Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gerenciamento de Resultados em Empresas Sujeitas a Regulação Contábil por Parte de Agências Governamentais no Brasil

Os gestores podem manipular os numeros contabeis para melhorar ou piorar os resultados, com o objetivo de atingir certas metas de lucros. Nesse contexto, o estudo tem por objetivo analisar se as empresas listadas na B3 sob regulacao contabil por parte de agencias governamentais gerenciam seus resultados por um trade-off entre accruals discricionarios e atividades reais para reduzir a variabilidade dos lucros. Com base em uma amostra de 100 empresas listadas na B3, foram utilizados os modelos Jones Modificado (Dechow, Sloan, & Sweeny, 1995), Gunny (2010) e Roychowdhury (2006) para estimar as proxies de gerenciamento de resultados contabeis, no periodo de 2011 a 2017. Os resultados da pesquisa levam a concluir que nao pode ser rejeitada a hipotese de que as empresas sob regulacao contabil por parte de agencias governamentais gerenciam seus resultados por meio do trade-off entre as estrategias de gerenciamento para reduzir a variabilidade dos lucros, sendo possivel inferir que essa regulacao nao inibe a adocao de estrategias de gerenciamento de resultados no mercado de capitais brasileiro.
Efficient Control of Active Transformers for Increasing the PV Hosting Capacity of LV Grids

The increased penetration of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems in low-voltage (LV) grids creates concerns about overvoltage in these grids. The proposed methods to prevent overvoltage, such as reactive power absorption by PV inverters and active power management of customers, focus on decreasing the voltage rise along LV feeders, and the potential of active medium-voltage to low-voltage (MV/LV) transformers for overvoltage prevention has not been thoroughly investigated. This paper presents the application of active MV/LV transformers for increasing the PV hosting capacity of LV grids. The potential interferences between the operation of active transformers and the reactive power absorption by PV inverters are investigated, and a voltage droop control approach is proposed for the efficient control of these transformers during high PV generation periods. The proposed method can potentially increase the PV hosting capacity of the grid, while eliminating the need for a complex and centralized controller. The voltages of specific locations or the grid state estimations provide adequate data for adjustments of the droop parameters. The simulations and field test results associated with the implementation of the proposed method to a newly developed active LV grid with high PV penetration in Felsberg, Germany, confirm the efficiency of the proposed method.
Reticulation in evolution

Molecular phylogenetics, the study of reconstructing evolutionary trees, is a well-established field of scientific endeavor. However, in certain circumstances evolution is not completely tree-like. For example, a comparison of gene trees representing a set of present-day species and reconstructed for different genetic loci often reveals conflicting tree topologies. These discrepancies are not always due to missampling or difficulties in the gene tree reconstruction method, but rather due to reticulation events such as horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and hybridization. During an HGT event, a DNA segment is transferred from one organism to another which is not its offspring, whereas hybridization describes the origin of a new species through a mating between two different species. Both processes yield genomes that are mixtures of DNA regions derived from different ancestors. Consequently, evolutionary relationships between species whose past includes reticulation can often be better represented by using phylogenetic networks rather than trees. The main focus of this thesis is to develop new biologically motivated theoretical frameworks that provide insight into the extent to which reticulation events have influenced evolution. First, we have implemented the exact algorithm HybridNumber to compute the minimum number of hybridization events for two rooted binary phylogenetic trees. This approach is based on the notion of agreement forests and uses three rules that reduce the size of the problem instance, before calculating the hybridization number. We applied HybridNumber to a grass data set and analyzed the extent of hybridization. We also approached the question whether hybridization events have occurred relatively recently or in the distant past. Furthermore, since many biological data sets lead to reconstructed gene trees that are not fully resolved, we extended the above mentioned framework for rooted phylogenetic trees and showed that calculating the minimum number of hybridization events for two such trees is fixed-parameter tractable. Second, we present a new likelihood framework to estimate a rate of HGT for a set of taxa. To this end, we simulate an increasing number of HGT events on a species tree to obtain a tree distribution that can be used to estimate an HGT rate for a set of gene trees. This framework was applied to the COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of Proteins) data set and inaccuracies due to the gene tree reconstruction method were considered. Finally, we give a new result on how to speed up the exact calculation of the rooted subtree prune and regraft distance between two trees which is often used to model reticulation events and end with two interesting examples that give rise to questions for future research.
THE GEOMICROBIOLOGY OF SUSPENDED AQUATIC FLOCS: LINKS BETWEEN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, FE(III/II)-REDOX CYCLING, & TRACE ELEMENT BEHAVIOUR

