Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overview of mercury dry deposition, litterfall, and throughfall studies

Abstract. The current knowledge concerning mercury dry deposition is reviewed, including dry-deposition algorithms used in chemical transport models (CTMs) and at monitoring sites and related deposition calculations, measurement methods and studies for quantifying dry deposition of gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate bound mercury (PBM), and measurement studies of litterfall and throughfall mercury. Measured median GOM plus PBM dry deposition in Asia (10.7 µg m−2 yr−1) is almost double that in North America (6.1 µg m−2 yr−1) due to the higher anthropogenic emissions in Asia. The measured mean GOM plus PBM dry deposition in Asia (22.7 µg m−2 yr−1), however, is less than that in North America (30.8 µg m−2 yr−1). The variations between the median and mean values reflect the influences that single extreme measurements can have on the mean of a data set. Measured median litterfall and throughfall mercury are, respectively, 34.8 and 49.0 µg m−2 yr−1 in Asia, 12.8 and 16.3 µg m−2 yr−1 in Europe, and 11.9 and 7.0 µg m−2 yr−1 in North America. The corresponding measured mean litterfall and throughfall mercury are, respectively, 42.8 and 43.5 µg m−2 yr−1 in Asia, 14.2 and 19.0 µg m−2 yr−1 in Europe, and 12.9 and 9.3 µg m−2 yr−1 in North America. The much higher litterfall mercury than GOM plus PBM dry deposition suggests the important contribution of gaseous elemental mercy (GEM) to mercury dry deposition to vegetated canopies. Over all the regions, including the Amazon, dry deposition, estimated as the sum of litterfall and throughfall minus open-field wet deposition, is more dominant than wet deposition for Hg deposition. Regardless of the measurement or modelling method used, a factor of 2 or larger uncertainties in GOM plus PBM dry deposition need to be kept in mind when using these numbers for mercury impact studies.
The effect of smartphone's radiation frequency and exposure duration on NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) level in sperm parameters

Health hazard through smart phone radiation has been associated with male infertility. The suspected prime mediator is the NOX5 enzyme. When activated, the additional pathway for free radical production will damage spermâ€™s DNA. However, conclusive evidence is still lacking. Thus, this study was conducted to comprehend the detrimental effect of the radiation towards sperm parameters by using rat as a model. Parameters measured include sperm concentration, viability, DNA damage status and NOX5 level on sperm. This study consisted of two phases. The first phase was conducted to determine the optimal radiation frequency emitted from the smart phone. The radiation frequencies that were evaluated were 0 MHz (control), 4200 MHz without multiple connection mode (minimum frequency) and 9700 MHZ with multiple connection modes (maximum frequency). Each exposure setting represented one group. Each group consists of eight rats, which received exposure for 6 h/day for two consecutive weeks. All parameters measured showed significant differences. Optimum frequency for significant changes to sperm parameters were identified as the minimum frequency. Second part of the research involved the determination of optimum exposure duration. The optimal frequency obtained was used in combination with exposure duration of 0 h (control), 2, 4 and 6 h. Each group had 8 rats and exposure was conducted for 2 weeks. The results showed a significant difference for all parameters following 4 h of exposure. Following this, evaluation of DNA damage status through NOX5 activity was done by using the optimum setting where 0 MHz/0 h as a control and 4200 MHz/4 h per day for up to 2 weeks. The results showed significant differences of NOX5 fluorescent intensity between the two groups. In conclusion, although smart phone emitted low radiation, it can decrease sperm concentration, viability and increase DNA damage through ROS production. NOX5 pathway has been proven to be the likely pathway of ROS induced RF-EMW.
Age, Body Weight and Growth Rates to the Onset of Puberty of Mountain Black, Damascus Doe Kids and Crossbreds as Affected by Season of Birth and Birth Type

The occurrence of puberty in female Mountain Black (23 kids) and Damascus (13 kids) goat and crossbreds (15 kids) born in two seasons and type of birth were evaluated and body weights and growth rates to puberty were compared. Progesterone concentration in plasma of more than 1 ng/ml was used to determine puberty. Female kids born in the two periods: fall and winter reached pubertal ovulation between August 22 and December 25 (late summer to end of fall) in the three breeds. Mountain Black and the crossbred kids had significantly (P < 0.01) earlier age than the Damascus breed born in winter. Damascus kids born in fall had earlier age at puberty (P < 0.05) than those born in winter. Mountain Black goat had a significantly (P < 0.01) lower body weight at puberty than that of the Damascus. Damascus kids had higher pre weaning growth rate in comparison with other genetic groups. In fall, single kids recorded a significantly lower growth rate (P < 0.05), puberty age (P < 0.05) and weight (P < 0.01) than that of twins. However, singles born in winter were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier and older than those born in fall. At weaning after 3 months of age, body weight values did not significantly differ between singles and twins. Damascus kids had higher body weight at onset of puberty than kids of the two other breeds. Damascus does should be mated to have kids not later than fall. Yearling does of this breed attain puberty at older age and higher weight than the local Mountain Black goats.
Probability-Scale Residuals in HIV/AIDS Research: Diagnostics and Inference

