Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Carbonised Coir on Physical Properties of Natural Rubber Composites

In this study, carbonised coir (CC), was used as a filler in Natural Rubber, varying the loadings between 0 and 50phr at intervals of 10. Carbon black (CB) was also used within the same range of filler loadings. Filler for compos- ites was characterised on the basis of moisture content, pH, loss on ignition, density, and particles size. The physical prop- erties of the composite samples prepared were investigated. The results of the tests obtained for the composites using the carbonised coir were compared with those obtained from carbon black reinforced composites. It was observed that for hardness, the results obtained from composites of studied filler (CC) compared relatively well with the carbon black (CB) reinforced composites. The hardness for all samples maintained an increasing trend with increase in the filler loadings. For the tensile strength and modulus there were no sharp increases shown with increase in filler loading. The results from tests for elongation at break, compression set and flex fatigue showed a falling trend for the test fillers as the filler loadings were increased.
Multiple genome relationships and a complex biogeographic history in the eastern range of Quercus suber L. (Fagaceae) implied by nuclear and chloroplast DNA variation

Abstract The complex evolutionary history of Quercus suber has been throughly investigated in many recent works, but the details of its differentiation processes are still largely unknown. In addition, the geographical and evolutionary roles of the eastern parts of the species range have gained much less attention compared to other southern European areas. In order to fill this gap, new insights to infer the species diversification and range establishment of the cork oak in the east-central Mediterranean are here provided by means of inter- and intra-specific plastid DNA and nuclear ribosomal ITS phylogeographic studies. We analyzed 95 natural cork oak populations; 6 closely related, sympatric oaks were included in the study and used for comparisons. Evidence for a clear phylogeographical structure was detected with PCR-RFLP at 5 chloroplast loci, while ITS sequence variation is apparently unrelated with the geographical distribution. Five chloroplast haplotypes and three ITS main lineages were identified. Three haplotypes and all ITS lineages occur in the Italian Peninsula, stressing the importance of these territories for the evolutionary history of the species. Two divergent “Italian” haplotypes are highly shared, and one ITS variant is basal to the ingroup, revealing sister relationships within Cerris taxonomic group. Hypotheses of hybridization, lineage sorting of ancient DNA polymorphisms and of reticulate evolution of the whole species group are presented and discussed.
The Morphological Content of 10 EDisCS Clusters at 0.5 < z < 0.8

We describe Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging of 10 of the 20 ESO Distant Cluster Survey (EDisCS) fields. Each ~40 arcmin2 field was imaged in the F814W filter with the Advanced Camera for Surveys Wide Field Camera. Based on these data, we present visual morphological classifications for the ~920 sources per field that are brighter than Iauto = 23 mag. We use these classifications to quantify the morphological content of 10 intermediate-redshift (0.5 < z < 0.8) galaxy clusters within the HST survey region. The EDisCS results, combined with previously published data from seven higher redshift clusters, show no statistically significant evidence for evolution in the mean fractions of elliptical, S0, and late-type (Sp+Irr) galaxies in clusters over the redshift range 0.5 < z < 1.2. In contrast, existing studies of lower redshift clusters have revealed a factor of ~2 increase in the typical S0 fraction between z = 0.4 and 0, accompanied by a commensurate decrease in the Sp+Irr fraction and no evolution in the elliptical fraction. The EDisCS clusters demonstrate that cluster morphological fractions plateau beyond z ≈ 0.4. They also exhibit a mild correlation between morphological content and cluster velocity dispersion, highlighting the importance of careful sample selection in evaluating evolution. We discuss these findings in the context of a recently proposed scenario in which the fractions of passive (E, S0) and star-forming (Sp, Irr) galaxies are determined primarily by the growth history of clusters.
High-resolution modelling of atmospheric dispersion of dense gas using TWODEE-2.1: application to the 1986 Lake Nyos limnic eruption

Abstract. Atmospheric dispersal of a gas denser than air can threat the environment and surrounding communities if the terrain and meteorological conditions favour its accumulation in topographic depressions, thereby reaching toxic concentration levels. Numerical modelling of atmospheric gas dispersion constitutes a useful tool for gas hazard assessment studies, essential for planning risk mitigation actions. In complex terrains, microscale winds and local orographic features can have a strong influence on the gas cloud behaviour, potentially leading to inaccurate results if not captured by coarser-scale modelling. We introduce a methodology for microscale wind field characterisation based on transfer functions that couple a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model with a microscale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for the atmospheric boundary layer. The resulting time-dependent high-resolution microscale wind field is used as input for a shallow-layer gas dispersal model (TWODEE-2.1) to simulate the time evolution of CO2 gas concentration at different heights above the terrain. The strategy is applied to review simulations of the 1986 Lake Nyos event in Cameroon, where a huge CO2 cloud released by a limnic eruption spread downslopes from the lake, suffocating thousands of people and animals across the Nyos and adjacent secondary valleys. Besides several new features introduced in the new version of the gas dispersal code (TWODEE-2.1), we have also implemented a novel impact criterion based on the percentage of human fatalities depending on CO2 concentration and exposure time. New model results are quantitatively validated using the reported percentage of fatalities at several locations. The comparison with previous simulations that assumed coarser-scale steady winds and topography illustrates the importance of high-resolution modelling in complex terrains.
The Cross-Section of Foreign Currency Risk Premia and Consumption Growth Risk: A Comment

