Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of the strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 on the microbial community in the rhizosphere of lettuce under field conditions analyzed by whole metagenome sequencing

Application of the plant associated bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) confirmed its capability to promote plant growth and health by reducing disease severity (DS) caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani. Therefore this strain is commercially applied as an eco-friendly plant protective agent. It is able to produce cyclic lipopeptides (CLP) and polyketides featuring antifungal and antibacterial properties. Production of these secondary metabolites led to the question of a possible impact of strain FZB42 on the composition of microbial rhizosphere communities after its application. Rating of DS and lettuce growth during a field trial confirmed the positive impact of strain FZB42 on the health of the host plant. To verify B. amyloliquefaciens as an environmentally compatible plant protective agent, its effect on the indigenous rhizosphere community was analyzed by metagenome sequencing. Rhizosphere microbial communities of lettuce treated with B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 and non-treated plants were profiled by high-throughput metagenome sequencing of whole community DNA. Fragment recruitments of metagenome sequence reads on the genome sequence of B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 proved the presence of the strain in the rhizosphere over 5 weeks of the field trial. Comparison of taxonomic community profiles only revealed marginal changes after application of strain FZB42. The orders Burkholderiales, Actinomycetales and Rhizobiales were most abundant in all samples. Depending on plant age a general shift within the composition of the microbial communities that was independent of the application of strain FZB42 was observed. In addition to the taxonomic profiling, functional analysis of annotated sequences revealed no major differences between samples regarding application of the inoculant strain.
Storm damage in the Black Forest caused by the winter storm

Abstract. An airborne survey of the Black Forest as affected by the winter storm "Lothar" in 1999 is performed by means of a color line scanner (CLS) with a CCD sensor, whose data in a visible and a near-infrared channel provide the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a measure of the damage in previously intact forest areas. The camera data, height data from a digital evelation model (DEM), land use information, and soil data are georeferenced and processed in a geographic information system (GIS) to derive relationship of the damage pattern to the characteristics of the local orography and soil types. The data cover an area of 4900 km 2 , 2767 km 2 of which were forested. The 363 detected storm damage areas with a minimum detection size of 1.5 ha amount to 0.8% of the total forest area. Visual inspections at certain sites prove that none of the larger damage areas are missed, but areas smaller than 1.5 ha cause the total damage area to be up to twice our result, i.e. ≈1.6% of the forest area. More than 50% of the detected damaged areas are smaller than 5 ha and most of them have a size ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 ha. Forests on slopes with an inclination angle between 10 and 15 degrees show the highest fraction of damaged forest, doubling those on plains and below 5 degrees inclination angle. Forests on northwestern slopes are more affected than those on southwestern and western slopes, which faced the wind during highest wind speed occurrence. In contrast to other studies, this paper shows, that in steep areas, lee slopes are more damaged than the luv slopes. As expected, wet to moist soils represent an unstable location for the trees. But also medium-dry to dry locations that were considered to be relatively stable exhibited a highly damaged forest fraction. This can be attributed to mostly saturated soil from previous rain.
Learning to predict response times for online query scheduling

Dynamic pruning strategies permit efficient retrieval by not fully scoring all postings of the documents matching a query -- without degrading the retrieval effectiveness of the top-ranked results. However, the amount of pruning achievable for a query can vary, resulting in queries taking different amounts of time to execute. Knowing in advance the execution time of queries would permit the exploitation of online algorithms to schedule queries across replicated servers in order to minimise the average query waiting and completion times. In this work, we investigate the impact of dynamic pruning strategies on query response times, and propose a framework for predicting the efficiency of a query. Within this framework, we analyse the accuracy of several query efficiency predictors across 10,000 queries submitted to in-memory inverted indices of a 50-million-document Web crawl. Our results show that combining multiple efficiency predictors with regression can accurately predict the response time of a query before it is executed. Moreover, using the efficiency predictors to facilitate online scheduling algorithms can result in a 22% reduction in the mean waiting time experienced by queries before execution, and a 7% reduction in the mean completion time experienced by users.
An introduction to Total Variation for Image Analysis

These are the lecture notes of a course taught in Linz in Sept. , 2009, at the school "summer school on sparsity", organized by Massimo Fornasier and Ronny Romlau. They address various theoretical and practical topics related to Total Variation-based image reconstruction. They focu first on some theoretical results on functions which minimize the total variation, and in a second part, describe a few standard and less standard algorithms to minimize the total variation in a finite-differences setting, with a series of applications from simple denoising to stereo, or deconvolution issues, and even more exotic uses like the minimization of minimal partition problems.
Histology and histochemistry of the nasopharyngeal tonsil of sheep.

