Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contact toxicity and persistence of essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare, Teucrium polium and Satureja hortensis against Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) adults (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Summary Contact toxicity and persistence of essential oils extracted from Foeniculum vulgare Miller (Apiaceae), Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae) and Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae) were evaluated against the adults of cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) at 28±2 °C, 60±5% r.h. in dark conditions. Contact toxicity tests were conducted on one-day old adults of C. maculatus with 6 concentrations of essential oils at 24-h exposure time. The persistence of insecticidal activity of essential oils was examined for a period of 30 h at the LC99 level. The results indicated that mortality of adults was dose related. Males were more susceptible to essential oils than females. The essential oil of F. vulgare was the most toxic to male and female adults of C. maculatus with LC50 values of 390.38 and 513.46 μl. m -2 , respectively. Moreover, S. hortensis oil was more toxic to male and female adults of C. maculatus with LC50 values of 535.69 and 640.99 μl. m -2 than T. polium oil with LC50 values of 1263.09 and 1469.72 μl. m -2 , respectively. The results of persistence tests revealed that essential oil of S. hortensis was the most persistent, while that of T. polium was the least. High persistence of S. hortensis oil could be attributed to its high proportion of oxygenated compounds compared to other oils. The present study demonstrated that these essential oils can be used as appropriate alternative to control of cowpea seed beetle.
An Algorithm for Optimal Firewall Placement in IEC61850 Substations

Recently, most electric power substations have adopted production control systems, such as SCADA systems, which communicate with field devices and remotely control processes from a computer screen. However, these systems together with protection measures and additional control actions (using protocol IEC61850) seem not to be enough to free substations of security attacks (e.g. virus, intruders, forgery or unauthorized data manipulation). This paper analyzes the main features of an electric power substation together with the aspects that might be significantly affected by cyber-attacks. The paper also presents the implementation of a specific security system (i.e. firewall-wise system) intended to protect a target distribution network.
Procurement reforms in Africa: The strides, challenges, and improvement opportunities

Procurement reforms are seen as essential for achieving a long term improvement in financial management within Africa. To gain insight into this situation an analysis of success stories and cases where challenges and difficulties have arisen were investigated. This material was content analysed using Mayring (2008) four-step process model. The findings demonstrate some initial improvement within African public sector financial management; however the complete and successful implementation of these reforms is fraught with problems. These issues that limit improved financial management through procurement reform included; inadequate education and training, legislative constraints, especially those associated with procurement technology, and a lack of political support for the reform process. In political terms the study identified that the current political position coupled with socio-cultural sensitivities of participating countries, has created a neglect of ethical and environmental considerations which in turn has slowed the pace and acceptance of reforms.
A method for optimal analysis of fields with spatially variable mean

This brief report addresses the problem of objective analysis of fields with spatially variable mean. Conventional objective analysis is confined to fluctuations, where the larger scale is assumed to be known; this report shows how to use the method described by Davis (1985) to estimate simultaneously a large-scale component and a mesoscale component with an accurate error budget. The extension to multivariate analysis is also discussed. The method is then applied to simulated data; this illustrates its contribution in relation to conventional objective analysis.
ANew ImprovedHat Function forNumerical Solution of Linear Fredholm Integral Equations

A new and efficient numerical approach is developed for solving linear Fredholm integral equations. The fundamental structure of the presented method is based on the modification of hat functions (MHFs) in which a new operational matrix of integration is introduced. After implementation of our scheme, the solution of the main problem would be transformed into the solution of a system of linear algebraic equations. Also, an error analysis is provided under several mild conditions. In addition, examples that illustrate the pertinent features of the method are presented, and the results are discussed.
A Novel Multiple Attribute Satisfaction Evaluation Approach with Hesitant Intuitionistic Linguistic Fuzzy Information

This paper investigates the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems in which the attribute values take the form of hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy element (HILFE). Firstly, motivated by the idea of intuitionistic linguistic variables (ILVs) and hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs), the concept, operational laws, and comparison laws of HILFE are defined. Then, some aggregation operators are developed for aggregating the hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy information, such as hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy weighted aggregation operators, hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy ordered weighted aggregation operators, and generalized hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy weighted aggregation operators. Moreover, some desirable properties of these operators and the relationships between them are discussed. Based on the hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy weighted average (HILFWA) operator and the hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy weighted geometric (HILFWG) operator, an approach for evaluating satisfaction degree is proposed under hesitant intuitionistic linguistic fuzzy environment. Finally, a practical example of satisfaction evaluation for milk products is given to illustrate the application of the proposed method and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness.
Temperature tolerance of symbiotic and non-symbiotic coral larvae

