Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon footprint of India’s groundwater irrigation

Abstract India has an intricate nexus of groundwater irrigation, energy and climate. Subsidized electricity supply has led to unregulated groundwater pumping, causing a decrease in groundwater level and increase in carbon emissions. This complex nexus necessitates estimation of carbon emissions from groundwater irrigation. The study uses actual pumping data on 20.5 million groundwater structures from the Fifth Minor Irrigation Census (reference year 2013–14) to estimate carbon emissions. The estimates show that groundwater irrigation emits 45.3–62.3 MMT of carbon annually, contributing 8–11% of India’s total carbon emission. This analysis shows deep tubewells have a huge carbon footprint, and their growing number is a serious environmental concern. Spatial analysis reveals India’s western and peninsular region, which houses 85% of the country’s over-exploited groundwater blocks, contributes most to carbon emission. Moreover, this region hosts 27 districts which are groundwater–energy–climate nexus hotspots, together accounting for 34% of carbon emissions from groundwater irrigation. Comparison with the previous estimate reveals that carbon emission from groundwater irrigation nearly doubled between 2000 and 2013. Findings of this study are vital to the discourse on the increasing environmental costs of groundwater pumping in the country and will contribute to carbon emission mitigation strategies.
Business Ethics Crisis and Social Sustainability. The Case of the Product “Pura Vida” in Peru

Peru is a Latin American country with one of the most powerful and dynamic emerging economies in the world; however, it reveals considerable inconsistencies and socioeconomic inequalities. This research demonstrates that business ethics and corporate social responsibility are closely related with the welfare state of the country/region where a company is incorporated. Research work has been carried out on the case of the product “Pura Vida”, of the Gloria Company, implementing a mixed research method (documentary, quan and qual) in which a descriptive collection of data from different sources, in relation to the company and the crisis with Pura Vida milk, has been used; additionally, an ad hoc survey has been conducted on a sample of Peruvian citizens to know their insight in relation to the relevant aspects of business ethics and corporate responsibility and their opinion regarding the specific case being investigated; finally, in-depth interviews were held with the company’s management staff. It is shown that without a certain degree of welfare state, it is difficult to implement ethics and social responsibility in companies and in society as a whole. In addition, the main concerns of Peruvians regarding ethics and social responsibility can be observed.
Divergence of two forms of Triphoturus in the eastern Pacific based on mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequences and larval morphology

Divergence between two eastern Pacific forms of Triphoturus, currently considered to belong to the same species was tested by DNA sequences of the cytochrome b gene (DNA obtained from larvae collected in northern Chile and from adults in the Southern California Bight) and examination of larval characters. The number of apparently fixed substitutions (12 among 31 variable sites, out of 1001 bases) was high and the pattern of mid-lateral trunk pigmentation in larvae also differed consistently between the two forms. The results support the separate species status for T. mexicanus (North America) and T. oculeus (Central-South America).
Soil Temperatures During Experimental Bushfires in Relation to Fire Intensity: Consequences for Legume Germination and Fire Management in South-Eastern Australia

1. Experimental fires were used to determine the influence of fire intensity and subcomponents of intensity (fuel consumption and rate of spread) on soil temperatures (at 0-10 cm depth) in shrub/woodland communities in the Sydney region of south-eastern Australia. 2. Temperatures > 60°C were achieved at depths of 0-3 cm. Such temperatures are sufficient to break seed dormancy in local legume species. 3. Maximum change in soil temperature was not significantly affected by Byram fire intensity. However, at 0-4 cm depth, maximum temperature change was significantly affected by the amount of fine fuel (particles < 6 mm thick) consumed on the ground (mainly litter, twigs and herbs). Fine fuel above the ground (shrub canopies), coarse fuel (6-25 mm thick) on the ground and rate of spread did not significantly affect maximum change in temperature in the top 4 cm of the soil. 4. The results indicate that 0.6-2.0 kg m −2 of fine fuel burnt on the ground is likely to stimulate germination of buried seeds of local legumes (seed dormancy broken at ≥ 60° C). 5. At the upper end of this fuel consumption range, germination is predicted to occur down to 3-cm depth, while consumption at the lower end of the range will stimulate germination to a depth of 1 cm. Post-fire germination in Acacia suaveolens was in accordance with these predictions. 6. These results are discussed in relation to the use of prescribed fire for hazard reduction. Prescribed fires with maximum potential for germination (maximum fuel consumption in the target range) will be close to, or in excess of, the limit for control unless the rate of spread is very low (< 0.10 M S −1 ), thereby imposing constraints on the use of prescribed fire to achieve both protection and conservation objectives
Diversification, expression, and γδ T cell recognition of evolutionarily distant members of the MIC family of major histocompatibility complex class I-related molecules

