Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Danian subtropical lacustrine palynobiota from South America (Bororó Formation, San Jorge Basin, Patagonia - Argentina)

New results on a lacustrine Danian palynological association in extra-andean northern Patagonia (lower member of the Cerro Bororo Formation, San Jorge Basin, Chubut province, Argentina) are presented. This is a contribution to the largely unexplored field of Paleogene freshwater environments. The palynobiota includes representatives of the kingdoms Protoctista and Plantae. Twelve of the aquatic species are Protoctista. From the nine Chlorophyta form-species, four correspond to Botryococcaceae, one to Coelastraceae and four to Zygnemataceae (Gelasinicysta, Schizosporis, Ovoidites, and Pseudoschizaea). The remaining forms are dinoflagellate cysts (Peridinium and dinocyst indet.) and prasinophyceans (Leiosphaeridia). Plants are represented by spores and pollen of Bryophytes (Sphagnaceae and Ricciaceae), Pteridophytes (Salviniaceae), and Angiosperms (Arecaceae, Araceae and Sparganiaceae/Typhaceae, the latter representing macrophytes living in or near the swampy areas). Other palynomorph groups closely related with biotopes of permanent moisture are dominated by spores of the families Selaginellaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Cyatheaceae, Schizaeaceae, Polypodiaceae and Psilotaceae. The palynological assemblage reflects a freshwater lacustrine environment that developed in a marine coastal zone nearby brackish coastal swamps. Based on the composition of the palynoflora including palm pollen and other thermophilous taxa, humid, warm climatic conditions are inferred for the area of deposition.
Effect of Rice Husk Ash and Water-Cement Ratio on Strength of Concrete

In present status quo, number of researcher are working on waste materials as potential supplement for any of the constituent of concrete to cope with sustainable development. As, the ingredients which constitute the body and give strength to concrete are natural available limited material and has to deplete one day. Thus, there is desperately need of alternate that may replace the limited natural resources. In this regard, this study focuses the rice husk ash (waste stuff) as partial replacement of cement and its possible impact on strength of concrete. In addition, this research work also this research work is conducted to investigate the effect of water-cement ratio on the strength of concrete at 10% partially replacement of Rice husk ash (RHA) by the weight of cement. RHA is a mineral admixture obtained by burning husk at certain temperature. Since as per pervious researches, the physical and chemical properties of RHA are very reactive Pozzolans and possess binding properties so can be used as cement supplement. Therefore, for laboratory experimental work, total 144 cubical and 72 cylindrical. In this research, number of concrete specimens were cast and tested at 1:2:4 mix ratio with various w/c ratios i.e. 0.45, 0.50 and 0.60. Further, at each specified water-cement ratio, two mechanical properties (compressive and splitting tensile strength) were determined in Universal Testing Machine (UTM). These physical properties of concrete were investigated at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days curing period. The experimental results show that the compressive strength gets increased up to 14.51% and tensile splitting test strength increased up to 10.71% at the w/c ratio of 0.45. The workability of plain fresh concrete at all w/c ratios is slightly greater than the workability of concrete blended with 10% RHA. Thus, RHA improves the properties of concrete when used in specific amount. As a result, it can reduce the overall cost of construction and it will reduce the adverse environmental effect.
Formation elastic parameters and synthetic P-P and P-S seismograms for the Blackfoot field

Formation elastic parameters were calculated from blocked P-wave sonic, S-wave sonic, and density logs from four wells in the Blackfoot Field. These data and cross plots of well log data from the Glauconitic channel showed a tendency for Vp/Vs to increase with shale content. This is primarily due to a decrease in Vs with increasing shaliness. Low Vp/Vs is a good diagnostic indicator of clean reservoir sand. P-P and P-S offset synthetic seismograms from these four wells were correlated to the Blackfoot 3C-3D survey at the well locations. Quality of correlation varied between synthetic seismograms and stacked data. There was good overall P-P and P-S correlation for the 08-08 and 12-16 wells, and the P-S correlation was superior to the P-P in the 04-16 and 09-17 wells. A different bandpass filter for the 04-16 P-P synthetic stack results in better correlation. The geology of the Blackfoot Field was discussed by Miller et al. (1995) in Volume 7 of the CREWES Research Report. This is a brief review of the lithology of the formations of interest in this paper. The Glauconitic consists of very fine to medium grained quartz sandstone in the eastern part of Alberta, and glauconite is only common northwards of central Alberta. The sediments of the channel in this study are subdivided into three units corresponding to three phases of valley incision; all three cuts may not be present everywhere. The lower and upper members are made up of quartz sandstones with an average porosity of approximately 18%, while the middle member is a relatively denser lithic sandstone. The channel sands shale out in some locations, such as at the 12-16 well. The primary hydrocarbon is oil, although gas may also be present in the upper member. The individual members range in thickness from 5-20 m. The incised valley cuts to varying depths through the underlying strata and thus the base may be found directly overlying one of several formations. The Ostracod beds underlying the Glauconitic are made up of brackish water shales, argillaceous, fossiliferous limestones and thin quartz sandstones and siltstones (Layer, D. B. et al, 1949). The Sunburst Member contains ribbon and sheet sandstones made up of sub- litharenites and quartzarenites. The Detrital Beds make up the basal part of the Mannville Group. This unit has an extremely heterogeneous lithology containing chert pebbles, lithic sandstone, siltstone and abundant shale. Its distribution is largely controlled by depressions in the pre-Cretaceous erosional surface and, as such, its thickness is also highly variable over short distances. Within the study area, the
An Approach for Micropropagation of Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Plants Mediated by Temporary Immersion Bioreactors (TIBs)

