Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PERNAMBUCO CENTRO DE CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM BIOQÚIMICA E FISIOLOGIA

The formation of an environmental awareness and the need to preserve the environment have generated the need to test natural products, targeting a alternative control of plant pathogens. The aim of this study was to contribute to studies of plants of Caatinga, proposing to perform an antimicrobial screening of aqueous extracts from twelve species of plants from the Semiarid region of Pernambuco against phytopathogen bacteria, and also evaluate the antiphytopathogen potential of extracts from leaves of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil collected in dry and rainy seasons, as well as investigating existing chemical constituents in these extracts. Anti-phytopathogen activity of the extracts was evaluated by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) against Acidovorax citrulli, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. All tested plant extracts showed antibacterial activity, however, the plants differ in their activities against the tested microorganisms, with MIC values ranging from 3.12 to 25 mg/mL. Given the best activity found to A. colubrina, an organic extraction was performed from samples of different periods and then the antimicrobial activity was evaluated against A. citrulli, P carotovorum, R. solanacearum, X. campestris pv. campestris, X. campestris pv. malvacearum, X. campestris pv. viticola, Fusarium oxysporum, F. moniliforme, F. solani, Verticillium lecanii, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus. The organic extracts were active against all the tested plant pathogens, with the highest activity observed for the cyclohexane extract from dry season. It was observed by transmission electron microscopy that cells of X. campestris pv. campestris treated with cyclohexane extract showed internal damage: destroyed cytoplasm with the presence of vacuoles and irregular periplasmic space. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts by thin layer chromatography revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, triterpenes, tannins, coumarins and reducing sugars. According to these results, we conclude that the flora of northeastern Brazil can be considered as a rich source of plants with anti-phytopathogen activity.
2012-1 Credit Constraints in Education

We review studies of the impact of credit constraints on the accumulation of human capital. Evidence suggests that credit constraints have recently become important for schooling and other aspects of households’ behavior. We highlight the importance of early childhood investments, since their response largely determines the impact of credit constraints on the overall lifetime acquisition of human capital. We also review the intergenerational literature and examine the macroeconomic impacts of credit constraints on social mobility and the income distribution. A common limitation across all areas of the human capital literature is the imposition of ad hoc constraints on credit. We propose a more careful treatment of the structure of government student loan programs and the incentive problems underlying private credit. We show that endogenizing constraints on credit for human capital helps explain observed borrowing, schooling, and default patterns and offers new insights about the design of government policy. JEL: D14, H52, I22, I23, J24.
Analysis of Potential Distribution and Size of Photovoltaic Systems on Rural Rooftops

The present study as part of the joint research project “Smart-Power-Flow”1 (at Reiner Lemoine Institute for Renewable Energies) focuses on modelling PV systems´ distribution in German rural communities. Although solar power energy systems in Germany have been increasing exponentially for the last 20 years (WRITH 2014), the majority of literature on PV potential has focused on rooftop PV systems in urban regions, and a small number of publications consider the typology of small rural communities. These areas, although less populated than cities, are where the highest PV potential in Germany is expected (DENA 2010), and, at the same time, where the availability of laser scanning data is highly incomplete, or not affordable for small administrations or projects. Several authors have used remotely-sensed imagery to quantify the PV potential on a regional scale, but only few authors (KJELLSSON 2000, BERGAMASCO & ASINARI 2011, JO & OTANICAR 2011) have attempted to use high-resolution images to quantify the suitable rooftop surface on a building basis, and none of them have addressed the particularities of rural communities. The aim of this study is to create a methodology, which predicts the size and location of future photovoltaic systems on rooftops, based on generally accessible data, and that is easily reproducible on a building scale for other rural villages. The methodology’s input data comprises high-resolution aerial imagery, GIS building footprints from the Landregister map, and the Bavarian database of photovoltaic systems. In addition, the method is tested using two types of images: a) official orthophotos from the Bavarian Land-survey Office, and b) Google Earth™ orthophotos, to assess the accuracy of freely available data to the project. The results are compared in the discussion section.
ARIS-Campaign: intercomparison of three ground based 22 GHz radiometers for middle atmospheric water vapor at the Zugspitze in winter 2009