Distant relatives of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, human MICA and MICB, function as stress-induced antigens that are broadly recognized by intestinal epithelial γδ T cells. They may thus play a central role in the immune surveillance of damaged, infected, or otherwise stressed intestinal epithelial cells. However, the generality of this system in evolution and the mode of recognition of MICA and MICB are undefined. Analysis of cDNA sequences from various primate species defined translation products that are homologous to MICA and MICB. All of the MIC polypeptides have common characteristics, although they are extraordinarily diverse. The most notable alterations are several deletions and frequent amino acid substitutions in the putative α-helical regions of the α1α2 domains. However, the primate MIC molecules were expressed on the surfaces of normal and transfected cells. Moreover, despite their sharing of relatively few identical amino acids in potentially accessible regions of their α1α2 domains, they were recognized by diverse human intestinal epithelial γδ T cells that are restricted by MICA and MICB. Thus, MIC molecules represent a family of MHC proteins that are structurally diverse yet appear to be functionally conserved. The promiscuous mode of γδ T cell recognition of these antigens may be explained by their sharing of a single conserved interaction site.
Responses to risk messaging concerning Hurricane Sandy: two studies utilizing the health belief model

ABSTRACT During emergencies and disasters, effective communication of risk messages is essential in mitigating loss of life and property. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provides a comprehensive understanding of the variables that are key to the desired responses to information concerning environmental threats or hazards . While this model has been used extensively in explicating both message-related and personological variables in health communication contexts, it has gone largely unexamined in the context of large-scale crises and disasters. To that end, two survey studies were conducted to examine the applicability of the HBM in this context. The findings are discussed both in terms of the utility of the HBM in examining the effectiveness of crisis and risk communication efforts, the utility of considering other predictors alongside the HBM model, and in the specific lessons that crisis communication practitioners may learn by considering these variables.
Distribution systems as reservoirs of Naegleria fowleri and other amoebae

Naegleria fowleri is the etiologic agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly fatal disease. Although PAM generally occurs after recreational exposure to contaminated water, two fatal cases of PAM were linked to a drinking water supply in Arizona. This study tested the ability of distribution system biofilms to be reservoirs for N. fowleri and other amoebae. When introduced to laboratory pipe loops, N. fowleri attached to biofilms and survived for five months. In two fullscale distribution systems, amoebic activity was detected in 67% of biofilm samples tested, regardless of chlorination. Amoebic activity occurred mostly in locations associated with stagnant water and high bacterial counts. Legionella was also found in 65% of biofilm samples. Although N. fowleri was never detected in field samples, the observed risk factors—high bacterial counts, amoebic activity, and the presence of Legionella in biofilms—suggest that N. fowleri could thrive in both systems if introduced.
The effect of α-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone on ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in U937 cells

Ionizing radiation induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play an important causative role in apoptotic cell death. α-Phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone (PBN) is one of the most widely used spin-trapping compounds for investigating the existence of free radicals in biological systems. We investigated the effects of PBN on ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Upon exposure to 2 Gy of γ-irradiation, there was a distinct difference between the control cells and the cells pre-treated with 2 mM PBN for 2 h in regard to apoptotic parameters, cellular redox status, mitochondria function and oxidative damage to cells. PBN effectively suppressed morphological evidence of apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in U937 cells exposed to ionizing radiation. The [GSSG]/[GSH+GSSG] ratio and the generation of intracellular ROS were higher and the [NADPH]/[NADP++NADPH] ratio was lower in control cells compared to PBN-treated cells. The ionizing radiation-induced mitochondrial damage reflected by the altered mitochondrial permeability transition, the increase in the accumulation of ROS, and the reduction of ATP production were significantly higher in control cells compared to PBN-treated cells. PBN pre-treated cells showed significant inhibition of apoptotic features such as activation of caspase-3, up-regulation of Bax and p53, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 compared to control cells upon exposure to ionizing radiation. This study indicates that PBN may play an important role in regulating the apoptosis induced by ionizing radiation presumably through scavenging of ROS.
Large Herbivore Foraging and Ecological HierarchiesLandscape ecology can enhance traditional foraging theory

A pplications of optimal foraging theory (Pyke 1984, Schoener 1971) to large herbivores have been problematic (OwenSmith and Novellie 1981, Westoby 1974), partly because optimal foraging theory has been developed for predators and nectar feeders rather than large herbivores. Predators generally seek spatially scattered prey of nearly constant and high nutritional value. Large herbivores, on the other hand, confront an apparent food surplus, which is of low and highly variable nutritive quality (Belovsky 1984, Westoby 1978). Compared with the prey consumed by predatory animals, the food of large herbivores is much more likely to be widely dispersed over the landscape, rather than concentrated in discrete patches. Large herbivores interact with forage resources at several levels of ecological resolution. The animals confront a series of interrelated foraging problems, each on a different tempo-
THE EVOLUTION OF DAPHNIA PULEX IN A TEMPORALLY VARYING ENVIRONMENT

