Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biofuels

The production of biofuels in Mexico is a fledging project. Lack of planning, the obstacles presented by PEMEX, and the resistance of small farmers have limited their production. Even at this stage, however, some of its effects are increasingly clear: its socio-environmental violence affects the natural resources of peasants and indigenous communities. In addition, Mexico’s trade relationship with the United States, characterized by strong dependency, has affected its food sovereignty in that corn imports have become more expensive because of the increase in U.S. production of corn-derived ethanol. La producción de agrocombustibles en México es un proyecto incipiente. La falta de planeación, los obstáculos por parte de PEMEX, así como la resistencia por parte de los campesinos han limitado su producción. Sin embargo, aún en esta fase incipiente se per-ciben claramente algunos de sus efectos, los cuales consideramos como violencia socio-ambiental, ya que en principio atentan contra los recursos naturales de territorios campesinos e indígenas. Por otro lado, la relación comercial de México con Estados Unidos, caracterizada por una fuerte dependencia, ha incidido en la soberanía alimentaria del primero, ya que las importaciones de maíz se han encarecido debido al incremento de la producción de etanol a partir de este cereal en la nación vecina.
Caracterização física de substratos para plantas

Physical characterization of substrates in Brazil is still incipient and, only with the proper definition of reliable methods, substrates can be standard izedand recommendations can be provided for the producer. The objective was to physically characterize six types of substrates for plants and to compare the methods prescribed by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply and by European Committee for Standardization. The six substrates evaluated were: granulated coconut fiber, two types of pinus bark, stabilized rice rusk and two mixtures (50:50, v:v), one of rice rusk with granulated coconut fiber and the second pinus bark with rice husk. The project, realized in 2009, has a completely randomized experimental design. The substrates showed differences as to the physical attributes studied: humidity, particle size distribution, bulk density, water retention capacity, particle density and porosity, characteristics with which one can infer on their use. For the physical parameters for each of the recommended methods are suggested: for the determination of the sample humidity, drying at 65 °C ± 5 °C; for particle size distribution, time of 10 minutes of stirring sieves; for the bulk density, the method of self-compaction; for the water retention capacity, the base of sample ring as reference and the adoption of the double saturation and the pre-tension of 50 hPa; for the determination of water retention curve of substrates, the tension points of 10, 30, 50 and 100 hPa; for the characterization of substrates according to its origin, the inclusion of particle density by the determination of the organic matter and ash.
Gender Differences in Risk Factors for Single and Recurrent Falls Among the Community-Dwelling Elderly

The purpose of this study was to identify gender differences in risk factors of fall accidents among older people, and whether these factors differ between single and recurrent fallers. A total of 4,426 individuals aged ≥65 years from two large-scale health surveys provided data. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors and to determine the risk model for falling and recurrent falling in men and women separately. Three major risk factors for falling regardless of gender or fall history are fear of falling, limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), and age ≥75 years. Fear of falling remains one of the common modifiable risk factors. Among those without a fall history, the use of sedatives or tranquilizers increases the risk of falling. Regarding gender differences, ADL limitations and fear of falling appear to be stronger fall risk factors for men than for women. Among women, alcohol use and educational level are significant risk factors for falling, while loneliness is associated with recurrent falling. Men with fear of falling or ADL limitations are at higher risk to have a recurrent fall accident than women with these conditions. Having a visual impairment or living with someone is associated with recurrent falling among men. Our findings emphasize the importance of multifactorial fall interventions, taking into account a variety of subgroup characteristics such as gender and fall history.
EFFECT OF MICROBIAL GROWTH UPON SARCOPLASMIC AND UREA‐SOLUBLE PROTEINS FROM MUSCLE