Abstract. This paper presents the Alpine Radiometer Intercomparison at the Schneefernerhaus (ARIS), which took place in winter 2009 at the high altitude station at the Zugspitze, Germany (47.42° N, 10.98° E, 2650 m). This campaign was the first direct intercomparison between three new ground based 22 GHz water vapor radiometers for middle atmospheric profiling with the following instruments participating: MIRA 5 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), cWASPAM3 (Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Katlenburg-Lindau) and MIAWARA-C (Institute of Applied Physics, University of Bern). Even though the three radiometers all measure middle atmospheric water vapor using the same rotational transition line and similar fundamental set-ups, there are major differences between the front ends, the back ends, the calibration concepts and the profile retrieval. The spectrum comparison shows that all three radiometers measure spectra without severe baseline artifacts and that the measurements are in good general agreement. The measurement noise shows good agreement to the values theoretically expected from the radiometer noise formula. At the same time the comparison of the noise levels shows that there is room for instrumental and calibration improvement, emphasizing the importance of low elevation angles for the observation, a low receiver noise temperature and an efficient calibration scheme. The comparisons of the retrieved profiles show that the agreement between the profiles of MIAWARA-C and cWASPAM3 with the ones of MLS is better than 0.3 ppmv (6%) at all altitudes. MIRA 5 has a dry bias of approximately 0.5 ppm (8%) below 0.1 hPa with respect to all other instruments. The profiles of cWASPAM3 and MIAWARA-C could not be directly compared because the vertical region of overlap was too small. The comparison of the time series at different altitude levels show a similar evolution of the H2O volume mixing ratio (VMR) for the ground based instruments as well as the space borne sensor MLS.
Valuing Animal Genetic Resources in Peasant Economies: The Case of the Box Keken Creole Pig in Yucatan

We report the results of a choice-experiment study to model preferences over a selection of breed traits of 'creole' pigs. The study was conducted amongst households of backyard producers and small farmers rearing this local breed in Yucatan, Mexico. Hypothetical choice data were collected to estimate the preference of households over alternative pigs profiles whose attributes distinguish creole pigs from the potentially more productive, yet less adapted exotic breeds currently threatening to severely displace this locally adapted animal genetic resource. The observed choices are employed to estimate a series of random utility models whose results are tested for preference equality between households and small farmers. Stated-preference based estimates are found to be of the same magnitude as revealed-preference producers costs. As a consequence the method is deemed to be appropriate for the valuation of non-market functions in production. Estimates conditional on household characteristics are then presented and discussed.
Archaeological Radiocarbon Dates for Studying the Population History in Eastern Fennoscandia

In this work, archaeological radiocarbon data gathered from eastern Fennoscandia have been scrutinized to discuss their suitability for studies of population history. The temporal distribution of the archaeological 14C dates has been analyzed against possible research priorities and sample material deterioration. An outstanding “Stone Age” maximum has been observed in practically all the displayed temporal date distributions. The pattern remains the same throughout the history of 14C dating in Finland. Due to sample material differences, equal taphonomic corrections based on 14C-dated volcanic deposits cannot account for all the sample degradation effects; therefore, material-dependent correction procedures are suggested.
Variability of optical water types in Lake Peipsi

Lake Peipsi is a large freshwater lake that needs regular and careful monitoring. Remote sensing could be a powerful tool for this purpose; however, the standard ocean colour products often fail over optically complex waters. A three-year intensive study of optically active sub- stances and reflectance was carried out in L. Peipsi. We determined that the lake's water most commonly belonged into Moderate (65%) type, followed by Turbid (16%) and Clear (9%) types; only 5% of the samples were classified into Very turbid and Brown types. Because water types vary in time and space, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to the optical classification of water types, which could automatically be applied to satellite image. Despite the differences in optically active substances, reflectance spectra in Moderate and Turbid types cannot be distinguished by the standard processing scheme of the MODIS sensor because of its lack of suitable bands.
Variation in Health and Social Equity in the Spaces Where We Live: A Review of Previous Literature from the GeoHealth Laboratory

