Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality control for modern bone collagen stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements

Isotopic analyses of collagen, the main protein preserved in subfossil bone and tooth, has long provided a powerful tool for the reconstruction of ancient diets and environments. Although isotopic studies of contemporary ecosystems have typically focused on more accessible tissues (e.g. muscle, hair), there is growing interest in the potential for analyses of collagen because it is often available in hard tissue archives (e.g. scales, skin, bone, tooth), allowing for enhanced long‐term retrospective studies. The quality of measurements of the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of ancient samples is subject to robust and well‐established criteria for detection of contaminants and diagenesis. Among these quality control (QC) criteria, the most widely utilized is the atomic C:N ratio (C:NAtomic), which for ancient samples has an acceptable range between 2.9 and 3.6. While this QC criterion was developed for ancient materials, it has increasingly being applied to collagen from modern tissues. Here, we use a large survey of published collagen amino acid compositions (n = 436) from 193 vertebrate species as well as recent experimental isotopic evidence from 413 modern collagen extracts to demonstrate that the C:NAtomic range used for ancient samples is not suitable for assessing collagen quality of modern and archived historical samples. For modern tissues, collagen C:NAtomic falling outside 3.00–3.30 for fish and 3.00–3.28 for mammals and birds can produce systematically skewed isotopic compositions and may lead to significant interpretative errors. These findings are followed by a review of protocols for improving C:NAtomic criteria for modern collagen extracts. Given the tremendous conservation and environmental policy‐informing potential that retrospective isotopic analyses of collagen from contemporary and archived vertebrate tissues have for addressing pressing questions about long‐term environmental conditions and species behaviours, it is critical that QC criteria tailored to modern tissues are established.
Preparation and Photochromic Performance of Homogeneous Phase Nitrocellulose Membrane Grafting Spirooxazine Moieties

The synthesis of 1,3,3-trimethyl-9′-acryloxyspiro[indoline-2,3′(3H)naphtho[2,1-b][l,4]-oxazine] (AISO) was carried out by catalytic esterification of 1,3,3-trimethyl-9′-hydroxyspiro-[indoline-2,3′(3H)naphtho[2,1-b][l,4]oxazine] (SO–OH) and acrylic acid in the presence of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). Then, the synthesis of the target copolymer (NC-g-AISO) was was carried out by benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-induced graft copolymerization of the AISO monomer onto nitrocellulose (NC) in a homogeneous methyl isobutyl ketone medium. The structure of NC-g-AISO was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The photochromic properties of NC-g-AISO were investigated by examining UV–Vis spectra in ethyl acetate solution and solid membrane. Compared with the AISO monomer in ethyl acetate solution, the thermal color decay stability of the colored form of NC-g-AISO in ethyl acetate solution and in solid membrane improved significantly. The thermal color decay reaction rate constants in ethyl acetate solution and membrane at 25 °C were 1.77 × 10–2 and 1.36 × 10–3 s–1, respectively, fitted using the first-order reaction equation. After ten photochromic cycles, the relative absorption intensity of the colored form of NC-g-AISO decreased by 0.85%, indicating that the NC-g-AISO membrane has good reversible photochromic behavior.
بررسی تاثیر قارچکش ایپرودیون-کاربندازیم (رورال تی اس) بر ساختار جمعیت باکتریهای ریزوسفر خیار به روش Illumina MiSeq sequencing

Studying the effects of fungicides on rhizosphere and soil microbial communities is very important due to the critical role of microorganisms in soil and plant health. In this study, the effects of fungicide Rovral TS on dynamic and structure of cucumber rhizospheric bacteria was investigated by Next-Generation Sequencing based on 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) by means of Illumina MiSeq sequencing in three plant growth periods. Results showed that among 26 identified phyla and 352 identified bacterial genera for 18 samples, Proteobacteria and Pseudomonas were most dominate phylum and genus, respectively. Application of Rovral TS was resulted the changes in bacterial structure and dynamic. Decrease of relative abundance of Pseudomonas in middle stage of flowering in fungicide treatment and in the last stage of control treatment was observed. Moreover, the relative abundance of Sphingopyxis, Sphingobacterium and Chryseobacterim in fungicide-treated plants were more than control plant in all three stages. Analysis of diversity indices revealed that diversity in the rhizospheric soil of control plant was more than fungicide-treated plants (shanon=5.33), while species richness in control soil was greater than fungicide treated (Chao1=2324.17). In addition, the effect of plant developing stages on OUT number, diversity and richness indices (regardless type of treatment) was significant and rhizospheric soil belongs to before flowering stages benefit more diversity and richness.
Evolutionary constraints on polyembryony in parasitic wasps: a simulation model

