Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Profiling of Up-Regulated Genes Response to Acute Hypo-Osmotic Stress in Hepatopancreas and Gill of the Pacific White Shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was applied to screen responsively up-regulation genes in hepatopancreas and gill of Litopenaeus vannamei induced by acute hypo-osmotic stress. In the hepatopancreas, 196 clones were randomly selected and sequenced. 131 non-redundant transcripts, corresponding to 41 genes, were found with elevated expressions. They were functionally clustered into eight biological processes which were protein synthesis and processing, carbohydrate metabolism and energy production, transport, cell growth, apoptosis, cytoskeletal component, cell defense and homeostasis, signal transduction, accounting for 26.2%, 14.3%, 16.7%, 4.7%, 4.7%, 2.3%, 11.9% and 7.1%, respectively. When confirmed by real time qRT-PCR, the gene expression levels of MnSOD, glutathione and glutamine synthetase showed significant increases (2.64-folds, 3.44-folds and 2.16-folds, respectively) in hepatopancreas ( P <0.05). Totally 81 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained by random sequencing from the gill SSH cDNA library, and 52 unigenes, including 15 contigs and 37 singlets, after CP3 online matching were gained by clustering and assembling. The sequence alignment results revealed that 30 of them had significant homology to previously identified Genbank database sequences, while 22 unigenes did not match any sequence in the datebase and presumably represented unidentified cDNAs. Functionally, the unigenes were classified into six clusters, including ion channels and transport proteins (1); protein synthesis, translation and transcription factor (2); stress resistance and antioxidant factors (3); energy metabolism (4); signal receptor and transduction (5); cell fibrin and cytoskeletal proteins (6) with proportion of 23.3%, 20.0%, 20.0%, 16.7%, 10.0% and 10.0% respectively. Real time qRT-PCR confirmation revealed significant elevation of Arginine kinase, Carbonic anhydrase and NaK-ATPase-α-subunit expressions (3.73-folds, 2.55-folds and 5.83-folds, respectively) in the gill after acute low-osmotic stress (P < 0.05). These results provided insight into critical physiology processes and pathways constituting the hypo-osmotic stress adaption program in hepatopancreas and gill of L. vannamei .
Distributed Consensus Charging for Current Unbalance Reduction

Abstract Electric Vehicle (EV) technology has developed rapidly in recent years, with the result that increasing levels of EV penetration are expected on electrical grids in the near future. The increasing electricity demand due to EVs is expected to provide many challenges for grid companies, and it is expected that it will be necessary to reinforce the current electrical grid infrastructure to cater for increasing loads at distribution level. However, by harnessing the power of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technologies, groups of EVs could be harnessed to provide ancillary services to the grid. Current unbalance occurs at distribution level when currents are unbalanced between each of the phases. In this paper a distributed consensus algorithm is used to coordinate EV charging in order to minimise current unbalance. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is effective in rebalancing phase currents.
Does globalization promote civil war? An empirical research

This paper investigates the empirical relationship between globalization and in-trastate con ict in a sample of 160 countries over the period 1970-2009. To that end, we use a measure of globalization that distinguishes the social and political dimensions of integration from the economic dimension, thus allowing us to adopt a broader perspective than in most of existing studies and examine the e ect of these three distinct aspects of globalization on civil violence. The results of the paper show that the degree of integration with the rest of the world contributes signi cantly to increasing the incidence of civil wars, in direct contrast to arguments which defend that globalization has the bene cial e ect of deterring internal armed con icts. In particular, the dimension of globalization that most robustly relates with internal con ict is economic integration. Our ndings are not a ected by the inclusion of additional explanatory variables in the analysis, or by changes in the de nition of civil war. Likewise, the relationship observed between the degree of integration and civil violence does not seem to be driven by countries located in the most con ictive regions in the world.
Effectiveness of project teams and their impacts on the performance of Saudi construction projects

The objective of this study is to determine the nature and strength of relationship between the different elements of teamwork effectiveness and overall project success. Literature has been reviewed on constituents of effective teamwork and indicators for project success to determine the relationship. Two questionnaires were used to determine the nature and strength of the relationship between components of effective teamwork and overall project success. Data on the questionnaires were gathered from 13 different project teams of large commercial buildings in Saudi Arabia. The research showed a positive and high correlation between team effectiveness and project success. Analysis of the obtained data indicated that three factors of teamwork are strongly associated with project success. These factors are team roles and responsibilities, team goals and objectives and team leadership. The research conducted is most beneficial for project managers and team leaders in construction organizations to adjust their focus on key components of effective teamwork that lead to augment the possibilities of project success.
Ergosterol and fatty acids for biomass estimation of mycorrhizal fungi.

