Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of Bootstrap Simulation and Asymmetric Causal Approach to Fiscal Deficit-Inflation Nexus

This paper investigates the symmetric and asymmetric relationship between fiscal deficits and inflation in Nigeria within the context of bootstrap simulations with leverage adjustments using the quarterly frequency data from 1981Q1 to 2016Q4. The findings reveal that there is neither symmetric nor asymmetric causality between fiscal deficits and inflation in Nigeria. This implies that the fiscal deficits in Nigeria are not inflationary; and also, that persistent double-digit inflation rates are not the causal agents spurring perennial increase in fiscal deficits in Nigeria. This study, therefore, concludes that fiscal deficits could be used to stimulate output level in Nigeria without fueling inflationary spiral in the economy. JEL Classification: C32, E17
The invertebrate fauna of four macrophytes in a lotic system

SUMMARY. 1. Invertebrates associated with four species of aquatic plants and on the adjacent substrate were investigated in a riffle/run section of a hard-water stream. 2. Invertebrates were more numerous on stones than on any species of plant (> 17,000m−2 versus 1000–4000 m−2). Gatherers were more abundant on Ranunculus longirostris, where proportionally more fine detritus was trapped in the leaf bundles than on other plants. Scrapers were most numerous on Charu vulgaris, where attached diatoms were also most prevalent. 3. Invertebrate community structure on three plant speeies was quite different from that on stones. This was not the case for Potamogeton amplifolius which appeared to be used by the organisms as a mere extension of the substrate.
Monitoring of phenological stage and yield estimation of sunflower plant using Sentinel-2 satellite images

Abstract With the increase of the world’s population, while urbanization is increasing, agricultural lands are decreasing. Therefore, monitoring of up-to-date agricultural lands is important for agricultural product estimation. The study investigates suitability of Sentinel-2 data for the phenological stage analysis and yield estimation of sunflower plant. To this aim, fieldworks was conducted and sunflower parcels were identified in Zile district of Tokat province, Turkey which has dense sunflower production. In this study, ten Vegetation Indices (VIs) were performed by using multi-temporal Sentinel-2 data obtained during the growth stages of sunflower plant and yield estimation was obtained. As a result, the indices obtained on 30 June, at the stage of inflorescence emergence, provided coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.67 and The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) lower than 13 kg/da. Among the VIs, the best forecast obtained by NDVI (R2 = 0.74 and RMSE = 10.80 kg/da) approximately three months before the harvest of sunflower.
ADDITION OF SULFAMETHOXAZOLE TO SELECTIVE MEDIA AIDS IN THE RECOVERY OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP. FROM BROILER RINSES

The association of Campylobacter spp. with raw poultry products has been well established. Campy-Line agar (CLA) is a recently developed selective culture medium that allows very few non-Campylobacter colonies to grow. The few contaminants able to grow on CLA from typical broiler chicken carcass rinses were identified and found to be sensitive to the antimicrobial agent sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The purpose of our experiment was to determine the influence of SMX on recovery of C. jejuni from broiler carcass rinse samples when added to Campy-Cefex agar or CLA. Cefex and CLA were prepared with and without the addition of 25 mg SMX/L media. Broiler carcass rinse samples (post-pick, n = 80 and post-chill, n = 80) were obtained from eight different commercial processors across the United States and were surface plated on the selective agars. Both Cefex and CLA with and without SMX recovered similar populations of Campylobacter; however, significantly fewer contaminants were observed on the Cefex with added SMX and the CLA with or without SMX compared to normal Cefex. The more selective CLA with SMX had no contaminants present from this sample type, which simplified enumeration. Addition of SMX should be considered for increasing selectivity of Campylobacter-specific media. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The addition of sulfamethoxazole to Campylobacter-selective agar can reduce the number of contaminants on the agar and facilitate enumeration of Campylobacter colonies.
Polo-Like Kinase Controls Vertebrate Spindle Elongation and Cytokinesis