We investigated three aspects of adaptation to variable environments in Daphnia pulex (Cladocera: Crustacea): (1) effects of temporal variation on the evolution of phenotypic plasticity ; (2) plasticity in sexual versus asexual lineages; (3) maintenance of genetic variation in variable environments. We performed a 72-day quasi-natural selection experiment comparing three patterns of variation: constant temperatures, varying but predictable temperature change, and unpredictable temperature change. All populations were begun with an identical array of 34 clones. During selection clonal variation declined in all populations and different patterns of environmental variation had little effect on amounts of genetic variation. Sexual and asexual lineages differed in size and growth rate, but did not differ in amounts of plasticity or in adaptation to variable environments. The primary target of selection was the Malthusian parameter ( r ) and life history traits of development time, offspring size and offspring number. The heritability of plasticity was generally lower than trait heritability. Because of this difference, the selection response on the mean of the traits overwhelmed the selection response on plasticity. Lower heritabilities of plasticity are very typical, suggesting that our results will be typical of responses to selection in nature. Our results suggest that selection will act mostly on trait means within environments and that plasticity will evolve often as a correlated trait. Because selection on plasticity is based on its across-deme, global fitness, this process will usually be slow. Comparative studies need to shift from closely related, local population differences to those of more distantly related populations or even different species.
New records of benthic marine green algae (Chlorophyta) for the island of Hainan (China)

The island of Hainan (China) is located on the northern periphery of the subtropical Pacific Ocean in the South China Sea and possesses one of the most prominent fringing coral reefs of China. The marine algal flora of the island was described for the first time after several early expeditions in the 1930's (and around 1960) mentioning 68 species of marine green algae (Chlorophyta) in total. Sixty years later, the island was revisited in autumn 1990 and spring 1992 within in the framework of two extensive expeditions in order to scrutinise the algal biodiversity of the coral reef habitats. Again 20 years later, three more surveys were performed in 2008, 2009 and 2010 focusing only on the southern shores of Hainan Island near Sanya city. The analysis of this material revealed the existence of 31 new records of marine green algae for Hainan Island, including 17 species which also constitute new records for China. The new records are described and characteristic details are depicted. Collection sites around Hainan Island and world-wide distributions are given. Thirteen newly recorded species were only sampled once and therefore seem to be rare. Thirteen other species are pre-dominantly epiphytic or endophytic. The new records for China are fairly typical for tropical to subtropical locations of south-western to south-eastern Asia, except Chlorochytrium cohnii (distribution hitherto restricted to Europe). Chaetomorpha minima (distribution hitherto restricted to North and Central America, Africa, Indian Ocean islands) and Cladophora perpusilla (distribution hitherto restricted to Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands). None of the new records are considered to represent an invasive species.
Growth, feed efficiency and body mineral composition of juvenile vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis, Valenciennes 1840) in relation to various dietary levels of soybean or cottonseed meals

This study aimed to assess the effect of soybean meal (SBM) and cottonseed meal (CSM), as partial replacement of dietary fish meal on growth, feed efficiency (FE) and body mineral composition of juvenile vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis). Five iso-nitrogenous (390 g kg−1 crude protein) and iso-caloric (18 kJ g−1, gross energy) diets (Control, SBM30, SBM60, CSM30 and CSM60) were fed to triplicate groups of 40 fish (initial mean weight: 12 g) in each tank (0.9 m3). Over a 7-week feeding period, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed on growth, FE and body mineral composition between treatments. Fish-fed CSM-based diets and 600 g kg−1 SBM-based diet had reduced growth and reduced feed and protein efficiencies when compared with those fed diet containing 300 g kg−1 SBM or the control diet. Data from body mineral composition in response to dietary treatment could be divided into two groups. The first group refers to elements such as Mg and Fe for which carcass and fillet composition did not show significant differences with dietary level of SBM or CSM. Ca, P, K, Zn and Mn composed the second group of minerals whose concentrations in fish body were significantly reduced in fish-fed SBM60. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that although solvent-extracted SBM and CSM are often reported safe for fish, they can only partially replace fish meal as a source of protein in compound feed for vundu at a limited amount between 300 and 600 g kg−1 for SBM and <300 g kg−1 for CSM.
QR Codes Utilization in EFL Classroom: Affective Language Learning Attributes in Writing

