Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heavy Metals and Nitrate Content in Tomato Fruit Grown in Organic and Conventional Production Systems

The objective of this study was to investigate whether there were any differences in the heavy metals and nitrate contents in organic and conventional tomatoes (Robin-F1, Amati-F1, and Elpida-F1). The tomato as a fruit vegetable is not characterized by high accumulation of heavy metals and nitrates. We found significantly greater concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni in conventional tomatoes, but we found the growing method to have no influence on cadmium Cd, Co, and Cr levels in all cultivars. In the present study, the detected levels of contaminants were found to be markedly lower than the maximum limits allowed by law. The concentrations of heavy metals in tomato fruit decreased in the order Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Ni>Co>Cd. This study confirms that the most important variable in the nitrate content of tomatoes is cultivar. The lowest content of nitrates is registered in the variety Elpida, especially in the organically fertilized (20 mg·kg -1 ). The nitrate content in this study is presented as the average of all cultivars, and it was found to be lower in organic production (29%-41%) compared to conventional production systems.
Agrobacterium vitis strains lack tumorigenic ability on in vitro grown grapevine stem segments

Grapevine stem segments were cocultivated with three different Agrobacterium tumefaciens and three different A. vitis strains. A. tumefaciens strains induced tumors at variable frequencies, while A. vitis-infected stem segments never formed crown galls. The tumorous nature of tissues grown on hormone free medium was confirmed by opine assays. Bioinformatic and PCR analysis of the virulence regions of various A. tumefaciens and A. vitis Ti plasmids showed that virH2 and virK genes are common in A. tumefaciens but they are lacking from A. vitis. Thus virH2 and virK genes may be essential for grapevine stem segment transformation, but expression of certain T-DNA genes of A. vitis may also prevent the growth of transformed cells. Our data indicate that the tumorigenic ability of A. vitis is different on intact plant and on their explants, and that the specific host association of A. vitis on grapevine is probably determined by physiological and biochemical factors (e. g., better colonizing ability) rather than by its increased tumorigenic ability. Therefore it is not reasonable to develop „helper” plasmids for grapevine transformation from A. vitis pTis, unless their avirulence on in vitro explants is determined by T-DNA gene(s). Due to the inability of A. vitis to induce tumors on grapevine stem segments, the use of in vitro explant assays cannot be reliably used to select A. vitis resistant grapevine genotypes or transgenic lines.
Error Covariance Matrix Estimation in High Dimensional Approximate Factor Models Using Adaptive Thresholding: A Simulation Study

Approximate factor models are popular in finance and economics. A key to effectively utilizing such a model is to accurately estimate the error covariance matrix. Errors related to certain predictors are expected to be correlated and this must be modeled effectively. Adaptive thresholding is a method for estimating the error covariance matrix of such a model. This method is described in detail and a simulation study sheds light on the behavior of this method under different sample sizes and parameterizations.
A web-based environment for shape analysis of fish otoliths. The AFORO database

We present an automatic system for describing and identifying fish otolith shapes combining information technologies with modern advances in signal analysis. As a major novelty with respect to past studies the system includes wavelets (WT) and curvature space scale (CSS) analyses that have been shown to provide local morphologic information and characteristics (landmarks) of the sagitta otolith outline for non-specialists. By applying this electronic catalogue directly the system is very helpful for determining teleostean fish size, population and species. Both the electronic catalogue and the shape analysis are implemented through the AFORO database, which at present contains more than 1250 high resolution images of the left sagitta from 292 species and 94 families of teleostan fishes sampled mainly in Mediterranean and Antarctic waters.
1 Are Small Firm Employment Responses Different from Large Firms in Times of Recession ?

This paper uses British large scale survey data to examine the extent to which the recent financial crisis has affected firms’ operational activity, and whether or not the existence of human resource (HR) practices have influenced firms’ response to recession and workers’ job experience. Our findings suggest that SMEs are more vulnerable during times of economic hardship than larger firms, but those with HR practices have shown more resilience to the downturn. Also, we find that having HR practices increases the likelihood of the firm to adopt organisational measures although the response to recession differs significantly between smaller and larger firms. Finally the results indicate differences in workers’ job experience during the recession which is moderated by high and low levels of management formality.
Influence of deposition pressure on the adhesion of ZnO thin films deposited by cathodic vacuum arc deposition on polyimide foil substrates

ZnO thin films, used as polymer protection layers against ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen for space application, were deposited on polyimide foil substrates using a cathodic vacuum arc deposition technique. A fragmentation test was employed to investigate the influence of deposition pressure on the adhesion of ZnO thin films. It was found that all the samples have good adhesive properties. Low deposition pressure is beneficial to the adhesion of ZnO films and polyimide substrates. Scanning electron microscopy was also employed to investigate the surface morphology of ZnO films that had suffered from large strain. No large areas of film detachment were found.
Sensitivity of the thermohaline circulation to tropical and high latitude freshwater forcing during the last glacial‐interglacial cycle