Significantly higher concentrations of Ag, As, Cu, Ni and Co are found in floc compared to bed sediments across six variably impacted aquatic ecosystems. In contrast to the observed element and site-specific bed sediment trace element (TE) partitioning patterns, floc TE sequestration is consistently dominated by amorphous oxyhydroxides (FeOOH), which account for 30–79% of floc total TE concentrations, irrespective of system physico-chemistry or elements involved. FeOOH consistently occur in significantly higher concentrations in floc than within bed sediments. Further, comparative concentration factors indicate significantly higher TE reactivity of floc-FeOOH relative to sediment-FeOOH in all systems investigated, indicating that both the greater abundance and higher reactivity of floc-FeOOH contribute to enhanced floc TE uptake. Results indicate that floc-organics (live cells and exopolymeric substances, EPS) directly predict floc-FeOOH concentrations, suggesting an organic structural role in the collection/templating of FeOOH. This, in turn, facilitates the sequestration of TEs associated with floc-FeOOH formation, imparting the conserved FeOOH “signature” on floc TE geochemistry across sites. Results demonstrate that the organic rich nature of floc exerts an important control over TE geochemistry in aquatic environments, ultimately creating a distinct solid with differing controls over TE behavior than bed sediments in close proximity (<0.5 m). Ph.D. Thesis Amy V.C. Elliott McMaster University School of Geography & Earth Sciences 61 3.
On the Interplay Between Cyber and Physical Spaces for Adaptive Security

Ubiquitous computing is resulting in a proliferation of cyber-physical systems that host or manage valuable physical and digital assets. These assets can be harmed by malicious agents through both cyber-enabled or physically-enabled attacks, particularly ones that exploit the often ignored interplay between the cyber and physical world. The explicit representation of spatial topology is key to supporting adaptive security policies. In this paper we explore the use of Bigraphical Reactive Systems to model the topology of cyber and physical spaces and their dynamics. We utilise such models to perform speculative threat analysis through model checking to reason about the consequences of the evolution of topological configurations on the satisfaction of security requirements. We further propose an automatic planning technique to identify an adaptation strategy enacting security policies at runtime to prevent, circumvent, or mitigate possible security requirements violations. We evaluate our approach using a case study concerned with countering insider threats in a building automation system.
distributions: how geographical bias in occurrence records influences model performance

Aim To investigate the impact of geographical bias on the performance of ecological niche models for invasive plant species. Location South Africa and Australia. Methods We selected 10 Australian plants invasive in South Africa and nine South African plants invasive in Australia. Geographical bias was simulated in occurrence records obtained from the native range of a species to represent two scenarios. For the first scenario (A, worst-case) a proportion of records were excluded from a specific region of a species’ range and for the second scenario (B, less extreme) only some records were excluded from that specific region of the range. Introduced range predictions were produced with the Maxent modelling algorithm where models were calibrated with datasets from these biased occurrence records and 19 bioclimatic variables. Models were evaluated with independent test data obtained from the introduced range of the species. Geographical bias was quantified as the proportional difference between the occurrence records from a control and a biased dataset, and environmental bias was expressed as either the difference in marginality or tolerance between these datasets. Model performance [assessed using the conventional and modified AUC (area under the curve of receiver-operating characteristic plots) and the maximum true skill statistic] was compared between models calibrated with occurrence records from a biased dataset and a control dataset. Results We found considerable variation in the relationship between geographical and environmental bias. Environmental bias, expressed as the difference in marginality, differed significantly across treatments. Model performance did not differ significantly among treatments. Regions predicted as suitable for most of the species were very similar when compared between a biased and control dataset, with only a few exceptions. Main conclusions The geographical bias simulated in this study was sufficient to result in significant environmental bias across treatments, but despite this we did not find a significant effect on model performance. Differences in the environmental spaces occupied by the species in their native and invaded ranges may explain why we did not find a significant effect on model
Biology, introduction, dispersal, and distribution of common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) with special regard to Germany