Lustig and Verdelhan (2007) argue that the excess returns to borrowing US dollars and lending in foreign currency "compensate US investors for taking on more US consumption growth risk," yet these excess returns are all approximately uncorrelated with the consumption risk factors they study. Hence, their model cannot explain the cross-sectional variation of the returns. Their positive assessment results from allowing for a large constant in the model, and from ignoring sampling uncertainty in estimated betas used as explanatory variables in cross-sectional regressions that determine estimated consumption risk premia
Pre-service teachers' reasons for choosing teaching as a career in Singapore

As the national teacher education institute in Singapore, the National Institute of Education (NIE) prepares all teachers seeking to be employed within the education service in Singapore. In the last decade, NIE's enrolment for initial teacher preparation programmes has grown significantly, with peaks in numbers during the recession years. There is also some evidence of attrition when beginning teachers complete their 3-year bond with the Ministry of Education, which sponsors their teacher education programme. It is thus important to determine empirically the reasons why pre-service teachers join the teaching profession, to see whether this can inform us about measures that can be taken to ensure they stay on in the profession. As part of a longitudinal study on beginning teachers' attitudes towards teaching and professional development, a research survey, the first of three data collections, was administered to whole cohorts of pre-service teachers entering NIE's three main teacher preparation programmes in July 2004. This paper presents the survey findings on pre-service teachers' reasons for choosing teaching as a career and discusses the differences between cohorts of different programmes. The implications of the study are discussed in terms of informing future policy and practice in the areas of teacher recruitment, retention and professional development.
Electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide using Prussian Blue on poly(p-phenylenediamine) coated Multi-walled carbon nanotubes

In this study, a nanocomposite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes@poly( p -phenylenediamine)-Prussian blue (MWCNTs@P p PD-PB) was synthesized and employed for the electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). A straightforward approach was utilized to prepare an electrochemical H 2 O 2 sensor using a MWCNTs@P p PD-PB modified glassy carbon electrode, and its electrochemical behavior was investigated through techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and amperometry. The modified electrode displayed a favorable electrocatalytic response towards the reduction of H 2 O 2 in an acidic solution. The developed sensor exhibited linearity in the concentration range of 0.005 mM to 2.225 mM for H 2 O 2 , with high sensitivity (583.6 µA mM -1 cm -2 ) and a low detection limit (0.95 µM, S/N = 3) at an applied potential of +0.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Additionally, the sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. Moreover, successful detection of H 2 O 2 was achieved in real samples.
Northern Hemisphere blocking frequency and duration in the CMIP5 models

Northern Hemisphere (NH) blocking climatology is examined using a subset of climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). Both historical and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 integrations are analyzed to evaluate the performance of the CMIP5 models and to identify possible changes in NH blocking frequency and duration in a warmer climate. Comparison with reanalysis data reveals that CMIP5 models can reproduce the NH blocking climatology reasonably well, although the frequency of Euro‐Atlantic blockings, particularly those with relatively short duration, is significantly underestimated during the cold season. In most models, overestimation of the Pacific blocking frequency is also evident for all durations throughout the year. In comparison to historical integrations, RCP 8.5 integrations show significant decreases in blocking frequency over both the North Pacific and north Atlantic regions, with a hint of increasing blocking frequency over western Russia. However, there is no noticeable change in the duration of individual blocking events for all durations.
Motivation in the classroom: Reciprocal effects of teacher behavior and student engagement across the school year.