Coral larvae represent the ideal model with Which to test many aspects of the relationship between symbiotic zooxanthellae and the coral host because this is the only stage in the life history of the organism where it is easy to produce both symbiotic and nonsymbiotic individuals for comparison. We used this larval model to investigate the effect of the presence of the symbiont on the thermal tolerance of coral larvae. We exposed symbiotic and non-symbiotic larvae of Acropora muricata to 3 temperatures under a mildly stressful level of light (125-150 p.E m-l sol) fur a 7-day period_ Many larvae survived well at 2& and 32° C. In contrast, all larvae died within 40 h at 360 C. Interestingly, there was no major difference in survivorship between symbiotic and non-symbiotic larvae at any temperature indicating that the symbionts had little influence on larval susceptibility to heat and light. However, the density of symbionts in the larvae when the experiments were initiated was low and therefore, unlikely to affect the physiology of the host.
ANTIPREDATOR BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY DETERMINE LESTES SPECIES TURNOVER ALONG THE POND-PERMANENCE GRADIENT

Identifying key traits that shape trade-offs that restrict species to only a subset of environmental gradients is crucial to understanding and predicting species turnover. Previous field experiments have shown that larvae of Lestes damselfly species segregate along the entire gradient of pond permanence and predator presence and that differential predation risk and life history constraints together shape their distribution. Here, we report laboratory experiments that identify key differences in behavior and physiology among species that structure their distributions along this gradient. The absence of adaptive antipredator behavioral responses against large dragonfly larvae and fish of Lestes dryas, the only species to inhabit predator-free vernal ponds that dry each year, is consistent with its high vulnerability to predation and probably the key trait that excludes it from parts of the gradient with predators. The reciprocal dominance of two other Lestes species in permanent waters dominated by either dragonflies or fish can be explained by the lack of effective antipredator behaviors against dragonflies and fish, respectively. Maximal growth rates did not differ among Lestes along the gradient. However, in the natural predator environment of vernal ponds (only conspecific cannibals), the vernal-pond Lestes had higher growth rates than the other Lestes suggesting that this excludes other Lestes from vernal ponds. Similarly, Lestes species that inhabit temporary ponds (i.e., ponds that dry intermittently every few years but not every year) had a higher growth rate than the fishless permanent-pond Lestes in the presence of the syntopic dragonfly predator. These growth differences among Lestes in predator treatments were not due to differences in food intake, but due to differences in physiology. The vernal-pond Lestes converted more assimilated food into body mass compared to the other Lestes in the presence of conspecific larvae, and the temporary-pond Lestes had a higher conversion efficiency than the fishless permanent-pond Lestes in the presence of the syntopic dragonfly predators. In contrast, reductions in growth rate within species in the presence of syntopic predators were both physiologically and behaviorally mediated. The interplay between behavior and physiology may be a common feature of the growth/predation-risk trade-off, and their joint study is therefore critical to mechanistically link phenotype, performance, and community assembly along the freshwater habitat gradient.
Effect of Leaf-Type on the Nutritive and Organoleptic Properties of Ogiri-Egusi (Fermented Citrullus vulgaris ) Seeds *

The effect of wrapping type on the nutritive and organoleptic properties of Ogiri-egusi (fermented Citrullus vulgaris ) seeds was studied. The leaves used was miracle fruit leaves (Thaumatococcus danellii), cocoyam leaves (Colocasia spp) , and banana leaves (Musa sapientum ). The melon seeds were hulled, sorted and washed, boiled for 4h, grinded and then wrapped in small portions in different leaf-types and fermented for 5(five) days. Proximate analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the fermented products (Ogiri-egusi). Statistical analysis was also carried out on the sensory data at 95% confidence level (P>0.05) . Results showed that the proximate composition of the Ogiri-egusi samples were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by the wrapping type. Samples wrapped in Banana leaves were rated as the highest in moisture content, crude protein, crude fibre and fat with scores 29.17, 15.75, 14.00 and 9.83 respectively except in ash (3.67) and carbohydrates (64.01) while that of sensory evaluation showed that Banana leaves were rated the highest in colour, aroma and texture with mean scores 5.70 (slightly liked), 5.40 (neither liked nor disliked) and 5.10 (neither liked nor disliked) respectively, Miracle Fruit Leaves had the highest score in taste with mean score 7.90 (liked very much) and Cocoyam leaves had the highest in overall acceptability with mean score 5.50 (slightly liked) . From the proximate and sensory data, Banana leaves are advocated to be the best wrapping type for Ogiri-egusi production.
Combined effect of environmental factors on distribution of Geometridae (Lepidoptera) in South Korea

