Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining Seasonal Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ground-Level Area Sources in a Dairy Operation in Central Texas

ABSTRACT Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural production operations are recognized as an important air quality issue. A new technique following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method TO-14A was used to measure GHG emissions from ground-level area sources (GLAS) in a free-stall dairy operation in central Texas. The objective of this study was to quantify and report GHG emission rates (ERs) from the dairy during the summer and winter using this protocol. A weeklong sampling was performed during each season. A total of 75 and 66 chromatograms of air samples were acquired from six delineated GLAS (loafing pen, walkway, barn, silage pile, settling basin, and lagoon) of the same dairy during summer and winter, respectively. Three primary GHGs—methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O)—were identified from the dairy operation during the sampling periods. The estimated overall ERs for CH4, CO2, and N2O during the summer for this dairy were 274, 6005, and 7.96 g head−1day−1, respectively. During the winter, the estimated overall CH4, CO2, and N2O ERs were 52, 7471, and 3.59 g head−1day−1, respectively. The overall CH4 and N2O ERs during the summer were approximately 5.3 and 2.2 times higher than those in the winter for the free-stall dairy. These seasonal variations were likely due to fluctuations in ambient temperature, dairy manure loading rates, and manure microbial activity of GLAS. The annualized ERs for CH4, CO2, and N2O for this dairy were estimated to be 181, 6612, and 6.13 g head−1day−1, respectively. Total GHG emissions calculated for this dairy with 500 cows were 2250 t of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year. IMPLICATIONS The agricultural sector, especially concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) contribute a considerable amount of GHGs to the atmosphere. To develop abatement strategies to reduce GHG emissions, it is important to learn to collect, analyze, verify, and report real data on actual emissions. Therefore, there is a need for a robust and accurate technique/protocol to measure GHGs from CAFOs. It is important to obtain direct estimates of GHG emissions from different GLAS in CAFOs to compile emission inventories and to develop GLAS-specific abatement strategies.
Small Schools: Size or Community?

Small schools are not just about size. They are also about authentic instruction, portfolio evaluation, and a thematic curriculum. Their agendas overlap with that of charter schools. They have an uncomfortable and sometimes adversarial relationship with standards, accountability, and the No Child Left Behind Act. They have migrated from their beginnings in Barker and Gump’s (1964) work on rural schools to become a significant factor in urban school reform. They face two major hurdles. The first is scaling up. Small reform movements can survive on exemptions from prevailing policy. Large reform movements need institutional change. The second is that as an enterprise becomes popular it runs the risks of co‐option and confusion. I argue that small school advocates need to work hard to maintain clarity about what is central to the movement. And I suggest that what should be central is an emphasis on creating community, not school size per se.
Detecting Abnormalities in Colonoscopic Images by Textural Description and Neural Networks

In this paper the performance of a simple scheme for the discrimination of different texture regions in colonoscopic images is investigated. The proposed scheme uses textural descriptors based on second order gray level statistics and employs a multilayer feedforward neural network to discriminate among normal and cancer regions. Preliminary results indicate that this scheme is capable of detecting abnormalities within the same image with high accuracy. It can be also successfully applied on different images to detect abnormalities that belong to different cancer types.
Dynamic Trajectory Generation for Spatially Constrained Mechanical Systems Using Harmonic Potential Fields

The harmonic potential field (HPF) approach to motion planning is shown to provide an efficient and provably-correct basis for building intelligent, context-sensitive, and goal-oriented controllers. In the paper by the author (2006) a novel type of dampening forces called: nonlinear, anisotropic, dampening forces (NADFs) are used to convert the guidance signal from an HPF into a navigation control signal with verifiable capabilities. This work provides two extensions of the NADF approach. The first is a blind, iterative procedure that can totally cancel the steady state error. The other extension is concerned with the nonholonomic case. Theoretical developments and simulation results are provided.
The Impacts of the Presence of the Cultural Dimension in Schools on Teachers and Artists.

