Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are personal values related to sustainable attribute choice?

Purpose: A cross-cultural study with large representative samples analyses to what degree Schwartz’s personal values and environmental concerns are related to consumers’ choices of wine with sustainable characteristics. Methodology: Across seven countries, the attribute importance and willingness to pay of consumer segments resulting from choice experiments are related to Schwartz’s personal value dimensions and environmental attitudes. Findings: Personal values were only weakly related to revealed differences in choice behaviours. Choice segments differed slightly stronger in environmental concern; nevertheless the effect size is small, on average only explaining five percent of variance. The valuation of sustainable attributes was positively related to consumers’ environmental concern and to their personal values Conservatism (tradition, conformity) and Selfenhancement (power, achievement). Environmental concerns were more strongly related to willingness to pay and importance of sustainable attributes in product chance, than Schwartz’s personal values. Our findings deviate in two directions from previous research: First, contrary to existing studies, values related to Self-enhancement and Conservatism were stronger predictors for consumer choice and willingness to pay for sustainable attributes than Self-transcendence values (universalism, benevolence). Second, Self-enhancement was positively linked to consumer choice and willingness to pay for sustainable attributes. Practical implications: These results yield marketing recommendations for stimulating sustainable wine consumption. Communication efforts should focus on environmental concerns and not on general universalist values. For wine, communication efforts should be based on social status and power related to self-enhancement personal values, showing how drinking sustainable and more precisely organic wine enhances the person drinking it and fulfils personal health benefits.
Feeding patterns of Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard, 1843) (Hemiptera, Triatominae) in peridomestic habitats, in a rural area of Uruguay

It has been studied the feeding patterns of Triatoma rubrovaria (wild triatominae bug, and intradomiciliary secondary vector of T. cruzi) in a rural area of "La Bolsa" (Department of Artigas). Agar double diffusion test were used for analyze the blood meal, from 120 insects, which were confronted to 13 antisera. It has 251 identify blood meals, and the most frequently was mamalian host (73%), but it has a variable source of feeding (mammals, birds, reptils and cockroach), including humans rate 8% of the total. The identify of haemolimphe as feed, place this triatominae bug as an intermediary vector between predator and haematophagous. The most usual mammals are dasypodides and bovines. The frecuence of human blood meal near the dwellings, shows its potentiality as vectors. Therefore, the peridomicile is an area of interaction between, domestic, wild and sinantropic host. The trypanosomic infection's rate at peridomiciles was lesser those at wild areas.
A new stigmaeid mite species from Iran (Acari: Stigmaeidae) and re-description of Stigmaeus longipilis (Canestrini)

A new species of the genus Stigmaeus, S. ueckermanni sp. nov., is described and illustrated, and S. longipilis (Canestrini) is recorded for the first time from Iran and re-described. Both species were collected from soil under hazelnut trees, Corylus avellana L. (Betulaceae) in Ardabil province, Iran. A key to the Iranian species of Stigmaeus is provided.
ECOLOGICAL AND MEDICINAL INTEREST OF TAZA NATIONAL PARK FLORA (JIJEL - ALGERIA)

The forest of Taza National Park (NP), located in North-Eastern Algeria, is characterized by a high floristic diversity. Analysis of the park flora showed 420 species belonging to 258 genera and 71 botanical families. Asteraceae (54 species), Fabaceae (37), Poaceae (34), Lamiaceae (26) and Brassicaceae (24) are the most dominant families. The endemism rate is around 12.38% (52 species); approximately 21% of endemic species of Algeria. Rare and very rare species were estimated to be 120 taxa representing 28.57% compared to the park flora. Analysis of global phytochoric spectrum shows dominance of native Mediterranean species (193 species). This floristic wealth contains a number of 205 species of medicinal interest.
Business Regulations and Shadow Economy In Nigeria: Is There Any Significant Relationship?

The paper empirically investigates the nexus between business regulations and shadow economy in Nigeria using vector autoregressive (VAR) model and covering the period 1996 to 2018. The ground for selecting the VAR model is to reveal the direct consequences of explanatory variables on the explained variable. The corroboration from the VAR reveals that growth in the shadow economy of the preceding period has been adapting well to the present level. However, the statistically insignificant negative relationship between the quality of institutions (proxy by the index for Rule of Law (LOGRULP)) and shadow economy implies that the quality of institutions is not significant in diminishing shadow economy in Nigeria. Furthermore, a 1% increase in the regulation quality escalates the present level of shadow economy by 0.148340%. As such, range of policy measures to contend against shadow economy should be vigorous. That is, it should accommodate a comprehensive option of applications and models, which can be utilized in diverse status and conditions as they appear.
Response of lactating dairy cows to dietary protein from canola meal or distillers' grains on dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, and amino acid status

