Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint genealogical analysis as a tool for diversity evaluation in Pinzgau cattle populations

Abstract. The presented paper gives an overview about genetic diversity in Pinzgau populations in Austria and Slovakia. In total, 12 442 animals were included in the study representing the reference population. All living herdbook cows, dual purpose and beef, from both countries with a maximum foreign gene proportion of 12.5 % were considered. Thus, four subpopulations were analysed. Parameters of diversity based on probability of identity-by-descent and probability of gene origin were computed by the methods of pedigree analysis. The average inbreeding coefficient (five generations taken into account) was 0.0186 (ΔF=0.0041), 0.0242 (ΔF=0.0047), 0.0151 (ΔF=0.0026), and 0.0126 (ΔF=0.0006) in the Austrian dairy (AD), the Austrian beef (AB), the Slovak dairy (SD) and the Slovak beef (SB) subpopulation, respectively. Effective population size ranged from 122.5 (AD) to 809.4 (SB). Effective number of founders was 67.3 and 106.6 in AD and SD and 73 and 212.3 in the AB and SB subpopulations. Effective number of ancestors was 29.59; 34.42; 42.36 and 73.81 in AD, AB, SD and SB, respectively. Effective number of founder genomes was 15.32; 18.15; 23.41 and 41 in AD, AB, SD and SB subpopulations, respectively. Similarities between subpopulations were calculated based on a cosine approach. The highest similarity was found between AD and AB (cosine value 0.9954). SD and AD subpopulations were very similar (cosine value 0.9181).
Research Trends:

The zeal to conquer human, agronomic, and veterinary diseases or pests has always sustained research interests directed at finding new medications from under explored biodiversity. The adoption of bioassay methods, which correlate with prevention, inhibition and reversal of diseases or elimination of pests, in screening natural products for bioactive compounds is critical to the discovery of new medications. This article focuses on areas of natural products chemistry that connect academia with industry. It discusses the technical skills needed to find bioactive compounds from microbes, marine invertebrates, plants and insects, highlighting the mode of action of selected bioactive compounds and bioassay models for detecting them. It also reviews methods and prospects of genetic manipulation of organisms to produce unnatural natural products of therapeutic importance. FATOPE, AL-KINDI and ABDULNOUR
The Study of the Antimicrobial Activity of Transylvanian (Romanian) Propolis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of propolis samples collected from various regions in Transylvania (Romania) against six bacterial strains: three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and one yeast strain (Candida albicans ATCC 90028). Ethanolic extracts of the studied samples were prepared for the evaluation of antimicrobial activity, which was appreciated by measuring the inhibition zones diameters. The methodology used was agar diffusion technique inside Petri dishes with nine wells. Enroxil was used as control. A better sensibility of the Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes) was noticed; the diameter of the inhibition zones ranged between 8 mm and 17 mm. As for Gram-negative bacteria, results were different for every tested bacterial strain. Inhibition zones diameter for E. coli ranged between 7 mm and 12 mm, while for P. aeruginosa a total resistance was noticed. Inhibition zones diameters for Candida albicans showed a variation which ranged between 0 mm and 10 mm. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated for sample PS 20 due to the positive results showed against Staphylococcus aureus. According to the results obtained, it might be concluded that the tested propolis samples showed good results against Gram-positive bacteria.
Coalition-Formation, Cleavages and Voting Behavior in the Council of the European Union

This paper explores patterns of voting in the Council of the European Union (EU) by analyzing the full set of voting records for this institution between 1995 and 2004. It uses ordered probit regression, partially as based on rare events analysis, to explain the propensity of EU member states to vote ‘yes’, abstain from voting, or vote ‘no’ in formal Council voting procedures. The paper explains voting behavior on the basis of a range of independent variables, including governments' positions on the left-right policy scale, pro-integration sentiments within domestic publics, governments’ position as either net beneficiary or net payer into the EU budget, and number of votes in the Council. The analysis reveals that, rather systematically, the further the distance of a government from the average EU government left-right location, the lower the support for EU integration in domestic public opinion and the larger an EU member state, the more likely it is to oppose the majority in Council voting procedures.
Bulk shielding for laser research centre ELI Beamlines

The civil structure for the laser research centre ELI Beamlines has been designed to provide adequate radiation protection for both personnel and the public. The facility will host primary sources of photons, electrons and protons. Pulsed mixed fields of high energy particles (up to several GeV) will be generated, producing up to 10 12 particles of primary radiation, in pulses of several fs length. Shielding calculations were undertaken using Monte Carlo transport codes FLUKA and MCNPX, together with a discrete ordinates code ATTILA. Integration of the Monte Carlo and discrete ordinates methods allowed assessment of complex shielding geometries to proceed faster than could be achieved through the use of either biased or analogue Monte Carlo alone. It was possible to design the building, so that the expected annual dose accrual of workers will be lower than 1 mSv. The main contributors to the total dose are neutrons. Therefore, for penetrations, it is necessary to ensure shielding against neutrons.
1318 new variable stars in a 0.25 square degree region of the Galactic plane