During cell division, chromosome segregation must be coordinated with cell cleavage so that cytokinesis occurs after chromosomes have been safely distributed to each spindle pole. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is an essential kinase that regulates spindle assembly, mitotic entry and chromosome segregation, but because of its many mitotic roles it has been difficult to specifically study its post-anaphase functions. Here we use small molecule inhibitors to block Plk1 activity at anaphase onset, and demonstrate that Plk1 controls both spindle elongation and cytokinesis. Plk1 inhibition did not affect anaphase A chromosome to pole movement, but blocked anaphase B spindle elongation. Plk1-inhibited cells failed to assemble a contractile ring and contract the cleavage furrow due to a defect in Rho and Rho-GEF localization to the division site. Our results demonstrate that Plk1 coordinates chromosome segregation with cytokinesis through its dual control of anaphase B and contractile ring assembly.
Cylindrocarpon Species Associated with Black-Foot of Grapevine in Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada

Black-foot disease of grapevine is caused by a complex of soilborne fungi. The most common and virulent species, which are found across all major grapegrowing regions of the world, are Cylindrocarpon liriodendri (C. liriodendri) and C. macrodidymum (teleomorph = Neonectria). Other species with a more limited distribution and uncertainty regarding their pathogenicity include C. destructans, C. obtusisporum, C. pauciseptatum, Campylocarpon fasciculare (C. fasciculare), and C. pseudofasciculare. The goal was to identify the species associated with black-foot disease in vineyards of the northeastern United States (U.S.) and southeastern Canada as such regions have not previously been surveyed. Recent expansion of winegrape acreage in these regions necessitates a clear understanding of the disease risks. Eleven U.S. states and two Canadian provinces were surveyed. Genus-level identification was based preliminarily on colony morphology. Species-level identity was based on phylogenetic analysis of two nuclear loci, 5.8S rDNA and ß-tubulin, using voucher specimens and sequences with high sequence identity. We report for the first time from Canada recovery of C. liriodendri, C. macrodidymum, and C. destructans from symptomatic grapevines. Also reported are species not previously identified from black-foot symptomatic grapes anywhere in the world, including C. didymum and a Neonectria mammoidea-like species. Results suggest that local viticultural practices, primarily burying the vine underground during winter, may create injuries, and thus exacerbate infection by wound pathogens such as Cylindrocarpon. Overall this work improves the knowledge of black-foot disease in these nascent grapegrowing regions and will be helpful to growers in their decisions regarding viticultural practices, planting, and disease management.
Development of Hydrophobic Starch

The aim of this work was a systematic investigation of the preparation conditions for stable aqueous dispersions of hydrophobic starch. Samples of benzylated starch were therefore synthesised and then converted into hydrophobic dispersions by fragmentation. In the study, the type of starch and process parameters such as the degree of hydrophobic substitution and fragmentation method were varied. It was shown that the type of derivatisation process (i.e. heterogeneous in a slurry or homogeneous in an autoclave) had a crucial influence on the dispersion properties. Dilution from homogeneous solution and steam-jet cooking were explored as fragmentation methods for the starch derivatives. The resulting dispersions were comprehensively characterised in relation to the molecular properties of the soluble fraction and sediment. Significant differences in dispersion properties were caused by the type of starch used (i.e. potato or maize) and the derivatisation process, for a similar degree of benzylation.
Comparison of Cotton Square and Boll Damage and Resulting Lint and Seed Loss Caused by Verde Plant Bug, Creontiades signatus 1

