Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterioplankton dynamics in the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea in early spring

The northern Red Sea, with its northernmost extension the Gulf of Aqaba, is an oligo- trophic marine ecosystem, for which the growth and substrate dynamics of the heterotrophic bacteri- oplankton have not yet been studied. In 1999, we carried out a comprehensive investigation of bac- terioplankton growth dynamics in early spring (February/March), a time of year when the Gulf waters are deeply mixed, while permanent stratification prevails in the northern Red Sea. Most of the parameters measured yielded low values (bacterial numbers: 0.5 to 12.8 × 10 5 ml -1 ; production: 0.9 to 56.8 ngC l -1 h -1 ; growth rates: <0.01 to 0.15 d -1 ; turnover rates of dissolved free amino acids, DFAA: 0.008 to 1.35 d -1 ; glucose: 0.001 to 0.14 d -1 ; and concentrations of dissolved free neutral monosaccha- rides: <2 to 86 nM). Glucose was the only monosaccharide detected in 93% of the samples. Concen- trations of DFAA ranged from 13.2 to 176 nM, and those of dissolved combined amino acids and neutral monosaccharides from 0.42 to 3.69 µM and 0.05 to 3.31 µM, respectively. Uptake of glucose (as percent of bacterial production) in 93% of the samples was < 50%, whereas that of DFAA was much higher, often exceeding 100% (the latter result may have been due to methodological biases). Most of the parameters measured were more variable and covered a wider range in the northern Red Sea than in the Gulf, where vertical patterns were more homogenous. Only concentrations of dis- solved free neutral monosaccharides were systematically lower in the northern Red Sea. Bacterial production in this area was significantly correlated with turnover and uptake rates of DFAA, and with glucose turnover rates below 100 m. Aminopeptidase and β-glucosidase activities were fairly similar in both study areas, with means ranging from 19.4 to 29.9 nmol l -1 h -1 . Whereas aminopeptidase hydrolysis rates were in the same range as values found in other oceanic regions, β-glucosidase hydrolysis rates were much higher, possibly due to the persistence of active β-glucosidase in the dis- solved phase, as has been reported for alkaline phosphatase in this area. Analysis of the data indi- cates that in the northern Red Sea bacterioplankton growth dynamics were mainly controlled by bio- logical processes, whereas in the Gulf hydrographic processes were more important.
Dielectric properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/ CaCu3Ti4O12 nanocrystal composite thick films

The poly(vinylidene fluoride)/CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) nanocrystal composite films (thickness approximate to 85 mu m) with relatively high dielectric permittivity (90 at 100 Hz) were prepared by the solution casting followed by spin coating technique. The structural, the microstructural and the dielectric properties of the composites were studied using X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, and Impedance analyzer respectively. The effective dielectric permittivity (e(eff)) of the composite increased with increase in the volume fraction of CCTO at all the frequencies (100 Hz to 1 MHz) under investigation. The room temperature dielectric permittivity which is around 90 at 100 Hz, has increased to about 290 at 125 degrees C (100 Hz). These results may be exploited in the development of high energy density capacitors.
Microcracking in Cross-Ply Laminates due to Biaxial Mechanical and Thermal Loading

DOI: 10.2514/1.20798 This paper presents a methodology to predict microcracking and microcrack density in both surface and internal plies ofa symmetriccross-ply laminateunder biaxial mechanical andthermal loadingconditions. Thethermoelastic properties of the microcracked laminates at different crack densities were determined by finite element analysis of the unit cells bounded by the microcracks. Analytical expressions for the stiffness and coefficients of thermal expansion as functions of crack densities were obtained in the form of response surface approximations. These analytical expressions were then used to predict the formation of a new set of microcracks by equating the change in strainenergyintheunitcellbeforeandaftertheformationofthemicrocrackstothecriticalfractureenergyrequired for their formation. Analytical expressions obtained as response surface approximations were also used to predict progressive microcracking. Both displacement and load control cases were considered along with thermal loading. Results from the current methodology agree very well with published data. Nomenclature
Effect of Different Defoliation Treatments on Yield and Yield Components in maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivar of S.C704

Plant leaves are major source of photosynthesis and obtain assimilates for growing parts. Effects of different levels of defoliation studied on maize's growth and yield. The study was conducted as completely randomized block design with 8 treatments in 4 replications. The treatments were: T1= control (without leaf removal), T2= removing of ear leaf, T3= defoliating leaves on top of the ear, T4= defoliating leaves under the ear, T5= defoliating just two leaves under ear, T6= defoliating two leaves on top of ear, T7= defoliation whole leaves (complete defoliation) and T8= defoliating just tassel leaf. Effects of these treatments were evaluated on the major traits of yield components. Results showed that leaves defoliation had significantly effect on grain yield, rows number on cob, grains number on cob, grain dry weight and cob length (P<1%). Leaf defoliation intensity and leaf position affected total dry matter. Complete defoliation reduced severely grains on cob. While defoliation on top of ear and underneath leaves of ear caused to reduce grains on row. The maximum LAI belonged to control and the least amount was connected to T4. The results suggest that the top leaves should not defoliate, because this treatment has negative effect on the yield.
A comparative study of extract of succulent leaves of living plant with methanolic and aqueous extract of Berleria lupulina Lindl. against pathogenic microbes by disc diffusion and spectrophotometry.

Berleria lupulina Lindl. was evaluated for its reported antimicrobial activity in a novel way. The extract of succulent leaves collected from living plant was studied along with conventional methanolic and watery extracts made from the dry leaves of the plant. The extracts were tested on three pathogenic bacteria and the antimicrobial activity was tested both by conventional single disc diffusion method and a novel Spectrophotometric method. In disc diffusion study, it was found that the methanolic extract (100 mg/ml. and 200 mg/ ml.) diluted in 70% of methanol and extract of succulent leaves can induce 12 mm, 13 mm and 14 mm diameter zone of inhibition comparable with 24 mm of Ceftriaxone against Escherichia coli. The zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus were 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm and 25 mm and against Salmonella enteritides were 12 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm and 28 mm correspondingly. The watery extract made from the dry plant and the methanolic extract diluted in water failed to induce any inhibition in growth of the organisms. In spectrophotometric study, the methanolic extract showed antimicrobial efficacy in the concentration of 10 mg/ml. or above against Salmonella enteritides and Staphylococcus aureus. But against Escherichia coli, effective control was found in 20 mg/ml concentration. The fresh extract of the plant showed antimicrobial efficacy in the concentration of 16.5%. The anti microbial efficacy above that concentration cannot be detected in the available spectrophotometrical method for presence of color material in that fresh extract.
The mountain Pine beetle in Lodgepole Pine forests.

The mountain pine beetle deplete s Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine stands by removing periodically the largest, most vigorous trees. Some stands are replaced by succeeding species in 80 to 100 years. Intensities of mountain pine beetle and dwarfmistletoe damage are influenced by forest associations and elevation. Dwarfmistletoe infection reduces phloem depth and probably results in lower mountain pine beetle brood production. The probability of lodgepole pine surviving to 16 inches d.b. h. is about two out of three in the Abies lasiocarpajVac"7 cinium scoparium association, but only one out of four in the Abies lasiocarpajPachistima myrsinites association. The latter association offers the greatest risk to lodgepole pine. More effective beetle control and alternatives such as type conversion, shorter rotations, mixing species, and developing better size and age class distribution must be considered.
Object Drop in L2 Spanish, (Complex) Feature Reassembly and L1 Pre-emption: Comparing English, Chinese, European and Brazilian Portuguese Learners.

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Periphytic ciliate colonization: annual cycle and responses to environmental conditions

Glass slides were used as artificial substrates for collecting periphytic ciliates from scallop-farming waters of Jiaozhou Bay near Qingdao (China) over a period of 1 yr. A total of 37 ciliate species, about half of which belong to the orders Hypotrichida and Cyrtophorida, were identi- fied using living observation and silver impregnation methods. Peaks of ciliate abundance and bio- mass occurred in November, mainly due to the suctorian Corynophrya lyngbyi, while sessile per- itrichs (especially Pseudovorticella sinensis, Zoothamnium duplicatum and Z. plumula) dominated the ciliate communities during August. Vagile ciliates had low abundance and biomass despite accounting for a large proportion of the species richness. Almost no typical periphytic ciliates were detected in the winter months (from January to March). Twelve dominant species showed clear succession over the year and were found to correlate with a variety of environmental variables. Uni- variate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to explore the relationship between ciliate community and environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphate, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, turbidity). Diversity and evenness indices were found to be relatively independent of physico-chemical factors, whereas species richness and the ratio of biomass to abundance were strongly related to nutrients. Multivariate ana- lyses revealed that temperature, nutrients and salinity may best explain the changes in community structure of ciliates colonizing the glass slides.
Can cows and fish co-exist?

