Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Let the concept of trait be functional

In its simplest definition, a trait is a surrogate of organismal performance, and this meaning of the term has been used by evolutionists for a long time. Over the last three decades, developments in community and ecosystem ecology have forced the concept of trait beyond these original boundaries, and trait-based approaches are now widely used in studies ranging from the level of organisms to that of ecosystems. Despite some attempts to fix the terminology, especially in plant ecology, there is currently a high degree of confusion in the use, not only of the term "trait" itself, but also in the underlying concepts it refers to. We therefore give an unambiguous definition of plant trait, with a particular emphasis on functional trait. A hierarchical perspective is proposed, extending the "performance paradigm" to plant ecology. "Functional traits" are defined as morpho-physiophenological traits which impact fitness indirectly via their effects on growth, reproduction and survival, the three components of individual performance. We finally present an integrative framework explaining how changes in trait values due to environmental variations are translated into organismal performance, and how these changes may influence processes at higher organizational levels. We argue that this can be achieved by developing "integration functions" which can be grouped into functional response (community level) and effect (ecosystem level) algorithms.
Trends in the Summer Northern Annular Mode and Arctic Sea Ice

The summer Arctic sea ice extent (SIE) during the period 1996−2008 had an accelerating trend of retreat. The difference of SIE between May and September has a significant correlation with the summer Northern Hemisphere Annular Mode (summer NAM). The summer NAM had a significant positive trend during the period 1958−1996, and a weak negative trend during the period 1996−2008. The atmospheric circulation during the recent period had a trend of anticyclonic circulation over the Arctic with easterly wind over the marginal seas. In addition, tropospheric warming was enhanced especially over the Arctic and near the ground surface.
DIFFUSE γ-RAY EMISSION FROM GALACTIC PULSARS

Millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are old fast-spinning neutron stars that represent the second most abundant source population discovered by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi). As guaranteed γ-ray emitters, they might contribute non-negligibly to the diffuse emission measured at high latitudes by Fermi-LAT (i.e., the Isotropic Diffuse γ-Ray Background (IDGRB)), which is believed to arise from the superposition of several components of galactic and extragalactic origin. Additionally, γ-ray sources also contribute to the anisotropy of the IDGRB measured on small scales by Fermi-LAT. In this manuscript we aim to assess the contribution of the unresolved counterpart of the detected MSPs population to the IDGRB and the maximal fraction of the measured anisotropy produced by this source class. To this end, we model the MSPs' spatial distribution in the Galaxy and the γ-ray emission parameters by considering observational constraints coming from the Australia Telescope National Facility pulsar catalog and the Second Fermi-LAT Catalog of γ-ray pulsars. By simulating a large number of MSP populations through a Monte Carlo simulation, we compute the average diffuse emission and the anisotropy 1σ upper limit. We find that the emission from unresolved MSPs at 2 GeV, where the peak of the spectrum is located, is at most 0.9% of the measured IDGRB above 10° in latitude. The 1σ upper limit on the angular power for unresolved MSP sources turns out to be about a factor of 60 smaller than Fermi-LAT measurements above 30°. Our results indicate that this galactic source class represents a negligible contributor to the high-latitude γ-ray sky and confirm that most of the intensity and geometrical properties of the measured diffuse emission are imputable to other extragalactic source classes (e.g., blazars, misaligned active galactic nuclei, or star-forming galaxies). Nevertheless, because MSPs are more concentrated toward the galactic center, we expect them to contribute significantly to the γ-ray diffuse emission at low latitudes. Because, along the galactic disk, the population of young pulsars overcomes in number that of MSPs, we compute the γ-ray emission from the whole population of unresolved pulsars, both young and millisecond, in two low-latitude regions: the inner Galaxy and the galactic center.
Partitioned postseismic deformation associated with the 2009 Mw 6.3 L'Aquila earthquake surface rupture measured using a terrestrial laser scanner

