Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Association Study of Egg Production Traits in Shuanglian Chickens Using Whole Genome Sequencing

Egg production is the most important economic trait in laying hens. To identify molecular markers and candidate genes associated with egg production traits, such as age at first egg (AFE), weight at first egg (WFE), egg weight (EW), egg number (EN), and maximum consecutive egg laying days (MCD), a genome-wide analysis by whole genome sequencing was performed in Shuanglian chickens. Through whole genome sequencing and quality control, a total of 11,006,178 SNPs were obtained for further analysis. Heritability estimates ranged from moderate to high for EW (0.897) and MCD (0.632), and from low to moderate (0.193~0.379) for AFE, WFE, and EN. The GWAS results showed 11 genome-wide significant SNPs and 23 suggestive significant SNPs were identified to be associated with EN, MCD, WFE, and EW. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed twenty-seven SNPs associated with EN were located in a 0.57 Mb region on GGA10, and clustered into five blocks. Through functional annotation, three candidate genes NEO1, ADPGK, and CYP11A1, were identified to be associated with EN, while the S1PR4, LDB2, and GRM8 genes was linked to MCD, WFE, and EW, respectively. These findings may help us to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying egg production traits in chickens and contribute to genetic improvement of these traits.
On the physical significance of non-local material parameters in optical metamaterials

When light interacts with a material made from subwavelength periodically arranged constituents, non-local effects can emerge. They occur because of either a complicated response of the constituents or possible lattice interactions. In lowest-order approximations of a general non-local response function, phenomena like an artificial magnetism and a bi-anisotropic response emerge. However, investigations beyond these lowest-order descriptions of non-local effects are needed for optical metamaterials (MMs) where a significant long-range interaction becomes evident. This highlights the need for additional material parameters to account for spatial non-locality in an effective medium description. These material parameters emerge from a Taylor expansion of the general and exact non-local response function. Even though these non-local parameters improve the effective description, their physical significance is yet to be understood. To improve the situation, we consider a conceptional MM consisting of scatterers characterized by a prescribed multipolar response arranged on a square lattice. Lorentzian polarizabilities describe the scatterers in the electric dipolar, electric quadrupolar, and magnetic dipolar terms. A slab of such a MM is homogenized while considering an increasing number of non-local terms in the constitutive relations at the effective level. We show that the effective permittivity and permeability are linked to the electric and magnetic dipole moments of the scatterers. The non-local material parameters are related to the higher-order multipolar moments and their interaction with the dipolar terms. Studying the effective material parameters with the knowledge of the induced multipolar moments in the lattice facilitates our understanding of the significance of each material parameter. Our insights aid in deciding on the order to truncate the Taylor expansion of the considered constitutive relations for a given MM.
Response of Sorghum and Soil to Combined Application of NPK with Poultry Manure and Cow dung in Makurdi, Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria

The response of sorghum and soil to combined application of NPK with poultry manure and cow dungon a sandy loam soil was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi. The treatments were as follows: control (no amendment), NPK (15: 15: 15) 300 Kg/ha, Poultry manure (5 t/ha), cow dung (5 t/ha), NPK + poultry manure (5 t/ha) and NPK + cow dung (5 t/ha). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated four times. The results showed that plots treated with NPK + poultry manure (5 t/ha) lowered the soil bulk density and penetration resistance and increased the surface soil total porosity and gravimetric water content. Similarly, application of NPK + poultry manure (5 t/ha) gave higher plant height, leaf area index, girth growth and seed yield. The results reveal that complimentary use of inorganic and organic fertilizer improved the soil chemical and physical properties and enhanced sorghum growth and seed yield.
Comparative Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis of Crossostephium chinense Reveals Its Molecular Mechanisms of Salt Tolerance

Crossostephium chinense is a wild species with strong salt tolerance that has great potential to improve the salt tolerance of cultivated chrysanthemums. Conversely, the unique salt-tolerant molecular mechanisms of Cr. chinense are still unclear. This study performed a comparative physiological and transcriptome analysis of Cr. chinense, Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium, and three hybrids to investigate the salt-tolerant molecular mechanisms of Cr. chinense. The physiological results showed that Cr. chinense maintained higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, alleviating oxidative damage to the membrane. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that plant hormone signaling transduction and the MAPK signaling pathway were mostly enriched in Cr. chinense and hybrids under salt stress. Further weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of DEGs suggested that abscisic acid (ABA) signaling transduction may play a significant role in the salt-tolerant mechanisms of Cr. chinense and hybrids. The tissue-specific expression patterns of the candidate genes related to ABA signaling transduction and the MAPK signaling pathway indicate that genes related to ABA signaling transduction demonstrated significant expression levels under salt stress. This study offers important insights into exploring the underlying salt-tolerant mechanisms of Cr. chinense mediated by ABA signaling transduction and broadens our understanding of the breeding strategies for developing salt-tolerant cultivars utilizing salt-tolerant chrysanthemum germplasms.
Motivations for Smoking Among Hungarian Police Students

