Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty Expression and Propagation in the Risk Assessment of Uncertain Random System

Expressions and propagations of uncertainties have been the core topics in the development of risk science in last decades, whose purpose is to provide decision-makers with clear information about the uncertainty of system's risk. Uncertainty theory is an emerging theory that has great advantages in the expression of epistemic uncertainty, compared to the theories such as subjective probability, evidence theory, and possibility theory. A new framework of uncertainty expression is proposed in this article to properly express different uncertainty sources that exist in the system, where the uncertainty theory is used to express epistemic uncertainties and frequentist probability is used to express aleatory uncertainties. A general propagation method is further developed to address the joint calculations of proposed uncertainty expressions, which can be degenerated into pure probabilistic approach and pure uncertainty-based approach. A case study is conducted to show the effectiveness of proposed method, whose results indicate that the application of proposed method will lead to a result which is easier to be understood than results of theories such as evidence theory and possibility theory, and is more robust than results of Bayesian approach.
Atividade alelopática do exsudato radicular de Jatropha curcas L. sobre plântulas de Brassica napus L., Glycine max L., Zea mays L. e Helianthus annuus L.

The aim was to evaluate the effect of root exudate of J. curcas on germination and early growth of the B. napus, G. max, Z. mays and H. annuus seedlings. J. curcas seeds (15 and five, respectively, by repetition, for eight days, to obtain the root exudate. After this period, 50 G. max, H. annuus and Z. mays seeds were put to germinate by seven days in rolls of paper. Twenty five B. napus seeds were put to germinate in Petri dishes by eight days. Four replicates of experiments were performed in germination chamber with controlled temperature and photoperiod, with experimental design completely randomized. The parameters evaluated were germination percentage, average germination time, average speed of germination and length of roots. After statistical analysis (Tukey 5% probability) was concluded that J. curcas exerted allelopathic effect diverse on the species studied, showing positive effect on G. max seedlings (time and speed averages of germination, length of roots) and negative effects on time and speed averages of germination of H. annuus seedling and the length of roots of B. napus seedlings.
Structural correlation between some amides and a taste receptor model

Etude de la saveur d'une trentaine de composes de type amide d'acide α-aspartique ou amide d'acide ω-amine. La premiere serie presente une saveur sucree, la seconde une saveur amere. Relation structure-activite vis-a-vis de sites d'affinite sur les recepteurs de saveur
Categorical search for three-dimensional shapes in participants with different level of mathematical expertise

Актуальность. В статье изучается задача категориального поиска на материале трехмерных геометрических фигур – пирамид. Результаты предыдущих исследований на материале объектов реального мира и двумерных и трехмерных фигур показали, что преаттентивный экстрафовеальный анализ обеспечивает достаточно эффективную идентификацию целевого объекта, что выражается в верном направлении первой саккады и небольшом количестве посещенных зон с дистракторами, по сравнению со случайным поиском. Цель. В данном исследовании мы изучали эффективность экстрафовеального анализа при категориальном поиске сложных трехмерных фигур испытуемыми двух групп: математиков и психологов. Выбор такого типа стимулов обусловлен возможностью более точно варьировать сложность стимулов и определять влияние концептуальной сложности объектов на эффективность экстрафовеального анализа, то есть анализа, осуществляемого вне зоны фовеа. Описание хода исследования. В исследовании приняло участие 15 математиков и 17 психологов в возрасте от 18 до 25 лет. Каждый участник выполнил 144 задания, разбитые на 9 серий, в которых необходимо было найти целевую пирамиду среди пирамид-дистракторов. Во 2-й и 9-й сериях инструкцией вводился запрет на движения глаз с целью изучения процессов скрытого внимания в процессе категориального поиска. Результаты. Результаты эксперимента выявили отсутствие различий в использовании данных экстрафовеального анализа и примерно равную точность ответов членов обеих групп. Важным результатом стало обнаружение межиндивидуальных различий, которые проявились как в разной степени применения экстрафовеального анализа в процессе поиска, так и в изменении стратегии решения задачи. Специальные пробы с запретом на движения глаз выявили значимую роль скрытого внимания в категориальном поиске, а также принципиальную возможность и эффективность экстрафовеального анализа, который при свободной инструкции применялся не всеми испытуемыми и не во всех пробах. Выводы. При решении задачи категориального поиска были одновременно задействованы процессы как фовеальной, так и экстрафовеальной обработки стимулов, а также преаттентивного анализа и скрытого внимания. Динамика взаимодействия этих процессов определялась низкоуровневыми перцептивными процессами, индивидуальными особенностями субъектов, спецификой задачи и инструкции. Ключевые слова: категориальный поиск, экстрафовеальный анализ, скрытое внимание, преаттентивная обработка, трехмерные фигуры, перцептивные процессы, механизмы зрительного поиска, внимание, межиндивидуальные различия.
Sticklebacks benefit from closer predator inspection: an experimental test of risk assessment