Our paper provides an ecological perspective on the interrelationship between livestock grazing and riparian areas through a review of topical literature. We also describe the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Project (also known as "Cows and Fish"), and draw upon our experience to provide a perspective on future riparian management actions. Those actions should begin with an understanding that prairie landscapes evolved with herbivores, in a grazing regime timed and controlled by season and climatic fluctuations where grazing by native grazers was followed by variable rest periods. Prevailing range management principles represent an attempt to imitate the natural system and describe ecologically based grazing systems. Traditionally, range management guidelines have focused on grazing practices and impacts in upland, terrestrial rangelands, with a lack of attention devoted to riparian areas.Three decades of riparian investigation have quantified the effect unmanaged livestock grazing can have on range p.
Understanding distributed leadership in South African schools: Challenges and prospects

Prior to 1994, the South African education system was entrenched by authoritarian leadership in which ultimate authority was vested in school principals and power was not distributed to other members of the school. However, the importance of distributed leadership has increasingly gained prominence across the world. After apartheid in 1994, the government has attempted to educate school leaders on the efficacy of distributing leadership among all stakeholders and its effectiveness on learner achievement. This paper outlines distributed leadership and the need for it in schools. It then unpacks the South African school contexts during apartheid in relation to their management and leadership and considers the extent of departure of the current schools from those characteristics of the apartheid dispensation. The paper argues that, notwithstanding the government’s efforts to implement educational reform in the nature of school leadership, the apartheid legacy still lives on, largely because the conditions that characterised the racially segregated schools during apartheid and their influence upon leadership still prevail. Since leadership is shaped by prevailing conditions and circumstances, this paper suggests a need to interrogate the nature of leadership across schools representative of the racial division of schools under the apartheid dispensation.
Perceived Effectiveness of Livestock-Guarding Dogs Placed on Namibian Farms

Abstract Evaluations of 117 livestock-guarding dogs placed on Namibian farms between January 1994 and November 2001 were conducted as part of a study aimed at reducing livestock depredation rates on both commercial and communal farmland. The perceptions of livestock farmers were evaluated in terms of their satisfaction with the guarding dogs, the level of care given to the dogs, and the attentiveness, trustworthiness, and protectiveness of the dogs. Guarding dogs were very successful in terms of reducing livestock losses, with 73% of responding farmers reporting a large decline in losses since acquisition of a guarding dog, and the same percentage seeing an economic benefit to having the dog. Farmer satisfaction with the dogs was high, with 93% of farmers willing to recommend the program, and the care given to the dogs was also good. The dogs exhibited high levels of protectiveness and attentiveness, although trustworthiness was relatively low. The level of care provided by farmers was lower for older dogs than for younger dogs, and older dogs appeared to be less trustworthy than young dogs. There were no obvious differences in effectiveness between the sexes, or between dogs placed on communal farms and those on commercial ranches. The majority of dogs exhibited behavioral problems at some stage, particularly chasing game, staying at home, and harassing livestock, but corrective training solved 61% of the reported problems. We conclude that with the correct training and care, livestock-guarding dogs can be an effective method of livestock protection on Namibian farmlands.
Metabolism of Neighborhoods

Analysis of urban metabolism has been established as an appropriate approach for assessing the sustainability of cities. A desirable next step is to use the metabolism as a guide to designing more sustainable cities. This study provides an analysis of the metabolism of four representative Toronto neighborhoods. The annual energy consumption for buildings and transport is determined to be from 57 to 107 GJ/capita and from 0.5 to 9.2 GJ/capita, respectively. The annual consumption of food and water is found to be 1,100 and 92,300 kg/capita. The findings of the study have implications for the design of sustainable neighborhoods. This includes the construction of energy-efficient buildings, development of public transit, and encouragement of residents to replace inefficient water fixtures. More advanced methods might consist of growing the urban forest using nutrients from wastewater, and converting solar energy to building operational energy
Preparation and Characterization of Graphene Membrane Electrode Assembly

Fuel cell has been of great demand as power sources for electronic devices. However this has been delayed by the deficiency of catalyst material properties. The aim of this research is to design and synthesis graphene membrane electrode assembly (MEA) as catalyst support in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Graphene was produced from pure graphite powder using chemical reduction method of graphene oxide aqueous solution with a reducing agent. The modified membrane electrode assembly of graphene sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) was fabricated for DMFC testing. After the reduction process, the FTIR spectrum showed the disappearance of the carbonyl group of graphene oxide. XRD spectrum showed a sharp peak at 2θ = 26.4 o whichcan be assigned as 002 indexed peak with hexagonal crystal structure. The morphology of graphene observed is a uniform multi layer with crumple flakes and the product has conductivity of as high as 1.36 x 10 4 S/m. The characteristic of the synthesized graphene membrane electrode assembly suggest potential application in direct methanol fuel cell.
EFL teachers’ attitudes toward accent and culture in light of EIL: The case of Iranian public schools and private institutes

