Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Two Quantum Chemical Descriptors in Predicting Toxicity of Aliphatic Compounds towards Tetrahymena pyriformis

Quantum chemical parameters such as LUMO energy, HOMO energy, ionization energy (I), electron affinity (A), chemical potential (), hardness () electronegativity (), philicity (), and electrophilicity () of a series of aliphatic compounds are calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models are developed for predicting the toxicity () of 13 classes of aliphatic compounds, including 171 electron acceptors and 81 electron donors, towards Tetrahymena pyriformis. The multiple linear regression modeling of toxicity of these compounds is performed by using the molecular descriptor log P (1-octanol/water partition coefficient) in conjunction with two other quantum chemical descriptors, electrophilicity () and energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (). A comparison is made towards the toxicity predicting the ability of electrophilicity () versus as a global chemical reactivity descriptor in addition to log P. The former works marginally better in most cases. There is a slight improvement in the quality of regression by changing the unit of from mg/L to molarity and by removing the racemates and the diastereoisomers from the data set.
Interactive comment on “Potential groundwater contribution to Amazon evapotranspiration” by Y. Fan and G. Miguez-Macho

We thank Dr. Teuling for his suggested revisions. These suggestions are very reasonable. In particular, we will clarify the limitations of the simple approach and emphasize its equilibrium nature. We will remove the reference to dry-season dynamics in the conclusions and comparisons with observed ET, although we must clarify that we did not mean to “sell” the study in the context of dry season dynamics, but rather, our work is entirely motivated by the controversy and hence it stayed in the forefront of our minds as we take steps to address the problem. It was not meant to mislead the community, but rather reflects our ultimate goals in initiating the study at the first place. We fully acknowledge that our present result, although from years of effort, is far from
Anxiolytic Effect of Voluntarily Consumed Alcohol in Sardinian Alcohol-Preferring Rats Exposed to the Social Interaction Test

Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats have been selectively bred for high alcohol preference and consumption. Beside alcohol preference, sP rats display inherent high levels of anxiety-related behaviors (evidenced under multiple experimental procedures). The present study was designed to evaluate whether voluntarily consumed alcohol exerted an anxiolytic effect in adult, male sP rats exposed to the social interaction (SI) test. Alcohol-consuming rats were given alcohol under the homecage 2-bottle “alcohol (10%, v/v) vs water” choice regimen with unlimited access for 15 consecutive days. The SI test was conducted on Day 15 of alcohol drinking, one hour into the dark phase of the daily light/dark cycle. Alcohol intake in alcohol-consuming rats averaged approximately 0.9 g/kg in this first hour of the dark phase. Pairs (n=11) of alcohol-consuming rats displayed approximately 3-fold longer times of SI than pairs (n=10) of alcohol-naive rats. These data(a) suggest that voluntarily alcohol intake exerted an anxiolytic effect in sP rats, (b) extend to a different procedure of experimental “anxiety” previous results obtained using the elevated plus maze test, and (c) strengthen the hypothesis that anxiolysis may represent one of the alcohol effects that drive sP rats to consume high amounts of alcohol.
Does Livestock Keeping Reduce Poverty Among Farm Households In Nigeria

The study was conducted to analyze the impact of keeping livestock on poverty among farm households in Nigeria as a contribution towards finding a panacea to the poverty plague in the agricultural sector. The study used secondary data obtained from the Nigeria living Standard Survey data conducted in 2009/2010. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Forster-Greer-Thorbeck poverty measures and Propensity score matching. Results showed that 90% of the households were headed by males, 54% had household sizes of 1-4 and 79% were within the active productive age of less than 60 years while 62% had no formal education. About 96% were married whereas only 18.83% of the married household heads engaged in polygamous marriage. As high as 95.6% of the respondents had less than ₦99,999 in livestock value. 1.5% owned between ₦100,000-₦199,999 while 2.9% owned ₦200,000 and above worth in value. The incidence, gap and severity of poverty were least among respondents with between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000 worth of livestock. The impact of owning agricultural equipment, land and livestock increased incomes of such households by ₦3, 677.44. Hence, the impact of keeping livestock reduced poverty incidence by 33%. The study recommends a reorganization of the existing farming systems being practiced in Nigeria. This will be aimed at encouraging the farm households to incorporate some livestock enterprises into their farm business organizations since the ownership of livestock significantly minimized the chances of the farmer being poor.
Brownfield Action: An Integrated Environmental Science Simulation Experience for Undergraduates

