Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Cadmium Body Loads of Four Intertidal Invertebrates from False Bay, South Africa

Increasing urbanization and industrialization along the coastal areas of False Bay in South Africa can endanger coastal ecosystems because of increasing metal pollution. To obtain base-line data on contamination levels in the intertidal zone, cadmium (Cd) body loads of four invertebrate species were measured seasonally over a period of 15 months from different sites within the bay. Specimens of Tetraclita serrata (barnacle), Oxystele sinenses (periwinkle), Cymbula oculus (limpet) and Choromytilus meridionalis (mussel) were collected and analysed to determine temporal changes in Cd body burdens. Cd concentrations were also measured in water and sediments. Cd concentrations in the intertidal animals varied considerably between sampling sites and between seasons and also occasionally between species. All four species accumulated Cd in their bodies to levels several times higher than environmental concentrations. No significant difference could be shown between the Cd concentrations in the gastropod grazers and the filter-feeders. The highest mean body load of Cd (70.67 µg/g dry weight) for a single sampling occasion was measured in the sessile barnacles (T. serrata) collected at Rooi-Els. The highest mean Cd concentration (11.95 µg/g) for the bay as a whole was measured in the limpet C. oculus. Two-way analysis of variance indicated that spatial (location) rather than temporal (seasonal) factors affected Cd concentrations in the invertebrates. Cd concentrations in False Bay sometimes exceeded the norms or water quality standards.
A generalized acoustic analogy

The purpose of this article is to show that the Navier–Stokes equations can be rewritten as a set of linearized inhomogeneous Euler equations (in convective form) with source terms that are exactly the same as those that would result from externally imposed shear-stress and energy-flux perturbations. These results are used to develop a mathematical basis for some existing and potential new jet noise models by appropriately choosing the ‘base flow’ about which the linearization is carried out.
EFFECT OF COBALT ON THE FORMATION OF CRYSTALLINE IRON OXIDES FROM FERRIHYDRITE IN ALKALINE MEDIA

-At pH 12 Co-ferrihydrite transformed to either Co-goethite or Co-magnetite, the latter compound appearing at Co additions of > 18 mole %. Although Co was readily taken up by the magnetite structure, chemical analysis showed that no more than 7 mole % substitution of Co in goethite was achieved. Hematite formation was not strongly promoted by the presence of Co; with 9 mole % Co in the system, the amount of hematite relative to goethite in the product increased slightly. Co-substituted goethites grew as long, thin crystals. The presence of Co promoted some dendritic twinning of goethite. Cobalt retarded the transformation of ferrihydrite to more crystalline oxides mainly by stabilizing ferrihydrite against dissolution. A comparison of Co with divalent ions previously studied showed that their stabilizing ability decreases in the order Cu > Co > Mn, i.e., they follow the Irving-Williams series for the stability of metal complexes. Key Words--Cobalt, Crystal growth, Ferrihydrite, Goethite, Spinel, Transmission electron microscopy.
Mesoarchean assembly and stabilization of the eastern Kaapvaal craton: A structural‐thermochronological perspective

Understanding the construction and stabilization of Archean continental lithosphere has important implications for models of tectonic and thermal regimes in the early Earth, as well as for the subsequent evolution of continents. We provide new constraints for the amalgamation and stabilization of the eastern Kaapvaal craton in the vicinity of the Barberton greenstone belt circa 3.3–3.1 Ga. Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U‐Pb geochronology and thermochronology are combined with mapping and structural analysis around the margins of this belt in order to constrain movement on major shear zones that separate high‐grade orthogneiss terranes from low‐grade supracrustal rocks and to relate this movement to the timing of differential exhumation. New and existing data are consistent with accretion at ∼3.23 Ga within an oblique subduction plate boundary manifested in the BGB as an asymmetric flower‐like structural geometry. For >100 Ma following terrane assembly, transform boundary tectonics, manifested partially as transtension on reactivated faults, led to large‐scale juxtaposition of middle to lower crustal basement orthogneiss complexes against upper crustal greenstone sequences and episodic emplacement of granitic batholiths. Stabilization of this portion of Archean lithosphere involved at least a three‐stage process: (1) creation of a thick and rigid mantle lithosphere during crustal growth, subduction, and terrane assembly from circa 3.30 to 3.23 Ga, (2) generation of a rigid crust during strike‐slip and transtensional tectonics coupled with migration of granites and heat‐producing elements into the upper crust between circa 3.2 and 3.1 Ga, and (3) erosion and removal of the uppermost crust during regional peneplanation that lasted until circa 2.9 Ga.
Crowdfunding as an Alternative Means for Funding Sustainable Appropriate Technology: Acceptance Determinants of Backers

