Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological differentiation within the diploid cytotypes of Urginea maritima s.I. (Hyacinthaceae)

Boscaiu, M. , Bacchetta, G. & Guemes, J.: Morphological differentiation within the diploid cytotypes of Urginea maritima s.l. (Hyacinthaceae). — Bocconea 16(2): 549-555. 2003. — ISSN 1120-4060. Caryological studies were performed on 22 populations of Urginea maritima s.l. from central and western Mediterranean region and three levels of ploidy, 2x (2n = 20), 4x (2n = 40) and 6x (2n = 60) were identified. Diploids were found in Sicily (Italy) and Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), tetraploids in Sardinia (Italy), Mallorca and Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Spain) and Algeria, whereas hexaploids were identified only from the SE Spanish mainland (provinces of Almeria, Alicante and Castellon). The morphological analyses of fourteen of the studied populations showed that the diploid plants from Minorca clearly differ by several characters from all other studied plants, including the diploids from Sicily. The diploids from Minorca are characterised by superficial and green bulbs, their leaves of light green colour are leaned on the ground and have a peculiar shape with almost parallel margins. On the contrary, it was impossible to distinguish on the basis of the morphological characters considered the diploids from Sicily from the tetraploids and hexaploids, which are all quite similar. The results obtained suggest that specific category should be assigned to the plants from Minorca.
PROTECTIVE ROLE OF CRUDE EXTRACT OF AMORPHOPHALLUS CAMPANULATUS AGAINST ETHANOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE RENAL DAMAGE

Objective: The current study investigates the nephroprotective effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus against chronic alcohol-induced oxidative stress and tissue damage. Methods: The rats were simultaneously supplemented with ethanolic extract of A. campanulatus along with ethanol (40% w/v)2 g/kg body weight/day for 30 days to evaluate the nephroprotective effect against alcohol toxicity. Renal antioxidant enzymes, serum urea, creatinine, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were assayed biochemically. Histomorphological and histochemical alterations were detected by Hematoxylin and Eosin, periodic acid Schiff, and Feulgen and Picrosirius stain, respectively. The degree of apoptotic cell death was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay technique. Results: Serum urea, creatinine, pro-inflammatory cytokines, tissue TBARS, and activity of glutathione metabolizing enzymes were significantly (p<0.01) elevated, whereas cytosolic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, catalase, and levels of reduced glutathione were significantly (p<0.001) decreased in the EtOH group compared to control. However, ethanolic extract of A. campanulatus (ACE) supplementation to the EtOH rats reversed these effects to normal levels. Furthermore, degenerative changes in renal cells with alcohol treatment were minimized to nearness in architecture by ACE supplementation. Glycogen and deoxyribonucleic acid depletion, excess fibrosis due to collagen deposition, and increased apoptotic cell number were also restricted by ACE supplementation, with the higher dose being more promising. Conclusion: Thus ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity was attenuated by ACE treatment by the antioxidative and antiapoptotic property of the extract. Such effects of the extract may be due to the probable presence of different bioactive components in the tuber. Hence, it can be used as a regular nutrient or therapeutic agent to protect the renal cells.
Corrosion Analysis of Friction Stir-welded AA 7075 Aluminium Alloy

Friction stir-welding of AA7075 has become widely practiced in the fabrication of light-weight structures requiring high strength-to-weight ratios and superior corrosion resistance. The friction stir-welding (FSW) process and tool parameters play a key role in determining the joint’s characteristics. In this paper, the corrosion resistance of a friction stir-welded alloy was studied via polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 3.5% NaCl. The microstructure of different positions along the thickness of the aluminium alloy plate has been investigated with regard to varying parameters, including rotary speed and transverse speed. The heat-affected zones of the weld exhibited the highest susceptibility to inter-granular corrosion. The results also show that sound joints in AA7075 can be achieved using friction stirwelding. Corrosion resistance decreases with the increase of traverse speed from 0.37 to 0.76 mm/s at a rotary speed of 800 rpm. Corrosion resistance at a rotary speed of 1000 rpm is lower than that at 1200 rpm; an increase in the corrosion resistance may also be reached via the breaking down and dissolution of the inter-metallic particles.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CROSS-SECTIONAL VOLATILITY, TRACKING-ERROR AND ACTIVE POSITIONS: THE CASE FOR SOUTH AFRICA

