Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological responses of olive cultivars to salinity stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of seven promising olive cultivars for southern parts of Iran (‘Amigdalilolia’, ‘Dakal’, ‘Zard’, ‘Dezful’, ‘Tokhm-e-Kabki’, ‘Shiraz’, and ‘Conservalia’) against salinity stress. Biochemical and physiological responses of the cultivars irrigated with saline water application (control, 4, 8, and 12 dS m-1) were evaluated and the tolerant cultivars were identified. In contrast to the tolerant cultivars, the sensitive ones continue to grow with lower rate and died under salinity stress. In general, growth indices of olive cultivars were reduced with increasing salinity stress and the lowest growth indices were obtained under 12 dS m-1 treatment. Results indicated that the accumulation of higher levels of soluble carbohydrates and proline in the leaves of the tolerant cultivars helps them to deal with salinity stress. The results showed that saline waters up to 4 dS m-1 for irrigation can be used for olive cultivars, however, based on the result of this study, it is not recommended to use water sources with higher electric conductivities to irrigate sensitive olive cultivars. We concluded that the tolerant cultivars stopped growth and used their energy to defend against the salinity stress.
Empirical Research on the Demand for Influenza Vaccination Among the Elderly

Purpose: This paper analyses what factors determine the demand for vaccination among the elderly as a high risk group. Using the estimation results, this paper then evaluates how legal requirements and/or subsidies affect their demand. Methods: Original data were obtained from two surveys, conducted by the author, given to two groups: elderly people living with descendants, and elderly people living without descendants. The surveys contained information about the elderly, the household, experience of influenza during the last season, immunization during this time, and a hypothetical questionnaire about immunization for purposes of Conjoint Analysis. Three estimations are performed for actual behaviour, Conjoint Analysis and Joint Estimation, the latter combining the first two estimations. Results: Among estimation results, factors such as cost, number of immunizations, availability of immunization at night or on the weekend, and legal requirements heavily affect the demand for immunization. Experience of influenza and immunization in the preceding season is one of the most important determinants. In addition, the superiority of the Joint Estimation method is confirmed. Conclusions: The estimation results imply that about 8.9 million elderly people will have a demand for vaccination if there is no cost and it is legally recommended. If the cost is 6000 yen (about US$50) and there is no legal recommendation, demand for vaccination will be reduced to about 3.2 million elderly people. An increase in cost from free vaccination to just 500 yen (about US$4) depresses demand from 1.6 million elderly people. On its own, legal recommendations for vaccination can push up demand by 2.0 million elderly persons.
Competitive Two-Agent Scheduling with Learning Effect and Release Times on a Single Machine

The learning effect has gained much attention in the scheduling research recently, where many researchers have focused their problems on only one optimization. This study further addresses the scheduling problem in which two agents compete to perform their own jobs with release times on a common single machine with learning effect. The aim is to minimize the total weighted completion time of the first agent, subject to an upper bound on the maximum lateness of the second agent. We propose a branch-and-bound approach with several useful dominance properties and an effective lower bound for searching the optimal solution and three simulated-annealing algorithms for the near-optimal solutions. The computational results show that the proposed algorithms perform effectively and efficiently.
Effect of Counter-doping Thickness on Double-gate MOSFET Characteristics

This paper presents a study of the influence of variation of counter doping thickness on short channel effect in symmetric double-gate (DG) nano MOSFETs. Short channel effects are estimated from the computed values of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. Two dimensional Quantum transport equations and Poisson equations are used to compute DG MOSFET characteristics. We found that the transconductance (g m ) and the drain conductance (g d ) increase with an increase in p-type counter-doping thickness (T c ). Very high value of transconductance (g m = 38 mS/㎛) is observed at 2.2 ㎚ channel thickness. We have established that the threshold voltage of DG MOSFETs can be tuned by selecting the thickness of counter-doping in such device.
Sea ice small-scale surface roughness estimation based on AMSR-E observations

In this article, the retrieval of a sea ice small-scale surface roughness parameter using a proposed model is investigated at several Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) channels (6.9, 10.7, and 89 GHz) over the Arctic oceans. The AMSR-E 89 GHz observations with a spatial resolution of approximately 6 km × 4 km, nearly three times the resolution of the currently operational radiometer SSM/I 85 GHz (15 km × 13 km), are fully exploited to retrieve the total and multiyear (MY) ice concentrations through the utilization of the ARTIST sea ice (ASI) and polarization corrected temperature (PCT) algorithms, respectively. To improve the accuracy of the retrieved ice concentration, a tie-point adaption scheme was used to obtain daily adaptable tie-points for the two ice concentration algorithms. A sea ice small-scale roughness parameter was then calculated with the model proposed by Hong for the above-mentioned three frequencies. At lower frequencies, such as 6.9 and 10.7 GHz, roughness estimates are available for all ice types. However, estimates at 89 GHz are physically illegitimate over the wintertime MY ice cover. The model estimates at the two low frequencies were further studied over a protracted period (2003–2010). The annual time series of the averaged estimate over the Arctic sea ice were found to exhibit a slightly decreasing trend (−2.1 × 10−3 and −1.9 × 10−3 cm year−1 for 6.9 and 10.7 GHz, respectively). Meanwhile, the winter time series showed an increasing trend whereas the summer time series showed a remarkably decreasing trend, which indicates more serious melting activity occurring over the Arctic ice.
Convective heat transfer as a function of wavelength: Implications for the cooling of the Earth

