Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Do Elected Officials Evaluate Performance? Goal Preferences, Governance Preferences, and the Process of Goal Reprioritization

Performance data allows politicians to exert accountability over public organizations, even as ideological biases can affect how they interpret such data. However, we know little about how motivated decision-makers prioritize goals when facing multiple pieces of contradictory performance data that reflect the competing goals of public services. Such goal conflict is an inherent aspect of public management. To understand its implications for the use of performance data use we develop a theory of goal reprioritization. We start by assuming that elected officials have preferences between specific policy goals, and about governance processes – such as a preference for public or private service provision. When elected officials face contradictory pieces of performance data, governance preferences drive performance evaluations to the point that they are willing to reweight their goal preferences to minimize cognitive dissonance. We offer experimental evidence of this process, showing that elected officials asked to evaluate school performance reprioritize between two distinct policy goals for schools – test scores and student well-being – to fit with their governance preferences. Reprioritization is an attractive strategy since it allows elected officials to claim they are using performance data, even as underlying governance preferences lead them to set aside the evaluative goal-based criteria by which they would otherwise make performance evaluations. In other words, preferences concerning the nature of government can trump goal preferences when decision-makers use performance data.
QTL mapping in cattle: theoretical and empirical approach

In tabulated form the localization is presented of all QTLs for milk production traits in cattle known from publications till April 2006 with special reference to those responsible for mastitis, fertility and other traits important in marker-assisted selection. The distribution is analysed of QTLs in Bos taurus autosomes, as well as most probable localization of QTLs for milk production traits. Special attention is paid to autosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27 and sex chromosome X. An evidence is provided for the pleiotropy of QTLs as a widely extended phenomenon in dairy cattle.
The SPHERE Challenge: Activity Recognition with Multimodal Sensor Data

This paper outlines the Sensor Platform for HEalthcare in Residential Environment (SPHERE) project and details the SPHERE challenge that will take place in conjunction with European Conference on Machine Learning and Principles and Practice of Knowledge Discov- ery (ECML-PKDD) between March and July 2016. The SPHERE chal- lenge is an activity recognition competition where predictions are made from video, accelerometer and environmental sensors. Monitory prizes will be awarded to the top three entrants, with e1,000 being awarded to the winner, e600 being awarded to the rst runner up, and e400 being awarded to the second runner up. The dataset can be downloaded from the University of Bristol's data servers 3 (? ).
The higher productivity of the bioenergy feedstock Miscanthus x giganteus relative to Panicum virgatum is seen both into the long term and beyond Illinois

For the C4 perennial grasses, Miscanthus x giganteus and Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), to be successful for bioenergy production they must have high yields over the long term. Previous studies under the lower production conditions of Europe found little or no yield decline in M. x giganteus in the long-term. This study provides the first analysis of whether yield decline occurs in M. x giganteus under U.S. Midwest conditions in side-by-side trials with P. virgatum over 8-10 years at seven locations across Illinois. The effect of stand age was determined by using a linear regression model that included effects of weather. M. x giganteus produced yields more than twice that of P. virgatum averaging 23.4 ± 1.2 Mg ha -1 y -1 and 10.0 ± 0.09 Mg ha -1 y -1 , respectively, averaged over 8-10 years. Relationships of yield with precipitation and growing degree days were established, and used to estimate yields corrected for the stochastic effects of weather. Across all locations and in both species, yield initially increased until it reached a maximum during the fifth growing season and then declined and leveling in the eighth. This pattern was more pronounced in M. x giganteus. Yields observed over these 8-10 years were lower than yields previously reported for M. x giganteus grown in the U.S. Midwest over a shorter duration but similar to previously reported P. virgatum yields suggesting a stronger effect of stand age on M. x giganteus than P. virgatum yield. Based on the average yield over the period of this study, to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate of 60 billion liters of cellulosic ethanol by 2022, 6.8 million hectares of M. x giganteus or 15.8 million hectares of P. virgatum would be required.
Minimal BRDF sampling for two-shot near-field reflectance acquisition

We develop a method to acquire the BRDF of a homogeneous flat sample from only two images, taken by a near-field perspective camera, and lit by a directional light source. Our method uses the MERL BRDF database to determine the optimal set of lightview pairs for data-driven reflectance acquisition. We develop a mathematical framework to estimate error from a given set of measurements, including the use of multiple measurements in an image simultaneously, as needed for acquisition from near-field setups. The novel error metric is essential in the near-field case, where we show that using the condition-number alone performs poorly. We demonstrate practical near-field acquisition of BRDFs from only one or two input images. Our framework generalizes to configurations like a fixed camera setup, where we also develop a simple extension to spatially-varying BRDFs by clustering the materials.
Parasitic worms mainly from Celebes; Part 3. Digenetic trematodes of fishes, II.

