Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shifts in Foliage Biomass and Its Vertical Distribution in Response to Operational Nitrogen Fertilization of Douglas-Fir in Western Oregon

Nitrogen (N) fertilization is a commonly applied silvicultural treatment in intensively managed coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) plantations. Field trials were established in a randomized complete block design by Stimson Lumber Company (Gaston, Oregon), to test the economic viability of N fertilization on their ownership and to better understand Douglas-fir growth responses. The 23 stands comprising the trials were Douglas-fir dominated, had a total age of 16–24 years, had been precommercially thinned, and had a density of 386–1021 trees ha−1. Fertilizer was applied aerially at a rate of 224 kg N ha−1 as urea during the 2009–2010 dormant season. In the dormant season of 2016–2017, seven growing seasons following application, 40 trees were felled and measured with the objective of assessing crown attributes and aboveground allometrics. Branch-level foliage mass equations were developed from 267 subsampled branches and were applied to the 40 felled sample trees on which the basal diameter and height of all live branches were measured, allowing estimation of both the total amount of foliage and its vertical distribution. A right-truncated Weibull distribution was fitted to data, with the truncation point specified as the base of live tree crown. The resulting tree-level parameter estimates were modeled as functions of tree-level variables. Stand-level factors not explicitly measured were captured through the use of linear and nonlinear mixed-effects models with random stand effects. Fertilization resulted in more total crown foliage mass in the middle crown-third and caused a downward shift in the vertical distribution of foliage, with implications for feedback responses in crown development and photosynthetic capacity. Defining the morphological responses of Douglas-fir crowns to nitrogen fertilization provides a framework for studying influences on stand dynamics and should ultimately facilitate improved site-specific predictions of stem-volume growth.
A modified pump–probe method for sensitive measurement of optical nonlinearity

We have proposed an effective and convenient technique called coaxial pump–probe technique, which is implemented with two obscuration disks, to investigate the dynamics of nonlinear absorption in materials. Compared to the traditional pump–probe technique, the measurement sensitivity and capability of the system is enhanced by increasing the effective overlap region of pump and probe beams. Moreover, this technique facilitates the utilization of arbitrary polarizations and wavelengths for the pump and probe beams. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated by measuring the nonlinear optical properties of zinc selenide, cadmium selenide and a symmetrical phenoxazinium bromine salt solution at different wavelengths.
Towards Automatic Points of Interest Matching

Complementing information about particular points, places, or institutions, i.e., so-called Points of Interest (POIs) can be achieved by matching data from the growing number of geospatial databases; these include Foursquare, OpenStreetMap, Yelp, and Facebook Places. Doing this potentially allows for the acquisition of more accurate and more complete information about POIs than would be possible by merely extracting the information from each of the systems alone. Problem: The task of Points of Interest matching, and the development of an algorithm to perform this automatically, are quite challenging problems due to the prevalence of different data structures, data incompleteness, conflicting information, naming differences, data inaccuracy, and cultural and language differences; in short, the difficulties experienced in the process of obtaining (complementary) information about the POI from different sources are due, in part, to the lack of standardization among Points of Interest descriptions; a further difficulty stems from the vast and rapidly growing amount of data to be assessed on each occasion. Research design and contributions: To propose an efficient algorithm for automatic Points of Interest matching, we: (1) analyzed available data sources—their structures, models, attributes, number of objects, the quality of data (number of missing attributes), etc.—and defined a unified POI model; (2) prepared a fairly large experimental dataset consisting of 50,000 matching and 50,000 non-matching points, taken from different geographical, cultural, and language areas; (3) comprehensively reviewed metrics that can be used for assessing the similarity between Points of Interest; (4) proposed and verified different strategies for dealing with missing or incomplete attributes; (5) reviewed and analyzed six different classifiers for Points of Interest matching, conducting experiments and follow-up comparisons to determine the most effective combination of similarity metric, strategy for dealing with missing data, and POIs matching classifier; and (6) presented an algorithm for automatic Points of Interest matching, detailing its accuracy and carrying out a complexity analysis. Results and conclusions: The main results of the research are: (1) comprehensive experimental verification and numerical comparisons of the crucial Points of Interest matching components (similarity metrics, approaches for dealing with missing data, and classifiers), indicating that the best Points of Interest matching classifier is a combination of random forest algorithm coupled with marking of missing data and mixing different similarity metrics for different POI attributes; and (2) an efficient greedy algorithm for automatic POI matching. At a cost of just 3.5% in terms of accuracy, it allows for reducing POI matching time complexity by two orders of magnitude in comparison to the exact algorithm.
A DNP-led Educational In-Service to Increase Depression Screening in Primary Care

