Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating The Maximum Value of Crop Hail Insurance Under Stochastic Yield and Price Risk

ABSTRACT The objective of this article is to estimate the maximum value of crop hail insurance according to the financial extent of hail risk's impact on the enterprise in two regions, North West (low hail risk area) and Mpumalanga (high hail risk area). The difference in the cumulative probability distributions of the Net Present Value (NPV) of the margin after interest and tax in the event of hail and in the event of no hail will provide a graphic indication of the financial impact of hail. To determine if the decision maker is willing to pay in order to remove the impact of hail on the enterprise, the utility weighted risk premium (UWRP) must be calculated with the use of stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) analysis. The calculated maximum benefit (or UWRP) that the decision maker will receive through the elimination of hail will set the upper limit for the cost of crop hail insurance. The results indicate that hail does have a negative impact on the financial position of the farms in North West and Mpumalanga. The effect of hail risk in Mpumalanga is, however, more severe. The calculated maximum benefit (UWRP) from the elimination of hail damage in two regions is R83.50/hectare in North West and R708.70/hectare in Mpumalanga. The conclusion can thus be made that decision makers in both regions will be willing to pay for crop hail insurance, but much more so in Mpumalanga than in North West.
Cellular Reactions of Osteoblasts to Micron- and Submicron-Scale Porous Structures of Titanium Surfaces

Osteoblast reactions to topographic structures of titanium play a key role in host tissue responses and the final osseointegration. Since it is difficult to fabricate micro- and nano-scale structures on titanium surfaces, little is known about the mechanism whereby the topography of titanium surfaces exerts its effects on cell behavior at the cellular level. In the present study, the titanium surface was structured in micron- and submicron-scale ranges by anodic oxidation in either 0.2 M H3PO4 or 0.03 M calcium glycerophosphate with 0.15 calcium acetate. The average dimensions of pores in the structured surface were about 0.5 and 2 µm in diameter, with roughness averaging at 0.2 and 0.4 µm, respectively. Enhanced attachment of cells (SaOS-2) was shown on micron- and submicron-scale structures. Initial cell reactions to different titanium surfaces, e.g. the development of the actin-containing structures, are determined by the different morphology of the surfaces. It is demonstrated that on either micron- or submicron-structured surfaces, many well-developed filopodia were observed to be primary adhesion structures in cell-substrate interactions, and some of them entered pores using their distinct tips or points along their length for initial attachment. Therefore, porous structures at either micro- or submicrometre scale supply positive guidance cues for anchorage-dependent cells to attach, leading to enhanced cell attachment. In contrast, the cells attached to a smooth titanium surface by focal contacts around their periphery as predominant adhesion structures, since repulsive signals from the environment led to retraction of the filopodia back to the cell bodies. These cells showed well-organized stress fibres, which exert tension across the cell body, resulting in flattened cells.
Le rôle et l’impact des médecins dans la prévention du tabagisme : Quand la pratique clinique rencontre la santé publique…

Les medecins peuvent aider leurs patients fumeurs avec des conseils et traitements pharmacologiques efficaces. Cependant, les medecins ne conseillent qu’un tiers des fumeurs avec peu de strategies efficaces. Une formation interactive augmente la qualite des conseils medicaux et l’arret du tabac des patients avec un bon rapport cout-efficacite. Une legislation interdisant de fumer dans les lieux publics protege la population des effets nocifs du tabagisme passif et amene des benefices pour la sante, notamment une reduction des hospitalisations pour exacerbation aigue de BPCO. Une interdiction totale de fumer dans un hopital diminue le tabagisme passif et favorise l’arret du tabac des employes et patients fumeurs. Une formation systematique et interactive, l’organisation de la pratique et le remboursement des prestations ameliore l'aide medicale a l'arret du tabac. La recherche doit evaluer l’effet des aides a l’arret du tabac par internet ou telephone portable et des mesures pour respecter l’interdiction de fumer.
Partial Purification and Characterization of 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Degrading Bacteria Harboring Alpha Ketoglutarate Dioxgenase Enzyme