Abstract. Acharya I. P., Schingoethe D. J., Kalscheur K. F. and Casper D. P. 2015. Response of lactating dairy cows to dietary protein from canola meal or distillers' grains on dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, and amino acid status. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 267-279. A study was conducted to determine the response of feeding two different crude protein (CP) concentrations [low protein (LP, 14.3% CP) and high protein (HP, 16.3% CP)] and sources of protein [canola meal (CM) and high-protein dried distillers' grains (HPDDG)] on dry matter intake, milk production and composition, and amino acid (AA) status of high producing dairy cows. Sixteen Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square having a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. All diets contained 55% forage (50% alfalfa hay and 50% corn silage) and 45% concentrate. Diets were formulated to contain LP with CM, LP with HPDDG, HP with CM and HP with HPDDG. Experimental feeding periods were 4 wk with data collected during weeks 3 and 4 of each period. Dry matter intake (24.6 vs. 25.9 kg d-1 for LP and HP, respectively) was increased for cows fed the higher CP diets, milk yield was greater for cows fed HP diets (34.0 vs. 36.4 kg d-1), and milk fat percentage was greater for cows fed HP compared with LP, but were similar between dietary protein sources. Feed efficiency calculated as fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk was greater for cows fed HP than LP, but was similar between sources. Dietary metabolizable protein of CM diets was utilized more efficiently than from HPDDG diets for milk protein production. Mammary gland extraction efficiency of essential AA indicated that Met was the first limiting AA for CM-based diets while Lys was first limiting for HPDDG-based diets. In summary, canola meal and distillers' grains are both good quality protein supplements for lactating cows.
Project Report: Explaining video classiﬁcation and regression models, with an application to Echocardiograms

When machine learning methods in the real world make predictions, it is often required that they offer some explanation for those predictions. This is especially the case in medical fields, where doctors need to have high degrees of confidence in predictions if they are to be used in clinical decision making. Additionally, if models discover patterns previously unknown to medical science, it is hugely beneficial for models to be able to reveal that knowledge to physicians [6].
Protective effect of ethosuximide on hearing in NOD/LtJ mice via blockage of endogenous apoptosis

Purpose: To determine the protective effect of ethosuximide on the hearing of NOD/LtJ mice, and the underlying mechanism of action. Methods: The mice were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups (20 mice per group). Mice in the treatment group were administered ethosuximide intraperitoneally at a dose of 200mg/kg body weight (bwt), while those in the control group received an equivalent dose of saline via the same route. Both groups were subjected to auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) tests, as well as determination of mRNA expressions of α1G, α1H, α1I, m-calpain, μ-calpain, and caspase-3. Results: At ages of 6 and 9 weeks, ABR values were significantly lower in the treatment group than those in the control group (p < 0.05). At age 3, 6 and 9 weeks, control group DPOAE values were much lower than those in the treatment group. However, at signal frequency of 35344 Hz, DPOAE value was significantly reduced in the treatment group (p < 0.05). There was significant down-regulation in mRNA expressions of α1G, α1H, α1I, m-calpain, μ-calpain and caspase-3, in the treatment group, when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ethosuximide delays mice hearing loss and protects their hearing via a mechanism involving blockage of endogenous apoptotic pathways. This mechanism may provide guidance in the search for suitable new drugs.
Occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica and Aeromonas hydrophila in Clinical, Food and Environmental Samples in

The interest on the occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica and Aeromonas hydrophila, their pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance is increasing worldwide because both were linked to acute and chronic gastroenteritis, septicemia and wound infections. Though reports on the occurrence of both pathogens among human that are available from certain areas, no published data are available from Gaza strip. Moreover, there are no routine methods for the detection of Yersinia and Aeromonas in clinical or environmental samples. Hence this study investigated the occurrence of both Y. enterocolitica and A. hydrophila in clinical and environmental samples. Of the 473 clinical and environmental samples, 28 (5.9%) were positive for Y. enterocolitica and 179 (38.1%) for A. hydrophila. With high incidence of Y. enterocolitica and A. hydrophila in sewage (19.1%) and water (46.9%) respectively. The overall incidence of Y. enterocolitica and A. hydrophila in clinical samples was 4.7% and 34.3% respectively, with high frequency of both pathogens in AL-Dorrah and AL-Nasser hospitals. Virulence of isolates was assessed and their antimicrobial resistance to 20 antimicrobial agents was evaluated. Both clinical and environmental isolates possessed virulence factors with higher frequency in clinical samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that most of Y. enterocolitica isolates were sensitive to most antibiotics; on the other hand, most of A. hydrophila isolates showed multiple antibiotic resistances. The most effective antimicrobials on A. hydrophila were azetreonam, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin.
The Gut-liver Axis in Immune Remodeling: New insight into Liver Diseases