We analyzed patterns of geometrid species richness in South Korea to assess the observed and estimated species richness gradient, to determine predictors for the distribution of moths and to investigate the effect of latitude on the species richness of moths in the Korean peninsula. The species richness was analyzed for 541 geometrid moths across 17 quadrates, with each quadrate defined by one degree of latitude and longitude. Two subgroups of geometrid moths were adopted according to their distributional ranges: Palearctic (435 species, 80.4%) and Oriental (106 species, 19.6%). To investigate the relationship between the distribution of geometrid moths and environment, eight variables were used. The estimated species richness of geometrids was calculated using the Chao 2 estimator because there was uneven sampling effort across the quadrates. Due to multicollinearity we used covariance values produced by principal component analysis and the first four axes adopted have eigenvalues >= 1.0. Two models of regression analyses were applied based on multiple linear regression using eight variables (model I) and principal components axes (model II). Of the two subgroups of geometrid moths the Palearctic species richness increased with latitude, but not that of Oriental species richness. A combined effect of abiotic (maximum altitude, temperature, rainfall, and latitude) and biotic (plant species richness and vegetation) variables was indicated by both models of regression analyses. The different effect of each spatial and environmental predictor on the distribution of geometrid moths on the Korean peninsula is discussed. The significant relationship between estimated species richness and latitude indicate a peninsular effect on geometrid moths in South Korea.
A survey of tropical earthworms : taxonomy, biogeography and environmental plasticity

A worldwide survey of earthworms in the humid tropics revealed that 51 exotics and 151 native species are commonly found in tropical agroecosystems. On the basis of frequency records and climatic and edaphic ranges, 21 exotics and 27 native species have been selected as possible candidates for manipulation. A multivariate analysis separated these species into four groups: (i) native species with wide edaphic and medium climatic tolerances; (ii) exotic species with wide climatic and edaphic tolerances; (iii) native and exotic species with narrow edaphic tolerances but more resistant to climatic variations; and (iv) native species with limited tolerance for climatic and edaphic variations. Regarding management, species of group (ii) seem to be the most adaptable. both at regional and locallevels (multipurpose species); group (i) can be managed for specific climatic conditions whereas group (iii) should be managed in specific soil environments. Species of group (iv) may only be managed at a very local scale.
Characterizing the seismogenic zone of a major plate boundary subduction thrust: Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand

The Hikurangi subduction margin, New Zealand, has not experienced any significant (>Mw 7.2) subduction interface earthquakes since historical records began ∼170 years ago. Geological data in parts of the North Island provide evidence for possible prehistoric great subduction earthquakes. Determining the seismogenic potential of the subduction interface, and possible resulting tsunami, is critical for estimating seismic hazard in the North Island of New Zealand. Despite the lack of confirmed historical interface events, recent geodetic and seismological results reveal that a large area of the interface is interseismically coupled, along which stress could be released in great earthquakes. We review existing geophysical and geological data in order to characterize the seismogenic zone of the Hikurangi subduction interface. Deep interseismic coupling of the southern portion of the Hikurangi interface is well defined by interpretation of GPS velocities, the locations of slow slip events, and the hypocenters of moderate to large historical earthquakes. Interseismic coupling is shallower on the northern and central portion of the Hikurangi subduction thrust. The spatial extent of the likely seismogenic zone at the Hikurangi margin cannot be easily explained by one or two simple parameters. Instead, a complex interplay between upper and lower plate structure, subducting sediment, thermal effects, regional tectonic stress regime, and fluid pressures probably controls the extent of the subduction thrust's seismogenic zone.
Distribution patterns of tree species in a Malaysian tropical rain forest

Spatial patterns of tree species were studied in a 50-ha tropical rain forest plot in the Pasoh forest, Malaysia. This forest is characterized by a high diversity and very high number of rare species. Out of the 745 species occurring with > five individuals, 80.4 % had an aggregated distribution, 19.5% were randomly distributed and one species had a regu- lar distribution. The spatial patterns of rare vs. common spe- cies, juvenile vs. adult trees, and coarse vs. fine scales were compared. Rare species are generally less aggregated than common ones and most of the randomly distributed species are rare. Spatial patterns shift from high clumping to looser intensity or random distribution when moving from juveniles to adults for the same species. No adult tree species display a regular pattern, however. Regular distributions were rarely found; this is probably due to intraspecific competition at a local scale. There is a negative correlation between per capita death rate and population density. This study suggests that the Pasoh forest and its high diversity are subjected to multiple controlling factors, e.g., topography, spacing effect, density-dependent processes and species rarity. The importance of any factor changes across spatial and temporal scales.
Mobility of NH3-Solvated CuII Ions in Cu-SSZ-13 and Cu-ZSM-5 NH3-SCR Catalysts : A Comparative Impedance Spectroscopy Study

