Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of soil salinity on the expression of direct and indirect defences in wild cotton Gossypium hirsutum

Previous studies have frequently reported effects of abiotic factors on herbivore‐induced plant defences based on effects on single plant traits. However, plants commonly express multiple defences simultaneously and these traits are often correlated. Thus, a fuller understanding of abiotic‐context dependency in plant defence requires measuring multiple traits and addressing their patterns of correlated expression. We evaluated the effects of soil salinity on the expression of direct (phenolic compounds, gossypol gland density) and indirect (volatile organic compounds, extrafloral nectar) defensive traits in wild cotton Gossypium hirsutum. Specifically, we asked whether soil salinity affects the induction of these traits, and whether it shapes trait correlations potentially underlying altered patterns of trait induction. We conducted a factorial experiment with 16 cotton genotypes where we manipulated soil salinity and defence induction by applying artificial leaf damage (25% mechanical damage and caterpillar oral secretions) and measured defence levels at different time points post damage. Leaf damage induced most traits except gossypol gland density, whereas salinity did not have a mean effect (across constitutive and induced levels) on any of the measured traits. Nonetheless, salinity prevented the induction of phenolic compounds (condensed and hydrolysable tannins), and also affected trait correlations. Specifically, phenolic compounds were negatively associated with nectar production only under salinized conditions, an apparent trade‐off that could affect the induction of phenolic compounds. In addition, positive correlations between phenolic compounds and gland density and root biomass observed under control conditions were lost under salinized conditions. Synthesis. By investigating the effects of soil salinity on the expression of multiple direct and indirect defensive traits and their underlying correlations, these findings build towards a better understanding of how abiotic context dependency shapes plant allocation to and expression of multiple defensive traits.
Bots and Computational Propaganda: Automation for Communication and Control

Public awareness surrounding the threat of political bots, of international fears about armies of automated accounts taking over civic conversations on social media, reached a peak in the spring of 2017. OnMay 8 of that year, former Acting US Attorney General Sally Yates and former US Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. sat before Congress to testify on what they called “the Russian toolbox” used in online efforts to manipulate the 2016 US election (Washington Post Staff 2017). In response to their testimony and a larger US intelligence community (IC) report on the subject Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said, “I went through the list [of tools used by the Russians] . it looked like propaganda, fake news, trolls, and bots. We can all agree from the IC report that those were in fact used in the 2016 election” (Washington Post Staff 2017). Yates and Clapper argued that the Russian government and its commercial proxy – the Internet Research Agency (IRA) – made substantive use of bots to spread disinformation and inflame polarization during the 2016 US presidential election. These comments mirrored concurrent allegations made by other public officials, but also by academic researchers and investigative journalists, around the globe. Eight months earlier, during a speech before her country’s parliament German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised concerns that bots would affect the outcome of their upcoming election (Copley 2016). Shortly thereafter, the New York Times described the rise of “a battle among political bots” on Twitter. Around the same time, research from the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute concretized the ways that social media bots were being used to manipulate public opinion:
How Can Weedy Rice Stand against Abiotic Stresses? A Review

Weedy rice is one of the most common weeds in rice cultivation in many rice areas throughout the world and it is able to cause significant yield reductions. Weedy rice is characterized by a high biological diversity that permits different populations to be identified on the basis of their morphological and physiological traits. This variability contributes to its success in different environments and allows different abiotic stresses, which are intensified by climate change, to be faced. Taller plants, enhanced tillering, seed shattering and the presence of red pericarp, variable hull coloration and awn morphology, linked to a deeper seed dormancy, are some of the traits that help weedy rice to spread in changing environments. The higher phenotypic plasticity and genetic variability of weedy rice make it more able to cope with temperature variations, intermittent water availability, soil salinity, drought conditions and increased CO2 concentrations than cultivated rice. As these abiotic stresses will become more frequent in the future, weedy rice competitiveness may be higher, with a spread of infestations. Thus, the control of weedy rice should be based on an integration of different preventive and agronomic techniques, a sensible use of herbicides and the use of suitable rice varieties.
New Allometric Equations for Arctic Shrubs and Their Application for Calculating the Albedo of Surfaces with Snow and Protruding Branches