SUMMARY– A comparison of starch gel patterns of sarcoplasmic proteins from aseptic and inoculated porcine and rabbit muscles after storage for 0, 8 and 20 days at 10°C indicated that different microorganisms preferentially utilized specific proteins. Pseudomonas fragi showed the greatest amount of proteolytic activity upon the sarcoplasmic fraction, causing extensive breakdown in both rabbit and porcine muscle. Leuconostoc mesenteroides caused extensive alteration in the sarcoplasmic proteins of rabbit muscle, but had less effect upon porcine muscle. Pediococcus cerevisiae exhibited similar action to L. mesenteroides upon rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic proteins, but had no effect upon pig muscle. Micrococcus luteus showed only minor breakdown of rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic proteins, and had no action upon porcine muscle. Both P. fragi and P. cerevisiae caused considerable breakdown of the urea-soluble proteins in pig muscle and to a lesser extent in rabbit muscle. Neither M. luteus nor L. mesenteroides exerted any measurable proteolytic effect upon the urea-soluble proteins. Possible implications concerning meat spoilage are discussed.
Experiencing Sociology

Using C. Wright Mills' book The Sociological Imagination as a touchstone for its discussion, this article addresses the relations between the sociological problem, relevance and experience as they are and could potentially be understood within sociology. Beginning with the historical relation between sociology, science and literature — a relation which has been productively but differently complicated by poststructuralist and postconstructivist theories — this article asks: to what extent does the empirical offer a referent for the sociological problem? To what is sociology obliged to be relevant? Arguing for the continued relevance of relevance, particularly in the light of recent reforms in higher education in the UK and the USA, the article explores how the sociological problem might be transformed — and perhaps, more importantly, might be transformative — if the basic commitments of a research project were not to historical social structures but to virtual structures.
Effect of Astaxanthin from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous on the Pigmentation of Goldfish, Carassius auratus

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the addition of astaxanthin from red yeast, Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, in the diets of goldfish, Carassius auratus. The first was designed to investigate the distribution of pigments in different tissues of goldfish and the effect of astaxanthin in the diet. The carotenoid concentration of tissues was not homogenous. The content of pigments in fish caudal fin was the highest followed by those of scales and head. Flesh had the least carotenoid deposition. Fish fed the diet containing 60 mg/kg astaxanthin had increased concentration of pigment in its head (22.6%), scales (45.5%), flesh (31.0%), and fin (21.2%), compared to fish fed basal diet (P 0.05) in any treatment with the exception of the diet with 40 mg yeast astaxanthin/kg.
Transforming growth factor‐β1 binds to immobilized fibronectin

We have characterized the interaction of homodimeric porcine transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) with affinity‐purified human plasma fibronectin. Using a solid‐phase binding assay, we have demonstrated that TGF‐β1 binds to fibronectin immobilized on Immunlon ITM microtiter plates. TGF‐β1 binding increased with time, reaching a plateau after 4–6 h, and was dependent upon the concentration of both labeled TGF‐β1 and immobilized fibronectin present. The binding of radiolabeled TGF‐β1 to fibronectin was saturable and was reduced 75% in the presence of a 100‐fold excess of unlabeled TGF‐β1. TGF‐β1 bound to fibronectin with an association rate constant (Ka) of 2.96 × 103 M−1 s−1 and did not readily dissociate under various conditions. The binding of TGF‐β1 to fibronection was insensitive to variations in ionic strength over a range of 0.1–1.0 M NaCl and was relatively insensitive to divalent cation concentration in the range of 0.1–10.0 mM as well. These data suggest that the binding of TGF‐β1 to fibronectin may not be dependent upon the interaction of charged amino acids within these two molecules. However, the binding of TGF‐β1 to fibronectin was strongly pH‐dependent and binding decreased dramatically below pH 4.0 and above pH 10.0, suggesting that charged amino acids may influence TGF‐β1/fibronectin interactions. The association of TGF‐β1 with immobilized fibronectin or other extracellular matrix components and subsequent dissociation under acidic conditions or by an as‐yet‐unidentified mechanism may play a role in the distribution and/or activity of this potent growth regulator at sites of tissue injury and inflammation in vivo.
ORCHID FLORAL FRAGRANCES AND MALE EUGLOSSINE BEES: METHODS AND ADVANCES IN THE LAST SESQUIDECADE

