Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estudo da resposta de mosquitos (Diptera:Culicidae) a diferentes tipos de criadouros e condições de fatores físico-químicos da água

Camargo, A.A. Study of mosquito response (Diptera: Culicidae) to different breeding types and conditions of physical and chemical factors of water. [dissertation]. São Paulo: Faculdade de Saúde Pública da USP; 2018. Portuguese. The Culicidae family is diverse and has many species of high epidemiological relevance that transmit the pathogens that cause diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever and malaria. The immatures are created exclusively in the water and in the most diverse types of breeding places, being able to be influenced by biological factors and physicochemical factors, that include pH, salinity, conductivity, total solids dissolved, among others. Understanding variations in breeding conditions is important in understanding and clarifying how these factors affect the development of immatures, their physiology, and interspecific relationships that influence larval development and mosquito survival. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to investigate the influence of physical-chemical factors and breeding type on the occurrence of Culicidae species in two remnants of Atlantic Forest in the city of São Paulo. Immature collections occurred at three different points in the Cantareira State Park and four different points in the Capivari-Monos Environmental Protection Area, remnants of the Mata Atlântica, located in Greater São Paulo, during twenty-seven months for collections of general diversity and twelve months for collections of diversity along with physical chemical factors of water. The immatures were collected in epiphytic and soil bromeliads, bamboos, pools of water in the soil and stones, tree hollows, lakes and artificial containers. Data analysis was done by calculating the coefficient of variation of the variables for breeding types, Restricted Proximity Analysis (CAP), Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and boxplots without outliers. The results indicated that there is a statistically significant difference in species composition as a function of the diverse types of breeding sites and that pH has an influence on the occurrence of species, both for the type of breeder variable and for situations in which this variable is removed. The species with epidemiological importance were: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles cruzii, Haemagogus leucocelaenus, Psorophora ferox and Sabethes purpureus, with occurrence of both Aedes and Haemagogus species in the same breeding ground. These results are important to reinforce the need to monitor breeding sites of pathogen vector species and to better understand species ecology.
IDENTIFICATION OF CITRUS WHITEFLY, HOST OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI (ASCHERSONIA PLACENTA) IN BALI INDONESIA

One of the pests of citrus is whitefly that causes damage directly or/and indirectly to the citrus production. To control whitefly the farmer usually use chemical insecticide, however the utilization of chemical insecticide has been reported to haves many negative effect. To minimize the utilization of chemical insecticide, the environmentally friendly method is needed. One of the method is to utilize the natural enemies. Natural enemies are including, parasitiod, predator as well as insect pathogen (entomopathogen). In 2017 entomopathogenic fungi Aschersonia placenta was found to be associated with citrus whitefly in Bali Indonesia. However the species of whitefly has not been identified. In this research the identification of whitefly, the host insect of A. placenta was conducted based on morphological and molecular identification. Morphological identification of whitefly use puparial stage, started with sample preparation by Slide Mounting Protocol. The target of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gen was successfully amplified (700 bp) by PCR using forward primer LCO 5'GGTCAACAAATCATAAAGATATTGG3' and reverse primer HCO 5'TAAACTTCAGGGTGACCAAAAAATCA3'. The phylogenetic analysis using software ChromasPRO, Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA 5.05), PAUP, BioEdit, and TreeGraph2 was conducted. The result shows that the mtCOI sequence of P. minei from Bali (LC491421) has the highest percentage among others with MK421974 P. minei (score homology 96%). The morphological recognition and sequence analysis show that the species of citrus whitefly is Paraleyrodes minei.
Biosynthetic intermediates of the enterobacterial common antigen overcome outer membrane lipid dyshomeostasis in Escherichia coli

