Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Mismatch Principle: Statistical Learning Under Large Model Uncertainties

We study the learning capacity of empirical risk minimization with regard to the squared loss and a convex hypothesis class consisting of linear functions. While these types of estimators were originally designed for noisy linear regression problems, it recently turned out that they are in fact capable of handling considerably more complicated situations, involving highly non-linear distortions. This work intends to provide a comprehensive explanation of this somewhat astonishing phenomenon. At the heart of our analysis stands the mismatch principle, which is a simple, yet generic recipe to establish theoretical error bounds for empirical risk minimization. The scope of our results is fairly general, permitting arbitrary sub-Gaussian input-output pairs, possibly with strongly correlated feature variables. Noteworthy, the mismatch principle also generalizes to a certain extent the classical orthogonality principle for ordinary least squares. This adaption allows us to investigate problem setups of recent interest, most importantly, high-dimensional parameter regimes and non-linear observation processes. In particular, our theoretical framework is applied to various scenarios of practical relevance, such as single-index models, variable selection, and strongly correlated designs. We thereby demonstrate the key purpose of the mismatch principle, that is, learning (semi-)parametric output rules under large model uncertainties and misspecifications.
IMMUNOGLOBULIN DYNAMICS WITH AGE IN CALVES FROM FARMS IN SLOVENIA

The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of immunoglobulin concentration in calf serum regarding the age of animals and influence of the farm. Seventy and one Holstein Friesian calves from two herds were serially sampled from birth to the age of 20 weeks. The calves received 1–1.5 l of colostrum by teat bottle, within 1 to 3 h after birth. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured with ELISA. In colostrum samples from their mothers, the total Ig concentrations were estimated with a colostrometer. Age had a significant effect on the concentrations of immunoglobulins (P<0.001). The farm had significant effect on the concentration of IgG and IgM (P<0.001) and also on IgA (P=0.014). The temporal dynamics of serum IgG concentration was similar on both farms, but not in the case of IgA and IgM. In calves from farm 2, higher concentrations of IgA and IgM were established after the 5 th week of life. That was associated with the incidence of respiratory diseases observed in calves on this farm. The calves of both farms were divided into three groups regarding the IgG concentration in the 1 st week of life, and further IgG dynamics with age was investigated. The effect of group was statistically significant (P<0.001) indicating that the calves have different abilities for IgG production.
A Proposed Economic Household Portfolio Model On Land Acquisition and Utilisation in A1 Resettlement Areas in Zimbabwe

The primary aim of the study was to construct an economic household portfolio model that helps to explain household behaviour in land acquisition and utilisation in A1 resettlement areas. The study used qualitative approach. A case study of two A1 resettlement areas in Goromonzi District in Mashonaland East Province was used to produce in-depth and comprehensive information. This enabled the researcher to use participant observation to describe the context of A1 farmers, identify the variables and analyse the interactions of the different household variables on land acquisition and utilisation in A1 resettlement areas. The proposed economic household portfolio model on land acquisition and utilisation analysed three levels of the socioeconomic behaviour of the household: the individual member of the household and the intra-household dynamics between and among members; the whole household at the aggregate level and the interaction between the household, its members and the external economic, social or political environment (supra-household or social network). The interaction between household resources and household activities determine the acquisition, utilisation and/or disposal of land in A1 resettlement areas. Household resources and household activities are linked by two opposing flows, expenditure flow and income flow. The expenditure household flow represents both individual and joint household resources that are used to support household agricultural activities while the income household flow represents the income generated from agricultural activities of production and investment. The proposed economic household portfolio model on land acquisition and utilisation needs further development if it is to be used as a tool for analysing the distribution of land between married partners. The evaluation of the distribution of land would be just the beginning and constitutes a basis for further related research in terms of its contributions and insights.
Seed and regeneration ecology in dry Afromontane forests of Ethiopia: I. Seed production - population structures

