Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A life cycle assessment case study of the carbon footprint of high performance Irish, UK and USA dairy farms.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the accepted approach to simulate and compare carbon footprint (CF) of milk. The objective of this study was to apply LCA to compare CF of high performance confinement and grass-based dairy farms. Physical performance data from research herds were used to quantify CF of a high performance Irish grass-based dairy system and a top performing UK confinement dairy system. For the USA confinement dairy system, data from the top 5% of herds of a national database were used. Life cycle assessment was applied using the same dairy farm greenhouse gas (GHG) model for all systems. The model estimated all on and off-farm GHG sources associated with dairy production until milk is sold from the farm in kg of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq) and allocated emissions between milk and meat. The CF of milk was calculated by expressing GHG emissions attributed to milk per t of energy corrected milk (ECM). The comparison showed the CF of milk from the Irish grass-based system (837 kg of CO2-eq/t of ECM) was 5% lower than the UK confinement system (884 kg of CO2-eq/t of ECM) and 7% lower than the USA confinement system (898 kg of CO2-eq/t of ECM) when no GHG emissions were allocated to meat. However, without grassland carbon sequestration, the grass-based and confinement dairy systems had similar CF per t of ECM. Additionally, using different emission algorithms or methods to allocate GHG emissions between milk and meat affected the relative difference and order of dairy system CF. This indicates that further harmonization of several aspects of the LCA methodology is required to compare CF of divergent dairy systems. Relative to recent reports that assess the CF of milk from average Irish, UK and USA dairy systems, this case study indicates that top performing herds of the respective nations have CF about 30% lower than average systems. Although, differences between studies are partly explained by methodological inconsistency, the comparison suggests that there is potential to reduce the CF of milk in each of the nations by implementing practices that improve productivity.
The Effect of Type of Feeding on Salivary Immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and Total Protein in Relation to Caries Severity among Children Aged 4-5 Years Old

Human milk is the best source for infant feeding and nutrition and has many shortand long-term medical advantages. Oral immunity as a part of body immunity may be affected by type of feeding. This study was conducted to determine the accumulative effects of type of feeding on concentration of salivary S-IgA, total salivary proteins and to determine the effect of type of feeding on caries severity. Seventy five children aged 4 and 5 years selected from children attending the Preventive clinic of Dental College in Baghdad University. They classified into three groups (breastfed group, bottle-fed group and mixed-fed group). The diagnosis of dental caries was done according to (d1-4 mfs) criteria for primary teeth. Stimulated saliva was collected from children under standardized conditions and chemically analyzed to determine the concentration of S-IgA by using ELISA kit and to determine concentration of salivary total proteins calorimetrically by using ready-made kits and spectrophotometer machine. Results showed that salivary S-IgA and Total proteins were normally distributed among those children according to Shapiro-Wilk test. Concentration of S-IgA was highest among breastfed children followed mixed-fed and finally by bottle-fed children (15.25mg/dl ± 0.63, 13.40mg/dl ± 0.38, 12.44mg/dl ± 0.32) respectively. Differences in concentrations were statistically highly significant according to analysis of variance. S-IgA was highly significant higher among breast and mixed fed children than that of bottle-fed children according to LSD test (p<0.01.). Concentration of total salivary proteins was highest among breastfed followed bottle-fed and finally mixed-fed (77.75 mg/dl ± 20.98, 67.25 mg/dl ± 26.50, 63.65 mg/dl± 17.29) respectively. Differences in these concentrations were statistically significant according to analysis of variance. Total proteins were significantly higher among breastfed than that of bottle-fed groups (p<0.05) according to LSD test. Fraction of caries severity (not normally distributed according to Shapiro-Wilk test) showed statistically no significant differences among the study groups according to Kruskal-Wallis test. Regarding effect of S-IgA on caries severity, statistically significant negative correlations were recorded between S-IgA and d1 (p<0.05) and highly significant negative correlations were recorded with ds, dmfs d2 and d3) (p<0.01). In conclusion breastfeeding enhance oral immune system by increasing concentration of salivary S-IgA and salivary total protiens. Salivary S-IgA protects teeth against initiation and progression of dental caries. Type of feeding may has no effect on caries severity due to multifactorial nature of caries.
New Insights into the Formation of the Blue Main Sequence in NGC 1850

