Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The mesic savannas of the Bateke Plateau: carbon stocks and floristic composition

The Bateke Plateau in the Republic of Congo is one of the last frontiers for ecology, with little known about its floristics and physiognomy. Despite occupying 89,800 km2 and its importance for local livelihoods, its ecology and ecosystem functions are poorly understood. Situated on Kalahari sands, the Bateke has a complex evolutionary history, mainly isolated from other savannas for much of its past, with currently unresolved ecological implications. Here, we assess the biomass and floristic diversity of this savanna. We established four 25‐ha permanent sample plots at two savanna sites; inventoried all trees; assessed biomass and species composition of shrubs, forbs and grasses; and characterized the soils. Total plant carbon stocks (aboveground and belowground) were only 6.5 ± 0.3 MgC/ha, despite precipitation of 1600 mm/yr. Over half the biomass was grass, with the remainder divided between trees and shrubs. The carbon stock of the system is mostly contained in the top layer of the soil (16.7 ± 0.9 MgC/ha in 0–20 cm depth). We identified 49 plant species (4 trees, 13 shrubs, 4 sedges, 17 forbs, and 11 grass species), with an average species richness of 23 per plot. There is tree hyperdominance of Hymenocardia acida (Phyllanthaceae) and a richer herbaceous species composition dominated by Loudetia simplex and Hyparrhenia diplandra. The low carbon stocks and tree biodiversity, compared to other African savannas, are surprising considering the high rainfall. We speculate it is due to low nutrient soils, high fire frequency, and the effect of a temporally variable and restricted connection to the main southern African savanna complex.
Physicochemical characteristics and oxidative stability of Egyptian corn germ oil produced by aqueous enzymatic extraction

The physicochemical properties and the oxidative stability of Egyptian corn germ oil produced by aqueous enzymatic extraction using fungal cellulase, bacterial and bovine proteases, either individually or in combination were compared to that extracted by hexane. The optimized conditions of the new bovine protease for maximum oil yield were: 0.1% enzyme, pH 7.5 and 1h incubation time versus 0.6%, 0.63% enzyme, pH 4, 8.2 and 4, 2h incubation for fungal cellulase and bacterial protease, respectively. The higher oil yield was obtained by combining cellulase with bacterial protease (62.38%) or with bovine protease (51.94%) relative to hexane extraction (100%). The refractive index, iodine, saponification and peroxide values, DPPH scavenging activity, as well as fatty acids composition of enzymes and solvent-extracted oils were comparable. The acid value and color index of the enzyme-extracted oils were better than that produced by hexane, indicating that enzymes could be applied in the production of eco-friendly corn oil.
Population genomic data in spider mites point to a role for local adaptation in shaping range shifts

Local adaptation is particularly likely in invertebrate pests that typically have short generation times and large population sizes, but there are few studies on pest species investigating local adaptation and separating this process from contemporaneous and historical gene flow. Here, we use a population genomic approach to investigate evolutionary processes in the two most dominant spider mites in China, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara and Tetranychus pueraricola Ehara et Gotoh, which have wide distributions, short generation times, and large population sizes. We generated genome resequencing of 246 spider mites mostly from China, as well as Japan and Canada at a combined total depth of 3,133×. Based on demographic reconstruction, we found that both mite species likely originated from refugia in southwestern China and then spread to other regions, with the dominant T. truncatus spreading ~3,000 years later than T. pueraricola. Estimated changes in population sizes of the pests matched known periods of glaciation and reinforce the recent expansion of the dominant spider mites. T. truncatus showed a greater extent of local adaptation with more genes (76 vs. 17) associated with precipitation, including candidates involved in regulation of homeostasis of water and ions, signal transduction, and motor skills. In both species, many genes (135 in T. truncatus and 95 in T. pueraricola) also showed signatures of selection related to elevation, including G‐protein‐coupled receptors, cytochrome P450s, and ABC‐transporters. Our results point to historical expansion processes and climatic adaptation in these pests which could have contributed to their growing importance, particularly in the case of T. truncatus.
EVALUACIÓN DE LA ACTIVIDAD ANTIFÚNGICA DE Trichoderma asperellum Samuels ANTE PATÓGENOS FÚNGICOS QUE AFECTAN AL CULTIVO DE LA SOYA (Glycine max L.)