All species of the Neotropical subtribes Stanhopeinae and Catasetinae (Orchi daceae) are pollinated exclusively by male euglossine bees which are attracted to and collect the floral fragrances. The orchid-euglossine bee relationship is often highly specific:the flower of a given species of plant may attract males of only one or a few species out of dozens of euglossine species in the habitat. This pollinator specificityis based upon species-specificcombinations of floralfragrancecompounds which attractonly one or a few species of euglossine bees. Such pollinator specificity is an important reproductive isolating mechanism between sympatric interfertile species of orchids. The male bees are thought to use the collected floral fragrance compounds in their own reproductivebiology, probably as precursorsof their own sex pheromones.
Safety Effects of Speed Limit Changes

This work estimates the total safety effects of speed limit changes on highspeed roadways by using traffic detector data and Highway Safety Information System data from 1993 to 1996. To gauge the total effects, the study applies a sequential modeling approach: average speed and speed variance models are first estimated on the basis of roadway design, use, and speed limit information. Then, crash counts (of varying severity) are estimated on the basis of the speed estimates, design, and use variables. The 4 years of data come from 63,937 homogeneous roadway segments along seven Interstates and 143 state highways in Washington State. A random effects negative binomial model was selected among several alternative panel and nonpanel models for count data. Results indicate that the average road segment in the data set can be expected to exhibit lower nonfatal crash rates up to a 55 mph (88 km/h) speed limit. In contrast, fatality rates appear unresponsive to speed limit changes. Fatal and nonfatal rates fall for design reasons, including wider shoulders and more gradual curves, which appear to be key design variables. However, fatal and nonfatal rates move differently when traffic levels rise, with nonfatal rates remaining unchanged and fatal rates falling.
Effects of eutrophication on vendace, Coregonus albula (L.). III. Seasonal morphological variability of vendace from selected lakes in Wielkopolska

Effects of eutrophication on vendace, Coregonus albula (L.). III. Seasonal morphological variability of vendace from selected lakes in Wielkopolska The aim of the study was to determine and compare the most important morphometric and meristic characters of vendace from four lakes located in the Wielkopolska region: lakes Dominickie, Gorzyńskie, Lubikowskie, and Strzeszyńskie. Biometric analyses were conducted based on the method developed by Prawdin. All morphometric characters are presented in relative values (%) of fork length (longitudo caudalis) according to the method developed by Smitt. Moreover, values of 14 meristic characters were also determined. The greatest differences in values of morphometric characters of vendace were recorded for measurements of head shape, including lateral head length, eye diameter, and postorbital distance, and adipose fin length. The smallest differences in the values of morphometric characters were observed in the largest linear body measurements, i.e., body length, predorsal distance, minimum body depth, and dorsal and anal fin lengths. Variation in morphometric characters in vendace from different lakes confirms the hypothesis that a specific form of vendace is found in each lake. Differences were found in the values of linear measurements of vendace caught in different seasons, which indicates that drawing conclusions on body conformation in vendace is justified only when they are caught in comparable periods of the year.
Structure of the 21–30 fragment of amyloid β‐protein

Folding and self‐assembly of the 42‐residue amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) are linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The 21–30 region of Aβ, Aβ(21–30), is resistant to proteolysis and is believed to nucleate the folding of full‐length Aβ. The conformational space accessible to the Aβ(21–30) peptide is investigated by using replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations in explicit solvent. Conformations belonging to the global free energy minimum (the “native” state) from simulation are in good agreement with reported NMR structures. These conformations possess a bend motif spanning the central residues V24–K28. This bend is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds involving the side chain of residue D23 and the amide hydrogens of adjacent residues G25, S26, N27, and K28, as well as by a salt bridge formed between side chains of K28 and E22. The non‐native states of this peptide are compact and retain a native‐like bend topology. The persistence of structure in the denatured state may account for the resistance of this peptide to protease degradation and aggregation, even at elevated temperatures.
Movements of Juvenile Gyrfalcons from Western and Interior Alaska Following Departure from Their Natal Areas