Introduction: Police officers’ job is one of the most stressful professions. Job stress, unpredictability, and physical strain can increase the prevalence of smoking among police officers. Investigating the motivations behind smoking stands, therefore, as a critical question, especially in high-risk populations, like police officers. Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the smoking motivations of Hungarian police students. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional approach, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey among Hungarian police students between January and April, 2022. The study sample (N = 270) consisted of 57.4% male (n = 155) and the average age of students was 21.8 years (SD = 2.13). The survey examined smoking status, frequency and intensity of smoking. Smoking intensity is generally based on self-reported average cigarettes per day. The Substance Use Coping Inventory (SUI) was used to examine motivational attitudes. Results: The lifetime prevalence of smoking among police students reached 77.0%. Female police students were more likely to have tried smoking than males, however, the difference was not significant (p = .114). Among current smokers, male police students demonstrated higher scores than female police students in both the self-confidence motives (p = .009) and boredom relief motives (p = .010). When comparing regular and occasional smokers, we found significant differences in all motivational scales, except for social motivators. However, logistic regression results indicate that boredom relief motives are the only significant predictors of regular smoking among police students (OR = 1.45; p < .001). Conclusions: The motivational patterns of smoking vary between males and females, as well as between regular and occasional smoker police students. A pivotal inquiry in the context of preventing regular smoking among police students revolves around identifying alternative solutions to effectively occupy their leisure time and alleviate boredom.
Within- and between-population comparisons suggest independently acting selection maintaining parallel clines in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Abstract Parallel clines in traits related to adaptation in a species can be due to independent selection on a pair of traits, or due to selection in one trait resulting in a parallel cline in a correlated trait. To distinguish between the mechanisms giving rise to parallel adaptive population divergence of multiple traits along an environmental gradient we need to study variation, correlations, and selective forces within individual populations along the gradient. In many tree species, budset timing (BST) forms a latitudinal cline, and parallel clinal variation is also found in other seedling traits, such as first-year height (FYH) and fall frost injury (FFI). In this study, we set up a common garden experiment with open pollinated progeny from natural populations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), with one large sample from single population (500 families) and smaller samples from across a latitudinal gradient. BST, FYH and induced FFI were first measured in a greenhouse. The seedlings were then planted in the field, where survival and height were measured at the age of 9 years as fitness proxies. We compared between- and within-population variation and genetic correlations of these three seedling traits, and estimated selection gradients at the family level in our main population, taking into account the potential effects of seed weight. Between-population genetic correlations between seedling traits were high (0.76–0.95). Within-population genetic correlations in the main population were lower (0.14–0.35), as in other populations (0.10–0.39). Within population, extensive adaptive variation persists in the seedling traits, in line with rather weak selection gradients, yet maintaining the clines. Although our sampling does not cover the whole cline equally, the results suggest that the individual clines in these traits are maintained by largely independently acting selection, which results in fewer constraints in adaptation under changing climate.
Hair Pores Caused by Surfactants via the Cell Membrane Complex and a Prevention Strategy through the Use of Cuticle Sealing

In this study, we discovered that washing hair with surfactants causes a decrease in the internal density of hair, and we propose a cuticle-sealing strategy to inhibit this phenomenon. This phenomenon was revealed based on optical analyses such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), drop shape analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and single hair analysis. Repeated treatment with surfactants creates areas of low density within the hair. Additionally, treatment with low-molecular-weight materials resulted in replenishment of the internal density of the hair. It has been shown that the more severe the degree of cuticle lifting, the more the internal density of the hair is reduced by surfactants. In addition, the study confirmed that a decrease in internal density could be prevented by sealing the cell membrane complex (CMC), and it was suggested that this reduced internal density may reflect the pore structure of hair. This study investigates the mass transfer phenomenon that occurs in hair and proposes a strategy to maintain hair homeostasis.
Spatio-Temporal Changes and Trade-Offs/Synergies among Ecosystem Services in Beijing from 2000 to 2020

