Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nature Conservation and Afforestation in Britain. Nature Conservancy Council, Northminster House, Peterborough, England, UK: 106 pp., 2 figs, 57 colour plates, 11 maps, 4 tables, 29.5 × 20.8 × 0.8 cm, card covers, no price indicated, 1986.

In the long-settled, densely populated countries of the EEC and in Japan, environmental problems arose more slowly but no less relentlessly than in many other countries. In the EEC countries, existing piecemeal legislation had to be brought into line with the first Action Programme on the Environment that was agreed upon in 1975 and followed by others in 1977 and 1981. Despite geographical and cultural differences, all share similar problems of agricultural land-loss to urban spread, waste disposal needs, and inadequate recycling. In Japan—perhaps triggered off by the Miramata mercury poisoning disaster—there is much emphasis on research on the effects of pollution on human health and, since 1974, many laws have been enacted regarding medical care and compensation. However, according to Takamasa Nakano, technological solutions are not the sole answer, and he quotes from the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Control Ordinance to the effect that 'the dignity of man has priority over economic factors' (p. 286-7).
Quantitative Characteristics of Gene Regulation by Small RNA

An increasing number of small RNAs (sRNAs) have been shown to regulate critical pathways in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In bacteria, regulation by trans-encoded sRNAs is predominantly found in the coordination of intricate stress responses. The mechanisms by which sRNAs modulate expression of its targets are diverse. In common to most is the possibility that interference with the translation of mRNA targets may also alter the abundance of functional sRNAs. Aiming to understand the unique role played by sRNAs in gene regulation, we studied examples from two distinct classes of bacterial sRNAs in Escherichia coli using a quantitative approach combining experiment and theory. Our results demonstrate that sRNA provides a novel mode of gene regulation, with characteristics distinct from those of protein-mediated gene regulation. These include a threshold-linear response with a tunable threshold, a robust noise resistance characteristic, and a built-in capability for hierarchical cross-talk. Knowledge of these special features of sRNA-mediated regulation may be crucial toward understanding the subtle functions that sRNAs can play in coordinating various stress-relief pathways. Our results may also help guide the design of synthetic genetic circuits that have properties difficult to attain with protein regulators alone.
Effect of oocyte activation regimens on ploidy of nuclear transfer embryos reconstructed with fetal fibroblasts in rabbit

Considerable attention has been focused on the cloning of mammalian embryos, as a consequence of poor development, in order to enhance the application of genetic engineering. Experiments were conducted to compare the developmental competence of parthenotes and reconstructed (NT) rabbit eggs with fetal fibroblasts (FFs) following various activation regimens. Oocytes and NT eggs were exposed to: electric stimulation (EST, Group 1) and EST followed by 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP, Group 2), cycloheximide (CHX, Group 3) or DMAP/CHX (Group 4). Pronuclear (PN) status, cleavage, blastocyst development and the ploidy were assessed. In parthenote groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, the PN formation differed significantly. And, the cleavage and blastocyst rates were 41.7 and 5%, 75.6 and 53.7%, 68 and 36%, 82.1 and 52.6%, respectively, among treatments. Polyploidy was observed in 17.2% of EST plus DMAP and 44.9% of EST plus DMAP/CHX groups. In SCNT groups (Group 1, 2, 3 and 4), the cleavage and blastocyst rates were 28.6 and 7.1%, 58.3 and 29.2%, 56.8 and 24.1%, 64.5 and 27.8%, respectively. The chromosomal composition differed significantly (p<0.05) among treatments. In Group 2 and 3, 53.8% and 81.8% of embryos revealed diploid chromosomal sets, respectively. However, in Group 4, 53.3% of embryos showed abnormal ploidy (mixoploid). Although DMAP or combination with DMAP/CHX resulted in higher in vitro development of rabbit SCNT embryos, higher incidence of chromosomal abnormality may induce problems related to fetal loss of at late stage of development.
The Global Land Carbon Cycle Simulated With ISBA‐CTRIP: Improvements Over the Last Decade

We present the latest version of the ISBA‐CTRIP land surface system, focusing on the representation of the land carbon cycle. We review the main improvements since the year 2012, mainly added modules for wild fires, carbon leaching through soil and transport of dissolved organic carbon to the ocean, and land cover changes but also improved representation of photosynthesis, respiration, and plant functional types. This version of ISBA‐CTRIP is fully described in terms of land carbon pools, fluxes, and their interactions. Results are compared with the previous version in an off‐line mode forced by observed climate during the historical time period. The two simulations are presented to demonstrate the model performance compared to an ensemble of observed and observation‐derived data sets for gross and net primary productivity, heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration, above and below ground biomass, litter, and soil carbon pools. New developments specific to the new version such as burned area, fire emissions, carbon leaching, and land cover are also validated against observations. The results show clearly that the latest version of ISBA‐CTRIP outperforms the former version and reproduces generally well the observed mean spatial patterns in carbon pools and fluxes, as well as the seasonal cycle of leaf area index. The trends of the global fluxes over the last 50 years agree with other global models and with available estimates. This comparison gives us confidence that the model represents the main processes involved in the terrestrial carbon cycle and can be used to explore future global change projections.
Dehydration tolerance and water vapour absorption in two species of soil-dwelling collembola by accumulation of sugars and polyols

