Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A CASE STUDY OF MONITORING MAIZE DYNAMICS IN SERBIA BY UTILIZING SENTINEL-1 DATA AND GROWING DEGREE DAYS

Abstract. Due to great significance of maize for Serbian agricultural production, maize growth monitoring during the season is highly important. Some of the growth stages have particular influence on the final yield and without optimal conditions at that point, yield losses may be substantial. Hence, it is crucial to be familiar with transition periods between the stages. Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data is a reliable source of information for monitoring various crops in all climatic conditions. Dense time series of radar images offer a unique insight into vegetation dynamics during the season. By combining these with the Growing Degree Days (GDD) method that exploits temperature information in order to position different growth stages in time, more precise estimates of crucial periods in maize development can be made. An experiment was conducted for several maize fields in Serbia for 2017 and 2018 season. GDD estimates were constructed based on literature search and temperature information acquired from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Despite seasonal weather differences, similar trends in radar backscatter were noticeable and existence of certain growth stages (such as emergence, tasselling, silking and physiological maturity) could be estimated. However, these estimates came up with an uncertainty caused most likely by rain and uneven development of maize that influence radar backscatter. The results were compared with estimates made by an agronomy expert that were not based on field inspection but solely on professional experience due to post-seasonal experiment design. The procedure proved to be practical and applicable all over the world.
Using Learning Management System to Promote Self-regulated Learning in a Flipped Classroom

The inherent structure of the flipped classroom supports a learning environment that promotes students’ self-regulated learning. In this article, we focus on how a learning management system (LMS), in this case BrightSpace D2L, plays a key role in supporting all aspects of the flipped classroom. We discuss how preclass assignments help students give their learning some forethought and plan accordingly; frequent formative assessments and feedback permit students to monitor their progress in the classroom; students control what study resources they choose to use; and students have ample opportunities to reflect regularly on their work. Further, we explore how learning logs (a form of reflective writing), with the LMS Journaling and Dropbox features, are used to keep track of students’ journal entries as well as demonstrate how college instructors have used an LMS to motivate and encourage students to develop self-regulated learning. A qualitative analysis of students’ writing is provided to illustrate gains in self-regulation.
Daidzein Has Anti-Oxidant Activity in Normal Human Kidney Tubular HK-2 Cells via FOXO3/SOD2 Pathway

The anti-oxidant activity of daidzein was accessed by checking the expression level of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in HK-2 cell, a kidney proximal tubular cell line. SOD2 expression was increased in HK-2 cells treated by daidzein with a dose and time-dependent manner. Daidzein reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level (about 60% compared to DMSO control with p = 0.005) in HK-2 cells. Daidzein caused FOXO3 to be translocated from cytosol into nucleus. Down-regulation of FOXO3 by transfection of siRNA against FOXO3 attenuated the expression of SOD2 and ROS level (p = 0.006) by daidzein. Taken together, this study has shown that daidzein displays anti-oxidant activity in HK-2 kidney proximal tubular cell line through up-regulation of FOXO3/SOD2 signaling pathway.
STATUS OF A---T POLYMORPHISM IN EXON II OF KINASE INSERT DOMAIN GENE IN WOMEN WITH PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE

embryogenesis, organ development, estrus, and wound healing require vascular growth and remodeling. (1,2) In addition to these beneficial processes, angiogenesis is also involved in the proliferation of disease states such as tumor growth, metastasis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, macular degeneration and retinopathy. (3-7) Of the signaling pathways known to influence vascular formation, that involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be essential and selective for vascular endothelial cells. (8-10) The therapeutic potential of inhibiting the VEGF pathway has been directly demonstrated by antiVEGF monoclonal antibodies, which are active against a variety of human tumors (11) and ischemic retinal disease. (12) The bodies of females and males are alike in many ways, but their reproductive systems are quite different. Like nearly every living organism, two gendersfemale and male-are needed for reproduction. (13) KINASE INSERT DOMAIN. The official name of this gene is “Kinase insert domain receptor (a type III receptor tyrosine Kinase). KDR is the gene's official symbol.
Effect of High-Intensity Interval Exercise in the Morning and Evening on Platelet Indices and Exercise-Induced Thrombocytosis

