Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting effects of mosaic structure on alpha and beta diversity of bird assemblages in a human‐modified landscape

Habitat loss and fragmentation are key processes causing biodiversity loss in human-modified landscapes. Knowledge of these processes has largely been derived from measuring biodiversity at the scale of ‘within-habitat’ fragments with the surrounding landscape considered as matrix. Yet, the loss of variation in species assemblages ‘among’ habitat fragments (landscape-scale) may be as important a driver of biodiversity loss as the loss of diversity ‘within’ habitat fragments (local-scale). We tested the hypothesis that heterogeneity in vegetation cover is important for maintaining alpha and beta diversity in human-modified landscapes. We surveyed bird assemblages in eighty 300-m-long transects nested within twenty 1-km vegetation ‘mosaics’, with mosaics assigned to four categories defined by the cover extent and configuration of native eucalypt forest and exotic pine plantation. We examined bird assemblages at two spatial scales: 1) within and among transects, and 2) within and among mosaics. Alpha diversity was the mean species diversity within-transects or within-mosaics and beta diversity quantified the effective number of compositionally distinct transects or mosaics. We found that within-transect alpha diversity was highest in vegetation mosaics defined by continuous eucalypt forest, lowest in mosaics of continuous pine plantation, and at intermediate levels in mosaics containing eucalypt patches in a pine matrix. We found that eucalypt mosaics had lower beta diversity than other mosaic types when ignoring relative abundances, but had similar or higher beta diversity when weighting with species abundances. Mosaics containing both pine and eucalypt forest differed in their bird compositional variation among transects, despite sharing a similar suite of species. This configuration effect at the mosaic scale reflected differences in vegetation composition among transects. Maintaining heterogeneity in vegetation cover could help to maintain variation among bird assemblages across landscapes, thus partially offsetting local-scale diversity losses due to fragmentation. Critical to this is the retention of remnant native vegetation.
FGF1 Promotes Xenopus laevis Lens Regeneration

Background The frog Xenopus laevis has notable regenerative capabilities, including that of the lens. The neural retina provides the factors that trigger lens regeneration from the cornea, but the identity of these factors is largely unknown. In contrast to the cornea, fibroblast growth factors FGF1, 8, and 9 are highly expressed within the retina, and are potential candidates for those factors. The purpose of this study is to determine whether specific FGF proteins can induce lens formation, and if perturbation of FGFR signaling inhibits lens regeneration. Methods A novel cornea epithelial culture method was developed to investigate the sufficiency of FGFs in lens regeneration. Additionally, transgenic larvae expressing dominant negative FGFR1 were used to investigate the necessity of FGFR signaling in lens regeneration. Results Treatment of cultured corneas with FGF1 induced lens regeneration in a dose-dependent manner, whereas treatment with FGF2, FGF8, or FGF9 did not result in significant lens regeneration. Inhibition of FGFR signaling decreased the lens regeneration rate for in vitro eye cultures. Conclusion The culture techniques developed here, and elsewhere, have provided reliable methods for examining the necessity of various factors that may be involved in lens regeneration. Based on the results demonstrated in this study, we found that FGF1 signaling and FGFR activation are key factors for lens regeneration in Xenopus.
Snapshots of single particles from single cells using electron microscopy

Cryo-electron microscopy has become an indispensable tool for structural studies of biological macromolecules. There are two predominant methods for studying the architectures of multi-protein complexes: (1) single particle analysis of purified samples and (2) tomography of whole cells or cell sections. The former can produce high-resolution structures but is limited to highly purified samples, while the latter can capture proteins in their native state but is hindered by a low signal-to-noise ratio and results in lower-resolution structures. Here, we present a method combining microfluidic single cell extraction with single particle analysis by electron microscopy to characterize protein complexes from individual C. elegans embryos. Using this approach, we uncover three-dimensional structures of ribosomes directly from single embryo extracts. In addition, we investigate structural dynamics during development by counting the number of ribosomes per polysome in early and late embyros. This approach has significant potential applications for counting protein complexes and studying protein architectures from single cells in developmental, evolutionary and disease contexts.
Image Quality Assessment by Combining Masking Texture and Perceptual Color Difference Model