Small fish often approach and “inspect” a detected predator from a short distance. This apparently paradoxical behaviour has been shown experimentally to incur a risk of death. To have a net benefit predator inspection behaviour must be advantageous. We tested experimentally whether a closer inspection distance per se provides inspecting three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) with more information about a pike's (Esox lucius) hunger state. This prediction was confirmed: test fish that had been assigned to a close inspection distance started foraging earlier after they had inspected a satiated pike compared to those that had inspected a hungry pike. The fish could not assess the pike's hunger state as precisely from a far inspection distance. This was shown by a significant interaction between hunger state of the pike and inspection distance on the time to start foraging. The sticklebacks used the information gained from inspecting the predator because they attacked their own prey more frequently after they had inspected a satiated pike. This effect was most apparent when the fish attacked a high Daphnia density (which impairs vigilance) more frequently after they had seen a satiated pike from a close distance.
Ascites, premature emergence, increased gonadal cell apoptosis, and cytochrome P4501A induction in pink salmon larvae continuously exposed to oil-contaminated gravel during development

Development of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) incubating in gravel contaminated with weathered Prudhoe Bay crude oil was retarded at concentrations as low as 55.2 μg oil/g gravel. Larvae exposed to various levels of oil contamination were sampled 4 weeks before emergence, at emergence, and 13 days after emergence for histopathology (quantitative and semiquantitative) and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) induction (using immunohistochemical staining). A subset of postemergent fish was not fed. Hydrocarbon analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy revealed that tissue uptake of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was mediated by oil's dissolution in water, with significant biological effects when the peak total PAH concentration in water was as low as 4.4 μg/L. Oil-related effects included induction of CYP1A, development of ascites, and increased mortality. Several oil-related changes were indicative of premature emergence. Compared with control fish, for example, exposed fish of the same age .
Effects of elevated pCO2 on early development in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

We investigated the effects of seawater equilibrated with CO2-enriched air (2000 ppm, pH 7.4) on the early development of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussel embryos were incubated for 144 h (6 d) in control and high-CO2 seawater to compare embryogenesis, larval growth and morphology with ordinary light, polarized light, and scanning electron microscopy. Embryogenesis was unaffected by exposure to high-CO2 seawater up to the trochophore stage, but development at the trochophore stage was delayed when the shell began to form. All veliger larvae of the high-CO2 group showed morphological abnormalities such as convex hinge, protrusion of the mantle and malformation of shells. Larval height and length were 26 ± 1.9% and 20 ± 1.1% smaller, respectively, in the high-CO2 group than in the control at 144 h. These results are consistent with our previous findings of CO2 effects on early development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas, although the severity of CO2 damage appears to be less in M. galloprovincialis, possibly due to differing spawning seasons (oyster: summer; mussel: winter). Results from this and the previous study indicate that high CO2 (2000 ppm) interferes with early development, particularly with larval shell synthesis, of bivalves; however, vulnerability to high CO2 differs between species. Taken together with recent studies demonstrating negative impacts of high CO2 on adult mussels and oysters, results imply a future decrease of bivalve populations in the oceans, unless acclimation to the predicted environmental alteration occurs.
Style or substance: how Australian universities contextualise their graduate attributes for the curriculum quality space

