Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential role of finite element model of abdominal aortic aneurysm in clinical decision making

Uvod: Smatra se da ruptura AAA nastaje kao posledica poremećaja ravnoteže između najvećeg napona u zidu i jačine zida. Model konačnih elemenata (MKE) daje podatke o regionalnoj raspodeli napona u zidu AAA kao i o mestu najvećeg napona u zidu (peak wall stressPWS), kao preciznijeg prediktora rupture. Cilj: Ispitivanje učestalosti promene odluke o tretmanu AAA kod pacijenata kod kojih su korišćeni MKE i paramateri biomehaničke analize, kao preciznija metoda za utvrđivanje rizika od rupture AAA. Materijal i metode: Istraživanje je sprovedeno u vidu prospektivne studije koja je obuhvatila 48 bolesnika sa asimptomatskom AAA. Analizom konačnih elemenata određeni su specifični anatomski i biomehanički parametri. Na taj način omogućeno je definisanje lokalizacije najvećeg napona u zidu i dijametra aorte, parijetalnog tromba u nivou najvećeg napona kao i vrednosti maksimalno izmerenog dijametra (MD) i dijametra ekvivalentnog riziku od rupture (DERR). Rezultati: Kod 20 pacijenata (41,67%) bi potencijalno došlo do promene odluke o načinu lečenja AAA na osnovu vrednosti DERR, kao preciznijeg prediktora rupture. U okviru njih, 16 pacijenata (80%) ne bi bilo podvrgnuto operativnom lečenju, budući da je njihov DERR bio manji od graničnih 55 mm. Kod preostala 4 pacijenta (20%), AAA bi potencijalno bile operativno tretirane, jer je njihov DERR bio veći od graničnih 55 mm. Zaključak: Kod 41,67% pacijenata koji su bili deo naše studije došlo bi do promene odluke o tretmanu aneurizme abdominalne aorte (AAA).
Community‐Derived Standards for LA‐ICP‐MS U‐(Th‐)Pb Geochronology – Uncertainty Propagation, Age Interpretation and Data Reporting

The LA‐ICP‐MS U‐(Th‐)Pb geochronology international community has defined new standards for the determination of U‐(Th‐)Pb ages. A new workflow defines the appropriate propagation of uncertainties for these data, identifying random and systematic components. Only data with uncertainties relating to random error should be used in weighted mean calculations of population ages; uncertainty components for systematic errors are propagated after this stage, preventing their erroneous reduction. Following this improved uncertainty propagation protocol, data can be compared at different uncertainty levels to better resolve age differences. New reference values for commonly used zircon, monazite and titanite reference materials are defined (based on ID‐TIMS) after removing corrections for common lead and the effects of excess 230Th. These values more accurately reflect the material sampled during the determination of calibration factors by LA‐ICP‐MS analysis. Recommendations are made to graphically represent data only with uncertainty ellipses at 2s and to submit or cite validation data with sample data when submitting data for publication. New data‐reporting standards are defined to help improve the peer‐review process. With these improvements, LA‐ICP‐MS U‐(Th‐)Pb data can be considered more robust, accurate, better documented and quantified, directly contributing to their improved scientific interpretation.
Reducing Moose-Vehicle Collisions through Salt Pool Removal and Displacement: an Agent-Based Modeling Approach

Between 1990 and 2002, more than 200 moose-vehicle collisions occurred each year in Quebec, including about 50/yr in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve. One cause is the presence of roadside salt pools that attract moose near roads in the spring and summer. Using the computer simulation technique of agent-based modeling, this study investigated whether salt pool removal and displacement, i.e., a compensatory salt pool set up 100 to 1500 m away from the road shoulder, would reduce the number of moose–vehicle collisions. Moose road crossings were used as a proxy measure. A GPS (global positioning system) telemetry data set consisting of approximately 200,000 locations of 47 moose over 2 yr in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve was used as an empirical basis for the model. Twelve moose were selected from this data set and programmed in the model to forage and travel in the study area. Five parameters with an additional application of stochasticity were used to determine moose movement between forest polygons. These included food quality; cover quality, i.e., protection from predators and thermal stress; proximity to salt pools; proximity to water; and slope. There was a significant reduction in road crossings when either all or two thirds of the roadside salt pools were removed, with and/or without salt pool displacement. With 100% salt pool removal, the reduction was greater (49%) without compensatory salt pools than with them (18%). When two thirds of the salt pools were removed, the reduction was the same with and without compensatory salt pools (16%). Although moose-vehicle collisions are not a significant mortality factor for the moose population in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, in areas with higher road densities, hunting pressure, and/or predator densities it could mean the difference between a stable and a declining population, and salt pool removal could be part of a good mitigation plan to halt population declines. This model can be used, with improvements such as spatial memory of salt pool locations and the addition of a road avoidance behavior, to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures intended to reduce moose–vehicle collisions.
Is the impact of public investment neutral across the regional income distribution? Evidence from Mexico