The nasopharyngeal tonsil of sheep having pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium with goblet cells was modified into follicle associated epithelium at places and contained M cells. The lamina propria submucosa had a dense distribution of lymphoid tissue mainly in the form of lymphoid follicles having different sized lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. High endothelial venules were observed towards parafollicular areas. The goblet cells of the respiratory epithelium and mucus glands distributed in the deeper part showed strong PAS and Alcian blue reaction for glycogen, acidic mucopolysaccharides. The morphological and histochemical featutres of the sheep nasopharyngeal tonsil indicates that it is a component of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue.
Accuracy Comparison of ARX and Anfis Model of an Electro-Hydraulic Actuator System

Abstract Precise control of electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) system has been an interesting subject due to its nonlinearities and uncertainties characteristics. Good control can be designed when precise model of the system is available. Linear ARX modelling has widely been applied and satisfying result has been obtained, through linearization process. The objective of this paper is to compare ARX model with nonlinear ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System) model, which can represent the real EHA system more precisely using same linearized data. Results show that ANFIS model is more accurate in approximation estimation of EHA system than ARX model on linearized data.
Observations and modeling of the reactive nitrogen photochemistry at a rural site

Ambient concentrations of key trace gases were measured concurrently at a rural site in the eastern United States during the summer of 1986. The extensive data set allows the evaluation of certain aspects of photochemical oxidant models. A 4-day high-pressure period is chosen for a comparison of the model predictions with observations. The emphasis of this analysis is on the discussion of the photochemistry of the reactive nitrogen species and their role in shaping the ozone budget. Observations of the NO{sub 2}/NO ratio provide an estimate of the peroxy radical concentration at the site. The peroxy radical concentration so derived indicates a significant in-situ O{sub 3} formation which is in accordance with the observed diurnal variation of O{sub 3}. Isoprene, a natural hydrocarbon, is shown to be much more important than the anthropogenic hydrocarbons in this O{sub 3} formation. At this rural site NO, NO{sub 2}, HNO{sub 3}, and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) account for 85% or more of NO{sub y} (the sum of the reactive nitrogen species). The diurnal cycle of the reactive nitrogen species and their partitioning is determined by transport and photochemical conversion. At night in the boundary layer defined by a low-level inversion, NO{sub x} is themore » major NO{sub y} species at this site. Nitric acid and PAN are suppressed by dry deposition and, in the case of PAN, thermal decomposition. During the daytime the NO{sub x} contribution to NO{sub y} decreases first as higher concentrations of HNO{sub 3} and PAN are mixed downward upon the breakup of the nocturnal inversion followed by NO{sub x} conversion to other NO{sub y} species in photochemical reactions. « less
On the Interaction Between the Gulf Stream and the New England Seamount Chain

Abstract In the course of numerical simulations with a primitive equation regional model of the Gulf Stream, bottom topography and the New England Seamount Chain (NESC) in particular show significant influence on the variability and the energetics of the Gulf Stream system. The model is an eddy-resolving, coastal ocean model that includes thermohaline dynamics and a second-order turbulence closure scheme to provide vertical mixing coefficients; it is driven at the surface by observed monthly wind stress and heat fluxes. The surface and the deep variabilities obtained from the numerical simulations are in fair agreement with the observed variabilities inferred, for example, from the Geosat altimetry data and from measurements of eddy kinetic energy (EKE). To study how the NESC affects the Gulf Stream dynamics, a control run without the NESC (however, leaving the other topographic features such as the continental shelf and slope intact) is compared to simulation with full bottom topography. According to the.
Chromosome aberrations induced in human lymphocytes by neutron irradiation.

In vitro dose--response curves of unstable chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes have been obtained for neutron spectra of mean energies 0-7, 0-9, 7-6 and 14-7 MeV. The aberration yields have been fitted to the quadratic function Y = alphaD + betaD2, which is consistent with the single-track and two-track model of aberration formation. However with high-LET radiation, the linear component of yield, corresponding to damage caused by single tracks, predominants, and this term becomes more dominant with increasing LET, so that for fission spectrum neutrons the relationship is linear, Y = alphaD. At low doses, such as those recieved by radiation workers, limiting r.b. e. values between 13 and 47 are obtained relative to 60Co gamma-radiation. At higher doses, as used in radiotherapy, the values are much lower; ranging from 2-7 to 8 at 200 rad of equivalent gamma-radiation. Both sets of r.b. e. values correlate well with track-averaged LET but not with dose-averaged LET. When the numbers of cells without aberrations are plotted against radiation dose, curves are obtained which are similar in shape to those for conventional cell-survival experiments with comparable neutron spectra. The Do values obtained in the present study are close to those from other cell system.
The validity of the macroscopic appearance of lymph node biopsy in the diagnosis of tuberculosis

Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease with profound morbidity, mortality and effects on global public health. The differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy is wide, particularly in areas where HIV is prevalent. Most hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa and across the developing world have limited, if any, histology facilities. This study will assess the validity of the assessment of the lymph nodes by their macroscopic appearance for the diagnosis of TB. Its sensitivity and specificity will be compared to full histological examination. Method This is a single-centre prospective study conducted in a remote rural district hospital in Zambia over a time period of 16 months. All patients with palpable lymphadenopathy where TB was considered in the differential diagnosis were included. The patients underwent an excision lymph node biopsy. The cut surface was judged by the operating surgeon as to the presence of caseation. The excised nodes were then sent for histological examination. Results In total, 59.8% of patients (64 of 107 patients) in this group had a final histological diagnosis of TB. This is equivalent to the TB disease prevalence in this group of patients that have palpable lymphadenopathy in this population. The diagnostic sensitivity based on macroscopic appearance of the lymph node was 81.25% (95% CI, 69.5–89.9%). The specificity was 97.67% (95% CI, 87.7–99.6%). Conclusion This study has shown that lymph node appearance is a useful diagnostic test even without laboratory histopathological facilities in the diagnosis of TB. This assessment of the macroscopic appearance is both sensitive and specific.
Altimetry, Orbits and Tides

The nature of the orbit error and its effect on the sea surface heights calculated with satellite altimetry are explained. The elementary concepts of celestial mechanics required to follow a general discussion of the problem are included. Consideration of errors in the orbits of satellites with precisely repeating ground tracks (SEASAT, TOPEX, ERS-1, POSEIDON, amongst past and future altimeter satellites) are detailed. The theoretical conclusions are illustrated with the numerical results of computer simulations. The nature of the errors in this type of orbits is such that this error can be filtered out by using height differences along repeating (overlapping) passes. This makes them particularly valuable for the study and monitoring of changes in the sea surface, such as tides. Elements of tidal theory, showing how these principles can be combined with those pertinent to the orbit error to make direct maps of the tides using altimetry are presented.
Effects of initial water content and soil mechanical strength on the runoff erosion resistance of clay soils

Effects of antecedent water content and soil strength on the resistance to erosion by overland (rill) flow were tested for two clay soils of the eastern Darling Downs, Queensland. Both shear and unconfined compressive strength of wet soil (for soil wet to saturation immediately prior to application of rill flow) mere higher for soil with initially high water contents than for soil initially air-dry. Rates of runoff erosion did not show a simple relationship with soil strength across the two soils, though for each soil, higher strength was associated with much lower rates of erosion. The results show that variations in initial water content can be associated with large chang;es in soil erodibility. Particularly for the initially wet soils of higher strength, rates of runoff erosion were controlled by rates of detachment of sediment. From size distributions of wet aggregates and of sediment, and from measured water contents of wet soil, it can be suggested that the extent of incipient failure of aggregates on wet;ting was a major factor controlling ease of detachment by rill flow, as it can be inferred that detachment of sediment involved breakdown of aggregates. Consistent with this, rates of runoff erosion across the two soils showed a direct relationship with the amount of water uptake on wetting, which appears to be a useful measure of susceptibility to detachment by rill flow. Water uptake on wetting would be an indirect measure of incipient failure and, hence, of aggregate strength.
The Effect of Irrigation on Regional Temperatures: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Trends in California, 1934–2002

Abstract The response of air temperatures to widespread irrigation may represent an important component of past and/or future regional climate changes. The quantitative impact of irrigation on daily minimum and maximum temperatures (Tmin and Tmax) in California was estimated using historical time series of county irrigated areas from agricultural censuses and daily climate observations from the U.S. Historical Climatology Network. Regression analysis of temperature and irrigation changes for stations within irrigated areas revealed a highly significant (p 0.3). The mean estimate for Tmax was a substantial 5.0°C cooling for 100% irrigation cover, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.0°–7.9°C. As a result of small changes in Tmin compared to Tmax, the diurnal temperature range (DTR) decreased significantly in both spring and summer months. Effects on percentiles of Tmax within summer months were not statistical.
EEG alpha power and coherence time courses in a sustained attention task

Alpha activity at certain brain regions and the functional relationships between these regions quantified by alpha coherence were examined in a fixed sequence Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), which involves the withholding of key presses to rare targets. The effects of distinguishing smaller sub bands within the alpha band to explain distinct cognitive components are assessed. It was found that in two of three subjects average power in the alpha-1 band was phasically related to stimulus presentation, possibly reflecting short-term attentional processes. Also in two of the three subjects, average power in the alpha-2 band showed a relatively slow desynchronisation approaching the rare target, possibly reflecting expectancy.
Systematic Review of Willingness to Pay for Health Insurance in Low and Middle Income Countries