Background: Depressive disorders are a major contributor to disability in the United States and worldwide. They are associated with multiple comorbid conditions including cardiovascular disease, obesity, stroke, and premature mortality. In the US, only 4.2% of primary care patients are being screened for depression and approximately 50% of cases of major depression are being missed. Purpose: Implementation of a nurse practitioner led educational intervention, discussing when, why, and how to screen utilizing the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 screening tools, with the medical assistant staff in order to increase compliance with annual screening. EBP Model/Frameworks: The Iowa model was used to guide implementation of this project (Iowa Model Collaborative et al., 2017). Evidence-Based Interventions: Evidence based interventions include education to medical assistant (MA) staff on administration of the PHQ-2 during check in and subsequent PHQ-9 administration for PHQ-2 scores ≥3, and practitioner review of PHQ-9 scores with patients. Evaluations/Results: Evaluation of results of this project included an increase in the number of patients screened during well visits from 72% to 83%, resulting in a significantly lower number of persons not screened, (x = 8.91, p = 0.003). Implications for Practice: In 2010, $80,377 billion were spent in the US on major depressive disorder. With increased screening and treatment in the primary care setting, unnecessary costs of undiagnosed depression can be avoided, saving approximately $38,101 billion per year. The implementation of a one-time MA educational in-service can increase compliance with screening at well visits. Annual screening helps establish a long-term relationship between patient and provider where patients feel that all their needs are being met. A DNP-led Educational In-Service to Increase Depression Screening in Primary Care 2 Conclusion: Standardizing the screening for unmanaged depressive symptoms can be incorporated into the check-in process. While these primary care practitioners at levels higher than the national average (72% vs 4.2%), the implementation of MA education/training for PHQ2/PHQ-9 assessment during the check-in process significantly increased the number of patients screened at annual well visits. Through increased screening practitioners are able to diagnose patients sooner, provide necessary resources and increase quality of life.
Parental Nesting Behavior, Chick Growth and Breeding Success of Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex) in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia

Abstract. Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex) breed in central-eastern Africa with a world population of only 5,000-8,000 individuals. To provide protection to this threatened species, conservationists need a better understanding about Shoebill foraging and breeding ecology, their habitat use and their distribution. For this study, nest attendance and prey provisioning were recorded with nest cameras for Shoebills in the Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia in 2012 and 2013. Chick growth and breeding success were monitored at the same time. Parental attendance was constant in the first 40 days of chick rearing, with attending parents only leaving the nest briefly to collect water for cooling the chicks or to collect material to maintain the nest. Attendance decreased as chicks aged, but prey provisioning remained constant throughout the nestling stage at 1.2 deliveries per day. Feeding peaked during the early and late morning. Chick growth rates were as expected given the size of the species, and chicks reached a fledging mass of approximately 5.7 kg. During 2011, breeding success was particularly low (20%, n = 10 nests) due to high levels of human disturbance, with chicks being removed from nests. Parents fledged 0.89 chicks per nest (n = 11 nests) when nests were actively protected from human disturbance and theft in 2012–2013. These findings could be useful for formulating guidelines for sustainable tourism to minimize disturbance and optimize breeding success in Shoebill populations.
Supramolecular prodrug hydrogelator as an immune booster for checkpoint blocker–based immunotherapy

