Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting patterns of population structure in the montane caddisflies Hydropsyche tenuis and Drusus discolor in the Central European highlands.

Summary 1. In this study, we compared mitochondrial sequence data (cytochrome oxidase I) to infer the population structure of the two montane caddisflies Hydropsyche tenuis and Drusus discolor. The two species are contrasting examples of montane aquatic insects with insular distributions: D. discolor is restricted to altitudes above 600 m, H. tenuis is limited to the same mountain ranges in Central Europe but inhabits lower altitudes. 2. In particular, we ask whether these two species with similar regional distributions show similar patterns of population structure and haplotype diversity, and whether any differences can be attributed to population history and/or autecology. 3. To determine the population structure of both species, we applied conventional population genetics analyses to mitochondrial sequence data. We collected and sampled 121 specimens of H. tenuis from 29 sites in 10 different regions of the Central European highlands and 138 individuals of D. discolor from 40 sites in 11 different regions. 4. Nine unique haplotypes were identified for H. tenuis and 34 for D. discolor. There were eight variable positions in H. tenuis and 41 in D. discolor. The maximum difference between haplotypes was 0.8% (4 bp) for H. tenuis and 4.2% (21 bp) for D. discolor. We observed haplotype overlap between geographic regions for both species. Analysis of molecular variance showed that two-thirds of the total variance in H. tenuis was found among regions while in D. discolor, a larger portion of variance was found within regions and populations due to a higher number of haplotypes observed within regions. Mantel test showed a significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance in D. discolor, but no significant relationship in H. tenuis. 5. Our analyses show that, despite their very similar overall distribution pattern in Europe, the two species exhibit distinct population structures, which may reflect differences in phylogeographic history, dispersal capabilities, habitat specifity or within-region geographic occurrence.
Differences in movement behaviour between successful and less successful goalkeepers in the interception of corner kicks

The aim of this study is to analyze the movement behavior of young football goalkeepers when they try to catch balls from corner kicks. Goalkeepers were classified on their success during the interception, creating two groups of analysis, successful and less successful goalkeepers. The most successful goalkeepers obtained a higher success rate with a motor behavior characterized by moving your hands later and therefore catch the ball later that goalkeepers less successful. These results show that the specific requirements of catch a ball from a corner kick are similar to the requirements of catch balls in other sports. They are therefore less similar to the anticipation of future actions on projections of global equities football.
Local labor market resilience : evidence from the French Air Force base closures

This paper estimates how effects of demand shocks vary with local labor market conditions. Therefore, we estimate the effect on local unemployment of 14 air force base closures occurring between 2003 and 2014. We use common factor panel and synthetic control methods to construct a credible ”counterfactual” for each employment zone which experienced a closure. By analyzing quarterly local unemployment data, we show that air base closure increase local unemployment. Common factor panel shows that air base closure lead to a rise in local unemployment in quarters following the shock. Synthetic control method reveals heterogeneity in local economy’s resilience. In line with Glaeser et al. (2014), our quantitative analysis shows that disparity in human capital stock is the most relevant explanation for the observed heterogeneity in resilience.
Corporate Governance, Idiosyncratic Risk, and Information Flow

We study the relationship of corporate governance policy and idiosyncratic risk. Firms with fewer antitakeover provisions display higher levels of idiosyncratic risk, trading activity, private information flow, and information about future earnings in stock prices. Trading interest by institutions, especially those active in merger arbitrage, strengthens the relationship of governance to idiosyncratic risk. Our results indicate that openness to the market for corporate control leads to more informative stock prices by encouraging collection of and trading on private information. Consistent with an information-flow interpretation, the component of volatility unrelated to governance is associated with the efficiency of corporate investment.
Assessment of dominant bacterial strains isolated from Ntoba mbodi, an indigenous African alkaline-fermented food, and their potential enzyme activities

Ntoba mbodi is a stable and long-life alkaline-fermented food and the domestic-scale production depends upon microorganisms from the local environment. Previous studies on bacteria in Ntoba mbodi have reported the presence of Bacillus related species and other bacterial taxa. But the abundance of these bacteria in Ntoba mbodi still needs to be determined to assess their ecological importance in this particular environment. In the present study, we used an extinction dilution approach for isolation and taxonomic affiliation of the dominant isolates obtained from the highest positive dilution of Ntoba mbodi. We also tested the hypothesis that there is a convergence in the bacterial community profile in Ntoba mbodi, irrespective of the origins of the food, by assessing the set of dominant bacteria that was found in all the samples studied. The density of the bacteria ranged from 1.67×1010 to 2.8×1010 CFU g-1. Eleven distinct morphotypes were isolated at the highest positive dilution of Ntoba mbodi and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses. Eight isolates were classified as Bacillus related species. A set of five strains was shared between all samples of Ntoba mbodi which were closest to Bacillus altitudinis, Bacillus sp. C-32, Staphylococcus sciuri and Bacterium NLAE-ʫ-H375. Of the eleven predominant isolates, eight showed cellulase activity and five showed xylanase and β-glucosidase activity. Key words: Bacillus, cassava leaves, alkaline-fermentation, Ntoba mbodi, indigenous fermented foods.
Urban expansion and vegetal cover loss in and around Nigeria's Federal Capital City