A new procedure for blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) micropropagation in programmed Temporary Immersion Bioreactors (TIBs based on two separate bottles) was developed for the commercial genotypes Biloxi, Sharp Blue and Brillita. Plant cultures were developed in a controlled environment with 0.4 MPa CO2 enrichment, sucrose-reduced medium, and light intensity of 60 mM m-2·s-1. Principal component analysis showed that component 1 (C1) grouped 64.08% of the total variability, while the first two components accounted for 86.97%. Representation of the principal components demonstrated three clusters corresponding with the blueberry genotypes, and within each cluster plants micropropagated in agar-base medium grouped separately from those plants multiplied in TIBs. Both plant number and total internodes traits (related to the productive efficiency) were demonstrated superior in blueberries propagated in TIBs. Additionally, when transferred to greenhouse conditions, blueberries propagated in TIBs showed higher adaptability and growing rates than those cultured by the conventional approach, altogether evidencing the occurrence of a photomixotrophic stage in the vitroplantlets cultured in TIBs.
ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA FROM DAIRY SLUDGE SAMPLE

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) commonly used as starter cultures in food technology are known to manufacture antimicrobial products having great potential. The aim of this study is isolation of lactic acid bacterial strain which has been potential for lactic acid production, to identify, characterize it and to optimize culture conditions for the process. For this study, we have isolated different strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from dairy sludge samples which were collected from 3 different dairy plant of Gujarat, (India). Therefore, characterization of isolated strains through morphological, physiological, biochemical and carbohydrate fermentation test were done. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are a group of Gram-positive, non- spore forming, cocci or rod shaped, catalase-negative and fastidious organisms, considered as ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ (GRAS) organism. For isolation, samples were serially diluted and plated on MRS agar (DE MAN, ROGOSA and SHARPE agar. HI Media) Plate. Well-isolated colonies with typical characteristics were picked from each plate and were further sub cultured until pure isolates were obtained and transferred to MRS broth (HI Media) for further experiments. Identification of lactic acid bacteria belongs to family Lactobacillaceae was done first at genus level in the Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus. Lactobacillus is rod shape and Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus are cocci shape. Most of them are used in dairy starter culture, present in raw milk, milk-loving bacteria. Isolated colony was identified by gram-staining, gram +ve and rod shape strain showed confirmation of lactobacillus . L.bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus were found as the most dominant species in common sludge unit. While L.acidophillus was found as dominant species along with the L.bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in the sludge of pro biotic acidophilus butter milk manufacturing unit and L.casei, L.helveticus, L.brevis, L.lactis were present as the dominant species in the cheese manufacturing unit along with the L.bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Selected microbial isolates obtained in this study will be used for production of lactic acid acts as monomer for the synthesis of biodegradable polymer on my future study.
IMPACT OF BLADDER DISTENSION ON ORGANS AT RISK IN 3D INTRACAVITARY BRACHYTHERAPY FOR CERVICAL CANCER

Objectives: To determine the effects of bladder distension on organs at risk (OAR) during ICBT for cervical cancer with 3D Imaging based Planning. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients with cervical cancer who received high-dose radiation (HDR) brachytherapy using 7Gy x 4 fractions, were included in the study. For three-dimensional (3D) analysis, pelvic CT scans were obtained with indwelling catheters in place (defined as empty bladder) and repeated scans with 200-cc of sterile water in their bladders (defined as full bladder). To compare the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) point doses with 3D-volume doses, the volume dose was defined by using two different criteria, D2cc (the minimum dose value in a 2.0-cm3 volume receiving the highest dose) and D50% (the dose received by 50% of the volume of the OAR) for OARs. Results: For patients with a full bladder, the mean bladder D2cc increased from 395 to 558.4 cGy (41%, p < 0.001). However, the bowel D2cc and sigmoid colon D2cc decreased from 477.4 to 216.1 cGy (55.0%, p < 0.001) and 450.8 to 350.8 cGy (22%, p= 0.001), respectively. The mean D50% values of both the bladder and the bowel decreased from 301.6 to 227.3 cGy (25%, p < 0.001) and from 116.5 to 74.3 cGy (36%, p < 0.001) with a full bladder, respectively. The mean D50% for sigmoid colon also decreased from 148 cGy to 119.3 cGy (19%, p< 0.001) with bladder distension. However, there was no significant difference in rectal D2cc and D50% values. Conclusion: Full bladder technique reduces sigmoid colon and bowel wall radiation exposure. The bladder gets a higher point dose and rectum remains unaffected.
Somatic embryogenesis and bulblet production in Narcissus papyraceus cv. Shirazi: effect of plant growth regulators, light intensity, sucrose concentration, methyl jasmonate and anti-gibberellins

