Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macrostructure and optical study of PMMA/TiO2 nanoparticles composites

Polymer nanocomposites have elicited extensive research efforts due to their potential to exhibit spectacular properties. In the presentwork,mixtures of four different concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) of titaniumoxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and optical analysis were employed to characterize and reveal the miscibilitymap and the relationship of the structure properties. From the obtained results, it is clear that the TiO2 nanoparticles have a great effect on improving the performance properties of PMMA greatly depends on the concentration of nanoparticles. Moreover, the organic parts are attached with the inorganic parts in the PMMA/TiO2 nanoparticles composites.
Engineered Warp Knit Auxetic Fabrics

Auxetic textiles comprise a class of extraordinary materials that increase in size when stretched and are being considered in many applications of technical textiles. Sustained efforts to fabricate auxetic fabric structures are sparse and the use of auxetic materials has been limited because of problems with deploying them in their fabricated forms. Auxetic materials based on fibers and fabrics may be able to circumvent these and other limitations. Thus, the use of auxetic fibers in an engineered textile structure can be facilitated by the development of cost effective, productive processes in which large quantities of textile materials exhibit the very unusual, interesting and useful property of becoming wider when stretched and thinner when compressed. Such a process will revolutionize the technical textiles and protective clothing industry. Our thrust in this research is to combine our knowledge of geometry and fabric structural characteristics to engineer auxetic textiles and to determine the properties of such auxetic textile fabrics. Our efforts to produce auxetic knit structures from non-auxetic yarns are described in this paper.
MORPHOLOGICAL, PATHOGENIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri ISOLATES FROM MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Vascular wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri (FOC) is considered as one of the major factors of low productivity in chickpea. The present study was conducted to determine the morphological, pathogenic and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variability of twenty isolates of FOC collected from the Maharashtra State of India, along with four reference isolates corresponding to four known FOC races. Pathogenicity of each isolate was confirmed using the wilt susceptible chickpea genotype JG-62. The mycelia of all the isolates were septate, hyaline and profusely branched. All the FOC isolates produced micro- and macro-conidia in pure culture within seven days after inoculation. Based on the abilities of the isolates to cause disease on an international set of chickpea differentials and genetic variability estimated by the RAPD technique, these 24 isolates were grouped into two pathotypes, i.e. pathotype I and pathotype II.
Genetic analysis of grapevine cultivars from the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, based on SSR markers.

Turkey is one of the centres for grapevine diversity with many local grapevine cultivars with potentially desirable characteristics are still widely cultivated throughout several regions in the country. One of such regions is the Eastern Mediterranean region of the country. To characterize the grapevine germplasm of this region, we performed a genetic analysis of 59 grapevine cultivars using 14 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. The genetic relationships of the cultivars which did not appear to be linked to their ecogeographical distributions within the region were determined. Among the cultivars analyzed in this study, several synonymous and homonymous cultivars were identified, suggesting that some of the grapevine cultivars with different names might be genetically identical while some cultivars with the same names might be genetically different. This study represents a first step toward the genetic characterization of the grapevine genotypes of this region and will help promote more effective germplasm management and breeding programs.
Petrology and zircon U-Pb dating combined with Hf isotope study of granitic rocks from the Kuluketage Block (Tarim Craton, NW China)

