Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen Fixation Genes Expressed in the Symbiotic Microbial Community in the Gut of the Termite Coptotermes formosanus

A nitrogen fixation gene, nifH, was amplified from mRNA of the gut microbial community of the termite Coptotermes formosanus by RT-PCR and clonally characterized. The clones were affiliated with either the anaerobe group or the pseudo-nif group of nifH, the latter of which is considered not to be involved in nitrogen fixation. No other nitrogenases were found in the gut community. Although the taxonomic identification of the relevant microorganisms is difficult to predict, the anaerobe group of the genes is critical for nitrogen fixation in this termite.
Metasomatic Evolution of Coesite-Bearing Diamondiferous Eclogite from the Udachnaya Kimberlite

A coesite-bearing diamondiferous eclogite from the Udachnaya kimberlite (Daldyn field, Siberian craton) has been studied to trace its complex evolution recorded in rock-forming and minor mineral constituents. The eclogite sample is composed of rock-forming omphacite (60 vol%), garnet (35 vol%) and quartz/coesite (5 vol%) and contains intergranular euhedral zoned olivine crystals, up to 200 µm long, coexisting with phlogopite, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene (secondary), K-feldspar, plagioclase, spinel, sodalite and djerfisherite. Garnet grains are zoned, with a relatively homogeneous core and a more magnesian overgrowth rim. The rim zones further differ from the core in having higher Zr/Y (6 times that in the cores), ascribed to interaction with, or precipitation from, a kimberlite-related melt. Judging by pressure-temperature estimates (~1200 °C; 6.2 GPa), the xenolith originated at depths of ~180–200 km at the base of the continental lithosphere. The spatial coexistence of olivine, orthopyroxene and coesite/quartz with K-Na-Cl minerals in the xenolith indicates that eclogite reacted with a deep-seated kimberlite melt. However, Fe-rich olivine, orthopyroxene and low-pressure minerals (sodalite and djerfisherite) likely result from metasomatic reaction at shallower depths during transport of the eclogite by the erupting kimberlite melt. Our results demonstrate that a mixed eclogitic-peridotitic paragenesis, reported previously from inclusions in diamond, can form by interaction of eclogite and a kimberlite-related melt.
Three new species of freshwater Diploneis from Japan

Three new Diploneis species are described from freshwater lakes in Japan. A complex wall structure is demonstrated in D. aokiensis sp. nov. and D. yamanakaensis sp. nov., where the basic alternation of transapical ribs (virgae) and striae is overlain by a system of secondary branches and struts supporting the external perforate surface. Diploneis linearifera sp. nov. possesses remarkable external slits, distributed irregularly around the margin of the valve and near the raphe. The grooves in the outer layer of the valve wall, which do not penetrate to the valve interior, have no known parallel in other diatoms but may be related to the angular holes noted previously in D. finnica (Ehrenberg) Cleve and D. marginestriata Cleve.
Spatial Density and Splicing Characteristic Optimized Few-Mode Multi-Core Fiber

Few-mode fiber design suitable for long-haul dense space division multiplexing (SDM) transmission is proposed, where the spatial density and the splicing characteristics of the fiber is optimized. We numerically investigate the impact of the number of modes per core in a multi-core structure on the total number of spatial channels possible and the splice loss property. It is shown that increased number of mode per core enables us to improve the spatial density while maintaining feasible splice-induced differential modal attenuation. We then successfully fabricate a 10-mode 12-core fiber with a cladding diameter of 217 μm, that achieves a relative core multiplicity factor (RCMF) of 101.7 and maximum number of spatial channels among the possible few-mode multi-core fiber designs with a cladding diameter of less than 250 μm. Experiments confirm that its splice-induced differential modal attenuation characteristics were better than those of previously reported 114-spatial-channel fiber.
Ethnocentrism Scales: Reliability, Validity, and Relationship with Political Affiliation

This paper ﬁnds that ethnocentrism scales are a reliable and valid measurement of ethnocentrism for US consumers. Notably, the results show the relationship between ethnocentrism and political afﬁliation as well as a relationship between ethnocentrism and tendency to purchase domestic and foreign products. Implications of the ﬁndings are presented.
Trophic dynamics of two sympatric species of riparian spider (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