Since Abuja became Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory in 1976; it has been experiencing rapid expansion, urbanization and significant changes in its physical landscape. This study used Remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify, mark and measure the extent of change in the various land uses from the Landsat imageries of 1987 and 2001, and Nigeriasat-1 imagery of 2006. The study revealed that while built-up area increased, vegetation cover decreased at an alarming rate. Using population figures of the study area for 1987, 2001 and 2006, the Land Consumption Rate (LCR) and Land Absorption Coefficient (LAC) were determined. Increasing population and expansion in the Federal Capital City (FCC) resulted in land degradation including loss of vegetal cover, indiscriminate waste disposal, contamination of surface water, etc. now clearly visible in the FCC. In view of the important role that vegetation plays as a carbon sink, policy-makers are requested to strictly enforce the existing laws on afforestation and parks establishment and other measures, within and around the FCC in order to achieve a sustainable urban growth and development.
Effect of microRNA-199a-5p in proliferation and apoptosis through directly action of NF-κB1 on esophageal cancer

Aberrant expression of microRNA-199a-5p (miR-199a-5p) has been frequently reported in some cancers excluding esophageal cancer (EC). The role and its molecular mechanism of miR-199a-5p in EC have not been reported. In this study, we explored the effects of miR-199a-5p overexpression on apoptosis and invasion in EC cells. The mRNA level of miR-199a-5p in EC cell lines was determined by real-time PCR. The miR-199a-5p mimic was transiently transfected into BC cells using LipofectamineTM 2000 reagent. Subsequently, the Brdu-ELISA results showed that introduction of miR-199a-5p inhibited cell proliferation. Our data also demonstrated that miR-199a-5p mimic arrested cell cycle progression and promoted apoptosis of EC109 and TE-1 cells. In addition, miR-199a-5p overexpression could also inhibit invasion and EMT of EC109 and TE-1 cells, qRT-PCR were used to determine the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and -9) in EC cells. Next, we found that NF-κB1 expression was evidently reduced by up-regulation of miR-199a-5p. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the NF-κB1 was a potential target gene of miR-199a-5p. Luciferase reporter assay further confirmed that miR-199a-5p could directly target the 3’UTR of NF-κB1. Moreover, overexpression of NF-κB1 in EC cells transfected with miR-199a-5p mimic partially reversed the inhibitory of miR-199a-5p mimic. In conclusion, miR-199a-5p induced cell apoptosis and inhibited metastasis in EC cells by down-regulation of NF-κB1.
The Effects of Interactivity and Product Information on Consumers’ Emotional Responses to an Online Retail Setting

This study examined how two aspects of an online shopping environment can influence the emotional states of consumers, and how these emotions subsequently affect their intentions to purchase products online. A web-based experiment (using a 3 × 3 between-subjects factorial design) was conducted, where respondents were exposed to a simulated online retail store. A total of 360 responses were collected from web users. The two independent variables examined were level of interactivity and amount of information. Emotion was measured using the two emotional states of pleasure and arousal. Results suggest that a linear relationship exists between the level of interactivity provided by an online store and pleasure. Moreover, pleasure (and in some cases arousal) was found to be a significant predictor of the likelihood that a consumer would purchase products online.
Travelling wave ultrasonic motor using the B/sub 08/ flexural mode of a circular membrane

This paper describes the design, construction, and performance of a piezoelectric motor that uses the travelling B/sub 08/ mode of an 80-mm diameter circular membrane to drive a rotor by frictional contact. The motor is of a thin planar design, giving high torque of up to 0.33 Nm at low speed and has been developed as a design that can be made with lithographic techniques for miniaturization. Investigations of the free stator with a vibration pattern imager and impedance analyser gave the resonance frequency, mode, and electromechanical coupling of the stator. Motor speed as a function of frequency for a constant voltage and performance charts of speed, output power, and efficiency against torque are presented for a particular input voltage and rotor pre-load. The effects of two different lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ring dimensions have been investigated. Excitation of the B/sub 09/ mode has been observed, incommensurate with the piezoelectric excitation of the stator. This is discussed with relation to edge-clamping of the stator. Single standing wave motoring was observed, believed to arise from asymmetry of the stator and its perturbation of the B/sub 08/ resonance mode. Sources of power loss, including frame vibration and friction interface slip, are considered and discussed.
Role of n-Decane in an Alternative Bitumen Recovery Method