A series of events occur in the process of regeneration, namely flowering, seed production and dispersal, incorporation of seeds into the soil, seed predation or germination, seedling establishment and growth and formation of seedling banks. Forests are subjected to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances, which disrupt the process of plant regeneration. In response to these disturbances, succession is triggered in which different plants use varying strategies to regenerate themselves. For instance, tropical forest plants regenerate from one or more pathways, namely seed rain, soil seed bank, seedling bank or advance regeneration and coppice. The objective of this paper is to present the first part of an overview of the available information on seed and regeneration ecology in dry Afromontane forests (DAF) of Ethiopia. The review focuses on: (i) seed production and dispersal; (ii) soil seed banks: incorporation of seeds into the soil, species richness and densities, spatial and temporal variation and depletion of seeds in the soil; (iii) seed dormancy and germination, requirements for seed germination: light, temperature, interaction between light and temperature, scarification, moisture and dry storage; and (iv) seedling banks, seedling survival, seedling growth and population structures of woody plants. Thematic areas for future research are recommended. Resumen: Una serie de eventos tiene lugar durante el proceso de regeneracion: floracion, produccion y dispersion de semillas, incorporacion de semillas al suelo, depredacion de semillas o germinacion, establecimiento y crecimiento de plantulas y formacion de bancos de plantulas. Los bosques estan sujetos a disturbios tanto naturales como antropogenicos, los cuales afectan el proceso de regeneracion de las plantas. En respuesta a estos disturbios, se dispara una sucesion en la que diferentes plantas usan diversas estrategias para regenerarse. Por ejemplo, las plantas de bosque tropical se regeneran a partir de una o mas rutas, a saber: lluvia de semillas, banco de semillas del suelo, banco de plantulas, regeneracion de avanzada o rebrote. El objetivo de este articulo es presentar la primera parte de una revision de la informacion disponible sobre la ecologia de las semillas y de la regeneracion en bosques secos afromontanos (DAF) de Etiopia. La revision se enfoca en: (i) produccion y dispersion de semillas; (ii) bancos de semillas del suelo: incorporacion de semillas al suelo, riqueza y densidades de especies, variacion espacial y temporal y disminucion de semillas en el suelo; (iii) latencia y germinacion de las semillas, requerimientos para la germinacion de las semillas: luz, temperatura, interaccion entre luz y temperatura, escarificacion, almacenamiento humedo y seco; y (iv) bancos de plantulas, supervivencia de plantulas, crecimiento de plantulas y estructuras poblacionales de plantas lenosas. Se hacen recomendaciones sobre areas tematicas para investigaciones futuras.
Rethinking Regional Path Dependence: Beyond Lock-in to Evolution

This paper argues that in its 'canonical' form, the path dependence model, with its core concept of 'lock-in, affords a very restrictive and narrowly applicable account of regional and local industrial evolution, an account moreover that is tied to problematic underpinnings based on equilibrist thinking. As such the canonical path dependence model actually stresses continuity rather than change. The paper goes on to explore recent developments in historical sociology and political science, where there are active attempts to rethink the application of path dependence to the evolution of institutions so as to emphasise change rather than continuity. These developments are used to argue for a rethinking of path dependence ideas in economic geography.
Spectrum and frequency of macromutations induced in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present investigation was undertaken to study the frequency and spectrum of morphological mutants induced by gamma rays and EMS in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The seeds of 2 varieties of chickpea, Pusa-212 and Pusa-372, were treated with gamma rays (150 Gy, 200 Gy, 300 Gy, and 400 Gy), EMS (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%) and combination treatments (200Gy+0.2%EMS, 300Gy+0.2%EMS, 200Gy+0.3%EMS, and 300 Gy+0.3%EMS). The M 2 population was carefully screened for various viable macromutations. A wide spectrum of viable morphological mutations affecting almost all parts of the plant were isolated in the M2 generation. The most striking mutants isolated included tall, dwarf, broad-leaved, white-flowered, bold-seeded and high-yielding mutants. Differences in varietal response to different mutagens was clearly evident as both of the varieties differed in the spectrum and frequency of mutations induced. Combination treatments were most effective in inducing a wider spectrum and maximum frequency of macro mutations, followed by EMS. Of all the morphological mutations, the frequency of leaf mutations was maximum, followed by plant height and seed mutants. Most of the macro mutants were confirmed to be true-breeding in the M3 generation except for the highly sterile ones. Some mutants were specifically isolated in a particular mutagen type. The results indicate that induced mutability is governed by the genotype of the material used and that the mutagenic specificity for different traits varies.
Clustered supernovae drive powerful galactic winds after superbubble breakout

