Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are EU subsidies a springboard to the reduction of pesticide use

Many farms are developing more environmentally-friendly practices in order to meet the phytosanitary requirements of both private actors and public authorities. This article analyses the essential contribution of EU subsidies to reducing pesticide use. We use the highly- accurate FADN database from 2007 to 2015y to measure pesticide use and relate it to public subsidies received by farmers within the implementation of the rural development policy for the period 2007 to 2013. The influence of EU subsidies on pesticide use is measured through an econometric model using panel data. In addition to the individual, structural and financial factors which usually explain the implementation of environmentally-friendly practices, our study emphasizes the role of EU subsidies. The results show that overall payments as well as payments from the 1st pillar increase pesticide use while payments from the 2nd pillar lead to a decreasing intensity of pesticide expenditure. Other key individual, structural and financial factors at farm level also have contrasting effects on pesticide use. The efficiency of public policies towards the issue of environmentally-friendly practices is therefore questioned. Acknowledgement :
MAGNETIC FIELD IN ATYPICAL PROMINENCE STRUCTURES: BUBBLE, TORNADO, AND ERUPTION

Spectropolarimetric observations of prominences have been obtained with the THEMIS telescope during four years of coordinated campaigns. Our aim is now to understand the conditions of the cool plasma and magnetism in “atypical” prominences, namely when the measured inclination of the magnetic field departs, to some extent, from the predominantly horizontal field found in “typical” prominences. What is the role of the magnetic field in these prominence types? Are plasma dynamics more important in these cases than the magnetic support? We focus our study on three types of “atypical” prominences (tornadoes, bubbles, and jet-like prominence eruptions) that have all been observed by THEMIS in the He i D3 line, from which the Stokes parameters can be derived. The magnetic field strength, inclination, and azimuth in each pixel are obtained by using the inversion method of principal component analysis on a model of single scattering in the presence of the Hanle effect. The magnetic field in tornadoes is found to be more or less horizontal, whereas for the eruptive prominence it is mostly vertical. We estimate a tendency toward higher values of magnetic field strength inside the bubbles than outside in the surrounding prominence. In all of the models in our database, only one magnetic field orientation is considered for each pixel. While sufficient for most of the main prominence body, this assumption appears to be oversimplified in atypical prominence structures. We should consider these observations as the result of superposition of multiple magnetic fields, possibly even with a turbulent field component.
The gene for human eosinophil Charcot‐Leyden crystal protein directs expression of lysophospholipase activity and spontaneous crystallization in transiently transfected COS cells

Expression of the gene encoding human eosinophil lysophospholipase, the Charcot‐Leyden crystal (CLC) protein, was studied in transiently transfected COS cells. Recombinant CLC (rCLC) protein expression was demonstrated both by Western blot and radioimmunoassay inhibition analyses of transfected COS cell extracts and by immunofluorescent staining and ultrastructural im‐ munogold analyses of intact cells. The rCLC protein was immunochemically indistinguishable from native eosinophil‐derived CLC protein, and each transfected COS cell expressed approximately 11 pg of rCLC protein as determined by radioimmunoassay and assessment of transfection efficiency. Immunofluorescent microscopy and ultrastructural immunogold analyses localized rCLC protein to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane of COS cells. Lysates from transfected COS cells producing CLC protein expressed significant lysophospholipase activity. Furthermore, rCLC protein expressed in COS cells spontaneously formed the distinctive intracytoplas‐ mic and intranuclear hexagonal bipyramidal crystals characteristic of the native eosinophil and basophil‐ derived protein. Expression of the CLC gene confirms the authenticity of the CLC cDNA, the expression of lysophospholipase activity by this unique eosinophil and basophil constituent, and will facilitate the routine purification of the active enzyme for in vitro and animal model studies of its role (or roles) in eosinophil and basophil associated allergic inflammation and eosinophil‐ parasite interactions.
Predicting population consequences of ocean climate change for an ecosystem sentinel, the seabird Cassin's auklet