We conducted a deep photometric survey of a 0.5 ◦ × 0.5 ◦ area of the Galactic plane using the WFI instrument on the 2.2-m ESO telescope on La Silla, Chile. The dataset comprises a total of 267 R-band images, 204 from a 16 day observation run in 2005, supplemented by 63 images from a six week period in 2002. Our reduction employed the new numerical kernel difference image analysis method as implemented in the pysis3 code and resulted in more than 500 000 lightcurves of stars down to a magnitude limit of R ∼ 24.5. A search for variable stars resulted in the detection of 1318 variables of different types. 1011 of these are eclipsing or contact binary stars. A number of the contact binaries have low mass-ratios and several of the detached binaries appear to have low-mass components. Three candidate contact binaries have periods at the known cut off including two with periods lower than any previously published. Also identified are 3 possible pre-main sequence detached eclipsing binaries.
On families of differential equations on two-torus with all phase-lock areas

We consider two-parametric families of non-autonomous ordinary differential equations on the two-torus with coordinates (x, t) of the type x⋅=v(x)+A+Bf(t). We study its rotation number as a function of the parameters (A, B). The phase-lock areas are those level sets of the rotation number function ρ=ρ(A,B) that have non-empty interiors. Buchstaber, Karpov and Tertychnyi studied the case when v(x)=sin⁡x in their joint paper. They observed the quantization effect: for every smooth periodic function f(t) the family of equations may have phase-lock areas only for integer rotation numbers. Another proof of this quantization statement was later obtained in a joint paper by Ilyashenko, Filimonov and Ryzhov. This implies a similar quantization effect for every v(x)=asin⁡(mx)+bcos⁡(mx)+c and rotation numbers that are multiples of 1m. We show that for every other analytic vector field v(x) (i.e. having at least two Fourier harmonics with non-zero non-opposite degrees and nonzero coefficients) there exists an analytic periodic function f(t) such that the corresponding family of equations has phase-lock areas for all the rational values of the rotation number.
A topological charge of black holes

The topological charge of a maximally symmetric black hole naturally arise in holography, which can be viewed as the last charge of the black hole in the sense that it together with all other known charges satisfies the holographic Gibbs–Duhem-like relation as a completeness relation. It is then observed that this topological charge, which we have missed before, fits perfectly into the black hole thermodynamics from two different approaches, not only in Einstein’s gravity, but also in the general Lovelock–Maxwell theory.
nvironmental and management factors that influence drainage water P loads rom Everglades Agricultural Area farms of South Florida imothy

Environmental impacts from drainage water phosphorus (P) loads from Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) farms in South Florida led to the adoption of best management practices (BMPs). The BMPs have been very successful at reducing EAA farm drainage water P loads. However, analytical investigation into how environmental and management factors affect farm P loading may allow additional improvements in BMP performance. Sixteen variables that included cropping systems, water management, and farm specific constants were hypothesized to affect farm P loads. Data collected from ten farms between 1992 and 2002 were analyzed using Spearman correlation, Principal Component Analysis, and stepwise multivariate regression. Monthly farm P load on a unit area basis (UAL) showed stronger correlation with drainage unit area volume (UAV) than with flow weighted total P concentration (FWTP). The UAL was negatively correlated with irrigation demand and positively correlated with irrigation P concentration,
A New Coupled Ocean‐Waves‐Atmosphere Model Designed for Tropical Storm Studies: Example of Tropical Cyclone Bejisa (2013–2014) in the South‐West Indian Ocean

Ocean‐Waves‐Atmosphere (OWA) exchanges are not well represented in current Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) systems, which can lead to large uncertainties in tropical cyclone track and intensity forecasts. In order to explore and better understand the impact of OWA interactions on tropical cyclone modeling, a fully coupled OWA system based on the atmospheric model Meso‐NH, the oceanic model CROCO, and the wave model WW3 and called MSWC was designed and applied to the case of tropical cyclone Bejisa (2013–2014). The fully coupled OWA simulation shows good agreement with the literature and available observations. In particular, simulated significant wave height is within 30 cm of measurements made with buoys and altimeters. Short‐term (< 2 days) sensitivity experiments used to highlight the effect of oceanic waves coupling show limited impact on the track, the intensity evolution, and the turbulent surface fluxes of the tropical cyclone. However, it is also shown that using a fully coupled OWA system is essential to obtain consistent sea salt emissions. Spatial and temporal coherence of the sea state with the 10 m wind speed are necessary to produce sea salt aerosol emissions in the right place (in the eyewall of the tropical cyclone) and with the right size distribution, which is critical for cloud microphysics.
Mechanism of the reduction of 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothioniumchloride by metabisulphite ion in acidic medium