The catabolic adaptability demonstrated by microorganisms is important in the bioremediation of polluted environments. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid/α-ketoglutarate dioxygenase is the first enzyme in the catabolic pathway for the 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). In the present study, dioxygenase enzymes were inducible and the serial adaptation of four studied bacterial isolates steadily evolved strains exhibited higher and significantly different rates of 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid metabolism. For biomass production relative to the original starting strain, 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid/α-ketoglutarate dioxygenase was partially purified to apparent homogeneity from four bacterial isolates that were studied, using ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration on sephadex G-100. 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid concentration resulted in a lower yield of the cell biomass of the in vitro culture of each of the bacterial isolates and consequently a lower enzyme yield. There was a gradual increase in the enzyme activity from the different bacterial isolates at pH 5.5, maximum enzymes activity at pH 7.5 and no activity at pH 10.0. Optimum temperature for enzyme activity was at 35C but activity was reduced to zero at 60C. In conclusion the four bacterial isolates and their cell-free extracts have the potential to bio-mineralized 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
Is the Perigord black truffle threatened by an invasive species? We dreaded it and it has happened!

Invasive alien species are species introduced deliberately or unintentionally to areas outside their natural habitats. They can cause a significant irreversible environmental and socio-economic impact at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, and as claimed by Moore (2000), ‘throughout the world, exotic aliens are wreaking havoc’. The control of these invasive alien species has been discussed at international conventions, such as the Bern convention in 1979. Research on biological introductions has primarily focused on plant and animal invaders. Until now only a few studies have dealt with the spread of fungi through different continents and countries (Desprez-Loustau et al., 2007), largely because of a lack of scientific knowledge of fungal biodiversity and ecology. Reports have mostly focused on the introduction of agronomically important plant pathogenic fungi (above all, rusts and Ascomycetes) and pseudofungi (Stramenopila and Peronosporomycetes), and their invasion routes (Desprez-Loustau et al., 2007). The most common way of introducing fungal pathogens is through the movement of infected planting stock or infested wood (Coetzee et al., 2001). The success of invasive fungal pathogens in these new environments might be explained by an increased aggressiveness towards new host species that have not had an opportunity to evolve resistance. The ecological impacts of the intentional/unintentional introduction of fungal species, apart from plant pathogens, have been largely ignored (Schwartz et al., 2006). Regarding saprotrophic taxa, in-depth studies have only been carried out with a few species, for example Coprinopsis stangliana (Bougher, 2006), and some woodchip fungi (Shaw et al., 2004). As far as ectomycorrhizal fungi are concerned, the accidental introduction and spread of Amanita phalloides (Pringle & Vellinga, 2006), Boletus edulis s.l. (Hall et al., 1998) and Eucalyptus-associated species, such as Pisolithus spp. (Martin et al., 2002), have been carefully studied and monitored. These symbiotic fungi were accidentally introduced when allochthonous trees were planted for agriculture and reforestation (Hall et al., 1998; Martin et al., 2002). The deliberate movement of nonindigenous mycorrhizal fungal species and strains is a phenomenon occurring with increasing frequency as a consequence of the use of beneficial soil organisms to improve horticulture (Azcon-Aguilar & Barea, 1997), bioremediation (Leyval et al., 2002), reforestation (Duponnois et al., 2005) and edible fruit body production (Hall et al., 1998; Hall et al., 2003). The impact of all these introductions on the overall native resident fungal communities is not well understood, and scant attention has been paid to the ecological impact of transporting nonpathogenic fungi across continents (with a few exceptions, e.g. Selosse et al., 1998). Monitoring efforts are therefore urgently needed to track the spreading pattern of introduced fungi.
Real-time clock synchronisation in underwater acoustic networks

