Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of within-lake processes in affecting the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic and inorganic nitrogen in an Adirondack forested lake/watershed

Abstract. Lakes nested in forested watersheds play an important role in mediating the concentrations and fluxes of dissolved organic matter. We compared long-term patterns of concentrations and fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic (DON) and inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in aquatic ecosystems of the Arbutus Lake watershed to evaluate how a lake nested in a forested watershed affects the sources (e.g., production) and sinks (e.g., retention) of DOC and DON in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA. We observed no significant long-term changes of DOC and DON in the lake outlet since 1983 and 1994, respectively. However, the temporal patterns of DOC and DON concentrations in the lake inlet showed significant seasonality such as increases during the vegetation-growing season along with notable decreases in the dormant season. A comparison of mass balances between inlet and outlet for the period from 2000 to 2009 suggested that the lake was a sink of DOC (mean of influx minus outflux: +1140 mol C ha−1 yr−1). In contrast, the difference of discharge-weighted DON concentrations (mean of inlet minus outlet: −1.0 µmol N L−1) between inlet and outlet was much smaller than the discharge-weighted DOC concentrations (average of inlet minus outlet: + 87 µmol C L−1). DON fluxes showed considerable variation among years (mean of influx minus outflux: +8 mol N ha−1 yr−1; range of differences: −15 to 27 mol N ha−1 yr−1). DON exhibited low percent retention ((influx-outflux)/influx) (mean: 6.9 %, range: −34.8 to +31.2) compared to DOC (mean: 30.1 %, range: +9.2 to +44.1). The resultant increase of DON within the lake was closely linked with a net decrease of DIN through monthly Pearson correlation analysis, suggesting the importance of biotic factors in mediating lake DON dynamics. Our results show different relative retentions of DOC compared with DON, along with a larger retention of DIN than DON, suggesting that DOC and DON might display substantially different biogeochemical relationships in oligo-mesotrophic lakes nested forested watersheds and therefore different roles for a sink behavior for DOC compared to a producer of DON.
Advanced neural network head movement classification for hands-free control of powered wheelchairs

Assistive technology is increasingly being used to allow people with disabilities to be more engaged in personal, social and vocational activities. However, people with high-level disabilities are still affected by barriers to independence and full inclusion into broader society. The focus of this thesis is to advance the development of a wheelchair control system for highly disabled people, providing a means for satisfying some of the mobility needs of people who are have difficulty or are unable to achieve mobility through existing assistive technologies. A control system allowing hands-free wheelchair control is proposed, advancing from systems previously described in literature. The proposed control system allows the operation of a powered wheelchair by using an artificial neural network (ANN) classifier to recognize head gesture commands. The feasibility of this control system is tested on its ability to correctly recognise command gestures of both able-bodied and disabled people in real-time. Techniques for improving the ability of the head gesture classifier to recognise gestures performed by people with disabilities are investigated. The effectiveness of these techniques is evaluated for highly disabled people. The effect of empirically selecting an optimal ANN architecture and training algorithm using training data from a general population is considered, as is the marginal benefit of additional training data from such a population. The benefit of adapting the classifier using data from the specific end user is investigated as a means of further improving performance. While demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed control system, the results presented showed that the performance of the system was lower for people with disabilities than for able-bodied users. It was found that selection of the ANN architecture, training algorithm and training set size all had significant effects of some degree on the ability of the classifier component to recognise command gestures by people with disabilities in real time. It was also found that data from a specific end user to train the ANN can significantly improve classifier performance.
Occurrence of a skarn-type mineralogy found in Ciénaga Marbles, located in the NW foothills of the Santa Marta Massif (Colombia)