Polyembryony involves the production of several genetically identical progeny from a single egg through clonal division. Although polyembryonic development allows highly efficient reproduction, especially in some parasitoid wasps, it is far less common than monoembryony (development of one embryo per egg). To understand what might constrain the evolutionary success of polyembryony in parasitoids, we developed Monte Carlo models that simulate the competition between polyembryonic females and their monoembryonic counterparts. We investigated which simulated life‐history traits of the females allow the monoembryonic mode of development to succeed. Published empirical studies were surveyed to explore whether these traits indeed differ between polyembryonic parasitoids and related monoembryonic species. The simulations predict an advantage to monoembryony in parasitoids whose reproduction is limited by host availability rather than by egg supply, and that parasitize small‐bodied hosts. Comparative data on the parasitoid families Encyrtidae and (to a lesser extent) Braconidae, but not the data from Platygastridae, circumstantially support these predictions. The model also predicts monoembryony to outcompete polyembryony when: 1) hosts vary considerably in quality, 2) polyembryonic development carries high physiological costs, and 3) monoembryonic females make optimal clutch size decisions upon attacking hosts. These multiple constraints may account for the rarity of polyembryony among parasitoid species.
Morphological and Biochemical Variability in Aloe Germplasm in Hot Arid Region of India

ABSTRACT This study determined the extent of diversity and relationships among 74 Aloe germplasm collected mainly from the Indian arid zone by characterizing 18 morphological traits (8 quantitative and 10 qualitative). High coefficient of variation (CV) was observed in quantitative traits (aloin content [AC] [43.1%], leaf width [LW] [32.0], polysaccharide [30.7], and inflorescence length [18.5]) through CV. Range and mean values for important biochemical traits of Aloe vera were 0.009–10.94 and 5.77, respectively, for aloin and 0.16–0.61 and 0.40, respectively, for polysaccharide (mg 100 mL–1) content. Leaf rind thickness (LRT) showed the highest variability (0.8–1.8 mm), followed by leaf length (LL) (30–57.5 mm) and LW (99.2–17.3 mm). Pearson’s correlation study revealed both positive and negative relationships among the quantitative traits of aloe genotypes ranging from −0.19 (AC and LL/LRT) to 0.48 (leaf thickness and LRT). Dendrogram was generated for the six quantitative traits by using Euclidean distance-based unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean method of cluster analysis which formed four major clusters at coefficient value of 3.7 with two subclusters each. Cluster analysis clearly brought out two groups as non-bitter and bitter ones. The pattern obtained through cluster analysis confirmed by two-dimensional scatter plot of principal components analysis (PCA) accounted for 67.73% of cumulative variance. Despite limitation in estimating the total genetic variation, the present study indicated that morphological and biochemical traits were useful in preliminary evaluation and can be used as a general approach for assessing genetic diversity among morphologically distinguishable aloe genotypes.
Similarities among small watercourses based on multiparameter physico-chemical measurements

With the introduction of the Water Framework Directive, the relative importance of smaller waterways increased. This statement is particularly true for Hungary, where water-quality monitoring of most smaller rivers only began 12 years ago. Due to their large number, and the lack of historical data concerning their state, systematic monitoring is a challenge.In the current study, 101 creeks are characterized on the one hand by 13 physico-chemical quality parameters (pH, electric conductivity, chloride ion concentration, dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, ammonium nitrogen, total inorganic nitrogen, total nitrogen, orthophosphate and total phosphorus), on the other hand by their watershed's relief, land use, and point sources' pollution indicators. Euclidean distance between water bodies (henceforth WBs) is calculated according to normalized physico-chemical monitoring values. They are grouped into clusters using the hierarchical clustering method. Watershed characteristics are used to explain the clustering via linear discriminant analysis.The investigation revealed that the main driver of cluster group creation is related to human impact: diffuse agricultural and point-source pollution. The first of the three clusters involved water bodies with low or no human impact; the second cluster contained those with medium-level anthropogenic disturbance, while waters with high pollution values formed the third cluster. Mean distance between heavily polluted waters was 1.5 times higher than that between those showing no or low disturbance, meaning that pristine waters are more similar to one another than polluted ones. The current number of samples per river is twice as high in cluster 1 as in cluster 3, revealing that there is room for optimization of the monitoring system. This contribution uses Hungary as a case study.
Taking a Tabula Rasa Approach to Wildfire Governance: A Thought Experiment and Call for Papers and an Open Dialogue on the Topical Issue of Fire