This paper investigates the contribution of public investment to the reduction of regional inequalities, with a specific application to Mexico. We use quantile regressions to examine the impact of public investment on regional disparities according to the position of each region in the conditional distribution of regional income. Results confirm the hypothesis that regional inequalities can indeed be attributed to the regional distribution of public investment, where the observed pattern shows that public investment mainly helped to reduce regional inequalities between the richest regions.
Adsorption Behavior of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution by the Hydrogel Composites Based on Attapulgite

A series of carboxymethyl cellulose-g-poly (acrylic acid)/attapulgite hydrogel composites were synthesized for the removal of cationic dye methylene blue. Various factors affecting the uptake behavior were investigated. Adsorption rate of the hydrogel was quite fast, and adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 30 min. Adsorption kinetics well followed the pseudo-second-order equation for all systems. The Langmuir isotherm was found to best represent the data for the dye uptake. Even when 20 wt% attapulgite was introduced into the hydrogel, the corresponding maximum adsorption capacity reached 1979.48 mg/g at 30°C. The as-prepared adsorbents exhibited excellent affinity for the dye, and can be applied to treat wastewater containing basic dyes.
Sizes and ages of SDSS ellipticals: comparison with hierarchical galaxy formation models

In a sample of about 45 700 early-type galaxies extracted from SDSS, we find that the shape, normalization and dispersion around the mean size-stellar mass relation is the same for young and old systems, provided the stellar mass is greater than 3 x 10 10 M ⊙ . This is difficult to reproduce in pure passive evolution models, which generically predict older galaxies to be much more compact than younger ones of the same stellar mass. However, this aspect of our measurements is well reproduced by hierarchical models of galaxy formation. Whereas the models predict more compact galaxies at high redshifts, subsequent minor, dry mergers increase the sizes of the more massive objects, resulting in a flat size-age relation at the present time. At lower masses, the models predict that mergers are less frequent, so that the expected anticorrelation between age and size is not completely erased. This is in good agreement with our data: below 3 x 10 10 M ⊙ , the effective radius R e is a factor of ~2 lower for older galaxies. These successes of the models are offset by the fact that the predicted sizes have other serious problems, which we discuss.
Studies on Machine-Crop Parameters of an Axial Flow Thresher for Threshing Soybean

To study the effect of machine-crop variables on the performance, a threshing unit was fabricated and tested. The same threshing unit will be used for the proposed axial flow soybean combine harvester. A pegtooth drum was used for the study. Four levels of drum speeds, three levels of feed rates and three levels of soybean moisture contents were studied. Test results indicated that the threshing efficiency varied from 98 to 100%. The grain damage and grain loss were less than 1 and 1.5% respectively at drum speeds of 600 to 700 rpm and 540 to 720 kg (plant)/h feed rates and at 14.34 to 22.77% (w.b.) seed moisture contents. The maximum power requirement was 2.29 kW at grain moisture content of 32.88% (w.b.) at a drum speed of 700 rpm. The best combination of feed rate, drum speed at 14.34% (w.b.) seed moisture content to obtain higher output capacity, threshing efficiency, lower grain damage and grain losses was 600 to 700 rpm drum speed (13.2 to 15.4 m/s) at a feed rate of 720 kg (plant)/h.
An Analysis of Iranian EFL Learners’ English Written Requestive E-mails