The outer membrane (OM) is an essential component of the Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope that protects cells against external threats such as antibiotics. To maintain a stable and functional OM barrier, cells require distinct mechanisms to ensure a balance of proteins and lipids in the membrane. Crucial to this is the proper transport and assembly of various OM components, of which the process of phospholipid (PL) transport is least understood. How OM assembly pathways are coordinated to achieve homeostasis is also unclear. In this study, we set out to identify potential mechanism(s) that can alleviate OM lipid dyshomeostasis in Escherichia coli. Cells lacking the Tol-Pal complex accumulate excess PLs in the OM due to defective retrograde PL transport. Here, we isolated mutations in enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) biosynthesis that restore OM barrier function in these strains; build-up of biosynthetic intermediates along the ECA pathway is key to this rescue. Interestingly, these ECA mutations re-establish OM lipid homeostasis in cells lacking the Tol-Pal complex yet do not act by restoring retrograde PL transport. Furthermore, a novel diacylglycerol pyrophosphoryl-linked ECA species structurally similar to PLs can be detected in the inner membrane of ECA mutants. We therefore propose a model where these unique species may modulate anterograde PL transport to overcome OM lipid dyshomeostasis. Our work provides insights into bacterial lipid transport across the cell envelope and highlights previously unappreciated effects of ECA intermediates in OM biology. Author Summary Biological membranes define cellular boundaries, allow compartmentalization, and represent a prerequisite for life; yet, our understanding of membrane biogenesis and stability remain rudimentary. In Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane prevents entry of toxic substances, conferring intrinsic resistance against many antibiotics. How the outer membrane is assembled, specifically lipid trafficking processes are not well understood. How this membrane is stably maintained is also unclear. In this study, we discovered that intermediates along the biosynthetic pathway of an exopolysaccharide exhibit stabilizing effects on outer membranes with lipid imbalance in Escherichia coli. Our work suggests that these intermediates modulate phospholipid trafficking within the double-membrane cell envelope to achieve outer membrane lipid homeostasis. Furthermore, it provides a starting point to begin identifying hitherto unknown phospholipid transport systems in Gram-negative bacteria, which are potential targets for the development of future antibiotics.
Crowding-Out Effect: Evidence from OECD Countries

The concept of the crowding-out effect, which is used to describe how an expansionary fiscal policy would reduce private investments, has become one of the major areas of research in the economy. This study aims to investigate whether or not the crowding-out effect is applicable in OECD countries. For this purpose, Panel Data Analysis was performed for the period 1995-2017. This analysis uses private investments of countries as dependent variables and, in addition to GDP and total government expenditures, it uses education, health, general public services, social protection, economic affairs, defence, public order and safety expenditures of the government as independent variables. Panel Data Analysis was performed using Huber-Eicker-White Estimator in line with the results of econometric tests required for this analysis such as stationarity, model determination, heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation. As a result, in OECD countries, while economic growth and defence expenditures of the government positively affect private investments, total government expenditures and social protection expenditures of the government have a crowding-out effect on private investments.
Evaluation of dredging efficiency indices of TSHDs deployed in a navigational channel leading to Haldia Dock Complex

ABSTRACT The navigational channel leading to Haldia Dock Complex suffers heavy sedimentation causing gradual reduction of water depth and posing inconvenience for marine traffic movements. To overcome this problem, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) undertook a long-term maintenance dredging plan for the achievement of desirable navigable depths. Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD) of Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) have been selected for the maintenance dredging. An economic and efficient dredging plan with the introduction of Optimization Technique has been framed ensuring the achievement of targeted depths. This paper presents a new methodology to evaluate site specific dredging efficiency indices (DEI) of TSHDs. The overall dredging performances can be expressed well by the four parameters such as average amount of solid settled volume (SSV) taken out per month, average production per load, average production rate per day and average contact time per load. The combined effect of these parameters determines the DEI of a dredger. The computed DEI of a TSHD performed in a year can be improved for the next year by enhancing the deficient parametric values following modified daily dredging schedules. This dredging procedure minimizes the huge maintenance dredging cost without any constraints.
Numerical Solution of the Two-Dimensional Richards Equation Using Alternate Splitting Methods for Dimensional Decomposition

Research on seepage flow in the vadose zone has largely been driven by engineering and environmental problems affecting many fields of geotechnics, hydrology, and agricultural science. Mathematical modeling of the subsurface flow under unsaturated conditions is an essential part of water resource management and planning. In order to determine such subsurface flow, the two-dimensional (2D) Richards equation can be used. However, the computation process is often hampered by a high spatial resolution and long simulation period as well as the non-linearity of the equation. A new highly efficient and accurate method for solving the 2D Richards equation has been proposed in the paper. The developed algorithm is based on dimensional splitting, the result of which means that 1D equations can be solved more efficiently than as is the case with unsplit 2D algorithms. Moreover, such a splitting approach allows any algorithm to be used for space as well as time approximation, which in turn increases the accuracy of the numerical solution. The robustness and advantages of the proposed algorithms have been proven by two numerical tests representing typical engineering problems and performed for typical properties of soil.
Effects of Oxfendazole on Some Biochemical Parameters in Hemolymph of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae Reared on Artificial Diet