A prodrug hydrogelator serves as an effective immune booster for checkpoint blocker–based cancer immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) have shown great promise at harnessing immune system to combat cancer. However, only a fraction of patients can directly benefit from the anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (aPD1) therapy, and the treatment often leads to immune-related adverse effects. In this context, we developed a prodrug hydrogelator for local delivery of ICBs to boost the host’s immune system against tumor. We found that this carrier-free therapeutic system can serve as a reservoir for extended tumoral release of camptothecin and aPD1 antibody, resulting in an immune-stimulating tumor microenvironment for boosted PD-1 blockade immune response. Our in vivo results revealed that this combination chemoimmunotherapy elicits robust and durable systemic anticancer immunity, inducing tumor regression and inhibiting tumor recurrence and metastasis. This work sheds important light into the use of small-molecule prodrugs as both chemotherapeutic and carrier to awaken and enhance antitumor immune system for improved ICBs therapy.
Electrospun Nylon-6 Nanofibers and Their Characteristics

The purposes of this research were to investigate the synthesized Nylon-6 nanofibers using electrospinning technique and their characteristics. The method used in this study was an experimental method with a quantitative approach. Nylon-6 nanofibers have been produced using the electrospinning method. This fiber was made with different concentrations, i.e. 20% w/w (FN1), 25% w/w (FN2), and 30% w/w (FN3). The SEM results show that the morphology of all nylon-6 nanofibers) forms perfect fibers without bead fiber. Increasing fiber concentration from 20% w/w to 30% w/w results in bigger morphology and fiber diameter. The dimensions of the FN1, FN2, and FN3 fibers are 1890 nm, 2350 nm, and 2420 nm, respectively. The results of FTIR analysis showed that the increase in the concentration of nylon-6 (b) and the electrospinning process caused a peak shift in the amide II group (CH2 bond), the carbonyl group and the CH2 stretching of the amide III group from small wave numbers to larger ones. The results of XRD characterization showed that the electrospinning process affected the changes in the XRD pattern of nylon-6 nanofiber (FN1, FN2, and FN3) in the state of semi crystal. Nylon-6 nanofibers can be used for applications in medicine, air filters, and electrode for capacitors
Characterization of a Novel synGAP Isoform, synGAP-β*

We cloned a cDNA encoding a novel synGAP, synGAP-d (GenBankTM accession numberAB016962), from a rat brain cDNA library. The clone consisted of 4801 nucleotides with a coding sequence of 3501 nucleotides, encoded a protein consisting of 1166 amino acids with >99% homology with 1092 amino acid overlaps to synGAP, and contained a 13-nucleotide insertion to the previously reported synGAP mRNAs, which suggested that the clone was a splice variant of synGAP. We also found that there are at least seven variants in the 3′ portion of the synGAP mRNA and that they encoded five different protein isoforms. The coding sequence of these C-terminal variants were classified into α1, α2, β1, β2, β3, β4, and γ, and synGAP-d was classified as the β1 form. The previously reported synGAPs (synGAP-a, -b, and -c and p135synGAP) can be classified as the α1 isoform. All isoforms were expressed specifically in the brain. Unexpectedly, the β isoform, which lacks a C-terminal PSD-95-binding motif ((S/T)XV), was more restricted to the postsynaptic density fraction than the motif-containing α1 isoform. The β isoform did not interact with PSD-95 but specifically interacted with a nonphosphorylated α subunit of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II through its unique C-terminal tail.
Estimating Quebec provincial forest resources using ICESat/GLAS