Recent studies indicate that the tropical freshwater budget of the Atlantic is modulated by changes in El Nine-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). If anomalies of the Atlantic freshwater balance persist on the order of decades, these might have a large influence on the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC). Here we present a sensitivity study in which we use a model scenario for ENSO behavior during the last 120 kyr to force a simplified model of the THC with corresponding freshwater exchange between the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. If the steady state strength of the North Atlantic THC is similar to the present-day, its response to the forcing is of the order of 1-3 Sv (1 Sv = 10 6 m 3 s - 1 ). No mode changes of the THC are simulated for reasonable values of the coupling constant between freshwater exchange and ENSO. If, on the other hand, the steady state overturning is significantly weaker, a collapse of the THC occurs due to forcing from the tropics. The modeled THC variation due to tropical freshwater perturbations are compared to those resulting from middle- and high-latitude freshwater forcing due to long-term growth and decay of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets. It is found that both forcings are of similar amplitude except during the deglaciation when high latitude forcing dominates. A possible out-of-phase relationship between deep water formation in the North Pacific and North Atlantic is also explored.
Unravelling the Origins of Contact Recombination for Localized Laser-Doped Contacts

Both localized laser-doping and contact opening are utilized in fabrication of high-efficiency solar cell devices. In this work, we present an experimental method to separate the origins of the lumped recombination parameter for localized contacts. We attribute the main source of recombination after laser doping to small edges around the laser-processed regions (${\mathrm {j}}_{0,e} \approx$ 10,000 fA/cm2), while the center areas have a non-negligible contribution ($j_{0,a}$ $\approx$ 2,000-3,000 fA/cm2). Both contributions can be significantly reduced by annealing. At the same time, the non-optimized laser process achieves contact resistivity values as low as 70 ${\mu}$Wcm2
The Effect of Project-Based Learning and the ARCS Motivational Model on Students’ Achievement and Motivation to Acquire Database Program Skills

This quasi-experimental study aimed to measure the impact of project-based learning and the ARCS motivation model on students’ motivation to acquire the necessary database applications skills in the secondary level. We adopted a quasi-experimental methodology based on pre- and post-tests for two groups of students. Two classes of the second secondary grade were selected, one to be the experimental group and the other representing the control group. A sample of 65 students was chosen and divided into two classes enrolled in the second secondary grade. We explained the database programs to the students in the control group using traditional teaching methods, which involve the teacher first explaining the concepts, and then giving the students the opportunity to apply their practical computer skills in the laboratory. Students in the experimental group were taught using project-based learning strategies. At the beginning of the semester, students were given projects that they needed to complete by the end of the course. In addition, the ARCS motivation model was applied to the subject matter, whereby additional subject matter was added to the student book, making the database sections more attractive and relevant to the students by including real-life examples. The results showed that students in the experimental group (the project-based learning group) achieved higher post-curriculum test grades and obtained higher grades on the motivational scale. Keywords: Project based learning, teaching, secondary education, teaching/learning strategies, ARCS Model
Preparation of Sustained Release Phenobarbitone Microspheres Using Natural and Synthetic Polymers@@@تحضير حويصلات دقيقة تحتوي على عقار الفينو باربيتون باستخدام عديد الجزيئات الطبيعية والتخليقية

Rounded and uniform shape phenobarbitone microspheres were successfully prepared using Eudragit RL. The yield percent, the actual drug content and the incorporation efficiencies of the prepared microspheres increased with increasing the drug: polymer ratio. The particle size analysis data showed an increase in the mean microspheres diameter from 235.54 to 292.58 μm with increasing the amount of polymer from 1:1 to 1:4 ratios. The dissolution studies revealed that the phenobarbitone release was greatly extended and delayed as the drug polymer ratio was decreased due to the increase in the diffusion pathway through the pores of the polymer. Sustained release casein-chitosan microspheres containing phenobarbitone were also prepared using the coacervation technique in completely aqueous conditions. The entrapment efficiencies (83.20-90.60%), particle size (620.5 675 μm), flow properties; compressibility and in vitro dissolution of the microspheres were variable depending on the preparation conditions. Casein and chitosan concentrations were found to be the main parameters that affect the properties and the performance of the prepared microspheres. Eudragit RL microspheres showed more prolonged and slower drug release than casein-chitosan microspheres, however, the release rates were prolonged from both types of microspheres.
A toxicological evaluation of hepatocytes exposed to the synthetic resorcinolic lipid 3-Heptyl-3 , 4 , 6-trimethoxy-3 H-isobenzofuran-1-one