Forecasting the ecological effects of climate change on marine species is critical for informing greenhouse gas mitigation targets and developing marine conservation strategies that remain effective and increase species' resilience under changing climate conditions. Highly productive coastal upwelling systems are predicted to experience substantial effects from climate change, making them priorities for ecological forecasting. We used a population modeling approach to examine the consequences of ocean climate change in the California Current upwelling ecosystem on the population growth rate of the planktivorous seabird Cassin's auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), a demographically sensitive indicator of marine climate change. We use future climate projections for sea surface temperature and upwelling intensity from a regional climate model to forecast changes in the population growth rate of the auklet population at the important Farallon Island colony in central California. Our study projected that the auklet population growth rate will experience an absolute decline of 11–45% by the end of the century, placing this population on a trajectory toward extinction. In addition, future changes in upwelling intensity and timing of peak upwelling are likely to vary across auklet foraging regions in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE), producing a mosaic of climate conditions and ecological impacts across the auklet range. Overall, the Farallon Island Cassin's auklet population has been declining during recent decades, and ocean climate change in this century under a mid‐level emissions scenario is projected to accelerate this decline, leading toward population extinction. Because our study species has proven to be a sensitive indicator of oceanographic conditions in the CCE and a powerful predictor of the abundance of other important predators (i.e. salmon), the significant impacts we predicted for the Cassin's auklet provide insights into the consequences that ocean climate change may have for other plankton predators in this system.
A New UAG-Encoded Residue in the Structure of a Methanogen Methyltransferase

Genes encoding methanogenic methylamine methyltransferases all contain an in-frame amber (UAG) codon that is read through during translation. We have identified the UAG-encoded residue in a 1.55 angstrom resolution structure of the Methanosarcina barkerimonomethylamine methyltransferase (MtmB). This structure reveals a homohexamer comprised of individual subunits with a TIM barrel fold. The electron density for the UAG-encoded residue is distinct from any of the 21 natural amino acids. Instead it appears consistent with a lysine in amide-linkage to (4R,5R)-4-substituted-pyrroline-5-carboxylate. We suggest that this amino acid be named l-pyrrolysine.
Antenne adaptative : du second ordre aux ordres superieurs. applications aux signaux de telecommunications

En traitement d'antenne, on utilise les signaux recus sur un reseau de capteurs pour caracteriser un ou plusieurs emetteurs ou bruiteurs (les sources) plus ou moins connus. Pour identifier ces sources, on combine les differentes sorties des capteurs ou un certain nombre d'entre elles, les differentes methodes de traitement d'antenne permettent d'extraire le signal qui nous interesse a partir du melange de tous les signaux presents. Ce travail de recherche a pour objet d'etudier des methodes de traitement d'antenne qui permettent de resoudre les problemes de separation et de localisation de signaux utiles dans un contexte bruite. La premiere partie se preoccupe de la definition du filtre spatio-temporel ou spatio-frequentiel au sens du maximum de vraisemblance. Le filtre obtenu est compare au filtre qui maximise le rapport signal a bruit ou qui minimise la puissances des nuisances en sortie sous la contrainte de non-deformation du signal. Cependant lorsqu'aucune information n'est disponible a priori, on utilise les statistiques d'ordre superieur pour la separation de sources. L'algorithme jade utilisee pour la separation de sources bande etroite est etendu au cas de signaux large bande. Dans le contexte des telecommunications, on utilise la propriete de non-circularite des signaux bpsk pour la separation et la localisation des sources. Deux nouveaux algorithmes sont presentes : l'algorithme music et l'analyse en correlation canonique sont etendus au cas de signaux non-circulaires. Enfin, la derniere partie est consacree a la validation des differentes methodes. Des algorithmes par blocs et iteratifs adaptables au contexte des telecommunications sont testes sur des signaux synthetiques ainsi que sur des donnees reelles.
Using the Internet for B2B activities: a review and future directions for research

