Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of climate change on the corn yield in Serbia

The aim of the paper is to show the impact of climate factors on the corn yield in Serbia. Contemporary climate reports show that climate is changing, and the emission of greenhouse gases is one of the main causes of climate change. In three different locations (West Backa District, Sumadija District and Nisava District) different climatic conditions and corn yield were analyzed for the period from 1991 to 2011. In the research process, the model of multiple linear regression and Pearson coefficient of correlation was applied. Obtained results has shown that there is a high correlation between parameters of climate conditions and variance of corn yield. A small amount of precipitation quantity and high maximum values of temperatures in the vegetation period influenced the decrease in yield, which was particularly noticed during the period from 2000 to 2007. A lower yield of corn was established compared to the average yield in all three observed districts, in the Sumadija district, the yield was lower 48% in 2000 and 52% in 2007, in the West Backa District, a yield was lower 40% in 2000 and 20% in 2007, and in the Nisava District, the yield was lower 65% in 2000 and 49% in 2007. There are perennial variations of climatic factors, especially temperature and precipitation quantity, which affect the realization of the economic profitability of growing agricultural plant species. Losses in agriculture can be higher in conditions of an unstable climate. It is necessary to more precisely predict climate change and create new hybrids and varieties for cultivation that will be adaptable to changed climate conditions. Adaptations of plants to climatic conditions changes will contribute to greater economy of agricultural production, and the provision of food for the world's population.
Dispersion of Colloidal Alumina using a Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant

Dispersability of colloidal alumina in water has been studied using a rhamnolipid containing biosurfactant. Zeta potential measurements revealed that the surface charge of alumina was altered due to adsorption of the biosurfactant and the iso‐electric‐point of alumina shifted from pH 9 to 6.3. Sedimentation tests indicated that the alumina suspension was completely dispersed for 3–5 hours in the presence of biosurfactant after which some settling was observed. Stability of the suspension in the time period studied was found to be independent of pH. Capillary suction time measurements showed that the alumina suspension was dispersed in the presence of the biosurfactant and varied with pH. Maximum dispersion is obtained in the pH range of 3.5–5 and 7–11 while a minimum is obtained around pH 6. This behavior is consistent with the changes in zeta potential in the presence of the biosurfactant and thus capillary suction time measurements appeared to be more reliable than the sedimentation tests. Optimization studies showed that about 60 mg/g of biosurfactant was necessary for best dispersion and dispersion could be done up to 40% solids. The application of a natural biosurfactant for dispersing colloidal alumina has been demonstrated.
Research Article: Effects of a Stress Hormone on the Function of Tumor Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cells

Abstract. The mind-body connection is well-established and evidence is mounting for a connection between stress, decreased immune function and tumor development. The studies described herein investigated the effects of the glucocorticoid hormone, corticosterone (CORT), on the function of tumor-antigen specific CD8+ T cells. K11 cells are a clonal CD8+ T cell line specific for epitope I of the Simian Virus 40 large tumor antigen (Tag) protein. Tag is a known oncoprotein that induces transformation of cells in vitro and tumor formation in susceptible animals. Control of Tag-induced tumors in vivo is mediated largely by CD8+ T cells specific for Tag. Treatment of K11 cells with physiologically relevant levels of CORT decreased their expansion during co-culture with Tag-expressing target cells. IFN-&ggr; production by the K11 cells was also markedly decreased. In contrast, the ability of K11 cells to lyse Tag-expressing target cells was unaffected by CORT treatment. Ultimately, these studies will enhance our understanding of the mechanism(s) whereby stress hormones alter a tumor-specific immune response in vivo.
D ec 2 00 9 Fundamental Theoretical Bias in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics and the Parameterized Post-Einsteinian Framework

We consider the concept of fundamental bias in gravitational wave astrophysics as the assumption that general relativity is the correct theory of gravity during the entire wave-generation and propagation regime. Such an assumption is valid in the weak field, as verified by precision experiments and observations, but it need not hold in the dynamical strong-field regime where tests are lacking. Fundamental bias can cause systematic errors in the detection and parameter estimation of signals, which can lead to a mischaracterization of the universe through incorrect inferences about source event rates and populations. We propose a remedy through the introduction of the parameterized post-Einsteinian framework , which consists of the enhancement of waveform templates via the inclusion of post-Einsteinian parameters. These parameters would ostensibly be designed to interpolate between templates constructed in general relativity and well-motivated alternative theories of gravity, and also include extrapolations that follow sound theoretical principles, such as consistency with conservation laws and symmetries. As an example, we construct parameterized post-Einsteinian templates for the binary coalescence of equal-mass, non-spinning compact objects in a quasi-circular inspiral. The parametrized post-Einsteinian framework should allow matched filtered data to select a specific set of post-Einsteinian parameters without a priori assuming the validity of the former, thus either verifying general relativity or pointing to possible dynamical strong-field deviations.
Phytoplasmal infection derails genetically preprogrammed meristem fate and alters plant architecture