Ground plots, airborne profiling and space lidar (light detection and ranging) measurements of canopy height and crown closure, space radar topographic data, a Landsat cover type map, and a vegetation zone map were used in a model-assisted, two-phase sampling design to estimate the aboveground biomass and carbon resources of Quebec. It was determined that a simple random sampling estimator, with covariance terms added, could be used to quantify the variabil- ity of regional Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) biomass estimates where interorbit distances are, on average, ‡15 km apart. Prediction error increased standard errors, on average, 24.4%, 4.6%, and 2.8% at the cover type, vegetation zone, and provincial levels, respectively. Inclusion of the covariance term in the calculation of grouped cover type variances increased the vegetation zone standard errors up to 3.7 times and the provincial standard errors 15.6 times. In the southern commercial forests of Quebec, GLAS underestimated ground-based biomass values by 7.3% (stratified lin- ear model) and 10.2% (nonstratified linear model). Quebec forests support 2.57 ± 0.33 gigatonnes of carbon (nonstratified linear model). Approximately 25% of that carbon was found to be located in two southern vegetation zones (northern hard- wood and mixedwood), another 25% in two northern vegetation zones (taiga and treed tundra), and the remaining 50% in the boreal zone.
Inclusion of the Vietnamese endemic genus Grushvitzkya in Brassaiopsis (Araliaceae): evidence from nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast ndhF sequences

The phylogenetic position of the recently described monotypic Vietnamese genus Grushvitzkya is evaluated using nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast ndhF sequence data. Grushvitzkya stellata has often been considered as intermediate between Brassaiopsis and Trevesia, but differs in having a 5-locular ovary rather than a 2- or 6–16-locular ovary, respectively. The molecular data indicate that Grushvitzkya is deeply nested within Brassaiopsis and has a close relationship with B. phanrangensis from central and southern Indochina, and B. stellata from the regions bordering China and Vietnam. The Kimura 2-parameter distances of the ITS sequences between G. stellata and B. phanrangensis and B. stellata are 0.403 and 0.945%, respectively. Furthermore, G. stellata and B. phanrangensis have an identical ndhF sequence profile. Grushvitzkya stellata differs from B. stellata by a single nucleotide in their ndhF sequences. The available evidence is compatible with the hypothesis that Grushvitzkya diverged recently from B. phanrangensis and B. stellata. Although these three closely related species all possess stellate trichomes, G. stellata and B. phanrangensis have highly similar trichome micromorphology, with almost no difference in size, shape and branching pattern, supporting a very close relationship between the two taxa. The higher number of locules in the ovary of Grushvitzkya appears to be a secondary increase despite earlier interpretations that higher numbers are evolutionarily primitive. Grushvitzkya is herein merged with Brassaiopsis; because the combination B. stellata is occupied, a new name, Brassaiopsis grushvitzkyi, is proposed. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 142, 455–463.
A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema bifurcatum n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) from Punjab, Pakistan

A new species of Steinernema is described herein as S. bifurcatum n. sp. It is characterised by the presence of a male gubernaculum that is bifurcate at both proximal and distal ends, a key diagnostic feature. Steinernema bifurcatum n. sp. belongs to the bicornutum group by having two horn-like structures on the labial region of the infective juvenile (IJ). It can be recognised by IJ body diam. = 22 (20-24) μm, pharynx = 114 (102-134) μm, ratio a = 24 (22-25) and D% = 39.7 (33-47). The new species can be further recognised by the male characters of D% = 48 (42-58), and genital papillae = 23 (22 + 1) in number and, for the first generation female, excretory pore = 75.7 (60-108) μm, pharynx = 174 (158-200) μm and tail length = 43.2 (38-60) μm. Steinernema bifurcatum n. sp. is distinguished from all other members of the bicornutum group by the presence of a gubernaculum which is bifurcated at both proximal and distal ends in first generation males. On the basis of genital papillae number (22 + 1) it is close to S. abbasi, S. ceratophorum and S. pakistanense, but can be distinguished by morphometrics of IJ and adults. IJ of S. bifurcatum n. sp. can be differentiated from those of S. ceratophorum and S. pakistanense by the smaller body length of 460-590 μm. Steinernema bifurcatum n. sp. differs from S. abbasi by morphological characters of IJ, male and female stages. The IJ can be distinguished by D% (33-47), body diam. (20-24) μm, b value (3.8-5.6) and pharynx length (102-134) μm. The second generation male differs by GS ratio (0.29-0.45) and the mucronate tail. The first generation female is distinguished by a protruding vulva and no postanal swelling. Analysis of ITS rDNA (824 bp), D2-D3 (880 bp) and mt DNA region (507 bp) sequences confirm that the studied nematode isolate represents a valid new species, the combination of molecular and morphological features indicating that it belongs to Clade IV, the bicornutum group.
An analysis of the relation between enterprise risk management (ERM) information disclosure and traditional risk measures in the US banking sector

