Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms in soilless cultures

Soilless cultures were originally developed to control soilborne diseases. Soilless cultures provide several advantages for growers such as greater production of crops, reduced energy consumption, better control of growth and independence of soil quality. However, diseases specific to hydroponics have been reported. For instance, zoospore-producing microorganisms such as Pythium and Phytophthora spp. are particularly well adapted to aquatic environments. Their growth in soilless substrates is favoured by the recirculation of the nutrient solution. These pathogenic microorganisms are usually controlled by disinfection methods but such methods are only effective as a preventive measure. Contrary to biofiltration, active treatments such as UV, heat and ozonisation have the disadvantage of eliminating not only the harmful microorganisms but also the beneficial indigenous microorganisms. Here, we review microbial populations that colonise ecological niches of hydroponic greenhouse systems. Three topics are discussed: (1) the general microflora; (2) the pathogenic microflora that are typical to hydroponic systems; and (3) the non-pathogenic and possibly beneficial microflora, and their use in the control of plant diseases in soilless greenhouse systems. Technical, economic and environmental concerns are forcing the adoption of new sustainable methods such as the use of microbial antagonists. Thus, increased attention is now focused on the role of natural microflora in suppressing certain diseases. Managing disease suppression in hydroponics represents a promising way of controlling pathogens. Three main strategies can be used: (1) increasing the level of suppressiveness by the addition of antagonistic microorganisms; (2) using a mix of microorganisms with complementary ecological traits and antagonistic abilities, combined with disinfection techniques; and (3) amending substrates to favour the development of a suppressive microflora. Increasing our knowledge on beneficial microflora, their ecology and treatments that influence their composition will help to commercialise new, ready-to-use substrates microbiologically optimised to protect plants in sustainable management systems. antagonistic agents / biological control / microbial ecology / disinfection methods / hydroponics / recirculating solutions / root rots / suppressive microflora / wilting / zoosporic pathogens
Population-Based Incremental Learning Algorithm for Identification of Blood Glucose Dynamics Model for Type-1 Diabetic Patients

This paper describes the implementation results of a Population Based Incremental Learning (PBIL) algorithm, for model identification concerning blood glucose evolution over time, for Type 1 diabetic patients. The adaptive PBIL algorithm adjusts the model parameters dynamically, for the sake of inferring autonomous glucose measures, in case of an input sensor disconnection, also provides information about the internal physiological parameters of the subject, which can be used to characterize the patient and design a control strategy for this proposed model. Obtained results in virtual patients are promising and allow to predict the behavior of blood glucose on a lack of input sensor information, it is expected to reproduce the results in real Type-1 Diabetic Patients. Keywords—Population-Based Incremental Learning (PBIL), Adaptive modelling, Glucose Dynamics Model, Type-1 Diabetes. Type of the submission: Regular Research Paper
Dung Beetle Technical Advisory Group Report The impact of tunnelling and dung burial by new exotic dung beetles (Coloptera: Scarabaeinae) on surface run-off, survivorship of a cattle helminth, and pasture foliage biomass in New Zealand pastures