Background: Platelets (plts) are involved in thrombosis. However, intense exercise can affect the number and activation of plts. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acute high-intensity interval exercise performed in the morning and the evening on plt indices and exercise-induced thrombocytosis. Methods: Eleven healthy young adult active male (70.60 ± 8.26 kg) subjects performed high-intensity interval exercise (40 m shuttle sprints at maximum speed for 20 m in a track) on two distinct experimental days (at 8:00 - 9:00 and 15:00 - 16:00) separated by a three-day washout period. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after each exercise session from the antecubital vein by a repetitive venous puncture in a sitting position. Results: Data indicated that after high-intensity interval exercise, there were increases in the number of plts in the morning (P = 0.03) and the evening (P = 0.001). In addition, it was observed that mean plt volume and plt larger cell ratio was higher in the morning pre-test and post-test (P < 0.05), while plt distribution width was only higher in the morning pre-test (P = 0.03). Conclusions: It seems that it may be safer to perform high-intensity interval exercise in the evening due to lower mean plt volume, plt larger cell ratio, plt distribution width, and risk of thrombosis.
Toxic Effects of Organophosphates Pesticides. A Review

Organophosphate pesticides (also known OPPs) have for many years been the choice candidate globally for pest control. OPPs have for over 80 years, been used in gardens, fields and greenhouses as crop protection agents, and even in homes as insecticides and mosquito abatement. Thus, year after year and with the repeated application of organophosphate agents, many problems have appeared as a result of excessive use of pesticides. The adverse effects of pesticides are well documented in human health, environment, pesticide residue in crops, soil and water contaminated by these pesticides. Therefore, it is necessary to shed more light on the risks associated with the irresponsible usage of organophosphate pesticides.
Restoration of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill): bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash) communities in the southern Appalachians

Fire suppression and southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) outbreaks have contributed to the decline of native shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) - bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash) communities in the southern Appalachians. We evaluated the effects of herbicide application (nursery) and selective felling and prescribed burning (field) on planted shortleaf pine seedling growth and survival and broadcasted bluestem grass seed establishment and cover. Greatest shortleaf pine growth occurred within the fell with burn treatment and the herbicide application treatments. Soil moisture and aspect influenced seedling survival while maximum flame temperature and overstory mortality influenced bluestem grass presence. Greatest big bluestem cover occurred within the shortleaf pine- bluestem grass herbicide treatment and greatest little bluestem cover occurred within the bluestem grass treatment. Herbicide application and felling with prescribed burning may be used to increase shortleaf pine growth rates while promoting the establishment of bluestem grasses.
Alternans and Atrial Fibrillation: From Cellular Mechanisms to Arrhythmogenesis

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, but knowledge of the arrhythmogenic substrate is incomplete. Alternans, the beat-to-beat alternation in cardiac electrical signals, typically occurs at fast heart rates and can sometimes lead to arrhythmia. Atrial alternans has been observed at slow pacing rates in cardioverted AF patients, suggesting that alternans may play an important role in the arrhythmogenic substrate of AF. The mechanisms underlying alternans in patients at slow pacing rates, and the contribution of atrial alternans to arrhythmogenesis, are currently unknown. In order to address these gaps in understanding, a computational approach was used to elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying alternans and to assess the effects of alternans on arrhythmogenesis in the atria. Simulations revealed that reduced ryanodine receptor (RyR2) inactivation, resulting in a steep sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca release-load relationship, was responsible for alternans at slower pacing rates. The effect of these Ca-driven alternans (CDA) on arrhythmogenesis was explored using an anatomically realistic, 3D model of the human atria. It was found
Live Confocal Imaging as a Novel Tool to Assess Liver Quality: Insights From a Murine Model

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background. In an experimental murine liver clamping model, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of real-time confocal microscopy (RCM) in assessing viability of steatotic livers in comparison to standard assessment tools, including histopathological evaluation. Methods. C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to a methionine-choline-deficient diet causing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or to Lieber DeCarli diet causing ethanol-induced liver injury. Untreated animals served as controls. Liver biopsies were analyzed following challenge with 45 min of warm ischemia time and either 4 h of reperfusion or 24 h of cold storage. Organ quality assessment was performed at defined time points by RCM, histological staining, measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase activity, and expression analyses of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, survival analysis was performed. Results. Cold as well as warm ischemia time resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability when compared with naive livers as well as nonischemic-challenged steatotic livers (P < 0.05) as assessed by RCM. Furthermore, RCM revealed the actual cellular damage at early time points, while established methods including H&E-staining and serum transaminase profile failed. Conclusions. In a translational attempt, we demonstrate that RCM is a suitable diagnostic tool to obtain information about functional damage of the liver apart from standard approaches.
Investigation of molecular factors involved in mycobacterial stress responses and non-replicating persistence