Among the factors that adversely affect crop yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) the incidence of pests and more specifically pests caused by fungi stand out. Numerous fungicides in increasing doses are used in the phytosanitary control of these agents, and in most cases the desired control is not achieved, a situation that increases production costs and significantly reduces farmer benefits. Based on these antecedents, the objective was to evaluate fungal diseases of highest incidence in soybean crop and antifungal activity of Trichoderma asperellum Samuels. The experiment was carried out at the Basic Scientific and Technological Unit “Los Palacios”. The in vitro antagonism of T. asperellum strains by the method of dual culture in Petri dishes was assessed. Besides, the distribution and the attack index of soybean crop key diseases under field conditions when the crop was treated with the Ta. 13 strain of T. asperellum were evaluated. Generally, T. asperellum showed a high potential for the biological control of evaluated diseases, significantly reducing its distribution and infection percentage and it provoked that the number of pods per plant were higher.
Basal Testosterone Renders Individuals More Receptive to Minority Positions

Social influence is an inevitable part of human social interaction. Although past research has demonstrated that testosterone has a key role in social interaction, no study has examined its role in social influence so far. Building on previous research showing that minority positions are perceived as risky options and that testosterone is positively associated with status seeking and risk-taking, we hypothesized that basal testosterone renders individuals more receptive to minority positions. In two studies, participants (total N = 250) read messages that were supported by either a numerical majority or minority. As hypothesized, individuals’ levels of basal testosterone were positively related to susceptibility to minority influence. In contrast, susceptibility to majority influence was unaffected by basal testosterone. Given the importance of minorities for innovation and change within societies, our results suggest that individuals with high levels of testosterone may play an important role as catalysts of social change.
Hyperthermic Intra-Abdominal Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine as an Adjuvant Locoregional Treatment After Radical Surgery in Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose: The aim of our study is to present a series of patients in whom we have administered HIPEC therapy. Material and Methods: The treatment consists in performing cytoreductive surgery in patients diagnosed with potentially resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, together with the administration of HIPEC therapy with Gemcitabine. The dose of the drug is 120 mg/m2 for 30 minutes, followed by a conventional adjuvant treatment. Results: Five patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma have undergone surgery with a curative nature. There were no technical or hemodynamic complications during the procedure. Discussion: The use of HIPEC could achieve a decrease in the tumor progression of pancreatic cancer, improving the survival of the patient, and decreasing the recurrence of the disease. A larger number of patients will be necessary, as well as a long-term evaluation to assess the possible increase in survival in this group of patients.
Regulation of CNS Plasticity Through the Extracellular Matrix

Contrary to established dogma, the central nervous system (CNS) has a capacity for regeneration and is moderately plastic. Traditionally, such changes have been recognized through development, but more recently, this has been documented in adults through learning and memory or during the advent of trauma and disease. One of the causes of such plasticity has been related to changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). This complex scaffold of sugars and proteins in the extracellular space alters functionality of the surrounding tissue through moderation of synaptic connections, neurotransmission, ion diffusion, and modification to the cytoskeleton. This chapter discusses the role of the ECM in CNS plasticity in development and the adult. Further, it determines how the ECM affects normal neuronal functioning in critical processes such as memory. Finally, the chapter assesses how the ECM contributes to adverse CNS changes in injury and disease, concentrating on how this matrix may be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
Spectral-spatial classification method for hyperspectral images using stacked sparse autoencoder suitable in limited labelled samples situation

Abstract Recently, deep learning (DL)-based methods have attracted increasing attention for hyperspectral images (HSIs) classification. However, the complex structure and limited number of labelled training samples of HSIs negatively affect the performance of DL models. In this paper, a spectral-spatial classification method is proposed based on the combination of local and global spatial information, including extended multi-attribute profiles and multiscale Gabor features, with sparse stacked autoencoder (GEAE). GEAE stacks the spatial and spectral information to form the fused features. Also, GEAE generates virtual samples using weighted average of available samples for expanding the training set so that many parameters of DL network can be learned optimally in limited labelled samples situations. Therefore, the similarity between samples is determined with distance metric learning to overcome the problems of Euclidean distance-based similarity metrics. The experimental results on three HSIs datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the GEAE in comparison to some existing classification methods.
High Empirical Study of Edge Detection-Based Image Denoising Corrupted by the Additive White Gaussian Noise (WGN)

Denoising of images is one of the Sparky subjects in image manipulating. The goal behind new design approaches to the denoising of image chains is to alleviation the superinduced noise into minimal rate after adopting spatial and temporal areas. However, eliciting edges from denoising images consider the largest trouble that facing many of researchers. Many wavelet-based images denoising methods been proposed to elicit edges from the corrupted images. In this paper, denoising images can be actualized by thresholding the wavelets coefficients at the low — low — subbands. In addition, a new technique approach to the edge detection of images corrupted by the “White-Gaussian Noise” been proposed. This technique comprises two treads: First, all likely edge points elicited with the applying of the first and second partial derivatives. Second, edge detection based-gradients which, relying on the two-dimensional convolution-based on the theory of the finite impulse response (FIR) filter been attained. Here, the histograms of the V/H image gradients can be exploited to create the essential threshold. This will facilitate the access to the convincing simulations in the process of image gradients detection. Experimental results show that the performance efficiency of our proposed technique was best comparing with the classical detection method in terms of blurriness and artifacts specifically, with areas that contain the edges.
Examining chronic pain through the lens of the socioeconomic gradient

