Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing the effects of resource enrichment and grazing on a bacterioplankton community of a meso-eutrophic reservoir

We examined changes in a microbial community in reaction to shifts in predation pressure and resources in a meso-eutrophic reservoir. Manipulations consisted of size fractionation and either in situ incubation or transplantation from the dam area to the river area, which differed in P-availability. Three treatments, in which samples were incubated for 96 h in dialysis bags, were used: a bacterivore-free (<0.8 µm) treatment, an enhanced flagellate grazing (<5 µm) treatment and a control treatment (all bacterivores present). We monitored bacterial abundance, mean cell volume (MCV), bacterial production, protistan grazing, as well as bacterial community composition (BCC) using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with oligonucleotide probes with different levels of specificity. Populations transplanted to the relatively P-rich river area showed a 3- to 6-fold increases in bacterial and heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) abundance and bacterivory compared to the corresponding treatments incubated at the dam area. In the transplanted community, nearly all phylogenetic groups of bacteria distinguished showed increased growth rates, even in the top-down manipulation treatments of increased bacterivory. In contrast, at the more resource-limited dam, the top-down manipulations induced significant changes in bacterial community composition. Thus, we found that BCC changes with predation in resource-limited bacteria but that predation plays a minor role when resource limitation is relaxed.
Corporate Governance and Efficiency in the Electricity Sector using Data Envelopment Analysis: a study in the Brazilian stock market

Different Corporate Governance mechanisms have been suggested to minimize agency problems between managers and shareholders, and between controlling and minority shareholders. The aim of this study is to analyze the corporate governance mechanisms result in greater efficiency for Brazilian stock companies in the electricity sector, in 2007-2009. The hypothesis to be verified is that the lower the voting concentration and the dependence of the council, and the greater the cash flow concentration, the greater the performance of the company will be. The analyzed sample involved thirty-three companies, fourteen being classified into one of the levels of CG (Level 1, Level 2 or New Market) and the remainder being members of the traditional market. To measure the efficiency of the companies, the non-parametric DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) method was used, and to relate the efficiency with the governance variables, we adopted regression analysis of panel data. The results demonstrated that the use of CG mechanisms positively influences business efficiency, but not in the expected magnitude. It was found that the cash flow concentration is positively related to the efficiency of firms, supporting the governance literature. For future work, the use of other input and output variables is suggested.
Organic Production of Tuberous Vegetables: Agronomic, Nutritional and Economic Benefits

Global awareness of health and environmental issues has stimulated interest in alternative agricultural systems like organic farming. Elephant foot yam ( Amorphophallus paeoniifolius ) and yams ( Dioscorea spp.) are ethnic starchy vegetables with high energy, nutritive and medicinal values. Field experiments were conducted at the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India, during 2004-2011 to assess the agronomic, nutritional and economic advantages of organic farming over conventional system in these crops. Organic farming resulted in 10-20% higher yield over conventional practice in these crops. A net profit of Rs 2,15,776 ha -1 , which was 28% higher over chemical based farming was obtained under organic management in elephant foot yam. Elite and local varieties responded equally well to organic and conventional farming in elephant foot yam. White yam, greater yam and lesser yam responded similarly to both the systems, with slightly higher yield under organic practice. Soil physico-chemical properties and microbial count were also improved under organic management. Organic farming scored significantly higher soil quality index (1.93) than conventional practice (1.46). The soil quality index was driven by water holding capacity, pH and available Zn followed by soil organic matter. Tuber quality was improved with higher dry matter, starch, crude protein and lower oxalate contents. Cost effective technologies were field validated.
Bullying in the new playground: Research into cyberbullying and cyber victimisation