Summary 1. Physiological and biochemical responses to desiccation were studied in two species of hygrophilic Collembola, Folsomia fimetaria L. and Protaphorura armata Tullberg. The temporal changes in water content, body fluid osmotic pressure, and accumulation of sugars and polyols during desiccation stress, equivalent to severe soil drought are reported. 2. Both species initially lost about 50% of their initial content of osmotically active water. Within 7 days F. fimetaria had re-established their preliminary water content by absorbing water vapour from the atmosphere. Protaphorura armata also significantly increased their water content over the following 10 days. 3. Both species were able to resume their hyperosmotic status relative to the desiccating environment they were placed in. The accumulation of myo-inositol and two other unidentified compounds ( F. fimetaria ) and trehalose ( P. armata ) made an important contribution to this phenomenon. 4. These results suggest that water vapour absorption by accumulation of sugars and polyols may be widespread in soil-dwelling Collembola.
Synthesis of the Inverse Kinematic Model of Non-Redundant Open-Chain Robotic Systems Using Groebner Basis Theory

One of the most important elements of a robot’s control system is its Inverse Kinematic Model (IKM), which calculates the position and velocity references required by the robot’s actuators to follow a trajectory. The methods that are commonly used to synthesize the IKM of open-chain robotic systems strongly depend on the geometry of the analyzed robot. Those methods are not systematic procedures that could be applied equally in all possible cases. This project presents the development of a systematic procedure to synthesize the IKM of non-redundant open-chain robotic systems using Groebner Basis theory, which does not depend on the geometry of the robot’s structure. The inputs to the developed procedure are the robot’s Denavit–Hartenberg parameters, while the output is the IKM, ready to be used in the robot’s control system or in a simulation of its behavior. The Groebner Basis calculation is done in a two-step process, first computing a basis with Faugère’s F4 algorithm and a grevlex monomial order, and later changing the basis with the FGLM algorithm to the desired lexicographic order. This procedure’s performance was proved calculating the IKM of a PUMA manipulator and a walking hexapod robot. The errors in the computed references of both IKMs were absolutely negligible in their corresponding workspaces, and their computation times were comparable to those required by the kinematic models calculated by traditional methods. The developed procedure can be applied to all Cartesian robotic systems, SCARA robots, all the non-redundant robotic manipulators that satisfy the in-line wrist condition, and any non-redundant open-chain robot whose IKM should only solve the positioning problem, such as multi-legged walking robots.
Assessment, modelling and management of land use and water quality in the upper Taieri River catchment

An average of 16 years' data at sites in the upper Taireri River catchment was used to determine if water quality had changed commensurate with an increase in the irrigated area and land-use change. To help remediate perceived gaps in the nutrient modelling software Overseer®, data was also collected from a low-intensity border dyke and high-intensity spray-irrigated property. Filterable reactive phosphorus concentrations increased over time and were attributed to the irrigation of poor anion storage capacity (ASC) soils and irrigation-return flows. Differences were noted between measured nitrogen and phosphorus loads and those predicted by Overseer®, which were attributed to a combination of low ASC soils, spray irrigation and artificially drained soils receiving effluent. These data will be used to calibrate future versions of Overseer®. However, with an increase in spray irrigation and land-use change forecast for the catchment, strategies should be employed to mitigate further water quality deterioration.
Studies With Whitefly Parasites of Southern California: II. Eretmocerus californicus Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract Eretmocerus californicus is a solitary parasite of numerous whitefly species. It is able to develop in all nymphal stages of its host but prefers the second and third. Oviposition and development of the first-instar larva take place under the host, the following two instars develop endoparasitically. Superparasitism is common under artificial conditions, but the supernumeraries are always eliminated during their first or second instar. Adult longevity is highest at 60° and lowest at 100° F. Males are rare and superfluous in Riverside but abundant and essential in Indio. In Riverside, E. californicus is most abundant during the late summer and is almost absent from the field between January and June. In Indio, it is present the year around. Although it attacks the same host instars as Encarsia pergandiella Howard, no hyper- or multiple-parasitism takes place. E. californicus is an important controlling factor on whiteflies in the Coachella and Imperial valleys but not in Riverside and the coastal area.
New chalcone-3-O-glycoside derivatives: Synthesis and characterization