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Leaf respiration in grapevine ( Vitis vinifera 'Chasselas') in relation to environmental and plant factors

The leaf respiration (R D ) of grapevine ( Vitis vinifera 'Chasselas') was measured under field conditions during the growing season in leaves of different physiological ages in relation to the temperature and plant water status. R D increased with the temperature and was particularly high in young growing leaves on primary and lateral shoots. The R D response to the temperature evolved over the season according to the type and age of the leaves and their phenology. Leaf aging (senescence) induced a decrease in R D at the end of the season. At constant temperatures (20 °C), the highest R D rates were measured during the rapid plant growth phase (the Q10 values were also the highest), and they progressively decreased to reach their lowest rates at the end of the growing season. The lowest R D values were measured on leaves that were inserted opposite the clusters of primary shoots at any period during the season. Water stress led to a reduction in R D , especially when the leaf temperature was above 20 °C. The nocturnal R D evolution showed that the R D rates were greatest at nightfall when the nocturnal temperatures were still high and leaf carbohydrate availability was at its highest; the rates gradually decreased to reach the lowest R D values just before dawn.
How Does Creditor’s Liquidation Decision Affect Debt and Equity Values?

Bankruptcy and liquidation procedures are important to determine the values of equity, debt and firm. During the liquidation process, the creditors play an important role as well as borrowers. This paper models the creditors’ liquidation decision and examines its effects on the equity and debt values and credit premiums of risky debt. If the liquidation costs are considerable, the debtholders tend to delay liquidation and it provides the equityholders with an opportunity to behave strategically. Without Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the bankruptcy does not lead to immediate liquidation due to the costly liquidation. Additionally, we address that the tax benefit, in addition to liquidation costs, is one of the factors that cause the strategic debt service. Our model incorporates the equityholders’ bankruptcy decision and debtholders’ liquidation decision. We suggest how to determine the equity and debt values numerically using finite difference methods. And we show that Leland (1994) model is a special case of ours. Finally, this paper also examines the determinants of values of equity, debt, firm and risky debt’s credit premium. JEL classification: C63, G12
NUMERICAL AND TAXONOMIC SCALE OF ANALYSIS IN PALEOECOLOGICAL DATA SETS: EXAMPLES FROM NEO-TROPICAL PLEISTOCENE REEF CORAL COMMUNITIES

Abstract I investigated the degree to which the interpretation of reef coral distribution data is influenced by the numerical and taxonomic scale of analysis in Pleistocene coral communities from the Caribbean Sea. Patterns of community differentiation analyzed at both species and genus levels showed only small differences using different numerical scales (relative abundance, rank abundance and species presence and absence). Whereas some differences were observed between species and genus level patterns, they had little effect on paleoecological interpretations. The greatest differences occurred when presence and absence analyses of assemblages sampled along 40-m transects were compared with those sampled along 40-m transects augmented by a one-hour search for rare taxa. These results suggest that paleoecological interpretations of Quaternary coral communities are robust to numerical scale of analysis at the species and genus level, and to taxonomic scale between the species and genus level. However, interpretations of community structure are sensitive to sampling intensity, geographic scale, and sample size.
XML Benchmarking: The State of the Art and Possible Enhancements

Since XML technologies have become a standard for data representation, numerous methods for processing XML data emerge every day. Consequently, it is necessary to compare the newly proposed methods with the existing ones, as well as analyze the effect of a particular method when applied to various types of data. In this chapter, we provide an overview of existing approaches to XML benchmarking from the perspective of various applications and we show that to date the problem has been highly marginalized. Therefore, in the second part of the chapter we discuss persisting open issues and their possible solutions.
Cancellation analysis of current density in solar active region NOAA10019

Solar flares are often associated with changes in the fine magnetic structure of the emitting active region. Such topological modification results in variations of both the scaling properties of the fields’ fluctuations, and the fractal dimension of the associated gradients. The use of cancellation analysis of the current density has been attempted for the identification and quantitative estimation of such changes. The characteristics of the magnetic vector as measured by THEMIS telescope for the active region NOAA10019 have been studied in this paper, suggesting the presence of disrupted current filaments. The variation of the fractal dimension of the current structures, and in particular their smoothing, is discussed in relationship with occurrence of one flare in the active region.
Development of mergers and acquisitions in the conditions of the Czech economy 2001–2010

