Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insects Associated with Reforestation and Their Management in Poland

Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are the most important pest insects of forest plantations established on clear-cut areas, and Hylobius abietis is a pest insect of great economic importance in Europe. Pinus sylvestris plantations and thickets established on sandy soils or postfire areas can be severely impacted by Cneorhinus plagiatus and Brachyderes incanus. Young pine forests weakened by biotic and abiotic factors are particularly susceptible to Pissodes castaneus. Buds and shoots of P. sylvestris trees are mainly damaged by Lepidoptera larvae. For many years, chemical treatments have been the main way of protecting forests against insects. At present, to reduce the pollution of forest environments with insecticides, the strategy of integrated pest management (IPM) was put into practice. It involves prophylactic measures to increase plant resistance to insect attacks and to select appropriate control methods based on a multistep decision support system (DSS). Nonchemical control measures aim at collecting pest insects in traps fitted with attractants and biological methods, mainly based on entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and wood-decomposing fungi. Chemical insecticides are used only in cases of high threats to reforestation stands. This paper presents the state of knowledge concerning pest insect management in forest plantations in Europe, with particular emphasis on insects occurring in Poland.
Optimisation of Fermentation Conditions for Isobutanol Production by Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Response Surface Methodology

Alternative fuels from renewable sources are receiving public and scientific attention due to continuous depletion of petroleum fuel-reserves and environmental problem such as global warming and climate change. Transportation fuel from biofuel is extensively encouraged as it is known to be both renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy. Isobutanol is one of the suitable candidates in replacing gasoline as transportation fuel. This fuel is superior compared to the biofuel that have been commercialised, bioethanol, as it possesses several advantages including high energy content, low solubility, and has lower vapour pressure. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is able to produce small amount of isobutanol naturally as the end product of amino acid degradation. In order to increase the isobutanol production, experiments based on response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) were conducted to study the effects of operating conditions by Saccharomyces cerevisiae towards isobutanol yield. The independent variables studied were temperature (28-40 °C), pH (4-7), agitation speed (50-200 rpm), and inoculum size (3-10% v/v). From the experimental results, maximum isobutanol concentration of 200 mg/L was obtained at the optimum condition of temperature (28 °C), pH (7), agitation speed (179 rpm), and inoculum size (10 % v/v). The experimental value (200 mg/L) agreed well with the predicted value from mathematical model (220 mg/L), indicates the suitability of the model and the success of response surface methodology in optimising the operating conditions of isobutanol production. Throughout the study, it can be concluded that the isobutanol yield can be increased by manipulating several factors.
CONSERVATION OF TREE SPECIES DIVERSITY IN TROPICAL RAINFOREST ECOSYSTEM OF SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

ADEKUNLE, V. A. J. 2006. Conservation of tree species diversity in tropical rainforest ecosystem of southwest Nigeria. Three reserves, each of size 50 × 50 m, were selected in the ecological zone comprising eight sampling plots. Identification and distribution into families of all woody plants with diameter at breast height (dbh) > 10 cm were carried out. Frequency distribution per ha of each species and relative diversity were determined. A total of 54 different tree species (24 families) were identified in Ala, 41 species (21 families) in Omo and 55 species (20 families) in Shasha Forest Reserves. The most prevalent species in the ecosystem was Strombosia pustulata, while the family Leguminosae had the highest number of species. Eightyfour percent of the species are regarded as rare or threatened with extinction while 16% were relatively abundant. The highest species diversity indices were obtained in Shasha Forest Reserve (3.656 and 0.914, Shannon and evenness indices respectively), the lowest in Omo Forest Reserve (3.342 and 0.900 respectively). There was no significant difference in the number of individual ha ‐1 on species basis, the relative density of species and also in the distribution of species into families (p > 0.05). Fifty percent of the species could be regarded as habitat generalists as they occurred in the three reserves. The contribution of the ecosystem to rural livelihood in the supply of some products and in environmental conservation and the need for urgent conservation efforts are highlighted.
A Polyphonic Story of Urban Densification

Urban strategies, representing stories of possible futures, often intervene in already established local communities and therefore call for a considerate urban intervention. This article utilises the ideas of Henri Lefebvre’s socially produced space and of literature on stories involved in planning. Our empirical example tells a story of urban densification aspirations for an inner-city neighbourhood in Tampere, Finland. By combining the interviews of local people and planners with policy documents, we argue that planners’ stories pay too little attention to the place and to local stories. Planners’ abstract visions of the future and local stories building on lived experiences both draw meanings from the same place but have very different intentions. In our case, the consultation of the project started out wrong because the planners neglected a neighbourhood thick in symbolic meanings and the local stories’ power in resistance. By understanding the place as polyphonic in its foundation, planners could learn about the symbolic elements and reasons for people’s place attachment, and thus end up re-writing the place together. Urban interventions such as urban densification should connect to the place as part of its polyphonic historical continuum and acknowledge the residents’ place attachments.
FINITE VOLUME SIMULATION OF SOLAR DARK LANES STRUCTURES

