Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-tumor potential of total alkaloid extract of Prosopis juliflora DC. leaves against Molt-4 cells in vitro

Accepted 13 January, 2011 The total alkaloid extract from Prosopis juliflora DC. leaves was obtained using acid/base modified extraction method. The in vitro anti-tumor potential of the extract was evaluated using MTT (3-(4,5dimethythiazol-2yl)2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) based cytotoxicity monitoring after 24, 48 and 72 h exposure of the MOLT-4 cells (1×10 6 cells/ml medium) to different concentration of the extract ranging from 10 to 100 µg/ml medium. The genotoxic potential of the extract was also tested using cytokinesis block in vitro micronucleus assay. Simultaneously, the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the extract were compared with mitogen stimulated T-lymphocyte cultures derived from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. The MTT test revealed that, the extract exhibited comparatively higher toxicity towards the cancer cells than the normal cells at all the tested concentrations and at all the time points studied. The IC 50 values of the extract at 24, 48 and 72 h were found to be 90.5, 42.5 and 20.0 µg/ml/1× 10 6 cells against cancer cells. The genotoxic assay showed that, in both cultures, the number of micronuclei obtained even at the highest exposure concentration tested was very low when compared with that of the micronuclei obtained with the positive control mitomycin-C. The results of the present investigation demonstrate that, P. juliflora leaf alkaloids are preferentially cytotoxic to human T-cell leukemia (Molt-4) cells in a dose and time dependent manner with the absence of genotoxicity.
Timed, metered sprays of pheromone disrupt mating of Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

A controlled release s ystem for dispensing insect pheromones and other semiochemicals at a specified release rate over long periods of time was developed and tested Large quantities of pheromone were stored in pressurized canisters of metered semiochemical timed release system (MSTRS) devices kept in rooms with little thermal insulation at ambient field temperatures for more than 90 d during the summer The devices were tested in experimental storage rooms for their efficacy as mating disruptants by releasing pheromone only or pheromone-plus- pyrethroid Pheromone required for mating disruption experiments was released upon demand from canisters for the desired duration, with no detectable decrease in effectiveness in promoting suppression of mating as the canisters aged MSTRS devices placed in 3 m X 3 m X 3 m rooms disrupted up to 100% of the mating attempts of the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in populations consisting of freely flying virgin males and females at a 2:1 ratio, respectively, for 24 h, and disrupted up to 92% of the mating attempts for 72 h Disruption of mating was measured directly by recapture of moths and examination of the females' bursa copulatrices for the presence of spermatophores, which were used as indicators of successful mating encounters MSTRS devices emitting different doses of pheromone were tested for mating disruption Strong sources, dosed with 50 pg of pheromone per spray at 15 min intervals, were the most efficacious, promoting more than 90% mating disruption, and their effect was independent of either moth population density or number of MSTRS devices used per room Sources receiving 5 pg of pheromone per spray at 15 min intervals disrupted 60%-70% of mating, which still represented a significant level of disruption Mating disruption was enhanced (to >80%) by the addition of 1% natural pyrethrin extract to the 5 pg pheromone sprays; 96 1% of the male population was dead after 24 h
Evaluation of broiler chicks responses to protein, methionine and tryptophan using neural network models

In the present study, neural networks (NN) were developed to investigate the responses (average daily gain [ADG] and feed efficiency [FE]) of broiler chicks to protein and two amino acids (AA), namely methionine (Met) and tryptophan (Trp). Separate NN models were constructed for responses to protein and Met and protein and Trp. Comparisons between NN and response surface models revealed higher accuracy of prediction with the NN models. The relative importance of the input variables (protein and AA) on model output (ADG and FE) was assessed using a sensitivity analysis technique. Results indicated that dietary protein is a more important variable than AA (Met and Trp). Optimal values of the input variables (protein and AA) required to maximize ADG and FE in were obtained by subjecting all constructed NN to an optimization algorithm. The optimization algorithm for the protein and Met response models revealed that diets containing 216 g/kg of protein and 5.45 g/kg of Met lead to maximum ADG, whereas maximum FE is achieved with diets containing 222.6 and 5.85 g/kg of protein and Met, respectively. The optimization algorithm for protein and Trp responses showed that 234 g/kg of protein and 2.6 g/kg of Trp in the diet lead to maximum ADG, while maximum FE is achieved with diets containing 240 g/kg of protein and 3.1 g/kg Trp. The optimization results therefore suggest that protein and AA requirements for maximum FE are higher than for maximum ADG.
Isotopic constraints on heterogeneous sulfate production in Beijing haze