The early Cretaceous Cienaga Marbles that crop out in the NW foothills of the Santa Marta Massif (Colombian Caribbean region) present an epigenetic mineral assemblage (skarn-type), overprinting the metamorphic mineral assemblage previously developed along the regional metamorphic history that affected this unit. The skarn-type mineralogy allows at least three paragenetic contexts to be distinguished, which are represented by the following neoformed minerals: (a) garnet, forsterite, diopside, titanite, wollastonite and calcite (early anhydrous metamorphic stage), (b) actinolite, tremolite, allanite and clinohumite (metasomatic or hydrated stage), and (c) chlorite, serpentine, sepiolite and quartz (late low temperature retrograde stage, probably due to infiltration of descending meteoric waters). The skarn-type mineralogy is observed as alteration halos developed around porphyritic granodiorites emplaced as sills between anisotropy planes related to metamorphic regional foliation of rock that are considered to be the causative bodies of the skarntype mineralogy. Zircon U-Pb ages obtained from granodioritic bodies yielded an age of 55.5±0.7 Ma (Ypresian, Early Eocene). The formation of the skarn-type mineralogy in the Cienaga Marbles is temporarily related to the formation and emplacement of hydrated silicate masses that were generated at the beginning of the subduction polarity change (i.e. when the Caribbean oceanic plate began to subduct beneath South American continental plate).
Reconstruction of precipitation variation from tree rings in recent 1000 years in Delingha, Qinghai

Using seven well-replicated Qilian juniper ( Sabina przewalskii Kom.) ring-width chronologies developed at Zongwulong and Shalike Mts. in the northeastern part of the Qaidam Basin annual precipitation from previous July to current June in the recent 1000 years was re- constructed for Delingha. The reconstruction can capture 63.1% of precipitation variance and the equation was stable over time. For the reconstructed precipitation, wet periods occurred in AD1520—1633 and 1933—2001, whereas dry intervals in 1429—1519 and 1634—1741. In addition, the magnitude in precipitation variation was lower before 1430 with about 15 mm, but it increased to 30 mm during the period of 1430 to 1850. After 1850, the precipitation variance decreased again. In contrast to the increase in temperature, a decrease in annual precipitation was evident since the 1990s. The agreement in low-frequency variation between the reconstruction and the glacier accumulation and particulate content in Dunde ice cores during the recent several hundred years suggested that the precipitation reconstructed in this study was rather reliable, and represented a regional signal. This 1000-year reconstruction could benefit our understanding of climatic variation in decadal to century-scale in this region, and provide basic data to climate models and to prediction of future climate in the 21st century.
POTENTIAL FOR BIOCONTROL OF SITONA LEPIDUS GYLLENHAL BY MICROCTONUS SPP.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine whether either of the two braconid parasitoids Microctonus aethiopoides Loan or Microctonus hyperodae Loan, already established in New Zealand, would parasitise the recently introduced clover root weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal. No parasitism by either parasitoid was recorded in two no-choice experiments. In a third experiment, M. aethiopoides was exposed to S. lepidus and S. discoideus in either choice or no-choice cages. In this case, a very low level of parasitism of S. lepidus (1%) occurred in no-choice cages, but this was increased to about 6% in cages where both weevil species were present. It was concluded that neither parasitoid was likely to be a suitable biological control agent for
The use of skimmed dried milk as an alternative diluent for the cooling step during the boar sêmen freezing procedure