We report the petrology, whole-rock geochemistry, zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb chronology and zircon Hf isotopic data of Daxigou granitoids (western part of the Kuluketage Block, NW China) to evaluate their likely petrogenesis and tectonic setting. Zircons from syenogranite can be divided into two groups: 1) those that display oscillatory zoning and high Th/U ratios (average = 1.38), implying their magmatic origin and 2) those that exhibit weak zoning and extremely high U and Pb contents but low Th/U ratios (average = 0.35), resembling zircons that experienced hydrothermal alteration. The zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of the two groups of zircons yielded weighted mean ages of 1830 ± 12 Ma (MSWD = 0.78) and 1798 ± 21 Ma (MSWD = 1.6) respectively. The Daxigou granitoids belong mostly to normal-K and sodium-rich metaluminous calc-alkaline type, systematically enriched in LREE and large ion lithophile elements (LILE, e.g., K, Ba and Rb), but significantly depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE, e.g., Ti, P, Nb, Ta and U). Their eHf(t) values and two-stage Hf model ages range from –7.16 to –5.03 and 2.69 to 2.76 Ga, respectively. Taken together, it is suggested that Daxigou granitoids are of I-type affinity and that they were derived by partial melting of a Neoarchaean TTG (e.g., Tuoge Complex) rocks in a continental-arc environment. These new data, combined with previous regional geological studies, demonstrate that a series of Palaeoproterozoic (c. 2.0–1.8 Ga) tectono-magmatic events occurred in Kuluketage Block during the assembly of Columbia.
Draft Space use of a reintroduced population of Capra pyrenaica in a protected natural area

15 In Europe, wild ungulates have undergone major expansion and population growth during recent decades. In certain 16 cases, the high density achieved by these populations has led to excessive pressure on the environment, which 17 eventually becomes a limiting factor for the population itself. One of these reintroductions was performed with the 18 Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica (Schinz, 1838)) in the National Park of the Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain). This 19 reintroduced population was monitored during six field seasons (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2014) by direct 20 observation of the animals along transects using the distance sampling method to determine the degree of expansion 21 over the years and the use of different habitats according to different seasons. The abundances obtained for each field 22 season showed a significant increase from 4.16 ind. /km to 8.65 ind. /km, showing a linear relationship between the 23 abundance and the extent of the area occupied by the species. We observed that differences between habitat 24 availability and use were significant for all seasons. Our data can be used as an example of the process of colonisation 25 of a population of wild ungulates and their impact on vegetation in order to better manage future reintroductions. 26 27
Mark-Ups, Entry Regulation and Trade: Does Country Size Matter?

Actual, and potential competition is a powerful source of discipline on the pricing behavior of firms with market power. The authors develop a simple model that shows that the effects of new entry, and import competition on industry price-cost markups, depend on country size. The authors predicted that barriers to domestic entry would have a stronger anti-competitive effect in large countries, while barriers to foreign entry (imports) would have a stronger effect in small countries. After estimating markups for manufacturing sectors in forty-one industrial, and developing countries, they test these hypotheses, and find that the hypotheses cannot be rejected by the data. For example, although Indonesia, and Italy impose the same number of regulations on the entry of new firms, the effect of the regulations on manufacturing markups is twenty percent greater in Italy because of its larger size. Similarly, while Chile and Zimbabwe have the same import penetration ration, the market discipline effect of imports is thirteen percent greater in Zimbabwe because of its smaller size.
Effect of Restricted and Re-Feeding Regime on Feeding Cost, Growth Performance, Feed Utilization and Survival Rate of Mixed Sex Nile Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus Cultured in Tanks

Feed is the most expensive item in captive fish production frequently amounting to more than 50% of the total variable costs depending on the intensity of culture. Feeding costs can be significantly reduced by using proper feeding regimes. Mixed sex Oreochromis niloticus with initial mean weights (± standard error) of 3.97 ± 0.35 g were randomly fed twice daily (G1), starved for one day (G2) and two days (G3) in three replicates so as to evaluate feeding cost, growth performance, feed utilization and survival rate for eight weeks in tanks. The results showed that, feed restriction had a significant effect in reducing feed cost (F = 180.291, p = 0.001). Lowest feed cost was obtained in O. niloticus starved for two days compared to those starved for one day (p = 0.005) and fed twice daily (p = 0.001). Feeding cost was reduced by 10 and 20% in O. niloticus restricted to feed for one and two days respectively compared to those fed twice daily. During re-feeding growth performance and feed utilization were significantly higher in O. niloticus starved for two days than those starved for one day and fed twice daily (p < 0.05). The current study revealed that, feeding cost can be reduced to 10 and 20% by depriving O. niloticus to feed for one and two days respectively without affecting growth performance, feed utilization efficiencies and survival rate.
Statistics of seafloor backscatter measured with multibeam sonar systems