Several governments throughout the world promote cultural partnership programs as a means of enriching the school curriculum. How do such programs affect teachers and artists? What meaning do they give to the presence of the cultural dimension in schools? To answer these questions, I examined the content of twelve semi-structured interviews (n=12) conducted with teachers and artists within a sociology of justification theoretical framework. The findings suggest that cultural partnerships between teachers and artists enabled them to experience happiness and satisfaction as well as to learn from each other. Cultural partnerships seem to produce these effects when they involve a dialogue between teachers and artists in order to reach mutual understanding and respect. I conclude this paper by addressing the factors to consider when implementing cultural partnerships and the limitations of my study.
More similar than different: Host cell protein production using three null CHO cell lines

To understand the diversity in the cell culture harvest (i.e., feedstock) provided for downstream processing, we compared host cell protein (HCP) profiles using three Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines in null runs which did not generate any recombinant product. Despite differences in CHO lineage, upstream process, and culture performance, the cell lines yielded similar cell‐specific productivities for immunogenic HCPs. To compare the dynamics of HCP production, we searched for correlations between the time‐course profiles of HCP (as measured by multi‐analyte ELISA) and those of two intracellular HCP species, phospholipase B‐like 2 (PLBL2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Across the cell lines, proteins in the day 14 supernatants analyzed by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D‐PAGE) showed different spot patterns. However, subsequent analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) indicated otherwise: the total number of peptides and proteins identified were comparable, and 80% of the top 1,000 proteins identified were common to all three lines. Finally, to assess the impact of culture viability on extracellular HCP profiles, we analyzed supernatants from a cell line whose viability dropped after day 10. The amounts of HCP and PLBL2 (quantified by their respective ELISAs) as well as the numbers and major populations of HCPs (identified by LC‐MS/MS) were similar across days 10, 14, and 17, during which viabilities declined from ∼80% to <20% and extracellular LDH levels increased several‐fold. Our findings indicate that the CHO‐derived HCPs in the feedstock for downstream processing may not be as diverse across cell lines and upstream processes, or change as dramatically upon viability decline as originally expected. In addition, our findings show that high density CHO cultures (>107 cells/mL)—operated in fed‐batch mode and exhibiting high viabilities (>70%) throughout the culture duration—can accumulate a considerable amount of immunogenic HCP (∼1–2 g/L) in the extracellular environment at the time of harvest (day 14). This work also demonstrates the potential of using LC‐MS/MS to overcome the limitations associated with ELISA and 2D‐PAGE for HCP analysis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2068–2083. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constructing national and European identities: the case of Greek‐Cypriot pupils

The European Union’s increasing attention to social and cultural matters has been expressed through the notions of European citizenship and identity which are to be developed among children, adolescents and adults. Whether, and if so, how, children perceive a European identity to coexist with national identities is a challenging and relatively under‐studied question. This paper presents part of the findings of a study conducted in December 2000 which explored the ways in which 140 10‐year‐old Greek‐Cypriot pupils constructed their national and European identities. Results indicated that, despite positive attitudes towards Europe, pupils attributed little significance to the European identity, whereas national identities were extremely important. The discourse developed revealed essentialist and a‐historical representations of national identity, and an instrumentalist approach to Europe. Social psychological insights from self‐categorization theory are employed to explore whether the two identities were construed as in the same or different typical levels of abstraction. These findings are discussed within the broader socio‐political context of Cyprus and European integration.
Gender Bias in the Education System: Perceptions of Teacher–Student Sexual Relationships

Research on perceptions of child sexual abuse has documented gender bias favouring female perpetrators. The current study aimed to determine if previous findings into perceptions of child sexual abuse translated to perceptions of abuse of adolescent students by school teachers using a theoretical framework of attribution and gender-development theory. Randomly selected participants (86 female and 44 males) responded to a brief vignette about a student–teacher sexual relationship (male teacher/female student or female teacher/male student). Results identified a gender bias in favour of female teachers on emotional reactions of anger and desire for consequences. Female participants expressed greater anger and rated the sexual relationship as more serious than their male counterparts. Results suggest that adolescent victims were seen as relatively mature and suffering less harm than younger aged victims. Finally, results suggest that attributions made by both men and women regarding teacher–student sexual relationships were consistent with traditional gender-role stereotypes.
Population and colony structure of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus

The colony and population structure of the carpenter ant, Camponotus floridanus, were investigated by multilocus DNA fingerprinting using simple repeat motifs as probes [e.g. (GATA)4]. The mating frequency of 15 queens was determined by comparing the fingerprint patterns of the queen and 17–33 of her progeny workers. C. floridanus queens are most probably singly mated, i.e. this species is monandrous and monogynous (one queen per colony). C. floridanus occurs in all counties of mainland Florida and also inhabits most of the Key islands in the southern part of Florida. We tested whether the two mainland populations and the island populations are genetically isolated. Wright's FST and Nei's D‐value of genetic distance were calculated from intercolonial bandsharing‐coefficients. The population of C. floridanus is substructured (FST= 0.19 ± 0.09) and the highest degree of genetic distance was found between one of the mainland populations and the island populations (D= 0.35). Our fingerprinting technique could successfully be transferred to 12 other Camponotus species and here also revealed sufficient variability to analyse the genetic structure. In three of these species (C. ligniperdus, C. herculeanus and C. gigas) we could determine the mating frequency of the queen in one or two colonies, respectively.
A New Rabies Vaccine Based on a Recombinant Orf Virus (Parapoxvirus) Expressing the Rabies Virus Glycoprotein

