Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial support of zebra mussels and the Hudson River food web: A multi‐isotope, Bayesian analysis

The Hudson River is a strongly heterotrophic system in which the invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) comprises >90% of total metazoan biomass. Using a Bayesian mixing model, with isotope ratios of C, N, and H, and four basal resources (phytoplankton, benthic algae, submersed aquatic vegetation [SAV], and terrestrial inputs), we estimated the reliance of 10 consumers on each resource. Copepods, Bosmina, and herring (Alosa aestivalis) relied 40–60% on phytoplankton primary production; amphipods and young‐of‐year white perch (Morone spp.) relied heavily on benthic algae (50–60%). Terrestrial detritus was an important resource for oligochaetes, zebra mussels, chironomids, and Bosmina sp. , for which median estimates of reliance were between 40% and 60%. The dual reliance of zebra mussels on terrestrial detritus and phytoplankton production, combined with their high biomass, along with the significant terrestrial support of several other consumers, indicates that terrestrial detritus supports a significant portion of the Hudson River food web. Nonetheless, given that particulate and dissolved organic matter pools are heavily dominated (60–80%) by terrestrial detritus, it is clear that selectivity by consumers for autochthonous organic matter is generally high. Despite its large biomass and productivity, we did not find strong evidence for support of the food web by SAV.
Nutritional gains of underprivileged children attending a day care center in S.Paulo City, Brazil: a nine month follow-up study

The efficacy of a well-operated day care center in providing better nutrition to poor children in Brazil was assessed. We collected data for 9 months from 180 under-five children attending a day care center located in a slum. Every working day each child received at least 100% of the age-group recommended dietary allowances plus iron fortified milk and, every six months, treatment for helminth infections. Statistical analyses were restricted to the 168 children (93%) who had measurements from at least five months. As outcome variables, weight-for-height, height-for-age, and weight-for-age Z scores were dichotomized so that a Z score < -1 indicated a child was at risk of malnutrition. We examined the proportion of children at nutritional risk in each month and used multivariate statistical techniques to adjust for confounding and to account for intra-subject correlation. The percentage of children at nutritional risk decreased over time, from 10.1% to 3.4% for weight for height, 29.8% to 15.2 % for weight for age, and from 50.0% to 44.8% for height for age. Most of the reduction took place between the third and fourth months of enrollment. The correlated data models for the three dichotomized outcomes showed a two to three-fold reduction in the occurrence of wasting and underweight. We concluded that attendance to well-operated daycare protects against nutritional risk, and approximately four months are required for a benefit to be seen.
An Assessment of the Impact of the Teachers’ Professional Development Programme under Lagos “Eko” Secondary Education Project in Lagos State

This study was designed to assess the impact of the Teachers’ Professional Development Programme (TPDP) under Lagos “Eko” Secondary Education Project in Lagos State. Survey research design was adopted for this study. Simple random sampling was used in selecting 240 teachers from six secondary schools in Education District IV. The instrument used for data collection was the “Eko” Project Teachers’ Professional Development Programme Questionnaire (EPTPDP). The reliability co-efficient of the instrument was 0.82. Five research questions and four research hypotheses were raised and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data collected was analysed using simple percentage, independent t- test and ANOVA. The result showed that teachers’ in Lagos state public secondary schools benefitted from the various Professional programmes they were exposed to Under the Lagos “Eko” secondary education project (LESEP). Further more the result showed that age, gender, educational qualification and years of teaching experience had no significant influence on the benefits derived by teachers’ from the Professional Development Programmes. The researcher recommends that there should be continuous exposure of teachers’ in Lagos State public schools to Professional Development Programme, as this will equip them with Knowledge, skills, strategies and methodology necessary in the teaching- learning process. This may lead to continuous improvement in the academic performance of students in Public Secondary School in Lagos State. Key words : Professional status, Professional Development, Training programmes, “Eko” project, Secondary School, Education.
The Effects Of Video Frame Delay And Spatial Ability On The Operation Of Multiple Semiautonomous And Tele-operated Robots