Abstract. Discerning mechanisms of sulfate formation during fine-particle pollution (referred to as haze hereafter) in Beijing is important for understanding the rapid evolution of haze and for developing cost-effective air pollution mitigation strategies. Here we present observations of the oxygen-17 excess of PM2.5 sulfate (Δ17O(SO42−)) collected in Beijing haze from October 2014 to January 2015 to constrain possible sulfate formation pathways. Throughout the sampling campaign, the 12-hourly averaged PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 16 to 323 µg m−3 with a mean of (141 ± 88 (1σ)) µg m−3, with SO42− representing 8–25 % of PM2.5 mass. The observed Δ17O(SO42−) varied from 0.1 to 1.6 ‰ with a mean of (0.9 ± 0.3) ‰. Δ17O(SO42−) increased with PM2.5 levels in October 2014 while the opposite trend was observed from November 2014 to January 2015. Our estimate suggested that in-cloud reactions dominated sulfate production on polluted days (PDs, PM2.5 ≥ 75 µg m−3) of Case II in October 2014 due to the relatively high cloud liquid water content, with a fractional contribution of up to 68 %. During PDs of Cases I and III–V, heterogeneous sulfate production (Phet) was estimated to contribute 41–54 % to total sulfate formation with a mean of (48 ± 5) %. For the specific mechanisms of heterogeneous oxidation of SO2, chemical reaction kinetics calculations suggested S(IV) ( = SO2 ⚫ H2O + HSO3− + SO32−) oxidation by H2O2 in aerosol water accounted for 5–13 % of Phet. The relative importance of heterogeneous sulfate production by other mechanisms was constrained by our observed Δ17O(SO42−). Heterogeneous sulfate production via S(IV) oxidation by O3 was estimated to contribute 21–22 % of Phet on average. Heterogeneous sulfate production pathways that result in zero-Δ17O(SO42−), such as S(IV) oxidation by NO2 in aerosol water and/or by O2 via a radical chain mechanism, contributed the remaining 66–73 % of Phet. The assumption about the thermodynamic state of aerosols (stable or metastable) was found to significantly influence the calculated aerosol pH (7.6 ± 0.1 or 4.7 ± 1.1, respectively), and thus influence the relative importance of heterogeneous sulfate production via S(IV) oxidation by NO2 and by O2. Our local atmospheric conditions-based calculations suggest sulfate formation via NO2 oxidation can be the dominant pathway in aerosols at high-pH conditions calculated assuming stable state while S(IV) oxidation by O2 can be the dominant pathway providing that highly acidic aerosols (pH ≤ 3) exist. Our local atmospheric-conditions-based calculations illustrate the utility of Δ17O(SO42−) for quantifying sulfate formation pathways, but this estimate may be further improved with future regional modeling work.
Data distribution technologies in wide area systems: lessons learned from SWIM-SUIT project

To face the increasing air traffic demand, intended to dramatically grow in the next years, Europe and US are going to develop new and modernized Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, based on novel and integrated concepts and technologies. Hence, global interoperability that is an essential goal when planning the development of ATM air/ground applications and systems, becomes paramount. To date, the management of different types of air traffic information, referring to service and subsystem specific requirements, makes the current systems not suitable and insufficient for integrating and sharing of relevant information. SWIM is the new information infrastructure, which will connect all ATM stakeholders, to allow seamless information interchange for improved decision-making. Stemming from the experience gained from SELEX-SI 1 during the development and test phases of a pilot European research initiative, this paper describes the architecture of a prototype implemented to investigate the technological feasibility and applicability of the SWIM principles. It provides a practical technical report aiming to highlight the achieved results and to share the great know how coming from this experience with researchers and practitioners in this field.
Fatty acid flow to the duodenum of sheep fed diets supplemented with different types of fat