International research suggests that tracking-error is influenced mainly by two components, namely market volatility and a portfolio manager’s active positions. Of these components, market volatility cannot be controlled by a manager while active positions can be adjusted to maintain a desired or mandated level of tracking-error. Focusing on the South African market, this study found that a strong positive relationship exists between cross sectional volatility and the level of tracking-error, and that active managers respond to changes in cross sectional volatility by adjusting their active positions. Based on these findings, this study firstly suggests that in order to outperform the market during times of low cross sectional volatility whilst maintaining desired tracking-error levels, stock picking skills becomes more important than ever. Secondly this study suggests that being able to identify those factors leading to a decrease in cross sectional volatility may enable investors to proactively increase their exposure to more passively managed funds in order to decrease management fees, thereby shifting their focus to alternative sources of alpha.
Final Report Overview N 00173-06-2-C 901 Ocean and Coastal Modeling

During the MREA07 trial, off the NW coast of Italy in the late spring and summer of 2007, Navy Coastal Ocean Modeling (NCOM) multiple nests free run ensembles were made available in realtime for the LASIE07 and BP07 events and a fairly complete set of observations were collected inside the inner nests domains. This note addresses the problem of predicting NCOM local unbiased 0-24 hours forecast errors by perturbing a limited number of possible error sources through Monte-Carlo simulations, without local data assimilation. It discusses preliminary results using the Ensemble Transform (Bishop and Toth, 1999) to calibrate the ensemble spread by adjusting its characteristics (spread-skill relationship and magnitude) to an observed or preestimated error field. A small (10 members) ensemble of free-runs was used for water column temperature forecast Root Mean Square (RMS) error prediction. After being post-processed they were compared with observed errors and those estimated using time variability as an error proxy. The ensemble runs were generated through atmospheric forcing perturbations using the spacetime deformation method as proposed by Xiandong, et al., (2007), keeping independent initial Corresponding author. Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS39529 Tel: + 01 228 688 5710 ; E-mail address: emanuel.coelho. ctr.po@nrlssc.navy. mil conditions. Because at the starting time all runs shared the same IC, the ensemble was run for roughly two weeks for spinning up and then used during the following 10 days for data comparisons, during which the ensemble spread did not diverge and was consistent with the observed dynamics. Comparisons of ensemble spread of temperature profiles with local observed errors and time variability (assumed as an error proxy) showed they were consistent through this 10 days analysis period, with performances above the non-calibrated ensemble estimates and time-variability used as error proxy.
Sediment Transport on the Coast and Shelf Between the Nile Delta and Israeli Margin as Determined by Heavy Minerals

The main source of terrigenous sediments supplied to the southeastern Mediterranean margin was the River Nile until the emplacement of the High Aswan Dam in 1964. It is generally assumed that since cut-off of this supply, sediments eroded from the Nile delta have continued to be displaced eastward to the Sinai and Gaza margins and north-northeastward to the Israeli margin. Sands are displaced along coasts primarily by wave-driven longshore transport. This study of the regional distribution of transparent heavy minerals indicates that mineral suites on coasts east of the Bardawil lagoon differ increasingly from Nilotic suites in a direction away from the Nile delta. This records an incorporation of sediments supplied locally from coastal and inshore erosion, and also from rivers and by wind. In contrast, proportions of transparent heavy minerals in the sand fractions on continental shelves off the Nile delta, Sinai, Gaza and Israel more closely approximate those of the Nile delta. These mineral assemblages in shelf sediments are likely derived from relict or reworked relict (palimpsest) deposits, or both, of Nilotic origin. Offshore sediment displacement by bottom currents is probably episodic, involving storm wave activity coupled with more constant flow of the geostrophic East Mediterranean Current. As the number of engineering structures placed along coasts increases, the volume of laterally transported Nilotic sand has decreased somewhat relatively to locally supplied sediment. Thus, in time, the composition of heavy mineral suites on eastern Sinai, Gaza and Israeli coasts may differ from Nile delta assemblages. Moreover, the divergence between proportions of heavy minerals on coasts and contiguous shelves would also be expected to increase. Data points summarized in the present study are largely from samples collected prior to 1964 and thus provide a pre-Aswan High Dam baseline. Recommended systematic resampling of the margins and analyses of heavy minerals one quarter-Century after closure of the High Aswan Dam would help measure recent sedimentation changes and predict future modifications likely to affect these margins.
EFFECT OF PHOTOPERIOD ON THE CELLULAR FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF THREE TROPICAL MARINE MICROALGAE