This paper proposes an algorithm for real-time clock synchronisation in underwater acoustic networks. The algorithm models modem clocks as linear functions and embeds the data necessary for the clock synchronisation procedure as time stamps that can be communicated in the payload of later messages and only when necessary, hence limiting the communication overhead. The proposed solution takes explicitly into account the limitations of the acoustic communication channel and network node mobility. Specific implementation issues are discussed for its deployment within operational networks. Experimental results are given from the COLLAB-NGAS14 campaign, held in October 2014 off the coast of West Italy.
Long-term opioid analgesic therapy for severe refractory lumbar spine pain.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of opioid analgesics on pain and function in patients with severe, refractory low back pain and to see if any benefits were sustained long term. DESIGN Longitudinal evaluation was conducted in two stages. Stage I was an opioid trial, and stage II was long-term treatment. Treated patients were compared with dropouts and trial failures. OUTCOME MEASURES Pain was measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and function was measured by the Oswestry Low Back Disability Score (OSW). Outcomes were evaluated by patient questionnaire and therefore not subject to investigator bias. SETTING Private office practice. METHODS Patients were treated for 6-12 weeks with a long-acting or sustained-release opioid. Those who improved significantly were treated long term. The treatment group was compared with dropouts and failures. RESULTS Thirty-three patients underwent opioid trial. Treatment was discontinued because of intolerable side effects in 5 patients. In the remaining 28, mean NRS improved from 8.6 to 5.9 (p < 0.001), and mean OSW improved from 64 to 54 (p < 0.001). There were 21 patients treated long term (mean, 32 months). NRS improved from 8.45 to 4.90 (p < 0.001), and OSW improved from 64 to 50 (p < 0.001). Two patients returned to work. The changes in pain and function in the treatment group were significantly better than the comparison group. There was no drug diversion, addictive behavior, or organ toxicity. Doses remained stable. CONCLUSION Long-term opioid analgesic therapy is reasonable treatment for some well-selected patients with refractory low back pain who have failed all other forms of care.
Violence Against Women in Belgrade, Serbia:

The SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence opened in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1990. For each call reporting an incident of violence, a data form was completed with the details of the call. Almost all the callers were victims of violence from family members or intimate partners. The majority reported incidents of physical and verbal/emotional violence; a minority reported sexual and economic violence. The frequency and duration of violence were very high. Callers were often forced to live with perpetrators because of the lack of available housing, which worsened due to privatization, economic sanctions against Serbia, and the influx of refugees. Men's participation in the wars in Croatia and Bosnia increased their violence against women at home, especially sons against their mothers. Most refugees were housed in private homes, resulting in increased violence against women refugees and women hosts.
Design of Approximate Restoring Dividers

In this paper, two approximation models are proposed for restoring divider. In the first design, approximation is performed at circuit level, where exact restoring divider cells are replaced by approximate restoring divider cells by simplifying the logic equations. In the second model, restoring divider is analysed strategically and number of restoring divider cells are reduced by finding the portions of divisor and dividend with significant information. An approximation factor p is used in both designs. In model 1, the design with p = 8 has a 75% reduction in both area and power consumption compared to exact design, with a Q-MRED of 1.909 × 10-2 and Q-NMED of 0.449 × 10-2. The second model with an approximation factor p = 4 has 52% area savings and 61% power savings compared to exact design. The proposed models are found to have better error metrics compared to existing approximate designs, with better area and power savings at similar error values. A change detection image processing application is used for real time assessment of proposed and existing approximate dividers and one of the models achieves a PSNR of 54.27 dB.
The Effect of Window Width on the Demineralization of Human Dentine and Enamel