The effect of different types of fat supplementation on the flow of fatty acids to the duodenum was estimated on three milking sheep fitted with duodenal re-entrant cannula in a 3 x 3 Latin square design consisting of three experimental diets differing in the percentage of supplemental fat. The basic ration for the control group consisted of meadow hay and concentrate (60:40) and was supplemented for experimental groups with soyabean oil, linseed oil, tallow, Bergafat® preparation or fish oil at a level of 0 (control), 4 and 6% in dry matter. Duodenal digesta was analyzed for fatty acids content. All of fats used, of both vegetable and animal origin, caused statistically significant changes in the passage of fatty acids to the duodenum. Soyabean oil added to sheep rations significantly decreased levels of particular saturated fatty acids and also the sum of saturated fatty acids. In response to supplementation with linseed oil, a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, the level of MUFA and PUFA in the duodenum increased (P<0.05). Under the fish oil treatment we observed a decrease (P<0.01) in the levels of two saturated fatty acids, lauric and palmitic. Also most of the detected unsaturated fatty acids were affected by fat treatment. Under Bergafat® conditions, the passage of fatty acids to the duodenum did not point to any modifications in the fatty acids profile, except the concentration of oleic acid, which tended to increase (P<0.05). With the addition of tallow to sheep rations, the concentration of some fatty acids in duodenal digesta decreased significantly.
Identification of Estrogenic Heavy metals in Water Bodies Around Guwahati City , Assam , India

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are linked to human health and diseases as they mimic or block the normal functioning of endogenous hormones. Heavy metals are also considered as endocrine disrupters. The present work dealt with the detection and identification of Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg) having estrogenic properties from three different sites around Guwahati city, India, well known for its polluted water. Water samples were collected and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The estrogenic heavy metal concentration in water was in the order Pb>Cr>Ni>Bg>€? d,
Bacterial Formulations in Induction of Resistance and Growth Promotion of Tomato Plants

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed treatment with fresh suspensions and powder formulations with Bacillus methylotrophicus to promote plant growth and induction of resistance against fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) in tomato plants under greenhouse conditions, verifying the occurrence of morphological and biochemical changes in the evaluated plants. Powder formulations based on Cassava (Manihot esculenta), Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) and sodium alginate containing Bacillus, in addition to the commercial product Quartz®, were used to microbiolize the tomato seeds of the cultivar Santa Cruz. The formulations promoted plant growth, with a seedling vigor index greater than 50% for all treatments containing B. mthylotrophicus, in addition to a significant increase in total dry matter. The treatments induced systemic resistance, controlling the fusarium wilt with a 75% reduction of the disease and activation of enzymes such as peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase, only β-1,3-glucanase presented less activity than controls (treatments without B. mthylotrophicus). Thus, the use of formulations containing Bacillus are efficient in promoting plant growth of tomato plants and in inducing resistance to the control of fusarium wilt.
The M 81 group of galaxies: New distances, kinematics and structure ?;??

We present Hubble Space Telescope/WFPC2 images of the galaxies NGC 2366, NGC 2976, NGC 4236, IC 2574, DDO 53, DDO 82, DDO 165, Holmberg I, Holmberg II, Holmberg IX, K52, K73, BK3N, Garland, and A0952+69 in the M 81 complex. Their true distance moduli, derived from the brightness of the tip of the red giant branch, lie in the range of 27: 52 (NGC 2366) to 28: 30 (DDO 165), with a median of 27: m 91, which is
Tangramrine: A Novel Graphical Recognition and Cued-recall based Password System

Graphical passwords are an authentication user model that consists of the recall of pictures or graphics signs to gain access to a system. They have been proved to be a secure and reliable alternative to textual passwords; by giving a more robust schema against brute force and shoulder-surfing attacks. In this research paper we present an alternative to a graphical password based on a modification of the Tangram game. We believe our proposal accomplishes the features of being an easy recognition-based system password giving the user enough security against common threats such as brute force attacks by dictionary means or OCR types, as well as shoulder-surfing attacks.
PROACTIVE PURCHASING IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

