Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Approximation Algorithm for Character Compatibility and Fast Quartet-based Phylogenetic Tree Comparison

Phylogenetic analysis, or the inference of evolutionary history is done routinely by biologists and is one of the most important problems in systematic biology. In this thesis, we study two computational problems in the area. First, we study the evolutionary tree reconstruction problem under the character compatibility (CC) paradigm and give a polynomial time approximation scheme (PTAS) for a variation of the formulation called fractional character compatibility (FCC), which has been proven to be NP-hard. We also present a very simple algorithm called the Ordinal Split Method (OSM) to generate bipartitions given sequence data, which can be served as a front-end to the PTAS. The performance of the OSM and the validity of the FCC formulation are studied through simulation experiments. The second part of this thesis presents an eÆcient algorithm to compare evolutionary trees using the quartet metric. Di erent evolutionary hypothesis arises when di erent data sets are used or when di erent tree inference methods are applied to the same data set. Tree comparisons are routinely done by biologists to evaluate the quality of their tree inference experiments. The quartet metric has many desirable properties but its use has been hindered by its relatively heavy computational requirements. We address this problem by giving the rst O(n) time algorithm to compute the quartet distance between two evolutionary trees.
Strain Distribution Analysis of Sputter-Formed Strained Si by Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Simultaneous nanometer-scale measurements of the strain and surface undulation distributions of strained Si (s-Si) layers on strain-relief quadruple-Si1-xGex-layer buffers, using a combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) system, clarify that an s-Si sample formed by our previously proposed sputter epitaxy method has a smoother and more uniformly strained surface than an s-Si sample formed by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy. The TERS analyses suggest that the compositional fluctuation of the underlying Si1-xGex buffer layer is largely related to the weak s-Si strain fluctuation of the sputtered sample.
The Importance of Understanding Migratory Connectivity and Seasonal Interactions

RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES potentially allow researchers to follow migratory birds throughout the annual cycle, thus opening two exciting avenues for research on the ecology and evolution of migratory birds. First, researchers can examine seasonal interactions•how events or conditions in one season affect reproduction and/or behavior in another. At the population level, events on the wintering grounds may affect population dynamics on the breeding grounds, and these may be particularly important to understand in times of rapid habitat alteration and climate change. At the individual level, events on wintering grounds can affect individual breeding strategies, such as overall reproductive effort, parental care, and possibly extra-pair copulatory behavior. Second, patterns of connectivity (weak vs. strong) are likely to affect the degree to which birds are locally adapted to their wintering grounds and the rate of winter range expansion. Patterns of migratory connectivity seem less likely to affect adaptation to the breeding grounds, and it is not clear whether patterns of migratory connectivity promote or hinder the speciation process. These latter processes are more likely to be affected by natal dispersal (gene flow among breeding populations) than by migratory patterns per se. This is not to say, however, that migration is irrelevant to these processes, as natal dispersal may have a complex relationship with migration patterns, depending on how migratory behavior is transmitted from one generation to the next. On the whole, it is clear that a better understanding of migratory connectivity is needed before we can understand the forces that have shaped and continue to shape the lives of migratory birds.
Adopting Standard Business Reporting (SBR) in Australia: Are CFOs Persuaded by Technology Attributes?

The Australian Federal Treasury has taken steps to standardize the format and computations for business reporting to government agencies, known as the standard business reporting (SBR) initiative, with taxonomies based on XBRL protocol for electronic data exchange. This technological initiative went 'live' on 1 July 2010, but despite the heavy promotion of technological benefits to businesses, only 25 business organizations registered to voluntarily adopt the SBR system in the first 3 months. Why have businesses been hesitant to adoption this technological innovation? This study provides the result of a survey undertaken shortly before the date of SBR becoming effective. The survey amongst CFOs of the top 500 listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange addressed the current intention of their company to adopt SBR and the likelihood of adoption of SBR within 18 months. Drawing on Tornatzky and Fleischer's (1990) technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, this study focuses on factors driving SBR adoption from a technological perspective. Results reveal that perceived higher compatibility of SBR to existing company accounting systems and lower perceived complexity for company reporting are significantly related to the likelihood of adoption of SBR within 18 months, but perceived relative advantage of the technology is not. Alternatively, perceived relative advantage is the only technology factor affecting the strength of the intention to adopt SBR sometime in the future. Implications for the successful government roll out of this important financial and compliance reporting innovation are discussed.
Comparative efficacy of Neem derivatives and imidacloprid against some cotton pests