Bucephalidae Poche, 1907 1. Prosorhynchus longicollis n. sp. 2. Rhipidocotyle khalili Nagaty, 1937 Allocreadiidae Stossich, 1904 3. Helicometra epinepheli Yamaguti, 1934 4. Opeehona scombri Yamaguti, 1938 5. Pseudopecoeloides tenuis Yamaguti, 1940 Schistorchiidae Yamaguti, 1942 6. Schistorchis sigani Yamaguti, 1942 7. Apocreadium synagris n. sp. Fellodistomidae Nicoll. 1913 8. Symmetrovesicula ehaetodontis Yamaguti, 1938 Monorchiidae Odhner, 1911 9. Lasiotocus lethrini n. sp. Heterophyidae Odhner, 1911 10. Paracryptogonimus aeanthostomus Yamaguti, 1934 Gyliauchenidae Ozaki, 1933 11. Gyliauchen nahaensis Ozaki, 1937 12. Gyliauehen papillatus (Goto et Matsudaira, 1918) Hemiuridae Luhe, 1901 13. Parahemiurus clupeae n. sp. 14. Aphanurus harengulae Yamaguti, 1938 15. Aphanurus dorosomatis n. sp. 16. Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 17. Aponurus synagris n. sp. 18. Lecithochirium priacanthi n. sp. 19. Lecithochirium longicaudatum n. sp. 20. Lecithocladium parviovum n. sp. 21. Lecithocladium megalaspis n. sp. 22. Lecithocladium angustiovum n. sp. 23. Lecithocladium scombri n. sp. 24. Tubulovesicula angusticauda (Nicoli, 1915) 25. Magnacetabulum leiognathi n. sp. 26. Hysterolecitha nahaensis Yamaguti, 1942 27. Hysterolecithoides epinepheli Yamaguti, 1934 28. Lecithaster stellatus Looss, 1907 Angiodictyidae Looss, 1902 29. Hexangium sigani Goto et Ozaki, 1929 Didymozoidae Poche, 1907 30. Didymozoon spirale Yamaguti, 1938 31. Didymozoon brevicolle Yamaguti, 1938 32. Unitubulotestis carangis n. g. , n. sp. ∗Copyright c ©OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL PARASITIC WORMS MAINLY FROM CELEBES Part 3. Digenetic Trematodes of Fishes, 11. With 4 Plates
A Review of Bird Deterrents Used in Agriculture

Author(s): Rivadeneira, Paula; Kross, Sara; Navarro-Gonzalez, Nora; Jay-Russell, Michele | Abstract: Animal intrusion causes significant agricultural losses each year. Wild and domestic animals destroy crops by eating and trampling them, and can pose food safety risks due to the deposition of feces on or near the crops. Birds are one of the most challenging animals to keep out of agricultural fields. Growers try countless methods to deter them, including visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory means. While some of these methods work some of the time, none provide stand-alone protection all the time. Recently there has been interest in developing technology-based solutions to deter nuisance birds in agricultural settings, while others are exploring more natural methods, including falconry. We provide a general overview of bird deterrent methods that are currently in use in agricultural settings, and explore options for novel methods. We found that very few independent scientific studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of most bird deterrent methods. Ultimately, a multi-tiered approach using integrated pest management techniques will likely be most useful as it can be tailored to meet the needs of individual farmers.
Activation and induction of antigen-specific T follicular helper cells (TFH) play a critical role in LAIV-induced human mucosal anti-influenza antibody response

