Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intensity of the imposex phenomenon - impact on growth and fecundity in Hexaplex trunculus (Mollusca: Gastropoda) collected in Bizerta lagoon and channel (Tunisia)

Des prelevements mensuels de 100 individus du murex Hexaplex trunculus, de 40 a 60 mm de hauteur, ont ete realises de janvier a juillet 2003 dans deux stations situees au nord de la Tunisie: celle de Menzel Jemil, sur le bord est de la lagune de Bizerte et celle de la cimenterie, situee dans le canal de communication de la lagune avec la Mediterranee. Les parametres physicochimiques (temperature, salinite, oxygene et pH) ont ete releves mensuellement durant cette periode d'etude. Le suivi de la croissance relative de l'ouverture de la coquille, de la chair et de la coquille seche a revele que chez les individus de la lagune, la croissance de l'ouverture et celle de la chair seche est plus elevee que chez les individus du canal. En revanche, la croissance de la coquille est plus elevee chez les individus du canal pour les individus superieurs a 60 mm. En comparant les femelles entre elles et les mâles entre eux, nous avons constate que la croissance de la chair et de la coquille seche est superieure a la station de la cimenterie a partir d'une certaine taille de coquille. L'examen de la partie molle de 100 a 150 individus recoltes en janvier, mars et juin a montre que le taux d'imposex est de 100% a la station de la cimenterie contre 65,8% a celle de Menzel Jemil. L'intensite du developpement du tractus genital mâle chez les femelles semble avoir un impact sur la fecondite du gasteropode. Suite a une emission gametique qui s'est deroulee en aquarium pendant la periode de ponte (de fevrier-mars a juin), nous avons releve que le taux d'individus emettant les capsules, ainsi que la fecondite moyenne, sont plus importants en lagune qu'en canal. Le developpement exagere du tractus genital mâle des femelles de la station de la cimenterie, notamment celui du canal deferent du cote de l'orifice de ponte, a un impact negatif sur l'emission gametique.
Molecular and morphometric evidence for the widespread introduction of Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1853) into freshwaters of mainland China

Two North American species of mosquitofish, the Western (Gambusia affinis Baird and Girard, 1853) and Eastern mosquitofish (G. holbrooki Girard, 1859), rank amongst the most invasive freshwater fishes worldwide. While the existing literature suggests that G. affinis was introduced to mainland China, empirical evidence supporting this assumption was limited, and the possibility remained that both species were introduced during campaigns attempting to reduce vectors of malaria and dengue fever. We used combined molecular information (based on phylogenetic analyses of sequence variation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene) and morphometric data (dorsal and anal fin ray counts) to confirm the presence of only one species, G. affinis, across ten sampling sites in mainland China.
Clarification of the predominant emission sources of antimony in airborne particulate matter and estimation of their effects on the atmosphere in Japan

Environmental context. The remarkable enrichment of potentially toxic antimony (Sb) in inhalable airborne particulate matter has become of great environmental concern among recent air pollution issues. The present study clarifies the predominant sources of Sb by focusing on the similarities in elemental composition, particle size distributions, and microscopic images found in ambient airborne particles and several potential sources. We identify automotive brake abrasion dust and fly ash emitted from waste incineration as dominant sources of atmospheric Sb in Japan. These results will contribute towards an in-depth understanding of the cycles and fates of Sb in the environment. Abstract. By focusing on the similarities in elemental composition, particle size distributions of elemental concentrations, and microscopic images between ambient airborne particulate matter (APM) and several potential sources, we discuss the predominant sources of antimony (Sb) in APM in Japan. The distribution of Sb concentration in size-classified ambient APM showed a characteristic bimodal profile in which peaks were found in coarse (3.6–5.2 μm) and fine (0.5–0.7 μm) fractions. Elemental ratios, particle sizes, and microscopic images observed in the coarse APM fractions were found to be in good agreement with those of brake abrasion dust. However, in the fine APM fractions, fly ash originating from waste incineration was identified as the most probable source of Sb. Chemical mass balance analysis was performed to determine the effects of the emission sources of Sb, and it was revealed that brake abrasion dust and waste fly ash were the dominant sources of Sb in the coarser and the finer fractions of APM, respectively. The present study provides important clues to understanding the cycles and fates of Sb in the environment.
Academic Discourse by Turkish Women “Rules of the Game”