In the life cycle of higher plants, it is the fate of meristem cells that determines the pattern of growth and development, and therefore plant morphotype and fertility. Floral transition, the turning point from vegetative growth to reproductive development, is achieved via genetically programmed sequential changes in meristem fate from vegetative to inflorescence, and to floral, leading to flower formation and eventual seed production. The transition is rarely reversible once initiated. In this communication, we report that a bacterial infection can derail the genetically programmed fate of meristem cells, thereby drastically altering the growth pattern of the host plant. We identified four characteristic symptoms in tomato plants infected with a cell wall-less bacterium, phytoplasma. The symptoms are a manifestation of the pathogen-induced alterations of growth pattern, whereas each symptom corresponds to a distinct phase in the derailment of shoot apical meristem fate. The phases include premature floral meristem termination, suppressed floral meristem initiation, delayed conversion of vegetative meristem to inflorescence meristem, and repetitive initiation and outgrowth of lateral vegetative meristems. We further found that the pathogen-induced alterations of growth pattern were correlated with transcriptional reprogramming of key meristem switching genes. Our findings open an avenue toward understanding pathological alterations in patterns of plant growth and development, thus aiding identification of molecular targets for disease control and symptom alleviation. The findings also provide insights for understanding stem cell pluripotency and raise a tantalizing possibility for using phytoplasma as a tool to dissect the course of normal plant development and to modify plant morphogenesis by manipulating meristem fate.
Manifold learning analysis suggests novel strategies for aligning single-cell multi-modalities and revealing functional genomics for neuronal electrophysiology

Recent single-cell multi-modal data reveal multi-scale characteristics of single cells, such as transcriptomics, morphology, and electrophysiology. However, our understanding of functional genomics and gene regulation leading to various cellular characteristics remains elusive. To address this, we applied multiple machine learning methods to align gene expression and electrophysiological data of single neuronal cells in the mouse brain. We found that nonlinear manifold learning outperforms other methods. After manifold alignment, the cell clusters highly correspond to transcriptomic and morphological cell-types, suggesting a strong nonlinear relationship between gene expression and electrophysiology at the cell-type level. The aligned cells form developmental trajectories and show continuous changes of electrophysiological features, implying the underlying developmental process. We also found that the manifold-aligned cell clusters’ differentially expressed genes can predict many electrophysiological features. Functional enrichment and gene regulatory network analyses for those cell clusters revealed potential genome functions and molecular mechanisms from gene expression to neuronal electrophysiology.
CULTURE PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC PROFITABILITY OF CANTANG HYBRID GROUPER (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus f x Epinephelus lanceolatus m) FINGERLINGS REARED AT DIFFERENT INITIAL STOCKING SIZES AND NURSERY PERIODS

High production costs in grouper nursery can be caused by the use of large fingerlings size and long rearing times. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the culture performance and economic profitability of “cantang” hybrid grouper juveniles reared at different initial stocking sizes and nursery periods. This research lasted from September to December 2017 in one of small scale hatcheries in Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia. This study consisted of two experimental treatments; the first treatment was different initial stocking sizes (body weight and total length) of 0.50 ± 0.07 g and 3.0 ± 2.1 cm; 3.50 ± 0.67 g and 5.0 ± 1.9 cm; and 6.10 ± 0.91 g and 7.0 ± 2.3 cm. The second treatment was different nursery periods with the following arrangement: 15, 30, and 45 days (initial body weight and length of 0.54 ± 0.067 g and 3.0 ± 0.09 cm, respectively). The stocking density in all treatments was 1,000 fish reared in a 2 m x 2 m x 1 m concrete tank. The observed culture performance parameters consisted of survival rate (SR, %), daily growth rate (DGR, g/day), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The calculated economic profitability parameters were net profit, return-on-investment (ROI, %), and return cost ratio (R/C). The highest culture performance was achieved by the juveniles reared using the largest initial stocking size and longest nursery period. This was in contrast with the economic profitability, in which smaller initial stocking size and middle nursery period had resulted in the highest profit. Based on the culture performance and profitability considerations, the suggested combination of initial stocking size and nursery period for cantang fingerlings is 3.0 ± 2.1 cm initial stocking size and 30 days rearing times.
A Preferential Role for Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Assessing “the Value of the Whole” in Multiattribute Object Evaluation