The research and development as well as the propagation of sustainable, appropriate technology requires the availability of stable funding. Crowdfunding is a form of funding whereby small sums of investments or contributions are collected from the general public and used to finance the development of goods or services. This method has been widely used in the arts and cultural fields and presents a useful alternative means by which to fund appropriate technology projects. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that influence backers who participate in appropriate technology projects through crowdfunding platforms, analyze the connections among these factors, and thereby establish the usefulness of crowdfunding as a viable new funding alternative. Results indicate that the key factors influencing user intention to crowdfund appropriate technology projects include social influence, effort expectancy, and perceived trust. In comparison to the findings of previous studies, performance expectancy was not found to have a significant effect. When compared to crowdfunding conducted in other fields, these results suggest that crowdfunding for appropriate technology is closer in nature to donations. Accordingly, for funding of these projects to be successful, aggressive online exposure using the social network service (SNS) of backers should be pursued from the earliest stages of funding.
Flow Behavior of Chain and Star Polymers and Their Mixtures

Star-shaped polymers show a continuous change of properties from flexible linear chains to soft colloids, as the number of arms is increased. To investigate the effect of macromolecular architecture on the flow properties, we employ computer simulations of single chain and star polymers as well as of their mixtures under Poiseuille flow. Hydrodynamic interactions are incorporated through the multi-particle collision dynamics (MPCD) technique, while a bead-spring model is used to describe the polymers. For the ultradilute systems at rest, the polymers are distributed uniformly in the slit channel, with a weak dependence on their number of arms. Once flow is applied, however, we find that the stars migrate much more strongly towards the channel center as the number of arms is increased. In the star-chain mixtures, we find a flow-induced separation between stars and chains, with the stars located in the channel center and the chains closer to the walls. In order to identify the origin of this flow-induced partitioning, we conduct additional simulations without hydrodynamic interactions, and find that the observed cross-stream migration originates from a combination of wall-induced hydrodynamic lift forces and viscoelastic effects. The results from our study give valuable insights for designing microfluidic devices for separating polymers based on their architecture.
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ITALIAN VALIDATION OF KELLEY’S FOLLOWERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE

Followership, despite its pervasiveness in the workplace, is a neglected topic. This study contributes to validating the Italian version of Kelley’s followership scale (1992), with its two dimensions of active engagement (AE) and independent critical thinking (ICT). A self-report questionnaire was administered to 610 workers. The structure of the scale was investigated through exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis showing that the version of the instrument which exhibits the most satisfactory properties consists of 14 items for two dimensions. The two subscales’ correlations with the other investigated variables (behavioral disengagement coping, extraversion, lie, job satisfaction, disengagement, emotional exhaustion, leader-member exchange and organizational citizenship behaviors) were in line with expectations and differed for AE and ICT. The two subscales also had significant differences on the basis of socio-demographic characteristics. Results indicate that the final version of Kelley’s scale can be regarded as a useful research tool, although it requires further study.
Prophylactic effects of vitamin E and selenium on di(n-butyl) phthalate-induced testicular damage in prepubertal rats -

Di (n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), a potential endocrine disruptor, adversely affects male reproductive function via activation of oxidative stress. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) on DBP-induced testicular damage. Prepubertal rats were given 500 mg DBP/kg alone and in combination with Vit E (250 mg/kg) & Se (1 mg/kg) by oral gavage for 7 days and sacrificed at day 1 (D1), D30 and D45 after administration. Testicular section of DBP-treated rats showed markedly distorted seminiferous tubules, no spermatids and a reduction in the thickness of their epithelial lining, compared to the control. In contrast, co-administration of Vit E & Se protected the seminiferous tubules and regained its normal architecture to the control level. To clarify whether spermatogenic cells differentiate into mature spermatids in the treated testes at the end of first wave of spermatogenesis, immunostaining for Hsc 70t, a specific marker for spermatids, was carried out. As a result, the increase in maturation of spermatids in Vit E & Se+DBP-treated testes, compared to the DBP-treated, was demonstrated. For example, the most advanced spermatids in the tubules from rats in the DBP-treated groups were steps 8-9 at D45 of recovery, while those of the DBP+Vit E & Se-treated were steps 14-19 that were more or less similar to the control group. These results show for the first time that prepubertal administration of Vit E & Se have protective effects on DBP-induced testicular damage and restoration of normal spermatogenesis.
A CPT-Based 87Rb Atomic Clock Employing a Small Spherical Glass Vapor Cell

This paper describes the performance of an atomic clock based on Coherent Population Trapping in a Rb vapor. The clock employs a small spherical glass cell and exhibits a performance which is comparable to that of a commercial atomic clock. A resonance width of less than 200 Hz leads to short term stability of 3×10/√τ for time constants of 0.5 sec to 200 sec. The relative frequency stability is better than 10 with a slow drift of only 0.1 mHz per day.
Effect of Non-Uniform Basic Temperature Gradient on the Onset of Rayleigh-Bénard-Marangoni Electro-Convection in a Micropolar Fluid