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) is an annual species in the Asteraceae from the prairie regions of North America, which occurs in many European countries. It can cause hay fever through its pollen and dermatitis by contact to the inflorescence. Due to its late flowering the period of suffering for allergic persons is lengthened. Because of its potential as a competitive weed, it is under weed control in several countries. Our study summarizes the knowledge about the population biology and ecology of A. artemisiifolia . Reactions to stress factors and to herbicides are pointed out. Bird seed is the most important pathway for the introduction into Germany. Currently, A. artemisiifolia shows three centres of distribution in Germany: the area Mannheim/Ludwigshafen, southern Brandenburg and south eastern Bavaria. There is no evidence for a threat to native species. At the present climatic conditions a continued occurrence of A. artemisiifolia in Central Europe is highly possible, even more so under global change conditions of elevated temperature and/or carbon dioxide. Although A. artemisiifolia plays no important role as weed at the moment, it should be controlled because of its potential allergenic properties. Keywords: Ambrosia artemisiifolia , population biology, ecology, introduction, biocontrol, current distribution, weed, assessment, recommendations Biologie, Einschleppung, Ausbreitung und Verbreitung der Beifusblattrigen Ambrosie ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) unter besonderer Berucksichtigung von Deutschland Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Beifusblattrige Ambrosie) ist eine einjahrige Art der Asteraceae aus den Prariegebieten Nordamerikas, die inzwischen in zahlreichen europaischen Landern auftritt. Da die Ambrosie Heuschnupfen durch ihre Pollen und Dermatitis bei Beruhren des Blutenstandes auslosen kann und durch ihre spate Blutezeit den Leidenszeitraum der Allergiker verlangert, sie zudem ein konkurrenzkraftiges Ackerunkraut ist, wird sie in verschiedenen Landern bekampft. Die Veroffentlichung stellt die Kenntnisse uber Populationsbiologie und Okologie von A. artemisiifolia zusammen; Reaktion auf Stressfaktoren sowie auf Herbizide werden aufgezeigt. Wichtigste Quelle fur die Einschleppung nach Deutschland ist Vogelfutter. Gegenwartig gibt es in Deutschland drei Haufungsschwerpunkte: Raum Mannheim/Ludwigshafen, sudliches Brandenburg und Sudostbayern. Bislang gibt es jedoch keine Hinweise auf eine Verdrangung einheimischer Arten. Bei den gegenwartigen Klimabedingungen wird A. artemisiifolia mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit nicht wieder aus Mitteleuropa verschwinden, insbesondere nicht bei Anstieg von Temperatur und/oder Kohlendioxid-Konzentration. Obwohl die Art derzeit keine grosere Rolle als Ackerunkraut spielt, sollte eine Bekampfung wegen ihres hohen allergenen Potenzials erfolgen. Stichworter: Ambrosia artemisiifolia , Populationsbiologie, Okologie, Einschleppung, aktuelle Verbreitung, Ackerunkraut, Bewertung, Handlungsempfehlungen
The Upper and Lower Respiratory Tracts Differ in Their Requirement of IFN-γ and IL-4 in Controlling Respiratory Mycoplasma Infection and Disease1