Eleven species of exotic dung-burying beetles were recently approved for release onto New Zealand agricultural pastures. Despite the formal assessment of risks and benefits by the Environmental Risk Management Authority in 2010/11, several stakeholders raised concerns over whether some of the key benefits demonstrated in overseas studies were applicable to New Zealand’s pastoral environment. As a result two New Zealand-based field trials were carried out 1/ to determine the effect of dung beetle activity on surface run-off and the amount of sediments suspended in the run-off; 2/ to assess the recovery of parasitic helminths from pasture around dung from infected livestock; and 3/ measure pasture foliage biomass. The dung beetles, Geotrupes spiniger (trials 1 + 2), Onthophagus binodis (trial 2) and Digitonthophagus gazella (trial 2) were used in the field trials. Secure field cages were used to apply three treatments (dung+beetles, dung-only and controls, without dung or beetles) on three livestock farms with three different soil types: sandy loam, clay loam and compacted clay. Results from trial 1 showed significant reductions in surface run-off at two extreme artificial rainfall events, and in total suspended sediments at the lower level, but still extreme rainfall event. Trial 2 showed reduced levels of Cooperia sp. nematodes on pasture foliage in the dung+beetles treatment compared to the dung-only treatment. There was no evidence for a later peak in emergence of nematode larvae from dung buried by beetles – the so-called ‘time bomb’ effect. There were no significant changes in the biomass of foliar biomass between dung+beetles and dung-only treatments. The findings with run-off and nematodes are consistent with benefits that should accrue from the introduction of the 11 dung beetle species to New Zealand that were claimed in the ERMA application process in 2010/11 based on overseas data. However, the trials were probably too short in duration, and were compromised by the impending winter season, to show any increases in pasture foliar biomass from dung burial by beetles.
Two and Three Dimensional Blood Flow Simulations in Different Types of Blood Vessels

In this paper we present a synthesis of our results obtained on blood flow simulation in different types of blood vessels. We present first some remarks on the wall shear stress (WSS) in the case of a human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and then we concentrate on the mechanical conditions which would lead to the “rupture” of the vascular vessel with aneurysm and implicitly to a possible stroke. We also make some investigations on the Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect in arterioles. Considering an axial-symmetric reservoir full of blood and which is linked to an arteriole (with the same particular geometry), we have pointed out the concentration of the red blood cells in this arteriole towards the core of the vessel. To improve our work we have considered a real threedimensional geometry, which is a serious jump versus our previous results, where only the axialsymmetric geometries were considered. In this respect we have reconsidered the case of a carotid artery stenosis with and without a stent.
The sonic composition of the city

A common phenomenon now marks the ordinary experience of city dwellers : walking through the city to music. Geared with headphones, the walkman listener strolls along and takes in the musical scenery on his/her way. A kind of tuning in is created between his ear and his step. New sonic territories are composed in the course of this mobile listening experience. As the body moves in sync to the music, the listener transforms the public scene and provides a new tonality to the city street. His footsteps seem to say what his ears may be trying to hide. How does music with headphones mobilize the walker's gait ? What does this contemporary form of urban mobility stand for? How should we consider this micro-ecology of musical navigation ?
Asymmetries and Non-Linearities in Exchange Rate Pass-Through∗

While exchange rate pass-through into import prices is often assumed to be symmetric to appreciations and depreciations, we show that foreign currency appreciations pass through faster than foreign currency depreciations into product-level BLS import prices. This asymmetry is not the result of asymmetric price stickiness or selective exit, but it is more pronounced among differentiated goods closer to the consumer, rather than intermediate or capital goods. Using sectoral data on U.S. trade values, we also compute the implied import quantity responses, showing that imports respond little in the short run and that foreign depreciations lead to larger import responses than appreciations.
A simple approximation algorithm for WIS based on the approximability ink-partite graphs

In this note, we show how optimal or approximate weighted independent sets in k-partite graphs may yield to a good approximate weighted independent set in general graphs. Precisely, optimal solutions in bipartite graphs do yield to a 2 ∆(G) approximation and, more generally, ρ-approximate solutions in k-partite graphs yield to a k ∆(G)ρ-approximation in general graphs.
Effect of Adding Risperidone to Fluoxetine in Treatment of Obsession Compulsion Disorder Patients

