Dataset for holiday rentals’ daily rate pricing in a cultural tourism destination

This data article describes a holiday rental dataset from a medium-size cultural city destination. Daily rate and variables related to location, size, amenities, rating, and seasonality are highlighted as the main features. The data was extracted from Booking.com, legal registration of the accommodation (RTA) and Google Maps, among other sources. This dataset contains data from 665 holiday rentals offered as entire flat (rent per room was discarded), with a total of 1623 cases and 28 variables considered. Regarding data extraction, RTA is ordered by registration number, which is taken and, through a Google search with the following structure: "apartment registration no. + Booking + Seville", the holiday rental profile in Booking.com is found. Then, it is verified that both the address of the accommodation and the registration number match in RTA and Booking.com, proceeding with data extraction to a Microsoft Excel's file. Google Maps is used to determine the minutes spent walking from the accommodation to the spot of maximum tourist interest of the city. A price index based on the average price per square meter of real estate per district is also incorporated to the dataset, as well as a visual appeal rating made by the authors of every holiday rental based on its Booking.com photos profile. Only cases with complete data were considered. A statistics summary of all variables of the data collected is presented. This dataset can be used to develop an estimation model of daily prices of stay in holiday rentals through predetermined variables. Econometrics methodologies applied to this dataset can also allow testing which variables included affecting the composition of holiday rentals' daily rates and which not, as well as determining their respective influence on daily rates.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stability and adaptability of soybean part of Buenos Aires province

En este trabajo se utilizaron dos métodos para estimar la estabilidad y uno para la adaptabilidad del rendimiento de grano de 29 cultivares de soja del grupo de madurez III y de 35 cultivares del grupo de madurez IV del sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, evaluados en 14 Ensayos Comparativos de Rendimiento, con el objetivo de determinar cuál era el más apropiado. Estos mé- todos fueron: la prueba LSD (Least Significative Differences) protegida de Fischer (Steel & Torrie, 1993), y el método del Rendimiento Relativo (RR) (Yau & Hamblin, 1994) para estimar estabilidad y una prueba de comparaciones múltiples con el mejor (CMM) (Piepho, 1995) para adaptabilidad. Todos pueden usarse con datos provenientes de ensayos desbalanceados. La prueba LSD y el método RR, a pesar de utilizar distintos parámetros para las estimaciones, coincidieron en clasificar como estables a los cultivares Carmen INTA y Pioneer 9442 (grupo III) y a los cultivares Joketa 46, Haydée INTA, DM 48, A 4004, A 4422, Cx 411 (grupo IV) y a las líneas experimentales de la Estación Experimental del INTA en Bordenave, provincia de Buenos Aires, LEB 78-85 y LEB 171-85. Sin embargo, los resultados de estabilidad de un genotipo según LSD dependen fuertemente del número de ambientes donde se probó el mismo. El método de CMM discriminó poco a los genotipos y se decidió no aplicarlo para estimar adaptabilidad en un programa de mejoramiento. El método RR resultó útil para clasificar a algunos materiales como estables y de altos rendimientos, evitando así el sesgo que aportan los ambientes de alto rendimiento al promedio general, por lo que se lo recomienda para estimar estabilidad en programas de mejoramiento de soja.In the present study two methods to estimate the stability and one for the adaptability of the yield grain of 29 soybean cultivars of Maturity Group III and 35 cultivars of Maturity Group IV of the southeast of Buenos Aires province, in Argentina, were used. Genotypes were evaluated in 14 Yield Trials and the objective of the work was to determine the most appropriate method. The Fischer´s protected LSD test (Steel & Torrie, 1993), and the test of Relative Yield (RY) (Yau & Hamblin, 1994) were used to estimate stability, and Piepho´s method of Multiple Comparisons with the Best (1995) was used to estimate adaptability. The three methods can be used for unbalanced data. LSD test and the method of Relative Yield, in spite of using different parameters for the estimates, coincided in classifying as stable to cultivars Carmen INTA and Pioneer 9442 (group III) and Joketa 46, Haydée INTA, DMK 48, AT 4004, AT 4422, Cx 411 and experimental lines of Bordenave Experimental Station LEB 78-85 and LEB 171-85 (group IV). Results from LSD test depend on the number of environments where the cultivar is tested. Piepho´s method made little discrimination of the genotypes. RY method is valuable to classify some genotypes as high-yielding and stable, avoiding the bias that high-yielding environments give to the general average. For that reason, it is advisable to use the RY method in programs of soybean improvement.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Production, immobilization and synthesis of pharmacological derivatives of lipase B from Candida antarctica in Pichia pastoris

Lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) is widely used because of its excellent enantioselectivity. Producing this recombinant lipase in Pichia pastoris has advantages since it can be cultured in simple media and can reach high cell densities. This capability is especially important when using a constitutive promoter for lipase production, as here. The PPGK promoter is similar to the well-known PGAP promoter and also circumvents the need for inducing production with methanol, which is a hazard when used on a large scale and would increase the downstream production costs, which could be prohibitive for pharmaceutical products. This study tested two main fermentation strategies: continuous and fed-batch. In both cultures, different specific growth rates occurred (0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.18h–1), and process parameters (qP, qS, YX/S, YP/X, YP/S) were evaluated in order to properly compare them. The highest specific production rate achieved with a continuous culture was 57.71 U/gX.h with µ=0.15 h–1 and 16 U/gX.h with µ=0.14 h–1 for a fed-batch culture. Productivity decreased dramatically near the µmax (0.18 h–1) for P. pastoris (57.6% lower). The best strategy for production was calculated over a three-month period. In both cases, the enzyme is secreted to the supernatant and purification is needed to ensure that only LIPB participates in further reactions. The immobilization process is ideal because purification and concentration is achieved in only one step, reusability is made possible, and in certain cases, stability and efficiency are boosted. Hydrophobic core-shell polymeric supports synthesized by a combined suspension and emulsion polymerization process have shown good potential for lipase immobilization procedures and were used in this study, compared to traditional supports such as Accurel, in order to determine their efficiency. After the enzyme was immobilized, the reactions included the resolution of (±)-1,3,5-O-benzyl-myo-inositol (DL-1) via acylation using vinyl acetate in hexane, and resolution of (±)-1,2-O- isopropylidene-3,6-di-O-benzyl-myo-inositol (DL-2) via acylation using vinyl acetate (solvent-free system). The support used directly affected the reaction, but trends were observed. In general, the recombinant lipase produced (LIPB) had higher resolutions than the commercial lipase (CALB, Novozym 435). In the resolution of DL-1 and DL-2 via transesterification (using different media), LIPB immobilized in Accurel or PS-co-DVB/PS-co-DVB showed more activity per enzyme molecule than CALB immobilized in similar supports, while when immobilized in PMMA-co-DVB/ PMMA-co-DVB the activities of the two enzymes were similar. The recombinant LIPB immobilized on PS-co-DVB proved to be the most efficient in the enantioselective resolution of both racemic derivatives, DL-1 and DL-2. The productivity for DL-2 resolution was 50% higher than the commercial Novozym 435, and the new derivative was operationally more stable than Novozym 435. The products obtained had a high level of purity (ee of 99% for both derivatives). Both products of the enantio-selective reaction, L-2 and L-5, obtained from the racemic derivatives (DL-1 and DL-2, respectively), are intermediates from different pharmacological pathways involved in the synthesis of building blocks for drugs that inhibit the etiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi

Low tortoise abundances in pine forest plantations in forest-shrubland transition areas

The Spanish Ministry of Science and European Regional Development Fund funded this work through Projects CGL2012-33536 and CGL2015- 64144; MINECIO/FEDER. Regional Government of the Community of Valencia supported R.R-C. by a postgraduate grant (ACIF/2010/133) and E.G. by a postdoctoral grant (APOSTD/2015/048).In the transition between Mediterranean forest and the arid subtropical shrublands of the southeastern Iberian Peninsula, humans have transformed habitat since ancient times. Understanding the role of the original mosaic landscapes in wildlife species and the effects of the current changes as pine forest plantations, performed even outside the forest ecological boundaries, are important conservation issues. We studied variation in the density of the endangered spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in three areas that include the four most common land types within the species’ range (pine forests, natural shrubs, dryland crop fields, and abandoned crop fields). Tortoise densities were estimated using a two-stage modeling approach with line transect distance sampling. Densities in dryland crop fields, abandoned crop fields and natural shrubs were higher (>6 individuals/ha) than in pine forests (1.25 individuals/ha). We also found large variation in density in the pine forests. Recent pine plantations showed higher densities than mature pine forests where shrub and herbaceous cover was taller and thicker. We hypothesize that mature pine forest might constrain tortoise activity by acting as partial barriers to movements. This issue is relevant for management purposes given that large areas in the tortoise’s range have recently been converted to pine plantations.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Fast Biofilm Penetration and Anti-PAO1 Activity of Nebulized Azithromycin in Nanoarchaeosomes

Azithromycin (AZ) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with anti-inflammatory and antiquorum sensing activity against biofilm forming bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AZ administered by oral or parenteral routes, however, neither efficiently accesses nor remains in therapeutic doses inside pulmonary biofilm depths. Instead, inhaled nanocarriers loaded with AZ may revert the problem of low accessibility and permanence of AZ into biofilms, enhancing its antimicrobial activity. The first inhalable nanovesicle formulation of AZ, nanoarchaeosome-AZ (nanoARC-AZ), is here presented. NanoARC prepared with total polar archaeolipids (TPAs), rich in 2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycero-1-phospho-(3′-sn-glycerol-1′-methylphosphate) (PGP-Me) from Halorubrum tebenquichense archaebacteria, consisted of ∼180 nm-diameter nanovesicles, loaded with 0.28 w/w AZ/TPA. NanoARC-AZ displayed lower minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration, higher preformed biofilm disruptive, and anti-PAO1 activity in biofilms than AZ. NanoARC penetrated and disrupted the structure of the PAO1 biofilm within only 1 h. Two milliliters of 15 μg/mL AZ nanoARC-AZ nebulized for 5 min rendered AZ doses compatible with in vitro antibacterial activity. The strong association between AZ and the nanoARC bilayer, combined with electrostatic attraction and trapping into perpendicular methyl groups of archaeolipids, as determined by Laurdan fluorescence anisotropy, generalized polarization, and small-angle X-ray scattering, was critical to stabilize during storage and endure shear forces of nebulization. NanoARC-AZ was noncytotoxic on A549 cells and human THP-1-derived macrophages, deserving further preclinical exploration as enhancers of AZ anti-PAO1 activity.Fil: Altube, María Julia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Melina María Belén. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Malheiros, Barbara. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Maffía, Paulo C.. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; ArgentinaFil: Barbosa, Leandro R. S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Morilla, María José. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Eder Lilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentin

Predation impact on threatened spur-thighed tortoises by golden eagles when main prey is scarce

A reduction in adult survival in long-living species may compromise population growth rates. The spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a long-lived reptile that is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), whose breeding habitats overlap that of tortoises, may predate them by dropping them onto rocks and breaking their carapaces. In SE Spain, the number of golden eagles has increased in the last decades and the abundance of their main prey (i.e., rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus) has decreased. Our aims were to 1) describe the role of tortoises in golden eagles’ diet, and 2) estimate the predation impact of golden eagles on tortoises in eagles’ territories and in the regional tortoise population. We collected regurgitated pellets and prey remains under eagle nests and roosts, and obtained information on tortoise abundance and population structure and rabbit abundance. We found that tortoises were an alternative prey to rabbits, so that eagles shifted to the former where the latter were scarce. The average predation rate on tortoises was very low at the two studied scales. However, eagles showed a marked selection for adult female tortoises, which led the tortoise sex ratio to be biased towards males in those eagle territories with higher tortoise predation. Whether this may compromise the spur-thighed tortoise long-term population viability locally deserves further attention.Much information on the spur-thighed tortoise populations and the regional abundance model was obtained with Projects CGL2012-33536 and CGL2015-64144 funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and the European Regional Development Fund, Grant PID2019-105682RA-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and AICO/2021/145 funded by the Regional Valencian Government. MM was supported by a Ramón y Cajal research contract from MINECO (RYC-2015-19231), MCM by a pre-doctoral grant of the Spanish Ministry of Science (FPU1700633), and RCRC by a postdoctoral grant funded by the Regional Valencian Government (APOSTD/2020/090) and by the European Union-Next Generation EU in the Maria Zambrano Program (ZAMBRANO 21-26). The Dirección General de Gestión del Medio Natural of Andalusian Government (SGB/FOA/AFR) and the Dirección General de Medio Natural of the Murcia Region authorised and facilitated the sampling of golden eagle territories (AUF20140061) and the spur-thighed tortoise populations (SGYB/AF/DBP, SGYB/AFR/DBP, AUF20160056, AUF20140057)

Bionanocompósito à base de resíduo de levedura e magnetita : síntese, caracterização e aplicação na sorção de Cu(II) em meio aquoso

Um biossorvente preparado com resíduos de levedura impregnados com nanopartículas de magnetita foi sintetizado, caraterizado e aplicado na sorção de íons Cu(II) em meio aquoso. Este subproduto da indústria sucroalcooleira foi utilizado devido à sua abundância, baixo valor agregado, e à presença de diversos sítios ativos em sua superfície, tornando-o uma alternativa viável para descontaminação de efluentes. O material nanomodificado (NPM) foi obtido pelo método de coprecipitação, no qual sais de Fe(II) e Fe(III) foram titulados com NH4OH. Após a síntese, a impregnação de magnetita sobre a levedura (BL) foi conduzida adicionando-se esta biomassa na suspensão de NPMs, sob aquecimento e agitação constantes, para formação do bionanocompósito, BL-NPM. Este, assim como BL e NPM puros, foram caracterizados pelas técnicas DRX, FTIR e MEV. Os testes de sorção de Cu(II) com BL, NPM e BL-NPM foram conduzidos em batelada. Nestes, após agitação, houve a separação de fases da mistura Cu(II)-biossorvente para análise do sobrenadante e determinação de Cu por FAAS. Os modelos isotérmicos de Langmuir, Freundlich e Dubinin-Radushkevich foram ajustados aos dados experimentais, e mostraram que a sorção entre biossorvente e Cu(II) foi favorável para todos os materiais, onde NPM e BL apresentaram afinidades semelhantes por Cu(II), e BL-NPM melhor adsorveu o analito. A caracterização por DRX permitiu a determinação das estruturas cristalinas dos nanomateriais, em contraste com a estrutura amorfa de BL. Os espectros de FTIR entre 4000 e 400 cm−1, indicaram a presença de bandas de N–H, C–H, C=O, N–O, O–H, C–C, e Fe-O (para os nanomateriais). Através das imagens de MEV, 7000X, foi possível verificar a eficiência de síntese de BL-NPM por impregnação de NPM em BL.Fil: José, Julia C. . Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos (Brasil).Fil: Debs, Karina. B.. Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos (Brasil).Fil: Labuto, Geórgia. Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos (Brasil).Fil: Carrilho, Elma. N. V. M.. Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos (Brasil)