Arctic shrubs reduce surface albedo in winter when branches protrude above the snow. To calculate the albedo of those mixed surfaces, the branch area index (BAI) of Arctic shrubs needs to be known. Moreover, an exposed-vegetation function is required to determine the BAI for protruding branches only. This study used a structural analysis of 30Betula glandulosashrubs, sampled near Umiujaq, northern Quebec, to (i) establish an allometric relationship between shrub height and BAI and (ii) determine a specific exposed-vegetation function for Arctic shrubs. The spectral albedo (400–1080 nm) of mixed surfaces was then simulated with the equations derived from this study and validated with in situ measured spectra. Shrubs were sampled from two sites, one along the coast and the other in a nearby valley. The shrub height–BAI relationship varied between both sites. BAI values of shrubs growing in the wind-sheltered valley were 30%–50% lower. The exposed-vegetation function obtained here differed from the linear functions found in the literature. The linear functions strongly overestimated the BAI of exposed branches. Albedo was well simulated with an accuracy of 3% when using an allometric relationship adapted to the environmental conditions of our study site. However, simulated albedo values were consistently higher than field measurements, probably because radiation absorbed by impurities and buried branches was neglected in the model. We conclude that specific exposed-vegetation and allometric equations need to be implemented in models to accurately simulate the albedo of mixed snow–shrub surfaces.
Inclusion of Hermetia Illucens larvae or prepupae in an experimental extruded feed: process optimisation and impact on in vitro digestibility

Abstract This study investigated the effect of extrusion on digestibility of different blends containing Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae or prepupae. Five blends of HI larvae or prepupae and wheat flour, in a ratio of 25:75, with or without sunflower oil addition, have been formulated as follows: prepupae + wheat (no oil); prepupae + wheat (low oil); prepupae + wheat (medium oil); prepupae + wheat (high oil); larvae + wheat (no oil). Ether extract (EE) content in different blend was 31.5, 38.9, 46.3, 53.7 and 46.27 g kg−1 on wet basis (wb), respectively. Blends were homogeneous for moisture (238.9 g kg−1) and crude protein (112.6 g kg−1 wb). Feed blends were extruded by a co-rotating, conical twin-screw mini extruder and net torque value (NTV) was recorded as indicator of extrudability. The best performing blend was furtherly tested at four barrel temperatures (60, 70, 80 and 90 °C). In vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) and in vitro crude protein digestibility (CPD) were measured to evaluate the effect of extrusion process on nutritional value. Increasing the blend EE content up to 53.74 g kg−1 wb, NTV was reduced by four times (<100 Ncm) compared to 31.5 and 38.9 g kg−1 wb EE blends. The best performing mixture was larvae + wheat (no oil). Extrusion process increased OMD but not CPD compared to unextruded control, while different extrusion temperature did not affect OMD nor CPD. Concluding, extrusion can contribute to increase OMD in insect containing feed blends. EE content in the blends is a key variable that should be defined in the process.
National curriculum guidelines for the nursing graduation course: implications and challenges

Objetivo: descrever implicacoes e desafios das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduacao em Enfermagem, determinadas pelo Conselho Nacional de Educacao do Brasil, ante a formacao profissional em Enfermagem, que repercutem no desenvolvimento da proposta pedagogica das Instituicoes de Ensino Superior brasileiras. Metodo: Trata-se de uma reflexao teorica fundamentada em publicacoes cientificas, a partir de 2001, ano de promulgacao das diretrizes ate 2017. Resultados: Identificou-se que conteudos das Diretrizes Curriculares, como a formacao generalista, humanista, critica e reflexiva, a pedagogia das competencias e do aprender a aprender estao reproduzidos nos manuscritos que versam sobre os Projetos Pedagogicos de Cursos. Conclusao: As Diretrizes estao representadas nos Projetos Pedagogicos, entretanto, ainda faz-se necessario converter suas potencialidades na formacao profissional de enfermeiros, com enfase nos principios do Sistema Unico de Saude e nas necessidades sociais e de saude da populacao.
Distinguishing between northern salt marsh and western harvest mice

The northern subspecies of the salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris halicoetes) is morphologically similar to the western harvest mouse (R. megalotis) with which it co-occurs in the Suisun Marsh, California, USA, and therefore they are difficult to distinguish in the field. The salt marsh harvest mouse is a federal and California state-listed endangered species, whereas the western harvest mouse has no special status. Thus, our objective was to identify the most effective field metrics that distinguish the species. First we identified a barcode of life and restriction fragment length polymorphism approach for genetically distinguishing between the species. Then we performed univariate tests to examine variation in standard external morphological traits within and between species, and found that differences between species were confounded by sex and age. We then used discriminant function analysis and multiple logistic regression (MLR) to find combinations of characters that resulted in the highest percentages of correct classification based on a data set of individuals with genetically verified species identity. The best model (MLR) correctly classified 90.1 3.5% ( x SD) of individuals, though all approaches performed relatively poorly with smaller, ostensibly younger, mice. Therefore, tail length, body length, and tail diameter, if treated in a comprehensive multivariate context, can yield substantial accuracy for distinguishing between coexisting northern salt marsh and western harvest mice. 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Modeling the role of perceived green value and consumer innovativeness in green products’ consumption intention within the theory of planned behavior