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has the lowest response to treatment among anxiety disorders. Although specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective in the treatment of this disorder, about 50% of these patients experience no improvement by these medications. According to the lower response of OCD to treatment compared with other anxiety disorders, the goal of many studies is to use additional treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding risperidone to fluoxetine in these patients. In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, one group received the treatment with fluoxetine-placebo while another group was under treatment with fluoxetinerisperidone. The “Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale” was used to assess obsession severity before treatment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment. 88 patients with OCD (cleaning obsessions) were involved in the study. The cure rate was compared in the two groups by using Friedman, Chi-square, U Mann-Whitney and t tests. In this study, 6 weeks after the treatment, cure rate with risperidone in 12 patients (66.7%) was higher than the placebo in6 patients (33.3%). However, after that the mean of Yale–Brown Scale in the two groups was similar (15.2 (6.0) vs. 15.2 (5.1); (P=0.982). According to the present study, adding risperidone to fluoxetine did not have a long-term effect on increasing the response to treatment in patients with OCD. [Faezeh Tatari, Habibollah Khazaei, Fahimeh Jahandar, Mansour Rezaei. Effect of Adding Risperidone to Fluoxetine in Treatment of Obsession Compulsion Disorder Patients. Life Sci J 2013; 10(11s):153-157]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 27
Services marketing practices in diverse cultures: Canada compared to Qatar

Purpose The service marketing literature has traditionally argued that the marketing practices of service firms that operate in diverse cultures should also differ. This paper aims to investigate this argument by examining the marketing practices of service firms in two highly diverse countries “Canada and Qatar” in the context of a contemporary conceptual framework. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected in both countries using a self-administered questionnaire that was used in previous contemporary marketing practice (CMP) studies. The data analysis was conducted in two stages. First, descriptive statistics were used to determine cross-national differences in the intensity of use of various CMP activities in Qatar compared to Canada. Second, cross-national differences in various combinations of marketing practices were identified using a cluster analysis. Findings The results indicate that service firms in both countries have more similarities than differences and that the overall patterns of marketing practices are similar. In addition, the firms’ marketing practices reflect aspects of all four marketing approaches rather than just one. Research limitations/implications The study was conducted in only two countries, thus generalisability of its findings and conclusions may not be possible. Practical implications The results of this study can help marketers to better understand the changing marketing environment and identify new marketing solutions when operating in different environments. Originality/value This study enhances the literature on service marketing and expands the application of the CMP framework to a new context that has not been addressed in previous studies.
Application 2D Stokes Raman scattering to a swirling premixed flames

This work reports on the application of 2D spontaneous Raman scattering (SRS) imaging to evaluate average gas density in swirling turbulent premixed flames. The density is evaluated from intensity of the SRS (Stokes peak of rovibrational transitions) by nitrogen molecules, which are almost not consumed during combustion. The reacting gas flow is illuminated by a laser sheet, and the light of SRS is collected by using electrically tunable band-pass filter (based on Lyot principle and build of polarizers and liquid crystal cells). The method allows to retrieve average values of local gas composition and density.
Association between Periodontal Disease, Lung Volumes, and Airflow Limitation in the Population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)

(Geschäftsführender Direktor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Georg Meyer) Abteilung Parodontologie (Leiter: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. dent. Thomas Kocher) In der Poliklinik für Zahnerhaltung, Parodontologie und Endodontologie (Direktor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Georg Meyer) und dem Bereich Pneumologie und Infektiologie (Leiter: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Ralf Ewert) der Universitätsmedizin der Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald
Snow-to-Liquid Ratios Associated with a Strong November Snowstorm: A Microphysical Analysis

Five microphysical variables were examined to find their correlation with snow-to-liquid ratios (SLRs) measured at the National Weather Service (NWS) Great Falls, Montana (TFX) office during a strong November snowstorm. The main objectives were to: 1) Find which variables correlated most strongly with SLR, 2) Hypothesize, through a microphysical analysis, as to why the storm averaged 48-hr SLR of 14:1 which was relatively low compared to the NWS TFX forecast of 20:1, and 3) Expose significant variation in SLR throughout this event. Data from four NWS TFX soundings were acquired and examined; 12-hr averaged SLRs were calculated and were centered on sounding release times. After the DGZ (dendritic growth zone) depths were determined, average values for relative humidity (RHDGZ), mixing ratio (g/kg), and precipitable water (inches) were calculated in these layers. This study found several variables with a better correlation with SLR than DGZ depth which had one of the lowest correlations (r=–0.43), and the only one that was negative. Correlation statistics for RHDGZ, of (r=0.24) and (r 2 =0.06), were very low. Only 6% of the total variation in SLR was explained by RHDGZ. Linear relationships (with SLR) were much higher for average mixing ratio (r=0.95) and precipitable water (r=0.89). Surface–800 mb RH (RHlowlevel) was studied independent of the DGZ for most–but not all–of the storm event. The combination of RHDGZ in the mid to upper 80s (%) and RHlowlevel in the mid to upper 90s (%) favored the highest SLRs.
MultiWOZ 2.