Abstract The aim of the current study was twofold: examining the influence of contextual variations on EFL teachers’ attitudes toward accent and culture in the English as an international language (EIL) context and exploring reasons that shape teachers’ viewpoints toward them. Data were collected from 43 public-school English language teachers and 63 private language institute instructors in Iran using a newly designed questionnaire and follow-up interviews. The results of t-test revealed that there was no significant difference between the two groups’ attitudes toward the two elements of EIL. Participants in both settings considered the accents spoken in Inner Circle countries as an ideal pedagogical model. On the other hand, they believed both target and local cultures should be included in language classroom. They attributed their views toward EIL accent to the washback effect of standardized test, comprehensibility issue, and their own language learning experience. Teachers also referred to the link between language and culture and the significance of being aware of different cultures as the reasons behind their attitudes toward EIL cultural norms. The findings demonstrate the necessity of building a dialogic relationship between theoreticians/policymakers and practitioners to make EIL amenable for classroom settings.
Excess winter cardiovascular morbidity in Ivanovo Region in 2009-2013 years

Chronic non-infectious diseases are characterized by irregular morbidity and mortality throughout a year. Aim. To study excess cardiovascular morbidity during winter in Ivanovo Region in 2009-2013 years. Material and methods. Excess winter morbidity index (EWMI) was calculated using special formula. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) was determined according to the data from the medical information-analytic center of Ivanovo Region. The index was calculated for CVDs in general, for arterial hypertension (HT) and for acute forms of CVDs (acute myocardial infarction and stroke). Results. The mean EWMI for CVDs for 5 years of the follow-up made up to 77.2% and was higher in women than in men (80% vs 69.5%, respectively). People of working age had lower excess winter morbidity than the population older than working age (53.1% and 88%, respectively). EWMI for CVDs had significant variability and ranged from 29.0% (2013 year) to 81.1% (2010 year) in men and from 25.2% to 82.9% in women in the same years. In general, the 5-year mean EWMI for HT was 72.7%; it was higher in men than in women in most of the analyzed years of follow-up. We had revealed the heterogeneity of the EWMI for HT during the analyzed period in each analyzed group (the minimal values were found in 2011 after the heat wave in 2010). EWMI for myocardial infarction demonstrated excess winter morbidity, men and women had in general similar indices (31.0% and 28.4%, respectively), but it was higher in people of working age as compared with the older ones. This index had a wide range of values. In case of stroke we had revealed no excess winter morbidity; this index was equal throughout a year. Conclusion. The influence on excess winter morbidity can result in the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to the decreased effect of risk factors; it would also optimize a load on healthcare system, the season irregularity of which must be taken into account when planning a work of medical centers.
Women?S Police Stations and Domestic Violence: Evidence from Brazil

Although women’s police centers have been gaining popularity as a measure to address domestic violence, to date no quantitative evaluations of their impacts on the incidence of domestic violence or any other manifestations of gender equality have been done. This paper estimates the effects of women’s police stations in Brazil on female homicides, as a measure of the most severe form of domestic violence. Given that a high fraction of female deaths among women ages 15 to 49 years can be attributed to aggression by an intimate partner, female homicides appear the best available proxy for severe domestic violence considering the scarcity of data on domestic violence. The paper uses a panel of 2,074 municipalities and takes advantage of the gradual rollout of women’s police stations from 2004 to 2009, to estimate the effect of establishing a women’s police station on the municipal female homicide rate. Although the analysis does not find an association on average, women’s police stations appear to be highly effective among some groups of women: women living in metropolitan areas and younger women. Establishing a women’s police station in a metropolitan municipality is associated with a reduction in the homicide rate by 1.23 deaths per 100,000 women (which roughly amounts to a 17 percent reduction in the average homicide rate in metropolitan municipalities). The reduction in the homicide rate of women ages 15 to 24 is even higher: 5.57 deaths per 100,000 women. Qualitative work suggests that better economic opportunities and less traditional social norms in metropolitan areas may explain the heterogeneous impacts of women’s police stations in metropolitan areas and outside them.