Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Neuroendocrine Control of Pubertal Development in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus )

Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Center for Mariculture, P.O. Box 1212, Eilat 8112, Israel. Fax +972-8-6375761; e-mail: hannarosenfeld@gmail.com Department of Life Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105 Department of Animal Health and Welfare, University of Bari, Italy Institute of Aquaculture, Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Crete, Greece Heinrich-Heine Universität, Institut für Zoophysiologie, Düsseldorf, Germany Malta Center for Fisheries Sciences, Marsaxlokk, Malta Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, Puerto de Mazarrón, Spain Tuna Graso S.A. , Carretera de la Palma Km 7, Paraje la Estrella, Cartagena (Murcia), Spain Kali tuna D.O. O. Put Vele Luke bb, 23272 Kali, Croatia Laboratory for Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Qld. , Australia
Microbiological investigation of honey collected from Şırnak province of Turkey

In this study, 50 randomly selected honey samples purchased from different retail markets in Şırnak, Turkey, were investigated for microbiological quality and probable public health risks. The honey samples were tested for the presence and enumeration of vegetative and spore forms of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, total mesophilic anaerobic bacteria, sulfite reducing anaerobic bacteria , Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus according to standard techniques. C. botulinum, C. perfringens and sulfite reducing anaerobic bacteria spores were not detected in the analyzed honey samples. The contamination rate of vegetative form of B. cereus , sulfite reducing anaerobic bacteria, total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and total mesophilic anaerobic bacteria were found to be 4%, 4%, 86% and 44%, respectively. The spore form of B. cereus , total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and total mesophilic anaerobic bacteria contamination rate were detected as 2%, 84% and 42%, respectively. It is concluded that, during the production, storage, and sales, honey samples may be contaminated with some microorganisms from different sources, causing important public health risks.
Working Paper Non-Parametric Analysis of Hedge Fund Returns : New Insight from High Frequency Date

This paper examines four different daily datasets of hedge fund return indexes: MSCI, FTSE, Dow Jones and HFRX, all based on investable hedge funds, and three different monthly datasets of hedge fund return indexes: CSFB, CISDM and HFR which comprise both investable and non-investable hedge funds. Our study, based on standard statistical analysis, non-parametric analysis of the distribution and non-parametric regressions with respect to the S&P500 index shows that key data biases and disparate index construction methodologies lead to different statistical properties of hedge fund databases. One key variable that highly affects the statistical properties of hedge fund index returns is the “investability” of hedge funds.
The Art of Control: Theatrical Watching, Apostrophe and Acting in Saul Bellow's Herzog

So wide-ranging is Bellow's employment of the acting image and hence of personas in Herzog that references to stage, acting and script-writing are dispersed everywhere in the novel. A vigilant study of this image reveals that the mutual relationships and social encounters of major characters bear on dramatic scenes written, directed, and performed by the characters themselves. But what does Bellow try to discover through the medium of acting and hence persona? How is it reflected in his treatment of his main themes and characters? And does it affect the narrative point of view? In order to understand the image more deeply and answer these questions, I will study it in relation to three groups of characters: first, Madeleine, Gersbach, and some of Herzog's friends; second, Ramona (the newest girl friend) and his parents and relatives; and third, Herzog, the versatile actor-audience and the ever writer of the unsent letters or the multiple character. Indexing terms/
Health and Poverty in Brazil: Estimation by Structural Equation Model with Latent Variables

Brazil is characterized by large inequalities in income, access to health care, and health status. This paper uses data from the 1998 Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios to analyze the complex relationships among health, income, health insurance and health care utilization to gain a better understanding of the various factors determining differences in the health of the population, especially between the poor and non-poor. The authors use a structural equation model in which health, wealth and access to health care are specified as latent variables.
Characterization and Evaluation of Controls on Post-Fire Streamflow Response Across Western U . S . Watersheds