Four species of Tetragnatha were found along the banks of Duffin Creek, Ontario: 7: versicolor Walckenaer, 7: elongata Walckenaer, 7: laboriosa Hentz, and 7: straminea Emerton. However, only the first two species were common; together they represented 91 % of all species of spiders observed. Highest densities of 7: elongata occurred in July, a time when numbers of 7: versicolor were at their lowest. Growth rates differed between the two species. Both species were more common (2-3 times) on the east bank of the river than on the west. The locations (in three dimensions) of individual spiders along the banks were similar for both species, although 7: elongata frequented shrubs overhanging the river more than 7: versicolor, which was found farther away from the water's edge. The mean number of prey caught by 7: elongata was significantly higher than that caught by 7: versicolor. Webs caught most prey when located 2-4 m from the water's edge, both in annual vegetation (grass level to a height of about 0.5 m) and in tall shrubs (1.5-2 m). Large numbers of prey were caught also in webs spun in shrubs and tree branches that hung over the water surface at a height of 1-2 m. The number of prey caught was not related to web diameter. Maximum prey capture by 7: elongata coincided with the time of maximum total insect emergence in the river. Although the insect taxa found in the webs reflected those that were emerging in greatest numbers, typically chironomids and mayflies, other commonly emerging taxa (e.g., caddisflies and stoneflies) were conspicuously absent. The minimum estimate of the proportion of total insect emergence from this river that is captured by these two spider species is 0.2%. 'piders are P~~YP~~~~~~ predators that generally eat insects. types of prey (Shear 1986). Amongst the web builders, methods are enormousl~ varied, but can be species not only specialize through web design but also broadly divided into those that involve the use of silk and through web location. The shorelines of lakes, ponds, and
Representativeness of Black Patients in Cancer Clinical Trials Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute Compared With Pharmaceutical Companies

Abstract Background Many clinical trials supporting new drug applications underrepresent minority patients. Trials conducted by the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trial’s Network (NCTN) have greater outreach to community sites, potentially allowing better representation. We compared the representation of Black patients in pharmaceutical company–sponsored cancer clinical trials with NCTN trials and with the US cancer population. Methods We established a large cohort of study publications representing the results of trials that supported new US Food and Drug Administration drug approvals from 2008 to 2018. NCTN trial data were from the SWOG Cancer Research Network. US cancer population rates were estimated using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results survey data. We compared the proportion of Black patients by enrollment year for each cancer type and overall. Tests of proportions were used. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results A total 358 trials (pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials, 85; SWOG trials, 273) comprised of 93 825 patients (pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials, 46 313; SWOG trials, 47 512) for 15 cancer types were analyzed. Overall, the proportion of Black patients was 2.9% for pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials, 9.0% for SWOG trials, and 12.1% for the US cancer population (P < .001 for each pairwise comparison). These findings were generally consistent across individual cancer types. Conclusions The poor representation of Black patients in pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials supporting new drug applications could result in the use of new drugs with little data about efficacy or side effects in this key population. Moreover, because pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials test the newest available therapies, limited access to these trials represents a disparity in access to potential breakthrough therapies.
Consumer Behaviour of Seniors on the Cow’s Milk Market in Slovakia: Silver Persuading Techniques

Seniors are usually perceived as an unattractive segment, mostly due to their limited spending power. In Slovakia, the number of seniors has continuously been increasing. The population has been growing older. In Europe, more than a quarter of the population is expected to be aged 65 years or older by 2050. That is the main reason why we have to understand the consumer behaviour and decision-making processes of senior consumers. The presented paper deals with the consumer behaviour of seniors on the Slovak market of cow’s milk since it is the most commonly consumed type of milk in Slovakia. Opinions of nutrition specialists differ on whether it is beneficial or not for humans to consume milk. However, in general, milk is considered to be an essential component of the diet not only for children but also for adults and especially for seniors because of its high nutrition value. Milk and dairy products should be a daily part of the seniors’ diet. Since older people no longer have the necessary enzyme (lactase) to break down milk sugar (lactose), it is recommended to consume milk products that no longer contain milk sugar, but that lactic acid is produced by fermentation. Sour milk products such as curd, yoghurt or kefir have a beneficial effect on stomach, intestines and also the immune system. Long-term insufficiency of calcium intake causes osteoporosis – a disease that manifests itself in bone loss and structural disorders. It leads to increased fracturing of the bones and thus an increased risk of health complications resulting from there. This study explores senior consumers’ preferences for milk and their decision-making strategies on the market of cow’s milk. The study is oriented primarily on visual cues catching the attention of consumers. Anonymous survey was conducted on a sample of 470 senior respondents (210 males and 260 females) aged 61 – 84. Using selected psychological tools and a short questionnaire it was found out that Slovak seniors prefer traditional motives and bright colours on the milk packaging, they highly prioritise price over quality of milk products and in comparison with young adults, they are loyal to chosen products or brands. Seniors who score higher on the scale of neuroticism personality trait state that the packaging of milk products is significant for their decisions. Seniors with higher emotional stability tend to experiment more on the market of milk.
Order Statistics and Optimal Selection of Unit Elements in DACs to Enhance the Static Linearity

