Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Under ice habitats for Antarctic krill larvae: Could less mean more under climate warming?

Overwintering of larvae underneath Antarctic pack ice is a critical stage in the life cycle of Antarctic krill. However, there are no circumpolar assessments of available habitat for larval krill, making it difficult to evaluate how climate change may impact this life stage. We use outputs from a circumpolar sea ice model, together with a set of simple assumptions regarding key habitat features, to identify possible regions of larval krill habitat around Antarctica during winter. We assume that the location and suitability of habitat is determined by both food availability and three‐dimensional complexity of the sea ice. A comparison of the combined area of these regions under current conditions with a warm climate scenario indicates that while total areal sea ice extent decreases, there is a consistently larger area of potential larval krill habitat under warm conditions. These findings suggest that decreases in sea ice extent may not necessarily be detrimental for krill populations.
Effect of processing stages in the physiological quality of maize seeds

Seeds are the primary input in the maize production process, and monitoring seeds through the processing stages is an essential practice in the production chain, particularly when identifying critical points in the process that can interfere with the final seed quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of processing stages in the physiological quality of Balu 761 maize hybrid seeds. Seeds from the Balu 761 maize hybrid obtained during processing (receipt, shelling, drying, threshing, grading and bagging) were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. Physiological seed quality was evaluated using germination, accelerated aging, cold testing, electrical conductivity and seedling length tests, with the latter used to determine the length and dry weight of the shoot and root. The data were subjected to a variance analysis, and the means were compared using the Scott-Knott test (p≤0.05). The physiological quality of Balu 761 maize hybrid seeds was enhanced during processing because the percentage of normal seedlings from cold test, as well as the root length, shoot length and shoot dry weight were optimized when considering the process as a whole, which contributed to the increased vigor of both seeds and seedlings. The germination and accelerated aging tests were not influenced by the processing stages.
A tale of 2 signals: signal mimicry between aposematic species enhances predator avoidance learning

Mullerian mimicry, where 2 or more unrelated aposematic species resemble one another, is predicted to reduce the per capita mortality of co-mimics by allowing them to share the cost of educating naive predators about their unpalatability. However, the specific assumptions and predictions of Muller's theory of shared resemblance have been previously unsupported; some authors have suggested that the benefits of signal similarity are undetectable or at best very small. We demonstrate clearly and unambiguously that mimicry between 2 defended forms can provide substantial protection from uneducated predators in the manner proposed originally by Muller. By utilizing prey signals that were designed and demonstrated, to be equally visible, learned with equal facility, and discriminated by our predators, we assessed the effect of the presence of signal mimicry on the survival of a Model species in a "novel world" experiment, with wild-caught great tits (Parus major) as predators. We found that the net effect of mimicry was mutualistic, with co-mimics showing increased survivorship through shared predator learning. Visually distinct prey showed a mortality benefit from coexistence even without signal mimicry as a result of a density-dependent dilution effect. Perfect mimicry provided an added benefit of enhanced predator avoidance learning, and our results suggest that the benefits of shared warning signals may be even stronger than Muller originally proposed. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for differentiating between Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia

Patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) run a higher risk of developing dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the most common form. Vascular dementia (VaD) is proposed to be the second most common dementia entity, and it includes the clinically relatively homogenous subgroup of subcortical vascular dementia (SVD). Varying degrees of concomitant vascular lesions represent a link between AD and VaD, comprising a state of mixed dementia (MD). Biochemical markers provide important information which may contribute to differentiating between dementias of different etiologies, and in combination with the clinical assessment may improve diagnostic accuracy. The overall aim of this thesis is to provide for better separation between patients suffering from SVD and AD with the aid of biochemical markers. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers T-tau, P-tau181, and Aβ1-42, have proven useful in distinguishing MCI patients who ultimately develop AD (MCI-AD) at follow-up from those who remain stable. However, less is known about the biomarker pattern in MCI patients who develop SVD (MCI-SVD). An elevated baseline level of NF-L was found in MCI-SVD patients compared with stable MCI patients, while MCI-AD had decreased levels of Aβ1-42 and increased levels of T-tau and P-tau181 compared with MCI-SVD patients and stable MCI patients. The biomarkers NF-L, MBP, MMPs and TIMPs together with T-tau, P-tau181, HFABP, and Aβ142 were assessed with the aim of improving discrimination between patients with SVD and AD as well as controls. Biochemical fingerprints representative of subcortical (NF-L, MBP and TIMP1) and cortical alterations (T-tau, P-tau181 and Aβ1-42) provided for high discrimination between patients with SVD and AD, respectively, and between patients and healthy controls. Enzymatic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) was investigated on the basis of possible divergences in CSF APP metabolites in patients with SVD, MD, and AD as well as controls. A correlation between the levels of the soluble APP metabolite cleaved at the β site and the activity of an as yet unknown β-site cleaving metalloproteinase was found in all examined groups indicating similarities in processing pathways but dissimilarities in pathological mechanisms. A multicentre study could be an important step to verify these results. However, high inter-centre variability is a problem for both Tau and Aβ1-42 measurements making such an enterprise difficult. Confounding factors affecting the stability of Aβ measurements were investigated and a major contributing factor seems to be assay specific, due to variation in antibodies and standards. ISBN 978-91-628-8312-6 Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for differentiating between Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia AKADEMISK AVHANDLING Som for avlaggande av medicine doktorsexamen vid Sahlgrenska akademin vid Goteborgs Universitet kommer att offentligen forsvaras vid Molndals sjukhus i Aulan, V-huset, SU/Molndal Torsdagen den 9 juni, kl. 13.00
Laboratory measurements of the seismic velocities and other petrophysical properties of the Outokumpu deep drill core samples, eastern Finland