The United States Army has moved into the 21st century with the intent of redesigning not only the force structure but also the methods by which we will fight and win our nation’s wars. Fundamental in this restructuring is the development of the Future Combat Systems (FCS). In an effort to minimize exposure of front line soldiers the future Army will utilize unmanned assets for both information gathering and when necessary engagements. Yet this must be done judiciously, as the bandwidth for net-centric warfare is limited. The implication is that the FCS must be designed to leverage bandwidth in a manner that does not overtax computational resources. In this study alternatives for improving human performance during operation of teleoperated and semi-autonomous robots were examined. It was predicted that when operating both types of robots, frame delay of the semi-autonomous robot would improve performance because it would allow operators to concentrate on the constant workload imposed by the teleoperated while only allocating resources to the semi-autonomous during critical tasks. An additional prediction was that operators with high spatial ability would perform better than those with low spatial ability, especially when operating an aerial vehicle. The results can not confirm that frame delay has a positive effect on operator performance, though power may have been an issue, but clearly show that spatial ability is a strong predictor of performance on robotic asset control, particularly with aerial vehicles. In operating the UAV, the high spatial group was, on average, 30% faster, lazed 12% more targets, and made 43% more location reports than the low spatial group. The implications of this study indicate that system design should judiciously manage workload and capitalize on individual ability to improve performance and are relevant to system designers, especially in the military community.
Study of Consumer Education in Bogor, Indonesia

Consumer education leads to better consumer decisions mainly regarding with consumers’ right and compulsory. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of demografi, socio-economic and cosmopoliteness characteristics on the intensity of consumer education. This research applied the survey method that took place in eight villages of four sub districts of district and city of Bogor. Respondents were 320 housewifes. The statistical analysis used independent sample t - test, and multiple linear regression. The study concluded that between urban and rural areas, demographic characteristics (age and family size) did not significantly differ, whereas socio-economic characteristics (income and education) and cosmopoliteness were significantly differ. In term of the intensity of consumer education, the frequency and media of consumer education were significantly different, while the clarity of the material of consumer education was not significantly different. In general, respondents with higher education levels and more cosmopolite would increase the intensity of consumer education either on the frequency, the media and the clarity of materials of consumer education. Otherwise, the higher familiy members would reduced the clarity of consumer education materials. The younger respondents, would increase the intensity of consumer education.
Antarctic temperature and CO 2 : near-synchrony yet variable phasing during the last deglaciation

The last deglaciation, which occurred from 18 000 to 11 000 years ago, is the most recent large natural climatic variation of global extent. With accurately dated paleoclimate records, we can investigate the timings of related variables in the climate system during this major transition. Here, we use an accurate relative chronology to compare temperature proxy data and global atmospheric CO2 as recorded in Antarctic ice cores. In addition to five regional records, we compare a δ18O stack, representing Antarctic climate variations with the high-resolution robustly dated WAIS Divide CO2 record (West Antarctic Ice Sheet). We assess the CO2 and Antarctic temperature phase relationship using a stochastic method to accurately identify the probable timings of changes in their trends. Four coherent changes are identified for the two series, and synchrony between CO2 and temperature is within the 95 % uncertainty range for all of the changes except the end of glacial termination 1 (T1). During the onset of the last deglaciation at 18 ka and the deglaciation end at 11.5 ka, Antarctic temperature most likely led CO2 by several centuries (by 570 years, within a range of 127 to 751 years, 68 % probability, at the T1 onset; and by 532 years, within a range of 337 to 629 years, 68 % probability, at the deglaciation end). At 14.4 ka, the onset of the Antarctic Cold Reversal (ACR) period, our results do not show a clear lead or lag (Antarctic temperature leads by 50 years, within a range of −137 to 376 years, 68 % probability). The same is true at the end of the ACR (CO2 leads by 65 years, within a range of 211 to 117 years, 68 % probability). However, the timings of changes in trends for the individual proxy records show variations from the stack, indicating regional differences in the pattern of temperature change, particularly in the WAIS Divide record at the onset of the deglaciation; the Dome Fuji record at the deglaciation end; and the EDML record after 16 ka (EPICA Dronning Maud Land, where EPICA is the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica). In addition, two changes – one at 16 ka in the CO2 record and one after the ACR onset in three of the isotopic temperature records – do not have high-probability counterparts in the other record. The likely-variable phasing we identify testify to the complex nature of the mechanisms driving the carbon cycle and Antarctic temperature during the deglaciation.
Investigation of the effect of life skill training on attitude towards substance abuse in sirjan city high school students

Objectives: The present research investigated the effect of life skills training on attitude towards substance abuse in sirjan city high school students. Methods:The sample of this research includes ٤٠ boy students (٢٠ experimental, ٢٠ control) from one high school by using random selection sampling method. They pre tested and then choose experimental group by the scores of pretest. Experimental group have been thought life skills along one month in ٨ sessions, but the control group received no variable. Finding:At the end, both of them were post tested by using addiction attitude measuring scale (form B). Discussion: The data were analyzed by applying covariance test and t test. The result indicated that life skills training are effective in changing student’s attitudes towards substance abuse.
An exploration of school improvement theory and practice in secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago

This paper outlines an ongoing study which explores school improvement (SI) theory and practice in the secondary school sector in the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Interest in conducting this study derived firstly from a desire to see genuine improvement in student outcomes and organizational conditions in schools, and an increase in the life chances of each student in Trinidad and Tobago. Secondly, it derived from a concern about the impact of the wide spread educational policy changes currently taking place in Trinidad and Tobago, which have drawn on foreign models, some of which are documented failures, and thirdly, because of the paucity of SI literature related to Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region.
SCALING RELATIONS FOR GALAXIES PRIOR TO REIONIZATION

The first galaxies in the universe are the building blocks of all observed galaxies. We present scaling relations for galaxies forming at redshifts z ⩾ 15 when reionization is just beginning. We utilize the “Rarepeak” cosmological radiation hydrodynamics simulation that captures the complete star formation history in over 3300 galaxies, starting with massive Population III stars that form in dark matter halos as small as ∼106 M☉. We make various correlations between the bulk halo quantities, such as virial, gas, and stellar masses and metallicities and their respective accretion rates, quantifying a variety of properties of the first galaxies up to halo masses of 109 M☉. Galaxy formation is not solely relegated to atomic cooling halos with virial temperatures greater than 104 K, where we find a dichotomy in galaxy properties between halos above and below this critical mass scale. Halos below the atomic cooling limit have a stellar mass–halo mass relationship log M⋆ ≃ 3.5 + 1.3log (Mvir/107 M☉). We find a non-monotonic relationship between metallicity and halo mass for the smallest galaxies. Their initial star formation events enrich the interstellar medium and subsequent star formation to a median of 10−2 Z☉ and 10−1.5 Z☉, respectively, in halos of total mass 107 M☉, which is then diluted by metal-poor inflows well beyond Population III pre-enrichment levels of 10−3.5 Z☉. The scaling relations presented here can be employed in models of reionization, galaxy formation, and chemical evolution in order to consider these galaxies forming prior to reionization.
Oun, Hatem and Kennedy, Andrew R. (2014) Experimental investigation of pressure-drop characteristics across multi-layer porous metal

This study investigates the effect of airflow (in the range of 0-70 m s) on the pressuredrop characteristics for a novel multi-layered, nickel-based porous metal, as a function of thickness (affected by sectioning) and density (affected by compression). In addition to generating unique data for these materials, the study highlights the need for precise pinpointing of the different flow regimes (Darcy, Forchheimer and Turbulent) in order to enable accurate determination of the permeability (K) and form drag coefficient (C) defined by the Forchheimer equation and to understand the complex dependence of length-normalised pressure drop on sample thickness.
Elevational controls of lichen communities in Zanskar valley, Ladakh, a Trans Himalayan cold desert

Elevation linked climatic factors such as temperature, moisture, radiation and precipitation delimit the distribution of organisms. Effect of elevation was studied on lichen diversity in seven spatially separated sites of Zanskar valley, in Ladakh region of Indian Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir. The study revealed presence of 24 species, of lichens in the valley belonging to 12 genera and 10 families. Microlichens (crustose, placodioid, squamulose) were the dominant growth forms in all the studied sites. Acarospora badiofusca and Xanthoria elegans were the most common species in the valley. The study revealed presence of one new record for the state (i.e. Endocarpon pallidum) and there new Toninia species to the lichen flora of India. Principal component analysis (PCA) of sites and further two tailed bivariate correlational analysis concluded the determinable influence of elevation on the lichen diversity of the valley.
Hades experiment probing baryonic matter at SIS18 overview of results

HADES experiment at GSI is the only high precision experiment probing nuclear matter in the beam energy range of a few AGeV. Pion, proton and ion beams are used to study rare dielectron and strangeness probes to diagnose properties of strongly interacting matter in this energy regime. Selected results from p + A and A + A collisions are presented and discussed.
A Focus on Selection for Fixation

A computational explanation of how visual attention, interpretation of visual stimuli, and eye movements combine to produce visual behavior, seems elusive. Here, we focus on one component: how selection is accomplished for the next fixation. The popularity of saliency map models drives the inference that this is solved, but we argue otherwise. We provide arguments that a cluster of complementary, conspicuity representations drive selection, modulated by task goals and history, leading to a hybrid process that encompasses early and late attentional selection. This design is also constrained by the architectural characteristics of the visual processing pathways. These elements combine into a new strategy for computing fixation targets and a first simulation of its performance is presented. A sample video of this performance can be found by clicking on the "Supplementary Files" link under the "Article Tools" heading.
Top-down or shared leadership? Examining differences in athlete leadership behaviours based on leadership status in sport