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a remarkably successful human pathogen due to its ability to switch into dormancy or non-replicating persistence (NRP) phase driven by the host stress microenvironments. Identifying the panoply of genes or pathways involved in dormancy will progress our understanding on latent tuberculosis infection. Rv2660c and Rv2661c (conserved hypothetical proteins) and Rv1675c (transcriptional regulator) were implicated in mycobacterial stress response and transition to dormancy, hence their biological importance in M. tuberculosis biology was further explored. Rv2660c and rv2661c were highly upregulated in vitro starvation and in vivo infection model, however, recent high upregulation of a noncoding RNA, ncRv12659 in these models challenged the importance of these genes for NRP. A panel of single and double in-frame deletion mutants and over-expressing strains of rv2660c and rv2661c in M. tuberculosis were generated. A deletion of rv2660c and rv2661c also resulted in partial inactivation of ncRv12659 and rv2662 respectively. The deletion mutants exhibited normal growth in vitro and in mice. Furthermore, the strains showed unimpaired survival under nutrient starvation, hypoxia, oxidative and nitrosative stresses. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that neither target gene was highly expressed throughout starvation, oxidative and acidic pH stresses. Rv1675c (Cmr) is a redox sensor that regulates the DosR signalling pathway. Cmr binding to DNA was severely reduced by nitrosation of the two conserved cysteine residues. The cmr mutant displayed survival advantage during exposure to nitrosative stress. The over-expression of cmr or cmrC2A form (mutated cysteines) had a mild inhibitory effect on growth of M. tuberculosis. The over-expressing strain of cmrC2A was more resistant to hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that Cmr may also control the response to oxidative stress. Our study clarified the role of Rv2660c and Rv2661c in growth, NRP and infection, and further highlighted a novel Cmr-mediated regulatory network involved during nitrosative stress and transition to dormancy.
Doing projects with young children in a field-based early childhood education course

ABSTRACT This study examined the learning experiences of pre-service teachers completing a project with young children using the Project Approach methodology. The study used a mixed-methods research design to evaluate the teaching efficacy, attitudes, and knowledge of 55 pre-service teachers enrolled in an Early Childhood through Grade 6 certification programme for doing projects with young children, after utilising a Project Approach with kindergarten and first-grade students. Scores indicated a significant increase in feelings of preparedness and efficacy to complete a project with young children (t = −11.32, p <.001; t = −10.55, p <.001). Responses to open-ended questions indicated a significant increase in understanding and confidence through the experience of doing a project themselves. Also, the pre-service teachers’ knowledge of completing projects with young children and their understanding of the perceived benefits of project-based learning increased after completing a project with young children.
IDENTIFICATION OF KEY-TRENDS AND EVALUATION OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH REGARDING URBAN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: A PATH TOWARDS SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY OF URBAN AREAS

The challenges accompanying socio-ecological and demographic transformations in the urban areas necessitate for coordinated efforts to ensure urban ecological resilience. Trans-disciplinary analytical construct of urban ecosystem services (UES) empowers the policy makers and urban planners to synchronize the orientations of human impacts and resilience of ecological resources in urban areas. The current study provides a systematic overview about the research orientations, approaches and techniques used in the recent studies regarding UES. The study examined: what types of evaluation methods were adopted in the recent UES research? What is their spatial and temporal pattern? What types of UES were focused and environmental components relied upon for the assessment? To address these questions, 116 relevant publications were scrutinized by using a set of assessment criteria. The findings indicated a lesser focus in research towards UES in developing countries as compared to the volume and increasing share of their urban population. The study also establishes that an overwhelming proportion of the UES research was carried out in the industrialized countries of the northern hemisphere but rather skewed towards studying regulatory ecosystem services. The recommendations for improving the relevancy of contemporary research for stakeholders were made.
A forward‐backward sweep based numerical approach for active power loss allocation of radial distribution network with distributed generations

In this paper, a new active power loss allocation (LA) technique is proposed for allocation of network losses among its participants in a deregulated power environment. This method employs a forward‐backward sweep (FBS) based numerical technique for system load flow (LF) and power loss calculation with/without distributed generators (DGs). The complexity lying with the decomposition of cross‐term of power loss equation has been simplified mathematically, without any assumptions and approximations. The proposed LA establishes a direct relationship between two end voltages of a branch and its subsequent node currents in terms of node injected complex powers. It assigns losses to the end‐users with due consideration to their load demands and geographical locations. The penetration of DGs may increase/decrease loss of a power distribution network. In order to provide justice to the DG owners, this paper proposes a new DG remuneration technique, which assigns either incentives/penalties to the DG units after analyzing their exact impact toward network loss reduction/enhancement, without diverting any part toward the consumers' side compared to other established methods. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is investigated using a 33‐bus test system considering: various load levels, several DG capacities and different types of DG power injections. The results obtained highlight the efficiency and applicability of the present approach as compared to other established techniques.
Local Beliefs Systems Rights Recognition By the Indonesian Government and Its Implications