Abstract Juvenile raptors often travel thousands of kilometers from the time they leave their natal areas to the time they enter a breeding population. Documenting movements and identifying areas used by raptors before they enter a breeding population is important for understanding the factors that influence their survival. In North America, juvenile Gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) are routinely observed outside the species' breeding range during the nonbreeding season, but the natal origins of these birds are rarely known. We used satellite telemetry to track the movements of juvenile Gyrfalcons during their first months of independence. We instrumented nestlings with lightweight satellite transmitters within 10 d of estimated fledging dates on the Seward Peninsula in western Alaska and in Denali National Park (Denali) in interior Alaska. Gyrfalcons spent an average of 41.4 ± 6.1 d (range = 30–50 d) in their natal areas after fledging. The mean departure date from natal areas was 27 August ± 6.4 d. We tracked 15 individuals for an average of 70.5 ± 28.1 d post-departure; Gyrfalcons moved from 105 to 4299 km during this period and tended to move greater distances earlier in the tracking period than later in the tracking period. Gyrfalcons did not establish temporary winter ranges within the tracking period. We identified several movement patterns among Gyrfalcons, including unidirectional long-distance movements, multidirectional long- and short-distance movements, and shorter movements within a local region. Gyrfalcons from the Seward Peninsula remained in western Alaska or flew to eastern Russia with no movements into interior Alaska. In contrast, Gyrfalcons from Denali remained in interior Alaska, flew to northern and western Alaska, or flew to northern Alberta. Gyrfalcons from both study areas tended to move to coastal, riparian, and wetland areas during autumn and early winter. Because juvenile Gyrfalcons dispersed over a large geographic area and across three international boundaries, conservation efforts should focus on both regional and international scales.
Increased damage by western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis in chrysanthemum intercropped with subterranean clover

Suppressive effects of intercropping on Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) infestations have been reported in several crops. However, this study demonstrates that in year‐round chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev, undersowing with subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L. , results in an increased thrips feeding damage. In a pot experiment, performed with chrysanthemum plants (cultivars Reagan and Tiger) grown with or without subterranean clover, significantly more leaves with silver and growth damage were found in the chrysanthemum plants with subterranean clover in comparison with the monocropped chrysanthemum plants. Similarly, the degree of deformation of leaf perimeter and leaf surface was higher in the top leaves of the intercropped chrysanthemum plant. In the soil experiment (only performed with Tiger and plants were grown in the soil in the greenhouse) intercropped chrysanthemum plants suffered a higher feeding damage as well. Analysis of the relation between silver or growth damage and the thrips pressure demonstrates that at similar thrips pressure in the intercropped chrysanthemum plants suffered significantly more damage. The higher thrips pressure in the intercropped chrysanthemum only explains the differences in damage partly. Changes in the reaction of chrysanthemum plants to thrips feeding or in the behaviour of the thrips, mediated by the presence of the non‐host crop, are discussed. Our explanation is that chrysanthemum plants grown with clover are more susceptible to thrips feeding than monocropped plants. We conclude that undersowing with clover does not contribute to reduce damage by F. occidentalis in year‐round chrysanthemum. Also, the influence of crop diversification on a pest cannot be foreseen until the specific characteristics of each individual crop – pest system are studied.
Ethnicity, schooling, and merit in the Netherlands