We use three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of vertically stratified patches of galactic discs to study how the spatio-temporal clustering of supernovae (SNe) enhances the power of galactic winds. SNe that are randomly distributed throughout a galactic disc drive inefficient galactic winds because most supernova remnants lose their energy radiatively before breaking out of the disc. Accounting for the fact that most star formation is clustered alleviates this problem. Super-bubbles driven by the combined effects of clustered SNe propagate rapidly enough to break out of galactic discs well before the clusters' SNe stop going off. The radiative losses post-breakout are reduced dramatically and a large fraction ($\gtrsim 0.2$) of the energy released by SNe vents into the halo powering a strong galactic wind. These energetic winds are capable of providing strong preventative feedback and eject substantial mass from the galaxy with outflow rates on the order of the star formation rate. The momentum flux in the wind is only of order that injected by the SNe, because the hot gas vents before doing significant work on the surroundings. We show that our conclusions hold for a range of galaxy properties, both in the local Universe (e.g., M82) and at high redshift (e.g., $z \sim 2$ star forming galaxies). We further show that if the efficiency of forming star clusters increases with increasing gas surface density, as suggested by theoretical arguments, the condition for star cluster-driven super-bubbles to break out of galactic discs corresponds to a threshold star formation rate surface density for the onset of galactic winds $\sim 0.03$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-2}$, of order that observed.
Laboratory Hybridization between Two Oysters: Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea hongkongensis

ABSTRACT Interspecific hybridization is a useful tool in genetic improvement of agriculture and aquaculture species. The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and the Hong Kong oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) are both important aquaculture species in China. To determine whether these 2 species can hybridize and produce viable offspring, we conducted 2×2 factorial crosses between them. Asymmetry in fertilization was observed when C. hongkongensis eggs were fertilized readily by C. gigas sperm, but the reciprocal cross resulted in no fertilization. Embryos from C. hongkongensis female × C. gigas male crosses developed normally without noticeable defects, although their survival rate to D-stage was less than embryos of the two intraspecific crosses. From D-stage to metamorphosis, larvae of hybrid crosses had slower growth and a lower survival rate than that of intraspecific crosses. Nevertheless, 0.57% of hybrid D-larvae survived to spat stage at day 90. Hybrid spat had good survival (78.9%) to 1 y of age, but were significantly (P < 0.001) smaller than oysters of intraspecific crosses. Gonadal development was absent or retarded in most hybrids at 1 y of age, although some hybrids (39.2%) produced mature gametes. Our results show that hybridization between C. gigas and C. hongkongensis is possible in one direction. Some hybrids are viable, partly fertile, and can be used potentially for gene introgression between these two species.
Amended diagnosis and redescription of Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900) (Amphibia: Craugastoridae), with a description of its advertisement call and notes on its breeding ecology and phylogenetic relationships