Objective image quality assessment (IQA) models have been developed by effective features to imitate the characteristics of human visual system (HVS). Actually, HVS is extremely sensitive to color degradation and complex texture changes. In this paper, we firstly reveal that many existing full reference image quality assessment (FR-IQA) methods can hardly measure the image quality with contrast and masking texture changes. To solve this problem, considering texture masking effect, we proposed a novel FR-IQA method, called Texture and Color Quality Index (TCQI). The proposed method considers both in the masking effect texture and color visual perceptual threshold, which adopts three kinds of features to reflect masking texture, color difference and structural information. Furthermore, random forest (RF) is used to address the drawbacks of existing pooling technologies. Compared with other traditional learning-based tools (support vector regression and neural network), RF can achieve the better prediction performance. Experiments conducted on five large-scale databases demonstrate that our approach is highly consistent with subjective perception, outperforms twelve the state-of-the-art IQA models in terms of prediction accuracy and keeps a moderate computational complexity. The cross database validation also validates our approach achieves the ability to maintain high robustness.
Differentiation among Sclerotium rolfsii isolates in response to saponins treatment

Genetical and morphological variability among four Egyptian isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii, their response to saponin treatment and their ability to control root rot disease in guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) using saponin seed dressing were investigated. PDA medium amended with saponin reduced significantly mycelial growth and sclerotial formation of S. rolfsii isolates. S. rolfsii isolates from tomato and/or sesame were more sensitive to saponin than the isolates from guar and/or peanut plants. Saponin application also lowered polygalacturonase activity in cultural filtrate of S. rolfsii isolates. In greenhouse experiment, guar seeds pretreated with saponin gave 31.1% to 58.9% protection against root rot disease incidence. RAPD technique was carried out for four isolates of S. rolfsii using two random primers. Size of DNA fragments amplified by the two primers ranged from 80 bp to 1116 bp indicating polymorphism among S. rolfsii isolates. Genetic similarities ranged from 31% to 71% and from 40% to 92% using primer 5 and primer OPA-3, respectively.
The relationship between book reading, national identity, and nationalism among secondary school students

ABSTRACT The current study focused on the education-nationalism relationship and aimed to understand whether the positive influence of education in the reduction of nationalist attitudes simply relies on the educational level reached, or is related to the kind of school attended to reach the level. Moreover, we were interested in understanding if book reading has a role in reducing nationalism. Seven hundred twenty Italian students (female = 59%; mean age = 18, SD =.5) attending their senior year of secondary school (lyceum = 49%, technical = 51%) completed a questionnaire that included blind and constructive nationalism scales, ethnic national identification and book reading behaviour. We performed a structural equation model. Results showed that 1) lyceum students are less nationalistic than technical students are; 2) ethnic national identity drives both nationalism and patriotism; 3) lyceum attendance and book reading prevent ethnic national identity. Overall, the study highlighted that the strongest effect of education on nationalism pertains only to students with higher educational expectations, suggesting that the role of educational systems as diffusor of liberal values needs to be rethought.
Eco-Friendly Cellulose Nanofiber Extraction from Sugarcane Bagasse and Film Fabrication

The development of cost-effective cellulose fibers by utilizing agricultural residues have been attracted by the scientific community in the past few years; however, a facile production route along with minimal processing steps and a significant reduction in harsh chemical use is still lacking. Here, we report a straightforward ultrasound-assisted method to extract cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from fibrous waste sugarcane bagasse. X-ray diffraction-based crystallinity calculation showed 25% increase in the crystallinity of the extracted CNF (61.1%) as compared to raw sugarcane bagasse (35.1%), which is coherent with Raman studies. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images revealed thread-like CNF structures. Furthermore, we prepared thin films of the CNF using hot press and solution casting method and compared their mechanical properties. Our experiments demonstrated that hot press is a more effective way to produce high strength CNF films; Young’s modulus of the thin films prepared from the hot press was ten times higher than the solution casting method. Our results suggest that a combination of ultrasound-based extraction and hot press-based film preparation is an efficient route of producing high strength CNF films.
Plasma Level of von Willebrand Factor Propeptide at Diagnosis: A Marker of Subsequent Renal Dysfunction in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Introduction: Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome, and systemic sclerosis, which are chronic inflammatory diseases, are prone to develop renal dysfunction, which is related to vascular endothelial cell damage. Material and Methods: We evaluated plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF), VWF propeptide (VWF-pp), disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13), and VWF multimer pattern in patients with SARDs at diagnosis and investigated whether they may serve as markers to identify patients destined to develop renal dysfunction within 1 year. Renal dysfunction was defined as subsequent reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by >25% or the new appearance of abnormal urine findings such as proteinuria (protein > 30 mg/dL) or hematuria (red blood cells >20/HPF in urine sediments). Overall, 63 patients with SARDs were studied. Results and Conclusions: We observed a significant increase of VWF-pp and a significant decrease of ADAMTS13 in patients with SARDs compared with normal healthy controls. The highest level of VWF-pp was observed in patients with SLE among the groups. The levels of VWF and multimer pattern of VWF were not different compared with normal healthy controls. Von Willebrand factor propeptide predicted a subsequent decrease in eGFR at a cutoff point of 210% (sensitivity, 78.6%; specificity, 73.5%) and new urinary abnormal findings at a cutoff point of 232% (sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 77.8%) Using these cutoff points, multivariable analysis revealed that VWF-pp was a significant risk factor for renal dysfunction at an odds ratio of 8.78 and 22.8, respectively, and may lead to a new therapeutic approach to prevent vasculitis and renal dysfunction.
Dung-pile use by guanacos in eastern Patagonia

Abstract Previous studies on guanacos have reported that only territorial males create and maintain dung-piles. The aim of this analysis was to compare dung-pile use by territorial males with the use by females and young in family groups, and by bachelor males. Although territorial males showed the highest dung-pile use, all individuals dropped feces on piles frequently, in contrast to what was previously observed within other guanaco populations. Besides stressing the behavioral plasticity of guanacos, these results suggest an additional adaptive function of localized-defecation other than demarcating territory ownership by the territorial male.
Population Dynamics of Metazoan Parasites of Rhizoprionodon acutus from the Nellore Coast off Bay of Bengal

Rhizoprionodon acutus (Rüppell) 1837, commonly known as ‘Milk shark’ is the frequently available elasmobranch from the Nellore (14.43°N 79.97°E.) coast off Bay of Bengal. A total of 152 R. acutus were collected from this coast during January, 2014- December, 2015, of which 89 hosts were infected with one or more parasites. A total of eleven species were collected, comprising of 6 cestodes, 2 nematodes, 1 Monogenean, 1 copepod and 1 isopod. Various ecological parameters such as prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance and index of infection were calculated to determine the monthly population dynamics and the seasonal dynamics of the parasites in R. acutus . The study was carried out for both overall and groupwise parasitization. Endoparasitic infection predominated the ectoparasitic infection in the host. The study reveals the role of the temperature and season in the recruitment of parasite fauna in the hosts. The present study would be a great contribution to the knowledge of the metazoan parasite fauna of elasmobranch fishes to the future helminthologists from this Nellore Coast, Bay of Bengal.
Vertical stratification of moth communities in a deciduous forest in Belgium