The stoichiometry, mechanism of the reduction of 3, 7-Bis(dimethylamino) phenothionium chloride known as methylene blue (here in referred to as MB) with metabisulphite ion in acidic medium have been investigated under pseudo-first order conditions at 25 ± 1oC, [H+]= 1x 10-1 mol dm-3, I = 1.0 mol dm-3 (NaClO4) and λ max = 663 nm . The stoichiometry is 1:3 and the kinetic studies indicated first order dependence in both MB and metabisulphite ion. The rate equation has been proposed as: -d/dt [MB] = k2[MB][S2O5 2- ] Where k2 = 2.06 x 10-1 mol dm-3 s-1 The rate of reaction was enhanced by increase in hydrogen ion giving the dependence of several order rate constant on [H+] as k2 = a + b[H+] and ionic strength in the reaction. Results from spectroscopic investigation and Michaelis-Menten’s plot showed no evidence of the formation of an intermediate complex. The mechanism of the reaction is therefore discussed in terms of outer-sphere mechanism.
Characterization of Temperate Bacteriophage Bα Isolated from Streptomyces lavendulae

An actinophage designated Bα was isolated from Streptomyces lavendulae S283. Phage Bα produced turbid plaques characteristic of temperate phage on S. lavendulae and other Streptomyces strains. Electron microscopic observation showed that phage Bα belongs to group B of Bradley's morphological classification. Surviving cells from the plaques were lysogenic: they liberated phages during growth and were not lysed by the phage. Phage Bα was immediately inactivated on dilution into NaCl unless Ca2+ was also present. The cleavage pattern of the phage DNA was studied using restriction endonucleases.
The Interplay Between Peer Rejection and Acceptance in Preadolescence and Early Adolescence, Serotonin Transporter Gene, and Antisocial Behavior in Late Adolescence: The TRAILS Study

Gene–environment studies on adolescents’ peer contexts are important for understanding the interplay between biological and social antecedents of adolescent psychopathology. To this end, this study examined the roles of serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) and preadolescent and early adolescent peer rejection and acceptance, as well as the interaction between genotype and environment as predictors of antisocial behavior. Longitudinal data from TRAILS (TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey), a Dutch cohort study into adolescent development that includes peer reports of rejection and acceptance assessed at 11.1 and 13.6 years and self-reported antisocial behavior at 19.1 years was used. The interaction between 5-HTTLPR and preadolescent peer rejection predicted antisocial behavior with carriers of the 5-HTTLPR short–short variant most strongly affected. No main or interaction effects were found for early adolescent rejection or interactions involving peer acceptance. Our results extend the gene–environment interaction literature by focusing on peer relationship experiences.
The Gaia-ESO Survey. Mg-Al anti-correlation in iDR4 globular clusters

l. This work was partly supported by the European Union FP7 programme through ERC grant number 320360 and by the Leverhulme Trust through grant RPG-2012-541. We acknowledge the support from INAF and Ministero dell’ Istruzione, dell’ Universita e della Ricerca (MIUR) in the form of the grant "Premiale VLT 2012". The results presented here benefit from discussions held during the Gaia-ESO workshops and conferences supported by the ESF (European Science Foundation) through the GREAT Research Network Programme. M.T. C. acknowledges the financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, through grant AYA2013-40611-P. E.P. and D.R. benefited from the International Space Science Institute (ISSI, Bern, CH), through funding of the International Team “The Formation and Evolution of the Galactic Halo". S.G. S acknowledges the support by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) through national funds and a research grant (project ref. UID/FIS/04434/2013, and PTDC/FISAST/7073/2014). S.G. S. also acknowledge the support from FCT through Investigador FCT contract of reference IF/00028/2014 and POPH/FSE (EC) by FEDER funding through the program “Programa Operacional de Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE". D.G. , B.T. , and S.V. gratefully acknowledge support from the Chilean BASAL Centro de Excelencia en Astrofisica y Tecnologias Afines (CATA) grant PFB-06/2007. L.M. acknowledges support from Proyecto Interno of the Universidad Andres Bello. E.J.A was supported by Spanish MINECO under grant AYA2016-75931-C2-1-P with FEDER funds. R.S. acknowledges support from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (660/E-60/STYP/10/2015).
A Nonlinear Diffusion Filter Model to Enhance Infrared Multi-Wave-Band Finger Vein Images