The probability-scale residual (PSR) is well defined across a wide variety of variable types and models, making it useful for studies of HIV/AIDS. In this manuscript, we highlight some of the properties of the PSR and illustrate its application with HIV data. As a residual, it can be useful for model diagnostics; we demonstrate its use with ordered categorical data and semiparametric transformation models. The PSR can also be used to construct tests of residual correlation. In fact, partial Spearman's rank correlation between $X$ and $Y$ while adjusting for covariates $Z$ can be constructed as the correlation between PSRs from models of $Y$ on $Z$ and of $X$ on $Z$. The covariance of PSRs is also useful in some settings. We apply these methods to a variety of HIV datasets including 1) a study examining risk factors for more severe forms of cervical lesions among 145 women living with HIV in Zambia, 2) a study investigating the association between 21 metabolomic biomarkers among 70 HIV-positive patients in the southeastern United States, and 3) a genome wide association study investigating the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and tenofovir clearance among 501 HIV-positive persons participating in a multi-site randomized clinical trial.
Airborne and Surface-Bound Microbial Contamination in Two Intensive Care Units of a Medical Center in Central Taiwan

Samples of airborne and surface-bound microbial contamination were taken in two intensive care units of a large-scale medical center. Microbial analyses included total bacterial and fungal loads, as well as the four bacterial species of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Among the 114 surface samples taken from seven designated surface locations of room and equipment for each patient, P. aeruginosa was the most frequently detected (19.3%) and most abundant (mean count: 4.18 cfu/plate) bacterium, whereas the respirator represented the most heavily contaminated surface location in both total pathogenic bacteria colony counts (272 cfu) and frequency of positive detection (38.2%). P. aeruginosa also represented the most frequently detected (39.1%, n = 46) and abundant (11.52 ± 17.16 cfu/m^3) bacterium in the air samples (n = 46), and was the only bacterium exhibiting a positive correlation of the mean counts between air and surface samples. The data analysis results further suggested a higher value of relative risk among the infected patients in the presence of the pathogens as compared to those in the absence of them, although the evidence of a of correlation for the individual bacterial species between the environmental samples and infected patients was inconclusive. This study also found that the mean airborne counts and the detection frequencies of these bacteria after patient visitation periods were higher than those before visitation, and that the installation of local air ionizers did not lead to any discernible differences in total bacterial and fungal concentrations.
Comparison of Item Statistics of Physics Achievement Test using Classical Test and Item Response Theory Frameworks

In this study, the author examined the comparability of item statistics generated from the frameworks of classical test theory (CTT) and 2-parameter model of item response theory (IRT). A 60-item Physics Achievement Test was developed and administered to 724 senior secondary school two students (Age 16-18 years), who were randomly selected from 16 senior secondary schools in Ibadan Educational Zone I, Oyo State, Nigeria. Results showed that item statistics obtained from both frameworks were quite comparable. However, item statistics obtained from IRT 2-parameter model appeared more stable than those from CTT. Moreover for item selection process, IRT 2-parameter model led to deletion of fewer items than CTT model. This result implies that test developers and public examining bodies should integrate IRT model into their test development processes. Through IRT model, test constructors would be able to generate more reliable items than in the CTT model being currently used and ultimately the test scores of examinees will be more reliably estimated. Keywords : Item statistics; Item analysis; Item response theory; Classical test theory; Physics Achievement Test.
Is Altering Grazing Selectivity of Invasive Forage Species With Patch Burning More Effective Than Herbicide Treatments?

Abstract Invasion of rangeland by exotic forage species threatens ecosystem structure and function and can cause catastrophic economic losses. Herbicide treatments often are the focus of management efforts to control invasions. Management with the fire-grazing interaction (or patch burning) might suppress an invasive forage species that has grazing persistence mechanisms developed apart from the fire-grazing interaction. We studied tallgrass prairies invaded by sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata [Dum.-Cours.] G. Don) to compare rate of invasion between traditional management and management with patch burning, to evaluate the effect of burn season on sericea lespedeza invasion within pastures managed with patch burning, and to correlate canopy cover of sericea lespedeza to canopy cover of other functional groups with and without herbicides. Sericea lespedeza canopy cover increased from 1999 to 2005 in both traditional- and patch-burn pastures, but sericea lespedeza increased from 5% to 16% canopy cover in traditionally managed pastures compared to 3% to 5% in the patch-burn pastures. Rate of increase in canopy cover of sericea lespedeza was less in patches burned in summer (0.41% · year−1) than in patches burned in spring (0.58% · year−1) within patch-burn pastures. Most plant functional groups, including forbs, were weak-negatively correlated with canopy cover of sericea lespedeza. Although herbicide application reduced mass of sericea lespedeza, other components of the vegetation changed little. Herbicide treatments temporarily reduced sericea lespedeza but did not predictably increase other plant functional groups. Patch burning reduced the rate of invasion by sericea lespedeza by maintaining young, palatable sericea plants in the burn patch, and could play a vital role in an integrated weed management strategy on rangelands.
Chemical Composition, Functional Properties, and Effect of Inulin from Tunisian Agave americana L. Leaves on Textural Qualities of Pectin Gel