There is increasing interest recently in developing intranasal vaccines against respiratory tract infections. Antibody response is critical in vaccine-induced protection and T is considered important in mediating antibody response. Most data supporting the role for T in antibody response are from animal studies, and direct evidence from humans is limited, apart from T -like cells in blood. We studied activation and induction of T and its role on anti-influenza antibody response by live-attenuated influenza vaccine(LAIV) in human nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue(NALT). T activation in adenotonsillar tissues were analysed by flow-cytometry, and anti-hemagglutinin(HA) antibodies examined following LAIV stimulation of tonsillar mononuclear cells(MNC). Induction of antigen-specific T by LAIV was studied by flow-cytometry for induced T and CD154 expression. LAIV induced T proliferation which correlated with anti-HA antibody production, and T was shown critical for antibody response. Induction of T from naive T cells by LAIV was shown in newly induced T expressing BCL6 and CD21, which was followed by the detection of anti-HA antibodies. Antigen specificity of LAIV-induced T was demonstrated by the expression of antigen-specific T cell activation marker CD154 upon challenge by H1N1 virus antigen or HA. LAIV-induced T differentiation was inhibited by BCL6, IL21, ICOS and CD40 signalling blocking respectively, and that diminished anti-HA antibody production. We demonstrate for the first time the induction of antigen-specific T by LAIV in human NALT that provide critical support for anti-influenza antibody response. Promoting antigen-specific T in NALT by intranasal vaccines may provide an effective vaccination strategy against respiratory infections in humans. Airway infection such as influenza is common in humans. Intranasal vaccination has been considered a more biologically relevant and effective way of immunization against airway infection. Vaccine-induced antibody response is crucial for protection against infection. Recent data from animal studies suggest one type of T cells, named T is important for the antibody response. However, data on whether this T -mediated help for antibody production operates in humans is limited, due to the lack of access to human immune tissue containing the T In this study, we demonstrated the induction of T cells by an intranasal influenza vaccine in human immune tissue that provide critical support for anti-influenza antibody response. Our findings provide direct evidence that T cells play a critical role in vaccine-induced immunity in humans, and suggest a novel strategy to promote such cells by intranasal vaccines against respiratory infections. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2018 Aljurayyan et al.]
Characterisation of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) polyprotein processing.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a birnavirus that infects the B-cells in the bursa of Fabricius of young chickens, causing Gumboro disease. The IBDV 114 kDa polyprotein (NH2-pVP2-VP4-VP3-COOH) is thought to be processed at Ala-Ala and Ala-Ala through the proteolytic activity of VP4, a serine protease which uses a Ser/Lys catalytic dyad, to release pVP2, VP4 and VP3. Precursor VP2 (pVP2) is further processed at its Cterminus to generate VP2 and structural peptides through the cleavage of the AlaPhe, Ala-Ala, Ala-Ala and Ala-Ala peptide bonds to release VP2 and four structural peptides, pep46, pep7a, pep7b and pep11. While the processing at the AlaPhe site was shown to be mediated by the endopeptidase activity of VP2, the processing at the other two sites is not well understood. The products resulting from the processing of the IBDV polyprotein were previously identified by anti-VP2 and anti-VP3 antibodies. The present study used anti-VP4 peptide antibodies to identify products resulting from the IBDV polyprotein processing. It was hypothesised that VP4 exists in two forms, the embedded form which exists as an integral part of the polyprotein and a mature form which is released after the processing. In order to characterise the two forms of VP4, six different fragments i.e. full-length polyprotein (Met-Glu), truncated polyprotein (Ile-Trp), VP4-RA (Arg-Ala), VP4-RK (Arg-Lys), VP4-∆VP3 (Ala-Trp, called VP4-AW for the sake of simplicity) and VP4-AA (Ala-Ala) were amplified from the IBDV dsRNA, cloned into a T-vector and sub-cloned into several expression vectors. The constructs were sequenced prior to expression. The sequence of the polyprotein coding region was used to determine the pathotype of the isolate used for viral dsRNA isolation. This isolate was from IBDV-infected bursae harvested from commercial chickens during an IBD outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1995, thus naming the isolate SA-KZN95. The comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of SA-KZN95 polyprotein with 52 sequences of other IBDV strains highlighted 21 residues which could be molecular markers of different IBDV pathotypes. The residues of SA-KZN95 were identical to those of the Malaysian very virulent UPM94/273 strain. The constructs representing the embedded and mature forms of VP4 were recombinantly expressed. Processing was observed from the expression of the full-length polyprotein, truncated polyprotein, VP4-RA, VP4-RK and VP4-AW, but not from VP4-AA expression.
Investigation of the mechanisms of regulations, activation, and deactivation of Guanylate Cyclase, the endogenous NO-receptor, and NO-sensors