The culture of microalgae in hatcheries is promoted for their high essential fatty acid (EFA) content which favors the successful rearing of aquatic animals. In this study, batch cultures of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis sp. were acclimated under photoperiods of 24:0h, 12:12h and 8:16h L/D regimes at 20oC to analyze for cellular fatty acid in the logarithmic growth phase. The various photoperiods resulted in differences of cellular fatty acid content of cultivated microalgae revealing influences and strong interactions between the photoperiods studied. The photoperiod of 12:12h L/D regime is recommended for fast and economic batch culture production of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis sp. cells rich in EFA.
Eudialyte-group minerals from the Monte de Trigo alkaline suite, Brazil: composition and petrological implications

The Monte de Trigo alkaline suite is a SiO2-undersaturated syenite-gabbroid association from the Serra do Mar alkaline province. Eudialyte-group minerals (EGMs) occur in one nepheline microsyenite dyke, associated with aegirine-augite, wohlerite, lavenite, magnetite, zircon, titanite, britholite, and pyrochlore. Major compositional variations include Si (25.09- 25.57 apfu ), Nb (0.31- 0.76 apfu ), Fe (1.40-2.13 apfu ), and Mn (1.36- 2.08 apfu ). The EGMs also contain relatively high contents of Ca (6.13- 7.10 apfu ), moderate enrichment of rare earth elements (0.38-0.67 apfu ), and a relatively low Na content (11.02-12.28 apfu ), which can be correlated with their transitional agpaitic assemblage. EGM compositions indicate a complex solid solution that includes eudialyte, kentbrooksite, feklichevite, zirsilite-(Ce), georgbarsanovite, and manganoeudialyte components. EGM trace element analyses show low Sr and Ba contents and a negative Eu/Eu* anomaly, which are interpreted as characteristic of the parental magma due to the previous fractionation of plagioclase and/or alkali feldspar. The EGMs from the dyke border have higher contents of Fe, Sr (2,161-2,699 ppm), Mg (1,179-3,582 ppm), and Zn (732- 852 ppm) than those at the dyke center. These differences are related to the incorporation of xenoliths and xenocrysts of melatheralitic host rock into the nepheline-syenitic magma followed by crystal-melt diffusive exchange.
ANALYSIS OF SPOT-6 DATA FUSION USING GRAM-SCHMIDT SPECTRAL SHARPENING ON RURAL AREAS

Image fusion is a process to generate higher spatial resolution multispectral images by fusion of lower resolution multispectral images and higher resolution panchromatic images. It is used to generate not only visually appealing images but also provide detailed images to support applications in remote sensing field, including rural area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of SPOT-6 data fusion using Gram-Schmidt Spectral Sharpening (GS) method on rural areas. GS method was compared with Principle Component Spectral Sharpening (PC) method to evaluate the reliability of GS method. In this study, the performance of GS was presented based on multispectral and panchromatic of SPOT-6 images. The spatial resolution of the multispectral (MS) image was enhanced by merging the high resolution Panchromatic (Pan) image in GS method. The fused image of GS and PC were assessed visually and statistically. Relative Mean Difference (RMD), Relative Variation Difference (RVD), and Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) Index were used to assess the fused image statistically. The test sites of rural areas were devided into four main areas i.e., whole area, rice field area, forest area, and settlement. Based on the results, the visual quality of the fused image using GS method was better than using PC method. The color of the fused image using GS was better and more natural than using PC. In the statistical assessment, the RMD results of both methods were similar. In the RVD results, GS method was better then PC method especially in band 1 and band 3. GS method was better than PC method in PSNR result for each test site. It was observed that the Gram-Schmidt method provides the best performance for each band and test site. Thus, GS was a robust method for SPOT-6 data fusion especially on rural areas.
Accounting for Foreign Direct Investment in Ghanaian Economy