Electronic mail is one of the widely used medium for institutional communication particularly in academic institutions. The main focus of this study was determining requesting strategies and mitigating elements used by the Iranians’ EFL learners in English written requestive e-mails to their professors. This study also determined opening and closing strategies and supportive moves. To this aim, 61 e-mail were collected using DCT and analyzed by means of CCSARP (Cross-Cultural Speech Act Realization Pattern) coding scheme. The results showed that Iranian students, under the effect of L1 norms, used more direct strategies and to soften the force of requests they tended to use mitigating elements and pre-request supportive moves. It had been concluded that Iranian EFL students have lack of pragmatic knowledge; therefore, it is necessary to make them aware of norms of requestive e-mails written by English native speakers.
Nature of the Mesoscale Boundary Layer Height and Water Vapor Variability Observed 14 June 2002 during the IHOP_2002 Campaign

Abstract Mesoscale water vapor heterogeneities in the boundary layer are studied within the context of the International H2O Project (IHOP_2002). A significant portion of the water vapor variability in the IHOP_2002 occurs at the mesoscale, with the spatial pattern and the magnitude of the variability changing from day to day. On 14 June 2002, an atypical mesoscale gradient is observed, which is the reverse of the climatological gradient over this area. The factors causing this water vapor variability are investigated using complementary platforms (e.g., aircraft, satellite, and in situ) and models. The impact of surface flux heterogeneities and atmospheric variability are evaluated separately using a 1D boundary layer model, which uses surface fluxes from the High-Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS) and early-morning atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles from a mesoscale model. This methodology, based on the use of robust modeling components, allows the authors to tackle the questio.
Biomass burning emissions in north Australia during the early dry season: an overview of the 2014 SAFIRED campaign

Abstract. The SAFIRED (Savannah Fires in the Early Dry Season) campaign took place from 29 May until 30 June 2014 at the Australian Tropical Atmospheric Research Station (ATARS) in the Northern Territory, Australia. The purpose of this campaign was to investigate emissions from fires in the early dry season in northern Australia. Measurements were made of biomass burning aerosols, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic carbons, greenhouse gases, radon, speciated atmospheric mercury and trace metals. Aspects of the biomass burning aerosol emissions investigated included; emission factors of various species, physical and chemical aerosol properties, aerosol aging, micronutrient supply to the ocean, nucleation, and aerosol water uptake. Over the course of the month-long campaign, biomass burning signals were prevalent and emissions from several large single burning events were observed at ATARS. Biomass burning emissions dominated the gas and aerosol concentrations in this region. Dry season fires are extremely frequent and widespread across the northern region of Australia, which suggests that the measured aerosol and gaseous emissions at ATARS are likely representative of signals across the entire region of north Australia. Air mass forward trajectories show that these biomass burning emissions are carried north-west over the Timor Sea and could influence the atmosphere over Indonesia and the tropical atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. Here we present characteristics of the biomass burning observed at the sampling site and provide an overview of the more specific outcomes of the SAFIRED campaign.
Causes of Bone Injuries and Patronage of Traditional Bone Setters in Maiduguri, Nigeria

The study as an opinion survey identified Road Traffic Accidents (RTA), falling from height and gunshots/matchets as the causes of bone injuries in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Injuries sustained include fracture and dislocation. Structured Interview Schedule (SIS) and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) were the instruments used to obtain data. Population of study comprised of those involved in bone injuries between January and December, 2008. The sample size of 700 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Frequency distribution and percentages were employed to analyze data. Findings of the study revealed parents/families, relatives and friends as some of the sources of decision to patronize Traditional Bone Setting (TBS) while culture, phobia for hospitalization, no amputation and less expensive were some of the reasons adduced for patronage. Based on the findings, enactment of stringent laws/bye-laws or re-enforcement of existing ones (if any), counselling and enlightenment were suggested/recommended. Keywords: Bone, Causes, Decision, Injury, Patronage, Reasons.
Simulation of Aerosol Fields over South Asia Using CHIMERE - Part-I:Spatio-Temporal Characteristics and Heterogeneity