Illustrates some of the challenges that electronic commerce practitioners and researchers face. A theoretical framework for Web users’ behaviour is developed. Research themes or questions concerning relationships between cross‐national differences, demographics, perceived threats and Web use; assessment of on‐line information for different categories of product; influence of people’s technology resistance on attitudes toward, and behaviours regarding, online shopping; and how these factors affect people’s attempt to externalize costs (e.g. transaction costs) are outlined. The article analyses different decisional contexts for Web shopping, comparing commodity products to products that require engineering support; while the hype is generally on the first, customized and specialty products may be more attractive from a business perspective. Internet commerce of technical products, in the context of corporate purchasing, has been largely ignored. After reviewing the existing literature, the article concludes by presenting future research challenges and practical implications for organizations willing to take advantage of the opportunities the Web offers.
Effect of Digital Marketing on Competitiveness of Automobile Companies in Kenya

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . vi DEDICATION. vii LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xiii CHAPTER ONE . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION.1 1.1 Background of the Study . 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem . 4 1.3 Purpose of the Study . 4 1.4 Research Questions . 5 1.5 Significance of the Study . 5 1.6 Scope of the Study . 6 1.7 Definition of Terms.6 1.8 Chapter Summary . 7 CHAPTER TWO . 8 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 8 2.
Calibrating Prediction Regions

Abstract Suppose that the variable X to be predicted and the learning sample Yn that was observed have a joint distribution, which depends on an unknown parameter θ. The parameter θ can be finite- or infinite-dimensional. A prediction region Dn for X is a random set, depending on Yn , that contains X with prescribed probability α. This article studies methods for controlling simultaneously the conditional coverage proability of Dn , given Yn , and the overall (unconditional) coverage probability of Dn . The basic construction yields a prediction region Dn , which has the following properties in regular models: Both the conditional and overall coverage probabilities of Dn converge to α as the size n of the learning sample increases. The convergence of the former is in probability. Moreover, the asymptotic distribution of the conditional coverage probability about α is typically normal; and the overall coverage probability tends to α at rate n −1. Can one reduce the dispersion of the conditional coverage pr.
Investigating the impact of ECRM success factors on business performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated framework to explore the influences of electronic customer relationship management (ECRM) success factors (process fit, customer information quality and system support) on customer satisfaction, customer trust and customer retention, which, in turn, impact upon the business financial performance of Jordanian commercial banks in Amman city. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 343 branch managers, assistant branch managers and heads of departments in Jordanian commercial banks, who answered a self-administrated questionnaire, data were collected and analysed using structural equation modelling (AMOS 17.0). Findings The results showed that the ECRM success factors (process fit, customer information quality and system support) positively affected customer satisfaction, customer trust and customer retention. Furthermore, the authors discovered that customer satisfaction and customer trust positively influenced customer retention. It was determined that customer satisfaction, customer trust and customer retention positively impact on a business’s financial performance. Originality/value Previous research lacks the link between ECRM success factors and business performance (financial and non-financial).
Doppler indexes of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in relation to the arterial stiffness in a general population