On the basis of a new model of motivation, we examined the effects of 3 dimensions of teacher (n = 14) behavior (involvement, structure, and autonomy support) on 144 children's (Grades 3-5) behavioral and emotional engagement across a school year. Correlational and path analyses revealed that teacher involvement was central to children's experiences in the classroom and that teacher provision of both autonomy support and optimal structure predicted children's motivation across the school year. Reciprocal effects of student motivation on teacher behavior were also found. Students who showed higher initial behavioral engagement received subsequently more of all 3 teacher behaviors. These findings suggest that students who are behaviorally disengaged receive teacher responses that should further undermine their motivation. The importance of the student-teacher relationship, especially interpersonal involvement, in optimizing student motivation is highlighted. What are the factors that motivate children to learn? Educators and parents value motivation in school for its own sake as well as for its long-term contribution to children's learning and self-esteem. Highly motivated children are easy to identify: They are enthusiastic, interested, involved, and curious; they try hard and persist; and they actively cope with challenges and setbacks. These are the children who should stay in school longer, learn more, feel better about themselves, and continue their education after high school. Recent research has borne this out (Ames & Ames, 1984, 1985; Pintrich, 1991; Stipek, 1988). Although motivated students are easy to recognize, they are difficult to find. Research shows that across the preschool to high school years, children's intrinsic motivation decreases and they feel increasingly alienated from learning (Harter, 1981). Why is it so difficult to optimize student motivation? Decades of psychological and educational research
Demographics And Financial Asset Prices In The Major Industrial Economies

This paper explores the relationship between demographics and aggregate financial asset prices in 7 OECD countries over the past 50 years. Unlike most extant work it adopts an international as well as US focus, and also includes non-demographic variables usually considered to influence asset prices in the econometric specification. Furthermore, we examine effects on bond yields as well as share prices.The results indicate a significant link between panel, international and US demographics on the one hand, and real stock prices and real bond yields on the other. The international results are of particular interest given their robustness and the logic of international financial integration. Generally, an increase in the fraction of middle-aged people (aged 40-64) tends to boost real asset prices. A corollary is that a decline in this cohort in coming decades will tend to weaken them. More tentative results including estimated effects of the over-65 cohort in the US suggest a more severe downturn is possible, thus underlining the potential market risks associated with sole reliance on fully funded pension schemes.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for Improved Virility without Negative Behavioral Changes in Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadic Adolescent Males with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Background: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic, metabolic disorder affecting both males and females equally. Along with compulsive and gluttonous eating, affected youth also suffer from varying degrees of mental retardation and decreased sexual development. Being physically underdeveloped as compared to their peers may make children suffering from PWS more self-conscious, and more likely to suffer from behavior disturbances. Studies have shown some positive response to exogenous administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the stimulation of sex hormones as well as development of secondary sex characteristics. Traditional treatment with testosterone has led to increased aggression, and exacerbation of PWS behavioral disturbances. hCG has been shown to improve virility in male patients, without the negative behavioral effects seen in testosterone treatment. To this point, only case studies and anecdotal evidence have been available. Could the lives of youth suffering from this disorder be improved with carefully timed administration of hCG? Methods: An exhaustive search of the literature was conducted using Medline/OVID, NCBI/PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL using the key words: Prader-Willi Syndrome, and hCG. Relevant articles were assessed for quality using GRADE. There are no currently registered NIH clinical trials involving the treatment of hypogonadic peripubertal PWS patients with hCG. Results: Two studies met inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Two clinical follow-up studies involving 6 study subjects treated with hCG injections demonstrated improved sexual maturity (as evidenced by improved testicular volume and secondary sex characteristics) and hormonal normalization with no significantly concerning behavioral changes. Conclusion: hCG has been shown to improve secondary sex characteristics and hormonal levels without negative behavioral changes in peripubertal male patients when managed by a pediatric endocrinologist. More research is needed to determine comparisons with other existing and potential treatments, including depotestosterone, etc. Improved studies (including RCTs) and study designs could also further improvements in the management of PWS-hypogonadism. Challenges include the global rarity of the disease, and finding enough subjects to provide adequate study populations. Degree Type Capstone Project Degree Name Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies First Advisor Mark Pedemonte, MD This capstone project is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu. edu/pa/545
Geophysical constraints on the dynamics and retreat of the Barents Sea ice sheet as a paleobenchmark for models of marine ice sheet deglaciation

Our understanding of processes relating to the retreat of marine‐based ice sheets, such as the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and tidewater‐terminating glaciers in Greenland today, is still limited. In particular, the role of ice stream instabilities and oceanographic dynamics in driving their collapse are poorly constrained beyond observational timescales. Over numerous glaciations during the Quaternary, a marine‐based ice sheet has waxed and waned over the Barents Sea continental shelf, characterized by a number of ice streams that extended to the shelf edge and subsequently collapsed during periods of climate and ocean warming. Increasing availability of offshore and onshore geophysical data over the last decade has significantly enhanced our knowledge of the pattern and timing of retreat of this Barents Sea ice sheet (BSIS), particularly so from its Late Weichselian maximum extent. We present a review of existing geophysical constraints that detail the dynamic evolution of the BSIS through the last glacial cycle, providing numerical modelers and geophysical workers with a benchmark data set with which to tune ice sheet reconstructions and explore ice sheet sensitivities and drivers of dynamic behavior. Although constraining data are generally spatially sporadic across the Barents and Kara Seas, behaviors such as ice sheet thinning, major ice divide migration, asynchronous and rapid flow switching, and ice stream collapses are all evident. Further investigation into the drivers and mechanisms of such dynamics within this unique paleo‐analogue is seen as a key priority for advancing our understanding of marine‐based ice sheet deglaciations, both in the deep past and in the short‐term future.
Modulation of Valve Interstitial Cell Function through Cell Shape and Phenotype