In order to understand the regional climate implications of aerosols over Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), a major Indo-US field experiment, Ganges Valley Aerosol Experiment (GVAX) was conducted during 2011-12. Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) mobile facility (AMF) was deployed at the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain over the high-altitude site, Manora Peak, Nainital (29 degrees 21'33.84 `' N, 79 degrees 27'29.27 `' E, 1980 m amsl) in Central Himalayas, for an year-round measurement of aerosols, clouds and other climate-relevant atmospheric parameters. One of the objectives of GVAX was examining the ability of models to simulate aerosols over Indian region and validate the simulations. In part-1 of this two-part paper, we examine use of the chemical transport model `CHIMERE' to simulate aerosol fields over Indian region (4-37.5 degrees N; 67-88.5 degrees E) for multiple years (2006, 2007 and 2008) by simulating the spatial and temporal distribution of PM10, BC mass concentrations and OC/BC ratios. It is seen that the model successfully captures the broad features of the regional distribution of aerosols, including the most conspicuous IGP hotspot and its seasonality.
Novel potential of Trichoderma Spp. As biocontrol agent

Non-judicial use of noxious fungicides results into ill effects on human health and putative to environment. It has provided opportunity to device alternative control measure plan. Trichoderma specie due to its mycolytic enzyme secretions has high potential to combat with the destructive plant pathogens. It fights with competitive pathogen for space and food by stopping its activities and keeling the pathogen thus play significant role in enhancing the growth of the crops of economic importance. Various biocontrol based fungicides have been formulated and distributed globally. Present study elaborates the importance of Trichoderma spp. , its significant role as biocontrol agent and world distribution of various commercially available Trichoderma spp. based bioproducts.
A survey on security of mobile handheld devices through elliptic curve cryptography

Mobile hand-held devices find their best suited for military application, due to ability to deliver real-time voice data. Military applications demand stringent requirements in terms of data confidentiality, authentication. Security can be provided using strong encryption. There are various parameters which need to be considered such as power consumption, execution time, QOS. In this paper, analysis is done regarding various existing available papers which discuss the implementation of security methods for handheld devices on certain parameters.
Statistical Mechanics of a Collisionless System Based on the Maximum Entropy Principle

The statistical equilibrium state of a collisionless system has been derived based on the maximum entropy principle. The result shows that the equilibrium distribution function is a Gaussian distribution in the nondegenerate limit. This result contradicts the Lynden-Bell statistics, which predict a superposition of Fermi distributions as the equilibrium distribution. It is shown that the Lynden-Bell statistics are equivalent to maximizing the entropy calculated from the probability of particle transition, whereas the probability of particle existence should be used to obtain the correct answer.
In vitro antagonistic activity of Pseudomonas spp. against Rhizoctonia soloni

The present research work deals with the in-vitro study of antagonistic activity of Pseudomonas spp. against plantpathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia soloni. The bacterial strains were isolated from rhizospheric soil of Korea district of Chhattisgarh. A total of 28 bacterial cultures were isolated from 25 representative soil samples collected from five blocks of Korea district of Chhattisgarh, out of which four were identified as Pseudomonas spp. (PKS10- Pseudomonas syringae, PKM11- Pseudomonas syringae, PKJ25- Pseudomonas alcaligenes and PKB27- Pseudomonas alcaligenes) from Plant Pathology Division, IARI Delhi. These four Pseudomonas spp. were examined for their ability to antagonize R. soloni in in vitro plate assay by dual culture inoculation along with the standard check (Pmtcc- Pseudomonas isolate from IMTECH Chandigarh). The antagonistic activity was interpreted by restricted growth zone of the fungal pathogen in dual culture. The diameter of hyphal growth of the fungi in dual culture with isolates PKS10, PKM11, PKJ25, PKB27, Pmtcc and control were 3.82, 3.68, 2.73, 3.41, 3.25 and 7.3 cm respectively. All the four Pseudomonas isolates PKS10, PKM11, PKJ25, PKB27 and Pmtcc (standard check) inhibited the hyphal growth of Rhizoctonia spp. by 47.67, 49.58, 62.60, 53.28 and 55.47% respectively. One among four Pseudomonas isolates, (PKJ25) P. alcaligenes was found to suppress the growth of fungal pathogen significantly in dual culture by 62.60% and was more effective than other isolates. This study suggests that P. alcaligenes isolates might be used as potential biological control agents against plant pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia soloni. Key words: Antagonism, biological control, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Rhizoctonia soloni.
Relationship between TSH, T4, T3 and Prolactin in overweight and lean Sudanese PCOS Patients