Jassid (Amrasca devastans) and thrips (Thrips tabaci) have become major pests due to the introduction of Bt cotton. Development of resistance to synthetic insecticides is another menace, keeping in view these facts synthetic insecticide (imidacloprid) and neem derivatives viz., neem oil and neem seed water extract both at 1%, 3% and 5% were assessed against jassid and thrips with two applications. The experiment was conducted from the month of May to October during the year 2016. Eight treatments including untreated control replicated thrice were maintained following RCBD. Two applications of each treatment were made when the pest population reached ETL. Data were recorded after the interval of 1, 3 and 7 days of application. The results revealed that imidacloprid and all the neem derivatives had significantly suppressed the target pests population compared to control. Imidacloprid found to be more toxic than neem derivatives at any interval against the targeted pests. Among the neem derivatives, neem oil at 5% was most efficient bringing about highest percent mortality of jassid (72.03%) and thrips (68.02%) followed by 5% neem seed water extract and 3% neem oil. Higher yield was recorded in plots treated with imidacloprid (2626.7 kg/ha), neem oil (2551.1 kg/ha) and neem seed water extract (2437.8 kg/ha) at 5% concentrations as compared to that in control (1703.3 kg/ha). The study concluded that neem derivatives can be a good alternative of synthetic insecticides to control sucking pests of cotton.
Giant Low Surface Brightness Galaxies

In this paper, we present radio observations of the giant low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies made using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). LSB galaxies are generally large, dark matter dominated spirals that have low star formation efficiencies and large HI gas disks. Their properties suggest that they are less evolved compared to high surface brightness galaxies. We present GMRT emission maps of LSB galaxies with an optically-identified active nucleus. Using our radio data and archival near-infrared (2MASS) and near-ultraviolet (GALEX) data, we studied morphology and star formation efficiencies in these galaxies. All the galaxies show radio continuum emission mostly associated with the centre of the galaxy.
Mineralogy and physicochemical features of Saharan dust wet deposited in the Iberian Peninsula during an extreme red rain event

Abstract. The mineralogy and physicochemical features of Saharan dust particles help to identify source areas and determine their biogeochemical, radiative, and health effects, but their characterization is challenging. Using a multianalytical approach, here we characterized with unprecedented level of detail the mineralogy and physicochemical properties of Saharan dust particles massively wet deposited ( ∼ 18 g m−2) following an extreme red rain event triggered by a northern African cyclone that affected the southern Iberian Peninsula during 21–23 February 2017. Abundant palygorskite and illite, and relatively high carbonate contents, well-known northern and north-western Saharan dust indicators, along with low chlorite content and significant amounts of smectites and kaolinite, whose abundance increases southwards in the western Sahara, complemented by satellite imagery and back/forward trajectories, show that the most probable dust source areas were (i) southern/central Algeria, northern Mali, and northwestern Niger, and (ii) northern Algeria, southern Tunisia, and northwestern Libya. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses, including Z-contrast high angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging and analytical electron microscopy (AEM), show that clay minerals include abundant structural Fe (55 % of the total Fe) and typically form nanogranular aggregates covered or interspersed with amorphous/poorly crystalline iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles (ferrihydrite), which account for ∼ 18 % of the free Fe, the rest being goethite and hematite. These nanogranular aggregates tend to form rims lining large silicate and carbonate particles. Such internally mixed iron-containing phases are the main contributors to the observed absorption of solar and thermal radiation, and along with the abundant coarse/giant particles ( > 10 µm) strongly affect the dust direct radiative forcing. The lack of secondary sulfates in aggregates of unaltered calcite internally mixed with clays/iron-rich nanoparticles shows that iron-rich nanoparticles did not form via atmospheric (acid) processing but were already present in the dust source soils. Such iron-rich nanoparticles, in addition to iron-containing clay (nano)particles, are the source of the ∼ 20 % soluble (bioavailable) iron in the studied desert dust. The dust particles are a potential health hazard, specifically the abundant and potentially carcinogenic iron-containing palygorskite fibers. Ultimately, we show that different source areas are activated over large desert extensions, and large quantities of complex dust mixtures are transported thousands of kilometers and wet-deposited during such extreme events, which dwarf any other Saharan dust event affecting southwestern Europe. The past, present, and future trends, as well as impacts, of such extreme events must be taken into account when evaluating and modeling the manifold effects of the desert dust cycle.
Multi-bubble nodal solutions to slightly subcritical elliptic problems with Hardy terms in symmetric domains

The paper is concerned with the slightly subcritical elliptic problem with Hardy term \[ \left\{ \begin{aligned} -\Delta u-\mu\frac{u}{|x|^2} &= |u|^{2^{\ast}-2-\epsilon}u &&\quad \text{in } \Omega, \\\ u &= 0&&\quad \text{on } \partial\Omega, \end{aligned} \right. \] in a bounded domain $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^N$ with $0\in\Omega$, in dimensions $N\ge7$. We prove the existence of multi-bubble nodal solutions that blow up positively at the origin and negatively at a different point as $\epsilon\to0$ and $\mu=\epsilon^\alpha$ with $\alpha>\frac{N-4}{N-2}$. In the case of $\Omega$ being a ball centered at the origin we can obtain solutions with up to $5$ bubbles of different signs. We also obtain nodal bubble tower solutions, i.e. superpositions of bubbles of different signs, all blowing up at the origin but with different blow-up order. The asymptotic shape of the solutions is determined in detail.
Effects of Chicken Treated with Hwangki-Beni Koji Sauces on Body Weight, Serum and Hepatic Lipid Profiles of Rats Fed High Fat and High Cholesterol Diets

Dietary effects of chicken treated with Hwangki-Beni Koji sauces (HBS) on serum and hepatic lipid profiles in rats fed high a fat and high cholesterol diet were investigated. Experimental plots (5 rats per each group) were divided into normal control diet group (NC), high fat and high cholesterol diet group (HFC), HFC plus 15% base sauce treated chicken supplemented diet group (HFC-BS), HFC plus 15% HBS-treated chicken supplemented diet group (HFC-HBS), and fed for 5 weeks. Feed intakes in HFC-HBS group were higher than those of HFC and HFC-BS groups, whereas body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio of the HFC-HBS group were lower than those of the HFC and HFC-BS groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities of HFC-HBS group were significantly lower than those of HFC and HFC-BS groups. Level of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in HFC-HBS group were 34.06%, 6.28% and 31.00% lower than those of HFC-BS group, respectively, whereas HDL-cholesterol level and atherogenic index in HFC-HBS group were 1.72-fold higher and 2.52-fold lower, respectively, than those of HFC-BS group. Level of hepatic total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol in HFC-HBS group were 9.53%, 5.25% and 22.20% lower than those of HFC-BS group, respectively. In the morphological results of liver, the hepatocytes of central vein lesion and intact hepatic cell plate are preserved well from steatosis in HFC-HBS group, whereas the hepatocytes in HFC and HFC-BS groups are distended by accumulation of multiple fat droplets, and sinusoids are occluded. In the above results, we expected that chicken treated with Hwangki-Beni Koji sauce may have functionalities of anti-obesity, anti-cholesterol and also, lowering anti-atherogenic index in high fat and high cholesterol diets.
The volatility of the European capital markets during the curent financial crisis:what are saying the empirical evidences?

The uncertainty about the market’ evolutions are one striking characteristic of the financial crisis. The objective of this paper is to find some evidences for the pre/ crisis periods actual shifting in volatility for some major European markets. The methodology is based on two particular measures of volatility and in structural changes tests. The main output consists in the thesis that “volatility matters” for an extended financial crisis explanation.
Dehydration, melting and related garnet growth in the deep root of the Amalaoulaou Neoproterozoic magmatic arc (Gourma, NE Mali)

Abstract The Amalaoulaou Neoproterozoic island-arc massif belongs to the Gourma belt in Mali. The metagabbros and pyroxenites forming the main body of this arc root show the pervasive development of garnet. In the pyroxenites, the latter has grown by reaction between pyroxene and spinel during isobaric cooling. By contrast, in the metagabbros, garnet textures and relations to felsic veins exclude an origin through solid-state reactions only. It is proposed that garnet has grown following dehydration and localized melting of amphibole-bearing gabbros at the base of the arc. The plagioclase-saturated melts represented by anorthositic veins in the metagabbros and by trondhjemites in the upper part of the massif provide evidence for melting in the deep arc crust, which locally generated high-density garnet–clinopyroxene–rutile residues. Garnet growth and melting began around 850 °C at 10 kbar and the tonalitic melts were most probably generated around 1050 °C at P ≥ 10 kbar. This HT granulitic imprint can be related to arc maturation, leading to a P–T increase in the deep arc root and dehydration and/or dehydration-melting of amphibole-bearing gabbros. Observation of such features in the root of this Neoproterozoic island arc has important consequences, as it provides a link to models concerning the early generation of continental crust.
Convex hull approximation of TU integer recourse models: Counterexamples, sufficient conditions, and special cases

We consider a convex approximation for integer recourse models. In particular, we show that the claim of Van der Vlerk (2004) that this approximation yields the convex hull of totally unimodular (TU) integer recourse models is incorrect. We discuss counterexamples, indicate which step of its proof does not hold in general, and identify a class of random variables for which the claim in Van der Vlerk (2004) is not true. At the same time, we derive additional assumptions under which the claim does hold. In particular, if the random variables in the model are independently and uniformly distributed, then these assumptions are satisfied.
Dissolved organic phosphorus regeneration by bacterioplankton: 5'-nucleotid-ase activity and subsequent phosphate uptake in a mesocosm enrichment experiment