This study examines the nature and extent of adolescents' cyberbullying experiences, and explores the extent to which various factors, including bullying, culture, and gender, contribute to cyberbullying and cyber victimisation in junior high schools. In this study, one in three adolescents was a cyber victim, one in five was a cyberbully, and over half of the students had either experienced or heard about cyberbullying incidents. Close to half of the cyber victims had no idea who the predators were. Culture and engagement in traditional bullying were strong predictors not only for cyberbullying, but also for cyber victimisation. Gender also played a significant role, as males, compared to their female counterparts, were more likely to be cyberbullies.
Effect of plant extracts used in folk medicine on cell growth and differentiation of Herpetomonas samuelpessoai (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) cultivated in defined medium

This work reports the effect of 15 medicinal plants on cell growth and differentiation of Herpetomonas samuelpessoai, a non-pathogenic trypanosomatid, used as biological model for its similar antigens to Trypanosoma cruzi. Crude extracts (1,000 µg/ml) or essential oil (250 µg/ml) were added in a defined medium. Cell growth was estimated by counting in Neubauer's chamber and cell differentiation was examined by light microscope. Ocimum gratissimum, Lippia alba, Piper regnellii, Stryphnodendron adstringens, and Tanacetum vulgare showed antiprotozoan activity, Psidium guajava and Punica granatum a lower activity and Achillea millefolium, Eugenia uniflora, Mikania glomerata, Plantago major, and Spilanthes acmella had no activity. In contrast, Arctium lappa, Erythrina speciosa, and Sambucus canadensis stimulated H. samuelpessoai growth. Only L. alba and S. acmella stimulated cell differentiation in this flagellate. These results indicate that medicinal plants possess active compounds against H. samuelpessoai. Thus, this protozoan seems to be a suitable model for screening plants containing trypanocidal drugs.
Fluxes and concentrations of volatile organic compounds from a South-East Asian tropical rainforest

Abstract. As part of the OP3 field study of rainforest atmospheric chemistry, above-canopy fluxes of isoprene, monoterpenes and oxygenated volatile organic compounds were made by virtual disjunct eddy covariance from a South-East Asian tropical rainforest in Malaysia. Approximately 500 hours of flux data were collected over 48 days in April–May and June–July 2008. Isoprene was the dominant non-methane hydrocarbon emitted from the forest, accounting for 80% (as carbon) of the measured emission of reactive carbon fluxes. Total monoterpene emissions accounted for 18% of the measured reactive carbon flux. There was no evidence for nocturnal monoterpene emissions and during the day their flux rate was dependent on both light and temperature. The oxygenated compounds, including methanol, acetone and acetaldehyde, contributed less than 2% of the total measured reactive carbon flux. The sum of the VOC fluxes measured represents a 0.4% loss of daytime assimilated carbon by the canopy, but atmospheric chemistry box modelling suggests that most (90%) of this reactive carbon is returned back to the canopy by wet and dry deposition following chemical transformation. The emission rates of isoprene and monoterpenes, normalised to 30 °C and 1000 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR, were 1.6 mg m−2 h−1 and 0.46mg m−2 h−1 respectively, which was 4 and 1.8 times lower respectively than the default value for tropical forests in the widely-used MEGAN model of biogenic VOC emissions. This highlights the need for more direct canopy-scale flux measurements of VOCs from the world's tropical forests.
Oxygen isotope ecology of recent planktic foraminifera at the central Walvis Ridge (SE Atlantic)

[1] Above the Walvis Ridge, in the SE Atlantic Ocean, we collected living plantkic foraminifera from the upper water column using depth stratified plantkon tows. The oxygen isotope composition (δ18Oc) in shells of foraminifera and shell concentration profiles show seasonal and depth habitats of individual species. The tow results are compared with the average annual deposition δ18Oc from sediment traps and the interannual average δ18Oc of fossil specimens in top sediments at the same site. The species Globigerinita glutinata best reflects the austral winter/spring sea surface temperature (SST). Its δ18Oc signal in top sediments remains pristine. In contrast, tow results also show that Globigerinoides ruber continues to calcify below the surface mixed layer (SML), i.e., down to the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM); hence its δ18Oc signature of exported specimens reflects the SST only when SML incorporates the DCM. Deep tow and sediment trap results show that both Globorotalia truncatulinoides and Globorotalia inflata record the temperature between 150 and 350 m, depending on the season and the shell size. However, for all fossil taxa in sediments apart from Globigerinita glutinata, we observe a positive δ18Oc shift with respect to the sediment trap and plankton tow values, likely related to the interannual flux changes and deep encrustation.
Effects of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) serum against plaque bacteria

