stages of plant growth and development. Arabidopsis SPA and COP1 proteins act as repressors of light signaling in darkness. Members of the SPA protein family (SPA1-SPA4) can physically interact with COP1 and, together, they constitute a functional E3-ubiquitin ligase complex. The COP1/SPA complex regulates seedling development, stomata differentiation, leaf size and photoperiodic flowering in Arabidopsis by targeting transcription factors such as HY5, HFR1, CO etc. for degradation. In the present study, I investigated in which tissues SPA1 needs to be expressed to regulate different plant developmental processes. To this end, I expressed a GUS-SPA1 fusion protein under the control of various tissue-specific promoters (phloem, leaf-mesophyll, epidermis, meristem and root) in a spa mutant background and analyzed the transgenic plants for complementation of the spa mutant phenotype. The results show that SPA1 functions exclusively in the phloem to regulate photoperiodic flowering suggesting that SPA1 acts cell-autonomously in the phloem to target its substrate CO for degradation. To regulate the leaf size, SPA1 acts in both the phloem and the leaf mesophyll, but not in the epidermis indicating non-cell autonomous effects in SPA1-dependent leaf size regulation. Moreover, phloem-specific expression of SPA1 has major effects on seedling development in both darkness and light. Eventually, stomata differentiation and epidermal pavement cell shape are also regulated by phloem-specific functions of SPA1. These results indicate that cell-cell communication plays a very important role in SPA1-regulated plant developmental processes. SPA proteins and, therefore, the COP1/SPA complexes are plant specific. However, the function of COP1 and SPA proteins are not known in plant species other than the dicot Arabidopsis. In a second project, I examined the functionality of the COP1 and SPA proteins from the moss Physcomitrella and the monocot rice in Arabidopsis. To this end, I expressed the open reading frames of rice and Physcomitrella COP1 and SPA homologs in Arabidopsis cop1 and spa mutant plants, respectively, and then analyzed the transgenic plants for complementation of the respective mutant phenotypes. Rice and Physcomitrella COP1 homologs were functional in Arabidopsis, whereas SPA homologs from these species were not functional, suggesting a conserved basic mechanism of action of COP1, but functional divergence of SPA proteins during plant evolution. Interestingly, Physcomitrella COP1 and SPA proteins interact in vitro suggesting the possibility of formation of a COP1/SPA complex early in evolution.
Axi-Symmetric Thermal Analysis of Regenerative Cooled Cryogenic Engine Nozzle Using Fem

An axi-symmetric thermal analysis on the cooling channels of a regenerative cooled cryogenic engine nozzle is carried out. Taylor Galerkin Finite Element Method is used as a means for spatial & time discretization of the energy equation in cylindrical coordinate system. Numerically simulated results for temperature distribution in the nozzle wall is obtained for a given set of mass flow rate of coolant and hot gas side heat transfer coefficients, set as boundary conditions . The results obtained are used to determine the optimum mass flow rate of coolant required for the proper functioning of the engine.
Do Institutional Investors Value the Rule 10b-5 Private Right of Action? Evidence from Investors’ Trading Behavior following Morrison v. National Australia Bank Ltd.

In Morrison v. National Australia Bank Ltd., the US Supreme Court limited investors’ ability to bring private Rule 10b-5 securities fraud actions to cases involving securities purchased on a US stock exchange or otherwise purchased in the United States. Because many foreign firms’ securities trade simultaneously on non-US venues and on US exchanges, institutional investors claimed after Morrison that they would look to such firms’ US-traded securities to preserve their rights under Rule 10b-5. This paper tests this prediction using proprietary trading data from 378 institutional investors. The analysis reveals no evidence that investors reallocated trades in cross-listed issuers to the United States, nor did they reallocate foreign trading to cross-listed issuers that are now clearly subject to 10b-5 securities suits. This persistence in trading appears across both money managers and pension plan sponsors, notwithstanding sponsors’ more vocal criticism of Morrison and their prominence in 10b-5 litigation.
BIOPHYSICS OF A NATURAL GRASSLAND: EVAPORATION

SUMMARY (1) Microclimatic measurements and flux determinations were made on natural Agropyron-Koeleria grassland during two growing seasons. (2) The calculated evaporation fluxes were analyzed in terms of the potential evaporation, soil moisture content, and plant water potential. The analysis fitted Monteith's canopyresistance concept. (3) The fraction of net radiation involved in evaporation was closely correlated with green leaf area index during the first half of the growing season, and with soil water content (0-30 cm) during the latter half of the growing season. (4) Seasonal water-use estimates, by micrometeorological and soil moisture balance approaches, agreed to within 10%.
Estimativas das exigências de energia e proteína para frangas de postura em recria