MultiWOZ 2.0 (Budzianowski et al., 2018) is a recently released multi-domain dialogue dataset spanning 7 distinct domains and containing over 10,000 dialogues. Though immensely useful and one of the largest resources of its kind to-date, MultiWOZ 2.0 has a few shortcomings. Firstly, there is substantial noise in the dialogue state annotations and dialogue utterances which negatively impact the performance of state-tracking models. Secondly, follow-up work (Lee et al., 2019) has augmented the original dataset with user dialogue acts. This leads to multiple co-existent versions of the same dataset with minor modiﬁcations. In this work we tackle the aforementioned issues by introducing MultiWOZ 2.1. To ﬁx the noisy state annotations, we use crowdsourced workers to re-annotate state and utterances based on the original utterances in the dataset. This correction process results in changes to over 32% of state annotations across 40% of the dialogue turns. In addition, we ﬁx 146 dialogue utterances by canonicalizing slot values in the utterances to the values in the dataset ontology. To address the second problem, we combined the contributions of the follow-up works into MultiWOZ 2.1. Hence, our dataset also includes user dialogue acts as well as multiple slot descriptions per dialogue state slot. We then benchmark a number of state-of-the-art dialogue state tracking models on the MultiWOZ 2.1 dataset and show the joint state tracking performance on the corrected state annotations. We are publicly releasing MultiWOZ 2.1 to the community, hoping that this dataset resource will allow for more effective models across various dialogue subproblems to be built in the future.
Evisceration, Enucleation, and Exentration: painful but life saving surgical procedures

Objectives: To determine the indications for Evisceration, Enucleation and Exentration in patients operated at the eye department. Design: It was a prospective study done at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from May 2001 to October 2003. Results: A total of 110 cases comprising of 50 enucleations, 34 evisceration, and 26 exentration were seen. Ocular malignancy was the commonest cause for eneucleation while postoperative panophthalmitis and trauma were the reasons for evisceration and for exentration the indication was squamous cell carcinoma involving lid and conjunctiva followed by basal cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Only a minority of cases of eye globe surgery are preventable and /or treatable, while rest are due to malignancy. Early diagnosis in these cases is likely to make surgery easy with promising postoperative cure.
What is the effect of dung beetles on gastrointestinal nematodes of stock?

1/ This review was undertaken because parasitologists have expressed concerns that dung beetles may increase levels of gastrointestinal nematodes in stock in New Zealand because; i) dung burial may increase survival of nematodes compared to dung remaining on the pasture surface; ii) large numbers of infective larvae could then migrate back to the surface in damp soils; iii) overseas studies cannot be used to inform risk in New Zealand because of differences, particularly in climate.
Pattern of neck tissue injuries in hanging -a prospective study

Deaths due to hanging are common in suicides. Many a time a ligature mark may be the only evidence available in cases of asphyxial deaths. A thorough examination of the ligature mark along with internal neck tissue injury is a must to arrive at the most probable cause of death. A prospective study consisting of 40 suicide cases of hanging during the period of January 2012 to September 2013 brought to the mortuary of Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai was undertaken to assess the socio-demographic factors, examination findings, both external and internal including the histopathological investigation of relevant tissue samples. It was observed that deaths due to hanging constituted 15% of the total unnatural deaths subjected to medico-legal autopsy; young adults, of the age group 21 to 30 years accounted for the maximum cases, with a male: female ratio of 3:1. 70% of the victims preferred closed room, 77.5% of them used soft and broad ligature material. Complete atypical hanging constituted 57.5% of deaths. Subcutaneous tissue injury was seen in 35% cases, Focal tear of Sternocleidomastoid muscle was seen in 32.5% cases, carotid artery tear was present in 10% of cases and 2.5% of cases had hyoid fractures.
Clay-Rice Husk Ash based Geopolymers for Remediation of Pb (II) and Cd (II) from Wastewater