Le recepteur endogene du NO, la guanylate cyclase (sGC) est l'objet de these. Cette enzyme synthetise le GMPc apres fixation du NO. L'outil principal utilise est la spectroscopie d'absorption resolue en temps picoseconde-nanoseconde. Nous avons montre que la fixation simultanee du CO et d'activateurs (YC-1, Bay 41-2272) induisent un heme 5c-CO, a l'instar du NO seul, expliquant l'activation synergique. Nous avons identifie toutes les etapes de l'interaction sGC-NO en mesurant la dynamique du NO de la picoseconde a la seconde. Cette dynamique dans la proteine entiere est comparee a celle de la sous-unite beta (1-190) isolee et celle de senseurs de NO bacteriens. Un mutant de la myoglobine (H93C) a ete utilise comme modele pour l'etude de l'heme dans les etats 4- et 5-coordonnes. Enfin, nous avons mesure la variation d'absorption dans la bande III de la Mb et Hb pour mesurer le mouvement du Fer de l'heme apres fixation du NO. Nous avons cherche un inhibiteur potentiel et un ligand endogene de la sGC
Climate‐driven simulation of global crop sowing dates

Aim To simulate the sowing dates of 11 major annual crops at the global scale at high spatial resolution, based on climatic conditions and crop-specific temperature requirements. Location Global. Methods Sowing dates under rainfed conditions are simulated deterministically based on a set of rules depending on crop-and climate-specific characteristics. We assume that farmers base their timing of sowing on experiences with past precipitation and temperature conditions, with the intra-annual variability being especially important. The start of the growing period is assumed to be dependent either on the onset of the wet season or on the exceeding of a crop-specific temperature threshold for emergence. To validate our methodology, a global data set of observed monthly growing periods (MIRCA2000) is used. Results We show simulated sowing dates for 11 major field crops world-wide and give rules for determining their sowing dates in a specific climatic region. For all simulated crops, except for rapeseed and cassava, in at least 50% of the grid cells and on at least 60% of the cultivated area, the difference between simulated and observed sowing dates is less than 1 month. Deviations of more than 5 months occur in regions characterized by multiple-cropping systems, in tropical regions which, despite seasonality, have favourable conditions throughout the year, and in countries with large climatic gradients. Main conclusions Sowing dates under rainfed conditions for various annual crops can be satisfactorily estimated from climatic conditions for large parts of the earth. Our methodology is globally applicable, and therefore suitable for simulating sowing dates as input for crop growth models applied at the global scale and taking climate change into account.
The role of syntaxin and tomosyn in platelet secretion

OF DISERTATION THE ROLE of SYNTAXIN AND TOMOSYN IN PLATELET SECRETION Platelet secretion is important for hemostasis and thrombosis. The components released are also involved in atherosclerosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Though the exact mechanism(s) of platelet secretion is still elusive, accumulating evidence demonstrates that SNAREs (Soluble N-ethylmaleimide Sensitive Factor Associated Receptor) and their regulatory partners are critical for platelet exocytosis. Formation of a trans-bilayer complex composed of one v-SNARE (i.e. VAMPs) and two t-SNAREs (i.e. syntaxin and SNAP-25-type) is minimally required for membrane fusion. Regulatory proteins control the rate and specificity of the complex assembly. VAMP-8 and SNAP-23 (a SNAP-25-type t-SNARE) are clearly important; however, the identity of the functional syntaxin has been controversial. Previous studies, using anti-syntaxin antibodies in permeabilized platelets, suggested roles for both syntaxin-2 and -4. These conclusions were experimentally tested using platelets from syntaxin knockout mice and from a Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis type 4 (FHL4) patient that lacks syntaxin-11. Platelets from syntaxin-2 and syntaxin-4 single or double knockout mice had no significant secretion defect. However, platelets from the FHL4 patient had a robust defect, though their morphology, activation, and cargo levels appeared normal. Semi-quantitative western blotting showed that syntaxin-11 is the most abundant syntaxin in both human and murine platelets. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that syntaxin-11 forms SNARE complexes with VAMP-8 and SNAP-23. These data conclusively demonstrate that syntaxin-11, but not syntaxin-2, or 4, is required for platelet exocytosis. We also show that a syntaxin binding protein, tomosyn-1, is important for platelet exocytosis and hemostasis. Tomosyn-1 was identified from platelet extracts using affinity chromatography, RT-PCR analysis, and western blotting analysis. Tomosyn-1 was co-immunoprecipitated with syntaxin-11/SNAP-23 from both resting and activated
Variability Studies for Some Quantitative Characters in White Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Advance Lines