This paper presents the first results of a research project which has the aims to identify the problems appearing during the preparation of mergers in compliance with valid Czech regulations and to analyze economic causes and consequences of mergers. At the first stage it was necessary to compile a basic dataset in a structure needed for a statistical analysis. The aim of the analysis presented in this paper is to ascertain, both theoretically and empirically, how the external environment affected the development of mergers of trading companies in the conditions of the Czech economy. The covered period is the past ten years, i.e. 2001–2010, when the development of the global economy was affected by the bank crisis in the USA and the economic recession. The analysis of the development of mergers and acquisitions focuses on three groups of factors affecting activities in the field of company combinations. These are mergers and acquisitions which are subject to approval by regulatory bodies, the effect of new regulations of financing (financial factors) and the effect of the macroeconomic situation in the form of GDP indicator and PX index. Macroeconomic indicators are related to mergers whose development has not been published or explored within scientific research. The results of the analysis allowed us to describe the dependence of activities in the field of company mergers which took place in the Czech Republic in the past decade on the selected factors of the external environment.
Hydrodynamic Aspects at Vitória Bay Mouth

Understading the hydrodynamic behavior and suspended particulated matter (SPM) transport are of great importance in port regions such as Vitória Harbor, which is located at Vitória Bay, Vitória – ES, Brazil. Vitória Bay is an estuary that has not been systematically assessed through a temporal analysis in order to identify its hydrodynamics characteristics and SPM exchange. This study aims to investigate salt and suspended particulate matter flux at the estuarine mouth of Vitória Bay by understanding the temporal variation of salinity, temperature and tidal currents within the water column and at the channel crosssection. Results showed that the estuarine mouth tended to present partial stratification periods during neap tides and little stratification in spring tides. The circulation pattern was mainly influenced by the tide, with little influence from river discharge. With regard to the SPM, the mouth of the estuary tended to show low concentrations, with the highest values occurring during the dry season. A close relationship between momentary discharge, SPM and salt fluxes was observed. Despite all the data was collected at the mouth of the estuary, the system showed an importation trend of salt in all cycles and SPM importation for three of the four studied tidal cycles. Thus, Vitoria Bay is not exporting SPM to the adjacent inner shelf.
The Elaboration Likelihood Model and Sport Video Gaming Effects on Gamers' Confidence and Desire to Play the Sport

Sport video gamers, as a huge population, have been studied descriptively in terms of the demographic and motivation for playing. Yet most studies paid attention to the relationship between gamers and the video game. A gap remains between sport video gaming and its effects on gamers’ attitude toward the exact sport they are playing in the game. Through the Elaboration Likelihood Model lens, the current study aimed to examine the effects of sport video gaming on gamers’ confidence in the sport as well as desire to play the sport. A pretest-posttest experimental design was conducted to investigate the causality between gaming and confidence and desire change. As the first application of ELM to sport video game, the current study incorporated the classic route shift pattern in persuasion to predict the improvement of gamers’ confidence and desire after game playing. This study proved that sport video gaming is effective in improving gamers’ attitude and behavior toward the specific sport. Specifically, this study justified that the time of playing, the performance in game, and the immersive degree of the game are influential to the improvement of gamers’ confidence in their ability and knowledge in golf as well as their desire to play golf in real life. The Elaboration Likelihood Model and Effects of Sport Video Gaming on Gamers’ Confidence and Desire to Play the Sport
TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE IN EUROPEAN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODES – DOES ISSUER MATTER?

The purpose of our paper is to analyze corporate governance codes, currently in force in the European Union member states, in terms of disclosure and transparency compliance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development requirements and recommendations by reference to various features related to codes’ issuers and other particular characteristics. The research methodology used for achieving our goal is based on econometric analysis using various statistical tools (descriptive statistic, correlations and regressions). The results of the performed analysis are consistent with prior research findings, revealing that the level of provisions related to disclosure and transparency stipulated in corporate governance codes are influenced by their issuer’ s type and diversity. Moreover, we identified other features of a code such as their length, a separate chapter dealing with disclosure and transparency and its length, or the frequency of using these words and their definition, whose influence proved to be the same.
Effects of Dietary Marshmallow (Althaea Officinalis L.) Extract on Growth Performance and Body Composition of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio)