ABSTRACT Graduate attributes are now a fixture in higher education. They are perceived as statements of desirable graduate learning outcomes, yet this space is becoming increasingly crowded. In this study, we examine how universities contextualise their graduate attributes statements for the curriculum quality space. We analysed the way Australian universities represent the aims and function of their graduate attributes statements on publicly available web pages, in policies and in documents. Identified themes included the way graduate attributes were conceptualised and framed, their location, and how their integration with strategic internal documents and relevant external, sector quality standards was represented. Based on our findings, we make three recommendations. First, that universities critically examine their statements to ensure there is alignment with strategic institutional and sector aims and outcomes. Second, that they develop detailed policy implementation plans to contextualise and integrate them with key strategic, policy, and regulatory documents. Third, that universities develop a standards framework to articulate the relationship between their graduate attributes, other desired graduate learning outcomes, and relevant sector standards.
CXCR4 Chemokine Receptor Mediates Prostate Tumor Cell Adhesion through α5 and β3 Integrins

Abstract The mechanisms leading to prostate cancer metastasis are not understood completely. Although there is evidence that the CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) 4 and its ligand CXCL12 may regulate tumor dissemination, their role in prostate cancer is controversial. We examined CXCR4 expression and functionality, and explored CXCL12-triggered adhesion of prostate tumor cells to human endothelium or to extracellular matrix proteins laminin, collagen, and fibronectin. Although little CXCR4 was expressed on LNCaP and DU-145 prostate tumor cells, CXCR4 was still active, enabling the cells to migrate toward a CXCL12 gradient. CXCL12 induced elevated adhesion to the endothelial cell monolayer and to immobilized fibronectin, laminin, and collagen. Anti-CXCR4 antibodies or CXCR4 knock out significantly impaired CXCL 12-triggered tumor cell binding. The effects observed did not depend on CXCR4 surface expression level. Rather, CXCR4-mediated adhesion was established by α 5 and β 3 integrin subunits and took place in the presence of reduced p38 and p38 phosphorylation. These data show that chemoattractive mechanisms are involved in adhesion processes of prostate cancer cells, and that binding of CXCL12 to its receptor leads to enhanced expression of α 5 and β 3 . The findings provide a link between chemokine receptor expression and integrin-triggered tumor dissemination.
Thermal Wave in Phonon Hydrodynamic Regime by Phonon Monte Carlo Simulations

ABSTRACT Thermal wave, namely wavelike behavior of heat propagation in transient heat conduction, enjoys much attention due to the recent investigations into phonon hydrodynamics in low-dimensional materials. In this paper, an improved phonon Monte Carlo (MC) simulation algorithm is developed based on the Callaway’s dual relaxation time approximation model, which can deal with the coupling of normal and resistance scattering processes. Via the method, more thermal wave evidences are observed from the microscopic view of phonons, including overshooting and diffraction. Furthermore, the ballistic and hydrodynamic thermal waves are deeply studied. Two kinds of dissipation are found to exist in thermal waves, namely spatial dissipation and resistance dissipation. The former keeps the conservation of phonon momentum, but it lengthens the wavelength and decreases the peak temperature. The latter destroys the phonon momentum and keeps the original profile, lowering the peak temperature. Finally, phonon transport phenomena in Ziman hydrodynamic regime and diffusive regime are investigated, by introducing the scattering probability. The propagation tendency of thermal energy is found to decrease with the increasing scattering probability. The investigations into phonon hydrodynamics help to understand the heat transport characteristics and improve thermal management in low-dimensional materials.
Grain Yield, Quality and Deoxynivalenol (DON) Contamination of Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf.): Results of National Networks in Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems

This work shows the results of trials carried out over three years (2006-2008) within the national networks of durum wheat grown under conventional and organic cropping systems in six representative locations of the main cultivation areas of Italy. The main aspects of grain yield and grain quality were analyzed, particularly assessing the hygienic health status of the grain in relation to the possible presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination. DON is considered the most common trichothecene mycotoxin found in the wheat grain, causing significant reductions in grain yield and adverse effects for human or animal consumption. In the studied period the average grain yields were quite interesting both in conventional samples (5.85 t ha-1) and in organic ones (4.91 t ha-1). As expected, the organic yields were significantly different(-16%). However, in the southern locations the same differences were lower (-5%), thus emphasizing the limited impact of the higher inputs of the conventional cropping in these environments. The reduced nitrogen input is notoriously the most critical point of organic wheat, because the protein content is the most sensitive parameter of grain quality. The protein content was significantly different among year, fields location and cropping system, but not among their interactions. Grain protein content in organic wheat was lower than in conventional one all over the three years; anyway, differences were somewhat limited (only about 1% in the southern locations and 0.5% in central Italy). Among cultivars no significant differences in the protein content were recorded. Mean levels of DON contamination during the study period were generally lower, with only a sample exceeding the legal limit of 1750 ppb. Among the main factors, year and location (and their interaction) had a strong influence on DON contamination, accounting for 75% of the observed variability. DON levels in 2008 at Papiano-PG were dramatically high; the strong influence of the year-location interaction may be due to this fact. Cropping system and cultivar, although significant, had a low influence; however, their interaction accounted for 13% of total variance. Cropping system – location interaction accounted for 5% of the total variability. Very low levels of DON were detected in the southern locations with both cropping systems; the lower levels were recorded in organic wheat samples. In the central Italy areas DON could represent a potential hazard, but even in these organically cropped environments wheat gave the best results. Lower concentrations of DON were detected in organic wheat samples, either in less favourable years for the occurrence of Fusarium (2006 and 2007) and in the more favourable one (2008). Regarding the role of the varietal choice, Creso revealed to be the less susceptible to DON contamination, probably as it is the best adapted to the areas of the Central Italy, where Fusarium is more widespread.
Effects of soil types and Meloidogyne hapla on the multi-purpose uses of arugula ( Eruca sativa )

Developing multi-purpose alternatives to synthetic nematicides for managing the northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, a problem in a variety of temperate vegetable and nursery crop production soils, continues to be challenging. Arugula (Eruca sativa), a high-end green vegetable crop with biofumigant and cover crop attributes, is an effective trap crop (dead-end host) for populations of M. hapla in sandy loam soil. Exploiting arugula's multi-purpose attributes, however, depends on understanding its interaction with M. hapla under a range of conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine if soil types affect: i) the ability of M. hapla to infect arugula; and ii) if M. hapla infection has any effect on arugula's vegetative quality in the respective soils. When 2-week-old arugula cv. Roquette seedlings were inoculated with either 0 (control), 4000 or 8000 M. hapla eggs per 300 cm3 of either sandy, sandy loam or muck soil, and maintained for 23 and 24 days (28±2°C), more nematodes were recovered from sandy loam soil. However, the numbers of nematodes recovered between the inocula were similar in the three soil types and nematode infection had no effect on plant growth or nutritional quality. However, the growth and leaf nutritional quantity of arugula were significantly affected by soil type. The results support the hypothesis that M. hapla will infect arugula in different soil types without affecting its vegetative quantity and quality, providing the basis for testing arugula's trap, vegetable and, possibly, biofumigant attributes from one seeding in fields where M. hapla exists.
Morphological Evidence for Hybridization in the Sister Species Myotis myotis and Myotis oxygnathus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Carpathian Basin