Exploring the dynamic changes and trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services is essential to urban ecological protection and sustainable development. In this study, we quantified the spatio-temporal changes in nine ecosystem service values in Beijing from 2000 to 2020 based on land-use data and the equivalent factor method. Correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression were combined to explore the trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services. The results show that (1) the total ecosystem service value of Beijing increased from CNY 15 billion to 52 billion from 2000 to 2020, and the value was mainly contributed to by forest, cropland, and water. The regulating services covered the largest proportion of the total ecosystem service value, followed by the supporting services; (2) the high-ESV area was mainly located in the mountainous area with abundant forest resources, and the low values were mainly concentrated in central urban areas; (3) most of the ecosystem service pairs had synergies, while the trade-offs mainly existed between food supply services and other services. Measures, such as controlling built-up areas, increasing the area of green space and enhancing vegetation protection, as well as implementing high-quality agriculture, should be taken in order to balance the relationship between ESs and improve ecosystem management in Beijing.
The Spatial Changes of Land Use in the Bucharest Metropolitan Area 1970s – 2000s

The article explore the dimension of spatial changes of land use in the Bucharest Metropolitan Area (BMA) over the past forty years. Using GIS-based land use data sets of the years 1970, 1990 and 2000, combining with statistical data, we attempted to quantify the spatial pattern of land use changes in the BMA. Our findings indicate that most significantly changes occurred with arable lands that have been reduced from 77% percent of total metropolitan area in 1970 to 71.3% in 2000 and in same time the built up area increase from 6.2% in 1970 to 10.4% in 2000. Vineyards and orchards suffered a reduced of their spread. In the case of vineyards the percentage of total area decrease from 2.7% in 1970 to 0.8% and regarding orchards from 1.1% in 1970 to 0.6% in 2000. The growth of built up indicate the urban influence of Bucharest city on it the large metropolitan area. The decrease of vineyards and orchards can be correlated with agrarian reform passed after the fall of socialist economic system that generated many problems for the farmers that cannot continue to cultivate the land with these kinds of cultures. These findings have implication with the futures strategies on urban and metropolitan planning in this area.
Measures to Increase Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Narrative Review

Purpose of review: To review the data on the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines, administered by different strategies, in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). Recent findings: COVID-19 booster vaccines were given to SOTRs as a widespread practice in many transplant centers, mostly as the third and/or fourth dose in an extended vaccine series, with a significantly improved humoral response compared with the initial two-dose scheme. However, one-third of SOTRs remained unresponsive, despite these boosters. Next steps: Vaccination with standard dosing remains the most feasible strategy for attaining protection against COVID-19. Additional booster doses and temporarily holding or reducing mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid may provide immunogenicity to vaccines, according to recent studies demonstrating some efficacy with these measures. Preexposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies showed benefit in immunocompromised patients but is no longer recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) due to diminished efficacy against Omicron and recent variants. Screening for the presence and titers of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in SOTRs is not recommended in most clinical settings. T cell-based techniques are needed to evaluate vaccine efficacy and risk of infection. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, new vaccines based on conservative protein component/complexes of the COVID virus, in addition to its spike protein, are warranted to offer prolonged protection.
CMAQ-Urban: UK FINE SCALE MODELLING FOR DYNAMIC EXPOSURE STUDY

Predicting people’s exposure in the microenvironments, associated with their daily activities, is important in determining human health risks and to address the issue of exposure misclassification (HEI, 2010). Whilst personal exposure monitoring is increasingly used to estimate the air pollution exposure of individuals, the lack of spatial coverage leads to the need for additional tools that are capable of predicting outdoor ambient concentrations, where measurements are not available. A large number of techniques exist to estimate outdoor concentrations, including land use regression (Briggs, et al., 1997, Dons, et al., 2014), dispersion or chemical transport modelling (Nonnemacher, et al., 2014 and Bentayeb, et al., 2014), stochastic techniques using artificial neural networks (Ibarra-Berastegi, et al., 2008) and Monte Carlo simulation (McCreddin, et al., 2015). Here we use a dispersion modelling which accounts for the strength of emissions from different sources and the physical and chemical processes that influence transport, transformation and deposition of air pollutants (de Hoogh, et al., 2014). Dispersion models are attractive since they generate high temporal and spatial resolution air pollution concentrations and are suitable for both ‘what-if’ scenarios and for future air pollution and health forecasts (Batterman, et al., 2014).
Iron terraces in acid mine drainage systems: A discussion about the organic and inorganic factors involved in their formation through observations from the Tintillo acidic river (Riotinto mine, Huelva, Spain)