Characterization and Evaluation of Controls on Post-Fire Streamflow Response Across Western U.S. Watersheds Samuel Saxe1, Terri S. Hogue1, and Lauren Hay2 1Civil and Environmental Engineering and Hydrologic Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA 2National Research Program, United States Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colorado, USA Correspondence to: Samuel Saxe (ssaxe@usgs.gov)
Research on Environmentally-friendly Trash Bin Sorting Design Based on Human Factors Experiment

The current classified trash bins are generally divided into four categories, which are respectively used for recyclables, hazardous waste, other garbage and kitchen waste. However, they are not classified in this way in every place and the classified trash bins in public places such as roads, tourist attractions, and parks are divided into two categories, that is, trash bins for recyclables and non-recyclables. There are three types of classifications in schools and communities, which are recyclables, non-recyclables, and hazardous waste. Some new types of classified trash bins are set up in some places, with high-tech technologies and innovated materials applied to them.
The Welfare Loss of Excess Health Insurance

American families are in general overinsured against health expenses. If insurance coverage were reduced, the utility loss from increased risk would be more than outweighted by the gain due to lower prices and the reduced purchase of excess care. The first part of the paper develops and estimates a structural equation for the demand for health care and then examines the dynamic interaction between the purchase of insurance and the demand and supply for health care. The second part estimates the welfare gains that would result from decreasing insurance by raising the average coinsurance rate from 0.33 to 0.50 and 0.67 percent. The most likely values imply net gains in excess of $4 billion.
Probiotics in poultry: modes of action

This paper reviews recent advances on the use and mode of action of probiotics (direct-fed microbials) in poultry. The addition of probiotics to the diet has been found to improve growth performance and feed conversion in broilers, and egg mass, egg weight and egg size in layers. The mode of action of probiotics in poultry includes (i) maintaining normal intestinal microflora by competitive exclusion and antagonism; (ii) altering metabolism by increasing digestive enzyme activity and decreasing bacterial enzyme activity and ammonia production; (iii) improving feed intake and digestion; and (iv) neutralizing enterotoxins and stimulating the immune system.
An investigation of the factors that influence electronic information sharing between state and local agencies

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence local government participation in electronic information sharing with state agencies. Information technologies can help government agencies to increase productivity and performance, improve policy-making and provide better public services to the citizens. Although extensive amount of information sharing among agencies is important for effective IT management in government, there is still little information available about the factors that antecede electronic information sharing between local and state agencies. Synthesizing well-established theories such as diffusion of innovations, critical mass theory and social exchange theory, I propose that local government participation in electronic information sharing with state agencies will be determined by system characteristics, agency characteristics, collaboration factors and external factors. The proposed study will include both qualitative and quantitative techniques. In the first phase of my study, I will conduct multiple case studies of local agencies that are participating/not participating in an electronic information sharing initiative with state agencies in a southeastern state of the United States. I will also interview key decision makers from the state agencies. In the second phase of my study, I will administer a survey to randomly selected local government agencies from across the United States. Based on my findings, I will identify a preliminary set of strategies that could be used to increase electronic information sharing between local and state agencies.
Faulty Intel in the War for Talent: Replacing the Assumptions of Talent Management with Evidence-based Strategies

Despite a raging “war for talent,” the field of talent management suffers from a lack of empirically developed definitions, goals or models. Lacking these, organizational leaders have relied on commonly accepted HR practices that have been rebranded as “talent management. ” This article reviews the research, challenging many of the foundational assumptions of these HR practices. The implications of this research are reviewed and “evidence-based strategies” for talent management proposed with examples provided of each strategy.
Multipolar analysis of electric and magnetic modes excited by vector beams in core-satellite nano-structures