Everyday decision-making commonly involves assigning values to complex objects with multiple value-relevant attributes. Drawing on object recognition theories, we hypothesized two routes to multiattribute evaluation: assessing the value of the whole object based on holistic attribute configuration or summing individual attribute values. In two samples of healthy human male and female participants undergoing eye tracking and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while evaluating novel pseudo objects, we found evidence for both forms of evaluation. Fixations to and transitions between attributes differed systematically when the value of pseudo objects was associated with individual attributes or attribute configurations. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and perirhinal cortex were engaged when configural processing was required. These results converge with our recent findings that individuals with vmPFC lesions were impaired in decisions requiring configural evaluation but not when evaluating the sum of the parts. This suggests that multiattribute decision-making engages distinct evaluation mechanisms relying on partially dissociable neural substrates, depending on the relationship between attributes and value. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Decision neuroscience has only recently begun to address how multiple choice-relevant attributes are brought together during evaluation and choice among complex options. Object recognition research makes a crucial distinction between individual attribute and holistic/configural object processing, but how the brain evaluates attributes and whole objects remains unclear. Using fMRI and eye tracking, we found that the vmPFC and the perirhinal cortex contribute to value estimation specifically when value was related to whole objects, that is, predicted by the unique configuration of attributes and not when value was predicted by the sum of individual attribute values. This perspective on the interactions between subjective value and object processing mechanisms provides a novel bridge between the study of object recognition and reward-guided decision-making.
Applications of Pore-Expanded Mesoporous Silica. 5. Triamine Grafted Material with Exceptional CO2 Dynamic and Equilibrium Adsorption Performance

Application of pore-expanded MCM-41 (PE-MCM-41) mesoporous silica coated with 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyltrimethoxysilane (TRI) has been extensively examined for the adsorption of CO2 from N2. A systematic study of the amine loading as a function of the relative amounts of TRI and water used during the grafting procedure and the temperature of the grafting reaction was carried out. Extremely high levels of active amine content were achieved using prehydrated silica surfaces at grafting temperatures below reflux in order to facilitate thermally controlled water-aided surface polymerization of the aminosilanes. The CO2 adsorption capacities and rates were determined for all materials as a function of the amount of TRI and water per gram of support added to the grafting mixture. The optimal TRI grafted PE-MCM-41 adsorbent exhibited a 2.65 mmol/g adsorption capacity at 25 °C and 1.0 atm for a dry 5% CO2 in N2 feed mixture, which exceeded all literature reported values, for both meso- and micropo.
Externalities , clusters and economic growth : The Cluster Policy Paradox

The literature on clustering has highlighted several advantages of industrial agglomerations. Persons and firms benefit from the production and innovation activities of neighbouring companies in the same and related industries. Considering such benefits, which are viewed as positive externalities, Michael Porter argues that clustering is an important way for firms fulfilling their competitive advantages and for rising regional and national competitiveness. So, it is opportune to ask: what is the appropriate policy for maximizing the benefits of CE (cluster externalities)? There are basically two possible replies to the above question: on the one hand, the traditional optimal-policy perspective recommends providing a subsidy to firms generating CE, with the subsidy adjusted for equalizing the strength of the externality; on the other, a more pragmatic perspective based on Porter’s policy prescriptions. However, the evidence shows a paradox: policy makers use the competitiveness rhetoric inspired in the competitive advantages of Porter but, in practice, they go on using the industrial targeting that was also criticized by Porter. In this paper we deal with this paradox proving that despite the extensive amount of externalities is the traditional comparative advantage approach that must guide policy. This finding is congruent with the Porter’s policy prescriptions and has clear implications in regional policy allowing to support the answer to the following question: Must policy be focused on creation of new clusters in activities that have verified large positive effects elsewhere or, conversely, on developing the traditional activities in region, which allegedly have shown lower externalities? But the answer to this question depends on our comprehension of industrial aggregation processes, which implies the full understanding of concepts as clusters and externalities. So, the remainder of this paper is organized as follows. After reflecting on the concept of cluster in section 2, section 3 deals with the different types of externalities present in industrial agglomerations. Section 4 considers the existence of dynamic externalities and relates them with the advantages of backwardness. Section 5 uses a model that includes various types of externalities in order to draw lessons for guiding clustering policy. Finally, section 6 concludes. Theme D. Agglomeration, clusters and policy
Three approaches to the simulation of the self-diffusion and non-instantaneous isotopic exchange of phosphate in soil