[1] Attempting to reconstruct the thermal history of the Earth from a geophysical point of view has for a long time been in disagreement with geochemical data. The geophysical approach uses parameterized models of mantle cooling. The rate of cooling of the Earth at the beginning of its history obtained in these models is generally too rapid to allow a sufficient present-day secular cooling rate. Geochemical estimates of radioactive element concentrations in the mantle then appear too low to explain the observed present mantle heat loss. Cooling models use scaling laws for the mean heat flux out of the mantle as a function of its Rayleigh number of the form Q / Ra b . Recent studies have introduced very low values of the exponent b, which can help reduce the cooling rate of the mantle. The present study instead focuses on the coefficient C in the relation Q = CR a b and, in particular, on its variation with the wavelength of convection. The heat transfer strongly depends on the wavelength of convection. The length scale of convection in Earth’s mantle is that of plate tectonics, implying convective cells of wide aspect ratio. Taking into account the long wavelength of convection in Earth’s mantle can significantly reduce the efficiency of heat transfer. The likely variations of this wavelength with the Wilson cycle thus imply important variations of the heat flow out of the Earth on a intermediate timescale of 100 Ma, which renders parameterized models of thermal evolution inaccurate for quantitative predictions.
Women’s Labour Market Performance in Europe: Trends and Shaping Factors

The objective of this paper is two-fold. First, it aims to assess recent trends in women’s employment and labour market participation with a focus on the changes in the ‘type’ of occupation (temporary vs. regular and part-time vs. full-time) women are involved in. Secondly, it examines the role played by the interplay of macro-institutional factors and policies and individual characteristics in explaining the observed trends and cross-country differences by means of a multi-level approach. In particular, it questions the role that the reforms towards a model of a ‘flexicure’ labour market have played in explaining recent trends in women’s participation.
Effect of inorganic mercury concentration on biometric, survival and LC50 of Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 (Crustacea:Anostraca).

This research presents the effect of different concentrations of inorganic mercury (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 ng L -1 ) on the biometry, survival and LC50 of nauplius stages I and II of Artemia franciscana. The biometry of N-I and N-II shows significant differences by different concentration of inorganic mercury (P<0.001). Mortality rate reached to more than 70%, when inorganic mercury concentration increased to 24 ng L -1 . The biometric data of N-I and N-II stages were disturbed, even at the lower concentrations of inorganic mercury. With respect “control” organisms, total body length showed a reduction of 4.16% in N-I and 7.81% in N-II; whereas, for abdomen width, a reduction of 14.48% and 15.38% were observed, respectively. The LC50 for N-I and N-II nauplius stage were estimated to be 16.13, 12.46 ng L -1 . The real problem is not only the biometric reduction and quickly LC50 values, but it is the incorporation of inorganic mercury in the tissues of nauplii. That’s why is necessary to make these chemical determinations to complete the information.
1167 CHLORIDE TRANSPORT IN CONCRETE EXPOSED TO MARINE ENVIRONMENT

The purpose of this research is to predict transportation behavior of chloride ions in concrete under marine environment. Marine environment phases are modeled in laboratory and a series of experiments have been performed with different combinations of chloride concentrations, temperature variations, and wetting/drying spell cycle durations. The chloride transport profiles thus generated are compared with analytical results by DuCOM. The experimental and analytic results verify the chloride and moisture surface flux models and their coupling under varying wetting and drying environments.
Bryozoa of the southern Caspian Sea, Iranian coast

Bryozoans were found attached to various natural and artificial substrates at 18 sites along the Iranian coast of the southern Caspian Sea. Two species of cheilostome bryozoans—Conopeum grimmi and Lapidosella ostroumovi—and 2 species of ctenostomes—Amathia gracilis and Victorella pavida—are reported. Lapidosella ostroumovi is a new record for the Caspian Sea.
Tax policy tools vs. sustainable development of agriculture. The case of Poland