Abstract. Retention of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , bolls and squares (referred to as fruit retention), boll damage, and resulting lint and seed weight loss were assessed when two (2010) and three (2011) age classes of sympodial fruiting branches with different ages of squares and bolls where exposed to verde plant bug, Creontiades signatus Distant (Hemiptera: Miridae), in cages in the field. An increasing trend was observed in fruit retention from the youngest to the oldest branch age treatment for both years, and the effect was primarily determined by the age of the fruiting body. Low fruit retention (<20%) was seen in young bolls <7 days old in the first two fruiting positions from the main stem compared with >80% retention in checks not exposed to verde plant bug. In infested cages, fruit retention of young bolls was significantly less (P = 0.016) than older bolls and squares 2–3 days before bloom or younger. Similar to fruit retention results, damage of harvested bolls and lint and seed weight (using zero for abscised fruit) differed among the age of the fruiting body primarily for fruiting positions one (2010 and 2011) and two (2011) (P < 0.0001). The first two fruiting positions were the main contributors to plant productivity differences in lint and seed weight. Overall, verde plant bugs given a feeding choice reduced fruit retention in young bolls <7 days old, damaged retained bolls <11 days old, and larger bolls and young squares at least 2–3 days from bloom incurred significantly less abscission and damage. These results supported the interpretation that less fruit retention and more damage of young bolls justified a focus on protecting young bolls in a pest management program, especially during early to peak bloom when young bolls are abundant.
Prosodic and Phonetic Aspects of Paralinguistic Utterances with the German Modal Particle schon in L1 and L2

In this study, prosodic aspects of the German modal particle schon are investigated, expressing three kinds of paralinguistic information, “conviction,” “reservation,” and “rebuttal. ” To clarify if there are common vs. language-dependent prosodic aspects of utterances with MP schon conveying paralinguistic meaning in L1 and L2, both production and perception experiments for L1 native speakers and L2 Japanese learners of German at the A1 level were conducted. Japanese nonlearners of German (NL) also attended the perception experiment, to compare the results with L1 speakers and L2 learners of German. The results in production show common prosodic properties in L1 and L2 on the one hand, such as longer duration of utterance, larger pitch range, and higher F1 in the accented vowel in the “rebuttal” utterance; but we also found language-dependent properties, such as lower pitch and higher intensity in the whole utterance in “rebuttal” by L1 speakers, while higher mean pitch and lower intensity in “rebuttal” utterances by L2 speakers were observed. In perception, the results show common tendencies in L1 and L2, such as perceptual confusion between “conviction” and “rebuttal,” although the overall percentage of correct answers by L1 speakers was significantly higher than by L2 speakers and Japanese nonlearners.
A CAUSE OF VARIATION IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF INFESTATIONS OF WHEAT BULB FLY (LEPTOHYLEMYIA COARCTATA) WITHIN FIELDS

Eggs and larvae of Wheat Bulb fly (Leptohylemyia coarctata (Fall.)) were fewest near trees and hedges for a distance approximately equal to the height of the vegetation, probably because egg‐laying flies are negatively hypsotactic and avoid the vicinity of prominent objects on the skyline.
Using tailored temperature variations to obtain flawless forming of multi-stacked unidirectional prepreg

In this article, tailored temperature zones are used to obtain improved quality during rapid, high pressure forming of multi-stacked unidirectional prepreg. Particularly in aerospace applications, commonly used forming processes for multi-stacked unidirectional prepreg are often considered a bottleneck in production since the forming cycle requires both heating and cooling ramps and consequently takes long time—often about 1 h. It is possible to speed up the process by using elevated pressure and temperature. However, higher pressure and temperature also increase the influence of pressure gradient-driven, in-plane material movement (squeeze flow). This typically appears as radius thinning when forming a C-spar geometry on a male mold. Decrease of lay-up temperature will decrease radius thinning, but due to obstructed interply slippage, instead bending-induced wrinkles appear on the spar flange. In this article, tailored temperatures at the radius and in the flange area are introduced by using a hot lay-up and a cold mold. The results show that temperature differences of 6℃–10℃ between the radius area and the flange edge of the lay-up decreases radius thinning while still avoiding bending-induced wrinkles. Except from the radius temperature also the stacking sequence and the choice of prepreg system showed a significant influence on the radius thinning.
Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness in Early Adolescence: The Role of Empathy and Emotional Self-Efficacy