A number of theoretical models for seafloor backscatter statistics developed for the recent years show a good agreement with experimental measurements made with sonar systems. However, methods of data collection used in multibeam systems are commonly not taken into consideration when analysing backscatter statistics. Using data collected with a Reson Seabat 8125 system and based on theoretical considerations, it is shown that the seafloor backscatter strength derived from the peak intensity measured as a single value for each beam leads to considerable backscatter overestimation at oblique angles of incidence when the beam footprint is much larger than the insonification area. This occurs because variations of the peak intensity are extreme value distributed, which can be well approximated by the Gumbel distribution. The location parameter of the Gumbel distribution depends on the ratio of the footprint and insonification areas, which results in distorted angular dependence of backscatter strength estimat.
Optimal Reactive Power Compensation in Electric Transmission Line using STATCOM

The increased electric power consumption causes transmission lines to be driven close to or even beyond their transfer capacities resulting in overloaded lines and congestions. FACTS devices provide an opportunity to resolve congestions by controlling active and reactive power flows as well as voltages. FACTS devices can be connected to a transmission line in various ways, such as in series, shunt, or a combination of series and shunt. Shunt FACTS devices are used for controlling transmission voltages, power flow, reducing reactive losses, and damping of power system oscillations for high power transfer levels. The SVC and STATCOM are two important shunt FACTS devices. In this paper the optimal location of STATCOM for reactive power compensation in electric transmission line to control power flows is investigated. The reactive power compensation of the STATCOM is studied with three different locations in the transmission line. The STATCOM is located at the receiving end, middle and at 2/3 distance from the sending end of the transmission line. The MATLAB simulation results show the relative performance. Keywords - electric transmission line, FACTS devices, reactive power compensation, static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), shunt FACTS devices.
The Effect of Workplace Friendship, Team-Member Exchange and Leader-Member Exchange on Organizational Citizenship Behavior

This study sought to explore the effect of interpersonal factors such as workplace friendship, team-member exchange (TMX), and leader-member exchange (LMX) on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Results from a sample of 325 participants recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk showed that—contrary to expectations—LMX and TMX were associated more strongly to OCB towards the organization than to OCB toward individuals. Results also supported the predictive effect of workplace friendship on TMX, and also the predictive effect of LMX on workplace friendship. Finally, the findings indicated that TMX fully mediated the relation between workplace friendship and OCB, while workplace friendship only partially mediated the relation between LMX and TMX. Theoretical implications and limitations of the results, as well as directions for future research are discussed. OCB LMX TMX AND WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIP 3
The Male Reproductive Cycle of the Toad, Suto bankorensis, in Taiwan

Wen-San Huang, Jun-Yi Lin and John YUh-lin Yu (1996) The male reproductive cycle of the toad, Buto bankorensis, in Taiwan. Zoological Studies 35(2): 128-137. Studies of the male reproductive cycle in the toad, Buto bankorensis were conducted on spermatogenetic activity, direct measurements of plasma androgen, and changes in the weights of testes, liver and fatbody. A total of 110 male Buto bankorensis were collected from March 1990 to March 1991 in central Taiwan. Histological evidence indicates that the spermatogenetic cycle of this toad is of a potentially continuous type. Although cell nests of all spermatogenic types were present every month of the year, the greatest intensity of spermatogenetic activity (sperm bundles and mature sperm) occurred during August to November. Plasma androgen levels exhibited a significant difference in level between September and June (mean values = 93 nglml and 2.5 nglml, respectively). The weights of fat bodies peaked during the months of May, June and July, coincident with the beginning of breeding, and they had regressed in December by the end of the period of intense spermatogenetic activity. Testicular weight increased slowly in August and peaked in September. Combined data from spermatogenetic activity, plasma androgen, and changes in weights of testes, fat bodies, and livers showed that B. bankorensis is a potentially continuous breeder. However, its annual reproductive cycle could be clearly divided into these periods: 1) breeding period (August to November); 2) postbreeding period (December to February); 3) reproductive energy preservation period (March to May); and 4) torpid period (June to July).
L2-Boosting for sensitivity analysis with dependent inputs