A recent molecular-based study suggested that two sister species of mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis and M. oxygnathus) share some mtDNA haplotypes when they occur in sympatry. We used traditional morphometric methods in order to find potential hybrid specimens. Multivariate morphometric analysis of 22 cranial and dental characters was applied to a sample of 298 adult specimens of mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis and M. oxygnathus) from their sympatric range in the Carpathian Basin. Additionally, we included several juvenile exemplars of both species in order to exclude the treatment of juvenile specimens as individuals with intermediate characteristics. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) revealed a distinct separation between specimens of M. myotis and M. oxygnathus, with 6 specimens in an intermediate position. All intermediate specimens come from the contact area of M. myotis and M. oxygnathus. A subsequent detailed analysis showed that intermediate specimens are similar to M. myotis in skull and mandible size, but with tooth-row size similar to M. oxygnathus. An analogous situation has been described in several species of small mammals. Bats designated as intermediate are probable hybrids, i.e. their phenotypes lay between the parental forms.
Studies on the inheritance of resistance to metalaxyl in Phytophthora infestans

Single-oospore progeny from matings between field isolates of Phytophthora infestans either highly resistant or sensitive to metalaxyl were analysed for fungicide sensitivity in vitro, mating type and, in some cases, allozyme variation at the locus for glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI-1.) In each cross the majority of first-generation (F1) progeny showed intermediate sensitivity to metalaxyl. Frequency distributions were skewed towards sensitivity and a few progeny were either wholly sensitive or resistant phenotypes. Allozyme analysis of F1 progeny from a cross between parents of Dutch and Mexican origin showed that c. 10% were selfs of both parents and of parental phenotype for metalaxyl sensitivity. The selfs of the A2 but not the Al parent segregated for mating type. Two backcross generations to the metalaxyl-resistant Dutch parent gave unexpected phenotypic frequency distributions and aberrant ratios for genotypes at the GPI-I locus. Progeny of another backcross between an F1 isolate of intermediate sensitivity and its sensitive Egyptian parent gave a 1:1 ratio for sensitive: intermediate phenotypes. F2 progeny from a related sibmating between intermediate phenotypes segregated in a ratio close to 1:2:1 for sensitive: intermediate: resistant phenotypes. Segregation was also observed among sexual progeny of an intermediate self-fertile isolate from the backcross generation but not among progeny of a resistant self-fertile phenotype. Mating type segregated in both cases. These data are consistent with resistance to metalaxyl in P. infestans being governed by a single nuclear locus exhibiting incomplete dominance. This hypothesis is discussed in relation to the incidence of resistance to metalaxyl in natural populations of P. infestans.
Responses to different feeding levels during the first month post-insemination in highly prolific multiparous sows

Aim of study: To evaluate the impact of the feed level during the first month of gestation on body weight evolution, backfat and loin muscle depths and reproductive performances in highly prolific sows.Area of study: Galicia (Northwestern Spain). Material and methods: Thirty-six Danbred sows were assigned to three experimental groups (n=12) receiving, from day 1 to 30 of pregnancy, 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 kg/d of a standard diet (8.83 MJ net energy and 138.5 g crude protein/kg). In each group, there number of sows in the second-, third- and fourth-cycle was the same. All animals received, of the same diet, 2.5 kg/d from day 31 to 90 and 3.0 kg/d from day 91 to 107. Seven days prior the parturition, sows were moved to the farrowing-lactating facilities where spent until weaning receiving a common standard lactation diet. At 24 h post-farrowing, litters were standardized to 13 piglets each by cross-fostering.Main results: The optimal feeding level during the first 30 days of gestation was 3.0 kg/d because a lower amount penalized their BW gain and a higher amount did not improve their fatty reserves. It is worth considering that the increase from 2.5 to 3.5 kg/d generated advantages at birth (higher and more homogenous piglet weights) but also handicaps (lower litter size). The effects were similar irrespective of the cycle number.Research highlights: Different feeding levels during the early pregnancy were tested because it is a critical period. Suppling 3.0 kg/d carried out the best productive and reproductive implications.