This perspective serves as a preface to the Topical Issue of Fire and presents an opportunity, framed within the classic approach of a thought experiment, to discuss how a new wildfire governance framework may be created from the ground up, if it were unencumbered by any existing construct, or experiences. It is not specific to any one country or fire regime; rather, it is intended merely to stimulate a wider conversation about where we are at collectively, and where we may want to move to in the future with our policies, organization, science, management, technology; or any of the myriad components that comprise the greater discipline of wildland fire science and management. The authors suggest that loosening the shackles of reality may allow for innovative discussion and the generation of transformative ideas to help ecosystems and communities better coexist with fire. We invite perspectives to submit to this Topical Issue on all aspects of wildfire governance, including reviews and perspectives. We also welcome perspectives on how to adapt wildfire governance in the face of exceptional events such as pandemics, earthquakes, famines, and war.
They’re Moving in Spaces They’re Not Used to: Examining the Racialized Experiences of African American Students in a High School STEAM Academy

In this study, we explored how an urban high school with a STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics) theme approached racialized student experiences as learning opportunities. We were interested in documenting curricular and pedagogical practices, and the mission of the STEAM Academy, which was aimed at exposing African American/Black students to possibilities beyond the school including university settings and workplace environments (through job shadowing and internships). Based on the perspectives of school personnel and community partners, we found the school administrators and teachers enacted social justice–centered curricular strategies to elicit emancipatory and participatory actions for administrators, teachers, and students. This type of curriculum for students helped them cope with the stressors of encountering racialized experiences and microaggressions in the school and beyond; thereby, enabling them to be resilient in the face of a discriminatory and oppressive society.
On GPS L1 Positioning Errors’ Estimation in the Adriatic Region

Prediction of satellite positioning errors represents a substantial step towards the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) performance assessment. Satellite positioning accuracy in the particular area can be expected to be similar due to prevailing environmental conditions. This similarity opens the opportunity to estimate and predict the positioning errors of close locations. The paper aims to develop a regional model of positioning errors estimation for Global Positioning System (GPS) single-frequency receivers based on ground truth data from reference stations, in this phase considering different levels of space weather activity as one f the criteria defining environmental conditions. The model should provide a simple positioning error prediction in cases where reference stations and respective data do not exist. The space weather conditions were examined to determine the influence on GPS satellite positioning performance at three selected International GNSS Service (IGS) stations in the Adriatic Region - Graz, Padua, and Matera. The mutual relations in terms of positioning error patterns were elaborated. The same 15-day period in three consecutive years was analysed. Pearson’s coefficient was utilised as a major indicator for determining the degree of correlation. The data from IGS stations Padua and Graz showed better, significant correlation results. The IGS station Matera, located farther and southward slightly differed in positioning deviations’ patterns and was not used for the model development. Satellite positioning errors of IGS Padua were used as a reference to determine the positioning errors of IGS Graz. Due to the significant correlation results, the linear regression model has been developed for the latitude, longitude, and height positioning errors. The final model coefficients were calculated as average values of the model coefficients for latitude, longitude, and height errors for elaborated periods. The cross-validation with five folds has been carried out, showing good model performance with R2 values of 0.7785 for geographic latitude, 0.8132 for the geographic longitude, and 0.7796 for height above sea level, respectively. The validation showed that the model could be applied during all levels of space weather activity on a regional basis.
Delivering Breast Reconstruction Information to Patients—Part 2: Women Report on Preferred Information Content

Purpose: To determine the type of information women want to be provided in order to make an informed decision as to whether, when, and using what technique to proceed with breast reconstruction. Method: Using purposeful sampling, 19 patients who had recently undergone various breast reconstruction procedures were recruited to each participate in a 30- to 45-minute semi-structured interview. Participants shared their insights and beliefs regarding the type of breast reconstruction information they most valued prior to undergoing breast reconstruction surgery. Participants were also queried as to perceived information gaps. In some cases, the participants’ partners or support persons were also interviewed. Grounded theory and thematic analysis assisted in interview transcript analysis. Results: Eight topics were identified relating to women’s informational needs around breast reconstruction. Examples include how to weigh the pros and cons of various breast reconstruction options to decide between flap or implant reconstruction, whether there are safety concerns with immediate breast reconstruction or nipple-sparing reconstruction, and expectations and advice on how to manage possibly unexpected intimacy issues after breast reconstruction. Conclusions: Using mixed methods research methodology, 19 women reported on preoperative informational gaps relating to their recent breast reconstruction experiences. Patients report that adequate breast reconstruction information prior to breast reconstruction surgery helps them to manage their expectations, prepare for surgery and recovery, and improve postoperative satisfaction.
Analysing leisure cards from a buyers’ perspective – a case study for the leisure card Tyrol