This paper is dedicated to the study of an estimator of the generalized Hoeffding decomposition. We build such an estimator using an empirical Gram-Schmidt approach and derive a consistency rate in a large dimensional setting. We then apply a greedy algorithm with these previous estimators to a sensitivity analysis. We also establish the consistency of this L2-boosting under sparsity assumptions of the signal to be analyzed. The paper concludes with numerical experiments, that demonstrate the low computational cost of our method, as well as its efficiency on the standard benchmark of sensitivity analysis.
Existence and Stability of Equilibrium Points in the Robe’s Restricted Three-Body Problem with Variable Masses

The positions and linear stability of the equilibrium points of the Robe’s circular restricted three-body problem, are generalized to include the effect of mass variations of the primaries in accordance with the unified Meshcherskii law, when the motion of the primaries is determined by the Gylden-Meshcherskii problem. The autonomized dynamical system with constant coefficients here is possible, only when the shell is empty or when the densities of the medium and the infinitesimal body are equal. We found that the center of the shell is an equilibrium point. Further, when k﹥1; k being the constant of a particular integral of the Gylden-Meshcherskii problem; a pair of equilibrium point, lying in the -plane with each forming triangles with the center of the shell and the second primary exist. Several of the points exist depending on k; hence every point inside the shell is an equilibrium point. The linear stability of the equilibrium points is examined and it is seen that the point at the center of the shell of the autonomized system is conditionally stable; while that of the non-autonomized system is unstable. The triangular equilibrium points on the -plane of both systems are unstable.
Inverting an Image Does Not Improve Drawing Accuracy

It has been suggested that inverting an image will increase drawing accuracy. However, perceptual evidence suggests that inverting an image inhibits processing of spatial information. D. J. Cohen and S. Bennett (1997) theorized that perceptual distortions will lead to drawing errors. In the present experiment, the authors test whether inverting an image improves drawing accuracy, as suggested by art educators, or results in distorted drawings, as predicted by Cohen and Bennett. The present data reveal that inverting an image inhibits the drawing accuracy of spatial relations thus supporting Cohen and Bennett’s (1997) theory of drawing accuracy.
Effects of Nutrient Additions on Three Coastal Salt Marsh Plants Found in Sunset Cove, Texas

Effects of Nutrient Additions on Three Coastal Salt Marsh Plants Found in Sunset Cove, Texas. (December 2010) Leslie Ann Rulon, B.S. Texas A&M University at Galveston Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Antonietta Quigg Eutrophication, particularly due to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) input, has been massively altered by anthropogenic activities. Thus it is important to understand the impact on salt marsh plants; however studies on salt marsh plants within Galveston Bay, Texas are limited. In this study, the effects of repeated nutrient additions in monospecific plots of Spartina alterniflora, Batis maritima ̧ and Salicornia virginica as well as mixed plots of B. maritima and S. virginica were studied over 15 months. Results showed that nutrient loading led to an increase in height, biomass, growth rate and percent nitrogen (N) within all three species studied, but were species specific more than dose dependent. Nitrogen content in leaves had a positive correlation with P content in leaves but a negative correlation with carbon (C) content. Nutrient loading lead to a significant increase in total chlorophyll in the fertilized plots of S. alterniflora and S. virginica one month into the study. Nutrient addition to two succulent species, B. maritima and S. virginica in mixed plots did not reveal a distinct superior competitor within the 15 month study in terms of growth and nutrient use efficiencies; however using the maximum growth rates of the monospecific plots, the Monod model was used to determine which species would dominate at high nutrient loads. Based on height data S. alterniflora
Impact of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Germination and Antioxidant System of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedling under Cadmium Stress