In this study, the chemical composition and functional properties of Agave americana L. (AA) leaves were determined. The Agave leaves powder had a high amount of total dietary fiber (38.40%), total sugars (45.83%), and protein (35.33%), with a relatively low content in ash (5.94%) and lipid (2.03%). The Agave leaves were exhibited with potential food application. The Agave inulin showed a significant difference compared with the commercial inulin as for aw (0.275 against 0.282), pH (5.53 against 5.98), ash (2.89% against 1.19%), protein (3.46% against 1.58%), water holding capacity (2.42% against 1.59%), solubility (73 g/L against 113 g/L), and emulsion capacity (14.48% against 21.42%), respectively. The textural properties of Agave inulin-pectin mixed gels were examined using instrumental Texture Profile Analysis (TPA). Firmness of the prepared Agave inulin-pectin mixed gels was lower than the pectin gel (0.3554 N against 5.7238 N, resp.). This reduction of firmness showed a synergetic effect between pectin and inulin. These results suggested a positive interaction between Agave inulin and pectin to decrease the firmness of mixed gels and open a good alternative to obtain value added products from this resource.
TOPICAL APPLICATION OF SEMELIL (ANGIPARS™ ) IN TREATMENT OF PRESSURE ULCERS: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Pressure ulcers are one of the major health care problems and results in a substantial amount of burden for both patients and health services. The aim of this study was to appraise effectiveness of topical Semelil (ANGIPARS™), a naive herbal extract, in pressure ulcers As a randomized controlled clinical trial, 18 patients with pressure ulcers were recruited from Vali-e-Asr hospital, Medical Sciences/ University of Tehran, Iran. Nine patients received topical Semelil (ANGIPARS™) during hospitalization and nine other patients received conventional treatment. Baseline characteristics of the topical and control groups did not differ across demographic, clinical and functional measures. The mean surface areas of the ulcers were reduced 48.2 ± 85.3 cm 2 (78.3%) and 2.8± 6.2 cm² (6.3%) in the treatment and control groups, respectively (p=0.000). From the results of this study it may be concluded that the use of topical Semelil (ANGIPARS™) with conventional treatment is more effective than those of only conventional treatment for patients with pressure ulcers.
Estimated return periods for Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina is one of the most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history. The infrequency of severe coastal hurricanes implies that empirical probability estimates of the next big one will be unreliable. Here we use an extreme‐value model together with interpolated best‐track (HURDAT) records to show that a hurricane of Katrina's intensity or stronger can be expected to occur, on average, once every 21 years somewhere along the Gulf coast from Texas through Alabama and once every 14 years somewhere along the entire coast from Texas through Maine. The model predicts a 100‐year return level of 83 ms−1 (186 mph) during globally warm years and 75 ms−1 (168 mph) during globally cool years. This difference is consistent with models predicting an increase in hurricane intensity with increasing greenhouse warming.
Hydrogeophysical parameter estimation for aquifer characterisation in hard rock environments: A case study from Jangaon sub-watershed, India

This study was carried out to determine a theoretical relationship between geo-electrical data and hydraulic parameters by modifying the theories previously developed in laboratories and up-scaling the processes of pore network structures into field scale parameters. A linear relationship between transmissivity and formation factor has been developed and consequently tested on data from a typically hard rock terrain found in the Jangaon sub-watershed, Andhra pradesh, India. Key words: Aquifer characterization, geo-electrical data, formation factor.
IDENTIfIcATION AND ANALYSIS Of SINGLE NUcLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN THE MYOSIN VA ( MYO 5 A ) GENE AND ITS EXcLUSION AS THE cAUSATIVE GENE Of THE DILUTE cOAT cOLOUR LOcUS IN RABBIT fontanesi