We integrate the ideal magnetogasdynamics equations to simulate dark void sunward moving structures in post-flare supra-arcades. We study the generation and evolution of the internal plasma instability to compare with observations and to gain insight into physical processes and characteristic parameters of these phenomena. The numerical approach uses a finite-volume method together the Harten-Yee total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme to integrate non-steady, one- dimensional magnetogasdynamics. Two set of numerical tests were carried out, one of them in the sunward radial direction and the another one transverse to the sun's magnetic field. We can numerically reproduce dark void solar observations. We show that the dark lanes are plasma vacuums generated by the bouncing and interfering of shocks and expansion waves produced by a localized deposition of energy. This energy deposition is modeled as a pressure perturbation. The pressure perturbation produces non-linear waves that compose the plasma void structures, with the same functional sunward decreasing phase speed and constancy with height of the period, as those determined by the observations. a
UTILIZATION OF IT AND THE EFFECT ON INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OF LECTURERS AT STATE POLYTECHNIC SRIWIJAYA

Recently, the use of personal computers has widespread worldwide, both college and non among college. In the entire universities, using personal computers has been practiced optimally by the lecturers in order to provide a positive impact on their individual performance. This study is aimed at examining and analyzing the utilization factors of information technology and its influence towards the performance of lecturers in terms of utilizing their personal computer (PC). The factors being analyzed were social factors, affective (feelings of the individual), complexity, job appropriateness, long-term consequences, and facilitating conditions. The research sample consists of 79 lecturers in the State Polytechnic of Sriwijaya. These data were collected and used to predict the factors of utilization of information technology on the lecturers’ performance. It was found out that there was a negative relationship and not significant for social factors, affective (feelings of the individual), complexity, and job appropriateness, whereas long-term consequences and utilizations of IT. The facilitating conditions were found to have a positive and significant relationship towards the performance of the individual performance.
SPRUCE PELLETS IN COMPRESSION LOADING SMREKINI PELETI PRI PRITISNOM OPTEREĆENJU

Compression loading of sawdust pellets could be useful for studying the mechanical and structural properties of materials. Mechanical properties such as the failure stress and strain, the modulus of elasticity, the bulk modulus, the compressibility and the deformation energy can be used to evaluate the behaviour of pellets under static loading. The deformation energy as the apparent energy density was determined by integrating loading stress-strain curves between the initial point and the point of strength failure. A testing machine Andilog Stentor 1000 was employed for compression testing. The pellet samples were tested at a constant speed of 10 mm.min. The true stresses and the Hencky’s strain were determined in compression loading. The Cauchy’s strain gives the relative deformation with regard to the initial sample height. The Hencky’s strain derives from the integration of the infinitesimal strain. The true stress is evaluated using the instantaneous cross section of the sample. The loading curves of the dependence of the stress on the strain were realized, and the moduli of elasticity and the bulk moduli were determined from the compression diagrams respectively.
Equalization Transfers, Fiscal Decentralization, and Economic Growth

This paper analyzes the fiscal decentralization and equalization transfers in a two-region model of endogenous growth. In our model, two levels of government with different objectives are considered: the local governments maximize the utility of the residents of the region, and the central government makes the equalization transfers to close the gaps in fiscal capacity among the regions and pays attention to the economic growth rate. Our first result demonstrates that the preferred tax rate chosen by the local government is positively affected by the magnitude of fiscal decentralization. The second result shows that the fiscal equalization policies of the central government have no influence on the speed of interregional growth convergence. Furthermore, the normative implication is obtained from our final results that there exists an optimal degree of fiscal decentralization to reach the central government´s goal of growth maximization, but the magnitude of fiscal decentralization chosen by the central government is excessive to entail the highest regional welfare.
Validating the Arcam EBM Process as an Alternative Fabrication Method for Titanium-6Al-4V Alloys