FDI inflows into Ghana have been identified to be lower than other middle income countries; however, various empirical studies – including studies done in Ghana – have identified FDI to have a positive effect on economic growth. This study sought to account for the effect of FDI on economic growth using a two stage least square econometrics analysis. A quarterly time series data spanning 2004 to 2011 for selected variables were used for the econometric analysis. The results found FDI to have a positive effect on economic growth but the effect was found to be insignificant. Financial development and exports growth were identified as having significant negative effects on economic growth. The researchers recommend that Ghana reconsiders its liberal FDI policy to ensure that FDI benefits the country immensely. Key words: Investment; arbitrage; internalization; productivity
Enantioseparation of Racemic 1,1'-Binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine by Preparative Liquid Chromatography

Dept. of Chemistry, Hannam University, Daejeon 306-791, KoreaReceived April 14, 2004The same kind of chiral stationary phase with a commercialized chiral column was used to make preparativechiral columns and was applied to resolve racemic N-acetyl-1-naphthylethylamide (3) by preparative liquidchromatography. An improved chromatographic condition to resolve racemic 3 on the CSP was examined bychanging flow rate and kind of the mobile phase and the sample injection volume. The optimized separationconditions were applied to resolve racemic 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine (4). Key Words : Preparative liquid chromatography, Chiral separation, N-Acetyl-1-naphthylethylamide, 1,1'-Bi-naphthyl-2,2'-diamine, Separation conditionIntroductionThe main purpose of preparative chromatography is tooffer separation and purification of the samples. Verzele andBidlingmeyer developed many preparative chromatographictechniques related to column size and mobile phase speedfor good resolution.
Abundance and behavioural ecology of the blenny Ophioblennius trinitatis (Teleostei: Blenniidae) at an oceanic archipelago of Brazil (Atlantic)

Local patterns of fish density, microhabitat use, feeding behaviour, bite rate, territory area and agonistic interactions were recorded for Ophioblennius trinitatis at an oceanic archipelago (southwestern Atlantic). Rugosity, number of crevices and benthic diversity positively predicted the distribution of O. trinitatis . Turf algae was the preferred food item at all sites, but given its high availability inside and outside territory boundaries, it did not seem to be a limiting factor on the density of this blenny, as opposed to substrate heterogeneity. Bite rate was higher in the afternoon and for smaller individuals (juveniles). Territory size showed local variation and, although larger territories may be an effect of density-dependent conditions (more available space in low-density areas), we propose that individuals expand territories to compensate for residing in areas of lower quality (i.e. of low structural complexity). Larger individuals defended larger territories and residents responded differently to intruders, with higher rates of agonistic interactions towards potential competitors. Higher agonistic rates were also observed in larger territories and at low-complexity sites.
Shifting towards a Mediterranean Diet in the US: How Far Do We Have to Go, What Are the Potential Health Benefits and Can We Get There?