Seven novel carbohydrate conjugates of new chalcone-3-O-glycosides were synthesized and characterized. Starting from the substituted 3′-hydroxyarylmethylacetophenone derivatives (chalcones) with α-acetobromoglucose in anhydrous acetone were synthesized 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-3′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyloxychalcones. Deblocking the latter with CH3ONa in dry methanol results in substituted chalcone-3-O-glycosides (3′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyloxychalcones). The structures of the newly synthesized chalcone-3-O-glycosides were characterized based on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.
Electrospun core‐shell nanofibers based on polyethylene oxide reinforced by multiwalled carbon nanotube and silicon dioxide nanofillers: A novel and effective solvent‐free electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

Insertion of conductive fillers into solvent‐free polymer electrolytes enhances electrochemical behavior of the electrolyte membranes leading to higher ionic conductivity, lower capacity fading, and so on. Although, the presence of the conductive fillers in the polymer matrixes increases the risk of electrical shorting, herein, polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐based core‐shell nanofibers were prepared via a simple electrospinning method. In the core‐shell electrospun fibers, ethylene carbonate (EC) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) were used as a plasticizer and as a lithium salt, respectively. The core component was enwrapped by the PEO/EC/LiClO4 shell part incorporated with SiO2 nanoparticles. Various properties of the fabricated membranes were evaluated by changing the ratio of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the core part of the nanofibers. The morphology and core‐shell structure of the electrospun fibers were studied by FESEM and TEM images. According to FTIR and XRD results, addition of the EC plasticizer and the fillers into the as‐spun fibers increased the fraction of free ions and the amorphous regions. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies, the ionic conductivity enhanced by insertion of the plasticizer molecules and the filler particles into the core‐shell structures. The highest ionic conductivities of 0.09 and 0.21 mS.cm−1 were obtained for the free‐filler and the filler‐loaded nanofibrous membranes, respectively. The prepared mats obeyed the Arrhenius behavior ( R2~1). Dielectric studies confirmed the obtained data from the ionic conductivities. Furthermore, the capacity residual was enhanced from 69% to 85% by incorporation of the MWCNTs filler into the core component of the electrospun nanofibers. The presented results may facilitate development of versatile nanofibrous membranes embedded with the conductive fillers as solvent‐free electrolytes applicable in lithium‐ion batteries.
Navigating an Uncertain Labor Market in the UK: The Role of Structure and Agency in the Transition from School to Work

This article reviews the evidence on young people in the UK making the transition from school to work in a changing socioeconomic climate. The review draws largely on evidence from national representative panels and follows the lives of different age cohorts. I show that there has been a trend toward increasingly uncertain and precarious employment opportunities for young people since the 1970s, as well as persisting inequalities in educational and occupational attainment. The joint role of social structure and human agency in shaping youth transitions is discussed. I argue that current UK policies have forgotten about half of the population of young people who do not go to university, by not providing viable pathways and leaving more and more young people excluded from good jobs and employment prospects. Recommendations are made for policies aimed at supporting the vulnerable and at provision of career options for those not engaged in higher education.
Exploring the Universe from Antarctica - An Informal STEM Polar Research Exhibit

Many concepts in astrophysics research can be difficult for a lay individual to understand or to comprehend their importance. One such example concept is the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which detects high-energy neutrinos at the South Pole in Antarctica. The observatory uses information from detected neutrinos originating deep in outer space to better understand astrophysical phenomena like black holes or exploding stars. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for the public to understand how these pieces fit together towards creating a more complete understanding of our universe. In means of creating a novel point of engagement around these learning concepts, an interactive exhibit was created which used large multi-touch screen and Virtual Reality (VR) equipment. The exhibit, placed in a public environment, was evaluated both formally and informally around its effectiveness of providing STEM learning opportunities. The results show that the system not only provided an effective means of conveying content, but also provided a means of sparking the curiosity of users to learn more about the presented subject matter. Further results show that outcomes demonstrated significant differences between the two deployed devices and subject populations. Based on these findings, guidelines are offered for others who aim to deploy similar systems in publicly accessible spaces.
Pre-Treatment and Post-Treatment Anxiety, Depression, Sleep and Sexual Function Levels in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Objective In the phase of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer cases, patients can usually experience sexual dysfunctions, sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. The main objective of our research is to study of the pre-treatment and post-treatment anxiety, depression, sleep and sexual function levels in the patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods Fifty-six patients with breast cancer and 52 healthy women have participated in our study. In order to determine the anxiety, depression, sleep and sexual function levels, Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) scores are utilized at pre-treatment and post-treatment phases for patients with breast cancer and our control group. Results According to scale scores applied to patients and control group, it has been determined that patients with breast cancer HADS sexual and sleep disorders, that their HADS and PSQI scores were higher and that ASEX scores decreased significantly (p<0.05). According to the scale scores calculated before and after treatment, there was a significant decrease in HADS and PSQI scores, whereas SEX scores have been increased significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion According to the findings of our study, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction and sleep disorders in patients with breast cancer are far more explicit in the pre-treatment phase than post-treatment phase. Therefore, it is crucial to psycho-socially support patients with breast cancer in the early periods before starting the treatment after diagnosis.
The new information feudalism: Africa’s relationship with the global information society