This paper presents the results of three years of development and evaluation of a CD-ROM/Web hybrid simulation known as Brownfield Action for an introductory environmental science course at an independent college for women in the northeastern United States. Brownfield Action is a simulation that provides a learning environment for developing the skills of an environmental site investigator by placing students in a virtual town and asking them to serve as consultants to a real estate developer who wants to avoid purchasing potentially contaminated land. Students must become actively involved in the lecture and laboratory in order to succeed. They work collaboratively with a partner in order to reach a valid conclusion. Results are summarized as follows. Students learned more and in greater depth using Brownfield Action than in previous years without it; student work looked more authentic and professional, closer to what would be expected of a professional performing these tasks; students appreciated how the simulation contributed to their understanding of the material; Brownfield Action was successful dn enhancing the scientific literacy of students, facilitating their construction of new meaning based upon what they saw and experienced, and enhancing practices leading to increased student learning; students' abilities to construct new meaning based upon what they saw and experienced were expanded; students found the content useful and the simulation a good way to learn it; more staff development is necessary to foster the teaching strategies needed for a true discovery process and to build comfort with technology; minor technical glitches created levels of frustration that interfered with its ability to meet its educational potential, however students gave high ratings to other features of the technology, and in particular, eight out of ten students noted the ease with which it was possible to move through information in each of the sections of the simulation. In all, the project has proved successful in providing students with a more integrated science experience than in traditional classrooms. (AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Brownfield Action: An Integrated Environmental Science Simulation Experience for Undergraduates
OPTIMAL DIVIDEND STRATEGY IN THE BROWNIAN MOTION MODEL WITH INTEREST AND RANDOMIZED OBSERVATION TIME

In this paper we study the optimal dividend problems in the Brownian motion model with interest and randomized observation time. By using stochastic control theory, we obtain the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation with the optimal value function, which show that the optimal dividend strategy is a barrier strategy, and give the explicit expression for the optimal value function, which generalize the results of [ 19 ].
Evaluations of Bacillus species against red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under laboratory and store conditions

The effect of five bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis were tested against the two stored products the Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum. Results obtained show that, the LC50s of the different bacterial strain recorded, 79, 67, 66, 44 and 74 Ug/ml afte T. confusum treated with different concentrations of B.T J, B.t 0900, Bt NRRL 2172, BT IP thurizide and Bt HD112. , respectively. The corresponding LC50s of T. castaneum are, 77, 65, 65, 39 and 44 Ug/ml . , respectively . Under store conditions, after bacterial treatments, the number of eggs laid / female of T. confusum were significantly decreased to 11.0±3.7 and17.3±2.5 after 120 days b of BT IP thurizide and Bt HD112. , respectively as compared to 99.8±1.9 in the control. Reults showed also, that the T. castaneum significantly decreased under store conditions to 11.8±1.7 as compared to 98.8±1.9 in the control after 120 days.
Effect of solubility enhancement and use of honey on anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of etodolac