Background:Numerous positive gains have been reported on the use of technology in language learning. The current survey of published journal articles reveals a lack of research on its integration to language teaching and learning in graduate language classrooms in EFL settings. In this study, the use of QR codes in the graduate EFL classroom has been investigated concerning its relatedness to affective language learning attributes (herein referred to as ALLAs) including anxiety, engagement, motivation, self-esteem, among others during the lesson on the process of writing. Three objectives were sought (1) to know students’ perceptions on ALLAs before and after the use of QR codes, (2) to establish the relationship between students’ perceived ALLAs and language performance, and (3) to understand specific situations that trigger positive or negative reactions.Methodology:The students were asked to indicate their perceptions concerning ALLAs by using a survey questionnaire before and after the activity. They were also asked to do the QR codes activity to create an essay outline. Further, an open-ended questionnaire was provided to indicate their negative or positive reactions to specific situations during the QR-coded activity.Findings:Results suggest the following (1) there are significant differences in the students’ perceived ALLAs before and after the activity, (2), there is a significant positive correlation between ALLAs and language performance, and (3) twelve specific situations were found to provoke dynamic ALLAs reactions.Conclusion:It is suggested that the use of available technological innovations must be introduced to graduate language teachers as its impacts on ALLAs are overwhelmingly beneficial.
Sexual Maturation May Affect the Levels of n-6 PUFA in Muscle Tissues of Male Mice

Lipid metabolism in mature male mice may be different from immature male mice, but the relationship of lipid metabolism, especially n-6 fatty acid metabolism, and sexual maturation is not clearly established. This study was carried out to elucidate whether sexual maturation may affect the metabolism of functional n-6 fatty acids of lipid components by investigating the composition of fatty acids in the longissimus muscle tissues of mature and immature male mice with GC and analyzing the expression of genes and proteins for synthesis of n-6 fatty acids with real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Mature male mice showed significantly higher testosterone level in the sera. Similarly, n-6 fatty acids, levels of linoleic acid (LA I 8:2n-6) and total n-6 PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acids) were increased, but the levels of γ-linolenic acid (GLA. 18:3n-6), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA; 20:3n-6) and arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4 n-6) were decreased in the mature male mice mRNA levels of △5-desaturase (FASDI) and elongase (ELOVL5) genes related to n-6 fatty acid metabolism increased. However, the level of FADSI protein only increased in mature male mice. In conclusion, this study suggested that sexual maturation of male mice affected n-6 fatty acid metabolism by stimulating the expression of enzyme FADSI of n-6 PIJFA metabolism.
Plant Traits and Resource Reduction For Five Grasses Growing on a Nitrogen Gradient

Five grass species (Agrostis scabra, Agropyron repens, Poa pratensis, Schiz- achyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardi) were grown in monoculture for 3 yr on an experimental nitrogen gradient. The species differed significantly in the levels to which they reduced soil solution (0.01 mol/L KCl extractable) nitrate and ammonium concentrations and light penetration to the soil surface. Soil nitrate concentration was an inverse function of root mass, which explained 73% of the observed variance in nitrate. Other species differences explained an additional 9.2%, and total soil N an additional 5% of this variance. Extractable soil ammonium also depended on these variables, but total soil N explained the most variance. Light penetration to the soil surface in these monocultures was a negative exponential function of aboveground biomass (R2 = 0.79). Schizachyrium and Andropogon, the species that reduced soil solution N to the lowest levels on infertile soils, had lower vegetative growth rates, higher root allocation, lower reproductive allocation, and lower tissue N than the other species. Many of these traits are associated with plants of infertile habitats, suggesting a direct link between ecophysiology, resource reduction, and distributional patterns. Because all species survived on even our most nitrogen-poor soil (subsurface sand), differential nutrient reduction, not tolerance, may be the main mechanism favoring these traits in infertile habitats. On infertile soils, the three earlier successional species (Agrostis, Agropyron, and Poa) allocated more to reproduction (rhizome or seed) than the later successional species, but did not reduce soil solution nitrate and ammonium to as low levels. This suggests that our early successional species may be superior colonists but inferior nitrogen competitors compared to the prairie bunchgrasses. Our results can be used to make explicit predictions as to the outcome of nitrogen competition among all possible combinations of these five species.
Educating Women Entrepreneurs about Successful Adoption of Online Social Activity

The last three years witnessed the fact that the majority of the Pakistani women entrepreneurs was motivated to utilize of stored data resulting from their business online social activity to improve their business performances. However, the most recent precedent incidents like hackers’ attack on the aforementioned online stored data resulted into putting onto the dark web. This incident alerted every single user, more specifically women entrepreneurs, about their social activity information security and badly affected their motivation toward the future adoption of social activity as part of their business with the fear of losing female trust and engagement factor. In such scenario, the Pakistani women entrepreneurs are looking for the research study that can educate them with evidence on how to successfully implement social activity-based online business in order to improve their business performance without affecting the trust and engagement level of female customers as well. By exploring the extensive literature, the researchers in this study proposed and validated pre and post results through PLS software based on 1000 female online buyers of 15 targeted online businesses run by women. The results depict that the proposed factors like behavior tracking and personal information usage do play the role in educating women about the successful adoption of social activity.