Oxfendazole is used as an antihelminthic drug in parasite infections of animals. Oxfendazole was added at different concentrations (0, 0.0015, 0.015, 0.15, and 1.5%) to artificial diet and the wax moth Galleria mellonella larvae were reared to 7th stage. The changes in metabolic enzymes activity in G. mellonella hemolymph tissue were investigated. It was found that the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was increased which are cell damage biomarkers. The highest concentration of this antihelmintic was increased the enzme activity (ALT) from 329 ± 4.33 to 529. 5 ± 3.17 U/L. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme activity was increased from 0.87 ± 0.1 to 4.32 ± 0.22 U/L. Creatine kinase (CK) and amylase (AMYL) activities were significantly increased in hemolymph of G. mellonella larvae fed with the highest oxfendazole concentration (1.5%) when compared to the control group. Our results indicate that oxfendazole can be used as an insecticide with a well-adjusted concentrations because of its low acute toxicity to humans and other non-target organisms.
Application of Ostrich Antibodies to the Restoration of Hair Growth, a Preliminary and Case Report

The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the catalyst 5α-reductase play very important roles in the hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Recently, some chemicals against these hormones have been commercialized as therapeutics for AGA. In the present study, we have attempted to find out the potential effects of antibodies on AGA therapeutics as an inhibitor of androgenic hormones. The immune system of the ostrich is believed to be the most versatile and powerful of any animal on the planet, and antibodies derived from the ostrich egg yolk are now being developed for a wide range of diseases and ailments. Ostrich antibodies against DHT and 5α-reductase have been produced and combined with antibodies against harmful skin bacteria to restore normal hair growth in AGA cases. Preliminary testing with six volunteer subjects showed that ostrich antibodies were clearly quite effective in hair regrowth.
Attitude Towards Investment Risk With Geared Capital for Entrepreneurial Development: Examination of Cultural Influence in Ghana

Risk in funding business with geared capital, a means to develop entrepreneurship and control unemployment in society, a challenge to governments and parents, is the focus of this study. Some people question the suitability of curricula of shaping students as entrepreneurs however, others blame funding risk and not skills acquisition. The study investigated the preponderances of risk with geared capital, in different cultures and behavioural settings and its influence on entrepreneurial initiatives in Ghana, sampling 205 potential investors. It came out that gender, age, education, marital status and dependency show varying significance in choosing and accepting risk, with the desire for contractual relation and security over their investment. The study concludes that people from different environments and cultural disposition react differently towards risk and may prefer bond to secure their investment, affirming a conventional finance practice of exchanges for value.
Microelectrophoresis in the differential diagnosis of proteinuric diseases

Micro‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (micro‐PAGE) has been shown to be useful for molecular size separation of urinary proteins. In addition to the sodium dodecyl sulfate micro‐gradient gel electrophoresis in 10 μL capillaries, which is used routinely for examination of proteinuria in our laboratory, we tried micro‐gradient slab gel electrophoresis (micro‐slab‐PAGE) for molecular weight determination of urinary proteins. It was also employed for monitoring patients with proteinuric diseases. For detailed studied of urinary proteins, micro‐two‐dimensional‐electrophoresis is recommended.
Salinity induced deleterious effects on germination, growth, physiological and biochemical process of two varieties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The present study was accomplished to find out the effects of salinity on germination, growth, physiological and biochemical processes of two different groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), varieties viz., Dacca-1, and Zhinga groundnut. The experiments consisted of five salinity treatments viz., control (no salinity), 3, 6, 9, and 12dS/m during germination and vegetative stage of groundnut varieties. Results showed that germination percentage of both the groundnut varieties was significantly decreased with the increase of salt concentration. During the germination stage, maximum shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh weight and shoot and root dry weight of groundnut varieties were recorded from Zhinga groundnut variety at salt stress. The same result occurred during the vegetative stage of Dacca-1 variety while the Zhinga groundnut variety showed maximum parameters than Dacca-1. Fresh weight, as well as dry weight, of shoots and roots of both the groundnut varieties was also decreased with the increase of salt concentrations while leaf proline concentrations were increased among these varieties. Salinity caused significant (P<0.001) reduction in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content in both the genotypes. Between two genotypes, Zhinga groundnut recorded higher chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content than Dacca-1. From the studies, it is concluded that the groundnut genotype Zhinga was identified as the tolerant genotype to salt stress than Dacca-1. Overall results indicate that high salinity condition is not suitable for growing the groundnut.
Particle detachment due to wheel rotation