ABSTRACT The present study describes the generation of a new Orf virus (ORFV) recombinant, D1701-V-RabG, expressing the rabies virus (RABV) glycoprotein that is correctly presented on the surface of infected cells without the need of replication or production of infectious recombinant virus. One single immunization with recombinant ORFV can stimulate high RABV-specific virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titers in mice, cats, and dogs, representing all nonpermissive hosts for the ORFV vector. The protective immune response against severe lethal challenge infection was analyzed in detail in mice using different dosages, numbers, and routes for immunization with the ORFV recombinant. Long-term levels of VNA could be elicited that remained greater than 0.5 IU per ml serum, indicative for the protective status. Single applications of higher doses (107 PFU) can be sufficient to confer complete protection against intracranial (i.c.) challenge, whereas booster immunization was needed for protection by the application of lower dosages. Anamnestic immune responses were achieved by each of the seven tested routes of inoculation, including oral application. Finally, in vivo antibody-mediated depletion of CD4-positive and/or CD8-posititve T cell subpopulations during immunization and/or challenge infection attested the importance of CD4 T cells for the induction of protective immunity by D1701-V-RabG. This report demonstrates another example of the potential of the ORFV vector and also indicates the capability of the new recombinant for vaccination of animals.
Returning to Silence, Connecting to Wholeness: Contemplative Pedagogy for Critical Social Work Education

This article introduces contemplative silence and the wholeness of being into critical social work education. It draws on in-depth interviews with students 1 year after the completion of a course to reflect on the impact of contemplative practice and mindfulness practice on the students' personal lives and critical social work practice. Students' reflection shows the power of contemplative pedagogy and mindfulness in deepening their awareness through the 5 senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. They came to embody critical reflective practice in a way that is not achieved to the same depth through conventional teaching and learning of critical practice with only the mind.
Productivity and efficiency impacts of urea deep placement technology in modern rice production: An empirical analysis from Bangladesh

Rice is the most dominant field crop in Bangladesh covering 75% of the total cultivated area and consumes 80% of the total fertilizers alone. Nevertheless, the productivity of rice in Bangladesh remains one of the lowest in the world. Urea, the main source of nitrogen (N), plays a key role in rice production, is required in large amount, is the most limited nutrient and also suffers from heavy system losses when applied in the puddle field. A worldwide crisis of urea fertilizer in 2008 spurred the need to economize on its use with urgency. The Urea Deep Placement (UDP) technology is aimed at increasing N fertilizer use efficiency in rice production and thus holds the promise to economize on the use of a very important but finite resource (i.e., urea) while improving rice productivity. The present study econometrically measures the impact of recently introduced UDP technology on productivity and efficiency of modern rice cultivation at the farm-level in Bangladesh using a stochastic production frontier approach. Data were collected from Shimlagachi village in Sharsha upazilla (sub-district) of Jessore district, located 225 km southwest of capital Dhaka. A total of 100 farmers using UDP technology and another 100 farmers using conventional urea to produce rice in both Boro (dry winter) and Aman (monsoon) seasons were randomly selected. Detailed input-output data including socio-economic information of the farmers were collected through administering a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted during May-June 2013. Results reveal that net profit, productivity and technical efficiency are significantly higher for the farmers using UDP technology as compared with the conventional urea users. On average, productivity of UDP farmers is 13% higher (estimated at 7164 kg/ha and 5242 kg/ha for Boro and Aman seasons, respectively) than the conventional urea users. Profitability is also higher for UDP farmers (BCR estimated at 1.36 and 1.08 for Boro and Aman seasons, respectively) than the conventional urea users (BCR estimated at 1.17 and 0.99 for Boro and Aman seasons, respectively). Finally, technical efficiency is 12% higher (estimated at 0.93) for the UDP farmers. However, the relative gain from UDP technology adoption is significantly higher in Boro season as compared with Aman season. The key policy conclusion is that the UDP technology should be disseminated widely with urgency so that Bangladesh can improve its food security by significantly increasing rice productivity while at the same time economize on the use of N fertilizer nutrient.
Friendship and Alcohol Use in Early Adolescence: A Multilevel Social Network Approach