Bacterial 5'-nucleotidase activity was studied during a mesocosm enrichment experiment on the SW coast of Finland, Baltlc Sea. 5'-nucleotidase activlty and uptake of 32~04 hydrolyzed from 5'nucleotide was compared to direct 32~04 uptake measurements and other nutrient data. The enzyme was not repressed by elevated PO, concentrations, and it hydrolyzed orthophosphate from dissolved organic phosphorus in amounts which were quantitatively significant in the phosphorus dynamics of the community. Bacteria partly assimilated the hydrolyzed PO,, but depending on nutritional conditions, 0 to 80 YO of the hydrolyzed PO4 was released to the environment. Temporal uncoupling between nutrient assimilation and growth was evident for both bacteria and algae. 5'-nucleotidase represented a mechanism of phosphorus regeneration which supports the concept of closely integrated microaggregates having an important role in nutrient cycles of nutrient-depleted surface waters
Phormidium autumnale (Cyanobacteria) defense against three ciliate grazer species

Investigations of the effects of grazing by 3 species of ciliates—Pseudomicrothorax dubius Peck, Nassula citrea Kahl and Furgasonia blochmanni Faure-Fremiet —on mats of Phormid- ium autumnale (Agardh) Gomont showed that the cyanobacterium was capable of surviving very strong grazer pressure, thanks to both an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) layer and behavioral defense. In the presence of ciliates, cyanobacteria trichomes were confined to a protective layer of extracellular material enclosing the mat. Trichomes attacked by a ciliate usually escaped by retreat- ing within the EPS layer. The effectiveness of this kind of defense was reflected in dramatic changes in the condition of the ciliates: within 30 h of the start of the experiments a significant fraction was starved because they were unable to reach trichomes hidden within the shielding EPS layer.
Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infections among the general population of Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Introduction: In the current study, prevalence of hepatitis C virus and its routes of transmission were determined in district Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: Total 230 blood samples for HCV were collected from 7 tehsils of District Buner. Diaspot rapid HCV strips manufactured by Diaspot diagnostic USA were used for the detection of HCV-Ab in the blood. Results: Out of 230 blood samples collected from patients, 158 were found positive for HCV infection. Of the 158 positive cases, 102 (64.55%) were male and 56 (35.45%) were female patients. The high rate of Hepatitis C infection was found in the age group of 41-50 years that was 68 (29.56%), followed by age group of 20-30 years that was 60 (26.08%), 31-40 years that was 54 (23.47%). The lowest infection was found in age group above 70 years. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that such high proportion of hepatitis C prevalence will result in high rate of mortality and morbidity in the area. Possible steps are required for the prevention and cure of such viral infections.
ENUCLEAÇÃO DE OVÓCITOS MAMÍFEROS DESTINADOS À TRANSFERÊNCIA NUCLEAR

A clonagem por Transferencia Nuclear (TN) permite reprogramar celulassomaticas de mamiferos. Essa tecnica e realizada pela remocao do DNA doovocito e posterior introducao, neste mesmo ovocito, de um nucleo de umacelula doadora. Apesar das diversas aplicacoes em pesquisas cientificas basicase na pecuaria, a TN permanece laboriosa e pouco eficiente. No processo deTN, a enucleacao e uma etapa critica e falhas na sua realizacao tornam inviavelo posterior desenvolvimento embrionario. Em contrapartida, a remocao doscromossomos do gameta diminui o volume da celula e reduz sua capacidadede desenvolvimento. Avancos nesta metodologia podem simplificar o processode TN, aumentando a escala de producao de embrioes. Recente pesquisamostrou evidencias de que a actinomicina D, um antibiotico conhecido comoinibidor de transcricao e replicacao de DNA, pode ser uma alternativa paraenucleacao convencional. No entanto, novos experimentos sao necessariospara comprovacao desta hipotese.
An annotated checklist of the fishes of the Swan-Avon River system, Western Australia

The checklist of the fishes of the Swan-Avon River System in south-western Australia given in this paper is based on the collections and records held by the Western Australian Museum, and on the results of a recent extensive sampling programme carried out with beach seines, trawls and mesh nets. The latter study has also provided data on the distribution of many of the species within the river system. The 110 species recorded are predominantly of marine origin and can be regarded either as marine “stragglers”, or as fish which utilize the estuary predominantly as a nursery area or adult feeding ground, or as an environment that can be exploited at various times during the life cycle. Several of the most abundant species are, however, represented by populations that can pass through the whole of their life cycle within the Swan-Avon River system. Although, as with other south-western Australian rivers, the indigenous freshwater fish component is highly impoverished, its abundance in this system has also suffered from the effects of damming, periods of “drying-up”, eutrophication and run-off from agricultural land. At the same time, some of the changes brought about by damming have produced conditions favourable for the establishment of populations of certain introduced species. Comparisons between the fish fauna of the Swan-Avon River System and the limited data for other Western Australian coastal rivers suggest that Cape Naturaliste represents the approximate southern limit of the distribution of many northern species, while the corresponding point for the northwards extension of several southern species is in the region of the North West Cape.