ABSTRACT Purpose: While tourism cards are quite common, leisure cards are less popular, especially with respect to scholarly research. This study sheds light on leisure cards by analysing a card covering a wide choice of leisure activities in the most populated area in Tyrol, Austria. Methodology: As research lacks insight particularly into the buyers’ perspective, an explorative approach including qualitative interviews (n = 7) and an online survey (n = 2391) was chosen. Findings: Data raised suggests the main reasons for purchasing the card include easier access to sports and low price compared to single tickets for attractions. Practical implications: The perceptions of buyers and suppliers basically coincide in terms of the card's added value. Overall, the results lend themselves as an initial point of reference for future deliberations. Research Contribution: This study provides a first insight into the added value of a possibly sustainable and arguably (economically) stable card scheme and thus opens further research opportunities.
SNR Enhancement of an Electrically Small Antenna Using a Non-Foster Matching Circuit

A non-Foster circuit (NFC) is known as an active broadband matching technique to improve the impedance matching bandwidth of an electrically small antenna (ESA). There has been a vast amount of papers that report the generation of negative impedance using an NFC and its effectiveness on broadband antenna matching. However, only a few discussed its impact on the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), which is one of the most important figures-of-merit for a wireless communication system. In this paper, the SNR enhancement due to an NFC was measured and discussed. An NFC was carefully designed to have a low dissipation loss and to meet the stability conditions. The optimized NFC design was fabricated and applied to an ESA length of λ⁄15 at a frequency range of 150 to 300 MHz. The measured results showed that the NFC enhanced the received power of the antenna system by more than 17 dB. However, due to the noise added by the NFC, the SNR enhancement was not guaranteed for some frequency points. Nevertheless, an average of 7.3 dB of SNR improvement over the frequency band of interest is possible based on the experiment result.
Effects of rehabilitation pruning and agroforestry on cacao tree development and yield in an older full-sun plantation

Abstract Overaged full-sun cacao plantations and the need for sustainable production systems call for combining rehabilitation of plantations with the establishment of agroforestry. We tested the effect of drastic rehabilitation pruning of old cacao tree stock and the introduction of both high- and low-diversity agroforestry on survival, growth and yield of T. cacao in a commercial plantation in peninsular Malaysia over a period of 5 years. We further determined the incidence of pests and diseases of cacao pods and assessed the performance of the whole system for smallholder farmers, including yields of by-crops. Rehabilitation pruning negatively affected cacao tree development and short-term yield. No more effects of pruning on cacao yield were observed starting in the third year on in the monoculture and starting in the fourth year on in low-diversity agroforestry. We found similar cacao tree development and yield in the low-diversity agroforestry and a common practice monoculture, suggesting that the implementation of agroforestry is a commercially feasible strategy, due to additional income generated through timber production. Reduced cacao tree development and yield in the high-diversity agroforestry were compensated by additional harvests of cassava and banana compared to monoculture. Incidence of cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella) was lower in the agroforestry systems, especially the high-diversity system, while the incidence of black pod disease (Phytophthora spp.) did not differ between agroforestry and monoculture. The findings highlight the potential of agroforestry to reconcile ecologically sustainable land use with natural, cost-effective pest management. While pruning needs to be done with timing and disease pressure in mind to minimize short-term yield losses, this measure proved to be a feasible strategy for establishing agroforestry on extant plantations.
ENVISAGING PROMINENCE OF INDIAN TELECOM OPERATORS USING AN ENSEMBLE LINK BASED APPROACH

Understanding ambiences from consumers helps in inspecting market value of an artifact. Data and voice quality of telecom service are often praised and targeted in social networking platforms. There is a need to analyze these opinions to infer renown of service providers. In this context, data is extracted for major Indian telecom service providers from Twitter and FaceBook. Furthermore, performance metrics of these providers are collected from TRAI portal to compare projected thresholds with customer opinions. These datasets are retrieved in predefined timeframe to ensure that information isn’t biased. Towards exploring a prevalent service provider, an ensemble node ranking approach is designed based on ideologies of SVM and RNN algorithms (SVMRNNRank). This approach is modelled based connectivity in the network. Its effectiveness is demonstrated by calculating certain statistical metrics. Comparative analysis reflects that influential nodes identified from SVMRNNRank have better acceptance amongst social network users and TRAI performance indices.