The gut microbiota consists of a dynamic multispecies community of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoans, playing a fundamental role in the induction, training, and function of the host immune system. The liver is anatomically and physiologically linked to the gut microbiota via enterohepatic circulation, specifically receiving intestine-derived blood through the portal vein. The gut microbiota is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis of the gut-liver axis. A shift in gut microbiota composition can result in activation of the mucosal immune response causing homeostasis imbalance. This imbalance results in translocation of bacteria and migration of immune cells to the liver, which is related to inflammation-mediated liver injury and tumor progression. In this review, we outline the role of the gut microbiota in modulating host immunity and summarize novel findings and recent advances in immune-based therapeutics associated with the gut-liver axis. Moving forward, a deep understanding of the microbiome-immune-liver axis will provide insight into the basic mechanisms of gut microbiota dysbiosis affecting liver diseases.
Effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on growth, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate levels of sunflower

Some plants successfully resist the soil contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons. Not only they adapt to unfavorable conditions of soil but they also lead their metabolism in such a way that the plant tolerance level of contamination is as high as possible. In present study, the response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedlings to hydrocarbons was investigated in oil-contaminated soils. A half-open greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on growth, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate levels of sunflower through the first 30 days. The seeds of sunflower were grown in pots under two treatments: the control and contaminated soils. Parameters considered were relative water content, total biomass, length of root and shoot, leaf area, pigments and carbohydrate levels. The results of this study revealed that sunflower can survive soil contamination of about 18,000 mg/kg by metabolic changes with regard to reduce the destructive effects of petroleum hydrocarbons. However, root length and leaf area were reduced under contamination, but total biomass of sunflower didn’t have significant change under these conditions. Water deficit was one of the main stresses, which affected the growth of sunflower. In spite of water deficiency, photosynthetic pigments of sunflower (chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and carotenoids) showed no significant decrease under these conditions. The results showed that the hydrocarbon stress significantly increased carbohydrate contents of plant (both reducing and polysaccharide carbohydrates). It seems that increase of polysaccharide content was due to activity of phytolignification in roots. The findings of this research further highlighted the ability of some plants at the prevention of hydrocarbons disposal to above-ground, particularly photosynthetic tissues.
Genetic diversity in a large collection of wheats (Triticum spp.)

Three hundred genotypes of bread and durum wheats including Indian and exotic collections were evaluated for 10 yield and other related characters. Five characters (grain and biological yields, tiller number, grain weight/ear and grains/ear) exhibited high variability. Of the remaining five traits, flag leaf area and 100-grain weight showed moderate variability while plant height, peduncle length and harvest index showed relatively low variability. Following the non-hierarchical euclidean cluster analysis, all the 300 genotypes were grouped into 16 clusters with variable number of genotypes. Genotypes of heterogeneous originl place of release, and of different ploidy levels (bread and durum wheats) often grouped together in the same cluster, suggesting some degree of ancestral relationship between the genotypes. This also suggested a lack of relationship between the genetic diversity and the ploidy level of genotypes. On the basis of the data on genetic divergence and mean performance of yield and other traits, five diverse and superior genotypes, namely MUW 109, CPAN 3064, CPAN 1556, MUW 104, and CPAN 1998 were selected. Each of these genotypes was exceptionally good for one or more characters and was reasonable for other characters relatives to those of the best check varieties. Therefore, these genotypes may be involved in multiple crossing programme to recover transgressive segregates. Further, on the basis of character associations, it is argued that selection of plants with high biological yield coupled with optimum harvest index (50%) should result in progenies with high grain yield potential in wheat.
The adjective in Dutch-French codeswitching: Word order and agreement

Aims and Objectives: This paper investigates the word order and adjectival agreement patterns in French-Dutch codeswitched Determiner Phrases (DPs). It examines the predictions made by two theoretical points of view: the approach by MacSwan (2009) within the Minimalist Program (MP) and the Matrix Language Framework (MLF) (Myers-Scotton & Jake, 2009). Methodology: The predictions of these frameworks are compared to data gathered in a grammaticality judgment task. In total, 120 codeswitched sentences were presented aurally to participants, who were asked to rate the sentences on a three-point scale. Originality: While some previous work on word order within codeswitched DP’s exists, this paper is the first study investigating the adjectival agreement patterns in codeswitching. Data and Analysis: Statistical analysis of the data showed that the MacSwan approach is a better predictor for the grammaticality judgments, as sentences predicted to be grammatical by the MP were rated higher than sentences predicted to be ungrammatical by the same model. This difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in rating for the predictions of the MLF. Conclusions: The results of the judgment task in combination with the results of previous research on codeswitching highlight the importance of a combination of data from both naturalistic and experimental settings. Implications: The predictions of the Minimalist approach have the upper hand over the predictions of the MLF. However, it remains is important to integrate results from other experimental methodologies, such as naturalistic data and results from psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic studies.
Reproductive cycle of purple clam, Amiantis purpurata (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in northern Patagonia (Argentina)