T􀀠is work aimed to investi􀀟ate t􀀠e impact of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on t􀀠e stress induced byCadmium (Cd) on 􀀟rain 􀀟ermination and antioxidant system of Maize (Zea mays L.) seedlin􀀟. Germination parameters(final 􀀟ermination percenta􀀟e (FGP), mean daily 􀀟ermination (MDG), coefficient of velocity of 􀀟ermination (CVG),mean 􀀟ermination time MGT, 􀀟ermination index (GI), 􀀟ermination stress tolerance index (GSI), seedlin􀀟 vi􀀟or index(SVI) as well as dry matter stress tolerance index (DMSI)), 􀀟rowt􀀠 parameters (s􀀠oot and root fres􀀠 and dry wei􀀟􀀠t),free radicals malondialde􀀠yde (MDA) and reduced 􀀟lutat􀀠ione (GSH) concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC􀀛.􀀛5.􀀛.􀀛), 􀀟lutat􀀠ione reductases (GR, EC 􀀛.6.4.2), 􀀟lutat􀀠ione peroxidase (GPX, EC 􀀛.􀀛􀀛.􀀛.9) and catalase (CAT, EC􀀛.􀀛􀀛.􀀛.6) activities were investi􀀟ated. T􀀠e results indicated t􀀠at, addition of ZnO-NPs (5􀀚􀀚 m􀀟 L-􀀛) contribute a 􀀠i􀀟􀀠lyprotection from Cd toxicity via decrease Cd concentration, MGT, MDA and promotin􀀟 induction of MDG, CVG, GSI,SVI and DMSI, as well increasin􀀟 GSH, SOD, GR, CAT and GPX activities.
Genetic variability analysis for the selection of elite genotypes based on pod yield and quality from the germplasm of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Genetic variability on 100 genotypes of okra revealed high magnitude of genetic variability and high degree of transmission of majority of the growth, earliness and yield associated traits under study. High magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation (>20.00 %) for number of branches per plant, total number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, total yield per plant (g), marketable yield per plant (g) and yellow vein mosaic virus infestation on plants (%) indicated high degree of genetic variability offering great scope for selection of these characters. The characters plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, internodal length (cm), days to fifty per cent flowering, first flowering node, first fruiting node, fruit length (cm), fruit weight (g), total number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, total yield per plant (g), marketable yield per plant (g), yellow vein mosaic virus infestation on fruits and plants (%) having high heritability (>60.00 %) coupled with high expected genetic advance (>20.00 %) revealed that a very significant improvement is possible through selection for all these characters. On the basis of mean performance for pod yield and its components and acceptable pod quality traits, ten germplasm lines namely IC282248, IC27826-A, IC29119-B, IC31398-A, IC45732, IC89819, IC89976, IC90107, IC99716 and IC111443 were found to be horticulturally superior, which can be utilized for the development of open pollinated varieties or hybrids.
THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF DIABETIC FOOT AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS (T2DM) IN ALAHSA, SAUDI ARABIA.

Mohamed Riched Nabouli Asst Prof, Ali Hussain Al Rasasi MBBS, Mohammed Saleh Al Saeed MBBS and Mohammed Fahd Al Momen MBBS and Asma Saleh Alsaeed MBBS. King Faisal University, college of Medicine. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History
Burial and degradation of Rena oil within coastal sediments of the Bay of Plenty

ABSTRACT During the Rena oil spill, no data existed for New Zealand conditions on the likely depth of burial and the expected degradation of oil deposited on sandy beaches. Sediment cores were taken from 12 locations along the Bay of Plenty coastline c. 1 year after the Rena oil spill. No visible oil was detected in cores and trenches dug within the beaches. Chemical extraction was performed on 20 cm slices from the upper 40 cm of 26 cores, and the elutriates were analysed for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results were compared with known PAH fingerprints of Rena oil and its degradation products. Only seven samples contained some marker PAHs, and none had a complete Rena profile, indicating stormwater contamination. Despite extensive deposition of Rena oil on beaches, no evidence of ongoing contamination could be located, indicating that the clean-up and degradation were effective at removing the oil.