Using 3D terrestrial laser scan (TLS) technology, we have recorded postseismic deformation on and adjacent to the surface rupture formed during the 6th April 2009 L'Aquila normal faulting earthquake (Mw 6.3). Using surface modeling techniques and repeated surveys 8–124 days after the earthquake, we have produced a 4D dataset of postseismic deformation across a 3 × 65 m area at high horizontal spatial resolution. We detected millimetre‐scale movements partitioned between discrete surface rupture slip and development of a hangingwall syncline over 10's of meters. We interpret the results as the signal of shallow afterslip in the fault zone. We find 52% of the total postseismic hangingwall vertical motion occurs as deformation within 30 m of the surface rupture. The total postseismic vertical motions are approximately 50% that of the coseismic. We highlight the importance of quantifying partitioned postseismic contributions when applying empirical slip‐magnitude datasets to infer palaeoearthquake magnitudes.
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR): An Apical Marker Protein of Ionocytes for Identifying Hypo-osmoregulation in Gills of the Euryhaline Medaka Oryzias dancena

This study used a monoclonal antibody against the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to characterize its expression in gills of the brackish medaka Oryzias dancena. Whole-mount double immunofluorescence staining of gills revealed that the CFTR protein was localized in apical membranes of Na^+, K^+-ATPase-immunoreactive ionocytes in gills of seawater (SW)-acclimated medaka. Immunoreactive signals of the CFTR protein were detected by the antibody in gills of SW medaka rather than in those of freshwater (FW) fish. Furthermore, the full-length complementary (c)DNA of Odcftr was cloned and identified from gill tissues to evaluate specific affinities of the CFTR antibody. Using the RT-PCR to survey gene expressions in various tissues, Odcftr was prominently expressed in gills of the brackish medaka. Higher messenger (m)RNA levels of Odcftr were found in gills of medaka acclimated to environments with increasing salinities. The present study validated the salinity-dependent expression of the CFTR in branchial ionocytes of the brackish medaka and illustrated that the CFTR protein is a marker of the hypo-osmoregulatory role of the gill epithelium of this euryhaline teleost.
Spin wave excitations in the tetragonal double perovskite Sr2CuWO6

Sr2CuWO6 is a double perovskite proposed to be at the border between two- and three-dimensional magnetism, with a square lattice of S = 1/2 Cu2+ ions. We have used inelastic neutron scattering to investigate the spin wave excitations of the system, to find out how they evolve as a function of temperature, as well as to obtain information about the magnetic exchange interactions. We observed well defined dispersive spin wave modes at 6 K, which partially survive above the magnetic ordering temperature T-N = 24 K. Linear spin wave theory is used to determine the exchange interactions revealing them to be highly two dimensional in nature. Density functional theory calculations are presented supporting this experimental finding, which is in contrast to a previous ab initio study of the magnetic interactions. Our analysis confirms that not the nearest neighbor, but the next nearest neighbor interactions in the tetragonal ab plane are the strongest. Low incident energy measurements reveal the opening of a 0.6(1) meV gap below T-N, which suggests the presence of a very weak single ion anisotropy term in the form of an easy axis along (a) over cap.
Dynamic species distribution models reveal spatiotemporal habitat shifts in native range-expanding versus non-native invasive birds in an urban area