SUMMARY Petrophysical, in particular seismic velocity, measurements of the Outokumpu deep drill core (depth 2.5 km) have been carried out to characterize the geophysical nature of the Paleoproterozoic crustal section of eastern Finland and to find lithological and geophysical interpretations to the distinct crustal reflectors as observed in seismic surveys. The results show that different lithological units can be identified based on the petrophysical data. The density of the samples remained nearly constant throughout the drilled section. Only diopside-tremolite skarns and black schists exhibit higher densities. The samples are dominated by the paramagnetic behaviour with occasional ferromagnetic signature caused by serpentinitic rocks. Large variations in seismic velocities, both at ambient pressure and under in situ crustal conditions are observed. The porosity of the samples, which is extremely low, is either intrinsic by nature or caused by decompaction related to fracturing during the core retrieval. It is noteworthy that these microfractures have dramatically lowered the VP and VS values. From the measured velocities and density data we have calculated the seismic impedances, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratios for the lithological units of the Outokumpu section and from these data the reflection coefficients for the major lithological boundaries, evident in the surveyed section, were determined. The data show that the strong and distinct reflections visible in wide-angle seismic surveys are caused by interfaces between diopside-tremolite skarn and either serpentinites, mica schist or black schist.
EFFECT OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN HORMONE ON GROWTH AND MATURATION OF ROSY

Title : Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone on growth and maturation of Rosy barb, Barbus conchonius (HamiltonBuchanan) Name : J. Deepa Suman Degree : M.F. Sc. (Fisheries Biology) Chairman : Dr.C. B.T. Rajagopalsamy Department : Department of Fisheries Biology & Capture Fisheries College : Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi. Year and University : 2007, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai. The Rosy barb, Barbus conchonius belonging to the family cyprinidae is an excellent community fish that has high domestic and export value in ornamental fish trade. The presence of Rosy barbs in the aquarium fascinates the spectator. Voluminous information is available regarding the use of Human chorionic gonadotropin in maturation, but only few works were carried out in ornamental fishes. The present investigation was designed to study the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone on the growth, maturation and spawning of Rosy barb, Barbus conchonius (Hamilton – Buchanan). The HCG hormone (HuCoG 5000 IU) was incorporated into the pellet feed at 100 IU (T1), 300 IU (T2), 700 IU (T3) and 1000 IU (T4) concentrations. The experiment has been carried out for a period of 165 days. The influence of different HCG hormone concentrations on body weight, standard length and specific growth rate were tested and the statistical analysis showed the significant difference at P<0.01 level among the Treatments and Culture period. Mean length gain and per day mean length gain, mean weight gain and per day mean weight gain were found to be high in Treatment 2. The HCG hormone induced the maturation of Rosy barbs reared in the Treatments as in the following descending order i.e., T2, T3, T4, T1 and control experimental tanks. The maximum values of GSI was observed in Treatment 2 rosy barbs (16.36%) with the Control rosy barbs showing the lowest value (13.13%) in 165 days of culture period. The higher values of fecundity in Rosy barbs were recorded in Treatment 2 (910) with the lower values in Control (837). Age at first spawning was earlier (142 days) in Treatment 2 followed by Treatment 3 (157 days). The total number of eggs spawned was high in T2 Rosy barbs. High hatchability (95.71%) and high fertilization rate (95.88%) were recorded from Treatment 3 Rosy barbs. The embryonic and larval development of Rosy barb was studied for a period of 26 days till the larva reached to juvenile. The results of the present study infer that 300 IU HCG was the optimum dose to achieve maximum growth, early maturation, high fecundity in Rosy barb, Barbus conchonius.
Attention enhances the neural processing of relevant features and suppresses the processing of irrelevant features in humans : An fMRI study of the Stroop task