SUMMARY Three models of the self-diffusion of phosphate in moist soil are presented, and their predictions compared to experimental data. The latter appeared to show that isotopic exchange was limited by access to exchange sites. The apparent rate of access was first described by a series of first-order reactions, then as the diffusion of isotope into, and within, uniformly distributed, porous spherical aggregates, where the majority of exchange sites were situated, and finally as an Nth order (N 1) reversible reaction. All models were solved using Crank-Nicolson finite difference methods. The first two gave similar predictions; they were not capable of giving an adequate fit to experimental results. The third, although purely an empirical model, not based on a possible mechanism, was able to simulate data well. The mechanistic implications of each model, and of its relative success in simulating phosphate diffusion are discussed.
Relationship between serum lipid profile and higher physiological level of bilirubin in cardiovascular patients

The present study is intended to investigate the protective role of high bilirubin concentration in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to analyse the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and lipid pro ile in these patients. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, with early signs and symptoms starts many years earlier leading to myocardial infarction due to many cardiovascular risk factors like abnormal lipid pro ile. Serum bilirubin levels are determined both genetically and environmentally and vary through one’s life. Under its anti-oxidant property, it prevents oxidation of macromolecules from oxidation and prevents the atherosclerotic process. We evaluated210 individualswith cardiovascular diseases (82% Men) and 190 normal healthy controls (62% Men) within the 25-60 age group. Both groups are divided into two, based on the normal physiological range as the lower normal and upper normal limit. Wehave observed signi icant reduction (***p<0. 0001) of CVD risk factors like total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, showing inverse association with serum bilirubin. Concurrently, direct relation with anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol, which is signi icantly increased (***p<0. 0001) in CVD patient group and control group with higher bilirubin levels respectively. We also discussed the possible contributing mechanisms that might reduce circulating total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol concentrations in cardiovascular patients. Conclusion-Bilirubin may be an inverse risk factor for cardiovascular disease and indings from our study support the concept that physiologically higher normal levels of bilirubin have a protective effect against patients with cardiovascular disease and healthy people prone to CVD under its anti-oxidant potential.
Inconsistencies are common between non-Cochrane systematic reviews and their protocols registered in the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) but were seldom explained

Background: Protocols of systematic reviews allow for planning and documentation of review methods and thus improve the transparency of the reviews process. However, pre-registration of a protocol is not enough, the author also need to follow it. PROSPERO is an open-access online database for the registration of non-Cochrane systematic reviews. The purpose of this study is to compare published non-Cochrane reviews with their pre-registered protocols on PROSPERO to determine what changes, if any, have been made, and how likely these changes are to impact the quality of systematic review. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study. We searched for protocols on PROSPERO platform that were registered in 2018 and then selected the protocols that full text have been published as of January 1st 2019. Published full texts were identified through the protocol's final publication citation. Two authors independently compared and identified changes between protocols and systematic reviews and then evaluated the impact (improve, reduce, or unclear) of these changes on the reporting or methodology quality of reviews. Descriptive statistics of percentage (%) and frequency (n) were conducted. Results: We identified 39 pairs, all of which exhibited changes. “Search strategy”(92%, n=36), “data extraction”(90%, n=35), “data synthesis”(77%, n=30), “outcome”(64%, n=24), and “subgroup analysis”(64%, n=24) all showed significant changes. All changes to only one review were considered to improve the reporting or methodology quality, and the remaining 97% of reviews (n=38) contained changes that were considered to reduce the methodology or reporting quality or that had an unclear impact on systematic reviews. Conclusions: Changes between the non-Cochrane systematic reviews and their protocols recorded on PROSPERO were widespread. Some of the changes reduced the methodology or reporting quality of systematic reviews or had an unclear impact. Measures should be taken to further improve the transparency of the non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Adding a new item in updated “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) and “Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology” (MOOSE) to guide reporting and explaining the changes, as well as advising peer reviewers (and editors) to check the reviews against the protocols are two suggested fundamental solutions.
Thermodynamics of the curvature effect on ice surface tension and nucleation theory

The Gibbs model of surface tension, together with the approach by Defay and Prigogine [Surface Tension and Adsorption (Longmans, New York/London, 1966)] and Dufour and Defay12 [Thermodynamic of Clouds (Academic, New York/London, 1963)] for calculation of the Gibbs adsorption Γ, is used to estimate the curvature effect on ice surface tension. For the case of the ice-water interfaces a new model for calculation of the Gibbs adsorption Γi/w is proposed. Ice surface tension decreases with the curvature which in turn reduces the equilibrium radius of an ice embryo thus making the nucleation event more probable. The comparison of the calculated transitional region between ice and supercooled water with that obtained from experiments and theoretical calculations showed that the proposed new model gives the correct sign and correct order of magnitude for Γi/w.