Generally, narcissus is propagated through vegetative methods, but due to their low yield their are not economical. This study was conducted to develop a suitable method for the production of somatic embryos and bulblets in Narcissus papyraceus cv. Shirazi. Bulb scales were placed on the MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP each at 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg/l concentrations to form somatic embryos (SEs). For proliferation, the bulblets were cut in small segments and placed on either MS medium supplemented with sucrose at 30, 60 or 90 g/l, kept in dark or light intensities of 54 or 108 μmol m -2 s -1 or the MS medium including Methyl jasmonate (Me JA), growth retardants Paclobutrazol or Cycocel (PBZ or CCC) each at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/l. The highest SE percentage (75 ± 9.0) was obtained when 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l BAP were incorporated into the medium. Using sucrose at 60 g/l under a light intensity of 54 μmol m -2 s -1 or utilizing 1.0 mg/l PBZ produced the greatest bulblet number (4.45 ± 0.51 and 5.0 ± 0.25, respectively). none of the scales produced bulblets in dark at any sucrose concentration. Keyword: Bulblet production, Growth retardants, Light intensity, Methyl jasmonate, Somatic embryogenesis, Sucrose.
MULTIOBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION: TIME-COST APPLICATION IN CONSTRUCTION

In a construction project, there are two main factors, such as project duration and project cost. These are depended to each other. The activity duration is a function of resources (i.e. crew size, equipments and materials) availability. On the other hand, resources demand direct costs. Therefore, the relationship between project time and direct cost of each activity is a monotonously decreasing curve. It means if activity duration is compressed then that leads to an increase in resources and so that direct costs. But, project indirect costs increase with the project duration. In general, for a project, the total cost is the sum of direct and indirect costs and exists an optimum duration for the least cost. Hence, relationship between project time and cost is trade-off. The main purposes of this study is to incorporate both the duration time and cost into the objective function and to develop an efficient heuristic search scheduling rule using a genetic algorithm.
Heritability of polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of Cameroonian cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans

This study investigates the heritability of polyphenolic, anthocyanin and antioxidant capacity of beans derived from four cocoa clones and their offsprings. These compounds were analyzed at 280 nm (polyphenols) and 520 nm (anthocyanins) by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method using a photodiode array detector (PDA). The antioxidant capacity of methanolic extracts prepared from cocoa beans was measured by the DPPH and ABTS assays. Samples displayed catechin and epicatechin as the two main polyphenols. Epicatechin, which represents 1 to 5% of defatted cocoa seed powder, was hundred-fold higher than catechin while cyanidin-3-arabinoside was three-fold higher than cyanidin-3-galactoside. The two main anthocyanins found in our samples represent about 0.05% of defatted cocoa seed powder. All these compounds were genotype-dependent. Unidentified substances called A, B and C were also found in cocoa seeds. Substance A is discussed as a derivative of caffeic acid and an ester-bound compound. Substances B and C are oligomers of proanthocyanidins. Antioxidant capacity of cocoa beans obtained by 2,2'-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay was higher than those obtained by DPPH assay. According to correlation tests, flavanols contributed better in the antioxidant capacity than anthocyanin. No maternal effect was detected in the transmission of polyphenol compounds suggesting a nuclear heritability. Key words : Theobroma cacao , cocoa beans, polyphenolic compounds, anthocyanins, heritability.
Plankton transfers and coastal front in the Dover Strait

RESUME Zooplankton and current studies were carried out in the coastal front of the Dover Strait. We show that the maintenance of both offshore and inshore planktonic communities is due to two coupled phenomena: 1) the residual drift of water dif­ fers in the upper and in the deeper waters; and 2) the vertical distribution of plankton differs for inshore and offshore species. In the frontal area, the coastal species remain in the lower water layer where the residual drift is landward. Conversely, the offshore species remain in the upper water layer where the resi­ dual drift is seaward. Oceanologica Acta, 1993.16,5-6,671-676.
Solving Elastic Problems with Local Boundary Integral Equations (LBIE) and Radial Basis Functions (RBF) Cells