A lower-temperature water/solvent hybrid bitumen extraction (HBE) has been considered as a possible alternative method to the commercially used hot or warm aqueous extraction for mineable oil sands. This communication describes the effectiveness of ndecane (as an example of a high-boiling-point solvent) in the HBE process. Extraction efficiencies of decane-based HBE flotation tests using a batch extraction unit, and the amount of decane ending up in the extracted tailings were determined by gas chromatography. It was suggested that adding n-decane significantly enhanced bitumen recovery at 20°C for three different grades of ore, but was not as effective as additions of lighter solvents such as n-hexane, at the same dosage. Interestingly, the levels of solvent remained in the decane-based HBE tailings for the three ores were much higher than levels obtained when nhexane was used in the HBE. The relationship between n-decane loss ratio to tailings and bitumen recovery is outlined. Publication History: Received: 06 December 2018 | Revised: 26 December 2018 |Accepted: 11 January 2019
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DISASTER

Human beings have always experienced disasters. A disaster may be brief,but its psychological effects may last for many years. These psychological effects are increasingly well documented.Disasters affect not only those immediately involved, but also those whoknow the victims. This is perhaps particularly so when the victims arechildren. Commonly when adults hear news of disasters they ask first: What about the children? Of course, typically it is worse for the parents.In this article the definition and classification of disaster and the effects ofdisaster on survivors and their relatives will be discussed.
From Particular Times and Spaces to Metaphysics of Leopold´s Ethics of the Land

Modern rationalism transformed the modern homeland to a discursive space and time by means of institutes governing the modern society in all its walks. Based on the Newtonian and Kantian conception of space and time the discursive field is just a scene wherein any human individual adopts stewardship to create progress by reducing landscape and non-human life to auxiliary items for human’s benefit. In contrast, Aldo Leopold considered humans, non human life and the landscape as mutually influencing participants and enlarged ethical care to all living participants and the landscape, called ´the land´. Integrity and autonomy of the homeland are the central topics of Leopold’s land ethics. Baird Callicott suggested to complete it with new metaphysical conceptions of space and time. We formulated a metaphysical background for Leopold’s land ethics by phenomenology of space and time based on the Leibnizian conception of space-time. The latter is constructed by particular places and events called ´ecotopois´ embracing all human participants, locals and foreigners in a varying symbolic temporal and spatial field of dynamic process of identification and self consciousness. Adopting Warwick Fox´ transpersonal identification idea non-human life and landscape enriches these processes. Finally, it is not a matter of conquering the land, it is matter of making a community. Though landscape and participants are particular, integrity and autonomy of the homeland claim the universal status of the land. Adopting Gadamer hermeneutical way of understanding, we reject mutual and equally understanding. Only acceptance of mutual prejudice makes room for asymmetric praxis between locals and foreigners as well as between humans and non-humans. What is more, Gadamer´s hermeneutics makes an ontological status of the foreigner possible and recognizes the interest of homeland’s particularity. This universal status is guaranteed as a priori space-time that links subject’s tradition and that of the land to actual contact with the foreigner. Transpersonal identification is a consequence of converging hermeneutical understanding of foreigner’s particularity and that of the landscape. Ethics of the land evolves from the ethical status of any foreigner in the own homeland.
Phase and Lyot-type coronagraphs for the High Order Testbench: prototyping and first laboratory results

We report laboratory development of coronagraphic devices to be implemented on the High Order Testbench (HOT) to assess intensity reduction between them at a high Strehl ratio regime. The high order test bench implements extreme adaptive optics with realistic telescope conditions reproduced by star and turbulence generators. A 32×32 actuator micro deformable mirror, one pyramid wave front sensor, one Shack-Hartmann wave front sensor and the ESO SPARTA real-time computer. This will enable characterization and comparative study of different types of coronagraphs in realistic conditions. We have developed several prototypes of promising coronagraphs concepts: Four Quadrants Phase Mask1 (FQPM), Lyot2 coronagraphs and Apodized Pupil Lyot Coronagraph3 (APLC). We will describe the design of the IR coronagraphic path on HOT, prototyping processes used for each coronagraph and discuss quality control and first results obtained on a IR coronagraphic testbench (Strehl ratio ~ 94%). Finally, we will present our experiment plan and future coronagraph developments.
A six-factor model of brand personality and its predictive validity

The study examines applicability and usefulness of HEXACO-based model in the description of brand personality. Following contemporary theoretical developments in human personality research, Study 1 explored the latent personality structure of 120 brands using descriptors of six personality traits as defined in HEXACO model: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness. The results of exploratory factor analyses have supported HEXACO personality six-factor structure to a large extent. In Study 2 we addressed the question of predictive validity of HEXACO-based brand personality. Brand personality traits, but predominantly Honesty-Humility, accounted for substantial amount of variance in prediction of important aspects of consumer-brand relationship: attitude toward brand, perceived quality of a brand, and brand loyalty. The implications of applying HEXACO-based brand personality in marketing research are discussed.
Coral-algal competition: macroalgae with different properties have different effects on corals