How to cite this paper: Gouiaa, R. , Zéghal, D. , & El Aoun, M. (2020). An analysis of the relation between enterprise risk management (ERM) information disclosure and traditional risk measures in the US banking sector. Risk Governance and Control: Financial Markets & Institutions, 10(1), 61-74. http://doi.org/10.22495/rgcv10i1p5 Copyright © 2020 The Authors This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
ULTRACYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF OUABAINSENSITIVE, POTASSIUM-DEPENDENT p-NITROPHENYLPHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE RAT KIDNEY

A new one-step method for light and electron microscopic localization of the K-dependent phosphatase (K-NPPase) component of the Na-K-ATPase complex was applied to the rat kidney. In the cortex, intense K-NPPase reaction was localized to the distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules. Proximal convoluted tubules, especially the first segment, showed weak activity. In the medulla, thick ascending segments of the Henle's loop showed high activity, while thin segments never showed activity. The reaction products of K-NPPase activity were localized on the cytoplasmic side of the lateral and basal plasma membranes of the renal tubular epithelium, indicating the direction of the phosphate liberation by the enzyme to be the cytoplasmic side. The above results were discussed with special reference to the renal physiological function.
Sulphur compounds in relation to Cheddar cheese flavour

Summary Comparisons are made between the sulphur-containing volatiles of 4 Cheddar cheeses, using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detector. Two of the cheeses were made aseptically from whole milk, with and without starter, the third was made from whole milk with starter in an open vat, and the fourth was made from skim-milk also in an open vat. Only the cheeses made from whole milk with a starter culture developed normal Cheddar flavour; the cheese made without starter and the skim-milk cheese had little or no flavour. Considerable differences were found in the chromatograms of the 4 distillates and in particular methanethiol was found only in the distillates from the cheeses having Cheddar flavour.
Structural monitoring of a transient intermediate in the hemagglutinin fusion machinery on influenza virions

Structural mass spectrometry enables dissection of a transient activated ensemble in influenza hemagglutinin fusion machinery. The influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) fusion protein has long been viewed as a “spring-loaded” fusion machine whereby activation at low pH initiates a rapid and irreversible cascade of conformational changes that drives the membrane fusion reaction. This mechanism has shaped our understanding of how type 1 viral fusion proteins function as a whole. Experimental limitations have hindered efforts to expand our mechanistic and structural understanding of viral membrane fusion. Here, we used pulse-labeling hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and cryo–electron tomography to monitor and characterize the structural dynamics of HA during fusion activation on intact virions. Our data reveal how concurrent reorganizations at the HA1 receptor binding domain interface and HA2 fusion subunit produce a dynamic fusion intermediate ensemble in full-length HA. The soluble HA ectodomain transitions directly to the postfusion state with no observable intermediate.
Estimation of dispersal distances of the obligately plant‐associated ant Crematogaster decamera

1. In obligate symbioses with horizontal transmission, the population dynamics of the partner organisms are highly interdependent. Host population size limits symbiont number, and distribution of partners is restricted by the presence and thus dispersal abilities of their respective partner. The Crematogaster decamera–Macaranga hypoleuca ant–plant symbiosis is obligate for both partners. Host survival depends on colonisation by its ant partner while foundress queens require hosts for colony establishment.