When lesion formation in dental enamel or dentine is studied in vitro, a well–defined area of the material, a 'window', is exposed to the demineralization medium. In the present experiments, we report the effect of window width on lesion formation in enamel and dentine. Rectangular windows, longest dimension always 5 mm and shortest dimension varying from 0.5 to 5 mm, were exposed to demineralization media. Lesions in dentine were formed by placing the specimens in an acidified unstirred 6% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) gel, an unstirred 0.5% CMC gel, a mildly stirred 0.5% CMC gel, or in a mildly stirred demineralization solution. Lesions in enamel were formed only in an unstirred acidified 6% CMC gel. pH in the demineralization media was 5.0 in all experiments. The microradiographic technique was used to assess lesion depth and mineral loss (vol%·μm) of lesions formed. Lesions formed in the unstirred gels were deeper, and there was a larger mineral loss, the narrower the window. There was no effect of window size on lesions formed in stirred systems. These effects can be explained by the strong dependence of concentration gradient in stirred gels just outside the exposed window on the window size. The phenomenon found here in vitro may at least partly explain why secondary caries may lead to localized, but relatively deep, lesions.
Are prediction equations for glomerular filtration rate useful for the long-term monitoring of type 2 diabetic patients?

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of prediction equations [modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), simplified MDRD, Cockcroft-Gault (CG), reciprocal of creatinine and creatinine clearance] in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 525 glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) using (125)I-iothalamate were carried out over 10 years in 87 type 2 diabetic patients. Accuracy was evaluated at three levels of renal function according to the baseline values obtained with the isotopic method: hyperfiltration (GFR: >140 ml/min/1.73 m(2); 140 isotopic determinations in 27 patients), normal renal function (GFR: 140-90 ml/min/1.73 m(2); 294 isotopic determinations in 47 patients) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 2-3 (GFR: 30-89 ml/min/1.73 m(2); 87 isotopic determinations in 13 patients). The annual slope for GFR (change in GFR expressed as ml/min/year) was considered to ascertain the variability in the equations compared with the isotopic method during follow-up. Student's t-test was used to determine the existence of significant differences between prediction equations and the isotopic method (P < 0.05 with Bonferroni adjusted for five contrast tests). RESULTS In the subgroup of patients with hyperfiltration, a GFR slope calculated with (125)I-iothalamate -4.8 +/- 4.7 ml/min/year was obtained. GFR slope in patients with normal renal function was -3.0 +/- 2.3 ml/min/year. In both situations, all equations presented a significant underestimation compared with the isotopic GFR (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). In the subgroup of CKD stages 2-3, the slope for GFR with (125)I-iothalamate was -1.4 +/- 1.8 ml/min/year. The best prediction equation compared with the isotopic method proved to be MDRD with a slope for GFR of -1.4 +/- 1.3 ml/min/year (P: NS) compared with the CG formula -1.0 +/- 0.9 ml/min/year (P: NS). Creatinine clearance presented the greatest variability in estimation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In the normal renal function and hyperfiltration groups, none of the prediction equations demonstrated acceptable accuracy owing to excessive underestimation of renal function. In CKD stages 2-3, with mean serum creatinine > or =133 micromol/l (1.5 mg/dl), the MDRD equation can be used to estimate GFR during the monitoring and follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin, anti-diabetic drugs or both.
Terahertz spectroscopy of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s

Terahertz (THz) absorption spectra of poly(3-hydroxyalkanotes) (PHA) were measured by a terahertz time-domain spectrometer and Fourier transform far-infrared spectrometer. Clear differences were observed between the spectra of crystalline and amorphous PHA, indicating that the absorption peaks observed in the THz spectra originated in the higher-order conformation of PHA. Direction of the vibrational transition moments was obtained by the polarization spectra of stretched sample in which the crystal axis were aligned. THz spectra were also measured over a temperature range from 10 K to 465 K with a liquid helium cryostat and a heating cell. The temperature dependences of the spectra reveal frequency shifts and broadening of the absorption peaks with temperature, suggesting large anharmonicity of the vibrational potential.
The Post‐larval Development of Lateral Musculature in Gilthead Sea Bream Sparus aurata (L.) and Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