A new Local Boundary Integral Equation (LBIE) method is proposed for the solution of plane elastostatic problems. Non-uniformly distributed points taken from a Finite Element Method (FEM) mesh cover the analyzed domain and form background cells with more than four points each. The FEM mesh determines the position of the points without imposing any connectivity requirement. The key-point of the proposed methodology is that the support domain of each point is divided into parts according to the background cells. An efficient Radial Basis Functions (RBF) interpolation scheme is exploited for the representation of displacements in each cell. Tractions in the interior domain are avoided with the aid of the companion solution. At the intersections between the local domains and the global boundary, tractions are treated as independent variables with the use of conventional boundary elements. Criteria about the size of the support domains are provided. The integration in support domains is performed easily, fast and with high accuracy. Due to the geometric information provided by the cells the extension of the method to three dimensions is straightforward. Three representative numerical examples demonstrate the achieved accuracy of the proposed LBIE methodology.
Impact of North America on the aerosol composition in the North Atlantic free troposphere

Abstract. In the AEROATLAN project we study the composition of aerosols collected over ∼ 5 years at Izana Observatory (located at ∼ 2400 m a.s.l. in Tenerife, the Canary Islands) under the prevailing westerly airflows typical of the North Atlantic free troposphere at subtropical latitudes and midlatitudes. Mass concentrations of sub-10 µm aerosols (PM10) carried by westerly winds to Izana, after transatlantic transport, are typically within the range 1.2 and 4.2 µg m−3 (20th and 80th percentiles). The main contributors to background levels of aerosols (PM10 within the 1st–50th percentiles = 0.15–2.54 µg m−3) are North American dust (53 %), non-sea-salt sulfate (14 %) and organic matter (18 %). High PM10 events (75th–95th percentiles ≈ 4.0–9.0 µg m−3) are prompted by dust (56 %), organic matter (24 %) and non-sea-salt sulfate (9 %). These aerosol components experience a seasonal evolution explained by (i) their spatial distribution in North America and (ii) the seasonal shift of the North American outflow, which migrates from low latitudes in winter (∼ 32° N, January–March) to high latitudes in summer (∼ 52° N, August–September). The westerlies carry maximum loads of non-sea-salt sulfate, ammonium and organic matter in spring (March–May), of North American dust from midwinter to mid-spring (February–May) and of elemental carbon in summer (August–September). Our results suggest that a significant fraction of organic aerosols may be linked to sources other than combustion (e.g. biogenic); further studies are necessary for this topic. The present study suggests that long-term evolution of the aerosol composition in the North Atlantic free troposphere will be influenced by air quality policies and the use of soils (potential dust emitter) in North America.
Statistica Sinica Preprint No : SS-2017-0341 Title Statistical Inference for Structurally Changed Threshold Autoregressive Models

In this paper, we study the theory and methodology for statistical inferences of threshold and change-point in the threshold autoregressive models. It is shown that the least squares estimators (LSE) of the threshold and change-point are n-consistent, and converge weakly to the minimizer of a compound Poisson process and the location of minima of a two-sided random walk, respectively. When the magnitude of change in the parameters of the state regimes or the time horizon is small, it is further shown that these limiting distributions can be approximated by a class of known distributions. The LSE of slope parameters are √ n-consistent and asymptotically normal. Furthermore, a likelihood-ratio based confidence set is given for the threshold and change-point, respectively. Simulation study is carried out to assess the performance of our procedure. The proposed theory and methodology are further illustrated by a tree-ring dataset.
On the Evaluation of Gate Dielectrics for 4H-SiC Based Power MOSFETs

This work deals with the assessment of gate dielectric for 4H-SiC MOSFETs using technology based two-dimensional numerical computer simulations. Results are studied for variety of gate dielectric candidates with varying thicknesses using well-known Fowler-Nordheim tunneling model. Compared to conventional SiO2 as a gate dielectric for 4H-SiC MOSFETs, high- gate dielectric such as HfO2 reduces significantly the amount of electric field in the gate dielectric with equal gate dielectric thickness and hence the overall gate current density. High- gate dielectric further reduces the shift in the threshold voltage with varying dielectric thicknesses, thus leading to better process margin and stable device operating behavior. For fixed dielectric thickness, a total shift in the threshold voltage of about 2.5 V has been observed with increasing dielectric constant from SiO2 () to HfO2 (). This further results in higher transconductance of the device with the increase of the dielectric constant from SiO2 to HfO2. Furthermore, 4H-SiC MOSFETs are found to be more sensitive to the shift in the threshold voltage with conventional SiO2 as gate dielectric than high-k dielectric with the presence of interface state charge density that is typically observed at the interface of dielectric and 4H-SiC MOS surface.