We present a functional MRI experiment investigating the neural basis of feature-based attention in humans using the Stroop task. Cortical areas specifically involved in color processing and word reading were first identified in individual participants using independent tests. These areas were then probed during the Stroop task (in which participants must selectively attend to the font color of a word while ignoring the word itself). We found that activation in functionally-defined color areas increased during the task relative to a neutral color-naming task while activation in functionallydefined word areas decreased. These results are consistent with a biased competition model of feature-based attention in which the processing of attended features is enhanced and the processing of ignored features is suppressed.
Changes in Stomatal Density over Time (1769–2015) in the New Zealand Endemic Tree Corynocarpus laevigatus J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Corynocarpaceae)

Abstract In the Northern Hemisphere several studies have used historic herbarium specimens to examine change in stomatal density over time as related to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration. In this study we compared stomatal density of leaves of the New Zealand endemic tree Corynocarpus laevigatus (karaka), collected by Banks and Solander on Cook's first voyage to the South Pacific in 1769–1770, with nineteenth-, twentieth-, and twenty-first-century material of the same species. Historical eighteenth- and nineteenth-century herbarium specimens were found to have a significantly higher stomatal density than that seen in twentieth- and twenty-first-century material. Our data are consistent with there being a relationship between stomatal density in leaves of C. laevigatus and atmospheric CO2 concentration over time. To date it is unclear whether other New Zealand native tree species show a similar relationship.
No More Than Skin Deep: Ethnic and Racial Similarity in Developmental Process

Many studies adduce evidence of ethnic or racial dissimilarities in developmental outcomes (e.g., delinguency and achievement). Many researchers fail to distinguish between group average levels and developmental processes (correlations). Evidence is reviewed that developmental processes are nearly identical for U.S. Black, Hispanic, White, and Asian ethnic and racial groups. Using diverse and representative data sources, covariance matrices were computed for these ethnic groups and then compared by using a LISREL goodness-of-fit test. Not only were these matrices nearly identical but they also were no less alike than covariance matrices computed from random halves within 1 ethnic or racial group. This article documents the importance of accepting ethnic and racial similarity of developmental processes. Thus, group average level differences may result from different levels of developmental antecedents working through common developmental pathways.
Effect of four selected plant powder as rice grain protectant against Sitophilus zeamais(Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

A study to evaluate the effect of four selected plant powder as rice grain protectant against Sitophilus zeamais adult mortality, F1 progeny production, weight loss and rice grain damaged was conducted. The plant powders used were made from seed of Annona muricata, Jatropha curcas, Azadirachta indica and from leaf of J. curcas at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5% (w/w) concentrations. Probit analysis showed that J. curcas seed powder was highly toxic (LC50 = 0.28%) to S. zeamais adult followed by A. muricata seed (LC50 = 0.33%), J. curcas leaf (LC50 = 1.15%) and A. indica seed (LC50 = 3.63%). The Annona muricata and J. curcas seed had caused the highest mean mortality (100 and 98.85%) at 2% concentration, while the A. indica seed and J. curcas leaf powder had only caused 32.32 and 77.84%, respectively at 2.5% concentration. There was no progeny produced, no weight loss recorded and no rice grain damaged on treated rice grain with A. muricata and J. curcas seed at 1% concentration. In contrast, J. curcas leaf and A. indica seed powder had the least toxicity effect on the weevil as shown by number of progeny produced (167 and 228), total of weight loss (10.04 and 10.49%) and rice grain damaged (19.35 and 21.14%) even at the highest powder concentration (2.5%) tested. Results of this study revealed the potential of J. curcas and A. muricata seed powder to be used in controlling S. zeamais on stored rice grain.
Investment, Savings, Interest Rate and Bank Credit to the Private Sector Nexus in Pakistan

The present study examines long run and short run association among Investment, Savings, Real Interest rate onBank deposits and Bank Credit to the private sector, accompanied with the impact of financial liberalization onkey macro economic variables in Pakistan for the period 1973 to 2007. ARDL Bounds Testing Approach hasbeen applied for co-integration of annual time series data. To test the order of integration of the variables,DF-GLS and Ng-Perron Tests have been employed. The results show that Private Investment is positivelyaffected by Savings, Real interest rate on bank deposits, Bank credit to private sector and Public investment inthe long run in a developing country like Pakistan, supporting Complementarity Hypothesis of Mckinnon-Shaw(1973).
Assessing the evidence for latitudinal gradients in plant defence and herbivory