Core-satellite structures are known to exhibit magnetic modes at optical frequencies and their characterization is important for the development of metamaterials and metafluids. We develop a finite-difference time-domain electrodynamics simulation and multipolar analysis approach and apply it to identify the electric and magnetic multipolar nature of modes excited in core-satellite structures composed of silver nanoparticles decorated on dielectric spheres. In addition to excitation with linearly polarized scalar beams, we investigate the scattering and multipolar properties induced by cylindrical vector beams. In contrast to linearly polarized beams, the nature of the polarization state in these beams (radial, azimuthal, or "shear") can selectively excite, enhance, and rotate a family of multipolar modes. Displacement currents induced in the nanoparticle gaps are investigated to better understand the nature of these excitations. We show that the efficiency of driving these modes depends on nanoparticle density and placement. We propose that selective magnetic and electric excitations can be codified as "selection rules" associated with the symmetries of the beams and particles.
Evaluation of common tests for fracture characterisation of advanced high-strength sheet steels with the help of the FEA

The paper presents results of evaluation of common tests for fracture characterization of advanced high-strength sheet steels with the help of the FEA. The tests include three in-plane shear tests, two uniaxial tension tests, two plane strain tension tests and two equibiaxial tension tests. Three high-strength steels with different yield loci, strain hardening rates and strengths in three different thicknesses each were used. The evaluation was performed based on the spatial distribution of the equivalent plastic strain and damage variable in the specimen at the moment of crack initiation as well as on the time variation of the stress state at the crack initiation location. For in-plane shear, uniaxial tension and plane strain tension, no test can be unconditionally recommended as disadvantages of all studied tests in these groups cannot be neglected. However, in each of these groups, a test can be chosen, which represents an acceptable compromise between its advantages and disadvantages: the shear test on an IFUM butterfly specimen for in-plane shear, the tensile test on a holed specimen for uniaxial tension and the tensile test on a waisted specimen for plane strain tension. On the contrary, the bulge test on a circular specimen with a punch of Ø 100 mm can be unconditionally recommended for equibiaxial tension. In the future, optimisation of the studied tests for in-plane shear, uniaxial tension and plane strain tension appears to be necessary.
Bioactivity of Indigenous Medicinal Plants against the Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae

Forty two methanol extracts and 12 aqueous extracts of 29 indigenous medicinal plant species were tested for their acaricidal bioactivity against the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae adults at the laboratory. Fourteen methanol plant extracts caused significant mortality in mites. This is the first report for the potential effect on survival of mites for 27 tested endemic plant species. Methanol whole plant extracts (WPEs) of Lotus carmeli, Alchemilla diademata, Eryngium deserlorum and aqueous fruit extracts (FrEs) of Melia azedarach caused toxic effects against the adult mites in the range of 41-46% mortality. The methanol WPE of L. carmeli and the aqueous FrE of M. azedarach (1:5) caused the highest mite mortality of 43.55% and 45.55%, respectively and each was used as reference sample for potential acaricidal activity in the methanol and aqueous treatment groups. The latter extract was not significantly different in its effect from aqueous extracts of M. azedarach leaf extract (LE) and Achillea damascena WPE. Methanol extracts of Salvia rubifolia flowers and Calendula palestina FrE were found to be more active against the adult mite than their extracts of other plant parts as leaves and flowers, respectively. The former two extracts, flower extracts of Anthemis scariosa, Echinops gaillardoti, Nepeta curviflora, and Ranunculus cuneatus, leaves and stems extract of An. scariosa and WPEs of Melissa inodora, Ranunuculus myosuroides, Origanum libanoticum and Ac. damascena were found to be comparable in their acaricidal activity to that of the whole plant extract of L. carmeli. Thus, these bioactive extracts of some local plant species can cause toxicity to adult T. urticae mites and consequently could be an alternative control for mite pests.
Energy-Secrecy Trade-offs for Wireless Communication

This chapter investigates the secrecy-energy trade-offs for communication in wireless networks. It is shown that privacy requirements for applications such as image or video transmissions do not require perfect secrecy, and the level of privacy can be quantified using a Rate-Distortion metric. Using information theoretic analysis, the chapter formu-lates analytic secrecy trade-offs for various communication channel models. In particu- lar we analyze the advantage of partial secrecy for the Gaussian and Rayleigh fading channel models and the MIMO channel. The impact of secrecy requirements and the inherent secrecy-energy-connectivity trade-offs are also analyzed for networks of wireless nodes.
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF INCREASING HORIZONTAL RESOLUTION ON AIR QUALIY MODELLING SYSTEMS OVER BIG METROPOLITAN AREAS IN SPAIN