Faculties of education have a specific and gender-based history. It is significant for the academic discourse of women to speak of trouble some process that they experience in the creation of a “leadership” career in their career stages. The attempt to configure women business life academically turns into action through the gains achieved by their lives. Qualitative research method has been used in this study and semi-structured interview was conducted for a few hours. The study group is composed of 7 women working in faculty of education who has a history of leadership in higher education academy or currently is in that position. However, it is aimed to identify their role about the academic career and management responsibilities of the participants and depict their success, disappointments and faculty culture. Research results show that women in academics follow two types of discourse while assuming the management role: winning and losing. These groups of women academics display differences in terms of cultural differences, ways of solving problems, perspectives, social and cultural perceptions and managerial organization skills. Consequently, this study includes the discussions where the experiences of women academics in "winning" or "losing" the game are introduced and the recommendations are made.
MODIFIED NATURAL CARRIER IN SOLID DISPERSION FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SOLUBILITY OF POORLY WATER SOLUBLE DRUGS

The solid dispersion is one of the most important and desirable technique of solubility enhancement, the use of natural carrier in solid dispersion gives prominent and ecofriendly results. Many carriers have limitations in enhancing solubility of poorly water soluble drugs due to their high viscosity and their hygroscopic nature, modifying natural gum at different temperature provides carrier which have low viscosity and high swelling capacity offers better alternative for natural carriers. Modification of natural gums also changes physical characteristics like swelling index, viscosity, water retention capacity and crystalline nature of powder into amorphous. It concludes that modified form of carrier always shows better desire properties for enhancing water solubility. KEYWORDS: Solid dispersion, Modified natural gums, Carriers, Solubility.
A Novel Method for Calculation of Knee Deformation Angles in Clinical and Sport Biomechanics

Biomechanical analyses seek to improve understanding of the mechanisms of knee injury and to find ways to reduce knee injury incidence. Many clinical biomechanics researchers use a standard kinematic adopted from Newington Children’s Hospital. Biomechanical studies include the knee joint configurations, where joint architecture immutably constrains and guides movement outcomes. Investigators will default to reporting resultant joint deformation without considering the influence of joint architectural configurations on kinematic responses. The purpose of this study was to develop a new joint angular kinematic method that accounts for influence of dynamic joint architectural configuration on deformation values. Twenty subjects performed unloaded dynamic flexion/ extension and 45° cutting maneuver. The knee deformation angles obtained with the new method proposed were compared with the values that obtained using the standard method. One way repeated measurement ANOVA’s was used to compare knee deformation angles values from the standard method that uses a static trial and the new method that uses a dynamic trial. The proposed method distinguishes between dynamic joint architectural configuration and joint deformation. Loaded standard abduction/adduction (β) and rotation (γ) angles were 3.4 ±1.8° and 11.2 ±3.8°, respectively. Using the new method, the β and γ angles decrease to 1.5 ±1.4° (<0.05) and 7.1 ±1.8° (<0.05) during cutting. The new method accounted for dynamic joint architectural configuration produced loaded β and γ angles that had smaller magnitudes than the standard method, suggesting that previous studies may have overestimated β and γ angles. Injury management strategies could be influenced by a consideration for dynamic joint architectural configuration. Such a consideration could influence ligament repair strategies. Future studies should account for dynamic configuration when establishing the influence of joint deformation on graft design and appropriate isometry values during reconstruction.
Densities with Gaussian Tails

Consider densities f i (t), for i = 1,. , d, on the real line which have thin tails in the sense that, for each i, f i (t)∼γ i (t)e −ψi(t) , where γ i behaves roughly like a constant and ψ i is convex, C 2 , with ψ'→∞ and ψ″>0 and 1/√ψ″ is self-neglecting. (The latter is an asymptotic variation condition.) Then the convolution is of the same form f 1 *. *f d (t)∼γ(t)e −ψ(t) . Formulae for γ, ψ are given in terms of the factor densities and involve the conjugate transform and infimal convolution of convexity theory. The derivations require embedding densities in exponential families and showing that the assumed form of the densities implies asymptotic normality of the exponential families
Integrating the thematic approach into information literacy

● Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review selected publications in library-related literature and discuss the thematic approach to course design in colleges and universities and how it has been implemented into information literacy courses. ● Design/methodology/approach A literature review of peer-reviewed journals, professional journals, magazines, and blogs contextualizes the thematic approach to instruction at the college and university levels. Search terms included “thematic approach,” “thematic approach in education,” and “theme-based instruction;” the search was restricted to articles published in the last 20 years. ● Findings In addition to information literacy courses, thematic-based instruction has been used in biology, chemistry, English, French literature, history, mathematics, philosophy, and sociology courses on college and university campuses. While instructors report that the thematic approach enhances student learning, few studies have directly tested the impact. No studies have been published within the library science literature. ● Originality/value Thematic approach is a newer concept in the world of information literacy instruction. While many professional journal articles and blog posts provide in-depth case studies of how thematic-based instruction has been implemented, this article draws from all disciplines and features a succinct summary of what works, what does not work, and how to best implement a thematic approach in an information literacy course.
ON SECTIONS WITH ISOLATED SINGULARITIES OF TWISTED BUNDLES AND APPLICATIONS TO FOLIATIONS BY CURVES