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in athlete leadership behaviours based on one's athlete leader status. Intercollegiate athletes (N = 299) self-identified their leadership status (i.e., formal leader, informal leader, follower) and rated the frequency of their own leadership behaviours. Results revealed that formal athlete leaders engaged in Training and Instruction more often than informal athlete leaders; with informal athlete leaders reporting higher frequencies than followers. Further, formal and informal athlete leaders reported engaging in Social Support more often than followers. These findings provide preliminary evidence of a top-down approach to leadership among athletes. No differences were found for Democratic Behaviour and Positive Feedback, suggesting that athlete leadership also is distributed among teammates. Results highlight important practical implications for sport practitioners in regard to athlete leader development.
Human capital and SME internationalization: a structural equation modeling study

This study uses a structural equation modeling technique to predict the internationalization of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) from the entrepreneur's human capital (dimensions: international business skills, international orientation, environmental perception, and management know-how). While international orientation and environmental risk perception predicted internationalization, international business skills and management know-how did not. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed. Copyright © 2007 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging extended emission-line regions of obscured AGN with the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey

Narrow-line regions excited by active galactic nuclei (AGN) are important for studying AGN photoionization and feedback. Their strong [O III] lines can be detected with broadband images, allowing morphological studies of these systems with large-area imaging surveys. We develop a new technique to reconstruct the [O III] images using the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Survey aided with spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The technique involves a careful subtraction of the galactic continuum to isolate emission from the [O III]$\lambda$5007 and [O III]$\lambda$4959 lines. Compared to traditional targeted observations, this technique is more efficient at covering larger samples with less dedicated observational resources. We apply this technique to an SDSS spectroscopically selected sample of 300 obscured AGN at redshifts 0.1 - 0.7, uncovering extended emission-line region candidates with sizes up to tens of kpc. With the largest sample of uniformly derived narrow-line region sizes, we revisit the narrow-line region size-luminosity relation. The area and radii of the [O III] emission-line regions are strongly correlated with the AGN luminosity inferred from the mid-infrared (15 $\mu$m rest-frame) with a power-law slope of $0.62^{+0.05}_{-0.06} \pm 0.10$ (statistical and systemic errors), consistent with previous spectroscopic findings. We discuss the implications for the physics of AGN emission-line region and future applications of this technique, which should be useful for current and next-generation imaging surveys to study AGN photoionization and feedback with large statistical samples.
Recycling Used Pure Water Sachets and Their Blends With Waste Coconut Shells As Carbon Resources in Iron Making

ABSTRACTRecycling postconsumer plastics is currently a huge environmental headache globally. In Ghana, several thousands of tonnes of used pure water sachets are daily discarded indiscriminately. In this work the production of metallic iron from iron oxide using blends of used pure water sachets (PWS) and coconut shells (cocos nucifera) as reducing agent have been performed through experiments conducted in a horizontal tube furnace. Composite pellets were formed from mixtures of iron oxide and carbonaceous materials consisting of chars of coconut shells (CNS), PWS and three blends of CNS-PWS. The iron oxide-carbonaceous material composites were heated very rapidly in a laboratory scale horizontal tube furnace at 1500°C in a continuous stream of pure argon and the off gas was analysed continuously using an infrared (IR) gas analyser and a gas chromatographic (GC) analyser equipped with a thermal conductivity detector (TCD). Elemental analyses of samples of the reduced metal were performed chemically for its carbon and oxygen contents using a LECO carbon/sulphur and LECO oxygen/nitrogen analysers, respectively. The extent of reduction after ten minutes and the level of carburisation were determined for each carbonaceous reductant. The results indicate that metallic iron can be produced effectively from iron oxides using CNS, PWS and blends of these carbonaceous materials as reductants. It was revealed that the extent of reduction improved significantly when CNS was blended with PWS. The results also revealed that blending of the carbonaceous materials has a beneficial effect on the environment through decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.Keywords: Recycling, Sachets, Waste, Coconut shells, Iron making
The Examination of the Ability of Earnings and Cash Flow in Predicting Future Cash Flows: Application to the Tunisian Context

This research aims to test the ability of accounting earnings versus cash flows to predict future cash flows in the Tunisian context. The study sample consists of 37 companies listed on the Tunisian financial market for the period 1998-2012. In this study, we provide evidence of the ability of accounting earnings and cash flows to predict cash flow for one and two subsequent years. The results show that for simple models whose variables of prediction is one or two years of delay, it is the operating cash flows that have the most interesting predictive capacity. However, for multi-year models, accounting earnings is most relevant in terms of predictive power of future cash flows.