Classical genetic studies have identified different coat colour loci in rabbit and comparative analyses have established corresponding loci across species. In particular, the rabbit dilute locus is determined by a recessive coat colour mutation that modifies the basic colours influenced by the agouti and extension mutations. In mice, similar phenotypic effects are determined by a similarly named locus. This locus encodes the myosin VA (Myo5a) gene, whose protein product is an unconventional myosin that plays an essential role in melanosome transport in the melanocytes. We selected the same gene as a strong candidate for explaining the dilute coat colour in rabbit. To this end, 1399 bp were re-sequenced, spanning 4 exons out of 41 exons and portions of intronic regions of the rabbit MYO5A gene to identify polymorphisms that could be useful to confirm or exclude this gene as causative of the rabbit dilute locus. Nine polymorphisms were identified, one of which was used to follow the segregation of the blue and black colours in a Checkered Giant F1 family. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysed did not co-segregate with the 2 colours. These results excluded the MYO5A gene as determinant of the dilute locus in rabbit. The 2 alleles of this SNP were also present in several other breeds with different coat colours, further indicating that this marker is not associated with the dilute mutation in rabbits. Other candidates should be investigated to identify the causative gene of this locus in rabbit.
Beneficial effects of zeolites on plant photosynthesis

Besides the effect of zeolites against plant diseases and insect pests, zeolites may also have beneficial effects for the treated plant itself. Zeolites are able to adsorb CO2, which may influence photosynthesis. Zeolites may also reduce leaf temperature by reflecting the infrared radiation. These properties lead to a reduction of transpiration rate, which may improve the water-use efficiency, the yield and the fruit quality. In this study, the possible beneficial effects of zeolites on plant growth, dry weight, water uptake and photosynthesis are described. Despite the fact that little or no effects were observed for plant growth, water uptake and dry weight, some effects were noticed for the photosynthesis. A clear trend could mainly be observed for the treated apple trees, i.e. an increase of photosynthesis was observed after treating the apple trees with the zeolites, followed by a decrease after two weeks. Correspondence to: Caroline De Smedt, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, E-mail: Caroline.DeSmedt@Ugent.be
Evaluation of Leadership Behaviors of Middle Administrators in Higher Education through Reflection

Abstract We live in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world, where universities try to keep up with all kinds of developments and developing and implementing new and diversified curricula. Moreover, the way department heads exhibit their leadership practices is becoming more and more complicated because universities keep struggling for their own survival as a result of these changes. At universities, department heads often perform a middle-management role depending on the organizational structure of each university and this role is usually taken for granted and is unquestioned. The goal of this study was to evaluate the leadership practices and behaviors exhibited by the middle level administrators including department heads, supervisors and coordinators at universities in North Cyprus.The research approach was both quantitive and qualitative including a variety of data sources including open-ended surveys, interviews used together with the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI).
Impact of Strategic Planning on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ (SMEs)Performance: The Role of Employee Participation, Implementation Incentives and Evaluation and Control

Abstract The importance of strategic planning to small-and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) iswidely acknowledged by many practitioners and academiciansin SouthAfrica and the world over, yet there seems to be a paucity of research in thisfield. To address this dearth of published studies, the current study attempts to examine the influence of strategic planning aspects, namely employee participation, implementation incentives, and evaluation and control on business performance. The conceptualised modeland three hypotheses areempirically validated using a sample of 200 SMEs in Gauteng, South Africa. The findings indicate that strategic planning, in the form of employee participation, implementation incentives, and its evaluation and control, influences business performance in a significant way. In addition, managerial implications of the research findings and avenues for future research are provided.
Nitrogen mineralization in situ and in laboratory in Icelandic Andosol

Nitrogen net mineralization was studied in a Brown Andosol at the Korpa experimental station in Southwest Iceland, both in situ and in a controlled environment. The soil came from eight barley (Hordeum vulgare.) plots in an experiment testing the residual effect of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) sown with barley in the previous year. The residual effect of ryegrass was not significant. The net mineralization in the field estimated by conversion of net mineralization at constant soil temperature and water tension to conditions in the field was 33 kg ha -1 N for the period from early May the to end of September, compared to 31 kg ha -1 measured by the soil core in situ method in the field. The results indicate that net mineralization at constant temperature and water content converted to soil conditions can be used instead of the more laborious in situ method. The use of laboratory incubation may thus be a useful option in comparison of net mineralization in samples of various soil types under different management methods and crops.
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS ANALYSIS OF THE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS SIMPLE EXPANSION CHAMBER

Different configurations of simple expansion chamber mufflers, including extended inlet/outlet pipes and baffles, have been modelled numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in order to determine their acoustic response. The CFD results are compared with published experimental results. The CFD model consists of an axisymetric grid with a single period sinusoid of suitable amplitude and duration imposed at the inlet boundary. The time history of the acoustic pressure and particle velocity is recorded at two points, one point in the inlet pipe and one point in the outlet pipe. These time histories are Fourier Transformed and the transmission loss of the muffler is calculated. Calculated results show excellent agreement with the published data. The mean flow performance has also been considered. The mean flow model of the muffler uses the same geometry, but has a finer mesh and has a suitable inlet velocity applied at the inlet boundary and the pressure drop across the muffler is found.