This paper presents a structure tensor to nonlinear diffusion filtering for the infrared multi-band finger vein images to solve the lower contrast and uneven gray distribution in the infrared single band finger vein image. This joint structure tensor makes the nonlinear diffusion along the vein tendency, the structure preserving of vein edge and removing the speckle noise. In the examination, the proposed method shows the enhanced result.
Creating a component selection resource for undergraduate design teaching

Within the industrial setting, it will be quite normal to find company best practices in place, a list of approved suppliers and perhaps CAD models of standard components configured through a PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Components) system. However, an academic environment may not be so bespoke and rigorous. Undergraduates can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the breadth of information available to them; they do not have the industrial knowledge or experience to disseminate appropriate information. This can be the case when students are asked to specify and integrate 'bought in' components, such as bearings and springs, for design projects of whatever level. Many would rely on on-line search engines like Google or Bing, however this process can lead to confusion and fruitless searches. A design engineer in industry would obtain this information using similar techniques, but in a more controlled and thoughtful manner. This paper describes some of the research conducted and implementations put in place, by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, to support and address this issue for undergraduate design projects.
Presumptive taxation, markets and redistribution

In several Western countries, as well as in virtually all developing and transition ones, the government's ability to redistribute income in favour of the less well-off is severely limited by the fact that certain groups of citizens can escape their tax obligations more easily than others. In this paper, we focus our attention on one of the possible responses to that problem, namely the recourse to presumptive taxation, whereby not income as such, but a proxy for income, is selected as the tax base. To study this issue, we employ an occupational choice model where an individual can either be a worker or an entrepreneur. We assume that a conventional income tax is in place and that only entrepreneurs, who are at the top of the income distribution, can partially avoid the income tax. In this setting, we show that presumptive taxation based either on occupational choice or on the firms' input costs can raise the welfare of the workers, who are the poorest members of the society. This outcome is not necessarily achieved, however, by taxing entrepreneurs: in a number of circumstances, presumptive subsidies for the entrepreneurs are preferable to presumptive taxes, the reason being that the latter may cause production inefficiency as well as increase tax avoidance costs.
netBaltic System – Heterogeneous Wireless Network for Maritime Communications

Abstract In case of maritime communications, we observe a growing interest in deployment of multitask satellite-based solutions and development of new maritime-specific systems intended for improvements in safety of e-navigation. Analysis of different types of currently used maritime communication systems leads, however, to a conclusion that neither global and still very expensive satellite systems nor cheaper, but short-ranged transmission technologies can, on their own, fully meet the today’s expectations and quality requirements formulated for broadband maritime systems. This lack of reliable solutions, offering high throughput and ubiquitous availability of coverage to a wide audience at a relatively low price is one of the main barriers in a widespread implementation of e-navigation initiatives. This issue is addressed in the netBaltic project with the objective to design, deploy and validate in a real maritime environment a non-satellite wireless communication system enabling ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore information exchange via a multi-hop network composed of onshore base stations, maritime vessels and other transit elements such as buoys. In this paper, the idea of a heterogeneous wireless maritime system is presented. Details of the proposed netBaltic node architecture are described highlighting the solutions introduced in the project as a response to specific maritime communication requirements. Numerical results of communication area coverage are presented for four different scenarios utilizing different wireless transmission technologies. In particular, they indicate that when using appropriate wireless communication solutions, the number of vessels being able to connect to Internet is significantly increased as compared to traditional wireless systems (capable of one-hop communication) from 14% for short-range transmission technologies up to as high as 127% in case when relatively long-range transmission technologies are employed within the system.
Does a satisfying trip result in more future trips with that mode

Previous studies have indicated that travel satisfaction – the experienced emotions during, and cognitive evaluation of, a trip – can be affected by travel mode choice and other trip characteristics. However, as satisfactory trips might improve a person’s attitudes toward the used mode, persons may be more likely to use that same mode for future trips of the same kind. Hence, a cyclical process between travel mode choice and travel satisfaction might occur. In this paper we analyse this process – using cross-sectional data – for people who engage in walking and cycling for leisure trips in the Belgian city of Ghent. The focus on walking and cycling reflects recent studies indicating that active travel is often associated with the highest levels of travel satisfaction. Results support the idea of a cyclical process; the evaluation of walking and cycling trips positively affects the respondents’ attitude towards the respective mode, which in turn has a positive effect on choosing that mode. Furthermore, results indicate a strong effect of life satisfaction on travel satisfaction, suggesting a strong impact of long-term happiness on short-term satisfaction.