Competition between hard corals and macroalgae is a key ecological process on coral reefs, especially during reef degradation, which often involves a 'phase-shift' from coral- to alga-dominated reefs. However, there are relatively few published studies exploring the variability in this interaction. This paper expands the range of documented coral-algal interactions by comparing the mechanisms and outcomes of interactions involving 3 different algal species, as well as general, mixed algal turfs. Mixed filamentous turfs had relatively minor effects on corals. However, the turfing filamentous red alga Corallophila huysmansii provided a dramatic exception to this pattern, being able to settle on, overgrow and kill live coral tissue, perhaps due to allelochemical production by the alga, although this was not directly demonstrated. The larger filamentous alga Chlorodesmis fastigiata ('Turtle Weed'), which is conspicuous and abundant on Indo-Pacific reefs, caused polyp retraction but had little other noticeable effect on coral tissue. A corticated red alga Hypnea pannosa, frequently observed living within colonies of the branching coral Porites cylindrica, did not have a major impact on underlying coral tissue, even over a period of 1 yr, apparently because its relatively translucent and porous thallus structure does not strongly inhibit coral tissue functions. Together, the results demonstrate the considerable potential variability in both the process and outcome of coral-algal competition. This variability can be effectively interpreted in terms of the limited number of mechanisms by which algae can affect corals, with these mechanisms depending largely on the properties (physical, biological, chemical) of the algae. Given the central importance of coral-algal competition to the process of coral reef phase-shifts, understanding the variability and complexity in such competition will have important implications for the prediction and consequences of such phase-shifts.
FORAGING OF THE GOLDEN-CAPPED PARAKEET ( ARATINGA AURICAPILLUS ) IN AN ANTHROPOGENIC LANDSCAPE IN BRAZIL

– Many parrots are increasingly forced to live in anthropogenic landscapes, where their foraging habits and ecological role are little known. We determined the diet of the near-threatened and littleknown Golden-capped Parakeet (Aratinga auricapillus) and examined their foraging ecology in a humanmodified area in Brazil. Over three years of systematic observation, we obtained 65 foraging observations by 270 parakeets, which foraged on 28 plant species, 16 of them exotics. Unripe and ripe seeds comprised 72.3% of observations, suggesting an important ecological role for this parakeet as a pre-dispersal seed predator in anthropogenic landscapes. Based on foraging niche breadth, plant species number and plant composition, there were clear seasonal shifts in parakeet foraging, but food item (flowers and fruits) availability did not vary between dry and wet seasons. Our study demonstrates the importance of cultivated exotic plants to local persistence of the Golden-capped Parakeet. However, we recommend management with targeted native food plants, which could minimize the exploitation of exotic plants by this parrot. Accepted 15 May 2013.
Trends and variability of atmospheric PM 2.5 and PM 10–2.5 concentration in the Po Valley, Italy

Abstract. The Po Valley is one of the largest European regions with a remarkably high concentration level of atmospheric pollutants, both for particulate and gaseous compounds. In the last decade stringent regulations on air quality standards and on anthropogenic emissions have been set by the European Commission, including also for PM2.5 and its main components since 2008. These regulations have led to an overall improvement in air quality across Europe, including the Po Valley and specifically PM10, as shown in a previous study by Bigi and Ghermandi (2014). In order to assess the trend and variability in PM2.5 in the Po Valley and its role in the decrease in PM10, we analysed daily gravimetric equivalent concentration of PM2.5 and of PM10–2.5 at 44 and 15 sites respectively across the Po Valley. The duration of the times series investigated in this work ranges from 7 to 10 years. For both PM sizes, the trend in deseasonalized monthly means, annual quantiles and in monthly frequency distribution was estimated: this showed a significant decreasing trend at several sites for both size fractions and mostly occurring in winter. All series were tested for a significant weekly periodicity (a proxy to estimate the impact of primary anthropogenic emissions), yielding positive results for summer PM2.5 and for summer and winter PM10–2.5. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed moderate variability in PM2.5 across the valley, with two to three main clusters, dividing the area in western, eastern and southern/Apennines foothill sectors. The trend in atmospheric concentration was compared with the time series of local emissions, vehicular fleet details and fuel sales, suggesting that the decrease in PM2.5 and in PM10 originates from a drop both in primary and in precursors of secondary inorganic aerosol emissions, largely ascribed to vehicular traffic. Potentially, the increase in biomass burning emissions in winter and the modest decrease in NH3 weaken an otherwise even larger drop in atmospheric concentrations.