Recent studies showed that resorcinolic lipid 3-Heptyl-3,4,6-trimethoxy-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one (AMS 35AA) may be an important chemotherapy adjuvant, that is not genotoxic nor mutagenic. It is noteworthy that, when AMS35AA is associated with cyclophosphamide, it increases the mutagenic damage, splenic phagocytosis, neutropenia, and induces apoptosis in liver and kidneys. Taken this into account, the present study performed an accurate morphometric investigation of the consequences of the association between AMS35AA and cyclophosphamide on the hepatocytes morphology of Swiss mice. Our results provide strong evidence that the AMS35AA is not toxic and does not induce cellular hyperplasia or hypertrophy in the hepatocytes, which could lead the development of malignant neoplasia. Then, our data support the view that the resorcinolic lipid derivative is not toxic to the hepatocyte, which therefore could have therapeutic applications. Palavras-chave: lipídio resarcinólico; citosporonas, hepatócitos, ciclofosfamida,
Climatic changes between 20th century and pre-industrial times over South America in regional model simulations

1) Comparisons with existing related experiments and observations are lacking. There is considerable literature dealing with observed and/or simulated 20th and 21st century trends in Southern Hemisphere and South American climate and circulation and their possible relation to changes in GHG (including ozone) – e.g. Marshall, 2003; Cai and Cowan, J. Clim. 2007 and references therein; IPCC AR4 report (Chap. 11.6.3) among many others. What is important here is that the large-scale circulation changes in the S. Hemisphere relating to altered GHG concentrations have been explored in by others and are qualitatively consistent with those found in the CCLM results. The results in the present paper would be considerably strengthened if cast in the context of these other results.
Growth hormone secretory in healthy aged women and men of Tunisian population

With aging, men and women experience multiple hormonal changes, and in particular the activity of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis. This perturbation may be involved in aggravations of numerous abnormalities. In 64 healthy elderly, we determined the concentrations of GH in both sexes and its correlation with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the descriptive data, BMI, electrolytic assessment and some biochemical parameters. Collected data suggest that there was an age-dependent decrease in GH secretion. For TSH, there was a slight increase. The simple regression analysis revealed non-significant direct relation between these two hormones. We also found that BMI values were inversely related to the serum concentrations of these hormones. For the lipid metabolism, the positively correlated relation only exists between GH and total-cholesterol, on one hand, and between GH and LDL-cholesterol, on the other. For the other parameters such as glucose and triglycerides as well as HDL-cholesterol, this relation does not exist. For the BMI, this index shows a positively correlated relation with glucose and triglycerides. The electrolytic assessment shows that in men, phosphorus was positively related to GH. In women, calcium and sodium were positively related to GH. Aging was found to be associated with decreased morning serum GH levels and slightly increased TSH levels in healthy elderly Tunisian population. Reduction of the GH-IGF-I axis in the elderly has important clinical implications. Indeed, this deficiency in GH could contribute to the decline of various functions associated with normal aging.
Effects of dredging and macrophyte management on the fish species composition in an old Neotropical reservoir

Resumo Objetivo: Como parte da modernizacao de uma barragem quase centenaria no Rio Jacare-Guacu, foram realizados o desassoreamento e o manejo de macrofitas no reservatorio da PCH Gaviao Peixoto (Estado de Sao Paulo, Brasil). Dados do reservatorio e de um trecho do rio, a montante do reservatorio, foram comparados, para avaliar os efeitos do manejo. Metodos A ictiofauna e condicoes fisicas e quimicas foram estudadas durante cinco anos, antes (2005-2006) e depois do processo de recuperacao (2007-2009), uma vez ao ano, na estacao chuvosa. Os peixes foram coletados com rede de espera, de 10 m de comprimento e com malhas de 1.5, 4 e 6 cm entre nos adjacentes. Resultados Apos o manejo de macrofitas e desassoreamento, os valores de pH e de oxigenio dissolvido elevaram-se e os de condutividade diminuiram no reservatorio, aproximando-os daqueles do trecho a montante. A riqueza de especies, a diversidade e a Captura por Unidade de Esforco em numero e biomassa, aumentaram no reservatorio apos o manejo. Conclusoes Depois dos procedimentos de recuperacao, a composicao da ictiofauna do reservatorio foi semelhante a do trecho a montante. O desassoreamento e manejo de macrofitas no reservatorio foram beneficos para a diversidade da ictiofauna, por melhorar a qualidade da agua e pela ampliacao do espaco.
Framing the Mental Timeline : Egocentric and Allocentric Contributions to Space-Time Compatibility Effects

