Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of Ganoderma boninense: a causal agent of basal stem rot disease in oil palm with endophyte bacteria in vitro.

The objective of this study was to screen the potential endophytic bacteria to be used as a biological control for Ganoderma boninense, the major causal pathogen of Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease in oil palm. Twenty endophytic bacteria were isolated from symptomless oil palm roots but only seven isolates showed inhibitory effect by suppressing the mycelial growth of G. boninense. The isolated bacteria were screened in vitro by dual culture assay and culture filtrate test for their antagonistic properties towards G. boninense. Four bacterial endophytes (EB2, EB4, EB5 & EB6) were established to have potential as biocontrol agents based on their percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) more than 50%. There was significantly difference in inhibitory effect (p<0.05) for dual culture test and these endophytic bacteria inhibited the fungal growth by an average of 52.78, 83.33, 67.59 and 93.52%, respectively on NA medium. Culture filtrate test likewise was showed a significant different for percentage of mycelia growth (p<0.05). Endophytic bacteria EB2, EB4, EB5 and EB6 suppressed the fungal growth by an average of 56.65, 91.45, 69.48 and 97.95%, respectively. Interestingly, out of four potential endophytic bacterial isolates, two, isolates namely EB4 and EB6, produced significantly (p<0.05) higher inhibitory effect than two more isolates of EB2 and EB5. Changes of hyphae occurred in presence of both bacteria of EB4 and EB6. Deformity and shrinkage of hyphae in EB6 was more apparent than in EB4 through mycelial growth test. Identification of species for these two bacteria was done using Biolog® System where EB6 was successfully identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa but EB4 could not be unidentified. Therefore, in vitro activities of EB4 and P. aeruginosa against G. boninense in these studies suggested that these endophytic bacteria can be used as an effective biological control agent. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers
The Impact of Financial Literacy on Negotiation Behavior

Abstract This research investigates the role of financial literacy on initiating and achieving a favorable negotiation outcome in an employment context. With a goal of improving long-term financial well-being, extant research examines whether increasing a person's understanding of basic financial concepts (“financial literacy”) improves his/her financial decision-making. The current research proposes broader effects of financial literacy via negotiation behavior. We follow prior research to measure financial literacy both objectively (as the accurate assessment of basic financial concepts, “financial knowledge”) and subjectively (as confidence in the application of basic financial skills and concepts, “financial confidence”). In a series of studies engaging students from undergraduate business courses and adults recruited from an online crowdsourcing service, this research examines the relationship between these measures of financial literacy and (a) the likelihood of initiating a negotiation and (b) the likely outcome from a negotiation, if initiated. Results suggest that financial confidence impacts participants’ willingness to engage in negotiation, while financial knowledge impacts the level of participants’ first offer. These findings suggest financial literacy has important implications for career advancement and compensation, as well as the successful management of interpersonal communications, even in fields not traditionally thought of as focusing on numerical reasoning skills.
Nouveau modèle tectono-climatique des Andes centrales du Nord (5-9°S)

Cette these, par une approche multidisciplinaire, propose un nouveau modele d'orogene a double vergence pour les Andes Centrales du Nord, expliquant l'epaississement crustal et la topographie actuelle. Une nouvelle synthese structurale et stratigraphique a travers l'avant-arc et la Cordillere Occidentale a permis de reveler la presence d'un chevauchement majeur a vergence Ouest. Pour la premiere fois, la construction d'une coupe equilibree traversant toutes les Andes Centrales du Nord, combinee a des donnees thermochronologiques, illustre un modele orogenique a double vergence se propageant de facon synchrone depuis ~30 Ma avec un raccourcissement total de 158 km. Une modelisation numerique de l'evolution tectono-climatique de l'orogenese nous montre le controle tectonique sur le climat regional des Andes avec l'acceleration de l'aridification du versant Ouest a ~15 Ma et au Pliocene, ainsi que le soulevement tardif et la formation d'un equivalent de l'Altiplano, qui aurait ete incise et vidange recemment par la riviere du Maranon.
Optimization and Economic Analysis of Standalone Hybrid PV-Biomass-Hydel Energy System Using HOMER

This study proposes optimization and economic analysis of standalone PV-Biomass and Hydel as a hybrid energy system that also includes diesel generator and battery array as back up source of power. This off-grid system serves the electrical energy demand of a rural location which further reduces the dependency on conventional fossil fuel generation that induces high cost of energy and results in increased carbon contents emission. State of the art tools like Hybrid optimization model of electric renewables (HOMER) have brought new opportunities for utilization of renewable energy sources. A hybrid optimization model for renewable energy is used to determine the optimum configuration of the proposed off-grid PV-Biomass-Hydel energy system with minimum net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) while minimizing total annualized cost of the system. Analysis of the result shows that off grid PVBiomass and Hydel hybrid energy system with Diesel generator and Battery system is economical and secure for rural electrification.
Civil rights: How possible are the preconditions and provocation form Crimes in conditions of sanctions of foreign countries