Dedicated to the memory of A.N. Tyurin Abstract. Let E −→ M be a holomorphic rank n vector bundle over a compact Kähler manifold of dimension n, having a positive (or ample) line bundle L −→ M and consider a global section s, with isolated singularities, of the twisted bundle E ⊗ L⊗r, where r is an integer. We prove that if r is large enough, then s is uniquely determined, up to a global endomorphism of the bundle E, by its subscheme of singular points (which we call the singular subscheme of s). If in particular E is simple, then s is uniquely determined, up to a scalar factor, by its singular subscheme. We recall that the last statement holds in case s is a holomorphic foliation by curves, with isolated singularities, on a projective manifold M with stable tangent bundle, so it holds in particular if M is a compact irreducible Hermitian symmetric space or a Calabi-Yau manifold. If L −→ Pn is the hyperplane bundle, we show that it holds for every r ≥ 1.
Factors Influencing Guyanese Health Worker Migration to Canada

Background: For years, Canada has benefited from the immigration of health care workers from Caribbean nations, which may have resulted in a service deficit in the source country; this is known as brain drain. In addition to health care service deficits, economical development in source countries such as Guyana may be stagnated by the loss of citizens with tertiary education. Objectives: We sought to identify experiences, attitudes, and push and pull factors pertaining to Guyanese health care workers who migrated to and studied and/or worked in Canada. Methods: A purposeful sample of 7 Guyanese health care worker expatriates now living in Canada was drawn from private networks. In-person and phone interviews were conducted with respondents. We applied content analysis to identify themes relating to respondents' motivations and experiences in migrating. Two researchers completed qualitative data analysis and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: Push and pull themes identified include the existence of a champion who encouraged migration and/or retention, family connections, perceived responsibilities to country left behind, remuneration, opportunities for self and children, and most commonly opportunities for further education and career satisfaction based on merit. Conclusion: The desire of migrants to maintain constructive contact with the source country might be leveraged to empower capacity-building enterprises.
Paired Interactions between Kir channels and Tertiapin-Q

Paired Interactions between Kir channels and Tertiapin-Q by Chul Ho Yang, BSc. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013 Thesis Director: Diomedes E. Logothetis, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Cultural meanings and motivations for sport: a comparative case study of soccer teams in the United States and Malawi.

This paper analyzes the meanings and motivations for sport participation of male soccer players in two distinct cultural contexts. The basis for analysis is two years of participant observation with a college team in the United States and a comparable team in the Republic of Malawi. Using qualitative methods, interpretation of the data focuses on several contrasting meanings and motivations for sport between the two groups. The US team members tended to understand sport as a competitive proving ground, an expressive outlet, and a site for self-improvement. These prominent Western meanings for sport were not as significant to members of the Malawian team. Instead, the Malawians tended to make meaning of sport as a demonstration ground, a pastime, and a site for innate self-actualization. These contrasts relate to more broadly contrasting cultural meanings and models tied to the local settings. The findings are discussed as demonstrating the usefulness of understanding sport as an empty cultural form that is given particular meanings in local contexts.
UV to radio centimetric spectral energy distributions of optically-selected late-type galaxies in the Virgo cluster

We present a multifrequency dataset for an optically-selected, volume-limited, complete sample of 118 late-type galaxies (≥S0a) in the Virgo cluster. The database includes UV, visible, near-IR, mid-IR, far-IR, radio continuum photometric data as well as spectroscopic data of Hα, CO and HI lines, homogeneously reduced, obtained from our own observations or compiled from the literature. Assuming the energy balance between the absorbed stellar light and that radiated in the IR by dust, we calibarte an empirical attenuation law suitable for correcting photometric and spectroscopic data of normal galaxies. The data, corrected for internal extinction, are used to construct the spectral energy distribution (SED) of each individual galaxy, and combined to trace the median SED of galaxies in various classes of morphological type and luminosity. Low-luminosity, dwarf galaxies have on average bluer stellar continua and higher far-IR luminosities per unit galaxy mass than giant, early-type spirals. If compared to nearby starburst galaxies such as M 82 and Arp 220, normal spirals have relatively similar observed stellar spectra but 10-100 times lower IR luminosities. The temperature of the cold dust component increases with the far-IR luminosity, from giant spirals to dwarf irregulars. The SED are used to separate the stellar emission from the dust emission in the mid-IR regime. We show that the contribution of the stellar emission at 6.75 µm to the total emission of galaxies is generally important, from ∼80% in Sa to ∼20% in Sc.
Flow-switching and water piracy between Rutford Ice Stream and Carlson Inlet, West Antarctica