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important spices vegetable consumed throughout the year. It also has high export potential and comes under cash crop apart from vegetables (Pandey, 1989). India is the second largest producer of onion in the world after China. Onion are used as a salad or cooked in various ways in all curries, fried or baked. It is also used in processed from e.g. flakes, powder paste, crush and pickles etc. The production of white onion is now becoming popular among farmers, producers and exporter. The exporters export the white onion from Maharashtra and Gujarat which has greater potential for dehydration. The work conducted on selection of suitable white onion is very scanty (Sethi et al., 1993). Thus for improving the efficiency of selection in any base population, the knowledge of genetic variability present in it is of prime importance to the breeder. Since most of the economic plant characters in onion are polygenic in nature and highly influenced by the environment to improve the yield through selection of better varieties knowledge of the nature of association of bulb yield with yield contributing characters is very essential. Keeping this in view the present investigation was undertaken to study genetic parameters for important economic characters and their effect on total yield in white onion advance lines collected from different region of India.
Cytochemical staining methods for electron microscopy

Chapter 1. Introduction (P.R. Lewis and D.P. Knight). 1.1. The Objectives of Section Staining. 1.2. Contrast in Transmission Electron Microscopy. 1.3. Fixation of tissues. 1.4. Preparation of Tissues. 1.5. Special Embedding Techniques. 1.6. Safety in the Laboratory. Chapter 2. Cytological Staining Methods (D.P. Knight and P.R. Lewis). 2.1. Resin Sections for Light Microscopy. 2.2. Procedures for Handling Ultrathin Sections. 2.3. Lead Stains. 2.4. Uranyl Acetate. 2.5. A Procedure for Double Staining. 2.6. Osmium Tetroxide. 2.7. Other Cytological Stains. 2.8. Tracers in Electron Microscopy. Chapter 3. General Cytochemical Methods (D.P. Knight and P.R. Lewis). 3.1. The limitations of present techniques. 3.2. Cytochemical Methods with Broad Specificities. 3.3. Methods for Nucleic Acids. 3.4. General Methods for Proteins. 3.5. Specific Methods for Carbohydrates. 3.6. Methods for Lipids. 3.7. Precipitation Methods for Inorganic Ions. 3.8. Extractive Methods. Chapter 4. Metal Precipitation Methods for Hydrolytic Enzymes (P.R. Lewis). 4.1. The Principles of Enzyme Cytochemistry. 4.2. Some Practical Problems of Enzymes Cytochemistry. 4.3. Methods for Acid Hydrolases and Related Techniques. 4.4. Enzymes Which Hydrolyze ATP. 4.5. Other Phosphatases. 4.6. General Techniques for Esterases. 4.7. Techniques Specific for the Cholinesterases. Chapter 5. Other Cytochemical Methods for Enzymes (P.R. Lewis). 5.1. Histochemistry of the Oxidases. 5.2. A Biochemical Background to Dehydrogenase Histochemistry. 5.3. Ferricyanide as a Histochemical Reagent. 5.4. The Use of Tetrazolium Salts. 5.5. Azo-dye Coupling Techniques. 5.6 Methods for Other Enzymes. 5.7. Recent Advances and Future Development in Cytochemistry. Appendix 1. Stock solutions. Appendix 2. List of suppliers.
Biomassa microbiana, em um Argissolo Vermelho, em diferentes coberturas vegetais, em área cultivada com mandioca - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v30i4.5301

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of cassava cultivation under different management practices on soil microbial biomass, its activity and its derived indexes. The field experiment was carried out in Gloria de Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, in a sandy soil (Oxisol), under conventional drilling, no-tillage system under Estilozobium pruriens, Sorghum bicolor and Pennisetum glaucum mulching, compared to the native vegetation system. Evaluations were done in May/2003, June/2003, November/2003, April/2004 and November/2004. Soil microbiota was directly influenced by the presence or absence of vegetable residues, indicating that the use of covering plants in cassava cultivation favors the improvement of soil quality, representing a promising alternative for better management practices of this cultivation.