The present article is devoted to the abuses and circumvention of regulations in the civil law, in the situation of foreign countries sanctions. Modern geopolitics ask for our country's timely legal and political reactions to the increasing sanctions of foreign countries. Such a situation is skillfully combined with the consequences of the global financial crisis and is a fertile ground for the growth of fictitious bankruptcies, unilateral refusal of fulfilling civil-law obligations, and actions to bypass the law. Abuses and circumvention of regulations in the civil law can be sustainable prerequisites for the growth of crimes in the conditions of sanctions in foreign countries. The work was performed under the grant of the President of the Russian Federation for the state support of young Russian scientists and candidates of Sciences (Competition – МК-918.2018.6). The subject of study is the «Legal challenges to improve the quality and competitiveness of goods, works and services under the sanctions of civil turnover of the Russian Federation».
Comprehensive Assessment of Risk Factors Associated with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection in Asia: A Systematic Review

Background Antibiotic resistance persists as a global health challenge, among which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common and serious threat. Although certain control strategies have been implemented, the incidence and prevalence of MRSA remain high, especially in Asia Objective To analyze the risk factors associated with MRSA infection in Asia Methods A systematic review was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost, searching for observational studies which analyze the risk factors associated with MRSA infection in Asia. Studies selected were reviewed and assessed with STROBE’s criteria. Results Sixteen observational studies were included, with a total of 10,253 subjects, consisting of 4 cohort studies, 4 cross-sectional studies, and 8 case-control studies. We find that certain social behaviors, such as sharing of personal items, limited daily activities and exposure to post-surgery individuals increases the risk of MRSA infection. Antibiotics use, especially when used extensively, is also found to elevate the risk. Furthermore, invasive medical procedures ease the entry of MRSA into the body, thus increasing risk of infection. Conclusion The knowledge of these factors is hoped to help in establishing guidelines for infection prevention and control strategies, helping to halt the rise in antibiotics resistance, as well as reducing the prevalence of MRSA infection worldwide.
Determination of insect pests on planted cowpea varieties at teaching and research farm of federal university of agriculture, abeokuta, ogun state, nigeria.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp) and Soybean (Glycine max) are rich source of protein and carbohydrates in the diets of many people in developing countries especially Nigeria. This study is concerned about the major insect pests that infested four different cowpea varieties and soybean grown on the field. Four local varieties of cowpea, namely, sokoto, mola, peu and oloyin, and soybean, Glycine max were planted on the Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria in January 2012. Bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata), cowpea aphid (Aph is craccivora) and soybean aphid (Aphis glycines), beanfly Ophi omyia phase 0li), cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus), variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus) and legume pod borer Maruca vitrata) were enumerated at the five legume plant sites and the experiment carried out weekly for 10 weeks. The experiment was laid out in split plots arrangement. Each of the plot size was 10m x 5m. The space between plots was 1m. Water was applied on the planted cowpeas and soybean using knapsack sprayer and this was done daily by 8:00 am. In the field work experiment, the aphid (Aphis craccivora and Aphis glycines) had the highest occurrence of insect pests while cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus had the lowest number on the 5 plant sites.
Effect of molybdenum and seed inoculation on nodulation, growth and yield in urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper].

A two-year field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2005 and 2006 at the Pulses and Oilseeds Research Sub-station, Beldanga, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India to study the effect of molybdenum spray and seed inoculation on nodulation, growth and seed yield in urdbean. The results revealed that two rounds of foliar spray of 0.05% ammonium molybdate solution at 25 and 40 days after sowing (1269.50 kg ha) increased seed yield by 9.02% over water spray (1164.50 kg ha). Combined inoculation of seeds with Rhizobium + Azotobacter + PSB (1629 kg ha) and Rhizobium + PSB remarkably increased the seed yield due to better nodulation along with improvement in growth and yield attributes. The effect of interaction between foliar spray and seed inoculation on seed yield was found significant.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SELECTED WELL WATER WITHIN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, SAMARU, ZARIA, NIGERIA

The physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of different well water samples used for drinking and other domestic purposes within some selected residential areas in Ahmadu Bello University Community, Samaru, Zaria were analyzed. The water samples were subjected to various physicochemical tests which included: pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Nitrate-nitrogen and Phosphatephosphorus. Heterotrophic counts and total coliform counts were conducted and results compared with WHO and EPA standards. The relationship between physico-chemical parameters and total coliform per 100ml water was determined using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Results revealed that most of the physico-chemical parameters were within the recommended WHO and EPA standards, with the exception of seven water samples which exceeded the recommended Nitratenitrogen standard limits. All the water samples in the study had high heterotrophic counts exceeding the WHO and EPA limits. None of the water samples complied with the EPA and WHO standards of zero total coliform per 100ml of water. Components 1 and 2 of CCA showed significant positive correlation between nitrate and phosphate contents of the water and coliform counts per 100ml. Keywords: Potable water, Bacteriological quality, heterotrophic counts, total coliform count, canonical correspondence analysis
Plasma transport and mammary uptake of trans fatty acids in dairy cows

In this thesis, aspects of metabolism of lipids in dairy cows were studied, particularly 18:1 trans fatty acid (tFA) concentrations in plasma and lipoprotein fractions, and transportation of FA in epithelial mammary gland cell cultures. Two in vivo studies were conducted to elucidate which lipoprotein fractions were involved in bovine plasma transport of tFA by infusing oils that induced different plasma tFA profiles. Fatty acid profiles of plasma and lipoprotein fractions [high (HDL), low (LDL), and very low density (VLDL) lipoprotein fractions] were analysed. Results showed that VLDL fraction was the main transport mechanism of tFA in plasma and was more responsive to supply of tFA. MAC-T cell cultures were used to study specific aspects of lipid uptake without interference from the cow’s digestive system and general metabolism. Treatments consisted of adding long-chain FA solutions to lactogenic medium at varying concentrations. After incubation, cystosolic triacylglycerol (TAG), protein and DNA contents were determined. Results demonstrated that cytosolic TAG accumulation is stimulated by addition of long-chain FA, which affects FA profile of cytosolic free FA. Overall, results from this thesis enhance knowledge on plasma transport and mammary uptake of 18:1 tFA in dairy cows. The information strengthens understanding of some aspects of milk fat synthesis and metabolism of FA in dairy cows fed with different sources of tFA. Findings from this thesis are important because saturated FA and tFA in milk fat have caused concern among human health researchers and more recently milk fat has gained appreciation as a functional food due to the health-promoting potential of some FA (vaccenic and conjugated linoleic acids) found specifically in ruminant-derived products.
Effect of Alloe vera (Alloe vera) and crown of god fruit (Phaleria macrocarpa) on sensory, chemical, and microbiological attributes of Indian mackerel (Restrelliger neglectus) during ice storage.

The effects of Aloe vera (Aloe vera) and crown of god fruit (Phaleria macrocarpa) on the sensorial, chemical, and microbiological attributes stability of Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger neglectus) during chilled storage for 12 days were studied. Treatment with blended 20% blended Aloe vera reduced the deterioration rate of the sensorial attributes, but treatment with 1% dried powder from crown of god fruit produced brownish color. Moreover, these treatments reduced total plate count (TPC) and total volatile bases nitrogen (TVBN) during the 12-day storage. This study showed that treaments with Aloe vera and crown of god fruit can prolong the shelf-life of Indian mackerel by four days during chilled storage.
Ethanol-induced changes in neuron and astrocyte number in the rat cerebral cortex.

Chronic consumption of ethanol can alter brain morphology and function. The present study examined the effect of ethanol abuse on the number of neurons and astrocytes in the rat cerebral cortex. After 45 days of ethanol treatment (2 g/kg by intraperitoneal injection), tissue samples from the rat motor cortex were Nissl-stained and probed for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. The number of neurons and GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in each cortical layer were counted per unit area. The results showed that ethanol-treated rats had fewer neurons (P < 0.01) but a greater number of GFAP-positive astrocytes in all cortical layers as compared to control- treated animals (P < 0.01). Neuronal loss was the most pronounced in layers III and V, the major output layers of the cortex, corresponding to increased astrocyte density in these layers. These results provide evidence that chronic ethanol exposure induces neuronal death but stimulates astrocyte hyperplasia in the cerebral cortex, especially in the output layers. Loss of neurons may lead to damage to neural circuitry, while astrocyte proliferation likely serves a protective function to compensate for the resultant dysfunction of the nervous system.
Reclassification of the New World antlion genera formerly included in the tribe Brachynemurini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae

A cladistic analysis of the New World tribe Brachynemurini has resulted in several new taxonomic designations. The tribe is divided into 3 tribes, 2 of which are newly described. The Brachynemurini s.s. now contains 12 genera of which Argentoleon, Atricholeon, Mexoleon and Venezueleon are newly described. The Gnopholeontini (NEW TRIBE) includes 4 North American genera whereas the Lemolemini (NEW TRIBE) contains 6 South American genera of which Ecualeon. and Galapagoleon are newly described. Descriptions of genera in the 3 tribes, based on adults and known larvae, are given. Keys to the genera in each tribe are provided, as well as a key to the tribes of Myrmeleontidae.
PATELLAR SHAPE, NOSE PATTERN AND FACET CONFIGURATION IN 200 NORTH -