Sustainable consumption is on the rise, however scarce literature exists to explain the consumers’ perceived green value of green home apparel in the Chinese context. This study while applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) explores consumers’ intention to consume green products guided by Perceived Green Value (PGV) dimensions of utilitarian value, environmental value and hedonic value through a study of electric home appliances in China. The key findings established from a survey of 426 students in Beijing – China reveal a positive significant relationship between the three green value dimensions and the TPB factors’ of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. The relationship was however strongest between the three dimensions and attitude. Further, the relationship between TPB factors and intention to consume green products was significantly positive. In addition, consumer innovativeness positively moderated the relationship between the three PGV dimensions and attitude. The discussion and conclusion outlines the theoretical implications and the value dimensions for marketing practitioners and policy makers to focus on in order to enjoy long term business sustained success. The scholars acknowledge the study limitations and offer research directions for future studies.
Algal Genes Encoding Enzymes for Photosynthesis and Hydrocarbon Biosynthesis as Candidates for Genetic Engineering

1 Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113–8657, Japan 2 Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630–0101, Japan 3 Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Morioka, Iwate 020–0198, Japan 4 Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277–8562, Japan
Synthesizing the Vertical Structure of Tropical Cirrus by Combining CloudSat Radar Reflectivity With In Situ Microphysical Measurements Using Bayesian Monte Carlo Integration

Creating synthetic ice cloud profiles that are distributed according to realistic probability density functions is fundamentally essential for submillimeter wave radiometer studies. In this paper, we develop an algorithm to create synthetic ice cloud profiles by combing in situ microphysics measurements and spaceborne radar reflectivity observations using Bayesian Monte Carlo Integration (MCI). We first conduct comprehensive studies of the in situ data from the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4) experiment based on a bimodal particle size distribution (PSD) scheme and the realistic particle scattering properties for different crystal habits. Ice water content and radar reflectivity simulations from the in situ PSD are compared with the in situ measurements qualitatively and quantitatively. We then evaluate the Bayesian MCI by applying the algorithm to the Cloud Radar System (CRS) during the TC4 campaign and compare the brightness temperature simulations for the retrievals with the Compact Scanning Submillimeter Imaging Radiometer (CoSSIR) measurements. Finally, we apply the Bayesian MCI to the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) measurements on CloudSat, and we use the cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) and empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) to preserve the one‐point statistics and the two‐point statistics that allow for the creation of any number of synthetic ice cloud profiles that are statistically consistent with the Bayesian retrieval results. The synthesized profiles are a useful characterization of the ice cloud vertical structure that combines two disparate data sources, and the synthesis algorithm constitutes an essential initial step for producing critical information in submillimeter radiometry studies.
Sekuens DNA mtCOI Lalat Ganjur Padi Orseolia oryzae Wood-Mason, Lalat Ganjur Alang-alang Orseolia javanica Kieffer & van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) dan Parasitoid Platygaster.

YULIANA AYU LESTARI. Mitochondrial COI DNA Sequences of the Rice Gall Midge Orseolia oryzae Wood-Mason, the Cogon Grass Orseolia javanica Kieffer & van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and Their Platygasterid Parasitoids. Supervised by PURNAMA HIDAYAT. The rice gall midge Orseolia oryzae Wood-Mason is one of the major pest of rice plants in Java. There is another gall midge found in several areas in Java that attacks the cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L) Beauv), that is O. javanica Kieffer & van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan. Those two gall midges are parasitized by Platygasterids, they are Platygaster oryzae on the rice gall midge and P. orseoliae on the cogongrass gall midge. The purpose of this research was to study molecular characters of the rice gall midge, the cogongrass gall midge and their Platygasterid parasitoids based on the sequences of mtCOI DNA. Sampling was carried out in the area of Situ Gede (Bogor) and Gekbrong (Cianjur). DNA amplification was done by PCR by using universal primers of mtCOI. The results of mtCOI DNA sequences gall midge and their Platygasterid parasitoids showed that approximately 710 bp amplicons with the composition of A+T were higher the the C+G contents. The mtCOI DNA sequences of O. oryzae and O. javanica aligned using the BLAST program showed 90% of similarity, while Platygaster oryzae and P. orseoliae have more than 98-98.6% of similarity. It is suggested that the spesies of Platygaster parasitoids on both the rice gall and the cogongrass gall midges are very likely the same species.
Pharmacognostic Study and Establishment of Quality Parameters of Leaves, Root and Bark of Ficus retusa Linn.