The aortic valve is a highly dynamic structure responding to actively to the chemical, mechanical and physical cues of the valve microenvironment. Valve interstitial cells are dispersed throughout the valve tissue and play an important role in maintaining the integrity and optimum function of the valve. They are a heterogeneous population composed of various phenotype. These phenotypes have specific functions characteristic of valve physiological and pathological conditions. The effect of mechanical loading and chemical modulators on the behavior of the valve interstitial cells have largely been studied. However the role of valve interstitial cell shape as an intrinsic physical cue on cell behavior has not been considered yet. Based on the actively responsive nature of the valve interstitial cells and the evidence of the relationship between cellular shape and behavior for the other types of cells, we decided to investigate the effects of valve interstitial cells shape on the contractile function and phenotype modulation. Various cell shapes were designed by constraining the cells into different line/pattern widths (10μm, 20μm, 40μm, 60μm, and 80μm) using soft lithographic techniques. Cells were aligned into the lines exhibiting varied cytoskeletal organizations. Orientation of the actin filaments significantly decreased with increasing the pattern width. A similar trend was observed for the cell aspect ratio and nuclear eccentricity. Contractile function of the cells was examined utilizing a custom valavular thin film assay. All the films of the tissue construct responded to the vasoconstrictive and vasodilatory drugs. Cellular maximum contraction did not reveal any specific trend while cell basal tone had some statistical variations showing the maximum value for 40μm in which cell-cell contact and cell elongation may have interacted optimally. Analysis of the contractile and activated phenotype markers was performed using western blot on vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain. The expression of these proteins did not change significantly for the patterns suggesting that the cell contractility may be more correlated to the cell shape than phenotype. In conclusion we were able to modulate valve interstitial cellular shape using soft lithographic techniques and cause alterations in cellular function. Cell phenotype may not be a regulating factor of the cell behavior as commonly measured.
Karyotypes of central European spiders of the genera Arctosa, Tricca, and Xerolycosa (Araneae: Lycosidae)

The aim of this study was to characterize karyotypes of central European spiders of the genera Arctosa, Tricca, and Xero- lycosa (Lycosidae) with respect to the diploid chromosome number, chromosome morphology, and sex chromosomes. Karyotype data are reported for eleven species, six of them for the first time. For selected species the pattern in the distributions of the constitu- tive heterochromatin and the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) was determined. The silver staining technique for detecting NORs of lycosid spiders was standardized. The male karyotype consisted of 2n = 28 (Arctosa and Tricca) or 2n = 22 (Xerolycosa) acrocen- tric chromosomes. The sex chromosome system was X1X20 in all species. The sex chromosomes of T. lutetiana and X. nemoralis showed unusual behaviour during late diplotene, namely temporary extension due to decondensation. C-banding technique revealed a small amount of constitutive heterochromatin at the centromeric region of the chromosomes. Two pairs of autosomes bore terminal NORs. Differences in karyotypes among Arctosa species indicate that the evolution of the karyotype in this genus involved auto- some translocations and size changes in the sex chromosomes. Based on published results and those recorded in this study it is sug- gested that the ancestral male karyotype of the superfamily Lycosoidea consisted of 28 acrocentric chromosomes.
Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria for Antifungal Activity against Aspergillus oryzae

Problem statement: The growth of spoilage fungi have been a global concern because of the economy loses and the health hazard of the mycotoxins produced by the spoilage fungi. Approach: A total of 137 lactic acid bacteria isolated from Malaysian fruits and fermented foods were screened for antifungal activity using dual agar overlay method and well method against A. oryzae. Results: 23 isolates showed inhibition activity after 72 h incubation at 30°C. Supernatant of three isolates with strong antifungal activity was evaluated by well method and they inhibited the growth of the fungi at 30°C for 72 h. LAB supernatant reduced the mass growth of Aspergillus oryzae when incubated for 7 days at 30°C. The isolates were identified using API 50CH as Lactobacillus brevis G004, Lactobacillus fermentum Te007 and Pediococcus pentosaceus Te010. Conclusion: The three isolates studied inhibited the growth of the mycelia and conidia germination of the fungi which indicate the possibility of using LAB isolates as biopreservative.