This study applies multilevel social network analytic techniques to examine processes of homophilic selection and social influence related to alcohol use among friends in early adolescence. Participants included 3,041 Dutch youth (M age =12 years, 49% female) from 120 classrooms in 14 schools. Three waves with 3-month intervals of friendship nomination data and self-reports of drinking behavior were collected. Results revealed that within classrooms, friendship nominations tended to be reciprocated and dyadic friendships tended to be embedded within cohesive subgroups (e.g., cliques). Students tended to nominate friends who were the same sex, from a similar ethnic background, and who they previously knew from primary school. Selection processes turned out to play a more significant role than social influence processes in predicting similarity between early adolescent friends' alcohol use. Although friendship dynamics and individual drinking trajectories substantially differed between classrooms, the effects of homophilic selection and social influence did not.
A Methodology for Measuring the Financial Vulnerability of Charitable Nonprofit Organizations

This article defines a charitable nonprofit organization as financially vulnerable if it is likely to cut service offerings immediately when a financial shock occurs. It discusses why the vulnerability of the nonprofit sector is of interest to researchers, explores the destabilizing role of third-party finance, considers the reasons for the lack of research on vulnerability, and presents a conceptual framework for identifying finan cially vulnerable nonprofits. Four vulnerability criteria are defined and applied to a 1983 national sample of tax returns filed by 4,730 U.S. charitable nonprofits. The financial data of at-risk organizations are then analyzed to discern the characteristics of vulnerable and other nonprofit organizations.
Threshold and Hausdorff Spectrum of Discontinuous Measures

Let χ be a finite Borel measure on [0, 1]. Consider the L-spectrum of χ: τχ(q) = lim infn→∞−n logb P Q∈Gn, χ(Q) 6=0 χ(Q) , where Gn is the set of b-adic cubes of generation n. Let qτ = inf{q : τχ(q) = 0} and Hτ = τ ′ χ(q − τ ). When χ is a mono-dimensional continuous measure of information dimension D, (qτ , Hτ ) = (1, D). When χ is purely discontinuous, its information dimension is D = 0, but the non-trivial pair (qτ , Hτ ) may contain relevant information on the distribution of χ. The connection between (qτ , Hτ ) and the large deviations spectrum of χ is studied in a companion paper. This paper shows that when a discontinuous measure χ possesses self-similarity properties, the pair (qτ , Hτ ) may store the main multifractal properties of χ, in particular the Hausdorff spectrum. This is observed thanks to a threshold performed on χ.
Russian students’ participation in and perceptions of a season of Sport Education

This study examined the participation and perceptions of a cohort of sixth-grade Russian students as they participated in a season of basketball that followed a Sport Education format. Thirty-seven students from two classes completed 18-lesson seasons. Throughout the initial skills practice sessions and practice games, as well as the formal competition phase, students of both genders and skill levels spent most of their lesson time actively engaged in motor tasks. The students also demonstrated significant competence in the officiating and coaching roles associated with the season. In interviews during and following the season, the students commented that they found the season to be particularly interesting, that they enjoyed having student coaches and that they developed significant team affiliation. Questionnaire data confirmed that students believed they had made significant gains in their skill and understanding of basketball. These findings are discussed within the context of self-determination theory.
Effects of captopril, telmisartan and bardoxolone methyl (CDDO‐Me) in ischemia‐reperfusion‐induced acute kidney injury in rats: an experimental comparative study

Renal ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) injury is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury. This study investigated the effects of captopril (CAP), telmisartan (TEL) and bardoxolone methyl (BM) in animals with renal IR injury. Adult male Wistar–Albino rats were divided into six groups: control, vehicle, IR, IR with CAP, IR with TEL and IR with BM. Before IR was induced, drugs were administered by oral gavage. After a 60‐min ischemia and a 120‐min reperfusion period, bilateral nephrectomies were performed. Serum urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels, tissue total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), total thiol (TT), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity were measured. Tissue mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐ɣ (PPAR‐ɣ), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) were analyzed. In addition, renal tissues were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. All tested drugs reduced renal damage, apoptosis, urea, creatinine, NGAL, TOS, nitric oxide (NO) and ADMA levels, NF‐κB, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) expressions (P < 0.001). All tested drugs increased SOD activity, GSH‐Px activity, TAS levels, TT levels, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs) expression, Nrf2 expression and PPAR‐ɣ expression (P < 0.001, P < 0.003). These results suggest that CAP, TEL and BM pretreatment could reduce renal IR injury via anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects.