Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and chemical dehydration for pre-drying of black oat silage

This study aimed to evaluate mechanical and chemical methods of forage dehydration in the production of black oat pre-dried silage (Avena strigosa Schreb) under different dehydration times. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block experimental design with five replications and arranged in a 2 x 6 factorial scheme. We assessed two methods of dehydration, mechanical and chemical, over six dewatering times, being made at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days after cutting or application of glyphosate. Harvest took place at 88 days after emergence, at pre-flowering. We evaluated dry biomass production at harvest, dry matter losses during dehydration in the field, losses during ensiling, gauging effluent output, and pre-dried silage chemical composition. There was an interaction between dehydration method and harvest time for most of the production characteristics. Chemical dehydration showed an enhanced dry matter recovery at the field level, however, unsuitable for pre-dried silage. The longer the dehydration period, the lower the losses for both analyzed methods; nevertheless, the chemical method reached unsatisfactory DM contents to produce good quality silage.
Biological properties of soil contaminated with the herbicide Apyros 75 WG

The objective of the study has been to determine the effect of the herbicide Apyros 75 WG on counts of various aerobic microorganisms, activity of soil enzymes and yields of spring wheat. For this purpose, a pot experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Samples of soil used for the trials represented loamy sand. Having mixed the soil samples with mineral fertilizers, doses of the herbicide were added and the soil was placed in plastic pots. The lowest herbicide dose was the optimum dose recommended by the producer, and the two other doses were 10and 100-fold higher. The experiment was conducted in two series: I – unsown soil, and II – soil under spring wheat. It has been determined that Apyros 75 WG disturbs soil’s homeostasis, as it disrupts multiplication of some microbial groups, inhibits the activity of soil enzymes and depresses the yield of spring wheat, even if applied in a recommended dose. Among the soil enzymes, dehydrogenases and urease were the least tolerant to the effect of the herbicide, whereas alkaline phosphatase proved to be the most tolerant one. The vulnerability of microorganisms to soil pollution with the herbicide can be arranged in the following decreasing order: ammonifying bacteria > Pseudomonas > copiotrophic bacteria > oligotrophic bacteria > nitrogen binding bacteria > spore-forming oligotrophic bacteria > Arthrobacter > cellulolytic bacteria > Actinomyces > fungi. Growing spring wheat had a positive effect on the counts of microorganisms and activity of soil enzymes.
Extracellular vesicles from oviductal isthmus and ampulla stimulate the induced acrosome reaction and signaling events associated with capacitation in bovine spermatozoa

Cells can communicate with other neighboring or distant cells through the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EV), composed of a lipid bilayer and bearing surface molecules that allow them to recognize target cells. In this way, EV induce signaling via different mechanisms, modulating the physiological state of the recipient cell. EV have been identified in both male and female reproductive fluids, however, the possible role of EV isolated from female reproductive fluids has become an emerging field only recently. It is known that ejaculated mammalian spermatozoa need to undergo physiological preparation in the female reproductive tract to fertilize the egg. EV secreted by different regions of the female tract constitute signals that may have a key role in regulating sperm functions. The aims of the present study were isolating EV from different regions of the bovine oviduct and analyzing their interaction and physiological effects on spermatozoa. Here, we report the characterization of bovine oviductal fluid EV from the isthmus and ampulla region and their effect on the induced acrosome reaction and signaling events associated with sperm capacitation. EV induced an increase in sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation, while cell survival of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa was maintained. We also show that EV uptake regulates the sperm calcium levels by inducing an immediate increase in the intracellular calcium concentration and sperm priming, after a pre‐incubation period, of the progesterone‐induced intracellular calcium rise. Our data contribute to understand the role of EV in the communication between the female reproductive tract and the sperm physiology, information that may be used to improve the efficiency of reproductive assisted technologies.
Competency management in Slovenia: Paradoxes between development trends and drivers of change*

The focus of the transitional processes in CEE studies has changed in recent years. One important study area in the transitional processes in CEE is the construction of a globally competitive economy structure and increased efficiency of the rule of law. An important element of the competitiveness of companies is individual competency management. Especially in transition economies like Slovenia, human resources have to be regarded as a key factor for the current and future success of the economy. This article presents the study results that include managers' opinions regarding the connections between the external and internal drivers of change and influencing competency management in Slovenia. In den letzten Jahren hat sich der Schwerpunkt bei der Erforschung der Transitionsprozesse in MOE geandert. Im Vordergrund stehen nicht mehr Studien zur Transformation in eine Marktwirtschaft, sondern die Konstruktion einer global wettbewerbsfahigen Wirtschaftstruktur und die Umsetzung eines Rechtsstaates nach europaischem Muster. Ein wichtiges Element der Wettbewerbsfahigkeit von Unternehmen ist das individuelle Kompetenzmanagement. Insbesondere in Transitionsokonomien wie Slowenien mussen die Arbeitskrafte als ein Schlusselfaktor fur den gegenwartigen und den zukunftigen Erfolg einer Wirtschaftskraft betrachtet werden. Im Beitrag werden Forschungsergebnisse vorgestellt, die den Standpunkt von Managern im Zusammenhang mit externen und internen Treibern der Veranderungen vorstellen sowie deren Einsuss auf das Kompetenzmanagement in Slowenien.
The pesticide adjuvant, ToximulTM, alters hepatic metabolism through effects on downstream targets of PPARα

Previous studies demonstrated that chronic dermal exposure to the pesticide adjuvant (surfactant), ToximulTM (Tox), has significant detrimental effects on hepatic lipid metabolism. This study demonstrated that young mice dermally exposed to Tox for 12 days have significant increases in expression of peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase (mRNA and protein), bifunctional enzyme (mRNA) and thiolase (mRNA), as well as the P450 oxidizing enzymes Cyp4A10 and Cyp4A14 (mRNA and protein). Tox produced a similar pattern of increases in wild type adult female mice but did not induce these responses in PPARα-null mice. These data support the hypothesis that Tox, a heterogeneous blend of nonionic and anionic surfactants, modulates hepatic metabolism at least in part through activation of PPARα. Notably, all three groups of Tox-treated mice had increased relative liver weights due to significant accumulation of lipid. This could be endogenous in nature and/or a component(s) of Tox or a metabolite thereof. The ability of Tox and other hydrocarbon pollutants to induce fatty liver despite being PPARα agonists indicates a novel consequence of exposure to this class of chemicals, and may provide a new understanding of fatty liver in populations with industrial exposure. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Features of anticholinergic prescriptions and predictors of high use in the elderly: Population‐based study

Older people are especially vulnerable to negative anticholinergic effects. Although anticholinergic drugs are commonly used among older people, drugs with potent antimuscarinic properties are considered as potentially inappropriate medications for older people. Here, we examined features of anticholinergic use and investigated predictors for the high use of strong anticholinergic agents (ACs) in the elderly.
INCONSISTENCIES IN SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS – THE CASE SUZANO

Neste trabalho objetiva-se evidenciar as inconsistencias do Relatorio de Sustentabilidade da Suzano Papel e Celulose no ano de 2009 e 2010. Partindo de uma analise documental a respeito dos 30 indicadores ambientais constantes em relatorio, e realizado um comparativo dessas informacoes ao modelo Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), evidenciando o grau de comprometimento e veracidade no tocante aos indicadores ambientais adotados pela empresa. Foi detectado que ha divergencias no nivel de atendimento dos indicadores declarado pela empresa, alem de serem perceptiveis os erros envolvendo os valores que quantificavam os materiais utilizados na producao sem que fosse evidenciada qualquer notificacao que esclarecesse o motivo das diferencas apresentadas, dando a entender que seus relatorios nao possuem um grau de confiabilidade desejavel. Estudos similares sao necessarios para averiguar se o fato descoberto atraves desta pesquisa e uma pratica comum envolvendo os Relatorios de Sustentabilidade ou uma situacao pontual.
Bucher Facebook Want to be on the top ? Algorithmic power and the threat of invisibility on

This article explores the new modalities of visibility engendered by new media, with a focus on the social networking site Facebook. Influenced by Foucault’s writings on Panopticism – that is, the architectural structuring of visibility – this article argues for understanding the construction of visibility on Facebook through an architectural framework that pays particular attention to underlying software processes and algorithmic power. Through an analysis of EdgeRank, the algorithm structuring the flow of information and communication on Facebook’s ‘News Feed’, I argue that the regime of visibility constructed imposes a perceived ‘threat of invisibility’ on the part of the participatory subject. As a result, I reverse Foucault’s notion of surveillance as a form of permanent visibility, arguing that participatory subjectivity is not constituted through the imposed threat of an all-seeing vision machine, but by the constant possibility of disappearing and becoming obsolete.
Estimating the Impact of Avian Flu on International Tourism Demand Using Panel Data

This paper investigates the impacts of avian flu on global and Asian tourism using panel data procedures. Both static and dynamic fixed effects panel data models are adopted to estimate the impacts of this infectious disease. The empirical results from static and dynamic fixed effects panel data models are consistent and indicate that the number of affected poultry outbreaks has significant impacts on the international tourism of global and Asian affected countries. The high mortality rate among humans, the potential of a global flu pandemic and some media frenzy with hype and speculation might adversely affect the images of these infected destinations as a safe tourist destination. Moreover, it was found that the average damage to Asian tourism was more serious, which might have been induced by an ineffective suppression in numerous Asian infected countries. In addition, Asia was the earliest affected region and the area infected most seriously by avian flu, both in humans and in poultry. Since the potential risks and damage arising from avian flu and the subsequent pandemic influenza are much greater than for previous diseases, the need to take necessary precautions in the event of an outbreak of avian flu and pandemic influenza warrants further attention and action in modelling and managing international tourism demand and risk.
Rac1 is necessary for capacitation and acrosome reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa

Actin cytoskeleton remodeling is a critical process for the acquisition of fertilizing capacity by spermatozoa during capacitation. However, the molecular mechanism that regulates this process has not been fully elucidated. In somatic cells, Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 protein (Rac1) promotes the polymerization of actin by participating in the modeling of two structures: lamellipodia and adhesion complexes linked with the plasma membrane. Rac1 is expressed in mammalian spermatozoa; however, the role of Rac1 in sperm physiology is unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the participation of Rac1 in capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR). Rac1 was found to be dispersed throughout the acrosome and without changes in the middle piece. After 60 minutes of capacitation, Rac1 was found in the apical region of the acrosome only, which concurred with an increase in Rac1‐GTP. Rac1 inhibition prevented such changes. In the middle piece, Rac1 localization remained unchanged. Besides, Rac1 inhibition blocked capacitation and AR. The present study demonstrates that Rac1 participates only in the actin cytoskeleton remodeling that occurs in the acrosomal apical region during capacitation, a region where a large amount of actin is polymerized and shaped in a diadem‐like structure. Our data also show that this actin cytoskeleton organized by Rac1 interacts with filamin‐1, and such interaction was blocked by the inhibition of Rac1, which led to a different organization of the actin cytoskeleton. All these outcomes imply that the formation of an F‐actin cytoskeleton in the acrosomal apical region is a necessary event for capacitation and AR, and which is Rac1 driven.
Evidence for an attentional priority map in inferotemporal cortex

Significance A fundamental dogma in the cognitive neurosciences is that attention is controlled by parietal and prefrontal areas. Here, we show that an area in the temporal lobe exhibits the properties of a priority map coding the focus of attention. We show this through whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiological single-unit recordings, and causal electrical stimulation. This discovery changes our understanding of the organization of visual pathways and the functions of attention networks. From incoming sensory information, our brains make selections according to current behavioral goals. This process, selective attention, is controlled by parietal and frontal areas. Here, we show that another brain area, posterior inferotemporal cortex (PITd), also exhibits the defining properties of attentional control. We discovered this area with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an attentive motion discrimination task. Single-cell recordings from PITd revealed strong attentional modulation across 3 attention tasks yet no tuning to task-relevant stimulus features, like motion direction or color. Instead, PITd neurons closely tracked the subject’s attention state and predicted upcoming errors of attentional selection. Furthermore, artificial electrical PITd stimulation controlled the location of attentional selection without altering feature discrimination. These are the defining properties of a feature-blind priority map encoding the locus of attention. Together, these results suggest area PITd, located strategically to gather information about object properties, as an attentional priority map.
Master in Economic Development and Growth Fertility Responses to Short-Term Economic Stress in Mexico 1963-2011 Bardomianno

Another way of assessing living standards in Mexico is presented in this paper by adopting the definition of living standards provided by the Eurasia Population and Family History Project. A discrete-time event-history analysis model is performed in order to analyse and examine the responses of fertility to short-term economic stress during the period 1963 to 2011. The main findings support the idea that fertility responds negatively to economic stress in Mexico but this response is very small. Nevertheless, the effect of economic stress differs by socioeconomic groups and cohorts. In this context, the results suggest that living standards in Mexico are not low or at least not as low as they were in other populations in the past. Yet, further research should be enhanced in order to give a final assessment regarding living standards in the Mexican population.
The survival of semi‐wild, wild and hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon smolts of the Simojoki River in the Baltic Sea

The recapture rate and survival of hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar stocked as 1 year-old parr (semi-wild) with that of hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon stocked as 2 year-old smolts and wild smolts of Atlantic salmon in the northern Baltic Sea were compared. This was done through tagging experiments carried out in 1986–1988 and 1992. The recapture rate of the semi-wild groups varied from 1·0 to 13·1%, being similar in 3 tagging years and lower in 1 year than that of the wild groups (1·7–17·0%). The recapture rate of the semi-wild groups was similar (in 2 years) or higher (in 2 years) than that of the hatchery-reared groups stocked as smolts (1·3–6·3%). The survival of semi-wild smolts during the sea migration was as high as that of wild Atlantic salmon of an equal size and two to three times higher than hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon stocked as smolts. The survival rate was positively associated with smolt size. The suitability of hatchery-reared parr and smolts in the management of reduced Atlantic salmon stocks is compared.
Comparing learning performance on the open trial selective reminding test with the California verbal learning test II in traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT Introduction: Learning and memory deficits are prevalent following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), affecting between 54% and 84% of impacted individuals. Objective: The current study examined learning performance on two tests of verbal memory: the OT-SRT and the CVLT-II. Methods: Sixty-eight participants with TBI performed the OT-SRT and the CVLT-II on two different days. Additionally, all participants completed cognitive tests assessing processing speed, working memory and executive functions. By definition, all participants with TBI were identified as having impaired learning on the OT-SRT, however only 38 were also identified as impaired on the CVLT-II. The sample was thus divided into two groups, those who failed both tests (Fail-2) and those who failed only the OT-SRT (Fail-1). Results: The Failed-1 group showed significantly better performance in processing speed, working memory and executive functions compared to the Fail-2 group. On the CVLT-II, the Fail-1 group performed significantly better on the number of words recalled on trials 1 and 5 compared to the Fail-2 group. Both groups performed similarly the OT-SRT. Discussion: The CVLT-II and the OT-SRT are not equivalent tests and should not be used interchangeably.
Physician Practices in Against Medical Advice Discharges.

BACKGROUND Patients discharged against medical advice (AMA) have disproportionately high health care costs and increased morbidity, mortality, and hospital readmissions. Although patient risk factors for discharge AMA are known, there are little data regarding physician discharge practices surrounding AMA discharges. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of patients discharged AMA from a large, urban, academic medical center. Our study predictors included patient demographics and admission characteristics: primary service team, time of discharge, documentation of anticipated AMA discharge, and length of stay. The primary outcomes were physician discharge practices including a scheduled follow-up appointment, documentation of informed consent, documentation of a risk/benefit discussion, and notification of the attending physician. Our coprimary outcome was the incidence of 30-day hospital readmission. RESULTS Among AMA discharges, 33% had follow-up appointments scheduled upon discharge. There was documentation of a risk/benefit discussion (69%), informed consent (63%), and notification of the attending physician (72%) in most discharges. Physician discharge practices were not associated with 30-day hospital readmission. CONCLUSIONS Adherence to discharge best practices in AMA discharges was inconsistent and suboptimal, particularly for scheduling follow-up appointments, but was not associated with hospital readmission. Our results highlight the difficulty in facilitating safe transitions of care for patients discharged AMA.
Evolution & Development

Funding information National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Grant/Award Number: 5R01GM116867 Abstract Developmental plasticity allows the matching of adult phenotypes to different environments. Although considerable effort has gone into understanding the evolution and ecology of plasticity, less is known about its developmental genetic basis. We focused on the pea aphid wing polyphenism, in which high‐ or low‐density environments cause viviparous aphid mothers to produce winged or wingless offspring, respectively. Maternally provided ecdysone signals to embryos to be winged or wingless, but it is unknown how embryos respond to that signal. We used transcriptional profiling to investigate the gene expression state of winged‐destined (WD) and wingless‐destined (WLD) embryos at two developmental stages. We found that embryos differed in a small number of genes, and that gene sets were enriched for the insulin‐signaling portion of the FoxO pathway. To look for a global signature of insulin signaling, we examined the size and stage of WD and WLD embryos but found no differences. These data suggest the hypothesis that FoxO signaling is important for morph development in a tissue‐specific manner. We posit that maternally supplied ecdysone affects embryonic FoxO signaling, which ultimately plays a role in alternative morph development. Our study is one of an increasing number that implicate insulin signaling in the generation of alternative environmentally induced morphologies.
Automated Histological Analysis System for Quantifying Microstructural Damage Accumulation to the Annulus Fibrosus

In this paper, we proposed an automated histological analysis system for quantifying microstructural damage accumulation to the annulus fibrosus. This system takes in a digital histology image and uses Gaussian mixture model based segmentation, followed by connected components analysis to extract and label possible clefts. The image is then refined through spatial and size constraints. Finally, the required statistics for quantifying microstructural damage are calculated.
Rapid development of clone‐specific, high‐performing perfusion media from established feed supplements

Perfusion cultivation of recombinant CHO cells is of substantial interest to the biopharmaceutical industry. This is due to increased space–time‐yields (STYs) and a short residence time of the recombinant protein in the bioreactor. Economic processes rely on cultivation media supporting rapid growth in the exponential phase and high protein production in the stationary phase at minimal media consumption rates. To develop clone‐specific, high‐performing perfusion media we present a straightforward and rapid two‐step approach combining commercially available basal media and feed supplements using design‐of‐experiment. First, the best performing feed supplements are selected in batch cultures. Then, the mixing ratio of selected feed supplements is optimized in small‐scale semicontinuous perfusion cultures. The final media formulation is supported by statistical response surface modeling of a set of cultivation experiments with blended media formulations. Two best performing novel media blends were finally applied to perfusion bioreactor verification runs to reach 200 × 106 c/ml within 2 weeks at minimum cell‐specific perfusion rates as low as 10–30 pL/c/d. Obtained STYs of 0.4–1.2 g/L/d represent a 10‐fold increase compared to batch cultures. This general workflow is universally applicable to any perfusion platform combining a specific cell line, basal medium, and established feed solutions.