The adoption of new Strategic Proactive Purchasing for Brazilian Contractor companies was the subject of a Ph.D. thesis. It was presented in order to discuss the use of that application in the field of engineering business. The study summarizes the situation of four contractor companies before and after the introduction of the Procompras model, which is strongly based on proactive purchasing procedures. Moreover, some interesting aspects of the internal culture of the Brazilian companies are briefly discussed and a conclusion is presented. The research method used was the case study. A bibliographic review of proactive procurement is the basis of the design of the Procompras model, plus the study of the purchasing procedures used by six civil contractors companies in addition to ten year’s professional experience in this area. The conclusion of the studies and the application of the designed and developed Procompras Model brought up several suggestions for improvement of the purchasing procedures of the companies. The study results present several suggestions for the improvement of this process. These improvements were based on the literature review regarding the main concepts of strategic proactive procurement and the Procompras Model created during the thesis. The obtained results showed that it is possible to add value to the purchasing process and to introduce the improvements suggested by the application of the Procompras model with few resources investments.
Improved assessment of aerosol absorption using OMI‐MODIS joint retrieval

The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard EOS-Aura and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard EOS-Aqua fly in formation as part of the A-train. Though OMI retrieves aerosol optical depth (AOD) and aerosol absorption, it must assume aerosol layer height. The MODIS cannot retrieve aerosol absorption, but MODIS aerosol retrieval is not sensitive to aerosol layer height and with its smaller pixel size is less affected by subpixel clouds. Here we demonstrate an approach that uses MODIS-retrieved AOD to constrain the OMI retrieval, freeing OMI from making an a priori estimate of aerosol height and allowing a more direct retrieval of aerosol absorption. To predict near-UV optical depths using MODIS data we rely on the spectral curvature of the MODIS-retrieved visible and near-IR spectral AODs. Application of an OMI-MODIS joint retrieval over the north tropical Atlantic shows good agreement between OMI and MODIS-predicted AODs in the UV, which implies that the aerosol height assumed in the OMI-standard algorithm is probably correct. In contrast, over the Arabian Sea, MODIS-predicted AOD deviated from the OMI-standard retrieval, but combined OMI-MODIS retrievals substantially improved information on aerosol layer height (on the basis of validation against airborne lidar measurements). This implies an improvement in the aerosol absorption retrieval, but lack of UV absorption measurements prevents a true validation. Our study demonstrates the potential of multisatellite analysis of A-train data to improve the accuracy of retrieved aerosol products and suggests that a combined OMI-MODIS-CALIPSO retrieval has large potential to further improve assessments of aerosol absorption.
The evolution of poverty in the European Union : concepts, measurement and data

This paper considers the measurement of poverty in the European Union (EU). Starting from a definition of poverty that is suitable for the European context, a flexible measurement framework is proposed based on the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke class of poverty measures. Three key issues need to be addressed in the measurement of poverty. First, one has to determine the appropriate metric of individual well-being. Second, a cut-off value or threshold needs to be established under which persons are considered to be poor. Third, it is necessary to outline an aggregation procedure to attain a poverty figure for society as a whole. In what follows, we discuss the different answers that are implicit in the poverty measures applied in this book* and the EU’s social strategy. The EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) are introduced as the main data source for poverty analysis in the EU. Finally, an illustration is provided of how the different conceptual choices in the measurement of poverty affect the empirical findings regarding the evolution of poverty between 2005 and 2009. It turns out that the selection of individual well-being metric and the choice between a county-specific and a pan-European poverty line strongly affect observed patterns of poverty in the EU. * Cantillon, B. and Vandenbroucke, F. (eds.), For Better For Worse, For Richer For Poorer. Labour market participation, social redistribution and income poverty in the EU. Oxford: Oxford University Press (forthcoming).
Time consumption and productivity of a medium size mobile tower yarder in downhill and uphill configurations: a case study in Czech Republic