Summary 1. The idea that biotic interactions, including herbivory, predation and competition are more intense at lower latitudes is widely accepted and underpins several dominant theories on the latitudinal gradient in biodiversity. Current theory also predicts that the intense biotic interactions at low latitudes will select plants for greater defence against herbivores. We reviewed the literature to provide an assessment of the evidence for and against the hypothesis that herbivory is more intense at lower latitudes, and that plants from low latitudes are better defended than are plants from high latitudes. 2. Only 37% of the 38 latitudinal comparisons of herbivory showed higher herbivory at lower latitudes, and the average effect size in a meta-analysis was not significantly different from zero. Thus, the available data do not support the idea that herbivory is generally more intense in the tropics. 3. Only nine of 56 comparisons found higher chemical defences at lower latitudes, and a meta-analysis showed that overall, chemical defences were significantly higher in plants from higher latitudes. This result is counter to the predictions of much of the literature. 4. A meta-analysis showed no significant effect of latitude on physical defence. 5. A review of the literature on feeding trials and common garden experiments showed that herbivores tend to prefer tissue from high latitudes. This trend could stem from differences in overall defence that were not captured by the metrics used in the literature, but could also result from differences in nutritional quality. 6. The empirical data do not support the widespread view that herbivory is generally more intense at lower latitudes, or that plants from low latitudes are generally better defended than are plants from higher latitudes. These results are counter to the prevailing thought on this topic, and suggest that this field may be ripe for the development of new theory.
Gender differences towards risk and ambiguity environments: an experiment

Gender differences can be found in different social domains. Particularly, the present project is focused on the study of gender differences towards risk and ambiguity environments. The majority of the literature suggests, in the first place, that gender differences can be found under risk condition, being males more risk prone than females. Secondly, gender differences are not significant under ambiguity condition. In this paper, takes place an experimental study measuring gender differences through both conditions. The results show -as the majority of the literature proposethat females tend to be more risk averse than men. Nevertheless, the results also suggest that despite there is not correlation between the different attitudes measured for both conditions, there is a high correlation between subjects classified as risk consistent and ambiguity consistent. JEL Codes: C91, D81 Sandra Jordán Martín al226902@uji.es Tutor: Ainhoa Jaramillo Gutiérrez EC1049 – Final project 2015/2016 Economics Degree. Group A
The Insignificance of the Liberal Peace

This article challenges "The Liberal Peace" described in work by Michael Doyle from three standpoints. First, it questions whether the statistical tests (which were performed and published by scholars other than Doyle) actually test any coherent theory of peace or conflict. Second, it questions whether the data sets used are valid proxies for the variables they are meant to represent. Third it questions the methods used and the results obtained. The article argues that there may a lower expectancy of conflict among Liberal republics, as Kant argued, modern literature focusing on statistics does not confirm it - it does not really test it. It also argues that there is probably a good reason we have observed a peace among Western democracies since WWII, and this reason may be found in shared values that led them to join the NATO alliance. The simple implementation of a democratic form of government does not prevent nations from making war on one another.
Inferences in Semiparametric Partially Identi…ed Models: An Empirical Process Approach

This paper provides inference tools for partially identi…ed and possibly misspeci…ed semiparametric econometric models. The main working assumption is that the …nite-dimensional parameter of interest and the in…nite-dimensional nuisance parameter are identi…ed conditionally on other nuisance parameters being known. This structure arises in numerous applications and permits the use of standard tools from empirical process methods. Our approach can be viewed as a formalization of sensitivity analysis in semiparametric models. We develop uniform convergence for the set of partially identi…ed estimates and use the uniformity to establish set inference and hypothesis tests of interest. A practically convenient multiplier-type bootstrap is proposed to consistently estimate asymptotic quantiles for constructing con…dence regions for the identi…ed set and for estimating standard errors. We also extend the classical overidenti…cation restrictions test to our semiparametric partially identi…ed setting, and use this test to construct a con…dence set for the true parameter that is robust to lack of identi…cation of the nuisance parameter. Several examples illustrate the wide applicability of our results. In particular, we use a willingness-to-pay example in contingent valuations to demonstrate that our methods can accommodate generic convex identi…ed sets with semiparametric support functions.
Rotating accretion flows around black holes: convection and variability

Numerical, two-dimensional, time-dependent hydrodynamical models of geometrically thick accretion discs around black holes are presented. Accretion flows with non-effective radiation cooling (ADAFs) can be both convectively stable or unstable depending on the value of the viscosity parameter α. The high-viscosity flows (α≃ 1) are stable and have a strong equatorial inflow and bipolar outflows. The low-viscosity flows (α≤ 0.1) are convectively unstable and this induces quasi-periodic variability, with typical time-scales in the observed range of quasi-periodic oscillations.