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different proportions of marshmallow extract (Althaea officinalis L.) on growth performance and carcass composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Methods: Common carp with an average weight of 37.65 ± 4.40 g were fed for two months with a diet supplemented with marshmallow (A. officinalis) extract 0.25%, 0.50 and 1%, and with normal diet as controls. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) were assessed on days 30 and 60. The growth performance including weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and condition factor (CF) were measured on days 15, 30, 45 and 60. Results: Results of the present study showed that specimens fed a diet supplemented with marshmallow extract (0.25%) exhibited dramatically increased growth performance, which was the highest amongst all treatments (P<0.05). The addition of marshmallow extract did not have any effects on hepato-somatic index (HSI), intestine-somatic index (ISI) and condition factor when compared to the control diet. However, administering high levels of marshmallow extract had adverse effects on growth performance of specimens. Our results showed slight changes in body composition of fish fed a diet supplemented with marshmallow extract compared with controls. It can be concluded that marshmallow extract 0.25% can act as a growth stimulator. On the other hand, high levels of marshmallow may have anti-nutritional factors that decrease the utilization of the given feed.
Demand for food diversity in the case of Kosovo

Food nutrition security (FNS) is a multidisciplinary term that encompasses a set of the complex economic and social determinants. Recent food spikes were raising concerns on the food and nutrition security at all its levels (global, national, household and individual). In this paper we estimate demand for food diversity in Kosovo. Theoretical framework suggests that food diversity serves as a proxy for food and nutritional status at the household level. Here we employ standard OLS in order to estimate the impact of income (and other determinants) on the demand for the food diversity. Further, we compute relevant anthropometric indicator (Body Mass Index) in order to access the state of the FNS at the individual level. For the purpose of empirical estimation we use the HBS data on Kosovo covering the period 2005-2012. The main findings suggest that food diversity in Kosovo marked important improvement over the time period observed, reflecting the impact of rising income as a key determinant of the food diet. The pattern of the household food consumption remained diversified over the time period observed, but restricted by the low level of income. Food diversity in the urban households is significantly higher than in rural areas. Individual variables in the most of the cases were determined as significant. Anthropometric estimates were evidencing that prevalence of undernourishment is particularly critical in the case of school-age children, while the main nutritional problem among the adults is overweight.
Patterns of mortality in an old-growth mixed-conifer forest of the Southern Sierra Nevada, California

Mortality patterns in an old-growth, mixed-conifer forest, in the absence of wildfire, were investigated at the Teakettle Experimental Forest from 2000 to 2002. We tested the hypothesis that after a century of fire suppression, pathogen- and insect-associated mortality (between episodic droughts) would be significantly greater on ingrowth trees (i.e., smaller-diameter, shade-tolerant species in high-density clusters). Using a survey of over 30,000 mapped trees, overall mortality, as measured by standing dead trees, was 8.7% of all stems 5 cm dbh. Mortality levels were proportional to the population size of the five dominant conifer species, white fir (Abies concolor), red fir (A. magnifica), incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi), and sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana). There was also no significant difference in mortality between shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species. All dead trees were clustered within plots. Mortality was significantly higher than expected for large-diameter trees (100 cm dbh) with all conifer species combined and for each individual species, except Jeffrey pine. Small-diameter dead trees were grouped in high-density clusters. Mortality was less than expected among small-diameter trees (5-20 cm dbh) for all species combined, red and white fir, and sugar pine. Mortality for all conifers was higher than expected in areas of high stand density and lower in areas of low stand density. Mortality of small-diameter trees was clustered and particularly high in areas of high stand density. Our data suggest pathogen- and insect-associated mortality is significantly greater in areas of high stand density but it is not higher for shade-tolerant species. Furthermore, mortality is higher than expected for large-diameter trees, suggesting an acceleration of old-tree mortality under current fire suppression conditions. FOR . S CI. 51(3):266-275.
The Spanish Norms of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory: New Data and Analyses for its Improvement

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) in a large sample of 1136 adults (444 men and 692 women). Participants who completed the NEO-FFI were university students (65%), professionals of education and health (27%), and a small group of older people (8%). Item-level analyses provided reliability measures and factor structure of the NEO-FFI. The N, E, and C scales showed higher internal consistency and homogeneity than A and O. Some weaker items, particularly in the O scale, were found. Overall, its reliability and factor structure were in line with results reported in other studies; in addition, the analyses provided similar means of scales and intercorrelations between the five factors. The present study found that normative data of Neuroticism and Conscientiousness scales can be improved in the Spanish edition of the NEO-FFI. The discussion includes the utility of improved norms for the profile analysis, suggesting its applicability as a dimensional measure for personality disorders.