Recent discoveries of bimodal main sequences (MSs) associated with young clusters (with ages ≲1 Gyr) in the Magellanic Clouds have drawn a lot of attention. One of the prevailing formation scenarios attributes these split MSs to a bimodal distribution in stellar rotation rates, with most stars belonging to a rapidly rotating population. In this scenario, only a small fraction of stars populating a secondary blue sequence are slowly or non-rotating stars. Here, we focus on the blue MS in the young cluster NGC 1850. We compare the cumulative number fraction of the observed blue-MS stars to that of the high-mass-ratio binary systems at different radii. The cumulative distributions of both populations exhibit a clear anti-correlation, characterized by a highly significant Pearson coefficient of −0.97. Our observations are consistent with the possibility that blue-MS stars are low-mass-ratio binaries, and therefore their dynamical disruption is still ongoing. High-mass-ratio binaries, on the other hand, are more centrally concentrated.
Gender Biases in Delegation

We explore gender biases towards delegation in a modified (delegation) dictator game. Under compulsory delegation and no (gender) revelation no significant gender differences are observed for choices made by principals. Male agents share little with the recipients, meanwhile, female (agents) are not responsive to the incentive scheme and return less to the dictator. However, a clear dichotomy in female behavior is observed under gender revelation. As principals, females behave similar to their male counterparts and appoint as agents those who return more to them. On the other hand, as agents’ females show greater redistributive concerns relative to their male counterparts in the early periods even though it is detrimental to them over time. This results in both male and female principals delegating more to male agents over time.
Sorption Thermodynamics of Soursop Powders Obtained by Different Dehydration Technologies / Termodinámica de Sorción de Polvos de Guanabana Obtenidos por Diferentes Tecnologías de Deshidratación

The soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a perishable tropical fruit with high nutritional value. The aim of this work was to evaluate the sorption thermodynamics of soursop powders with maltodextrin (MD), obtained by different drying technologies, thus allowing understanding the mechanisms that govern this process. Adsorption isotherms of freeze dried (FD), spray drying (SD) and vacuum drying (VD) powders were determined at 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C by using the static gravimetric method. The results showed that the better fits the adsorption experimental data is the GAB model (R 2>0.9893). The influence of the drying system in the model parameters was also shown. The monolayer moisture values between 5.28 and 9.30% (kg water/kg d.s) were within the reported range for dehydrated food.
Fallout and distribution of volcanic ash over Argentina following the May 2008 explosive eruption of Chaitén, Chile

[1] The major explosive eruption of Chaiten volcano, Chile, in May 2008 provided a rare opportunity to track the long-range dispersal and deposition of fine volcanic ash. The eruption followed ∼10,000 years of quiescence, was the largest explosive eruption globally since Hudson, Chile, in 1991, and was the first explosive rhyolitic eruption since Novarupta, Alaska, in 1912. Field examination of distal ashfall indicates that ∼1.6 × 1011 kg of ash (dense rock equivalent volume of ∼0.07 km3) was deposited over ∼2 × 105 km2 of Argentina during the first week of eruption. The minimum eruption magnitude, estimated from the mass of the tephra deposit, is 4.2. Several discrete ashfall units are identifiable from their distribution and grain size characteristics, with more energetic phases showing a bimodal size distribution and evidence of cloud aggregation processes. Ash chemistry was uniform throughout the early stages of eruption and is consistent with magma storage prior to eruption at depths of 3–6 km. Deposition of ash over a continental region allowed the tracking of eruption development and demonstrates the potential complexity of tephra dispersal from a single eruption, which in this case comprised several phases over a week-long period of intense activity.
Verification of global numerical weather forecasting systems in polar regions using TIGGE data

High‐latitude climate change is expected to increase the demand for reliable weather and environmental forecasts in polar regions. In this study, a quantitative assessment of the skill of state‐of‐the‐art global weather prediction systems in polar regions is given using data from the THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) for the period 2006/2007–2012/2013. Forecast skill in the Arctic is comparable to that found in the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes. However, relative differences in the quality between different forecasting systems appear to be amplified in the Arctic. Furthermore, analysis uncertainty in the Arctic is more of an issue than it is in the midlatitudes, especially when it comes to near‐surface parameters over snow‐ and ice‐covered surfaces. Using NOAA's reforecast dataset, it is shown that the changes in forecast skill during the 7‐year period considered here can largely be explained by flow‐dependent error growth, especially for the more skilful forecasting systems. Finally, a direct comparison between the Arctic and Antarctic suggests that predictions of mid‐topospheric flow in the former region are more skilful.
Beyond the Net Generation Debate: A Comparison of Digital Learners in Face-to-Face and Virtual Universities

In the last decade, an important debate has arisen about the characteristics of today’s students due to their intensive experience as users of ICT. The main belief is that frequent use of technologies in everyday life implies that competent users are able to transfer their digital skills to learning activities. However, empirical studies developed in different countries reveal similar results suggesting that the “digital native” label does not provide evidence of a better use of technology to support learning. The debate has to go beyond the characteristics of the new generation and focus on the implications of being a learner in a digitalised world. This paper is based on the hypothesis that the use of technology to support learning is not related to whether a student belongs to the Net Generation, but that it is mainly influenced by the teaching model. The study compares behaviour and preferences towards ICT use in two groups of university students: face-to-face students and online students. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of students from five universities with different characteristics (one offers online education and four offer face-to-face education with LMS teaching support).
Tracking magnetic bright point motions through the solar atmosphere