Urbanisation as a major driver of changes leads to the extinction of some species while others increase in abundance, especially non-native species. Spatiotemporal distribution patterns of these successful species are likely to be shaped by their response and tolerance to urban features. This study assesses the anthropo-ecological requirements of two co-occurring bird species, the native range-shifting jackdaw Corvus monedula and the non-native invasive ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri. We built yearly models over an eight-year period using an ensemble modelling approach assessing response differences through time and between species. Predictors describing human-made structures, socio-ecological proxies and resources availability were extracted from temporally coincident databases. Dispersal and habitat constraints were implemented in final models to provide more realistic forecasts of species future distributions. Ensemble models evaluated with a random partition of the training dataset showed a higher accuracy than those evaluated with an independent dataset from another time period. Our results highlight temporal variations in the relative importance of predictors for both studied species. Single-season occurrence data may thus be insufficient to characterize species ecological requirements. The ring-necked parakeet and the jackdaw showed different responses to urban features. Jackdaws preferred the more urbanized part of the city while the distribution of parakeets was strongly positively associated with the density of exotic ornamental trees. We concluded that ring-necked parakeet range expansion is likely to be driven by its effective ability to exploit urban resources which native species do not or under exploit, suggesting an open window of foraging opportunities. However, the jackdaw may be misled by a high cavity availability and a large amount of low-quality anthropogenic food in the urban core. We suggest that dynamic SDMs are a critical tool not only to forecast the future expansion of invasive species but also for a better understanding of processes driving urban biodiversity persistence.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Meningitis in Pregnant Adolescent

(ab22285; Abcam Ltd., Cambridge, UK). Virus antigens were detected in feather epidermal cells from days 3 through 6 pi, and in a few stromal cells in the feather pulp on days 3 and 4 pi (online Appendix Figure, panel C). Our results indicate that larger amounts of viruses can be isolated for a longer time from feathers than from swabs. Therefore, feathers can be considered useful samples for surveillance or diagnostic examination of AI virus (H5N1) in domestic ducks. The epidermis, the outer layer of the feather, is a tissue that has poor host immune response against viral replication (8). As has been observed in virus isolation, viruses may be able to survive longer in differentiated epidermal tissue such as contour feathers. The sensitivity of the rapid test was not adequate for swabs, a fi nding similar to that of other studies (9,10). However, positive results for rapid tests of feather samples only may shed light on the on-site fi eld detection of AI (H5N1) in asymptomatic domestic ducks. When virus shedding from domestic ducks is maintained at a low level of viral load during the infection, selecting the sample with higher viral load and antigens in tissues, such as feathers, can increase the detection rate obtained from on-site examination. Our results show the potential of feathers as candidates for early AI virus (H5N1) detection.
Non-Alcoholic, Naturally-Carbonated Beverage from Vitis Vinifera Using Saccharomyces Cerevisae Isolated from Cheese Whey

In the present work a pure yeast culture was isolated from cheese whey and identified by 26S rDNA sequencing as Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRRL Y-12632. This yeast was used to produce low alcoholic self carbonated beverage from grape juice, grape: Kinnow juice (2:1) and grape: Pomegranate juice (2:1) under optimized conditions. The physicochemical properties of 3 days fermented grape: Pomegranate beverage (2:1) were pH 3.87, TSS 15°B, CO2 content 0.09 bar, acidity 0.24%, sugar-acid ratio 63.34% and alcohol 0.06% (v/v). The changes in the physicochemical properties recorded were pH 3.08, TSS 14.8°B, CO2 content 0.14 bar, acidity 0.35%, sugar-acid ratio 42.04% and alcohol 0.10% (v/v) after storage for 30 days at 4°C without adding any preservative. Among the four beverages, grape: Pomegranate beverage (2:1) was highly acceptable when compared on 9 point hedonic scale. Naturally produced CO2 was found to give tangy taste to the beverage along with antimicrobial properties. This technology can be a useful processing technology for perishable fruits and vegetables and can also help to overcome their seasonal overabundance.
Cholesterol metabolism and serum non-cholesterol sterols