BASS, BRENDON STUART. Validating the Arcam EBM Process as an Alternative Fabrication Method for Titanium-6Al-4V Alloys. (Under the direction of Dr. Jerome Cuomo.) The purpose of this work has been to show that Ti-6Al-4V alloys produced using the Arcam EBM process meet all the necessary requirements stated in AMS 4999 and other Ti-6Al-4V specifications. Ti-6Al-4V samples were fabricated using the Arcam EBM process and their microstructural and mechanical properties were evaluated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing, hardness testing, and fracture testing. The results of these tests showed that, in general, the Arcam EBM produced samples were satisfactory. Validating the Arcam EBM Process as an Alternative Fabrication Method for Titanium-6Al-4V Alloys by Brendon Stuart Bass A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Materials Science and Engineering Raleigh, North Carolina 2007
Assessing the Epidemiology of Nephrotoxicity and the Role of Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule 1 as a Biomarker of Renal Function in Hematologic-Oncologic Patients Under Vancomycin Treatment in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Nephrotoxicity is a common adverse effect of vancomycin. However, some aspects of vancomycin nephrotoxicity have not been studied well in the Iranian population. Serum creatinine as a classic marker of renal function has several limitations in clinical practice. Objectives: To determine the incidence, time onset, and possible associated factors of vancomycin nephrotoxicity, and compare the patterns and the accuracy of urine kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) with that of serum and urine creatinine during vancomycin
IN VITRO REGENERATION OF Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem- AN ENDANGERED MEDICINALPLANT

A simple efficient method for high frequency of shoot regeneration from internodal explants of endangered medicinal plant, Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem (Bignoniaceae) was developed. It holds tremendous potential of medicinal values used in traditional remedy for spleen diseases and cancer treatment. The MS medium supplemented with various growth hormones like 6-Benzyladenine (BA), Kinetin (Kn), 2, 4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2, 4-D) and α-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) at different concentrations used for regeneration of T. undulata. The present study also describes successful plant regeneration from in vitro derived callus of internodal explants. BA and Kn in combination with NAA were used for regeneration of plantlets from callus culture. Shoot multiplication was obtained BA with NAA combinations from the callus culture. The best rooting response was observed on 0.3 mg/l IBA alone. The well rooted plantlets were transferred to polybags containing soil + vermiculite in 1: 1 ratio for hardening. Finally the hardened plantlets were transferred to field conditions and found maximum survivability rates.
SCREENING OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) CULTIVARS FOR SALINE CONDITIONS UNDER IRRIGATED ARID ENVIRONMENT

Eight wheat cultivars were evaluated for yield and yield components under saline conditions of irrigated arid environment of Multan. The cultivars comprised: Manthar-3, Panjnad-1, BWP-2000, Inqlab-91, Iqbal-2000, SARC-1, BWP-97 and Darawar-97. The cultivar Punjnad-1 produced more tillers than all the other genotypes. But this cultivar could not maintain its position. In production of spikes, filled spikelets, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index, the cultivar Punjnad-1 was among the cultivars showing poor performance. This indicted that the existence of excessive tillers was drain to wheat plant reserves. On the basis of grain yield the cultivars SARC-1 and Iqbal-2000 were found relatively salt tolerant. The cultivars Manthar-3, Darawar-97, Panjnad-1, BWP- 2000, BWP-97 and Inqlab-91 were found relatively less tolerant to salinity. The cultivars Iqbal-2000, SARC-1, Panjnad-1 and BWP-97 performed better in biological yield. The cultivars BWP-2000 and SARC-1 showed statistically higher values of harvest index among the wheat cultivars tested under saline conditions. The wheat cultivars having excessive tillering capacity should be avoided to grow in salt affected areas. Future breeding efforts in the salt affected areas should focus on wheat cultivars having balanced vegetative growth.
Estimating Self and Spouse Intelligence among Jordanians

The current study aimed at exploring self and spouse estimates of general and multiple intelligences among a sample of married Jordanian Students. Two-hundred and ten participants, recruited from Yarmouk and Al-Balqaa Universities, Jordan, completed a brief questionnaire based on those used in previous research which included an estimation of general IQ and each of the multiple intelligence sub-types. Results of the study partially replicated the results from other multiple intelligence self-estimate studies showing sex differences on general and logical intelligences, and confirmed previous research results that estimated verbal (linguistic) intelligence followed by numerical (logical) intelligence are the best significant predictors of estimated general intelligence. These results were discussed in terms of sex and cultural differences and some recommendations were made
How Persistent is Social Capital

Formal and informal institutions are often thought of as being highly persistent, with historical events such as conflicts, authoritarian regimes or colonization having a long-lasting effect on their quality. To analyze the persistence of social capital, I look at regions which have experienced large-scale population displacements some 50-60 years ago. As social capital is embedded in relationships, regions that were repopulated by migrants are likely to start off with little inherited social capital. My analysis suggests that, with a lag of approximately two generations, the inhabitants of these regions display similar stocks of social capital as their counterparts in regions unaffected by population transfers. Hence, contrary to the Putnamesque view, much of the present-day social capital appears to have been formed in recent past rather than attributable to long-term historical legacies.
Merging bio-optical data from Biogeochemical-Argo floats and models in marine biogeochemistry