Aim: The aim of this study was to check the effect of solubility enhancement and use of honey on anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of etodolac (ETO). Materials and Methods: Ternary system of ETO was prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPB) by spray drying method. Design of experiment was used for preparation and optimization of ternary system. Formulations were prepared with and without addition of honey and were evaluated for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization and protein denaturation methods. Disc diffusion and well diffusion methods were used to determine antibacterial activity of prepared formulations. Results and Discussion: In HRBC membrane stabilization and protein denaturation method, the prepared ternary system formulations (without honey) achieved up to 83.3% and 83.4% inhibition; whereas, the pure sample of ETO had 58.1% and 57.8% inhibition, respectively. The antimicrobial activity was significantly affected by the type of bacteria used. In well diffusion method, run 8 showed the highest inhibitory activity of 35 ± 1.3 mm and 25 ± 1.2 mm (with honey) and 30 ± 1.1 mm and 18 ± 1.0 mm (without honey) against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, respectively. Addition of honey played a significant role in increasing the anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial activity of all formulations. Conclusion: Use of PVP K30 and HPB in combination with honey was an effective approach to enhance the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of ETO.
Control of Varroa destructor Using Oxalic Acid, Formic Acid and Bayvarol Strip in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies

The effectiveness of oxalic acid (3.2%), formic acid (65%) and flumethrin strip (Bayvarol) for the control of Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) mite in broodless honeybee (Apis mellifera lingustica Linnaeus) colonies was determined. Three groups of five colonies each were treated with one of these agents, while the fourth group of five colonies was used as control. Mite mortality was examined in debris at 4-day intervals before application of the next treatment. The highest number of fallen mites 177±35.12 (Mean ± SE) occurred with oxalic acid and the difference between the treatments was highly significant. The efficacy and honey yield from the experimental colonies were also highly significantly different from the controls. The highest mean efficacy of 99±1.24 and honey yield 12.08± 0.86 was found in 3.2% oxalic acid treatment. No queens were lost and adult honeybee mortality did not occur in any of the colonies during the experiment.
Resveratrol and its biological actions

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that is found in a few edible food materials such as grape skins, pea-nuts and red wine. Numerous reports exists in the literature suggesting that dietary resveratrol may act as an antioxidant, promotes nitric oxide production, inhibits platelet aggregation and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and subsequently may serve as a cardio-protective agent. Recent reports demonstrated that resveratrol can function as a cancer chemopreventive agent, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-ageing and antiviral properties. However, most of these effects are yet to be confirmed in humans. In the only clinical trial, high doses of special proprietary formulation has demonstrated blood sugar-lowering effects of resveratrol in type 2 diabetes mellitus. As with many polyphenols, resveratrol is reasonably well absorbed but has low bioavailability. It is metabolized by hydroxylation, glucuronidation, sulfation and hydrogenation. We reviewed the published literature and reports to consolidate information availableon the biological activity of resveratrol using electronic databases as well as handpicked articles to summarize the biological effects of resveratrol and its clinical benefits against human diseases. Key words: Resveratrol, chemoprevention, cardio-protection, anti-inflammatory effects
DeVelopINg a TeaCHeR eDUCaTIoN pRogRaMMe To pRoMoTe SCIeNTIFIC lITeRaCY IMpRoVINg a poSITIVe aTTITUDe aBoUT SCIeNCe

Usually elementary teacher education has pitfalls in developing important dimensions of scientific liter acy (SL) through science teaching. So, to refine some Teacher Education Program (TEP) characteristics is important to potentiate their positive attitudes towards links amongst science technology and society themes (STS) so that they may improve their students’ SL. This study aims at identifying characteristics of a TEP that promote teachers’ key attitudes about STS and develop dimensions of teaching practice transferral to teachers’ practices to foster their students’ SL. It reports a longitudinal case study (3 years) to refine characteristics of a TEP, answering the questions: a) what features should a TEP have, to improve consistently positive attitudes of teachers about STS? , (b) which gains in teachers’ attitudes towards the STS were obtained from the implementation of TEP? The TEP incorporated, progressively, findings based on literature and other characteristics resulting from improvements, namely: (a) exploring contexts and using materials and equipment from daily routine; (b) developing epistemic practices related with experimental work in open challenge activities; (c) transferable teacher mediation traits. The TEP, with the referred characteristics, allowed teacher to develop important attitudes about: scientific inquiry, willing ness to engage in issues related to science and science as a social enterprise.
The rise and rise of Bactericera cockerelli in potato crops in Canterbury