Dental caries is an infectious disease caused by plaque bacteria, especially Streptoccus mutans. Many studies were conducted to develop methods or material for dental caries prevention. It was using passive immunization that will produce specific antibodies. Yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) is antibody in the serum and egg yolk. This study aimed to determine the effect of IgY serum against the growth of dental plaque bacterial in vitro. In the long term, it is expected IgY specific S. mutans can be as one of material could prevent dental caries topically. Immunization in the chicken was performed using S. mutans antigen. Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) specific S. mutans was collected from blood serum of Hysex Brown chicken. Antibacterial effect of IgY serum on the growth of bacteria that cause dental plaque (Streptococcus alpha, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. mutans) was done using diffusion method. Sample was performed on 10 plate each bacteria. Data inhibition zone were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD. There was no inhibition zone of IgY serum on the growth of S. alpha and S. aureus while positive results obtained against S. mutans. Inhibition zone increased according increasing the concentration of IgY. ANOVA test showed significant differences the effect of concentration IgY serum on the inhibition zones of S. mutans (p <0.05). A significant difference (p<0.05) from the LSD was obtained in the comparison between the concentration of IgY, IgY serum and controls. In conclusion, IgY serum that immunized S. mutans has antibacterial effect against S. mutans only. Key words: Yolk immunoglobulin (IgY), chicken serum, Streptococcus alpha, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans
Global transcriptional, physiological and metabolite analyses of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough responses to salt adaptation

Global transcriptional, physiological and metabolite analyses of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough responses to salt adaptation Zhili He 1,9, Aifen Zhou 1,9 , Edward Baidoo 2,9 , Qiang He 3,9 , Marcin P. Joachimiak 2,9, Peter Benke 2,9 Richard Phan 2,9 , Aindrila Mukhopadhyay 2,9 , Christopher L. Hemme 1,9 , Katherine Huang 2,9, Eric J. Alm 2,9 , Matthew W. Fields 4,9 , Judy Wall 5,9 , David Stahl 6,9 , Terry C. Hazen 7,9 , Jay D. Keasling 2,8,9 , Adam P. Arkin 3,8,9 , and Jizhong Zhou 1,9 Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Center for Biofilm Engineering and Department of Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana Biochemistry Division and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California; Departments of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California; Virtual Institute for Microbial Stress and Survival Running title: Salt adaptation in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough
Customising a general EAP dictionary to meet learner needs. Proceedings of ELEX2009

In this article, we describe the Louvain EAP Dictionary (LEAD), a web-based English for Academic Purposes dictionary-cum-writing aid for non-native writers. The LEAD dictionary contains a rich description of non-technical words that express key functions in academic discourse (such as contrast, exemplification or cause and effect), with particular focus on their phraseology (collocations and recurrent phrases). The dictionary allows for both semasiological and onomasiological access. Its main originality is its customizability: the content is automatically adapted to users' needs in terms of discipline and mother tongue background.
Multiple flaring activity in the supergiant fast X‐ray transient IGR J08408−4503 observed with Swift