Fibre‐type differentiation of lateral musculature has been studied in gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata (L.) and sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) during post‐larval development using ultrastructural, histochemical and morphometric techniques. The study showed three muscle layers: red, intermediate (or pink) and white. Initially, most of the red muscle showed low myosin ATPase (m‐ATPase) activity fibres, whereas near the transverse septum some small high m‐ATPase activity fibres appeared and later acquired a rosette aspect. Afterwards, during adult growth the red muscle showed a histochemical mosaic appearance. The pink muscle in sea bass was observed at the beginning of juvenile development by the oxidative technique (NADH‐RT reaction) whereas in gilthead sea bream it was also observed at the end of larval development. The pink layer consists of high m‐ATPase activity fibres. However, along the muscle development other low and moderate m‐ATPase activity fibres were observed close to the red and white muscles, respectively. The white muscle of juvenile fish showed a histochemical mosaic appearance near the pink muscle. In adult specimens the mosaic white muscle spread out occupying the whole of the myotome. Morphometric analysis shows a significant increase in mean fibre diameter during post‐larval development, as shown by the Student's t‐test (hypertrophic growth). Skewness and kurtosis values of fibre diameters point to the generation of a new fibres from the myosatellite cells (hyperplastic growth).
A Stromal Hsp100 Protein Is Required for Normal Chloroplast Development and Function in Arabidopsis1[w]

Molecular chaperones are required for the translocation of many proteins across organellar membranes, presumably by providing energy in the form of ATP hydrolysis for protein movement. In the chloroplast protein import system, a heat shock protein 100 (Hsp100), known as Hsp93, is hypothesized to be the chaperone providing energy for precursor translocation, although there is little direct evidence for this hypothesis. To learn more about the possible function of Hsp93 during protein import into chloroplasts, we isolated knockout mutant lines that contain T-DNA disruptions in either atHSP93-V or atHSP93-III, which encode the two Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homologs of Hsp93. atHsp93-V mutant plants are much smaller and paler than wild-type plants. In addition, mutant chloroplasts contain less thylakoid membrane when compared to the wild type. Plastid protein composition, however, seems to be largely unaffected in atHsp93-V knockout plants. Chloroplasts isolated from the atHsp93-V knockout mutant line are still able to import a variety of precursor proteins, but the rate of import of some of these precursors is significantly reduced. These results indicate that atHsp93-V has an important, but not essential, role in the biogenesis of Arabidopsis chloroplasts. In contrast, knockout mutant plants for atHsp93-III, the second Arabidopsis Hsp93 homolog, had a visible phenotype identical to the wild type, suggesting that atHsp93-III may not play as important a role as atHsp93-V in chloroplast development and/or function.
THE SHALE OIL BOOM: A U.S. PHENOMENON

Statements and views expressed in this discussion paper are solely those of the author and do not Leonardo Maugeri has been a top manager of Eni (the sixth largest multinational oil company), where he held the (Praeger, 2010). Both books were named " Outstanding Academic Titles " by Choice Review. In June 2012, the Belfer Center published Maugeri paper, " Oil: The Next Revolution, " which received worldwide attention. The study forecast a dramatic increase in the world's oil production capacity to 2020 driven by an unnoticed growth of field-by-field production capacity worldwide. Acknowledgements During the course of this study, I have accumulated an abiding debt to several people and institutions. First and foremost, I owe a debt of gratitude to the Harvard Kennedy School and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. This study was made possible with support from the Roy Family Fellowship, in the Belfer Center's Environment and Natural Resources Program (ENRP). I would like to thank Henry Lee, ENRP's director, who offered advice and reviewed this study. I would like to thank Meghan O'Sullivan, who invited me to join the Geopolitics of Energy Project at the Harvard Kennedy School and also reviewed this study, and Graham Allison, whose interest in my work served as a continuous stimulus. Two institutions in particular deserve a special mention: the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources and the Texas Railroad Commission, whose data were essential for the completion of this study. Many others helped me through occasional suggestions, advice, remarks, and data cross-checking. To all of them I convey my gratitude as well as my apologies if I failed to capture the depth of their observations.