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of IFN-γ and IL-4 production in controlling mycoplasma infection and the pathogenesis of disease in the upper and lower respiratory tract. By using IFN-γ knockout and IL-4 knockout BALB/c mice, we were able to study the contribution of these cytokines in the development of pathogenesis and/or protection in response to mycoplasma respiratory infection, in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The loss of either IFN-γ or IL-4 does not affect disease pathogenesis or mycoplasma organism numbers in the upper respiratory tract. However, in the absence of IL-4, the nasal passages developed a compensatory immune response, characterized by higher numbers of macrophages and CD8+ T cells, which may be masking detrimental effects due to IL-4 deficiency. This is in contrast to the lower respiratory tract, where the loss of IFN-γ, but not IL-4, leads to higher mycoplasma numbers and increased disease severity. The loss of IFN-γ impacted the innate immune system’s ability to effectively clear mycoplasma, as the number of organisms was higher by day 3 postinfection. This higher organism burden most likely impacted disease pathogenesis; however, the development of Th2 cell-mediated adaptive immune response most likely contributed to lesion severity at later time points during infection. Our studies demonstrate that the upper and lower respiratory tracts are separate and distinct in their cytokine requirements for generating immunity against mycoplasma infection.
Myrothecium acadiense, a new hyphomycete isolated from the weed Tussilago farfara.

Mgrothecium acadiense, isolated from leaves of the weed Tussilago farfara collected in Nova Scotia, Canada, is described as a new anamorph species. It produces sporodochial conidiomata, percurrently proliferating conidiogenous cells, a green, slimy conidial mass and unusual cylindrical conidia that are swollen and convex at the base. Despite the fact that most species of Myrothecium have phialidic conidiogenous cells, a phylogenetic analysis of aligned DNA sequences of the 5' end of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA suggest that M. acadiense is closely related to the type of the genus, M. inundatum, tentatively placed in the Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales. Some comments are included on the relationships and generic concept of Trichothecium roseum.
The ecology and evolution of thermophilic Synechococcus species

To understand the ecology of any environment, the fundamental species-like units that interact with the biotic and abiotic components of that environment must be understood. Previous research conducted in the Ward Lab has shown that 16S rRNA genotypes have unique distributions along the effluent flow path, and that 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region genotypes had unique distributions along vertical gradients at some temperatures. However, out of concern that these genetic markers were too conserved to accurately detect ecological species, in this dissertation I analyzed Synechococcus cyanobacterial diversity in Yellowstone National Park using the more highly-resolving psaA (Photosystem I reaction center protein) locus and an evolutionary simulation based on the Stable Ecotype Model to demarcate putative ecotype populations that are hypothesized to be ecologically distinct species. I used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to examine fine-scale distributions of predicted ecotypes along flow and vertical gradients. Because this approach was not sequence-based, and was limited in depth of sequence sampling and habitat coverage, I employed next-generation sequencing technologies (e.g. Ti454-barcoding and sequencing), which was based on sequence information and allowed much deeper sampling and habitat coverage. I used Ti454barcoding to extend fine-scale distribution studies, examine temporal differences in ecotype-specific gene expression, population-specific responses to environmental perturbations and to examine within-ecotype population genetics. Additionally, I used Ti454-barcoding to analyze frozen samples collected in previous Ward Lab studies, which enabled examination of (i) the biogeographic distributions of Synechococcus sequence variants across the Northwestern United States, (ii) the long-term stability of ecological populations in Octopus Spring and Mushroom Spring, and (iii) the initial colonization of disturbed mats. I was also able to use this technology to contribute to other ongoing Ward Lab studies, including (iv) testing the purity of Synechococcus isolate cultures before genome sequencing, (v) distribution analyses of loci used in previous population genetics studies, and (vi) linking psaA distributions to ecotypespecific genomes. I was able to confirm that many abundant Synechococcus putative ecotypes predicted by Ecotype Simulation are ecologically distinct populations, containing ecologically homogeneous individuals. The conclusion of my research supports applying the ecological species concept to hot spring Synechococcus cyanobacterial populations.
Modelación del crecimiento de pollitas Lohmann LSL con redes neuronales y modelos de regresión no lineal