Objective: Patella, the largest sesamoid bone is bestowed with morphology having anthropological and clinical significance. The paucity of available literature regarding the morphometric characteristics of this bone prompted the present study. Material and methods: A total of 200 patellae were obtained from male cadavers from medical colleges of Punjab, India. The morphometric parameters and position of median and secondary ridge was ascertained . The patellae were classified according to the shape patterns and facet configurations. Results: The most predominant shape pattern emerged to be Wiberg Type 2 with Normal Nose. A lateral facet prominence (Facet ratio 1.3) was observed for median ridge with considerable individual variation in the prominence of the secondary ridge (conspicuous in 12% cases). The secondary ridge was found to run obliquely in a generally longitudinal sense, being closer to median ridge proximally than distally. The patellar dimensions in general were smaller for North Indians compared to other populations. When right and left sides were compared, only maximum width was statistically significant (p
Governance in Irrigation and Drainage

Irrigated farming is central to meeting the world's food and fodder needs and will be even more important in delivering on food security and water sustainability development priorities in the future. High population growth, climate change, increasing socio-economic growth, and water stress are key drivers of change. Although irrigation covers only 6.5 percent of the total land used for agriculture, it supports production of forty percent of the world's food and fodder output, with a gross value of fifty-five percent of global agricultural produce. Improving irrigation performance is a priority strategy in addressing rural poverty and in mitigating climate -change impacts, especially for the most vulnerable. Investment in irrigation has seen renewed interest in the past decade, and irrigation and drainage (I and D) governance emerging as a key focus for improved performance. Institutional failures and poor irrigation performance have been blamed on low capacity, perverse incentives, misdirected policies, and weak implementation but these are only contributing factors. Investments in institutions of the past have aimed to fix the institutions, with a focus on form and on organizational structure. The central message of this resource book is that functions, processes, and related capabilities must be the priority focus of all irrigation institutional interventions.
Suitability and feeding preference of selected North American, European, and Asian elm (Ulmus spp.) biotypes to elm leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Abstract Recently introduced North American elm cultivars, simple and complex elm hybrids of European and Asian parentage, and simple Asian hybrids of U. pumila and U. japonica parentage growing at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, were evaluated in laboratory bioassays for ovipositional response, and feeding preference and suitability for larvae and adults of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller). Larval and adult no-choice and adult multiple-choice feeding studies revealed that the North American cultivars of U. americana ‘Jefferson’ and U. americana ‘Valley Forge’, U. americana (diploid form), and U. americana were the least preferred for feeding and reproduction by the elm leaf beetle. Among simple and complex European hybrids, ‘Homestead’, ‘Patriot’, and ‘Prospector’ were least preferred and least suitable for larval development, feeding, and reproduction by adult elm leaf beetles. Hybrids of ‘Frontier’, ‘Pioneer’, and ‘Regal’; the simple Asian hybrids of ‘Cathedral’ and ‘New Horizon’; .
Investigating the selectivity of sequence-controlled antimicrobial polymers synthesised by RAFT polymerisation

Bacterial resistance has become a pressing clinical issue for which the World Health Organisation has raised awareness due to the low levels of infection control reached recently. This global issue has been considered as a failure in antibiotic drug discovery and new types of antibiotics have recently been investigated to tackle it. For this reason, new types of antibiotics have recently been investigated. Among these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted an increased interest and a few of them are currently undergoing clinical trials. AMPs are peptides comprised of 10-50 amino-acids with cationic and hydrophobic residues, present in the innate immune system of multicellular organisms, hence the terminology host-defence peptides. The majority of these peptides, adopt an amphipathic helical conformation with the cationic functionalities on one side of the coil and the hydrophobic ones on the other. AMPs have demonstrated a broad-range antimicrobial activity, which is associated to their mechanism of action based on bacterial membrane disruption. Indeed, the positively charged residues of AMPs have been shown to interact with the negatively charged phospholipids of bacterial membranes. Following the binding of AMPs to bacterial membranes, the hydrophobic residues of AMPs insert into the membrane, inducing the formation of pores. Once the integrity of the bacterial membrane is compromised, there is leakage of the intracellular material, which leads to bacterial cell death. Remarkably, as AMPs seem to target bacterial membrane instead of a specific ligand, they do not seem to evoke bacterial resistance against these peptides. Indeed, only minor structural changes are required for bacteria to exhibit a reduced susceptibility towards conventional antibiotics, whereas more significant changes in the structure of the bacterial membrane would be necessary to prevent the antimicrobial action of AMPs. This membrane interaction based on electrostatic interactions allows AMPs to be selective towards bacteria over mammalian cells to a certain extent.