Abstract Rutford Ice Stream and Carlson Inlet are neighbouring glaciers in West Antarctica. Rutford Ice Stream flows at speeds greater than 350 m a−1, whereas Carlson Inlet, which has some similar dimensions and supports a similar driving stress, flows 10–50 times slower. We discuss a range of observations concerning Carlson Inlet, and conclude that there is good indirect evidence that it is a relict ice stream, which ceased streaming more than 240 years BP, but sufficiently recently that its surface morphology, basal water content and basal morphology still retain characteristics produced by streaming. An analysis of expected subglacial drainage pathways indicates that Carlson Inlet is not streaming because it is currently starved of subglacial water, which is currently directed beneath Rutford Ice Stream. This current state of water piracy by Rutford Ice Stream is, however, sensitive to minor thickness changes on the ice streams; a ∼120 m (<4%) thickening of Rutford Ice Stream would divert almost all the subglacial water in the system towards Carlson Inlet and could reactivate its flow. The result highlights the importance of subglacial drainage in controlling ice-stream evolution and the requirement for ice-sheet models to couple ice flow with subglacial drainage.
Synchronicity of historical dry spells in the Southern Hemisphere

A shift in climate occurred during the mid-1970s that affected the hydroclimate of the Southern Hemisphere resulting in drying trends across continental regions including Australia, New Zealand and southern and western Africa. There is also anecdotal evidence of other periods of climatic synchronicity in the Southern Hemisphere (e.g., the 1920s and 1940s), indicating that the mid-1970s event may not be anomalous. This paper identifies periods within the last ~120 years using statistical analysis where dry spells (in terms of annual to multi-decadal rainfall deficiencies) have coincided across the continental Southern Hemisphere in order to characterize temporal consistency. It is shown that synchronicity of dry spells is (a) most likely common over the last 120 years and (b) associated with changes in the large-scale climate modes of the Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans. Importantly, the findings presented in this paper have marked implications for drought management and drought forecasting studies in the Southern Hemisphere.
Implementation of school-based curriculum as perceived by secondary school teachers of English

Information about Curriculum 2013 has seemed to make many EFL teachers feel anxious. This anxiety is assumed to happen due to the unwillingness of the teachers to implement the new curriculum because they have not yet even implemented the previous curriculum (KTSP) in their classrooms optimally. This study was aimed primarily at investigating the implementation of KTSP covering three important components: preparation, application, and evaluation by 107 secondary school teachers of English. To collect the data, “KTSP Implementation Questionnaire” was used. The data collected based on the teachers’ own perceptions were analyzed in relation to their education level, teaching experience, certification status, and KTSP socialization involvement. The results showed that (1) 62% teachers confessed that they had not yet optimally implemented KTSP although all of them had been involved in its dissemination program done by the government; (2) there was no correlation between either education level or teaching experience and the implementation of KTSP. However, (3) there was a significant correlation between teachers’ certification status and their (i) KTSP preparation, (ii) teaching experience, and (iii) involvement in dissemination program activities.
Effect of habitat type on in-stream nitrogen loss in the Mississippi River

Eutrophic and hypoxic coastal waters are often associated with high nutrient inputs from riverine systems. For example, nitrogen (N) export from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico has been identified as an important factor causing eutrophication and seasonal hypoxia. Modelling studies of N flux in large rivers, including the Mississippi River, suggest that much of the N that enters rivers remains in solution and is exported downstream. However, patterns of N cycling in the Mississippi River are complex and vary according to habitat type and season. Here we use spatial habitat data and empirically derived denitrification rates to extrapolate N loss to various reaches in 2,400 km of the Mississippi River from Minneapolis, Minnesota to the Atchafalaya diversion. Our results indicate that 9.5 % of the total N load is lost through denitrification in the river and that reaches containing large areas of impoundments and backwater lakes exhibit elevated rates of N loss. The northern 1,041 km reach of the river contains significant areas of impoundments and backwater lakes and yielded a total N loss from denitrification of 89,172 t N y–1. In comparison, total N loss from the southern 1,352 km open river was 69,872 t N y–1. Our results are consistent with high throughput of N in large rivers, but specify that habitat diversity, channel complexity, and retention time are important factors affecting nitrogen loss in rivers.