The reproductive cycle of the purple clam (Amiantis purpurata) northern Patagonian population was studied throughout a 19-month period (September 1993–March 1995) using standard histological techniques and quantitative indicators (oocyte diameter distributions, oocytes per ocular field and relative oocyte area). In this species gametogenesis is a continuous process involving a complete gonadal restitution after the end of the reproductive season (no resting period). The proliferation phase occurs during the coldest half of the year (April to September) and maturation takes place during spring (September to December). Several partial emissions of gametes, with subsequent restitution of the gametogenic series, occur during the summer months. During the total maturation stage, oocytes never filled the whole alveolar area: maximum per cent of alveolar sections occupied by oocytes (46%) was observed in late spring–early summer. Implications of the reproductive pattern in the context of palaeogeographic history of northern Patagonia, and the isolation of this population are discussed.
The principles of orthogonality and confounding in replicated experiments. (With Seven Text-figures.)

VIII. Summary The principle of orthogonality in replicated experiments is discussed and the dangers of non-orthogonality emphasised. The modifications necessary in the ordinary procedure of the analysis of variance when applied to non-orthogonal data are developed, attention being paid to the shorter methods, applicable in certain cases, by which the heavy labour of computation necessary in the general method of fitting constants may be avoided. Certain modifications in the design of replicated experiments, usually designated by the term confounding, are explained. The different types of confounding are discussed, together with their uses, and the appropriate methods of analysis are set out. The methods are applied to the analysis of an experiment on sugar beet (where a previous incorrect analysis is corrected) and an experiment on potatoes.
The morphology of woody bamboos

STAPLETON, C.M.A., 1997. Traditional classification of bamboos has been based almost entirely upon morphological characters. In order to movecloser to underlying evolutionary processes, various non-morphological data sources have been explored. However, even if such new data is natural and informative, it will still be necessary to combine it with morphology if it is to be used to full effect. This requires a re-evaluation of many morphological characters. Advances in understanding of several parts of the bamboo plant are presented, and a critique of modern interpretations of the bamboo inflorescence is given. Some areas of conflict between morphological and non-morphological characters are mentioned, and the need for continued, but more critical and objective morphological research is stressed.
A New Species of Large Eutropis (Scincidae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract A new species of Eutropis (Sauria: Scincidae) is described from the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, distinguished from all congeneric species, with the exception of Eutropis longicaudis, by its large size and low number of midbody scale rows. It has two primary temporal scales, whereas E. longicaudis from Borneo has only one. This new species is diurnal, partially arboreal, and inhabits rain forest from below 100 m to at least 600 m elevation.
Microsite differentiation among conifer species during seedling establishment at alpine treeline

ABSTRACT Tree establishment is a potentially important factor affecting tree populations in alpine-treeline ecotones. Patterns of seedling establishment of Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus albicaulis, and Picea engelmannii were evaluated relative to neighbouring trees and herbs over two years and three treelines of the Rocky Mountains, USA. The greatest mortality rates were observed in seedlings that had just emerged from seed and were in their first year of growth and in seedlings that had the least amount of cover provided by trees or other landscape features that block exposure to the sky. Although herb cover promoted survivorship in microsites that were not near trees, no seedlings were detected at or above the upper limit of the treeline ecotone. Microsite tree cover was greatest for A. lasiocarpa and least for P. albicaulis seedlings, which matches predictions based on their relative photosynthetic tolerances to the bright sunlight and frequent frost that occur in exposed microsites. Interspecific differences in seedling requirements for neighbouring plant cover likely contribute to the apparent coexistence and possible interdependency of these conifers along a continuum of colonization and succession within treelines.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY CESTODE PARASITE IN FRESH WATER MURREL

Lytocestus indicus is found infected to the stomach of fresh water murrel, Channa punctatus. This parasite brought about severe histopathological changes in the infected murrel. Histopathological changes include damage of villi, inflammation, fibrosis associated with hyperplasia and metaplasia, epithelial necrosis, vacuolation of submucous cells and dilation of blood vessels. The present paper deals with the histopathological changes in the stomach of fresh water murrel, Channa punctatus.