Moths are a diverse and abundant species group, playing important functional roles in many terrestrial ecosystems, as pollinators, herbivores and as bulk food for many other taxa. Forests are complex ecosystems and beside horizontal variation, they exhibit a very diverse vertical structure, creating a matrix of micro‐niches along the vertical gradient. One could expect that this results in varying moth community assemblages, but the vertical distribution and underlying mechanisms have hardly been investigated in temperate forest ecosystems. We sampled macro‐moths on a weekly basis for 14 months on a tower in an ancient deciduous forest in Belgium. Alternatingly light and bait traps were used at ground level and at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 m height in the forest. We analysed total moth abundance along the vertical gradient and distribution patterns of individual species and families, using generalised linear mixed‐effects models. We demonstrated a strong vertical stratification, resulting in distinct moth communities in different strata. The observed patterns were non‐random but related to specific response traits of the species. Notably, we found large differences between families; whereas Geometridae‐moths were much more abundant at ground level, Noctuidae showed a preference for both the ground level and the canopy layer. Comparing species‐specific patterns within families revealed strong differences between species. We welcome future research to further document vertical stratification patterns and unravel the different underlying mechanisms.
The Implementation of Results-Driven Accountability: A Systemic Approach to Large-Scale Initiatives

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has undergone revisions roughly every 5 years since inception. Despite these modifications, the academic and social outcomes for students with disabilities lag behind those of their regular education peers. Results-Driven Accountability (RDA) was initiated to improve special education outcomes and efficacy. This case study examined the implementation science framework used for RDA. The results surfaced successes and concerns with the implementation process and illuminated barriers unrelated to the RDA initiative but critical for implementation and scaling. The findings from this study may contribute to identifying best practices in large-scale systemic initiatives.
An Efficient Configuration Scheme of CGRA for Block Ciphers

An Efficient Configuration Scheme based on Configuration Context (ECSCC) is proposed to decrease the size of configuration memory and the time of configuration transmission. The ECSCC is applied to a coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture (CGRA) which is implemented under TSMC 40nm CMOS technology to compare with similar work. The results show that the proposed ECSCC improves the area efficiency by 21.56 X and the energy efficiency by 3.97X.
De novo assembly, delivery and expression of a 101 kb human gene in mouse cells

Design and large-scale synthesis of DNA has been applied to the functional study of viral and microbial genomes. New and expanded technology development is required to unlock the transformative potential of such bottom-up approaches to the study of larger, mammalian genomes. Two major challenges include assembling and delivering long DNA sequences. Here we describe a pipeline for de novo DNA assembly and delivery that enables functional evaluation of mammalian genes on the length scale of 100 kb. The DNA assembly step is supported by an integrated robotic workcell. We assemble the 101 kb human HPRT1 gene in yeast, deliver it to mouse cells, and show expression of the human protein from its full-length gene. This pipeline provides a framework for producing systematic, designer variants of any mammalian gene locus for functional evaluation in cells.
Diversity of the Macrolepidoptera from a "Bosco Palazzi" area in a woodland of "Quercus trojana" Webb., in southeastern Murgia (Apulia region, Italy) (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

This study summarises the known records of the Macrolepidoptera species of the “Bosco Palazzi” area near the municipality of Putignano (Apulia region) in the Murgia mountains in southern Italy. The list of species is based on historical bibliographic data along with new material collected by other entomologists in the last few decades. A total of 207 species belonging to the families Cossidae (3 species), Drepanidae (4 species), Lasiocampidae (7 species), Limacodidae (1 species), Saturniidae (2 species), Sphingidae (5 species), Brahmaeidae (1 species), Geometridae (55 species), Notodontidae (5 species), Nolidae (3 species), Euteliidae (1 species), Noctuidae (96 species), and Erebidae (24 species) were identified. Cyclophora quercimontaria (Bastelberger, 1897) (Geometridae) is reported for the first time from Apulia region and in southern Italy. With this research, the authors highlight the importance of conservation of the remaining areas wooded with Quercus trojana Webb. in southern Italy.
Soy Protein is an Efficacious Alternative to Whey Protein in Sorghum–Soy Fortified Blended Foods in Rats