Ficus retusa. Linn (FamilyMoraceae) is found commonly in India. Ficus species are rich source of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids which are responsible for strong antioxidant properties that help in prevention & therapy of various oxidative stress related diseases. In present investigation, the detailed comparative pharmacognostic study of Ficus retusa (leaf, root and bark) was carried out to lay down the standards which could be useful in future experimental studies. However, no conclusive pharmacognostic study of its leaves, bark and roots has been performed yet. The study includes macroscopy, microscopy, preliminary phytochemical screening, physicochemical evaluation, fluorescence analysis and chromatographic evaluation. Highest extractive values were found with water and ethanol. The fluorescence analysis under visible light and under UV light by treatment with different chemical reagents showed different colour changes. The presences of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins were confirmed during preliminary phytochemical screening. Conclusion: Such a study would serve as a useful gauge in standardization of the plant material, isolation of medicinally important phytoconstituents, performing pharmacological investigations and ensuring quality formulations Keyword: : Ficus retusa, Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical, Fluorescence Analysis.
Animal welfare and reproductive performance in two Piemontese housing systems

Abstract Tie-stall and loose housing are the main housing systems adopted in Piemontese cattle farms in Piedmont Region (North Western Italy). In this study, we used the ANI35/L2000 index to assess the cattle welfare in both types of housing systems, by studying 56 farms. Within each housing system, farms were classified as 'low', 'sufficient' or 'good' welfare farms, according to the score obtained, and this score was associated with reproductive parameters of cows. A higher welfare score was obtained in loose housing farms. Calving intervals and annual calf to cow ratio showed significantly better values in the loose housing system compared to tie stalls. Within tie stalls system, better reproductive performance has been recorded in farms with a higher welfare classification.
Recent progresses in photocatalytic hydrogen production: design and construction of Ni‐based cocatalysts

Up to now, much effort has focused on developing the highly efficiency composite photocatalysts by introducing cocatalysts in the photocatalytic hydrogen production reaction, because the proper cocatalysts can reduce activation energy, provide active sites, and suppress the reverse reaction. The transition metal nickel and its compounds acting as cocatalyst have received intensive attention because of their structural stability, facile preparation, and high performance in hydrogen evolution reaction, and are expected to replace the function of noble metals. This review emphasizes on the latest progresses that design and construction of composite photocatalyst using Ni‐based cocatalyst for enhanced hydrogen production, such as metal nickel, nickel sulfide, and nickel phosphide, will be presented. Then, some preparation strategies and influence factors of Ni‐based cocatalysts on enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production are elucidated in detail. Finally, some challenge and perspective on the highly active cocatalysts in the area of photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting are also given.
Economic growth in an oil-dominant economy of Nigeria: The role of financial system development

Abstract This paper examines the effect of financial system development on oil-dominant economy of Nigeria using Zivot-Andrews unit root test and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model over the period 1981 to 2015. The motivation of this paper is that the study distinguished the impact of financial system development on the non-oil sector from the oil sector. The study also differs from the usual yet unsatisfactory approach of measuring financial system development in Nigeria to build an index as a measure that characterizes the whole development in the financial sector using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The result reveals that there exist mediating factors that alter the impact of finance on growth. Specifically, the findings indicate that financial system development has a negative and insignificant impact on the growth of oil sector while the influence of financial system development on the growth of non-oil sector is positive and significant. The study therefore recommend that policymakers should channel the high receipts from the export of crude to productive investments through financial institutions that will allocate the resources more efficiently to improve the quality of investment capable of driving growth.
Asymmetric price transmission in a changing food supply chain

Abstract The farmed salmon supply chain in Europe is changing. There is a growing concentration at intermediary levels in the supply chain and more product differentiation in the market. This means that different price determination processes could apply in various product sub-markets. In this study, price transmission relationships in the salmon value chain were investigated at two different product levels. Specifically, a relatively unprocessed salmon product (fresh salmon) and a more processed product (smoked salmon) were investigated since processing costs might have a significant impact on a vertical price linkage. A threshold cointegration model was applied to estimate the price transmission between the Norwegian export market and the retail markets of France and Spain. The results indicated a price transmission relationship along the fresh salmon chain in both markets; but not along the smoked salmon chains in either market. Furthermore, for the fresh salmon value chain, asymmetric adjustment was observed in both markets.
Corrosive Esophagitis and Gastritis Induced by Glutaraldehyde Ingestion

The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research is an Open-Access Journal. All articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. CASE REPORT ISSN 1738-3331 eISSN 2671-826X, https://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2020. 0027 The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research, 2020;20(3):237-242