espanolObjetivo. Modelar la curva del crecimiento de aves de la linea Lohmann LSL utilizando modelos no lineales (MNL), no lineales mixtos (MNLM) y redes neuronales artificiales (RNA). Materiales y metodos. Periodicamente se pesaron 33 aves en promedio, desde el dia 21 al 196 de vida para un total de 558 registros individuales de peso. En el ajuste de la curva de crecimiento se utilizaron los modelos: no lineal de Von Bertalanffy (MNL), no lineal Mixto de Von Bertalanffy (MNLM) y redes neuronales artificiales (RNA). Los modelos se compararon con coeficiente de correlacion y medidas de presicion cuadrado medio del error (CME), desviacion media absoluta (MAD) y porcentaje de la media absoluta del error (MAPE). Resultados. Los valores de correlacion entre los datos reales y estimados, fueron 0.999, 0.990 y 0.986 para MNLM, RNA y MNL respectivamente. El modelo mas preciso con base en los criterios MAPE, MAD y CME fue el MNLM, seguido por la RNA. La grafica de prediccion generada la RNA es similar a la del MNLM. La RNA presento un desempeno superior al MLN. Conclusiones. El mejor modelo para la prediccion de curvas de crecimiento de aves comerciales de la linea Lohmman LSL hasta los 196 dias de edad, con multiples mediciones por animal en el tiempo, fue el MNLM. La RNA presento un desempeno superior al MNL. EnglishObjective. Modeling the pullet growth curve of the Lohmann LSL line, by using nonlinear model (MNL), nonlinear mixed model (MNLM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). Materials and methods. An average of 33 birds, were weighed from day 21 to 196 of life for 558 individual weight records. To adjust the growth curve the following models were used: nonlinear Von Bertalanffy (MNL), nonlinear mixed Von Bertalanffy (MNLM) and artificial neural networks (RNA). The models were compared with a correlation coefficient and precision measurements: mean square error (MSE), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Results. Correlation values, between actual and estimated data, were 0.999, 0.990 and 0.986 for MNLM, RNA and MNL respectively. The most accurate model based on the MAPE, MAD and CME criteria was MNLM followed by RNA. The prediction graph for RNA was similar to MNLM. The RNA performance was higher than MLN. Conclusions. The best model for the prediction of growth curves of commercial Lohmman LSL birds to 196 days of age, was the MNLM, with multiple measurements per animal at the time. RNA performance was higher MLN.
Dynamique de la matière organique dans la Seine : approche globale et moléculaire

Les estuaires sont des ecosystemes importants pour l’environnement et l’economie et sont le lieu de nombreuse transformation de la matiere organique (MO). La dynamique de la MO dans les estuaires est complexe, et est rarement etudiee a l’echelle moleculaire. L’objectif principal de cette etude est de contraindre la dynamique de la MO dans l’estuaire de Seine. Pour cela, cinq campagnes ont ete realisees dans l’ensemble de l’estuaire et ont permis l’analyse de la MO dans l’ensemble de ses compartiments (dissous – MOD, particulaire – MOP et sedimentaire). La MO a ete caracterisee au niveau global (composition elementaire et isotopique), au niveau structural (resonance magnetique nucleaire du carbone) et au niveau moleculaire (lipides et thermochimiolyse). L’ensemble des techniques ont pu montrer que chaque compartiment avait des proprietes chimiques tres differentes : la MOD est enrichie en MO aquatique degradee, alors que la MOP et la MO sedimentaire sont plus terrigenes. Le bouchon vaseux semble avoir un impact majeur sur la qualite de la MO, notamment grâce a des bacteries degradant fortement la MO terrigene dans la MOP et augmentant la proportion de MO aquatique. De plus, les sediments de l’estuaire de Seine n’enregistrent pas la composition totale de la MOP, mais sont enrichis en MO terrigene, moins labile. Enfin, lors de l’enfouissement de la MO sedimentaire, cette derniere s’enrichit en MO terrigene.