The benefits of the ordering technique to improve the static linearity performances of digital-to-analog converters are discussed. Different techniques of grouping or sequencing elements are studied for segmented, binary or unary DAC architectures. The statistic of ordered elements and their properties are reviewed and studied. Then, the optimal selection of elements for a binary or unary use is discussed. The paper also estimates the limit caused by gradient, a systematic offset, and a non detected interval in the comparator used for the sorting. Results show that the use of segmented architecture with 8~16 groups of elements sorted and optimally selected grants 2~3 bits more in the performance. The benefit can become 5 bits for 128 groups at the cost of more significant efforts for the ordering.
Changes in nesting numbers and breeding success of African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus in north-central Botswana

Summary African White-backed Vultures were recently uplisted to ‘Critically Endangered’ by IUCN due to declines across their range. Poisoning is widely accepted as the major reason for these declines. Botswana supports a high number of this species (breeding pairs > c.1,200), but as yet no published information exists on their breeding success in the country. However, mass poisonings within Botswana and neighbouring countries have killed thousands of White-backed Vultures in recent years. We therefore expected that nesting numbers may have declined in this region if these poisoning events killed local breeding birds. We used information from aerial surveys conducted between 2006 and 2017 in Khwai and Linyanti, two important breeding areas for this species in north-central Botswana, to determine if there was any change in nesting numbers and breeding success of White-backed Vultures. Results showed an overall 53.5% decline in nesting numbers, with a greater decline in Linyanti than in Khwai. In both areas, breeding success was significantly lower in 2017 than it was 10 ten years earlier. We recommend that similar repeat surveys are continued to provide greater confidence in the trends of both nesting numbers and breeding performance. Population viability analysis suggested that if the productivity levels detected in 2017 were a true indication of current productivity levels for this population, and if recent high poisoning rates continue, this population could be extirpated from the area in the next 13 years.
Maneuverability of four species of coral-reef fish that differ in body and pectoral-fin morphology

Maneuverability was measured during feeding and agonistic interactions in four sympatric species of coral-reef fish differing in body and pectoral-fin morphology: foureye butterflyfish, Chaetodon capistratus (deep body, low aspect ratio (AR) fins), beaugregory damselfish, Stegastes leucostictus (medium-depth body, low AR fins), ocean surgeonfish, Acanthurus bahanieusis (medium-depth body, high AR fins), and bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum (slender body, high AR fins). Damselfish turned faster, using median- and paired-fin propulsion, than either surgeonfish or wrasse, but their performance did not differ from that of butterflyfish during maneuvering behaviours common to all species. Each of these pairs had similar pectoral-fin morphology but exhibited an intermediate body morphology. This suggests that pectoral-fin morphology was more important in determining performance within maneuvers, and therefore butterflyfish and damselfish were superior maneuverers to surgeonfish or wrasse. To turn faster,.
Short- and long-time effects of multispecies lactic acid bacteria inoculant on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of corn silages at different maturities and frost killed corn

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the short- and long-time effects of a multispecies lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant on biochemical characteristics of corn silages at hard dough (HD, 253.1 g DM kg−1), one-third milk line (ML, 293.7 g DM kg−1), and one-third milk line with a killing frost (FKML, 297.6 g DM kg−1) maturity stages. The crops were ensiled in laboratory silos with (1.5 × 105 cfu g−1 of fresh forage) or without Lactisil Maize. Concentrations of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, value of pH, and population of fungi were higher in ML and FKML crops compared with HD (p < 0.01). In contrast, lower water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein concentrations and lower populations of epiphytic LAB were measured in ML and FKML crops (p < 0.01). Frosting reduced population of LAB and increased yeast number (p < 0.01) but did not affect chemical composition. Preservation of ensilage for 160 days compared with 42 days increased concentration of lactic acid and ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid in HD silage. Extensive homolactic fermentation was occurred in response to inoculation in all treated silages at first period of ensiling (42 days). However, the current inoculant could dominate heterofermentative LAB over homofermentative LAB during the latter part of the ensiling period (160 days). Application of this inoculant for ensiling corn crop will improve fermentation characteristics but aerobic stability of inoculant-received silages will be improved after long-time preservation.
Large‐scale climatic fluctuation and population dynamics of moose and white‐tailed deer