The effects of electric field and non-uniform basic temperature gradient on the onset of Rayleigh-Bénard-Marangoni convection in a micropolar fluid are studied using the Galerkin technique. The eigenvalues are obtained for an upper free/adiabatic and lower rigid/isothermal boundaries. The microrotation is assumed to vanish at the boundaries. A linear stability analysis is performed. The influence of various micropolar fluid parameters and electric Rayleigh number on the onset of convection has been analysed. Six different non-uniform temperature profiles are considered and their comparative influence on onset is discussed.
Real-Time Motion Planning of Multiple Mobile Robots Using Artificial Potential Field Method

This paper focuses on autonomous motion planning of multiple mobile robots in an unknown cluttered environment based on Artificial Potential Field (APF) method. The navigation technique of robot control using new artificial potential function depends on the distances between obstacle positions with respect to robots and targets and bearing angles between them, while classical approaches make use of the distances between obstacle positions with respect to the robots and targets. In this particular application, the new potential field function has been proposed to approximate the robots to the nearest targets and also each robot finds particular target assigned to them in an effective manner. The local minima problem has been solved by redefining the repulsive potential field. In order to avoid inter robot collision each robot incorporates a set of collision prevention rules implemented as a Petri Net model in its controller. The resulting navigation algorithm has been implemented on real mobile robots and tested in various environments. Experimental results presented demonstrate the effectiveness and improved performance of the developed controller navigation scheme.
Grain‐size properties and organic‐carbon stock of Yedoma Ice Complex permafrost from the Kolyma lowland, northeastern Siberia

The organic carbon stock in permafrost is of increasing interest in environmental research, because during the late Quaternary a large pool of organic carbon accumulated in the sedimentary deposits of arctic permafrost. Because of its potential to degrade and release organic carbon, the organic‐matter inventory of Yedoma Ice Complex deposits is relevant to current concerns about the effects of global warming. In this context, it is essential to improve the understanding of preserved carbon quantities and characteristics. The paper aims to clarify the Yedoma Ice Complex origin, and to develop an approach for volumetric organic‐matter quantification. Therefore, we analyzed the grain size and the organic‐matter characteristics of the deposits exposed at the stratigraphic key site Duvanny Yar (lower Kolyma River, northeast Siberia). A distinct bimodal grain‐size distribution confirms a polygenetic origin of the frozen sediments from a floodplain environment. The total organic‐carbon content averages 1.5 ± 1.4 wt% while the volumetric organic‐carbon content averages 14 ± 8 kg/m3. However, large‐scale extrapolations for Yedoma Ice Complex deposits in general are not reasonable yet because of their rather unclear spatial distribution. We conclude that Yedoma Ice Complex formation at Duvanny Yar was dominated by water‐related (alluvial/fluvial/lacustrine) as well as aeolian processes. The total organic‐carbon content of the studied deposits is low if compared to other profiles, but it is still a significant pool.
Ptilophyllum muelleri (Ettingsh.) comb. nov. from the Oligocene of Australia: Last of the Bennettitales?

Several small pinnate leaves of early Oligocene age from Cethana, Tasmania, are newly described and found to be conspecific with Anomozamites muelleri Ettingsh. recorded from coeval strata at Emmaville, northern New South Wales. These fossils are most probably referable to the Bennettitales on the basis of leaf size, leaflet shape, and venation patterns, in the absence of diagnostic cuticular details. They are transferred to Ptilophyllum on the basis of leaflet morphology and represent the youngest putative bennettitalean remains yet documented. Their occurrence reinforces previous arguments that the highest-paleolatitude fragments of southeastern Gondwana provided moist temperate refugia for the survival of Mesozoic gymnosperm taxa well into the Cenozoic.
Effects of teamwork climate on cooperation in cross-functional temporary multi-organization workgroups

AbstractIn this study, the formative roles of common goals, equal status, integrative interactions, and authority support as the optimal factors for engendering individuals’ cooperation with their proximal crossfunctional project workgroups are examined. The four factors are properties of the workgroup environment and each have been highlighted as being important in previous conceptual and critical success factors (CSFs) studies of project effectiveness. However, until now, there has been no systematic empirical test of the interactive effects of all four factors in a construction temporary multiorganization (TMO) workgroup setting. The four factors are conceptualized in this study as the reflective dimensions of a superordinate multidimensional latent construct, teamwork climate. An integrative test was undertaken of the construct validity of this multidimensional construct, its substantive utility relative to its dimensions, and of specific hypotheses connecting the multidimensional construct and its di.
Exploring the Parsing of Dynamic Action in Checking Proneness