High-cadence, multiwavelength observations and simulations are employed for the analysis of solar photospheric magnetic bright points (MBPs) in the quiet Sun. The observations were obtained with the Rapid Oscillations in the Solar Atmosphere (ROSA) imager and the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer at the Dunn Solar Telescope. Our analysis reveals that photospheric MBPs have an average transverse velocity of approximately 1 km s−1, whereas their chromospheric counterparts have a slightly higher average velocity of 1.4 km s−1. Additionally, chromospheric MBPs were found to be around 63 per cent larger than the equivalent photospheric MBPs. These velocity values were compared with the output of numerical simulations generated using the MURAM code. The simulated results were similar, but slightly elevated, when compared to the observed data. An average velocity of 1.3 km s−1 was found in the simulated G-band images and an average of 1.8 km s−1 seen in the velocity domain at a height of 500 km above the continuum formation layer. Delays in the change of velocities were also analysed. Average delays of ∼4 s between layers of the simulated data set were established and values of ∼29 s observed between G-band and Ca II K ROSA observations. The delays in the simulations are likely to be the result of oblique granular shock waves, whereas those found in the observations are possibly the result of a semi-rigid flux tube.
Coordination enyironments of B impurities in calcite and aragonite polymorphs : A lrB MAS NMR study

Coordination environments of B impurities in concentration levels on the order of parts per million in calcite and aragonite have been studied by "B MAS NMR spectroscopy. B-O coordination in these polymorphs of CaCO, has been found to be very sensitive to the carbonate crystal structure. In calcite, B occurs principally in trigonal coordination, whereas it occurs in tetrahedral coordination in aragonite. On phase transformation from aragonite to calcite, B changes its coordination accordingly. Thus, B impurities reside in the CaCO' crystal structure rather than in fluid inclusions or trace mineral phases. Isolated BO3 anions are most likely to replace COIanions in the calcite structure, through a process of coupled substitution in order to maintain the electrical neutrality. On the other hand, the structural role of BOItetrahedra in the aragonite structure is not clear. The similarity in B isotopic composition between the two CaCO3 polymorphs, in spite of the difference in the B coordination states, implies disequilibrium between B in the CaCO, structure and that in the parent solution. Different coordination states ofB in calcite and aragonite are the likely controlling factor behind the stronger partitioning of B into aragonite than into calcite from the parent solutron.
Normal Values of Hemoglobin A1c among Women in Khartoum State: (A Pilot Study, 2016)

Introduction: Currently no local studies have been conducted to investigate the normal reference range of HbA1C in Sudanese women, and the normal reference range of HbA1C is obtained from international data.These data were largely based on western population which is different from Sudan in their environment, ethnic groups, nutritional habitsand body mass index.Most of the studies about HbA1Cconducted in Sudan generally or Khartoum state specifically were concentratingon abnormal HbA1Crather than the normal values. Objectives: The research aimed to measure the normal values of haemoglobin A1C in Sudanese women living in Khartoum State during the period from May 2016 to July 2016,and to compare the normal values of HbA1C in Sudanese women to that found in international references andto determine the relation between HbA1C level and Hb level in non diabetic Sudanese women in Khartoum state. Methods: A cross sectional, community based study was conducted in Khartoum state during May 2016 to July 2016 among healthy Sudanese adults, non-diabetic female volunteers above 30 years old. Twenty women were included as a pilot. After their consent they were assessed via a questionnaire covering age, occupation, chronic illness, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, number of kids, exercise, daily caloric intake for the last three days and smoking history. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using BMI formula based on metric unit by measuring weight and height. BMI= weight (kg)/ height(m). Arterial blood pressure was checked for each volunteer to exclude hypertension. Blood samples were analyzed for FBG (to exclude DM), Hb level and glycosylated hemoglobin level by colorimetric reaction using machine TWIN A1C analyzer. Correlations between the variables were estimated and P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean of HbA1c was found to be 3.43 % +1.17 with a range of (1.4% 5.3 %). There was no correlation between Normal FBG, Hb level, daily caloric intake, age and the level of HbA1c. The mean of the BMI was 25.09 with a maximum of 31.9 and a minimum of 16.46 with no correlation between HbA1c and BMI. The mean of HbA1c in physically active participants was 3.9 % (+0.9)and in the non active participants was 3.1 % (+1.3). Conclusion: According to this study the normal values of HbA1c in Sudanese women is found to be different from the international values.
Effect of temperature on the maintenance and termination of diapause in overwintering females of Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Overwintering females of Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozetti) entered reproductive diapause, and the ovarian development in females collected before the end of the year was retarded, but development proceeded normally after the beginning of the year. I examined the effects of temperature on the maintenance and termination of diapause in overwintering females that were reared on pumpkin fruits under natural conditions and then transferred to laboratory conditions. Reproductive diapause was averted by a high temperature of 25°C, irrespective of the time of transfer. In contrast, temperatures of 22.5 and 20°C maintained the diapause when the overwintering females were transferred before the winter solstice. Reproductive diapause gradually terminated at a temperature of 17.5°C. Diapause development proceeded when females were reared at 15°C, and in early to mid-February the females began to lay eggs in the samples transferred between November and January. Diapausing females continuously fed on the pumpkin fruits and added secretory materials to the scale cover after being transferred to the incubators. The scale cover, which became thick during diapause, might protect the insect against adverse environmental conditions.
Assessment of Marketing Performance in Major Onion Markets, Kano State, Nigeria