The frog Pristimantis marmoratus was originally described as Hylodes marmoratus by George A. Boulenger in 1900 based on a single specimen reported to have been collected at the foot of Mount Roraima in Guyana in 1898. We herein discuss the exact location of the type locality of P. marmoratus and provide a redescription of the species based on new material from Kaieteur National Park and from the slopes of Maringma-tepui in Guyana. We also describe the previously unknown vocalization and breeding ecology of the species, and conducted an exploratory molecular analysis of the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Pristimantis represented by the members of the “ unistrigatus species group” in the Guiana Shield. Pristimantis marmoratus is a small-sized species mainly distinguished from its known Guiana Shield congeners by the combination of F I < II, SVL ≤ 20.4 in males, presence of vocal slits in males, granular/pustulate dorsal skin with well-developed scapular ridges, basal webbing between fingers, fringes on fingers and toes, crossed iris, diffuse yellow or pale green wash on groin, and absence of flashy colour on axillary/pre-axillary region. The advertisement call consists of a single note repeated at a rate of ca 11 calls/min with a dominant frequency ranging from 2756 to 3101 Hz. Pristimantis marmoratus is primarily arboreal, exclusively active at dusk, and probably restricted to the pristine rainforests of the Pantepui uplands and highlands, east of the Gran Sabana between ca 600 and 1800 m above sea level. Preliminary molecular analyses recovered Pristimantis marmoratus as sister to an unnamed species from the Eastern Guiana Shield. On grounds of the newly established distributional extent we suggest maintaining the IUCN conservation status as Least Concern.
Effect of Crosslinking on swelling behaviour of IPN hydrogels of Guar Gum and Polyacrylamide

An IPN system comprising of guar gum and polyacrylamide has been made in aqueous medium. Polymerization of acrylamide has been achieved in the presence of guar gum using potassium persulphate as initiator. One set of gels has been made with N,N’-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as the crosslinking agent and another with MBA and Gluteraldehyde(GA) as crosslinking agents. The effect of using single and two crosslinking agents on the gel structure has been evaluated by studying the swelling behaviour of gels made with different amounts of crosslinking agents. The gels crosslinked with MBA alone exhibited 3-5 times higher swelling when compared to the gels with 2 crosslinkers. The kinetics of swelling has been studied and the swelling parameters have been evaluated
The additivity of true or apparent phosphorus digestibility values in some feed ingredients for growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the additivity of apparent or true digestibility of phosphorus (P) in soybean meal (SBM), peas, faba beans, corn, oats, broken rice meal, rough rice meal, buckwheat, and sorghum for growing pigs. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used as a digestion marker in both experiments. Each experiment lasted for 12 d, which consisted of a 7-d dietary adaptation period followed by a 5-d fecal collection period. Experiment 1 involved 6 diets: the SBM-based control diet; 4 diets with corn, oats, rough rice meal and broken rice meal substituted for SBM; and an additional diet with a representative mixture of the 5 ingredients. In Experiment 2, 6 diets were prepared similarly, except that the tested ingredients besides SBM were faba beans, peas, buckwheat, and sorghum. In each experiment, six barrows with an initial average individual BW of 20.5 kg were fed one of the six diets according to a 6×6 Latin square design. The apparent and true P digestibility values for the nine tested ingredients were determined by the substitution method. There were no differences (p>0.05) between the determined and the predicted true P digestibility values for the mixture of ingredients in Experiments 1 and 2. However, the determined and the predicted apparent P digestibility values for the mixture of ingredients differed (p = 0.059) in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2. These results indicate that true P digestibility values are additive in ingredients containing low levels of phytate phosphorus and anti-nutritional factors, whereas the apparent P digestibility
The Effects of Collecting Income Taxes on Social Security Benefits

Since 1983, Social Security benefits have been subject to income taxation, a provision that can significantly increase the marginal income tax rate for older individuals. To assess the impact of this tax, we construct and calibrate a detailed life-cycle model of labor supply, saving, and Social Security claiming. We find that in a long-run stationary environment, replacing the taxation of Social Security benefits with a revenue-equivalent change in the payroll tax would increase labor supply, consumption, and welfare. From an ex-ante perspective an equally desirable reform would be to make the portion of benefits subject to income taxes completely independent of other income.
CARBON DYNAMIC SHIFTS WITH LAND USE CHANGE IN MARGALLAH HILLS NATIONAL PARK, ISLAMABAD (PAKISTAN) FROM 1990 TO 2017