Knowledge about the role of empathy, emotional self-efficacy, and loneliness on early adolescents’ depressive symptoms is scarce. The main aims of the study were to investigate the following: (a) the role of empathy and emotional self-efficacy (additive and interactive) on loneliness and depressive symptoms, taking into account gender differences and (b) the possible mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between emotional predictors and depressive symptoms. Three hundred forty-eight Italian early adolescents (48% girls; mean age, 13; SD = 0.3) completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire at two time points (1 year apart). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data. Results indicated the following: (a) high empathy and low emotional self-efficacy were related to higher subsequent loneliness and depressive symptoms; (b) emotional self-efficacy moderated the relationship between empathy and loneliness and, only for girls, between empathy and depressive symptoms; (c) no mediation role of loneliness between emotional predictors (empathy and emotional self-efficacy) and depressive symptoms was found. Results are discussed in relation to preventive interventions targeting early adolescents.
The tadpole of Pseudis minuta (Anura: Pseudidae), an apparent case of heterochrony

The external morphology, oral disc, and coloration pattern of the larva of Pseudis minuta are described. Tadpoles are mostly bottom dwellers that have a small, terminal oral disc with a labial tooth row formula 1(1-1)/(1-1)2. Internal oral anatomy is characterized using scanning electron microscopy, representing the only description available for the family Pseudidae. The coloration pattern of P. minuta tadpoles is compared with that of other pseudids. Pseudis minuta larvae do not exhibit the ontogenetic coloration change reported for P. paradoxa. Considering larval coloration, larval size, and reports of adult size, acceleration or hypermorphosis are suggested as possible heterochronic mechanisms involved in the evolution of Pseudis.
Hybrid Renewable Energy Microgrid for a Residential Community: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Perspective in the Context of the SDG7

Energy, being a prime enabler in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), should be affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern. One of the SDGs (i.e., SDG7) suggests that it is necessary to ensure energy access for all. In developing countries like India, the progress toward SDG7 has somewhat stagnated. The aging conventional electric power system has its dominant share of energy from fossil fuels, plagued with frequent power outages, and leaves many un-electrified areas. These are not characteristics of a sustainable and modern system in the context of the SDG7. Promoting renewable-based energy systems, especially in the context of microgrids (MGs), is one of the promising advances needed to rejuvenate the progress toward the SDG7. In this context, a hybrid renewable energy microgrid (HREM) is proposed that gives assurance for energy access to all in an affordable, reliable, and sustainable way through modern energy systems. In this paper, a techno-economic and environmental modeling of the grid-independent HREM and its optimization for a remote community in South India are presented. A case of HREM with a proposed configuration of photovoltaic/wind turbine/diesel generator/battery energy storage system (PV/WT/DG/BESS) was modeled to meet the community residential electric load requirements. This investigation dealt with the optimum sizes of the different components used in the HREM. The results of this model presented numerous feasible solutions. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the best solution from the four optimized results. From the results, it was established that a PV + DG + BESS based HREM was the most cost-effective configuration for the specific location. In addition, the obtained optimum solutions were mapped with the key criteria of the SDG7. This mapping also suggested that the PV + DG + BESS configuration falls within the context of the SDG7. Overall, it is understood that the proposed HREM would provide energy access to households that is affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern.
Prevalence of child abuse and its association with depression among first year students of Kuwait University: a cross-sectional study.

Background Child maltreatment occurs across all cultures and societies. Research in Kuwait is necessary to document its prevalence and related factors. Aims To determine the prevalence of childhood abuse reported by first year students of Kuwait University in 2010 and its association with depression. Methods A random sample of first year undergraduates completed the Arabic version of the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tools for young adults and were assessed for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Among 2508 respondents (70.9% female), 35.6%, 53.5% and 19.8% experienced at least one form of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, respectively. Physical abuse was more prevalent among boys (P < 0.001). For emotional and sexual abuse, sex differences were not statistically significant. Physical abuse was associated with living with the father, emotional abuse with living with the mother and sexual abuse with living with non-parents (P < 0.001). Most perpetrators were non-parents. Abuse was more prevalent among students whose parents were separated/divorced, whose fathers were polygamous and where monthly family income was < US$ 1800. Depression was significantly associated with all types of abuse and in multiple regression indicated it was one of the most important predictors of physical and sexual abuse. Conclusion Kuwaiti first year undergraduates commonly reported experiencing abuse. There is a strong need for child protection policies, improved legislation and prevention strategies.
Resveratrol Treatment Is Associated with Lipid Regulation and Inhibition of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in Rabbits Fed a High-Fat Diet