The study assessed marketing performances in major onion consuming markets of Kano State. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to draw the proportion of 151 onion market participants. In the first stage, three (3) Development zones; Kura, Dambatta and Wudil were considered. `Yankaba, Dambatta, Kura and Wudil markets were purposively selected. In the analysis, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, percentages), gross margin analysis were used. Gross marketing margin shows an average return of N2, 875:00/50Kgbag, average marketing margin of 81.15% was realized and marketing efficiency of 687.5% was achieved. Major constraints identified were lack of access to credit facility and available storage facilities. The study recommended access to loan and credit facility increase, marketers levels of capital, modern onion processing facilities for value addition could increase onion acceptability and profitability to meet the domestic and international community needs, provision of affordable commercial onion storage facilities to reduce onion damages and spoilage should be encouraged, Research funds should be allocated and made accessible to institutions and individuals for researches on relevant appropriate technologies.
Topography, the geoid, and compensation mechanisms for the southern Rocky Mountains

The southern Rockies of Colorado are anomalously high (elevations greater than 2800 m), topographically rough (implying active uplift), and underlain by significant low‐velocity anomalies in the upper mantle that suggest an intimate relationship between mantle geodynamic processes and the surface topography. The region is in isostatic equilibrium (i.e., near‐zero free‐air gravity anomaly); however, the poor correlation between the high topography and crustal thickness makes the application of simple compensation models (e.g., pure Heiskanen or Pratt‐Hayford) problematic. Knowledge of how the current topography of the Rockies is isostatically compensated could provide constraints on the relative role of sublithospheric buoyancy versus lithospheric support. Here we evaluate the geoid and its relationship to the topography (using the geoid‐to‐elevation ratio (GTR) in the spatial domain and the admittance in the frequency domain) to constrain the mechanism of compensation. We separate the upper mantle geoid anomalies from those with deeper sources through the use of spherical harmonic filtering of the EGM2008 geoid. We exploit the fact that at wavelengths greater than the flexural wavelength where features are isostatically compensated, the geoid/topography ratio can be used to estimate the depth of compensation and the elastic thickness of the lithosphere. The results presented below indicate that the main tectonic provinces of the western United States have moderate geoid/topography ratios between 3.5 and 5.5 m/km (∼3.9 for the southern Rockies, ∼4.25 for the Colorado Plateau, and ∼5.2 for the Northern Basin and Range) suggesting shallow levels of isostatic compensation. In terms of the elastic thickness of the lithosphere, our results indicate an elastic thickness of less than 20 km. These value support the notion that a major portion of the buoyancy that has driven uplift resides at depths less than 100 km and that upper mantle processes such as small‐scale convection may play a significant role in the buoyant uplift of the southern Rockies (as well as other actively uplifting areas of the western United States). Further support for this hypothesis is provided by high coherence for the geoid‐topography relationship for nearly all wavelengths between 50 and 1000 km.
Reproduction of African Tigrine Frog Hoplobatrachus occipitalis in Banco National Park (Ivory Coast)

The reproduction of Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Dicroglossidae) was studied in the Banco National Park (BNP) from Ivory Coast. After weighing and dissection of different specimens, male gonads and female gonads are weighed. The eggs of female gonad were counted and measured to the nearest millimeter. The sizes at first sexual maturity in females and males are 124.5 mm and 95 mm respectively. The overall sex ratio evaluated for the BNP is in favor of males (1/2.08). The breeding period of this species is at the early rainy season. The female of this species has heterogeneous gonads, which means fractional oviposition.