Impaired action processing may be a key feature of the obsessive-compulsive checking phenomenon, although the mechanism underlying the impairment remains to be explored. We examined the ability to parse a continuous flow of movements and perceptual changes into meaningful segments of action — a key component of action processing — in checking proneness. Participants (N = 65) completed a measure of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and, while viewing four videotaped movies, were requested to detect the transitions between significant action steps. The main result indicated that Checking — but not the other obsessive-compulsive dimensions — was negatively related, with the size of meaningful units identified. These findings suggest that checking proneness may be specifically connected with difficulties in processing actions on the basis of abstract features such as goal-related information. This could explain why people with checking symptoms find it more difficult to determine whether an intended goal has actually been achieved.
Antimicrobial activity of selected lactic acid cocci and production of organic acids

Antimicrobial activity of selected lactic acid cocci and production of organic acids Antimicrobial activity and production of organic acids by selected lactic acid bacteria were monitored in this study. The largest antimicrobial activity against indicator microorganisms showed Pediococcus sp. G5, whereas Streptococcus thermophilus had no inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect of Pediococcus sp. G5 was strongest against Bacillus subtilis (17.78 %). Lactococci inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (% of inhibition ≤ 5.25). The growth of Asperglillus flavus, Penicillium funiculosum and Rhizopus oryzae was not inhibited by all of tested cocci. Cocci produced varying quantities of organic acids (lactic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, etc.). Lactic acid was in large amounts and phenyllactic acid was produced only by Pediococcus sp. G5 (49.65 mg/L).
Effects of polymorphisms at LEP, CAST, CAPN1, GHR, FABP4 and DGAT1 genes on fattening performance and carcass traits in Simmental bulls

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at six candidate genes (LEP, CAST, CAPN1, GHR, FABP4 and DGAT1) on fattening performance and carcass traits of Simmental bulls in Turkey. The analysis covered a total of 81 Simmental bulls grown on a private farm that were randomly selected for their fattening period for use in this study. Genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP method. The S20T polymorphism at the CAST gene and the G316A polymorphism at the CAPN1 gene were associated with variation in final weight, fattening period, weight gain and average daily gain (P
Is Green Regulation Effective or a Failure: Comparative Analysis between Bangladesh Bank (BB) Green Guidelines and Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines

Green reporting and green regulation have been commonly used in the sustainability movement. This study evaluates Bangladesh Bank’s (BB’s) green regulation by considering the global reporting initiative (GRI) of environmental regulation along with self-determined content to justify BB’s institutional effort in the banking sector. The analytical study has considered secondary data of all listed banks on the Dhaka Stock Exchange between 2013 to 2016. A multi-theoretical framework has been adopted in which the research is comprised of institutional, stakeholder, and legitimacy theories. Considering the analytical research, we have drawn-up a green reporting score and undertaken SWOT analysis. The results of the study have identified the narrow coverage of BB’s regulation and strategic limitations. Moreover, the findings of the study show that banking companies disclosed more green information in line with BB’s regulation. Furthermore, our analysis has found the lack of transparency of green reporting in terms of absent global reporting as well as external verification. Additionally, we have documented that BB’s regulation falls into a legitimacy threat owing to political, corporate, and social responsibility. Therefore, we concluded that for BB to overcome all possible weaknesses and threats, it should consider all possible opportunities for a holistic international reporting framework while taking into account a transparent financial sector.
A derivation of high-frequency asymptotic values of 3D added mass and damping based on properties of the Cummins' equation

This brief paper provides a novel derivation of the known asymptotic values of three-dimensional (3D) added mass and damping of marine structures in waves. The derivation is based on the properties of the convolution terms in the Cummins's Equation as derived by Ogilvie. The new derivation is simple and no approximations or series expansions are made. The results follow directly from the relative degree and low-frequency asymptotic properties of the rational representation of the convolution terms in the frequency domain. As an application, the extrapolation of damping values at high frequencies for the computation of retardation functions is also discussed.
Acute Toxicity Study of Standardized Mitragyna speciosa Korth Aqueous Extract in Sprague Dawley Rats

Mitragyna speciosa Korth (MS) leaves are popularly used in Thailand and Malaysia. The leaves are used as a medicinal agent for treating diarrhea, worm infestations and acts as an analgesic and antipyretic agents. The present study investigated the acute toxicity of standardized MS leaf aqueous extract on Sprague Dawley rats at 175, 500 and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Dose selection was based on the Up-and-down procedure (OECD 425). No death was observed. The single oral dose of the extract also had no significant changes in the body weight, food and water consumption. The relative weights of the internal organs were also normal. However, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, albumin, calcium and cholesterol were significantly decreased. Histological examination showed steatosis and centrilobular necrosis only on several parts of the liver for the treated group. In short, the standardized MS aqueous extract did not cause any lethality and only caused slight toxic effects.