The effects of resveratrol on various conditions have been widely studied previously. This paper aimed to investigate the influence of resveratrol on atherosclerosis (AS). Twenty-four New Zealand male rabbits were randomly and equally assigned to the normal diet group (NDG), fat diet group (FDG), and fat diet with resveratrol group (80 mg/kg/d, RFG). Biochemical indicators from blood samples were analyzed at baseline and 3 months to investigate the effects of resveratrol on blood lipid, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), liver, and renal function. The indicators including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CREA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and Lp-PLA2. At 3 months, arteries were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to study the influence of resveratrol on the aortic intima, smooth muscle layer, and the intima/media ratio. Comparisons of weight, ALT, AST, CREA, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Lp-PLA2 among the three groups showed no significant difference at baseline. However, at the end of 3 months, significant differences were observed in AST, CREA, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Lp-PLA2 between the three groups (P < 0.05). In pairwise comparison, CREA, TC, LDL-C, and Lp-PLA2 had significant differences between any two groups (P < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in the AST and HDL-C levels between RFG and NDG groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the HDL-C levels were also significantly different between the FDG and NDG groups (P < 0.01). The histologic analysis also showed that the thickness of the aortic intima and the ratio of the intima and aortic tunica media (P < 0.05) significantly decreased in RFG compared to FDG. Resveratrol may have an antiatherosclerosis effect on a rabbit model of AS.
Variation in fatty acid composition among genetically homogeneous seeds of canola (Brassica napus), and implications for genotypic selection based on single seeds

Selection of canola (Brassica napus L.) for fatty acid (FA) composition is often based on single seeds or small seed lots, but information is lacking on variation among repeated samples. Variation in FA composition was measured among repeated samples of B. napus seeds by gas chromatography on oil extracted by cold solvents, from a selfed doubled-haploid line (Monty-028DH), and an open-pollinated B. napus cv. Surpass 501TT. The variation in FA composition among repeated samples of 1, 3, 5, and 10 whole seeds was compared with the equivalent weight of ground seeds or Soxhlet-extracted oil. The standard deviation of oleic acid for whole seeds of Monty-028DH decreased from 2.12% (single-seed samples) to 0.12% (groups of 10 seeds), but was constant across an equivalent range in weight of ground seed (0.15%) and in volume of Soxhlet-extracted oil (0.05%). A single-seed sample is not sufficient to separate two B. napus genotypes differing in mean oleic acid content of 60% and 70% at the 95% confidence interval, based on the sampling variance measured in these experiments. Similar trends were found for all the major FAs in both varieties.
THE EVOLUTION OF PINK: MORPHOLOGICAL AND GENETIC VARIATION AMONG THREE LITHOPHRAGMA (SAXIFRAGACEAE) SPECIES

ABSTRACT Prior molecular work using ITS and chloroplast sequence data revealed that the endemic Lithophragma trifoliatum and the broad-ranging L. parviflorum form a tight clade with a third species, L. affine. We used AFLPs to assess the fine scale relationship of these three species from populations where their distributions overlap in northern California. Our results revealed two groups of L. trifoliatum, one nested within a group of L. affine and L. parviflorum and the other grouped with other populations of L. parviflorum, contrary to predictions based on plant morphology alone. The morphological pattern was not supported by the molecular data, suggesting that pink flowers evolved more than once, concurrently with other floral traits such as size and nectary length. It is also possible that this pattern is due to recent evolution or gene flow between the two color morphs. The possible ecological importance of these differences in floral traits (e.g., for pollination) warrants further study, as well as the extent to which these populations are reproductively isolated.