Objectives: to examine the role of PCOS in alteration of TSH, T4, T3 and prolactin as well as correlating the outcome to obesity. Methods: One Hundred female patients with PCOS based on Rotterdam 2003 criteria. Together with fifty healthy volunteer females included as controls. Serum levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3) and prolactin were tested in the two groups. Body mass index (BMI) evaluated to be a part of the correlation. Results: A significant increase was found in TSH and prolactin (P 0.05). Conclusions: PCOS linked to hypothyroidism, and the latter may cause hyperprolactinemia in the same individual. Association of hyperprolactinemia and PCOS entails assessment of alternative causes of hyperprolactinemia, and this assessment should include thyroid function.
Estimation in multitype epidemics

A multitype epidemic model is analysed assuming proportionate mixing between types. Estimation procedures for the susceptibilities and infectivities are derived for three sets of data: complete data, meaning that the whole epidemic process is observed continuously; the removal processes are observed continuously; only the final state is observed. Under the assumption of a major outbreak in a population of size n it is shown that, for all three data sets, the susceptibility estimators are always efficient, i.e. consistent with a √n rate of convergence. The infectivity estimators are ‘in most cases’ respectively efficient, efficient and unidentifiable. However, if some susceptibilities are equal then the corresponding infectivity estimators are respectively barely consistent (√log(n) rate of convergence), not consistent and unidentifiable. The estimators are applied to simulated data.
Effects of bioturbation on recruitment of algal cells from the “seed bank” of lake sediments

Effects of different bioturbators on recruitment of several nuisance algae, Anabaena spp. (Cyanophyta), Microcystis spp. (Cyanophyta), and Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyta), from sediment to water were studied in a long‐term laboratory experiment. Natural sediment, where macrofauna larger than 1 mm had been removed, was added to 18 aquaria. To each of six aquaria, individuals of Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda) or Chironomus plumosus (Arthropoda) larvae were added, and six aquaria were left as bioturbation‐free controls. Recruitment of Anabaena, Microcystis, and G. semen from the sediment was detected using inverted traps that were sampled once a week during 8 weeks. The activities of the isopod A. aquaticus increased recruitment rates of all algal groups investigated, whereas chironomids had a less pronounced effect. With respect to Anabaena, increased recruitment rate was expressed as a promotion of growth in the pelagic habitat. To our knowledge, these results are the first to demonstrate that bioturbating invertebrates affect the recruitment of phytoplankton resting stages. Moreover, our results suggest that recruitment rate might be more pronounced in littoral areas, which are often dominated by A. aquaticus, rather than in profundal areas of a lake, generally dominated by chironomids. Hence, with respect to algal dynamics, the strength of the coupling between the benthic and pelagic zones might vary both spatially and temporally, depending on composition of the benthic invertebrate community and the ontogenetic development of the individuals within it.
INFLUENCE OF PATCH‐ AND LANDSCAPE‐LEVEL FACTORS ON BIRD ASSEMBLAGES IN A FRAGMENTED TROPICAL LANDSCAPE

A major challenge in studies of habitat fragmentation is to determine the influence of patch quality and landscape context on patch use by animals. Few studies have simultaneously examined effects of patch (area, shape, and vegetation structure) and landscape (e.g., amount of arboreal vegetation in close proximity) on abundance patterns of animals. In this study, we examined how these characteristics influence bird species distribution and abundance in a pasture-dominated landscape in the Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz, Mexico. We focused on three types of landscape elements: forest edge sites (n = 8), forest remnants (n = 8), and riparian forest remnants (n = 9). We quantified habitat use and community composition of birds by conducting seven counts of birds in each site between October 1996 and April 1997. Species typically restricted to forest were influenced by two patch-level factors, whereas species not so restricted were influenced by both patch- and landscape-level factors. At a community level, b.