Land use change (LUC) particularly the conversion of forest to other land uses, determines the scale of forest carbon shifts. Here, remotely sensed data Multispectral Satellite Images (MSI) of the study area for the year 1990, 2000, 2010, 2017 and geographic information system (GIS) tools were used to analyze the land use change patterns. For biomass calculation and related forest carbon losses in the Margallah Hills National Park of Pakistan the field inventory data were collected by random forest sampling from 1990 to 2017 . Our results showed that during the period from 1990 to 2017, the area under dense forest decreased by 11.14% (0.41% yr), while the area under open forests increased by 4.28% (0.15% yr). Similarly, agricultural land and settlements increased by 53.17% (1.96% yr) and 67.78% (2.51% yr) respectively, during the same period. The conversion of forests into other land uses resulted in the reduction of carbon value. In 1990, carbon loss is estimated at 5531.5 MgC∙yr (7.22%) of the total carbon pool. Overall, land use change released 154 GgC (5.70 GgC∙yr ), highlighting that land use change significantly alters carbon dynamics of the Park. Land use change and related carbon losses indicating the magnitude of anthropogenic disturbances in the Park. The preservation and rehabilitation of degraded forest as well as reforestation of the converted forests are necessary for forest carbon conservation meeting emissions reduction obligations of the Kyoto Protocol.
Modulation of ABA signaling in vivo by an engineered receptor-insensitive PP2C allele

Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Universidad Politecnica de Valencia. Avd de los Naranjos, ES-46022 Valencia, Spain Phone: 34 963877860 Fax: 34 963877859 E-mail: prodriguez@ibmcp.upv. es Journal research area: signal transduction and hormone action Plant Physiology Preview. Published on March 14, 2011, as DOI:10.1104/pp.110. 170894
Observed trends in ground-level O 3 in Monterrey, Mexico, during 1993-2014: comparison with Mexico City and Guadalajara

Abstract. Here, we present an assessment of long-term trends in O3 and odd oxygen (O3 + NO2) at the industrial Monterrey metropolitan area (MMA) in NE Mexico. Diurnal amplitudes in Ox (AVd) are used as a proxy for net O3 production, which is influenced by the NO2 photolysis rate. No significant differences in the AVd are observed between weekends and weekdays, although the largest AVd values are observed at sites downwind of industrial areas. The highest O3 mixing ratios are observed in spring, with minimum values in winter. The largest annual variations in O3 are typically observed downwind of the MMA, with the lowest variations generally recorded in highly populated areas and close to industrial areas. A wind sector analysis of mixing ratios of O3 precursors revealed that the dominant sources of emissions are located in the industrial regions within the MMA and surrounding area. Significant increasing trends in O3 in spring, summer, and autumn are observed depending on site location, with trends in annual averages ranging between 0.19 and 0.33 ppb yr−1. Overall, from 1993 to 2014, within the MMA, O3 has increased at an average rate of 0.22 ppb yr−1 (p
In Vitro Inhibitory Activity of the Leaf Methanol Extract of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) against Lactococcus garvieae and Aeromonas hydrophila Isolated of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Camellia sinensis Linn is a well-known medical herb that grows in various parts of the world. In the current study, the antimicrobial activity of methanol extract from C. sinensis leaves against Lactococcus garvieae and Aeromanas hydrophila isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. The growth inhibitory effects of green tea extract was determined by disc diffusion method (3 times on different days), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using serial dilution and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). For the L. garvieae and A. hydrophila, the zone diameter inhibition (ZDI) of extract ranged 2.30 - 16.5 mm. The highest ZDI (16.50 ± 1.12 mm) for L. garvieae was observed at 100 mg•ml-1 and for A. hydrophila (16.20 ± 0.95 mm) at 250 mg•ml-1 concentration of green tea extract (P •ml-1 concentrations of extract, ZDI values of A. hydrophila and L. garvieae showed significant difference (P •ml-1 against both L. garvieae and A. hydrophila. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that methanol extract of C. sinenses leaves could be effective for the inhibition of A. hydrophila and L. garvieae in rainbow trout.