ABSTRACT There is an inevitable tension between industrialised nations and developing nations over ownership of information flow. For African countries, the inability to build the additional infrastructure needed to bridge the digital divide without the help of the private sector, as well as more developed countries, serves as a structural barrier to meaningful engagement in the information society. This article revisits Peter Drahos’s concept of information feudalism and argues that as information-rich states and non-state actors become politically powerful, African states are relegated to serfdom. Moreover, the various forces wrestling for primacy over information and data governance constrain African agency in the international system. The article answers two key questions: is Africa an active participant of the information society, and what does information politics underscore about the continued imbalance in the international system?
Sexual selection and signal evolution : the ghost of biases past

The evolution of female mating preferences is an important key to understanding the evolution of signal diversity. Several hypotheses for preference evolution invoke different processes but all can produce the same end results: thus comparisons of extant traits and preferences within and among populations have made little progress in discriminating among competing hypotheses. Some of these hypotheses, however, do make different predictions as to the historical sequence of trait-preference evolution, and thus can be discriminated with appropriate phylogenetic analyses. We explore this approach in an analysis of the evolution of calls and call preferences in a monophyletic group of frogs, the Physalaemus pustulosus species group. In this clade there are pre-existing preferences for four call traits. These data reject hypotheses that invoke coevolution (good genes, runaway sexual selection) and females evolving preferences to choose males providing better resources, and instead support the hypothesis of sensory exploitation that suggests that males evolve traits that match pre-existing biases in the female’s sensory system. We suggest that some of the difficulty in understanding preference evolution might derive from defining a preference only by those extant stimuli that elicit the preference. Our results suggest that preferences might be more general, and that signal diversity might arise from alternative means for eliciting the same preference. Furthermore, we discuss some difficulties with utilizing both population-based comparisons and phylogenetic approaches and suggest that the greatest progress will be made by addressing the problem of preference evolution at several levels of analysis.
An enumeration of natural products from microbial, marine and terrestrial sources

Abstract The discovery of a new drug is a multidisciplinary and very costly task. One of the major steps is the identification of a lead compound, i.e. a compound with a certain degree of potency and that can be chemically modified to improve its activity, metabolic properties, and pharmacokinetics profiles. Terrestrial sources (plants and fungi), microbes and marine organisms are abundant resources for the discovery of new structurally diverse and biologically active compounds. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to quantify the numbers of known published chemical structures (available in chemical databases) from natural sources. Emphasis has been laid on the number of unique compounds, the most abundant compound classes and the distribution of compounds in terrestrial and marine habitats. It was observed, from the recent investigations, that ~500,000 known natural products (NPs) exist in the literature. About 70 % of all NPs come from plants, terpenoids being the most represented compound class (except in bacteria, where amino acids, peptides, and polyketides are the most abundant compound classes). About 2,000 NPs have been co-crystallized in PDB structures.
Attributes of the seed bank after a century of primary succession on islands in Lake Hjälmaren, Sweden

1 A large number of islands was created when the water table of Lake Hjälmaren, south central Sweden, was lowered between 1882 and 1886. We have complete lists of vascular plant species for 40 of these islands from 1886, 1892, 1903–04, 1927–28 and 1984–85.
Differential mortality and the Donner Party disaster

The story of the Donner Party combines powerful American themes. The beginning of the tale is immersed in the romance of the western frontier and in the American dream of improving life by taking bold steps. The end of the tale, in contrast, is awash in death and cannibalism. No wonder Americans learn the story as children; no Grimm's fairy tale can match it. However, detailed analyses of the patterning of Donner Party deaths suggest that the story is even better read as a piece of biology than as a piece of history. Virtually all aspects of Donner Party mortality can now be explained by our knowledge of the factors that cause differential mortality in human societies. The differential fates of these emigrants show us natural selection in action.