Abstract. New autonomous robotic platforms for observing the ocean, i.e. Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats, have drastically increased the number of vertical profiles of irradiance, photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), and algal chlorophyll concentrations around the globe independent of the season. Such data may therefore be a fruitful resource to improve performances of numerical models for marine biogeochemistry. Here we present a work that integrates 1314 vertical profiles of PAR acquired by 31 BGC-Argo floats operated in the Mediterranean Sea between 2012 and 2016 into a one-dimensional model to simulate the vertical and temporal variability of algal chlorophyll concentrations. The model was initially forced with PAR measurements to assess its skill when using quality-controlled light profiles, and subsequently with a number of alternative bio-optical models to analyse the model capability when light observations are not available. Model outputs were evaluated against co-located chlorophyll profiles measured by BGC-Argo floats. Results highlight that the data-driven model is able to reproduce the spatial and temporal variability of deep chlorophyll maxima depth observed at a number of Mediterranean sites well. Further, we illustrate the key role of PAR and vertical mixing in shaping the vertical dynamics of primary producers in the Mediterranean Sea. The comparison of alternative bio-optical models identifies the best simple one to be used, and suggests that model simulations benefit from considering the diel cycle.
Evaluation of the Effect of Starter Culture on the Quality of White Soft Cheese (Gibna Beyda)

This investigation was carried out to study the effect of starter culture on the quality of white soft cheese (Gibna Beida), yield and coagulation time. White soft cheese was made from fresh cows milk (heated at 65oC for 30 minutes, then cooled to 35oC), then starter culture was added at different concentrations (1.5, 2.0, 2.5%) in addition to CaCl2 (0.02%), NaCl (2%) and rennet. Chemical analysis, microbial analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out. The coagulation time for cheese made without addition of starter culture (control) was 189 min. and the yield was 9.61%. The obtained results indicated that the use of starter culture at concentration of 2.5% showed reduction in coagulation time to 64 min. and increase in yield to 13.51%. The effect of different concentrations of starter culture on the chemical composition of white soft cheese revealed that the moisture content showed a significant increase from 56.15% to 69.17%, acidity increased from 0.22% to 0.32%, fat content decreased from 27.60% to 21.00%, protein content decreased from 15.00% to 9.40%, total solids decreased from 43.77% to 31.80%. The total bacterial count increased from 2.3 104 to 4.1 106,the yeast count increased from 8.5 104 to 1.7 105. The flavor and overall acceptability were affected by the addition of starter culture. The best flavor and best overall acceptability scores were obtained in cheese made with 1.5% starter culture, while the least score to flavor was obtained in cheese made with 2.5% starter culture
Magnetic fields on asteroid 4 Vesta recorded by the Millbillillie eucrite

The existence and size of a metallic core in 4 Vesta place key constraints on the asteroid’s differentiation and thermal history. Because convecting cores can generate magnetic fields, remanent magnetization in planetary rocks can be used to infer past dynamo activity and therefore core formation and convection. To search for records of such a dynamo, we performed a paleomagnetic study of the Millbillillie eucrite. Our data provide the first unambiguous evidence of remanent magnetism recorded on its parent body 4 Vesta. Mutually-oriented subsamples contain at least one stable, unidirectional component of magnetization. This remanence is likely a record of crustal fields on 4 Vesta before 3.55 Ga or a dynamo field during a period of global thermal metamorphism within the first 100 Myr of formation. The intensity and acquisition timing of this remanence constrain the strength and duration of a proposed early Vesta dynamo, and have important implications for detecting crustal magnetic fields using observations of possible space weathering features by the Dawn spacecraft.
Vietnamese Students' Perception of English Teacher Qualities: Implications for Teacher Professional Development

This mixed-method study sought to identify the qualities of English teachers that Vietnamese students perceived to enhance their English learning in the informal education sector. Interviews and surveys were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from English learners at nine cities in the South of Vietnam. Students reported 12 qualities perceived as significant factors that influenced their learning. English competence, teaching methods and socio-affective skills were perceived to be the most important teacher qualities by all students. In addition, teachers’ knowledge of cultures of Englishspeaking countries and of Vietnam and the ability to apply information technology into teaching were recognized to affect students’ learning, although they were not rated as highly as the other qualities. The study also found that students appeared to demand teachers to conduct their teaching and behave professionally in the class probably because in the informal education sector they were aware of their role as customers, not solely students. Therefore, it is recommended that English teachers in the informal education sector need to continuously improve their qualities and adapt to students’ various learning needs to facilitate their students-as-customers’ learning.