Com o objetivo de estimar as exigencias de energia e proteina para mantenca e ganho de peso foram utilizadas 1.400 aves, sendo 700 frangas da linhagem do CNPSA e 700 da linhagem comercial Lohmann em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos, duas linhagens e sete repeticoes de 25 aves, alojadas em boxes. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro niveis de consumo, sendo T1 = consumo a vontade, T2 = 85% do consumo de T1, T3 = 70% do consumo de T1, e T4 = consumo suficiente para mantenca. As exigencias foram obtidas mediante analises de carcaca, pela tecnica do abate comparativo inicial e final. As equacoes estimadas de exigencia diaria de energia metabolizavel (EM, kcal/dia) e nitrogenio (N, g/dia) em funcao do peso metabolico (PM, kg0,75) e da deposicao de energia (EC, kcal) ou nitrogenio (NC, g) na carcaca foram: EM = 142,0 PM + 2,114 EC e N = 0,580 PM + 1,798 NC para a linhagem do CNPSA e EM = 163,6 PM + 1,762 EC e N = 0,762 PM + 1,616 NC para a linhagem comercial Lohmann.
Functional Inferences from Morphometrics: Problems Posed by Uniqueness and Diversity among the Primates

Oxnard, C. E. (Dept. of Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637) 1974. Functional Inferences from Morphometrics: Problems Posed by Uniqueness and Diversiy among the Primates. Syst. Zool. 22:409-424. -The problems of making functional assessments of human or prehuman fossils are those of relating individual fragments to the spectrum of morphological diversity presented by the nonhuman primates in contrast with the uniqueness provided by man. Although direct biomechanical studies can supply some information towards the functional meaning of such morphologies, indirect inductive methods are also capable of providing considerable insight. In particular, the methods of multivariate morphometrics are sometimes able to characterize the shapes of skeletal regions and their adaptations for function. Multivariate studies of several anatomical regions, shoulder, pelvis, ankle, foot, elbow and hand are now available for the Australopithecinae. These suggest that the common view, that these fossils are similar to modern man or that on those occasions when they depart from a similarity to man they resemble the African great apes, may be incorrect. Most of these fossil fragments are in fact, uniquely different from both man and man's nearest living genetic relatives, the chimpanzee and gorilla. To the extent that resemblances exist with living forns, they tend to be with the orang-utan. This does not, of course, imply genetic affinity with the orang-utan. But it very well could mean that in these fossils we see morphological remnants of adaptations to arboreal locomotion and that if indeed these animals are truly bipedal, then the nature of their bipedality may have differed uniquely from that of modern man.
Effect of different chemical compounds and ultrasound bath on the sanitization of minimally processed carrots Efeito de diferentes componentes químicos e banho de ultrassom na sanitização de cenouras minimamente processadas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of different chemical compounds combined with ultrasound bath on the sanitization of minimally processed carrots. The sanitizers sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate were investigated, all of them associated with the ultrasound bath, and the aerobic mesophiles and E. coli counts were evaluated. Sodium hypochlorite associated with ultrasound reduced the population of aerobic mesophiles and E. coli by 0.23 and 1.88 log cycles, respectively. For sodium dichloroisocyanurate associated with ultrasound, the reduction was 3.06 and 2.76 log cycles, while for the association with peracetic acid, this reduction was 2.72 and 2.35 log cycles. Thus, the effect of the ultrasound bath and sodium dichloroisocyanurate increased the decontamination efficiency of the minimally processed carrots. In addition, there is an alternative to the use of sodium hypochlorite, once they are not involved in reactions with organic compounds and the formation of trihalomethanes, which are harmful to health.
The growth performance and survival of Clarias gariepinus fry raised in homestead concrete tanks

Fertilizer application in earthen ponds has been used as a low-cost method of sustainable aquaculture production. This study was carried out to investigate the growth response of African Catfish fry Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1882) in three different culture media in Homestead concrete tanks. The water in the control (T1) was not treated while T2 and T3 were treated with poultry droppings and soy bean milk filtrate respectively. Nine hundred (900) catfish fry weighing averagely 0.67 – 0.69g were randomly allocated per treatment. In each tank (2m x 3m x 1.5m) were suspended (3) net cages each (1m x 1m x 1m). Each net cage had 100 fry. The fish in tank 1 (control treatment) were fed fish meal from the start at 5% of their body weight four times daily while the other treatments were not fed at all for the first 7 days. Feeding with fishmeal commenced for treatments T2 and T3 on the next 8 – 14 day. The weights of the feed were adjusted after weekly weighing Analyses of the culture media for phytoplankton composition and water quality parameters were done for all treatments at the end of the experiment. Tables 3 and 4. The culture media with poultry manure (T2) and soyabean filtrate (T3) were found to influence the quality and quantity of the plankton which in turn determined the growth and survival. Tables 1 and 2. However, the best weight increase was recorded in T1 (2.33g) followed by T3 (1.89g) and then T2 (1.81g) had the lowest weight gain. The survival rates in all the treatments were high but was highest in T3 (98%) followed by T2 (97%) and T1 (95%). Dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature of culture media were variously affected by the treatments. The presence of zooplanktons (Rotifer and Daphnia species) invariably supported the highest survival (98%) of the fry in treatment T3. Treatment T3 (11.56 + 1.14) x 10 3 ) generated higher concentrations of most of identified zooplanktons than treatments T1 (5.39 + 0.73) x 10 3 ) and T2 (12.78 + 0.98) x 10 3 ). These zooplanktons were absent in treatments T1 and T2. The result indicated that fertilizing the culture medium using soybean milk filtrate or poultry droppings improved the growth and of C. gariepinus.
Virulence potential and host response to Cronobacter sakazakii