IGR J08408-4503 is a supergiant fast X-ray transient discovered in 2006 with a confirmed association with a 08.5Ib(f) supergiant star, HD 74194. We report on the analysis of two outbursts caught by Swift/Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on 2006 October 4 and 2008 July 5, and followed up at softer energies with Swift/X-ray Telescope (XRT). The 2008 XRT light curve shows a multiple-peaked structure with an initial bright flare that reached a flux of ∼10 -9 erg cm -2 s -1 (2-10 keV), followed by two equally bright flares within 75 ks. The spectral characteristics of the flares differ dramatically, with most of the difference, as derived via time-resolved spectroscopy, being due to absorbing column variations. We observe a gradual decrease in the N H , derived with a fit using absorbed power-law model, as time passes. We interpret these N H variations as due to an ionization effect produced by the first flare, resulting in a significant decrease in the measured column density towards the source. The durations of the flares as well as the times of the outbursts suggest that the orbital period is ∼35 d, if the flaring activity is interpreted within the framework of the Sidoli et al. model with the outbursts triggered by the neutron star passage inside an equatorial wind inclined with respect to the orbital plane.
Using Tannery Sludge to Manage Soybean Cyst Nematodes in Soybean Crops

Soybean crop ( Glicyne max ) is host to a range of pathogens, among them phytonematoids, with emphasis on the soybean cyst nematode ( Heterodera glycines ), which has recently caused great damages to the crop and compromised its productivity. Alternatives to the management of diseases, caused by phytonematoids, that are effective and less harmful to the environment, are increasingly being sought. Thus, the incorporation of organic compounds into the soil, such as tannery sludge (bovine chain by-product), presents great potential in the management of soil-borne pathogens, as well as reducing environmental impacts caused by the release into the environment. Thus, the aim of present study had as objective to evaluate the effect of different tannery sludge doses on the management of H. glycines in greenhouse. The study used a nematode-susceptible cultivar (BRS Valiosa RR) and followed a completely randomized experimental design, with 5 repetitions. The nematode penetration in the roots was assessed 10 days after inoculation (DAI), whereas the fresh root mass, the number of females per root gram, and the number of eggs per female were assessed 30 DAI. The tannery sludge is efficient in the management of H. glycines in nematode-susceptible soybean cultivars, reducing the number of females per gram of root, the number of juveniles of the second stage (J2) of the nematoid per root system and promoting increases in fresh mass of the roots. However, more studies are needed to understand the dynamics of the nematode reduction in the presence of the organic compound, since nematode reproduction was not affected by the presence of tannery sludge.
Islands in a desert: Breeding ecology of the African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus in Namibia

The continental African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus, like its relative the Seychelles Warbler Acrocephalus sechellensis, breeds in isolated patches. We studied the mating system of the African Reed Warbler to see whether this species, like the Seychelles Warbler, shows co-operative breeding. The African Reed Warbler is not polygynous. The majority breed monogamously (88Y0, n = 65), however in 12% of the territories three adult unrelated birds (mostly males) were observed participating in the brooding and feeding of nestlings, suggesting a polyandrous breeding system. Multilocus DNA fingerprinting revealed that the helping bird was unrelated to the pair birds. The percentage of nests with helpers was low compared to rates found in the Seychelles Warbler or Henderson Reed Warbler Acrocephalus vuughani taiti. This could be due to the scarcity of potential helpers or to the fact that, although limited, birds still had the opportunity to disperse within a meta-population structure in search of vacant territories. The presence of helpers was associated with increased hatching success due to lower predation rates, but not with increased fledging success. Another possible benefit of helping behaviour in this species could be improved predator detection and mobbing. Nest predation was high and warblers tended to build their nests in the highest, most dense reed patches available in their territory. There was no relation between habitat quality, measured as insect food availability, and the occurrence of helpers. Co-operative breeding is a reproductive system in which individuals other than the main male-female pair also exhibit parent-like (‘helping’) behaviour toward young of a single nest or brood. Numerous variations have been identified including helping at the nest by non-breeding offspring that delay dispersal and remain with their parents, and various forms of cooperative polygamy or plural breeding in which more than a single male or female share breeding status within the same social unit. Helping generally consists of feeding nestlings or fledglings, but can also include incubation and nest or territorial defence (Brown 1987). Co-operative breeding, where more birds than just the breeding pair raise the young, occurs in about
Effect of prolonged parboiling duration on proximate composition of rice