Longstanding evidence reveals the existence of a gradient of health running along the socioeconomic spectrum. This is denoted by a graded association between health and levels of socioeconomic status, including factors such as gender, income, education, and occupational roles. This gradient is found across many chronic diseases including heart failure, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, ulcers, and certain cancers, all of which commonly possess debilitating pain diagnoses. Here, I examine chronic pain and its severity through the lens of this socioeconomic gradient across three perspectives along with their potential limitations. First, I discuss how this gradient represents risk factors for greater pain severity, disability, and comorbidity. Then, I explore potential underlying health determinants and how one’s position on this spectrum may predetermine their chance of receiving optimal care for their pain. Finally, I end with the prospect of better clinical and biological understanding of chronic pain severity with the inclusion of this socioeconomic gradient.
A influência da oralidade na produção escrita de estudantes do Ensino Fundamental: uma discussão sobre possíveis práticas pedagógicas voltadas para o desenvolvimento metassintático

Este artigo tem como objetivo geral caracterizar sintaticamente a influencia da oralidade na producao escrita dos estudantes do Ensino Fundamental. Especificamente, buscamos ilustrar como determinadas marcas sintaticas de oralidade se manifestam e debater possiveis praticas pedagogicas para o desenvolvimento metassintatico dos estudantes. Para tanto, exemplificamos as seguintes marcas sintaticas de oralidade na escrita de alunos do setimo ano: apagamento de termos oracionais, reativacao de itens lexicais, ordenamento sintatico do tipo topico-comentario, ocorrencia de itens faticos e nao marcacao da fronteira sintatica. Apresentamos, ainda, um relato de experiencia pedagogica com base em conversas metassintaticas.
Liquid crystal‐based beam switchable three‐element microstrip parasitic array

A liquid crystal (LC)-based three-element microstrip parasitic array with beam switching is presented in this study. To understand the beam switching mechanism, a simple theoretical model of three-element Yagi antenna on the ground is given and analysed. In the proposed microstrip parasitic array, LC permittivities under three elements can be adjusted by bias voltages to control their resonant electrical lengths. In the tuning process, the LC-based antenna array can operate at three modes to obtain three beam switching directions. The measured results show that three beam tilt directions (θ = 59°, −2°, −57°) in the H-plane are achieved.
Criblage phytochimique et activité antimicrobienne de six rhizomes comestibles utilisés en médecine traditionnelle à Lubumbashi (RDC)

Microbial infections are dominant pathologies in the DRC where, to deal with them, several people resort to plants used in traditional medicine. This assesses the antimicrobial activity of six edible rhizomes used in traditional medicine in the city of Lubumbashi (DRC) and identifies phytochemical groups. Phytochemical V. C. BASHIGE et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 14(4): 1367-1380, 202
Prestorage Heat Treatments Influence Free Sterols and Flavor Volatiles of Tomatoes Stored at Chilling Temperature

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of prestorage heat treatments on chilling tolerance of tomatoes. Mature-green 'Agriset' tomato fruit ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), either C 2 H 4 -treated or not, were immersed in 42C water for 60 min, held in 38C air for 48 hours, or not treated, and then stored at either 2C (chilled) or 13C (nonchilled) for 14 days before ripening at 20C. Heat-treated fruit stored at 2C and transferred to 20C ripened normally while nonheated fruit decayed before reaching red ripe. Color (a*/b* ratio), lycopene content, and internal quality characteristics of fruit were similar at the red-ripe stage irrespective of method of heat treatment. In red-ripe heat- treated fruit, free sterol levels were significantly higher in chilled fruit than in nonchilled fruit. Heating fruit in 38C air resulted in significantly higher levels of some free sterols compared with heating fruit in 42C water. Of the 15 flavor volatiles analyzed, six showed significantly decreased concentrations as a result of C 2 H 4 -treatment and seven showed decreased concentrations when stored at 2C before ripening. Some volatiles were decreased by the heat treatments. Prestorage short- and long-term heat treatments could allow for storage of mature-green tomatoes at lower temperatures with little loss of their ability to ripen normally.
Bone marrow oedema syndrome of the foot and ankle in a paediatric population: a retrospective case series with serial MRI evaluation