A transition from conventional to sustainable model of agriculture depends on various factors. Sustainable development of farms may be described in terms of three dimensions, ("economic, environmental and social"). The Green Growth paradigm indicates the significance of economic policy interventions, including subsidies and tax incentives. A gap in the literature on agricultural economics and finance explains the need for studies on a fiscal dimension of sustainability of farms.The main aim of the paper was to highlight the role of selected tax policy tools from the perspective of sustainable development of agriculture. The research goals were as follows (1) to present a review of selected tax policy instruments in an international context, (2) to analyse the impact of selected tools on making pro-environmental actions (based on experts' opinions). Our paper concluded with proposals and recommendations on the aforesaid process for policymakers. Fiscal instruments that may affect sustainability in agriculture exist in the majority of Old Member States of European Union (e.g. the Netherlands, Germany, Austria). The ongoing ? Agricultural tax? (? podatek rolny? ) that affect a majority of Polish farms and their organization of production favours leads to maintaining sustainability of agriculture (given an environmental dimension of sustainability). The existing tax instruments have a neutral or positive impact on environmental sustainability. The highest medium positive impact on the medium are characterized by capital allowances and deductions for the purchase of new environmental technologies.Polish policymakers should reasonably developed a more detailed fiscal policy instruments, e.g. investment reliefs (similarly, as in the Netherlands), subjective exemptions in respect of agro-environmental practices. In the near future a key role in environmental protection will be played by a group of small farm households. These entities will be responsible for provision of public goods for Polish agricultural sector.
Serum level of apelin-13 negatively correlated with NT-proBNP in heart failure patients

Abstract Background: Apelin is a potent endogenous inotropic peptide with a major role in counteracting the aldosterone and angiotensin II and their negative effects on the cardiovascular system. The exact role of apelin in the patho-physiology of this disease is not well understood. We aimed to investigate the possible associations of apelin-13 with clinical and paraclinical characteristics in HF patients as well as studying its dynamics during the course of the heart failure. Method: We performed a prospective observational cohort single-center study. We compared the baseline serum levels of apelin-13 and NT-proBNP level in 53 heart failure patients (acute heart failure, chronic compensated heart failure and chronic decompensated heart failure). We divided the patients according to the apelin-13 level: above and below the median, and we analyzed the relationship between serum apelin-13 and the clinical, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic and biological parameters. Twenty patients were followed-up (after an average time interval of 9 months), investigating the same parameters. Results: The median of apelin-13 was 495pg/mL (IQR 276-845pg/mL). We found strong, negative correlation between the serum levels of apelin-13 and NT-proBNP (Spearman rho= −0.83, p<0.001). For the reassessed patients the median apelin level was significantly higher at follow-up (460 pg/mL, IQR 342-871 pg/mL) as compared with the baseline level (395 pg/mL, IQR 270-603 pg/mL), p=0.019, and maintained the negative correlation with NT-proBNP level (Spearman’s rho −0.7, p<0.001. The Low Apelin-13 group have higher NT-proBNP levels and also contains all the patients in NYHA IV class heart failure, 71% of the acute HF patients, and 7 of 8 patients who died before follow-up. Conclusion: Apelin-13 was negatively correlated with NT-proBNP. The Low Apelin-13 group contained the majority of the patients with a negative outcome (death before follow-up), most of the patients who presented with acute HF and all the patients in NYHA IV class.
Global Mapping of the Topography and Magnitude of Proteolytic Events in Biological Systems

Over 70 precise sites-of-cleavage were detected in this study, the majority of which were previously unreported. Additionally, for many proteins in which explicit cleavage-sites were not detected, the site-of-cleavage could be inferred from the topography of the persistent fragments Introduction Proteases play central roles in numerous biological and pathological processes. Their importance is underscored by the fact that roughly 2% of the genes in the human genome encode proteases. Despite their essential functions, even the most wellstudied proteolytic cascades remain only partially understood, and a large portion of human proteases are wholly uncharacterized with respect to endogenous substrates and biological function. Various methods have been devised to identify protease substrates. These methods can generally be placed into three categories: (1) DNA/RNA display, (2) 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) and (3) N-terminal labeling strategies. These methods have all been applied, with varying degrees of success, to identify protease substrates in numerous biological contexts. While protease substrates can, indeed, be identified using these methods, they all suffer from serious drawbacks. Iterative display techniques such as DNAor RNA-display, rely on ex-vivo expression of proteins and, therefore, often result in a high rate of false-positives due to expression of substrates at superphysiological concentrations. 2D-GE is conceptually straightforward, but is severely limited by sensitivity and reproducibility. Furthermore, substrates identified by iterative display or 2D-GE require laborious follow-up experiments involving mutagenesis and immunoblotting to identify the topography and sites of proteolysis. N-terminal labeling approaches, in which nascent N-termini are chemically captured and enriched, always identify sites of proteolysis, but detection of cleavage relies on proteomic identification of a single peptide which is frequently difficult or ambiguous. Here, we present a novel proteomic method for the global identification and description of proteolytic events in native biological systems. Termed PROTOMAP, for PROtein TOpography and Migration Analysis Platform, this system relies on comparitive 1D SDS-PAGE fractionation followed by 1D LC-MS/MS to identify proteomie-wide shifts in gel-migration. These data are assembled into “peptographs” which enable intuitive visualization of the topography and magnitude of proteolysis for each protein. We applied PROTOMAP to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in Jurkat Tcells and identify hundreds of cleaved-proteins, the majority of which were not previously reported.
Analyzing Diabetes Datasets using Data Mining