In the public dialogue surrounding the development of the 2015 dietary guidelines for Americans, public health and environmental advocates converged around a simple theme of shifting towards a more plant-forward Mediterranean-style diet. A robust body of literature documenting the health benefits of this eating pattern provides compelling reasons to change our dietary habits in ways that also benefit our environment, but we also need to have the right foods available and affordable to support this modest shift. This commentary discusses the gaps in current US dietary intakes compared to recommendations for meat and protein versus plant-based foods and the potential health benefits of shifting towards a more plant-based diet, focusing on the complex role of Mediterranean crops, such as tree nuts and olive oils, needed to support this shift.
Superconducting screening on different length scales in high-quality bulk MgB2 superconductor

High-quality bulk MgB2 exhibits a structure of voids and agglomeration of crystals on different length scales. Because of this, the superconducting currents percolate between the voids in the ensuing structure. Magnetic measurements reveal that the superconducting currents circulate on at least three different length scales, of ∼1μm, ∼10μm, and whole of the sample (∼millimeter). Each of these screenings contributes to the measured irreversible magnetic moment (Δm). The analysis of the field dependence of Δm for samples of subsequently decreasing size showed that the critical current obtained using the simple critical state model is erroneous. This leads to the artifact of the sample size-dependent critical current density Jc and irreversibility field. Our data analysis enables the separation of the contribution of each of the screening currents to Δm. The field dependence of each of the currents follows a stretched exponential form. The currents flowing around whole of the sample give a dominant contribut.
The Earth's Rotation and Atmospheric Circulation —II. The Continuum

(Received 1974 January 24)* Summary In an earlier paper (Lambeck & Cazenave, Part I) we investigated the seasonal variations in the Earth’s rotation and their relation to the global wind circulation. In this paper we consider mainly the high frequency part of the length-of-day spectrum. A month-by-month evaluation of the zonal wind excitation function shows that these rotational variations are all of zonal wind origin for frequencies up to at least 6 cycles per year. The zonal winds also contribute to frequencies greater than 6 cpy in the Earth’s rotation and will degrade the results for the Love numbers k2 estimated from the tidal terms near 13 and 26 cpy. Rapid changes of as much as during 5 days have been observed in the length of day on several occasions and these are also caused by meteorological disturbances. Any study of other possible excitation functions will require that these meteorological contributions are first evaluated. There does not appear to be any single wind pattern that is responsible for the observed high frequency variations in the length of day and it does not seem possible to use these observations as an indication of the nature of the zonal wind pattern other than as a global zonal wind index. There is some evidence that the zonal winds will contribute to those long-period variations in the Earth‘s rotation that are usually attributed to core-mantle coupling, In a previous paper (Lambeck & Cazenave 1973; referred to hereafter as Paper I) we discussed the relation between the annual, semi-annual and biennial variations in the Earth’s rate of rotation and the atmospheric circulation. We concluded that these observed periodic fluctuations in the rotation are largely due to the zonal winds and, on the basis of the astronomical evidence, we were able to draw some conclusions concerning the extent and variability of the downward propagation and the period of the global quasi-biennial circulation. We concluded, for example, that for the years 1965-1969 the period of this oscillation was closer to 3 years than to two but that by 1970 the period was again close to 2 years. The recent time-height zonal wind section at the Canal Zone and Kawajalein given by Wallace (1973) confirms such changes in the period. In this paper we are primarily concerned with the non-seasonal changes in the Earth’s rotation and their relation to variations in the zonal wind circulation. Short duration irregular variations in the length of day (lod) have been observed since
Income mobility as an equalizer of permanent income

Do market-orientated economies with relatively large cross-sectional levels of inequality have higher income mobility and therefore less permanent inequality? To answer this question, we introduce a formal representation of income mobility as an equalizer of permanent income. The proposed representation is called a mobility curve and forms the basis for comparison of income distributions according to income mobility. The mobility curve captures the extent to which the distribution of permanent income is equalized because of changes in individuals' relative income over time. From the derivative of the mobility curve, we can assess the equalizing effect of income mobility in the lower, middle and upper part of the distribution of permanent income. The mobility curve allows us to develop dominance criteria that provide partial orderings of income distributions according to income mobility. We obtain complete orderings through an axiomatically justified family of rank-dependent measures of income mobility, which summarizes the informational content of the mobility curve. We illustrate the usefulness of these methods by re-examining previous findings of income mobility across countries. In contrast to the conclusions in previous studies, we find that changes in relative income over time contribute more (as much) to equality in permanent income in the US as in the Nordic countries and Germany.