Esse estudo objetivou testar um diluente alternativo, a base de leite em po desnatado, durante as etapas de resfriamento e ressuspensao pos descongelacao durante a congelacao do semen suino. Para isso o semen de 15 varroes da raca Dalland, foi coletado atraves da tecnica da mao enluvada. Visando o inicio da curva de congelacao, cada ejaculado foi incubado a 30 °C. Em seguida, foram retiradas duas aliquotas de semen para uma pre-diluicao. Uma das aliquotas foi diluida no diluente Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS - Controle) e a outra em leite em po desnatado (LPD), onde permaneceram a essa temperatura por 45 minutos. O semen pre-diluido passou por tres tempos de estabilizacao. Ao final do primeiro tempo (30 °C - 45 minutos) foi realizada analise de vigor e motilidade a fim de acompanhar a atividade metabolica espermatica. Em seguida o semen diluido passou pelas temperaturas: 25°C – 30 minutos e 17 °C - 2 horas. Ao final, o semen foi centrifugado (a 5 °C - 800g - 1600 rpm - 15 minutos), sendo desprezado o sobrenadante, enquanto que o pellet de espermatozoides foi ressuspenso em 2 mL do diluente de resfriamento e mantido a 5 °C por 1 hora. Ao final, foi realizada a 2a diluicao com 2 mL do diluente de congelacao, seguida do envaze das amostras, rampa de congelacao e submergidas em N2 liquido. O semen foi descongelado em banho-maria (39 °C), ressuspendido em seus respectivos diluentes a mesma temperatura e so entao analisado quanto as caracteristicas de vigor, motilidade, vitalidade, integridade acrossomal e funcionalidade da membrana. Durante a primeira fase de abaixamento de temperatura (30 °C), observou-se que o semen diluido em LPD em comparacao ao BTS, apresentou valores superiores de vigor (3,4±0,6 e 3,1±0,7, respectivamente) e motilidade (78,6±13,0 e 69,4±14,3 respectivamente). Contudo, apos a descongelacao verificou-se o inverso, com o BTS apresentando resultados mais altos do que o diluente alternativo LPD tanto para as analises de vigor (2,1±0,6 e 1,7±0,9, respectivamente), quanto de motilidade (35,5±21,0 e 22,8±18,1, respectivamente). Quanto as caracteristicas de funcionabilidade de membrana e integridade acrossomal nao foram observadas diferencas significativas entre os diluentes testados, entretanto o LPD apresentou maior porcentagem de celulas vivas ao final do processo de congelacao/descongelacao (72,3 ± 16,4). Diante do exposto, podese observar que o diluente BTS ainda e a melhor opcao para ser utilizado nas etapas de resfriamento e ressuspensao pos descongelacao, durante a congelacao seminal em suinos.
Hematological responses of Goldfish (Carassiusauratus) to different acute concentrations of Silver Sulfate as a toxicant

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of silver sulfate (AgSO4) as a toxicant in goldfish (Carassiusauratus). One hundred and forty-seven live specimens of C. auratus were obtained and exposed to 1, 10, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm of AgSO4for 96 hours. There was one control group (no AgSO4) and three replicates. The physicochemical properties of water and the following parameters were constant: pH: 7.56±0.45 (TS1); temperature: 19±1°C; hardness: 293±2.35 ppm and dissolved oxygen: 8.80 ±0.06 mg L -1 (DO-5510). LC1, LC10, LC30, LC50, LC70, LC90 and LC99 were calculated in 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. For assessing the impact ofAgSO4 on physiological responses of goldfish hematological indices, blood glucose and cortisol levels were measured. Results showed that LC50 96-h of AgSO4 for goldfish was 687.81 ppm. In addition, the use of AgSO4induces a significant decrease in MCHE after 48 hours, MCV and MCH after 96 hours and lymphocyte after 96 hours in contrast to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, increased lymphocyte was significant after 24 hours exposure (P<0.05). In addition, glucose increased significantly at P<0.05 with time increase24 hours after experiment but this (). In conclusion, the study showed that acute toxicity of AgSO4induced hematological alterations in goldfish and offers a tool for the evaluation oftoxicity-derived alterations.
The Impact of IT Usage on Collaborative New Product Development Performance

Fast introduction of new products at low cost is essential for being successful in today’s industrial business environment. New product development (NPD) practitioners increasingly rely on information technology (IT) aiming to achieve lower costs, higher quality, and greater speed to market. A little is known about the effect of various IT tools on NPD performance and exploring this would ease effective deployment of IT resources in innovation programmes. This study uses data collected in Product Development Management Association’s 2012 Comparative Performance Assessment Study, from 453 firms across different countries and industries. Direct and indirect effects of four types of IT tools on financial and time performance of NPD projects were examined using partial least square path analysis approach. Results suggest that three of the IT types considered indirectly improve NPD performance by increasing collaboration, although no direct impact tested is significant. Extensive use of IT effectively contributes in reducing development times and increasing financial returns in collaborative NPD projects.
Mathematical modeling and numerical computation for the vibration of a magnetostrictive actuator