Particle detachment induced by a rotating wheel was investigated theoretically and experimentally. The developed theoretical models were used to reveal how the particle detaches from a wheel surface to the surrounding air. The corresponding experiments were carried out to validate proposed models. Two groups of spherical particles were considered, i.e. silicon dioxide and aluminium oxide particles. Different forces and force moments acting on individual particles were analysed. The criteria for the rolling detachment of particles were considered. The detachment diameters under various conditions were calculated. The results show that the particle detachment was dominated by the removal and resistant forces acting on particles, including the gravity force, adhesion force, hydrodynamic force and centrifugal force. Different relevant parameters can affect particle detachment through these forces, including surface roughness, wheel speed, particle size and properties. A higher wheel speed, larger particle sizes and higher wheel surface roughness were shown to have a conducive influence on particle detachment. The resistant and removal force moments could be affected by the particle properties at the same time; therefore, the detachment diameters of the aluminium oxide particles are similar to those of silicon dioxide. This study can contribute towards the estimation of particle emissions from vehicles.
Reachable set estimation for uncertain nonlinear systems with time delay

This article studies reachable set estimation for parameter uncertain systems with time delay. A new reachable set estimation method is proposed for nonlinear discrete‐time systems with parameter uncertainty and unknown but bounded disturbance. By analyzing Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, reachable set estimation is formulated to an optimization problem in terms of linear matrix inequalities. The proposed method not only can handle nonzero initial condition but also provide real‐time reachable set estimation. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are illustrated by numerical simulations.
Rank regularized beamforming in single group multicasting networks

In multicasting networks, a multi-antenna base station transmits the same information to a single group of users. In this work we consider general rank beamforming using orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBC)s. The beamforming problem is non-convex and generally NP hard. The semidefinite relaxation technique is employed to solve the problem. In order to control the rank of the beamforming solution we propose to replace the power minimization by a regularized volume minimization which is known as a surrogate for the rank minimization. We propose an iterative two scale algorithm to find the appropriate value for the regularization parameter that yields the desired rank and to compute stationary points of the corresponding optimization problem. The high computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is improved significantly using a one scale algorithm, where the value of the regularization variable is reduced along with the decreasing rank. Simulation results demonstrate that our algorithms outperform the stateof-the-arts procedures in terms of the transmitted power and symbol error rate (SER). For a proper setting of the regularization variable, one scale algorithm outperforms the best compared methods in terms of computational complexity.
Microwave-Assisted Degradation of Biomass with the Use of Acid Catalysis

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of microwave pretreatment combined with acid catalysis in the decomposition of various types of biomass (pine and beech chips and hemp stems). It was clearly demonstrated that sulfuric acid was a catalyst enabling the most effective decomposition of the tested plant biomass, guaranteeing the highest concentrations of simple sugars released. Acid catalysis with 1% v/v sulfuric acid combined with microwave radiation provided high glucose concentrations of 89.8 ± 3.4, 170.4 ± 2.4 and 164.6 ± 4.6 mg/g for pine chips, beech chips and hemp stems, respectively. In turn, the use of nitric acid promoted the degradation of hemicellulose, which resulted in high concentrations of galactose and xylose, i.e., 147.6 ± 0.6, 163.6 ± 0.4 and 134.9 ± 0.8 mg/g of pine chips, beech chips and hemp stems, respectively, while glucose levels remained relatively low. It was also demonstrated that the undesirable dehydration of sugars such as glucose and xylose is more pronounced in sulfuric acid than nitric acid processes. The use of H2SO4 and increased pressure generated 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and furfural at a concentration of ca. 12 and 6 mg/g, 10 and 45 mg/g and 14 and 30 mg/g, of pine chips, beech chips and hemp shoots, respectively. Our studies confirmed the usefulness of the combined use of microwaves and acid catalysis in the degradation of softwood, hardwood and non-wood plant biomass. It should be emphasized that obtaining high concentrations of released simple sugars (as potential substrates in biosynthesis), while maintaining low levels of toxic by-products (inhibitors), requires precise selection of process parameters such as pressure, exposition time and type of acid catalyst.
BUILDING THE ENGINEERING MINDSET: DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES IN THE ENGINEERING CURRICULUM

In this paper we explore building the engineering mindset from the perspective of developing exceptional leadership and management competencies to guide and support the traditional technical competencies that are the primary focus of undergraduate engineering programs. A knowledge base for engineering, science, and design is developed throughout most engineering programs. Math and science are carefully scaffolded from first year engineering to ensure technical competence by graduation. We ask the questions: “How are leadership and management related to engineering work and design? ” and “Can we develop a framework to guide the development of leadership and management skills in the engineering curriculum? ” We argue leadership and management are integral to the engineering mindset and necessary to address the complex engineering problems society faces. There is discord between the responsibility of the engineer and the decision-making authority for engineering projects. This dissonance often results in engineers being technically accountable for their designs yet lacking the authority to make decisions with respect to the construction, commissioning, and operation of their designs. To address this gap, we suggest leadership and management training be carefully scaffolded in the same manner that technical competence has been stewarded in engineering programs and propose a framework to do so.