1. Mech et al. (1987) documented cumulative, negative effects of previous winters’ snow on rates of population increase in moose (Alces alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), but noted no effect of predation by wolves (Canis lupus). Those results were contested by Messier (1991), who analysed smoothed versions of the original abundance data and reported no effect of snow accumulation on population dynamics of either species, but strong effects of wolf predation and food competition. 2. McRoberts, Mech & Peterson (1995) contended that the conclusions reached by Messier (1991) were an artefact of the use of smoothed data. In a subsequent re-analysis of the smoothed data, Messier (1995) argued that the lack of an effect of snow after one year precluded the potential for a cumulative effect beyond one year. 3. We re-analysed original and smoothed data on dynamics of moose and white-tailed deer densities using the same methods as Mech et al. (1987) and Messier (1991), but we used a measure of global climatic fluctuation, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. The NAO is the atmospheric process determining most interannual variation in snowfall and winter temperatures in northern latitudes, and its phases drive decadal trends in wintertime precipitation. 4. We observed that rates of increase of moose and white-tailed deer in both the original and smoothed data were influenced by global climatic fluctuation at 2- and 3-year lags, as well as by delayed density-dependent feedback and wolf predation.
Surface Modification of Bombyx mori Silk Fibroin Film via Thiol-ene Click Chemistry

The purpose of this work is to develop a strategy for the surface modification of Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) film, via a thiol-ene click reaction, in order to expand its potential applicability. To achieve this goal, terminal thiol groups, from reduced glutathione, were introduced onto the surface of the SF film via a carbodiimide coupling reaction. These immobilized thiol groups act as robust crosslinkers and allow us to rapidly functionalize the surface with alkene group-containing molecules via ultraviolet (UV) light-initiated thiol-ene click chemistry. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results specifically determined that alkene group-containing molecules and UV illumination are required for the thiol-ene click modification to take place on thiolated SF films. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy characterization of SF films indicated that the β-sheet conformation of SF was hampered throughout the modification process. Furthermore, it was found that the processes for thiol-ene click chemistry that took place on the SF film surface did not affect the thermal stability of SF films significantly, indicating the developed strategy preserved the intrinsic properties of the SF film. Taking into account that many alkene-containing molecules are suitable for thiol-ene click chemistry, we see immense potential for the incorporation of SF films into various applications, using this methodology.
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES AND AIRFLOWS ON DRYING OF NATURAL AND PULPED COFFEE

This study aimed to evaluate drying kinetics for natural and pulped coffee, using different temperatures and drying airflows. For the conduction of the experiment, coffee fruits ( Coffea arabica L. cv. Topázio) were harvested manually, selecting only ripe fruits and subsequent to the hydraulic separation. For drying the coffee, use a mechanical dryer with two temperatures (40 and 45°C) and four drying air streams (24; 60; 96 and 132 m 3 .min - 1 .m -2 ). Twelve models for employees to describe the drying kinetics of coffees. Among the models used to describe the drying process of natural coffee and pulped coffee, according to the results of the coefficient
Development of E-Modality: A Learning Style Assessment Tool

The learning style determines how learning can be optimized in content delivery. Learning style is deemed crucial for different types of age groups. It is essential, especially for individual learning achievement in different avenues of learning such as academic and in carrying tasks during employment. When learning styles are considered, the time it takes to learn is maximized, however, there are limited resources that are accessible to educators to apply identification of learning style in each class handled. This study designed an application that implements the Visual, Aural, Readiness and Kinesthetic (VARK) modality in a courseware called - E-Modality: Learning Style Assessment Tool (E-LAT). The developed courseware is intended to understand and further check the preferred learning styles of Grade 5 pupils from VARK exam to Core-Subjects of English, Math and Science. It includes different types of examinations that would determine whether the student has a bigger percentage to be a Visual, Aural, Read-based, or Kinesthetic learner. The system runs in a network-based environment and can be installed on personal computers or laptop. The functionality and accuracy tests were conducted to examine the overall system suitability and precision which proved that the system provided a similar interpretation as compared to the manual use of learning style inventory. Further, the application was evaluated by 27 experts using ISO 25010 which yields an overall mean rating of 4.67 with descriptive rating of “Excellent”. The evaluation result implies that the application has attained its primary purpose to provide a learning style tool assessment.
Application of the Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods: A Review of Methodology

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as applied to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in foods encompasses a variety of cell extraction, cell lysis, and DNA purification techniques. These techniques have been applied to foods directly and to enrichment broths with wide variations in sensitivity reported by numerous investigators. The selection of the specific gene for amplification of a selected sequence is also important in that some genes associated with pathogenicity have been found to be present in certain of the other species of Listeria. This review constitutes a detailed presentation of all such factors along with the tabulation of primer sequences, the genes from which they are derived, and the size of the amplified PCR products, in addition to descriptions of the use of nested primers and multiplex PCR.