Mathematical modeling to analyze the vibration problem of a Terfenol-D actuator is presented, using Hamilton’s variational principle. The total kinetic, strain and magnetic energy stored in the rod is expressed as a function of the displacement. The material constitutive relation of the magnetostrictive rod is assumed to be cubic nonlinear. Both the governing equation and the boundary condition derived are of time variable coefficient. A numerical approach which combines the finite difference method with the transfer matrix method is proposed for solving the excited vibration problem of a magnetostrictive rod. By discretizing the displacement in space and making the finite difference formulation, the nodal displacement is obtained in terms of a system of linear second-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which can be subsequently transformed into a system of linear first-order ODEs in the time domain. The time domain within a period is then discretized with the numerical solution being expressed by the transfer matrix method. As a numerical example, the vibration of a Terfenol-D rod excited by a harmonic current is analyzed. The numerical results show that the induced displacement in the rod is periodic, with its frequency being roughly twice that of the exciting current. Such a double frequency effect has been observed in experiments. The stress behavior and the peak displacement within the rod are also numerically analyzed, with an emphasis on the effect of the involved magnetostrictive and magnetoelastic parameters. The good agreement between the numerical results and the experimental data available in the literature verifies the validity of the present modeling and method.
Proximate Composition, Phytochemical and Elemental Analysis of Some Organic Solvent Extract of The Wild Mushroom- Ganoderma lucidum.

Brief about the title: The crude extract powder of Ganoderma lucidum harvested from Lafia, Nassarawa State of Nigeria during the rainy season was analyzed for proximate contents, phytochemical constituents and mineral composition using various standard methods. Description of the experiment and procedures: The harvested Ganoderma lucidum was air dried at 37 0 C and grinded to powder; this was preliminary analyzed for proximate contents, phytochemical constituents. The crude powder was subjected to soxhlet extraction at 40 0 C using Methanol, Ethylacetate and N-butanol to obtain different organic solvent fractions, these were then concentrated in vacuo at 24 0 C for 48 hours to obtain different solvent extract fractions. These extracts were then analyzed for phytochemical contents using standards methods. Results: Analysis for proximate constituent showed Moisture contents was 10.54%, Total ash 5.93%, Protein 17.55%, Crude Fats 2.60%, Crude Fiber 30.25%, Carbohydrates 33.13%, and Nitrogen 23.52%. Phytochemical screening from unprocessed G.lucidum powder reveals the presence of: Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Reducing sugars, Tannins, Cardiac glycosides, Anthraquinones, Saponins, Volatile oils and Steroids. However, variations in the presence and concentrations of these phytochemicals were observed in the partitioned portions separated by Methanol, Ethyl acetate and N-butanol. Analysis of Total ash reveals in (mg/kg) the presence of Ca (322.6), K (317.1), P (197.1), and Na (193.5) in high quantity, while C (68.2), Fe (44.6), and Zn (14.65) and Mg (8.7.0), were found to be in moderate quantity. However, Si (4.10), Mn (1.83), As (1.23), Cu (0.84), Cr (0.14), Pb (0.106), Mo (0.09), Ni (0.095), F (0.0039), Al (0.20) and Co (0.026) are very low in concentration, but Se (0.00) was completely not detected. Conclusion: The presence of these essential nutrients and minerals found in G.lucidum implies that it can be utilized for its medicinal values in healthcare delivery systems, and the medicinal importance are thus highlighted in this work. Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum, Fruiting body, proximate analysis, Phytochemical and Mineral, Healthcare
Distribution of Hydrocarbons and Microbial Populations Related to Sedimentation Processes in Lower Cook Inlet and Norton Sound, Alaska

In spring and summer 1978 and spring 1979 an integrated study was carried out to examine the interrelationships of physical (sediment deposition), chemical (organic carbon and hydrocarbon concentrations), and biological (microbial populations and activities) factors in the Cook Inlet and Norton Sound regions with respect to the probable sinks and fates of hydrocarbon contaminants within these ecosystems. Most of the fine-grained sediment entering Cook Inlet is transported out of the inlet into Shelikof Strait. However, significant sediment accumulation occurs within areas of Kamishak and Kachemak bays. In Norton Sound, sediment from the Yukon River is transported counterclockwise around the embayment and approximately 50% is deposited in the nearshore regions of the sound. In both regions, areas of high sediment accumulation are richer in organic carbon and hydrocarbon derived from land than are areas of low sediment accumulation. In general, areas with high sediment accumulation rates for fine-grained particles are also areas of relatively high microbial activity. Results suggest that these elevated microbial activities reflect biodegradation of detrital carbon associated with these particles. Also, the Cook Inlet and Norton Sound region were found to be free from petroleum hydrocarbon contamination (with the exception of one area in Cook Inlet). No evidence was found of hydrocarbon accumulation resulting from a gas seepage in Norton Sound, nor for accumulation of hydrocarbons in sediments of lower Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait from oil well operations in upper Cook Inlet. Key words: arctic marine ecosystems, sedimentation, microorganism, hydrocarbons, lower Cook Inlet, Norton Sound
The effect of education based on the health belief model on women’s practice about Pap smear test