Data mining techniques explore critical information in various domains (for example in CRM (customer relationship management), HR (Human Resource), GIS (Geographic Information System) etc.) but most importantly in medical domain. In medical domain, data mining can assist in minimizing the risk of developing some stereotyped diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes etc. In this paper, authors have focused data of Diabetic patients. Diabetic patient’s body lacks ability to manage the glucose level in blood which can affect the other body mechanism. This can lead to the dysfunctioning of other physiological and psychological parameters such as reduced weight, skin folding. These parameters may be a valuable data source for the research. Diabetes mellitus placed 4th among Noncommunicable diseases-NCDs, caused 1.5 million global deaths each year worldwide [1]. The increase in digital information has elevated numerous challenges especially when it comes to automated content analysis and to make use of some machine learning techniques to aid mankind for predicting the non-communicable diseases like diabetics. In this research different classifying algorithms such as Naive bayes, MLP, J.48, ZeroR, Random Forest, and Regression were applied to depict the result. The conducted research aims to extract knowledge from the given set of data and to generate comprehensive and intelligent results.
Study of UPFC Location for Installing in Power System to Control Power Flow

This research studies the effect of location of Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) on power system. In this study the several case studies including various points for installing UPFC on power system are considered and results of profile of voltage at all of buses of system is obtained. The active and reactive of all transmission lines of power system following installing UPFC at various points of system is discussed and results are analyzed. The encouragement to the construction of HV lines, the amount of power transmission/km on HV line and the amount of power transaction as seen from economic side is much responsible for concern towards congestion in power system. The solution is the use of FACTS devices especially the use of UPFC. In this research the study of UPFC with its various candied locations for installing on power system is understood. Second, the operation of control system used in its converters is also studied. Finally by help of modeling of a power system in MATLAB/SIMULINK, and by installing UPFC in transmission link, its use as power flow controller and voltage injection is seen. Conclusion is made on different results to see the benefit of UPFC in power system.
Bacterial community structure along the Adour estuary (French Atlantic coast): influence of salinity gradient versus metal contamination

Salinity, other physico-chemical parameters and anthropogenic pollution are the main factors affecting bacterial communities in estuaries. We estimated the impact of these parameters on the distribution of bacterial communities in the Adour estuary (France), a moderately polluted water body characterized by short residence times of particles and water and absence of a maximum tur- bidity zone. Eight stations were established along the salinity gradient from freshwater to marine conditions. For the 3 typical estuarine stations (water mixing zone), samples were collected at both low and high tide and at different depths according to the position of the halocline. This sampling strategy generated 35 samples with different degrees of mixing between fresh water and seawater. All the samples were characterized by their physico-chemical parameters and trace metal contents (as a contamination tracer). The structure of bacterial communities was determined by T-RFLP fingerprinting. The metal-salinity profiles suggested dilution processes and/or usual geochemical re- activity for the elements sensitive to sorption/desorption mechanisms (Cd, Mn). Metal concentrations were low, with no evidence of contaminated plumes, suggesting that metal concentrations were not influencing bacterial diversity. A well-established estuarine bacterial community was observed, com- prising mostly Cyanobacteria, Planctomyces and Alphaproteobacteria. This community was different from fresh and seawater communities, and a shift in community composition was observed between 10 and 34 PSU. Although residence time in the Adour estuary is very short, the salinity and halocline in this water body are likely to be the main parameters influencing bacterial community composition.
Development of a cell-laden thermosensitive chitosan bioink for 3D bioprinting

3D bioprinting is a technology used to deposit cell-laden biomaterials for the construction of complex tissue. For 3D bioprinting of cell-laden construct, many materials have been developed such as alginate, fibrin and gelatin. However, most of these hydrogels are chemically bound using crosslinkers which can cause some problems in cytotoxicity and cell viability. On the other hand, thermosensitive hydrogels are physically cross-linked by non-covalent interaction without crosslinker, facilitating stable cytotoxicity and cell viability. The typical examples of thermosensitive hydrogels are methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, Nisopropylacrylamide(NiPAAM), poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(propylene glycol)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PPG-PEG) and poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PEG/PLGA). Chitosan, which has nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide composed of glucosamine and derived by deacetylation of chitin, can be used as thermosensitive hydrogels. In