Background: The efficacy and safety of plant stanols added to food products as serum cholesterol lowering agents have been demonstrated convincingly, but their effects on cholesterol metabolism and on serum non-cholesterol sterols is less evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of serum non-cholesterol sterols and squalene as bioindices of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, and to examine how the individual serum non-cholesterol sterols respond to consumption of plant stanols. Methods: We collected all randomized, controlled plant stanol ester (STAEST) interventions in which serum cholestanol, plant sterols campesterol and sitosterol, and at least two serum cholesterol precursors had been analysed. According to these criteria, there was a total of 13 studies (total 868 subjects without lipid-lowering medication; plant stanol doses varied from 0.8 to 8.8 g/d added in esterified form; the duration of the studies varied from 4 to 52 weeks). Serum non-cholesterol sterols were assayed with gas–liquid chromatography, cholesterol synthesis with the sterol balance technique, and fractional cholesterol absorption with the dual continuous isotope feeding method. Results: The results demonstrated that during the control and the STAEST periods, the serum plant sterol/ cholesteroland the cholestanol/cholesterol-ratios reflected fractional cholesterol absorption, and the precursor sterol/cholesterol-ratios reflected cholesterol synthesis. Plant sterol levels were dose-dependently reduced by STAEST so that 2 g of plant stanols reduced serum campesterol/cholesterol-ratio on average by 32%. Serum cholestanol/cholesterol-ratio was reduced less frequently than those of the plant sterols by STAEST, and the cholesterol precursor sterol ratios did not change consistently in the individual studies emphasizing the importance of monitoring more than one surrogate serum marker. Conclusions: Serum non-cholesterol sterols are valid markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis even during cholesterol absorption inhibition with STAEST. Serum plant sterol concentrations decrease dose-dependently in response to plant stanols suggesting that the higher the plant stanol dose, the more cholesterol absorption is inhibited and the greater the reduction in LDL cholesterol level is that can be achieved. Trial registration: Clinical Trials Register # NCT00698256 [Eur J Nutr 2010, 49:111-117]
NeuroChain : The Intelligent Blockchain 1

The following article describes a new technology based on a distributed system such as Blockchain and powered by machine learning algorithms. The NeuroChain technology is a fusion between Blockchain and machine Learning, and based on three pillars: A decision maker : A Chain of Bots A set of rules : the Decision Protocol (Proof of Involvement and Integrity & Proof of Workflow) A network and media : the Pragmatic Communication Channels (adaptive communication protocol) and Learning ecosystem. A Bot is a short hand for a robot. In the current context, it is an Artificial Intelligence acting independently on a specific node in a network. They work thanks to machine learning algorithms on top of a protocol and a network. Their key aspects is that they work in association: a chain of Bots distributed in the network. An important aspect of a Bot is that it is “placed” on a node. The Bots act as validators of transactions and communicate between each other so as to guarantee security, transparency and decentralized infrastructure issues (e.g., double spending problem, byzantine generals problem, etc.). The decision protocol is founded on two mathematical tools: the Proof of Involvement and the proof of Integrity (PII). Therefore, the proof of involvement retraces the effort realized by this specific Bot on the network. This effort is measured by the entropy and the enthalpy (amount of value / internal energy) it holds. The idea is that an important Bot answers to important needs, and is therefore heavily charged. The proof of integrity describes how reliable this Bot is. 1 When Blockchain meets artificial intelligence F435990C3F9540FA8DC4C8A29F3ACBC990B41E25961934F5FBF9D04C8366733BEEB11894ECC054736A6C380B1F7C061541523EEC7FE0E3D2776658EAE5DCC8B3
TC 1 ( C 8 orf 4 ) is involved in ERK 1 / 2 pathway-regulated G 1-to S-phase transition

Although previous studies have implicated a role for TC1 (C8orf4) in cancer cell proliferation, the molecular mechanism of its action is still largely unclear. In this study, we showed, for the first time, that the mRNA levels of TC1 were upregulated by mitogens (FBS/thrombin) and at least partially, through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Interestingly, the over-expression of TC1 promoted the G1to S-phase transition of the cell cycle, which was delayed by the deficiency of ERK1/2 signaling in fibroblast cells. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay indicated that the over-expression of TC1 significantly increased Cyclin D1 promoter-driven luciferase activity. Taken together, our findings revealed that TC1 was involved in the mitogen-activated ERK1/2 signaling pathway and positively regulated G1to S-phase transition of the cell cycle. Our results may provide a novel mechanism of the role of TC1 in the regulation of cell proliferation. [BMB reports 2008; 41(10): 733-738]
Aerosol Absorption Retrieval at Ultraviolet Wavelengths in a Complex Environment