Previously we found that extruded corn–soy blend (CSB) and sorghum–soy blend (SSB) fortified blended foods (FBFs) containing whey protein concentrate (WPC) were equally nutritious food aid products. WPC provides high-quality protein; however, it is the most expensive ingredient in these FBFs. The primary objective of this study was to determine if soy protein can serve as an alternative to WPC and the secondary objective was to evaluate different sucrose amounts in the FBFs. Nine extruded FBFs were formulated: 1 CSB and 1 SSB, both containing 9.5% WPC and 15% sucrose, served as comparison FBFs. Three additional CSB and 4 SSB FBFs were formulated containing no WPC, but with increased soy flour to meet protein requirements and varying sucrose concentrations. The sucrose content ranged from 0% to 10% for the CSBs and 0% to 15% for the SSBs. Male weanling Sprague Dawley rats were individually housed and divided into 10 diet groups (n = 9–10) which consumed either AIN-93G or a dry FBF for 28 d. At study conclusion, blood, livers, and body composition data were collected. Results were analyzed using 1-factor ANOVA with Tukey's test. Outcomes were not significantly different between the SSB groups, with the exception of significantly higher protein efficiency for the WPC-containing group. Among the CSB groups, caloric and protein efficiencies were significantly higher for the WPC-containing CSB group. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin or hepatic iron concentrations between FBF groups, but hepatic iron concentrations were significantly higher in all FBF groups than in the AIN-93G group. Groups consuming diets with ≤10% sucrose had significantly higher bone mineral density than groups consuming diets with 15% sucrose. These results suggest that extruded SSB, but not necessarily CSB, FBFs with soy protein and 5%–10% added sucrose are efficacious and cost-effective alternatives to WPC-containing FBFs.
Time-Homogeneous Markov Process for Low Birth Weight Progression under Treatment

Background: Low birth weight incidence is quite high in the sub region, which has a public health concern. The weight of a baby at birth has dire consequences on the child as an infant, in childhood and as an adult. Methods: The aim of this study was to explore and examine the spread and gravity of incidence of low birth weight by using a multi-state model to understand low birth weight progression. This study utilised data by Ghana Statistical Service from Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey conducted in 2011 to monitor progress of children and women. Results: The multi-state Markov model dealt into the low birth weight transitions and severity under three treatments where transition intensities, transition probabilities and the mean sojourn times were estimated which show that low birth weight children tend to spend less time in bad states than in good states. Conclusion: Generally, the survival of a low birth weight child in future time decreases from state 1 to state 4, hence treatment must be applied on time. Original Research Article Ofori et al.; CJAST, 39(22): 130-140, 2020; Article no.CJAST. 59284 131
Experimental Study on the Performance of an SI Engine Fueled by Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil–Gasoline Blends

Pyrolyzed waste plastic-based green fuel has been reported to be used as an alternate fuel for diesel engines. Some of the main challenges for implementing this in current automotive technology include evaluating engine performance, emission, noise vibration harshness (NVH), and knock characteristics of this fuel. This study focuses on the engine performance of poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET)-based waste plastic oil (WPO) at varying engine speed conditions. The pyrolysis of mixed-waste plastic was carried out at 300 °C in a fixed-bed reactor. Physicochemical properties such as viscosity, density, calorific value, sulfur, and research octane number (RON) of the plastic fuel and its blends with gasoline were analyzed using ASTM standard test methods. The WPO was blended with two different types of gasoline (RON88 and RON90) at 10, 20, and 30%, and was tested in a spark-ignition (SI) engine. The experimental results showed that different WPO–gasoline blends can be used in an SI engine without any engine modifications, and the performance indicators for different blends were found to be close to that of pure gasoline. The brake power and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were found to be 4.1 kW and 0.309 kg/kW h, respectively. The 10% WPO and 90% RON90 blend produced optimal engine performance at 3500 rpm.