The definition of the grid resolution is an important decision when applying an air quality modeling system. The horizontal grid size should be able to reproduce the atmospheric circulations of the modeling area determined by the topography, i.e. the complexity of the Iberian Peninsula forces to utilize resolutions ranging from 1 to 5 km (Jimenez et al., 2005). But, even with the finest scale, the modeled concentrations are not necessary the better (Valari and Menut, 2008). This paradoxical result is mainly due to the fact that by increasing emissions and meteorology spatial resolution, uncertainties also increase with the risk of model error. Even more, computational cost increases markedly with the inverse of the grid spacing, which could be important in terms of computational resources to air quality forecast. However, the advancement of performance computing allows to increase model resolution and to investigate multiple spatial scales with the aim to establish the adequate grid size to forecast air quality at local scales. Several studies have evaluated the impact of increasing horizontal resolution on O3 on different scales and particulate matter and its components. Recently, the co-operative programme for monitoring and evaluation of the long-range transmission of air pollutants in Europe (EMEP) in collaboration with five European modeling teams have been performed a study to determine the effect of grid resolution in air quality modeling performance over the European domain at regional and urban scale (Cuvelier et al., 2013). A
Working Paper 10 / 06 Financial Constraints , the Distribution of Wealth and International Trade

We develop a simple theoretical model to examine the impact of the distribution of wealth on the patterns of trade when capital markets are imperfect. Our model predicts that the dispersion of wealth can be a determinant of comparative advantage for low-income countries with poor financial institutions. We find support for these prediction using export and financial panel data from a large sample of countries. Acknowledgements: We are grateful to a referee, to Tatyana Chesnokova and participants at the 2 GEP conference in Ningbo, China 2009 and the Australasian Trade workshop in Canberra 2010. We also acknowledge financial support from the Leverhulme Trust under Programme Grant F/00/114/AM.
Optimization of nutritional and environmental conditions for biomass production and sporulation of entomogenous fungus Lecanicillium lecanii CA-1-G using two-stage cultivation system

Some factors on sporulation of Lecanicillium lecanii CA-1-G by one-time-at-a-factor have been studied. These factors include carbon and nitrogen sources, carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, mineral elements and vitamins together with water potentials, temperatures, dark/light cycles and pHs. On the basis of these results, together with “two-step” cultivation and orthogonal method, we optimized the culture conditions for sporulation of this fungus: inoculated with spore suspension on the basal medium ematophagous fungi (sucrose 19.00 gl-1, soy peptone 4.06 gl-1, K2HPO4 1.00 gl-1, KCl 0.50 gl-1, MgSO4 0.50 gl-1, FeSO4 0.01 gl-1and agar 13.00 gl-1) for 4 days, then transferred to sporulation medium (glucose 9.08 gl-1, soy peptone 10.00 gl-1, CuSO4·5H2O 0.01 gl-1, ZnSO4·7H2O 0.05 gl-1, CaCl2 1.00 gl-1, H3BO4 0.005 gl-1, Na2MoO4 0.005 gl-1 and agar 13.00 gl-1) for another 4 days with the environmental conditions of -7.3 MPa/pH 4/light 24 h/temperature 29°C for sporulation and -7.3 MPa/pH 3/light 12h/temperature 23°C for mass production. This research reflects on some physiology on nutrients and environmental characteristics of this fungus, and also gives the essential information for its industrialization. Key words: Biocontrol, biomass, environment, L. lecani, nutrition, sporulation.
Analyses of captive behaviour and enclosure use in Rothschild giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) housed at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