Background: Late-systolic loading of the left ventricular (LV) is determined by arterial wave reflections and central vascular stiffening. We, therefore, investigated the relationship between various Doppler indexes reflecting LV systolic and diastolic function and arterial stiffness in the framework of a large population study of randomly recruited study participants. Methods: In 1233 study participants (51.7% women; mean age, 48 years; 41.5% hypertensive), using conventional and tissue Doppler imaging, we measured: the transmitral early (E) and late (A) diastolic velocities; tissue Doppler imaging systolic and early (e′) and late diastolic mitral annular velocities; and end-systolic longitudinal and radial strain. Using applanation tonometry, we assessed central pulse pressure (cPP), augmentation pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Results: After full adjustment, transmitral E and A peaks increased with augmentation pressure and cPP (P less than 0.0001) and e′ was positively associated with cPP (P = 0.013). The E/e′ ratio increased significantly with augmentation pressure (P less than 0.0001), cPP (P less than 0.0001) and pulse wave velocity (P = 0.048). Although accounting for covariables, all arterial indexes were on average significantly higher in the diastolic dysfunction group with elevated filling pressure (n = 171) when compared to participants with normal diastolic function (n = 961; P ⩽ 0.0004) or with impaired relaxation (n = 101; P ⩽ 0.008). Longitudinal strain decreased independently with mean arterial pressure (P = 0.03). The correlation between radial strain and the arterial indexes shifted from positive at middle age (50–60 years) to negative at older (P less than 0.0001 for interaction). Conclusion: Our study underscored the importance of arterial characteristics as a mediator of LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. We demonstrated an age-dependent relationship between radial strain and indexes of arterial stiffness.
Considering the Prevalence of the "Stimulus Error" in Color Naming Research

P sycholo gy D epar tme nt, U iv rsity of E sex , U ited Ki domA bstract In OD oes the B asic C olor Term s discussion su! er " om the Stimu lus E rror? O R olf K ueh ni desc ribes a resear ch stum bling blo ck know n as the Ostim ulus error,O and hints at the di! cu lties it causes for m ainstream color nam ing resear ch (K ueh ni, " is Issue). A m on g the issues intrinsic to K ueh niOs Ostim ulus errorO description is the im portant question of w hat can generally be inferred from color nam ing behaviors ba sed on bounde d sam ples of em pirical stim uli. H ere w e exam ine some speci#cs of the color nam ing resear ch issues that K ueh ni raises. Wh ile w e share K ueh niOs view regarding potential problem s caused by the Ostim ulus errorO and his concern regarding its prevalence, K ueh-niOs com m entary seem s prim arily aim ed at stim ulating a general discussion of color nam ing research im plications, because the articles he critiques do not actually com m it the Ostim ulus errorO in any seriou s sense. Ba sed on K ueh niOs com m ents, w e furthe r exam ine some of the relevant em pirical and theoretical im plications for cross-cultural color nam ing research. K eyw ords individu al di$ erences, u nique h ues, stim ulus error
Perspectives of Agritourism Development in Poland, Belarus and Ukraine

Agritourism is a form of leisure, which is increasingly popular. The aim of the article is to present perspectives on the development of agritourism in three countries: Poland, Belarus and Ukraine. The analysis was based on statistical data and the author's own observations. The article also includes a SWOT analysis. The analysis, own observations and observations indicate that in all three countries agritourism has a chance for development. The analysed countries differ in their tourist potential, infrastructure, landscape values, monuments, but one thing they do - tourists want to visit them.
Monthly variation in preeclampsia prevalence: Washington state, 1987–2001

Objective. We investigated the extent of monthly variation in preeclampsia prevalence among primiparous women in Washington State who delivered from 1987 through 2001. Methods. We identified all primiparae who gave birth to a singleton live infant during the study period using state birth records linked to hospital inpatient discharge data. We obtained a random sample and excluded women with pre-existing hypertension, renal disease, or diabetes mellitus or missing information on estimated date of conception (EDC) (n = 79 298). We defined preeclampsia (n = 6680) according to maternal birth hospitalization diagnosis codes and birth records. We calculated adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of preeclampsia in each month of conception, relative to the month of lowest prevalence. Results. The prevalence of preeclampsia among primiparae was lowest among those conceiving in January (7.7%) and peaked among February, April, and July conceptions (8.9%). After adjustment, prevalence was significantly higher among women conceiving in February and April through August (PRs versus January: 1.14–1.19). Conclusions. The prevalence of preeclampsia among primiparous women in Washington peaks among those conceiving in spring and summer. Exposures with similar monthly fluctuations may contribute to the etiology of preeclampsia.
Trade barriers and informality of trade: evidence from Benin's borders