Objective Access to healthcare is mostly contingent on out-of-pocket spending (OOPS) by health seekers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This would require many LMICs to raise enough funds to achieve universal health insurance coverage. But, are individuals or households willing to pay for health insurance, and how much? What factors positively affect WTP for health insurance? We wanted to examine the evidence for this, through a review of the literature. Methods We systematically searched databases up to February 2016 and included studies of individual or household WTP for health insurance. Two authors appraised the identified studies. We estimated the WTP as a percentage of GDP per capita, and adjusted net national income per capita of each country. We used meta-analysis to calculate WTP means and confidence intervals, and vote-counting to identify the variables that more often affected WTP. Result 16 studies (21 articles) from ten countries met the inclusion criteria. The mean WTP of individuals was 1.18% of GDP per capita and 1.39% of adjusted net national income per capita. The corresponding figures for households were 1.82% and 2.16%, respectively. Increases in family size, education level and income were consistently correlated with higher WTP for insurance, and increases in age were correlated with reduced WTP. Conclusions The WTP for healthcare insurance among rural households in LMICs was just below 2% of the GPD per capita. The findings demonstrate that in moving towards universal health coverage in LMICs, governments should not rely on households' premiums as a major financing source and should increase their fiscal capacity for an equitable health care system using other sources.
Threshold base current and light power output of symmetric and asymmetric multiple Quantum-Well Transistor Lasers

We have developed by solving continuity equation the expressions for the terminal currents of Transistor Lasers that incorporate Multiple Quantum Wells in the base. The bulk carrier density in base is related with the two-dimensional carrier density in QWs via virtual states. Strain, 2D density-of-states, polarization dependent momentum matrix element, Fermi statistics and Lorentzian broadening are considered to estimate the QW gain. Comparison between the calculated and experiment values indicates substantial reduction in threshold base current for symmetric MQW-TL having equal QW and barrier widths. Calculations are also made for three QWs of different widths having variable barrier widths (Asymmetric MQW-TL). Reduction of threshold base current by different amounts is observed in all cases.
Bioactive glass coatings for orthopedic metallic implants

The objective of this work is to develop bioactive glass coatings for metallic orthopedic implants. A new family of glasses in the SiO2–Na2O–K2O–CaO–MgO–P2O5 system has been synthesized and characterized. The glass properties (thermal expansion, softening and transformation temperatures, density and hardness) are in line with the predictions of established empirical models. The optimized firing conditions to fabricate coatings on Ti-based and Co–Cr alloys have been determined and related to the glass properties and the interfacial reactions. Excellent adhesion to alloys has been achieved through the formation of 100–200 nm thick interfacial layers (Ti5Si3 on Ti-based alloys and CrOx on Co–Cr). Finally, glass coatings, approximately 100 mm thick, have been fabricated onto commercial Ti alloy-based dental implants. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Jitter analysis of bandpass continuous-time ΣΔMs for different feedback DAC shapes

In this paper, a simple and intuitive technique for analyzing clock jitter effect on bandpass Continuous-Time Sigma-Delta (ΣΔ) modulators is introduced. The power spectral density of the jitter noise for different feedback DAC shapes are derived and compared. It is shown that DAC output signal shapes used to reduce clock jitter sensitivity in lowpass Continuous-Time ΣΔ modulators may not be suitable for bandpass modulators.
Pro-Resolving Mediators in Regulating and Conferring Macrophage Function

Macrophages are central in coordinating the host response to both sterile and infective insults. Clearance of apoptotic cells and cellular debris is a key biological action preformed by macrophages that paves the way to the resolution of local inflammation, repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, and re-establishment of function. The essential fatty acid-derived autacoids termed specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) play central roles in promoting these processes. In the present article, we will review the role of microvesicles in controlling macrophage efferocytosis and SPM production. We will also discuss the role of both apoptotic cells and microvesicles in providing substrate for transcellular biosynthesis of several SPM families during efferocyotsis. In addition, this article will discuss the biological actions of the recently uncovered macrophage-derived SPM termed maresins. These mediators are produced via 14-lipoxygenation of docosahexaenoic acid that is either enzymatically converted to mediators carrying two hydroxyl groups or to autacoids that are peptide-lipid conjugates, coined maresin conjugates in tissue regeneration. The formation of these mediators is temporally regulated during acute self-limited infectious-inflammation where they promote the uptake and clearance of apoptotic cells, regulate several aspects of the tissue repair and regeneration, and display potent anti-nociceptive actions.
Nature, Development and Distribution in Latin America: Evidence on the Role of Geography, Climate and Natural Resources

Latin America's enormous endowment of natural resources impacts many countries of the region. Economic liberalization in several countries was followed by rapid growth of foreign investment and exports of natural resource-intensive products. Growth of labor-intensive manufacturing industries was much more modest. What does increased reliance upon natural resource-based industries mean for development prospects, and for the distribution of income.