Abstract Purpose By means of a case series we wanted to describe and correlate the clinical and imaging features of bone marrow oedema syndrome (BMOS) of the foot and ankle in children. Methods A retrospective data study was performed on patients born on or after 01 January 2001 who underwent multiple MRI scans of the foot and ankle for pain symptoms. Six patients who presented with increased signal intensity on T2-weighted MR imaging without any underlying causes or concomitant pathology were included. Results All patients, three boys and three girls with a mean age of 11 years (8 to 14), displayed patchy areas of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted and turbo inversion recovery magnitude (TIRM) images. On average, six tarsal bones were involved (4 to 8). In all patients, treatment consisted of rest and/or protected weight-bearing. The mean time for symptoms to improve during treatment was 6 months (1 to 16). The mean duration of treatment was nine months (3 to 16). In all patients clinical and imaging symptoms were strongly correlated and regressed in time. Conclusion BMOS as a pathological entity should be considered in paediatric patients with foot and ankle pain without a clear underlying cause, and characteristic T2-weighted and TIRM signal intensity increase on MRI images. As BMOS is transient and self-limiting, conservative treatment is advised while the oedema regresses. An early diagnosis of this pathology could prevent unnecessary diagnostic investigations and invasive treatments. Level of Evidence IV
A Comparative Automated Text Analysis of Airbnb Reviews in Hong Kong and Singapore Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation

Airbnb has emerged as a platform where unique accommodation options can be found. Due to the uniqueness of each accommodation unit and host combination, each listing offers a one-of-a-kind experience. As consumers increasingly rely on text reviews of other customers, managers are also increasingly gaining insight from customer reviews. Thus, this present study aimed to extract those insights from reviews using latent Dirichlet allocation, an unsupervised type of topic modeling that extracts latent discussion topics from text data. Findings of Hong Kong’s 185,695 and Singapore’s 93,571 Airbnb reviews, two long-term rival destinations, were compared. Hong Kong produced 12 total topics that can be categorized into four distinct groups whereas Singapore’s optimal number of topics was only five. Topics produced from both destinations covered the same range of attributes, but Hong Kong’s 12 topics provide a greater degree of precision to formulate managerial recommendations. While many topics are similar to established hotel attributes, topics related to the host and listing management are unique to the Airbnb experience. The findings also revealed keywords used when evaluating the experience that provide more insight beyond typical numeric ratings.
Cyber-Physical Systems Forensics

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) provide beneficial connections between the physical world (systems, environments, and humans) and the cyber world. They offer smart features for improving the physical world such as enhancing and optimizing reliability, quality, safety, health, security, efficiency, operational costs, and maintainability of a specific physical system or environment. CPS are implemented with a set of distributed software and hardware components that are embedded in physical systems and environments or attached to humans. Many CPS applications are being implemented for a variety of applications. However, CPS are vulnerable to hacking attempts and criminal activities as any other computerized and distributed system. As a result, CPS must incorporate security measures in addition to suitable forensics capabilities that could support investigations of any hacking attempts or criminal activities. This paper defines and discusses the emerging area of CPS forensics, highlights its issues, and reviews some proposed approaches. In addition, it discusses future research and development directions in this area.
The fifth shade of green: A novel approach to phytoplankton color index assessment in an oligotrophic system

Measurements of phytoplankton color index (PCI), an indicator of phytoplankton biomass, represent one of the largest datasets acquired through the continuous plankton recorder (CPR) survey. PCI has been used to describe changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of phytoplankton, especially in the North Atlantic, where the methodology was developed and primarily applied. The method functions by grouping samples, based on their color shade, into four categories. Each category is assigned a numerical value to aid spatial and temporal averaging. Recently a CPR has been operated in the Eastern Mediterranean, one of the most oligotrophic areas of the global oceans. To capture the specific characteristics of the area, an additional greenness grading is introduced. In this study, we use satellite‐derived chlorophyll a (Chl a) data to examine whether PCI categories can be distinguished within the low and narrow range of Chl a values found in the study area and to calculate the range of Chl a concentrations expressed by each category. Furthermore, a newly calculated numerical system for the general use of PCI in oligotrophic areas and previously calculated PCI numerical value systems utilizing a variety of in situ, laboratory and remote sensing experiments, were tested for their applicability in the area. Present results indicate the feasibility of employing PCI measurements to provide an estimate of Chl a concentration in the Eastern Mediterranean. This provides confidence in the implementation of a new category system for PCI, as well as the use of the new PCI numerical system for the assessment of phytoplankton in oligotrophic waters.
The impact of the genetic background on gene deletion phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Loss-of-function (LoF) mutations associated with disease don’t manifest equally in different individuals, a phenomenon known as incomplete penetrance. The impact of the genetic background on incomplete penetrance remains poorly characterized. Here, we systematically assessed the changes in gene deletion phenotypes for 3,786 gene knockouts in four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and 38 conditions. We observed 16% to 42% of deletion phenotypes changing between pairs of strains with a small fraction conserved in all strains. Conditions causing higher WT growth differences and the deletion of pleiotropic genes showed above average changes in phenotypes. We further illustrate how these changes affect the interpretation of the impact of genetic variants across 925 yeast isolates. These results show the high degree of genetic background dependencies for LoF phenotypes.