Iron terraces that form in acidic mine drainage settings are unique and extreme geomicrobiological systems that can provide highly relevant information about the interaction between microbes and their surrounding aqueous environments. These singular systems can represent, additionally, potential models for the study of ancient geological formations (e.g., banded iron formations, stromatolites) and/or for the cycling of iron on Mars. This work describes geochemical, mineralogical, morphological, and microbiological evidence obtained in the highly acidic and Fe-rich Tintillo River (Riotinto mines, Huelva, SW Spain), which can be used to speculate about the origin and nature of the terraced iron formations (TIFs) that are being currently formed in acid mine drainage environments. The size (up to 36 m long and 1 m thick) and continuity (strong development over 3.5 km) of the iron terraces offer a unique opportunity to study the different organic (mainly microbial) and inorganic processes involved in the construction of these characteristic, travertine-like, sedimentary structures. Evidence presented in this study suggests that both types of processes appear to be controlling factors in the formation and internal arrangement of the TIFs, although no defi nitive evidence has been found to support the prevalence of any of these mechanisms with respect to another. The photosynthetic production of dissolved oxygen by eukaryotic microorganisms (green algae, euglenophytes, and diatoms) and the Fe-oxidizing metabolism of acidophilic prokaryotes are critical factors for the formation of TIFs, whereas abiotic parameters, such as water composition, fl ow rate and velocity, or stream channel geometry, also appear to be essential variables.
Risk Awareness as a Key Determinant of Early Vaccine Uptake in the Mpox Vaccination Campaign in an Italian Region: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: we aim to investigate attitudes toward vaccination by analyzing empirical factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the Lazio region mpox vaccination (MpoxVax) campaign in Italy. Methods: all subjects who accessed MpoxVax and signed the informed consent were prospectively enrolled in the MPOX-VAC Study and were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Two endpoints were selected: ‘delayed acceptance’ and ‘early acceptance’, defined as access for vaccination >60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period, 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) > 60 [1588 (92.5%) ≤ 60] and 676 (60%) ≤ 30 days from VCS. A bisexual orientation, a lower education level and a worse perceived physical and mental health were associated with delayed access to vaccination. Being pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users and, marginally, HIV positive; having a high perceived risk for mpox infection; and reporting high-risk behaviors like the use of recreational drugs/chems, sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and having a higher number of principal sexual partners, were associated with early access to vaccination. Conclusions: according to our data, risk awareness was a major determinant of early MpoxVax acceptance. Conversely, worse perceived health status and a low educational level were critical factors associated with delayed vaccination.
Venus Express bistatic radar: High‐elevation anomalous reflectivity

[1] Magellan (MGN) bistatic radar observations in 1994 confirmed earlier Pioneer Venus reports of unusual Venus surface reflectivity and emissivity at elevations above 6054 km radius. They also revealed that the anomalous values of surface dielectric constant ɛ near Cleopatra Patera included a large imaginary component (ɛ ≈ −i 100) at 13 cm wavelength, consistent with a semiconducting surface material. The MGN observations were conducted using a linearly polarized wave, canted at 45° with respect to the plane of incidence and radiated by the MGN synthetic aperture radar antenna toward the specularly reflecting region of the mean planetary surface. In 2006 similar experiments were conducted using 13 cm circularly polarized transmissions from Venus Express (VEX). The VEX signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was lower than that of MGN, but elevated ∣ɛ∣ has been inferred broadly over Maxwell Montes. A quasi-specular echo was detected near Cleopatra but with insufficient SNR to address the question of conductivity. An early failure of the VEX 13 cm radio system precludes further measurements with VEX.
Comparing E-Commerce Micro- and Macroinfluencers in TikTok Videos: Effects of Strategies on Audience Likes, Audience Shares, and Brand Sales

Abstract This article compares how micro- and macroinfluencers promote audience likes, shares, and brand sales in TikTok videos (Douyin in China). Using insights from the extant literature, the study examines how influencers’ charisma strategy (including attractiveness), content strategy (including message quality), and bonding strategy (audience relationship) affect audience likes, audience shares, and brand sales. The findings confirm the core tenet of charisma and content strategies. Some unexpected effects of the bonding strategy that correspond to the two (micro versus macro) influencer groups are also revealed. The salience of these strategies justifies the uniqueness of influencer marketing and helps link it to the celebrity brand endorsement literature. It also shows how microinfluencers, a topic of emerging significance, can thrive. The study provides insights for future research and industry advancement.