Article type: Original Article Received: Aug. 2015 Accepted: Dec. 2015 Corresponding author: Azita Noroozi e-mail: azitanoroozi@yahoo. com Background & Aim: Pap smear test is an effective screening method for early detection of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the effect of education based on the health belief model on women’s belief and practice regarding Pap smear test. Methods & Materials: In this quasi experimental study, 100 married women under coverage of Bushehr health centers participated in the study in 2014-2015. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of demographic information, the questions concerning knowledge and the HBM constructs regarding Pap smear. The training program was performed in two group sessions. Three months after the intervention, women’s practice about Pap smear test was evaluated in both groups. After data collection, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, repeated measure analysis of variance, independent t-test and Chi square on SPSS software v.20. Results: Before the study, both groups had not any significant differences in all variables and constructs. After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge (P<0.001), perceived seriousness (P=0.015) and perceived barriers (P<0.001) were significantly different between two groups. Three months after the intervention, 42 (85.7%) in the intervention group and 4 (8.2%) in the control group had performed Pap smear test (P<0.001). Conclusion: Designing and implementing educational program based on health belief model can promote women’s awareness and reduce their perceived barriers and as well as enhance their practice regarding Pap smear test.
MAPPING SEYFERT AND LINER EXCITATION MODES IN THE INNER KPC OF NGC 3393

We mapped the extended narrowline region (ENLR) of NGC 3393 on scales of ( kpc) from the nucleus using emission line images of Hα λ6563, [O iii] , and [S ii] , taken with the Hubble Space Telescope as part of the CHandra survey of Extended Emission line Regions in nearby Seyfert galaxies (CHEERS). By mapping these lines onto a spatially resolved Baldwin–Phillips–Terlevich diagram, we investigate the impact of feedback from a Compton-thick active galactic nucleus on its circumnuclear ISM. We find that the expected Seyfert-like emission within the ionization bicone ( 770 pc). We also find a new, figure-8-shaped low ionization emission line region (LINER) cocoon enveloping the bicone and defining a sharp ( pc) transition between higher and lower-ionization zones. These data illustrate the morphological dependence of ionization states of the ENLR relative to bicone and host gas geometries.
The effects of Agnucaston and Metformin on the chromosomes of pregnant females and their embryos

Background:Agnucaston (chaste berry fruits) and Metformin are the most common medications in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hormonal imbalance. The safe use of Agnucaston and Metformin in the virgin females and in the pregnant females and their embryos has not been adequately studied. Aim of the study is to evaluate the cytogenetic effects of Agnucaston and Metformin before and during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The sample of this study was female mice (Virgin and pregnant) divided into two groups control (did not administer any medication) and treated group (administered Agnucaston and Metformin orally) by doses of 0.3 and 1.3 mg/kg/day respectively for (15) consecutive days. After one day from the last treatment the females were sacrificed and cytogenetic analysis were conducted. Results: females treated with Agnucaston(Virgin and pregnant ) showed increase in frequencies of chromosomal aberrations significantly and also in their embryos but these increases were highly significant in pregnant females than virgin While, the females treated with Metformin there was a slight significant increase in the frequencies of the chromosomal aberrations in the pregnant females and embryos but there was no significant increase in the virgin females treated with Metformin before pregnancy. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Agnucaston has a mutagenic effects on the females (Virgin and pregnant) and on the embryos while Metformin has a slight mutagenic effects on the pregnant females and their embryos but does not have a mutagenic effects on the virgin females. (Nature and Science 2010;8(7):1-7). (ISSN: 1545-0740).