Effect of prolonged parboiling duration on proximate composition of rice was determined. Result indicated that there was a decrease in vital constituents such as proteins, and mineral elements as a result of prolonged parboiling duration. The longer the duration of parboiling periods the greater the losses in nutritive value. Comparing these effects at 30, 45, 60 and 90 min, greater loss was recorded at 90 min with a loss of 32.5% in crude protein, calcium 13.3%, iron 16.66%, sodium 5.76% and potassium 2.31%. The longer the parboiling duration the higher the percentage of breakages of paddy rice during milling. Variations observed in the result of proximate analysis carried out on parboiled rice obtained from different rice farmers indicated that there is no unique method of processing in operational, which can regulate the quality of rice in this locality. Rice parboiled at not more than 30 - 40 min will still produce the best quality product. Key word: Prolonged, duration, parboiling, quality, rice.
Identification of the Paleocene–Eocene boundary in coastal strata in the Otway Basin, Victoria, Australia

Abstract. Detailed, stratigraphically well-constrained environmental reconstructions are available for Paleocene and Eocene strata at a range of sites in the southwest Pacific Ocean (New Zealand and East Tasman Plateau; ETP) and Integrated Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1356 in the south of the Australo-Antarctic Gulf (AAG). These reconstructions have revealed a large discrepancy between temperature proxy data and climate models in this region, suggesting a crucial error in model, proxy data or both. To resolve the origin of this discrepancy, detailed reconstructions are needed from both sides of the Tasmanian Gateway. Paleocene–Eocene sedimentary archives from the west of the Tasmanian Gateway have unfortunately remained scarce (only IODP Site U1356), and no well-dated successions are available for the northern sector of the AAG. Here we present new stratigraphic data for upper Paleocene and lower Eocene strata from the Otway Basin, southeast Australia, on the (north)west side of the Tasmanian Gateway. We analyzed sediments recovered from exploration drilling (Latrobe-1 drill core) and outcrop sampling (Point Margaret) and performed high-resolution carbon isotope geochemistry of bulk organic matter and dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) and pollen biostratigraphy on sediments from the regional lithostratigraphic units, including the Pebble Point Formation, Pember Mudstone and Dilwyn Formation. Pollen and dinocyst assemblages are assigned to previously established Australian pollen and dinocyst zonations and tied to available zonations for the SW Pacific. Based on our dinocyst stratigraphy and previously published planktic foraminifer biostratigraphy, the Pebble Point Formation at Point Margaret is dated to the latest Paleocene. The globally synchronous negative carbon isotope excursion that marks the Paleocene–Eocene boundary is identified within the top part of the Pember Mudstone in the Latrobe-1 borehole and at Point Margaret. However, the high abundances of the dinocyst Apectodinium prior to this negative carbon isotope excursion prohibit a direct correlation of this regional bio-event with the quasi-global Apectodinium acme at the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; 56 Ma ). Therefore, the first occurrence of the pollen species Spinizonocolpites prominatus and the dinocyst species Florentinia reichartii are here designated as regional markers for the PETM. In the Latrobe-1 drill core, dinocyst biostratigraphy further indicates that the early Eocene ( ∼ 56–51 Ma ) sediments are truncated by a ∼ 10 Myr long hiatus overlain by middle Eocene ( ∼ 40 Ma ) strata. These sedimentary archives from southeast Australia may prove key in resolving the model–data discrepancy in this region, and the new stratigraphic data presented here allow for detailed comparisons between paleoclimate records on both sides of the Tasmanian Gateway.
Exchange Rate Dynamics and the Relationship between the Random Walk Hypothesis and Official Interventions

This paper examines the empirical evidence that official interventions are associated with periods of high predictability in exchange rate markets. We employ a block bootstrap methodology to build critical values for the Variance Ratio statistics and test for predictability within moving windows of fixed length sizes for major developed countries currencies. Empirical results suggest that interventions are indeed associated to periods of increase in predictability and that time varying risk premium may, at least partially, explain such results.