The previous decade has given rise to the importance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in explaining inequalities in health outcomes between groups based on their spatial location and social background. The GeoHealth Laboratory, based at the University of Canterbury, is a joint venture with the Health and Disability Intelligence unit within the Ministry of Health (MoH). The aims of this relationship are to add analytical capacity to MoH data collections and increase academic outputs of geospatial health research in New Zealand. GeoHealth research has often been a joint venture between Laboratory staff and students as well as collaboration with local and international researchers. These partnerships along with widely varied research interests have resulted in a large contribution of spatial health research in the field of health geography. This article reports on research undertaken by the GeoHealth Laboratory that has focused on access to neighbourhood determinants of health. An overview of key neighbourhoods and health research areas are outlined within the over-arching themes of indices of access to neighbourhood factors, access to undesireable neighbourhood destinations, health promoting neighbourhood factors, access to and utilisation of health services, and complementary data collection and research groups within New Zealand.
Changes in soil C, N and δ15N along three forest–pasture chronosequences in New Zealand

Changes in total soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and natural-abundance N isotopes (δ15N) were measured along three forest-to-pasture chronosequences on pumice soils in the Central North Island of New Zealand. On each of the three chronosequences, exotic pine forests had been converted to intensive dairy pastures 2–11 years before sampling and samples were also taken from remaining pine forests and long-term pastures (40–80 years old). The primary objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that surface-soil δ15N would increase over time following conversion of forest to pasture, due to greater N inputs and isotope-fractionating N losses (e.g. ammonia volatilisation) in pasture systems. Results supported our hypothesis, with linear regression revealing a significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation between log-transformed pasture age (log10[pasture age + 1]) and surface-soil δ15N. There was also a positive correlation (P < 0.001) between pasture age and total soil C and N, and a negative correlation of pasture age with C : N ratio. Surface-soil δ15N was also positively correlated (P < 0.001) with total soil N, and negatively correlated with C : N ratio when C : N was <13.6. These results suggested that as soils became more N-‘saturated’, isotope-fractionating N loss processes increased. Surface-soil δ15N in the pine forests was significantly less than subsoil δ15N, but there was no significant difference between the surface and subsoil in the long-term pastures, due to 15N enrichment of the surface soil. The difference in δ15N between the surface soil and subsoil may be a useful indicator of past land management, in addition to absolute δ15N values of surface soils.
Extrinsic upper bounds for the first eigenvalue of elliptic operators

We consider operators defined on a Riemannian manifold M m by L T (u) = -div(T*u) where T is a positive definite symmetric (1, 1)-tensor such that div(T) = 0. We give an upper bound for the first nonzero eigenvalue λ 1 , T of L T in terms of the second fundamental form of an immersion Φ of Μ m into a Riemannian manifold of sectional curvature bounded above by δ. We apply these results to a particular family of operators defined on hypersurfaces of the space forms and we prove a stability result.
On the evolution of aerosol properties at a mountain site above Mexico City

Size distributions, scattering and absorption coefficients, and the bulk chemical composition of aerosols have been measured at a mountain site 400 m above the southwest sector of the Mexico City basin during a two-week period in November 1997. Variations in these properties are primarily related to local meteorology, i.e., wind direction and relative humidity; however, a link was found between carbon monoxide and ozone and the partitioning of aerosols between Aitken and accumulation mode sizes. Relative humidity was also found to affect this partitioning of aerosol size and volume. In addition, the fraction of sulfate in the aerosols was much higher on a high-humidity day than on a very low humidity day; however, the fraction of the mass contained in organic and elemental carbon was the same regardless of humidity levels. The daily variations of aerosol properties are associated with the arrival of new particles at the research site transported from the city basin and their subsequent mixture with aged aerosols that remain in the residual layer from the night before.
A Risk-Adjusted Retrospective Data Analysis between Younger and Elderly Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes—Long-Term Prognosis

Purpose: To compare the demographic data and outcomes of younger versus elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes. Methods: This was a retrospective data bank analysis study with 966 patients (268 in the younger group (less than 55 years) and 698 in the elderly group (more than 55 years)). Data were obtained about clinical characteristics, angiography, and medication used at hospital and coronary definitive treatment. The primary endpoint was all cause of in-hospital death and combined events. Comparison between groups was made by Anova and Q-square. Multivariative analysis was determined by logistic regression and was considered significative when p < 0.05. Long-term mortality and combined events were studied using Kaplan- Meyer curves with median follow-up of 11.21 months. Results: The median age in the younger group was 48 years versus 69 years in the elderly group. In the younger group 26% was ST-myocardial infarction versus 18% in the elderly group. About 7% of younger patients were submitted to coronary bypass surgery and 42% to percutaneous coronary angioplasty versus 12% and 25% in elderly group, respectively. Significant difference was observed between the younger versus elderly groups in deaths (1.5% × 7.5%, p = 0.004), combined events (14.9% × 26.3%, p = 0.02) and killip III/IV (3.7% × 8.3%, p = 0.04). Long-term mortality was 3.7% × 10.2%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: In patients with acute coronary syndromes age was an important predictor factor of mortality and complications. Significative differences in outcomes were observed between the two groups in-hospital and long-term follow-up.
Sepsiste Anti-İnflamatuar Bir Ajan Olarak Statin

Özet Statinler, HMG-CoA redüktaz inhibitörleri, yalnızca kardiyovasküler hastalıklarda değil, pnömoni ve sepsis gibi önemli infeksiyonlarda da anti-inflamatuar pleiotropik etkileri nedeniyle morbidite ve mortaliteyi azaltmada son zamanlarda kullanılmaktadır. Ancak statinlerin bu etkilerini nasıl başardıkları halen tam açıklanmış değildir. Karmaşık inflamatuar süreçleri etkilemeleri yalnızca LDL kolesterol düşürme etkisi ile ilişkili değil, aynı zamanda NO dengesi, lökosit-endotel ilişkileri, inflamatuar hücre sinyalizasyon ve gen ekspresyonu, mononükleer hücre aktivitesi, pıhtılaşma, fibrinoliz ve oksidatif stres gibi dengeler üzerindeki etkilerine bağlanmaktadır. Ümit verici birçok çalışma statinlerin umulandan daha fazla rol oynayabildiğini göstermiştir. Biz bu derlemede statinlerin sepsisteki inflamatuar süreç üzerindeki etki mekanizmaları ve klinik sonuçlara olan etkilerini ele aldık.
New methods for generating populations in Markov network based EDAs: Decimation strategies and model-based template recombination

Methods for generating a new population are a fundamental component of estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs). They serve to transfer the information contained in the probabilistic model to the new generated population. In EDAs based on Markov networks, methods for generating new populations usually discard information contained in the model to gain in efficiency. Other methods like Gibbs sampling use information about all interactions in the model but are computationally very costly. In this paper we propose new methods for generating new solutions in EDAs based on Markov networks. We introduce approaches based on inference methods for computing the most probable configurations and modelbased template recombination. We show that the application of different variants of inference methods can increase the EDAs’ convergence rate and reduce the number of function evaluations needed to find the optimum of binary and non-binary discrete functions.
Optimal First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma: A Network Meta-Analysis

Background: First-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has incrementally evolved over the past decade. Most recently, promising clinical trials for first-line cabozantinib, nivolumab plus ipilimumab, and bevacizumab plus atezolizumab were reported. However, the comparator arm in all of these trials was sunitinib, so no head-to-head comparison exists for contemporary first-line treatments. Objective: To provide an indirect comparison of first-line treatments for mRCC that are currently approved or likely soon
Evaluation of the Agricultural Value and Germination Vigor of the Introduced Seeds of the Main Crops in Saudi Arabia@@@تقييم القيمة الزراعية وقوة الإنبات للبذور المستوردة للمحاصيل الرئيسية في المملكة العربية السعودية

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the main introduced field and vegetable crop seeds in Saudi Arabia concerning purity, germination, germination vigor and agricultural value. Two cv. were studied from alfalfa, barley, millet, cucumber, pepper and three cv. from tomato. The pure seed percentages were 97.21%, 99.10%, 96.14%, 98.25%, 95.81% and 82.14% for alfalfa Australian-S, alfalfa Cuf 101, barley Gesto, barley Giza-2000, millet Indian and millet African cv. , respectively. Purity for vegetable cv. were 98.05%, 96.60%, 98.16%, 96.09%, 98.34%, 99.00% and 98.80%, for cucumber Green Long, cucumber Beit Alfa, pepper California Wonder, pepper Hot Arohein, tomato Super-Strain-B, tomatoes Five Stars and tomato Mormande cv. , respectively. Normal seedlings under standard conditions and saline irrigation water stress were 96.67% and 68.94% for alfalfa AustralianS cv. respectively and 94.20% and 60.66% for barley Gesto cv. , respectively, while in vegetable crops cucumber Green Long had 86.88% and 42.61%, respectively, pepper Hot Arahein produced 73.64% and 56.67%, respectively and tomato Five Star had 78.68% and 42.17% for normal seedlings (%) under standard conditions and salt stress condition, respectively. Alfalfa Cuf 101 had the highest seed agricultural value (94.38%) and millet African cv. had the lowest agricultural value (62.98%) within the field crop cultivars. In vegetable crops cv. , cucumber Beit Alfa cv. had the highest value (87.07%), while pepper Hot Arohein had the lowest agricultural value (70.76%).
Searching for Stability

Species diversity can erode without a specific mechanism driving coexistence. Because species assemblages in nature often include multiple species with apparently overlapping niches, ecologists seek to identify the mechanisms that maintain diversity. Positive frequency-dependent prey switching is one such mechanism: by disadvantaging common prey species relative to rare species, predators might be able to stabilize prey species coexistence. We conducted lab-based trials to test for prey switching by a generalist apex predator in temporary ponds, the larval marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum). In the experiment, we offered zooplankton prey to the salamanders, varying the frequencies of zooplankton taxa while keeping total prey abundance constant. This design allowed us to isolate the effect of prey frequencies on the salamanders’ preferences for those prey. We found that the frequency of each prey taxon altered the predator’s preference for, and feeding intensity on, that prey. Cladocerans and copepods were more preferred when frequent than when rare. In contrast, ostracods were most preferred by salamanders when rare, and salamanders became satiated even at moderate ostracod abundances. These results indicate that larval salamanders have distinct frequency-dependent responses to each prey taxon. The findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the limited habitat and community complexity in our trials. However, this study provides clear experimental evidence that a predator’s behavior can depend on the frequencies of multiple prey. In turn, this study helps resolve how predators might influence a diverse assemblage of species, potentially
Short communication. Genetic diversity within Scorpiurus species from the Iberian Peninsula estimated using ITS DNA sequences

Scorpiurus muricatus and Scorpiurus vermiculatus have been proposed as possible subjects for breeding programs to improve their potential as forage crops. However, prior to this genetic diversity between these species and within distinct populations should be assessed. We estimated diversity between populations from the Iberian Peninsula using ITS 1 and ITS 2 nuclear DNA sequences. Twelve haplotypes from 25 individuals were determined, and a network of relationships produced. Our results indicate considerable haplotypic diversity, but no deep subdivisions either within S. muricatus or between the two species. This means that no potential barriers to the proposed breeding programs were identified.