Cronobacter sakazakii is in the Cronobacter genus (previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii), which consists in total of seven species. C. sakazakii strains in the clonal complex 4 (CC4), including sequence type 4 (ST4), have been strongly associated with neonatal meningitis. In recent years, research on this organism has made substantial progress using improved identification and molecular methods including multilocus sequence typing. A number of virulence traits have been proposed but have not been studied to date with respect to detailed aspects of the virulence potential and host response. Therefore this project compared 34 isolates of C. sakazakii made up of clonal complex 4 (CC4; 21 isolates) and non-clonal complex 4 (13 isolates) strains for their virulence potential, and investigated whether CC4 strains have the ability to overcome the host barriers more than the other sequence types. The attachment and invasion of mammalian intestinal and brain cells by these strains were evaluated using colorectal adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (Caco-2), human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), and rat brain capillary endothelial (rBCEC4) cell lines. Furthermore, the ability of the organism to translocate through different cell lines, including Caco-2 and HBMEC, was assessed.
New Species of Bee-Pollinated Castilleja from Peru, with a Taxonomic Revision of South American Members of subg. Colacus

A systematic revision of the South American members of Castilleja subg. Colacus based on evidence from floral morphology, SEM of seeds, chromosome numbers, and geographic distri- bution is presented, recognizing seven species. Four annual species, Castilleja alpicola, C. peru- viana, C. profunda, and C. vadosa, all in the annual sect. Oncorhynchus, are described as new with a discussion on their systematic relationships. A key to species is provided and each species is illustrated with line drawings; distribution maps and citations of all known collections indicate sites of known populations. The five known chromosome counts, four of n = 36 (hexaploid) and one of n = 48 (octoploid), suggest that polyploidy has played a major role in the evolution of South American Castilleja subg. Colacus. The introduction of self-compatible C. attenuata into central Chile is postulated to have taken place relatively recently from the western United States.
First record of the large-headed goby, Millerigobius macrocephalus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae), from Italy

Two confi ned populations of an inadequately known gobiid, Millerigobius macrocephalus (Kolombatović, 1891), new species for Italy, have been reported for the protected areas of “Capo Peloro Lagoon” and “Marinello Lakes”, NE Sicily. The specimens found were described and illustrated. Additional data were provided on the habitat preferences of this fi sh species. The authors emphasize the need for biodiversity inventories of inadequately studied Mediterranean lagoons.
Polycystic Ovarian Morphology is Associated with Hyperandrogenemia and Insulin Resistance in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of polycystic ovarian morphology in the hormonal and metabolic features of the "classical" phenotypes of PCOS. Design: The study included 1275 Caucasian women with PCOS with a mean age of 24.25 ± 5.79 years and a mean BMI of 26.80 ± 7.03 kg/m2. Diagnosis of PCOS was based on the 2003 Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus criteria. Two phenotypes, matched for age and BMI were compared: Phenotype I (n=620) which included PCOS women with biochemical hyperandrogenemia and/or clinical hyperandrogenemia, chronic anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound (PCO). Phenotype II (n=400) which included PCOS women with biochemical hyperandrogenemia and/or clinical hyperandrogenemia and chronic anovulation, without PCO. These phenotypes were further subdivided in normal weight and obese PCOS women. Results: PCOS women of Phenotype I had higher LH/FSH ratio (p<0.001), higher Testosterone (p<0.01), Δ4 Androstenedione (p<0.001) and 17-OH progesterone levels (p<0.001), and higher Free Androgen Index (FAI) values (p<0.01) compared to Phenotype II. With the exception of fasting glucose levels, all other indices of insulin resistance (fasting insulin, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, QUICKI and HOMA2IR) document an association between Phenotype I and greater insulin resistance in overweight/obese PCOS women. Conclusions: In conclusion, in "classical" phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), polycystic ovarian morphology is associated with more severe hyperandrogenemia and deranged LH/FSH ratio. In overweight/obese PCOS subjects, PCO is positively correlated with insulin resistance.