Minority religions are a fact of life in Indonesia. The state is supposed to secure their legal rights and obligations, just as they would for any other religious group, including through the recognition of local beliefs on state-issued ID cards. On 24 February 2019, six individuals in Bandung identified as societies in local belief systems, received ID cards from the West Java government. These cards included the usual comment that all citizens were deemed to accept belief in ‘the one and only God’. This sparked opposition from the Indonesia Ulema Council. In addition to expressing criticism of the slow implementation and complex process for obtaining the ID cards, the body criticized the Indonesia Constitutional Court for recognizing local belief systems in this manner. Arguments for and against the issue of local belief recognition are ongoing. Nevertheless, it is imperative for the government, both at the national and local levels, to remain steadfast in its attempt to recognize local belief systems while more intense socialization attempts are enacted. Keywords: local rights, recognition, minority religions
Scots pine provenance affects the emission rate and chemical composition of volatile organic compounds of forest floor

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is an important source of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in the boreal zone. BVOC emission rate and profile affect air quality, climate forcing, plant stress tolerance, and thus the growing conditions of forests. BVOC emission profile of shoots and forest floor, as well as emission rates from forest floor, were studied in a latitudinal provenance experiment with 19-year-old Scots pine common garden in Central Finland. The provenances studied were Saaremaa (SAA, 58°22′), Korpilahti (KOR, 62°0′), Suomussalmi (SUO, 65°10′), and Muonio (MUO, 67°56′). A chemotype with high proportion of Δ-3-carene, terpinolene, sabinene, γ-terpinene, and α-terpinene was significantly more common for the southern SAA than the northern SUO and MUO provenances. A chemotype with high proportion of α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, and myrcene was more common in the three northernmost provenances. The main compounds emitted by forest floor were α-pinene, Δ-3-carene, and camphene. Similarly to shoot emissions, forest floor emissions from SAA had highest proportion of Δ-3-carene. Average total VOC emission rate from forest floor was 50 μg·m−2·h−1 at the end of August. Total emission rates were 65% higher in KOR than in MUO. High emission rates were explained by the high amount of decomposing needle litter and low moss coverage.
Hypofractionated spinal stereotactic body radiation therapy for high-grade epidural disease.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the clinical outcomes when stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) alone is used to treat high-grade epidural disease without prior surgical decompression, the authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients treated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 2014 and 2018. The authors report locoregional failure (LRF) for a cohort of 31 cases treated with hypofractionated SBRT alone for grade 2 epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) with radioresistant primary cancer histology. METHODS High-grade epidural disease was defined as grade 2 ESCC, which is notable for radiographic deformation of the spinal cord by metastatic disease. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and cumulative incidence functions were generated to examine the survival and incidence experiences of the sample level with respect to overall survival, LRF, and subsequent requirement of vertebral same-level surgery (SLS) due to tumor progression or fracture. Associations with dosimetric analysis were also examined. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients undergoing 31 episodes of hypofractionated SBRT alone for grade 2 ESCC between 2014 and 2018 were identified. The 1-year and 2-year cumulative incidences of LRF were 10.4% (95% CI 0-21.9) and 22.0% (95% CI 5.5-38.4), respectively. The median survival was 9.81 months (95% CI 8.12-18.54). The 1-year cumulative incidence of SLS was 6.8% (95% CI 0-16.0) and the 2-year incidence of SLS was 14.5% (95% CI 0.6-28.4). All patients who progressed to requiring surgery had index lesions at the thoracic apex (T5-7). CONCLUSIONS In carefully selected patients, treatment of grade 2 ESCC disease with hypofractionated SBRT alone offers a 1-year cumulative incidence of LRF similar to that in low-grade ESCC and postseparation surgery adjuvant hypofractionated SBRT. Use of SBRT alone has a favorable safety profile and a low cumulative incidence of progressive disease requiring open surgical intervention (14.5%).
Transparency Around the World. Empirical Study on Information Reported on Finanacial Markets

The study analyzes the issue of transparency of the information reported by entities listed on various financial markets around the world. The research consisted in the analysis of the annual reports of 120 companies listed on 8 stock exchanges. In constructing the sample, we ’ve started from the hypothesis according to which the degree of transparency of the information presented by companies is directly proportional to the share they occupy in the structure of stock market indices. Finally, 10 stock market indices were analyzed. It was concluded that in order to meet the requirements of transparency and regular reporting, listed entities need to adapt their organization and communication according to good governance practices and accounting rules, so that they are always engaged in an open dialogue with the market. Analyzing the issue of economic-financial communication has led to the identification of extremely generous future research directions, among which we recommend: the study of the relationship between the transparency of economic-financial communication and the quality of corporate governance; studying the impact of decision-makers inestablishing the transparency of economic and financial communication;studying the relationship between the existence or non-existence of internal control mechanisms and the transparency of economic and financial communication, studying the impact of fraudulent financial-accounting reporting practices.