Informal cross-border trade is large, ubiquitous, and persistent in Africa. This paper studies the role of trade barriers in this state of aairs. We use a unique survey of informal transactions across Benin's land borders, which pro- vides the rst direct and comprehensive account of trade volumes and product coverage for this type of trade. We combine this data with ocial trade records and exploit variation across products and countries to measure the impact of tari and non-tari barriers to trade on informality. Increasing taris on a given product by 10% makes it 12% to 14% more likely that this product is imported informally rather than formally. Non-tari measures also increase informality. Our results also suggest that compliance costs, aside from taris and regulations, contribute to explain informality.
Nursery-area function of maerl grounds for juvenile queen scallops Aequipecten opercularis and other invertebrates

The services provided by coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests and sea-grass beds are becoming increasingly recognised, yet the functional role of maerl beds has not been ad- dressed. Maerl forms highly biodiverse habitats composed of loose-lying coralline red algae which build up over thousands of years. These carbonate-rich deposits occur in photic areas with strong water movement; they have a widespread global distribution yet remain one of the most overlooked shallow-water marine habitats, with little known about the ecosystem services maerl may provide. Our diving research in Scotland has shown that pristine live maerl (PLM) grounds fulfil nursery area prerequisites for commercial populations of queen scallops Aequipecten opercularis and other inver- tebrates, such as the soft clam Mya arenaria, the sea urchins Psammechinus miliaris and Echinus escu- lentus, and the starfish Asterias rubens, more effectively than impacted dead maerl and other common substrata. The complex architecture of maerl beds attracts high densities of these juvenile inverte- brates, which use PLM grounds as nursery areas in preference to adjacent substrata. Considering its global distribution, it is highly likely that ecosystem services provided by maerl are considerable. Maerl is easily damaged and killed by a variety of human activities, yet its protection would maintain vital nursery area function, benefiting commercial fishery yields and, pivotally, regional biodiversity.
Asymmetry of Tonsillar Ectopia in Chiari I Malformation

There has been almost no evaluation or discussion of the symmetry of tonsillar ectopia in the medical literature. We measured the degree of left and right tonsillar herniation in 42 pediatric patients with a symptomatic Chiari I malformation and made clinical/radiological correlations. 18% of all patients with tonsillar asymmetry had clinical symptoms or physical findings referable to the inequality of their hindbrain herniation. In addition, 95% of patients with a coexisting syringomyelia had a right cerebellar tonsillar herniation greater than the left. We hypothesize that slight differences in posterior cranial fossa morphology may physically allow for greater unilateral herniation of the left or right cerebellar tonsil, which may be manifested in a patient’s clinical presentation.
Multivariate Data Analysis

Chapter 3 deals with probability distributions, discrete and continuous densities, distribution functions, bivariate distributions, means, variances, covariance, correlation, and some random process material. Chapter 4 is a detailed study of the concept of utility including the psychological aspects, risk, attributes, rules for utilities, multidimensional utility, and normal form of analysis. Chapter 5 treats games and optimization, linear optimization, and mixed strategies. Entropy is the topic of Chapter 6 with sections devoted to entropy, disorder, information, Shannon’s theorem, demon’s roulette, Maxwell– Boltzmann distribution, Schrodinger’s nutshell, maximum entropy probability distributions, blackbodies, and Bose–Einstein distribution. Chapter 7 is standard statistical fare including transformations of random variables, characteristic functions, generating functions, and the classic limit theorems such as the central limit theorem and the laws of large numbers. Chapter 8 is about exchangeability and inference with sections on Bayesian techniques and classical inference. Partial exchangeability is also treated. Chapter 9 considers such things as order statistics, extreme value, intensity, hazard functions, and Poisson processes. Chapter 10 covers basic elements of risk and reliability, while Chapter 11 is devoted to curve fitting, regression, and Monte Carlo simulation. There is an ample number of exercises at the ends of the chapters with answers or comments on many of them in an appendix in the back of the book. Other appendices are on the common discrete and continuous distributions and mathematical aspects of integration.