It has been suggested that wild herbivorous animals, like the Rothschild Giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi ), are difficult to house in captivity due to their natural wide home range and specialised diet. The aim of this study was to understand what influence the design of the giraffe enclosure at Paignton Zoo has on the activity budget of the Rothschild Giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi ) housed in it, in relation to enclosure use and the performance of a natural behavioural repertoire. This was achieved by observing the giraffe’s behaviour and location when in the enclosure, both indoors and outdoors. The Spread of Participation Index and Chi Squared (goodness of fit) tests were used to determine the degree of spatial selectivity and to help elucidate the degree to which the giraffes made efficient use of their enclosures; the chi squared (goodness of fit) was additionally used to analyse the exhibition of behaviour. Subsequent analyses and standardised residuals of the data revealed that the subjects did not use their outdoor enclosure evenly, as some areas which provided resources were used significantly more than others: Tonda (X 2 =1495.31; D.F. =5, P 2 =769.975; D.F. =5; P 2 =1737.45; D.F. =5; P 2 =1660.91; D.F. =5; P 2 =636.853; D.F. =13; P 2 =1707.11; D.F. =18; P 2 =1531; D.F. 18; P 2 = 3929.62; DF = 18; P 2 =3961.49; D.F. =19; P 2 =3860.35; D.F. =18; P 2 =4332.84; D.F. =19; P 2 =636.853; D.F. =13; P 2 =1707.11; D.F. =18; P 2 =1531.42; D.F. =16; P 2 =1236.64; D.F. =11; P Key Words: Giraffe; Enclosure Use; Behaviour; Stereotypic, Enrichment; Welfare.
Efficient GSTC-FDTD Simulation of Dispersive Bianisotropic Metasurface

We present a simple and efficient Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDFD) scheme for simulating dispersive (Lorentz-Debye) bianisotropic metasurfaces. This scheme replaces the conventional FDTD update equations by augmented update equations where the effect of the metasurface, positioned at a virtual node (or node plane) in the Yee grid, is accounted for by judiciously selected auxiliary polarization functions, based on the Generalized Sheet Transition Conditions (GSTCs). This scheme is computationally -- time- and memory-wise -- more efficient and easier to implement than a previously reported scheme for dispersive metasurfaces. It is validated in three illustrative examples.
Influence of exocentric avatars on the sensation of presence in room-mounted vir-tual environments

The influence of avatars on the sensation of presence in room-mounted virtual environments is handled in this work. In room-mounted set-ups, users are located in the center of interaction and are surrounded by virtual stimuli while perceiving their real body. Several scenarios, like collision and occlusion during navigation and manipulation, demand for avatars that represent the user within the virtual world. Room-mounted set-ups allow for exocentric avatars only and therefore induce a mismatch during the process of identification of the body schema with the body representation. The study presented here clarifies the influence of exocentric avatars on the sensation of presence and evaluates different methods for simulation of kinematics. To do so, subjects were required to perform a sports task in a room-mounted virtual environment. The avatar and the simulation of kinematics were modulated. The results showed that subjective presence estimates are decreased during the display of an exocentric avatar. In conditions using an avatar, subjects clearly preferred avatars with synchronous kinematics over animated or rigid virtual humanoids. The paper discusses implications on the application of avatars in room-mounted virtual environments.
Protein kinase ASK 1 as potential therapeutic target

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is serine/threonine kinase of kinase 5 that activates MAP-kinase (MAPKKK5). ASK1 induces apoptosis via the JNK and p38 signaling pathways. This review is focused on three main characteristics of ASK1: the structure , the regulatory mechanisms of kinase activity and the physiological role. ASK1 is required for apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, TNF-a, Fas and endoplasmic reticulum. It also regulates differentiation and death of neurons. ASK1 has been shown to be required for the innate immune response. This kinase is a critical signaling molecule for cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. ASK1 also accelerates endothelial cell senescence in diabetic patients. Inhibition of the ASK1-p38 pathway could be useful for preventing vascular ageing and treatment of neurodegenerative and cardiac diseases.