A B S T R A C T We examine to what extent ethnicity affects academic ability measured in the first year of secondary school and secondary school type in the Netherlands. We focus on second-generation immigrants. The empirical results indicate that academic ability (both in mathematics and language) is not affected by ethnicity, independent of parents' occupation, education, and resources. On a bi-variate level, children of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants in the Netherlands are found relatively often in lower tracks in secondary school. This relationship is fully driven by social class and merit, operationalized as including ability and effort. Moreover, children of Turkish, Surinamese and Antillean migrants are, relative to Dutch children from similar backgrounds and merit, more often found in higher tracks in secondary school. However, given the very skewed distribution of educational attainment of immigrants, it is questionable whether `class versus ethnicity models' can accurately compare achievements of native and immigrant children in the Netherlands.
Crocin Acting as a Neuroprotective Agent against Methamphetamine-induced Neurodegeneration via CREB-BDNF Signaling Pathway

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse causes neurodegeneration. Medicinal herb such as crocin has neuroprotective properties. The current study evaluates the role of CREB-BDNF signaling pathway in mediating the neuroprotective effects of crocin against METH-induced neurodegeneration in rats. Sixty adult male rats were divided randomly into group 1 and group 2 which received 0.7 mL/rat of normal saline and 10 mg/kg of METH intraperitoneally (i.p) respectively, and groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 which treated concurrently with METH (10 mg/kg) and crocin (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg I.P respectively) for 21 days. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate cognitive activity. According to the critical role of hippocampus in cognitive behavior, the molecular and biochemical parts of our study were done in hippocampus and according to this, hippocampal neurodegenerative parameters and also CREB and BDNF levels were evaluated in isolated hippocampus. METH disturbed the learning, memory, and simultaneous treatment with various doses of crocin reduced the METH-induced cognition disturbances. In addition, METH treatment increased lipid peroxidation and the levels of oxidized form of glutathione (GSSG), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and Bax, while reducing reduced form of glutathione (GSH), Bcl-2, P-CREB, and BDNF levels in the hippocampus. METH also reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the hippocampus. In contrast, crocin (40 and 80 mg/kg) attenuated METH-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation, while elevating P-CREB and BDNF levels. Thus, crocin confers neuroprotection against METH-induced neurodegeneration in hippocampus and this is probably through activation of P-CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.
Speciation chronology of rockhopper penguins inferred from molecular, geological and palaeoceanographic data

Aim The Southern Ocean is split into several biogeographical provinces between convergence zones that separate watermasses of different temperatures. Recent molecular phylogenies have uncovered a strong phylogeographic structure among rockhopper penguin populations, Eudyptes chrysocome sensu lato, from different biogeographical provinces. These studies suggested a reclassification as three species in two major clades, corresponding, respectively, to warm, subtropical and cold sub‐Antarctic watermasses rather than to geographic proximity. Such a phylogeographic pattern, also observed in plants, invertebrates and fishes of the Southern Ocean, suggests that past changes in the positions of watermasses may have affected the evolutionary history of penguins. We calculated divergence times among various rockhopper penguin clades and calibrated these data with palaeomagmatic and palaeoceanographic events to generate a speciation chronology in rockhopper penguins.
Assessment of De-Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis in Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Different Mixtures of Beef Tallow and Soybean Oil

4 Abstract: Replacement of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been consistently shown to reduce the amount of abdominal fat in broiler chickens, but the metabolic basis for this effect is unknown. It was hypothesized that the feeding of PUFA instead of SFA would inhibit whole-body de novo fatty acid synthesis. As indexes of de novo fatty acid synthesis, we used the concentration of plasma triacylglycerols and minimum fatty acid synthesis calculated as fatty deposition minus digestible fatty acid intake. Broiler chickens were given one of five diets in which the beef tallow component, which is rich in SFA, was replaced by increasing amounts of soybean oil, which is rich in PUFA. The variable fat content of the diets was 3% (w/w). There were neither significant nor systematic effects on weight gain and feed:gain ratio. The amount of abdominal fat was reduced significantly when about 75% of the tallow was replaced by soybean oil, but there was no further decrease after the incorporation of more soybean oil into the diet. The decrease in abdominal fat was associated with a decrease in the level of plasma triacylglycerols, but it was not associated with minimum de novo fatty acid synthesis in the whole body.