Tomato potato psyllid (TPP), Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), was first recorded in the North Island of New Zealand in 2006. Three years later, the insect was found in the Oamaru area (South Island). Over the years there has been a rise in TPP numbers trapped in potato crops in Canterbury (South Island). Recently, increased prevalence and severity of foliar and tuber symptoms related to plant infection with Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), vectored by TPP, have been observed in trials and in commercial potato crops. Moreover, in the 2013-14 season the resulting zebra chip disease was observed for the first time in tubers at a processing plant in Canterbury. It is concluded that Canterbury has a landscape where hosts are available year-round and a climate that does not seem to hinder TPP development. The aim of this paper is to present a stocktake of TPP in Canterbury.
Lingual lobe of right lung- a rare variation

Knowledge of variations of lobar pattern of lung is important for identification of bronchopulmonary segments. It is of great clinical significance for surgeons and radiologists. Normally the right lung has two fissures, one oblique and one horizontal and three lobes, upper, middle and lower lobes. Many authors have described the lobar variations on imaging techniques but a few studies have reported in gross anatomy. The present case highlights an abnormal lingual lobe of the right lung which was detected incidentally during the undergraduate dissection. Also it highlights the abnormal pattern of oblique and horizontal fissures.
Familial variation in Pinus leiophylla Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. seedlings in response to drought: water and osmotic potential

La variacion de plantulas de cuatro familias de Pinus leiophylla de diferentes procedencias se evaluo en respuesta a la sequia, considerando las variables potencial hidrico (Ψ a ), potencial osmotico (Ψ 0 ), componentes y asignacion de biomasa. Las familias de P. leiophylla se localizan en un huerto semillero del Colegio de Postgraduados en el Estado de Mexico. El estudio se hizo con el fin de identificar los genotipos resistentes al estres hidrico. Despues de 26 dias sin riego, 50 % de las plantulas presentaron decaimiento permanente del apice del tallo, con Ψ a = -3.35 MPa y Ψ 0 = -3.23 MPa, lo que represento disminucion de 596 y 112 %, respectivamente, por efecto de la sequia. La acumulacion de biomasa tambien fue afectada significativamente ( P = 0.05) en las familias evaluadas, a excepcion de la procedente de San Rafael. En promedio, la biomasa de la raiz de las plantulas en sequia fue 38 % menor que las plantulas sin sequia. Las familias de P. leiophylla provenientes de San Juan Tetla y de Santa Maria Atepetzingo (ambas del estado de Puebla) presentaron mejor respuesta al estres impuesto, mientras que la familia de Tlalmanalco (Estado de Mexico) fue la mas afectada.
Air permeability of polyester nonwoven fabrics

Abstract Air permeability is one of the most important properties of non-woven fabrics in many applications. This paper aims to investigate the effects of thickness, porosity and density on the air permeability of needle-punched non-woven fabrics and compare the experimental values with two models which are based on hydraulic radius theory and drag theory, respectively. The air permeability of the samples was measured by an air permeability tester FX3300. The results showed that the air permeability of non-woven fabrics decreased with the increase in thickness and density of samples, increased with the increase of porosity, and the air permeability was not directly proportional to the pressure gradient. Meanwhile, the prediction model based on hydraulic radius theory had a better agreement with experimental values than the model based on drag theory, but the values were much higher than the experimental results, especially for higher porosity and higher pressure gradient.
VARIATIONS IN PITCHING PERFORMANCE DURING A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM BALL TRACKING DATA?

The aim of this study was to identify changes in pitching characteristics during nine innings of professional (MLB) baseball. Ball tracking data were obtained for 1,514,304 pitches thrown by 129 pitchers during the 2008–2014 MLB seasons and compared across the nine innings using linear mixed model analyses. Earlier innings contained significantly more hard (i.e., fast-type) pitches. A significant decrease in pitch speed and release height emerged before the sixth inning. These data revealed that aspects of a starting pitcher’s performance significantly change as early as the second or third inning of an MLB game, although these do not influence his effectiveness. Coaches may use these data to inform their decision to relieve a starting pitcher and/or direct in-game strategies to exploit trends in pitcher performance.
Método pedagógico musical Dalcroze

Hablar de educacion ritmica o de metodo pedagogico activo, es hablar de Jaques Dalcroze. En este articulo se pretende dar un breve repaso a su biografia y ofrecer algunos principios de su metodo, en el que se destaca la importancia del movimiento corporal y la percepcion musical a traves de la totalidad del cuerpo y no solamente por el oido. Aunque se presupone que es un metodo para ninos pequenos, como manifiesta Dalcroze la aplicacion ritmica no tienen edades ni discrimina en capacidades o dificultades que puedan aparecer, pues todo lo contrario, sus beneficios pueden manifestarse en diferentes en diferentes ambitos y no solo en el puramente musical.
Dissolved organic carbon and dissolved nitrogen in soil under different fertilization treatments

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of long-term fertilization of a sandy soil with differentiated doses of cattle slurry as well as its after-effect action on the possibilities of migration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DNt) down to deeper layers of the soil profile. DOC and DNt were extracted with borate buffer and 0.004M CaCl 2 solution. Evaluation of effects of cattle slurry on the content of DOC and DNt was done in comparison with mineral fertilization. It was shown that the use of cattle slurry in the doses of 100 and 200 m 3 /ha caused a significant increase of labile organic matter in the 0–25 and 25–50 cm layers of soil. As compared with mineral fertilization the application of slurry increased also the amounts of extracted DNt, but only in the surface layer. The DNt content in the deeper soil horizons did not depend on the kind of fertilization. Concentrati ons of DOC and DNt in the extracts depended not only on their content in soil but it was also modified substantially by the extractant used.
The plasma structure of coronal hole solar wind: Origins and evolution

Whereas slow solar wind is known to be highly structured, the fast (coronal hole origin) wind is usually considered to be homogeneous. Using measurements from Helios 1 + 2, ACE, Wind, and Ulysses, structure in the coronal hole origin solar wind is examined from 0.3 AU to 2.3 AU. Care is taken to collect and analyze intervals of “unperturbed coronal hole plasma. ” In these intervals, solar wind structure is seen in the proton number density, proton temperature, proton specific entropy, magnetic field strength, magnetic field to density ratio, electron heat flux, helium abundance, heavy‐ion charge‐state ratios, and Alfvenicity. Typical structure amplitudes are factors of 2, far from homogeneous. Variations are also seen in the solar wind radial velocity. Using estimates of the motion of the solar wind origin footpoint on the Sun for the various spacecraft, the satellite time series measurements are converted to distance along the photosphere. Typical variation scale lengths for the solar wind structure are several variations per supergranule. The structure amplitude and structure scale sizes do not evolve with distance from the Sun from 0.3 to 2.3 AU. An argument is quantified that these variations are the scale expected for solar wind production in open magnetic flux funnels in coronal holes. Additionally, a population of magnetic field foldings (switchbacks, reversals) in the coronal hole plasma is examined: this population evolves with distance from the Sun such that the magnetic field is mostly Parker spiral aligned at 0.3 AU and becomes more misaligned with distance outward.
Landslide Data Analysis with Gaussian Mixture Model

In this paper we present the approach for the analysis and modeling of landslide data using the Gaussian Mixture Model. We model the probability density of the landslide events in the high-dimensional space of parameters, conventionally used for predicting the landslide susceptibility. This work describes the application of the method for the area of Bailongjiang River, in northwest China. The available information includes the digital elevation model of the region, geological map and different GIS layers including land cover data obtained from satellite imagery. The landslides were observed with aerial imagery and documented during the field studies.