Abstract. We have used total and diffuse UV irradiance measurements from a multi-filter rotating shadow-band radiometer (UVMFR) in order to investigate aerosol absorption in the UV range for a 5-year period in Athens, Greece. This dataset was used as input to a radiative transfer model and the single scattering albedo (SSA) at 368 and 332 nm was calculated. Retrievals from a collocated CIMEL sun photometer were used to evaluate the products and study the absorption spectral behavior of retrieved SSA values. The UVMFR SSA, together with synchronous, CIMEL-derived retrievals of SSA at 440 nm, had a mean of 0.90, 0.87 and 0.83, with lowest values (higher absorption) encountered at the shorter wavelengths. In addition, noticeable diurnal variation of the SSA in all wavelengths is shown, with amplitudes up to 0.05. Strong SSA wavelength dependence is revealed for cases of low Angstrom exponents, accompanied by a SSA decrease with decreasing extinction optical depth, suggesting varying influence under different aerosol composition. However, part of this dependence for low aerosol optical depths is masked by the enhanced SSA retrieval uncertainty. Dust and brown carbon UV absorbing properties were also investigated to explain seasonal patterns.
Applying performance measures to support decision-making in supply chain operations: a case of beverage industry

Performance measurement systems (PMS) have commonly been applied to evaluate and reward performances at managerial levels, especially in the context of supply chain management. However, evidence suggests that the effective use of PMS can also positively influence the behaviour and improve performance at an operational level. The motivation is to accomplish organisational goals, namely to increase supply chain flexibility by responding to evermore-varying customer demands in a timely manner. The purpose of the study described in this paper was to develop a conceptual framework that adopts performance measures for ex-ante decision-making at an operational level within the supply chain. To guide the research, five questions were asked and subsequently key gaps have been identified. In an attempt to fill the gaps, a case study at a major global brand beverage company has been carried out, and as a result, a conceptual framework of the PMS has been developed. Overall, the research offers a foundation of the applicability and impact of PMS in the supply chain and provides a framework that attends to some of the potential uses of PMS that so far have not been practically applied. The outcomes from the testing indicate that the initial gaps identified in the literature have been addressed and that the framework is judicious with scope for practical applicability. The framework is deemed worthy of further testing in different operational contexts of the supply chain.
Morphometric and genetic structure of the edible dormouse (Glis glis): a consequence of forest fragmentation in Turkey

Past climatic fluctuations influenced forest habitats and impacted heavily the distribution of forest species, such as the edible dormouse, by changing the distribution and composition of forests themselves. Such effects may be valid for ongoing climate change as well. To improve our understanding of the edible dormouse's history and how it responded to changes in its environment, we investigated its variation across the understudied zone of Northern Turkey using two complementary markers of differentiation: the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for genetics, and size and shape of the first upper molar for phenotypic differences. Genetic and morphometric results were strongly discrepant. Genetic analyses evidenced an amazing homogeneity throughout the Eurasian range of the edible dormouse, whereas morphometrics pointed to a complex, step-wise differentiation along the Black Sea coast, the main signal being an opposition between Easternmost and Westernmost Turkish dormice. The genetic homogeneity suggests that this phenotypic differentiation is not the inheritance of glacial refuges, but the consequence of a more recent post-glacial isolation. The transition between the European and Asian groups is located eastwards from the Marmara straits, undermining its claimed role as an efficient barrier but stressing the importance of climatic and vegetational factors. A secondary differentiation between populations from the Central Black Sea coast and Easternmost regions was evidenced, attributed to a complex interplay of climatic, topographic, anthropogenic, and ecological factors. Turkey, at the crossroad of European and Asian species, heavily impacted by the current global change including climatic and anthropogenic factors, appears of importance for understanding the historical dynamics of differentiation and exchanges between populations that shaped the current distribution of Eurasian species and their future survival. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 107, 611–623.