Cable cranes are among the most important means of yarding and transporting timber in many mountainous regions of Europe. In the last decade, all-terrain mobile tower cable cranes have been increasing due to their adaptability to operate both in uphill as well in downhill configuration. This research assesses the efficiency and the costs of a mobile cable crane manufactured in Czech Republic and designed for all-terrain application and specifically mounted on a wheeled agricultural tractor. A total of 100 cycle times were recorded in order to obtain evaluate the performance in the downhill as well uphill extraction configuration. The productivity analysis was based on regression equation as a function lateral distance, skyline slope distance and extracted volume. Increasing in number of lateral distance and extraction distance resulted as significant variables affecting the cycle time. Even if the test highlights a good efficiency of the extraction system for both the configuration (uphill vs downhill) there a still many organisational features that could be improved in order to fully exploit the potentiality of the tested cable crane system.
Methodological test of efficiency of heterotrophic potential

This study aimed at describing the kinetic aspects of glucose aerobic mineralization by different types of microorganisms selected by filtration membranes of different pore sizes: 0.22, 0.45, 2.2 and 7.4 μm, and also in glass wool. Water samples were collected from Óleo Lagoon (21o36 ́ S and 47o49 ́ W). About 30 mg of glucose was added into filtered water, and the samples were incubated in the dark at 21C under aerobic conditions. The dissolved oxygen consumption was determined periodically during 59 days (polarographic method; DOmeter YSI model 58). The data were fitted into a first-order kinetic model. The maximum values of consumed oxygen varied from 2.10 mg L (pore size 0.22 μm treatment) to 32.83 mg L (pore size 0.45 μm treatment). The glucose mineralization on the 0.22 μm treatment showed the lowest oxygen consumption coefficient (kd = 0.03 day -1 and half time (t1/2) = 23 days) and the highest value was observed on the 0.45 μm treatment and 2.2 μm treatment (kd = 0.08 day -1 and t1/2 = 9 days). Oxygen consumption was higher in the sample filtered into 0.45 μm, suggesting that bacterivory occurred in treatments with glass wool, 2.2 and 7.4 μm. The filtration into 0.22 μm pore size membranes favored chemical oxidation.
Pressure–volume–temperature equation of state of ε–FeOOH to 11 GPa and 700 K

A new synchrotron X–ray diffraction study of ε–FeOOH has been carried out to determine the pressure–volume– temperature (P–V–T ) equation of state (EOS). The P–V–T data fitted a third–order Birch–Murnaghan EOS yielded: isothermal bulk modulus KT0 of 135(3) GPa; its pressure derivative K′ of 6.1(9); (∂KT/∂T )P of −0.05(2) GPa K−1; a0 of 2.6(7) × 10−5 K−1 and a1 of 1.0(3) × 10−7 K−2, where the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient is described as α0,T = a0 + a1 × (T − 300).
High-field optically detected nuclear magnetic resonance in GaAs

A method for high-field optically detected nuclear magnetic resonance (ODNMR) is developed sensitive to 108 nuclei. Nuclear spin transitions are induced using a radio frequency coil and detected through Faraday rotation spectroscopy. Unlike conventional ODNMR, which is limited to low fields and relies on the measurement of time-averaged luminescence polarization, this technique monitors nuclear polarization through time-resolved measurements of electron spin dynamics. Measurements in a (110) GaAs quantum well reveal Ga69, Ga71, and As75 resonances and their quadrupolar splittings while resolving changes in nuclear polarization of 0.02%.
THE IMPORTANCE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AS A RISK FACTOR FOR MORBIDITY

The fact that, in the populations of industrialised countries, disability and mortality curves are tending to come closer together would indicate that senility is a phenomenon that can be delayed. Calorific restriction and physical activity have proved effective in delaying the disability curve, whilst smoking has the opposite effect. These three elements (Fries Hypothesis) influence the extent of oxidative stress (Harman’s Hypothesis) and the latter, therefore, becomes an evaluation and systemic control parameter. Using the D-Roms test to measure the level of oxidative stress in the blood, a study was carried out on a sample of seemingly healthy individuals and on several groups of patients suffering from pathologies characterised by endothelial damage. It confirmed that the Hypotheses of Fries and Harman clearly coincide and that oxidative stress is a common component in various pathologies. It also illustrated how the administration of a balanced formulation of antioxidants (ARD Stenovit®) reduces the extent of oxidative stress. SUMMARY