Industrialization and technological advancements have led to generation of various pollutants like heavy metals into the aquatic ecosystem. These toxic compounds are extremely dangerous to human beings and the environment due to their non-biodegradability, severe toxicity, ability to be accumulated and contaminate ground and surface waters. Subsequently, pursuance of sustainable materials and technologies for better attainment of environmental sustainability is critical. This study reports synthesis of geopolymers GP-1, GP-2 and GP-3 prepared by using different clays. Geopolymers were hydrothermally synthesized using clay and rice husks waste as an alumina and silica source respectively. The geopolymers were characterized using Fourier transform-infra red, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Batch and gravitational column experiments using Pb (II) and Cd (II) ions were carried out. Increased metal ion uptake was recorded with raised Si/Al ratio of the adsorbents. The mean percentage uptake of 90.23 ± 0.4 and 89.63 ± 0.18 of Pb (II) and Cd (II) were achieved at pH of 4.0 and 5.0 respectively using GP-3. Langmuir, Freundlich and modified Langmuir Freundlich isotherms were used in equilibrium studies. Data for adsorption of Pb (II) and Cd (II) fitted best in modified Langmuir Freundlich model. The highest adsorption capacities of Pb (II) and Cd (II) were 209.9 and 136.2 mg/g respectively, attained using GP-3. Based on the results obtained, geopolymers produced from common clay and rice husk waste displayed promising potential in the removal of heavy metal ions from the aqueous phase. Considering the availability of raw materials for geopolymerization and the high metal ions uptake capacities of geopolymers, they can also be used as adsorbents for removal of heavy metals in industrial wastewater.
Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia

Abstract. Approximately 3.1 Mha (22%) of the agricultural area of south-eastern Australia can be classified as native pasture. There is the assumption that, owing to the widespread occurrence of low-fertility soils in Australia, native grass species do not respond to increased phosphorus (P) fertility. Currently, there are no industry recommendations of target soil-test P values for native-grass-based pastures. This paper reviews the responses of perennial native pasture species endemic to south-eastern Australia to P application in controlled environments, surveys, replicated experiments and paired-paddock trials. Eighty-seven site-years of trial data where different levels of P were applied, conducted over the last two decades, on native-based pastures in south-eastern Australia are reviewed. Data indicate that application of P fertilisers to native grass pastures can increase dry matter (DM) production and maintain pasture stability. However, minimum targets for herbage mass (800 kg DM/ha) and groundcover (80%) are required to ensure persistence of perennial native grasses. Stocking rates also need to match carrying capacity of the pasture. Based on previous research, we recommend target soil-test (Olsen; 0–10 cm) P levels for fertility-tolerant native grass pastures, based on Microlaena stipoides, Rytidosperma caespitosum, R. fulvum, R. richardsonii, R. duttonianum and R. racemosum, of 10–13 mg/kg, whereas for pastures based on fertility-intolerant species such as Themeda triandra, lower levels of <6 mg/kg are required to ensure botanical stability.
Married...With Children: The Science of Well-Being in Marriage and Family Life

As some of the most important relationships in people’s lives, marriage and parenthood offer many opportunities for people to experience great joy or to suffer incredible disappointment. In the current chapter, I review current understanding of whether, how, and why marriage and parenthood are associated with well-being, drawing on evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and daily experience studies. I also consider the implications of family structure for the associations between marriage and well-being, and parenthood and well-being, respectively. Current evidence provides relatively robust support for the association between marriage and well-being; however, the association between parenthood is much more complex. I conclude with a number of suggestions for future research.