Temporal concepts are often thought to be implicitly associated with a spatial featurewithin a spatial frame of referencedescribed as a mental timeline. Consequently, conceptual processing of temporal cues can modulate spatial responses in a left-to-right representation. However, empirical support for this view is limited to paradigms where attention operates along a strictly dichotomous, viewer-centered frame of reference (e.g., left vs. right). The present thesis investigates the nature of this spatial bias in (a) more complex spatial layouts consisting of more than two possible locations and (b) in frames of reference that are anchored to the stimulus rather than the viewer. Our results reveal that time-based attentional biases are able to extend to stimulus-centered frame of reference, but are mediated by the canonical arrangement of the visual targets. Results are discussed in light of the cognitive flexibility and specificity in the construction of a mental timeline.
A constraint-based approach to acquisition of word-final consonant clusters in Turkish children

The current study provides a constraint-based analysis of L1 word-final consonant cluster acquisition in Turkish child language using some of L1 data originally presented by Topbas and Kopkalli-Yavuz (2008). The present analysis was done using [ɾ]+obstruent consonant cluster acquisition. A comparison of Gradual Learning Algorithm (GLA) under Optimality Theory (OT) as opposed to Harmonic Grammar (HG) is made to see under which model GLA functions more efficiently and reaches the target adult form faster. This convergence was simulated using the simulation feature of Praat (Boersma and Weenik, 2012). Since child language is unmarked at the initial state, faithfulness constraints have been assigned lower ranking values than markedness constraints. The noise was set to 2.0 and the plasticity to 0.1. The findings of the simulations show that GLA is more compatible with Noisy HG in showing convergence properties with the target adult output forms more effectively than OT-GLA does. In other words, the number of trial HG-GLA needed to reach the winning/optimal form was fewer than it was for OT-GLA.
Predation on Adult Piping Plovers at Predator Exclosure Cages

Abstract To boost productivity in the Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) breeding in the northern Great Plains, predator exclosure “cages” constructed of wire mesh fence were placed over 1,355 plover nests on alkali lake beaches in Alberta, Saskatchewan, North Dakota, and Montana during 1993-2002. Nesting plovers were killed, apparently by raptors, near cages at 68 (5%) of the nests. In contrast, no losses of adult plovers were detected at 420 nests that were not covered by cages. The predation was greatest (up to 48% of applications) when small (1-1.7 m) diameter cages with wire mesh tops were used at sites with low (mean, 4%) or moderate (15%) tree cover within two km. In areas with low tree cover, predation decreased to 0.7% of applications/year when large (3-4 m) diameter cages with soft netting tops replaced other designs. No predation was recorded in 393 applications of small cages at plover nests along the relatively treeless North Dakota-Montana border. Predator exclosure cages should be used cautiously for protecting eggs of endangered shorebirds. In some situations, enhanced productivity from use of the cages is outweighed by risks to adult birds.
‘ While separation was a factor identi fi ed in a signi fi cant number of cases , more cases analysed showed evidence of mental illness , mainly depression ’

‘There is little information about the background of perpetrators or the This paper discusses the findings of a ten-year study of filicide in Victoria, Australia, using the data from selected case files held in the Victorian coroner’s office for the period 2000–09. The study sought to examine whether separation is a factor in filicide cases, as well as the role of other factors, such as domestic violence and mental illness. Also, the study sought to identify whether filicide perpetrators had contact with support services, including family and friends, general practitioners, mental health services and child protection services, in order to ascertain how these services might more appropriately identify those families most at risk prior to the filicide. The study found that while separation was a factor identified in a significant number of cases, more cases analysed showed evidence of mental illness, mainly depression. These findings suggest the need for improved strategies in preventing filicide by identifying risk factors and improving service responses for victims prior to these tragic events. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parabrachial Neurons Promote Behavior and Electroencephalographic Arousal From General Anesthesia

General anesthesia has been used clinically for more than 170 years, yet its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) in the brainstem has been known to be crucial for regulating wakefulness and signs of arousal on the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG). Lesions of the parabrachial complex lead to unresponsiveness and a monotonous high-voltage, and a slow-wave EEG, which are the two main features of general anesthesia. However, it is unclear whether and how the PBN functions in the process of general anesthesia. By recording the levels of calcium in vivo in real-time, we found that the neural activity in PBN is suppressed during anesthesia, while it is robustly activated during recovery from propofol and isoflurane anesthesia. The activation of PBN neurons by “designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs” (DREADDs) shortened the recovery time but did not change the induction time. Cortical EEG recordings revealed that the neural activation of PBN specifically affected the recovery period, with a decrease of δ-band power or an increase in β-band power; no EEG changes were seen in the anesthesia period. Furthermore, the activation of PBN elicited neural activation in the prefrontal cortex, basal forebrain, lateral hypothalamus, thalamus, and supramammillary nucleus. Thus, PBN is critical for behavioral and electroencephalographic arousal without affecting the induction of general anesthesia.