The mobility of NH3-solvated Cu ions within the zeolite framework has been recently identified as a key factor for the kinetics of the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR) over Cu-zeolite catalysts at low temperatures. Here, we utilize in situ impedance spectroscopy to explore the mobility of NH3-solvated CuII ions, i.e., CuII(NH3)n, in Cu-SSZ-13 and Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites with varied Cu ion exchange levels, and observed that both the zeolite framework (CHA or MFI) and the Cu exchange level influence the high-frequency dielectric relaxation processes that are associated with the short-range (local) motion of CuII(NH3)n. Our results suggest that the local motion of CuII(NH3)n species is favored within the CHA framework due to the unique cage structure, and thereby contribute to the overall ion conductivity at high frequencies, which, on the contrary, is not observed for ZSM-5, where NH3-solvated Cu2+ ions do not experience a comparable constrained space for local motion. This study sheds new light on the mobility of Cu active sites under NH3-SCR related reaction conditions and may contribute to an advanced understanding of the underlying mechanism.
ON COHOMOLOGICALLY COMPLETE INTERSECTIONS IN COHEN-MACAULAY RINGS

An ideal I of a local Cohen-Macaulay ring (R,m) is called a cohomologically complete intersection if H i I (R) = 0 for all i 6 c := height(I). Here H i I (R), i ∈ Z denotes the local cohomology of R with respect to I. For instance, a set-theoretic complete intersection is a cohomologically complete intersection. Here we study cohomologically complete intersections from various homological points of view. As a main result it is shown that the vanishing H i I(M) = 0 for all i 6 c is completely encoded in homological properties of H c I(M). These results extend those of Hellus and Schenzel (see (13, Theorem 0.1)) shown in the case of a local Gorenstein ring. In particular we get a characterization of cohomologically complete intersections in a Cohen-Macaulay ring in terms of the canonical module.
Chapter 1 Current Trends in Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma (also called glioblastoma multiforme – GBM) is a primary brain neoplasm, representing about 55% of all gliomas. It is a very aggressive and infiltrative tumor. Glioblastoma is usually highly malignant, with more than 90% 5-year mortality and a median survival of about 14.6 months. Compared to other cancers, the survival rate has not greatly changed over time and no current treatment is curative for this disease. Because the tumor has a heterogeneous cell population containing several types of cells, the treatment for GBM is one of the most challenging in clinical oncology. This chapter will discuss the current approaches in glioblastoma treatment, including resection techniques, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
What drives the choice of the type of partner in R&D cooperation? Evidence for Spanish manufactures and services

ABSTRACT We analyse the heterogeneity in firms’ decisions to engage in R&D cooperation, taking into account the type of partner (competitors, suppliers or customers, and research institutions) and the sector to which the firm belongs (manufactures or services). We use information from the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for Spanish firms and estimate multivariate probit models corrected for endogeneity which explicitly consider the interrelations between the different R&D cooperation strategies. We find that placing a higher importance to publicly available information (incoming spillovers), receiving public funding and firm size increase the probability of cooperation with all kind of partners but the role is much stronger in the case of cooperative agreements with research institutions and universities. Our results also suggest that R&D intensity and the importance attributed to the lack of qualified personnel as a factor hampering innovation are key factors influencing positively R&D cooperation activities in the service sector but not in manufactures.
The Generation And Scavenging Of Radicals Via Cerium And Nanoceria

Cerium is the most abundant of the rare earth metals, found on average at a level of 66 parts per million in the earth’s crust. The unique redox properties of cerium and cerium oxide nanoparticles have led to its use in a wide variety of industrial and commercial uses such as oxygen sensors, fertilizers and as a catalyst to remove toxic gases in automobile exhaust. The use of cerium has also garnered interest in the nanotechnology field. Nanoceria has been generated in its oxide form as nanoparticles and nanorods. Recently, nanoceria has been shown to protect against oxidative stress in both animal and cell culture models. Although not fully understood, this observed protective effect of nanoceria is believed to be the result of recently identified SOD mimetic activity. Currently there is little understanding as to how nanoceria is capable of scavenging radicals or what properties makes nanoceria an effective SOD mimetic. Our data shows strong evidence that the oxidation state of nanoceria is directly related to its reported SOD mimetic activity. As such, future studies of nanoceria should be mindful of the oxidation state of nanoceria preparations as only nanoceria with a high concentration of cerium (III) have shown effective SOD mimetic activity. In addition to the characterization of nanoceria and its SOD mimetic activity, we have evidence that free cerium is capable of generating radicals and damaging DNA in vitro in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. These data strongly suggests that the rare earth inner-transition metal cerium is capable of generating hydroxyl radicals via a Fenton-like reaction. Based on these results the use of free cerium salts should be monitored to limit environmental exposure to cerium. Altogether our data would suggest that cerium by virtue of its unique redox chemistry is quite capable of accepting and donating electrons from its