Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technetium Reduction and Reoxidation in Aquifer Sediments

This study describes the biogeochemical behaviour of the radionuclide technetium ( 99 Tc) in background area sediments from the US Department of Energy Field Research Center (FRC) in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Microcosm experiments with trace levels of 9 9 Tc(VII) were used to examine Tc reduction and reoxidation. Efficient removal of 0.5 μM Tc(VII) from solution was seen under Fe(III)-reducing conditions, and was attributed to a lower valence insoluble form of the radionuclide. Molecular and cultivation-dependent analysis confirmed the presence of known Fe(III)-reducing bacteria (Geothrix and Geobacter species) in these sediments. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopic analysis of analogous microcosm experiments, challenged with higher (550 μM) concentrations of Tc(VII), confirmed the presence of reduced insoluble Tc(IV) as hydrous TcO 2 in the Fe(II)-bearing sediments. Reoxidation experiments of pre-reduced microcosms challenged with 0.5 μM 9 9 Tc showed very limited (< 3 %) remobilization of the reduced 9 9 Tc with 100 mM nitrate but significant (ca 80%) remobilization of 9 9 Tc under air reoxidation conditions. Fe(II) oxidation was, however, significant in all oxidation treatments. EXAFS analyses of Fe(II)-bearing sediments challenged with higher (550 μM) concentrations of Tc(VII) and then reoxidized with 100 mM nitrate contained both Tc(IV) and Tc(VII) immobile phases. These results suggest that under anaerobic oxidation conditions, Tc(IV) will not remobilize rapidly, even in the presence of high concentrations of nitrate. This has implications for the biogeochemical cycling of technetium in contaminated environments, including those where bioreduction has been stimulated to minimize transport of the radionuclide. [Supplementary material is available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Geomicrobiology Journal to view an additional figure and three tables. ]
Instrument Activity Detection in Polyphonic Music using Deep Neural Networks

Although instrument recognition has been thoroughly research, recognition in polyphonic music still faces challenges. While most research in polyphonic instrument recognition focuses on predicting the predominant instruments in a given audio recording, instrument activity detection represents a generalized problem of detecting the presence or activity of instruments in a track on a ﬁne-grained temporal scale. We present an approach for instrument activity detection in polyphonic music with temporal resolution ranging from one second to the track level. This system allows, for instance, to retrieve speciﬁc areas of interest such as guitar solos. Three classes of deep neural networks are trained to detect up to 18 instruments. The architectures investigated in this paper are: multi-layer perceptrons, convolutional neural networks, and convolutional-recurrent neural networks. An in-depth evaluation on publicly available multi-track datasets using methods such as AUC-ROC and Label Ranking Average Precision highlights different aspects of the model performance and indicates the importance of using multiple evaluation metrics. Furthermore, we propose a new visualization to discuss instrument confusion in a multi-label scenario.
Evaluating teaching and learning

This paper was first written in 2003 as part of a project led by the London Deanery to provide a web-based learning resource to support the educational development for clinical teachers. It was revised by Judy McKimm in 2007 with the introduction of the Deanery’s new web-based learning package for clinical teachers. Each of the papers provides a summary and background reading on a core topic in clinical education.
Asam Salisilat sebagai Penginduksi Ketahanan Tanaman Padi terhadap Penyakit Hawar Daun Bakteri

The use of salicylic acid as resistance inducers agents in several plants species was well known. Salicylic acid has been believed to play an important role in inducing resistance against some pathogen. This research was aimed to study the role and effectiveness of salicylic acid as inducers for the resistance of some rice variety against bacterial leaf blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized factorial design with three factors i.e. rice variety, salicylic acid, and pathotypes, each treatment was replicated three times. The results showed that salicylic acid could prolong the latent period of X. oryzae pv. oryzae pathotypes IV and VIII in paddy rice varieties Conde and Ciherang, induce the resistance of rice varieties as well as reducing the rate of infection of the two mentioned pathotypes. Salicylic acid was also able to induce the resistance of Conde and Ciherang varieties in order to suppress area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) of X. oryzae pv. oryzae pathotypes IV and VIII.
Diy culture: party & protest in nineties Britain

Gathered here together for the first time is a collection of 12 in-depth and reflective pieces by activists and other key figures in [Britain's] DiY culture, telling their own stories and histories. From the environmentalist to the video activist, the raver to tthe road protestor, the neo-pagan to the anarcho-capitalist, the authors demonstrate how the counterculture of the 1990s offers a vibrant, provocative and positive alternative to institutionalized unemployment and the restricted freedoms and legislated pleasures of UK plc.
Current Concerns in Validity Theory

We are at the end of the first century of work on models of educational and psychological measurement and into a new millennium. This certainly seems like an appropriate time for looking backward and looking forward in assessment. Furthermore, a new edition of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999) has been published, and the previous editions of the Standards have served as benchmarks in the development of measurement theory. This backward glance will be just that, a glance. After a brief historical review focusing mainly on construct validity, the current state of validity theory will be summarized, with an emphasis on the role of arguments in validation. Then how an argument-based approach might be applied will be examined in regards to two issues in validity theory: the distinction between performance-based and theory-based interpretations, and the role of consequences in validation.
Newly detected hypertension in an Iranian population: an epidemiological study

Background: Early detection of undiagnosed hypertension may prevent or reduce the onset and progression of many diseases. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in an Iranian population and its relation with socio-demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical factors. Methods: Four thousand five hundred nineteen subjects, aged 15-65 years, were eligible for the study. They were entered into the study through the cluster sampling method. Results: The overall prevalence of previously unknown hypertension was 24.2%. It was higher among urban dwellers who were poorly educated, married, and were manual laborers by occupation compared to other groups. Conclusion: Poor literacy status as well socioeconomic conditions may be positively associated with hypertension. Undiagnosed hypertension can be lowered by increasing access to routine blood pressure measurement, pre-employment medical examination, and improvement of the health seeking behavior in these groups.
A Comprehensive Geriatric Evaluation Center for High-Need Patients in an Under-Resourced Community

A Comprehensive Geriatric Evaluation Center for High-Need Patients in an Under-Resourced Community Joshua Chodosh1,2*, Karen I Connor1, Romilla Batra3 and Dan Osterweil3,4 1Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, New York University, New York, USA 2Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Health Care System, New York, USA 3Senior Care Action Network (SCAN) Health Plan, Long Beach, California, USA 4Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
Improved generalized periods estimates over curves on Riemannian surfaces with nonpositive curvature

Abstract We show that, on compact Riemannian surfaces of nonpositive curvature, the generalized periods, i.e. the 𝜈-th order Fourier coefficients of eigenfunctions eλe_{\lambda} over a closed smooth curve 𝛾 which satisfies a natural curvature condition, go to 0 at the rate of O⁢((log⁡λ)-12)O((\log\lambda)^{-\frac{1}{2}}) in the high energy limit λ→∞\lambda\to\infty if 0<|ν|λ<1-δ0<\frac{\lvert\nu\rvert}{\lambda}<1-\delta for any fixed 0<δ<10<\delta<1. Our result implies, for instance, that the generalized periods over geodesic circles on any surfaces with nonpositive curvature would converge to zero at the rate of O⁢((log⁡λ)-12)O((\log\lambda)^{-\frac{1}{2}}).
Spatial distribution of oxygen-18 and deuterium in stream waters across the Japanese archipelago

The spatial distribution of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition ( 18 O and 2 H) of stream waters across Japan was clarified with a data set by compiling sample data obtained from 1278 forest catchments during the summer of 2003. Both 18 O and 2 H values showed positive correla- tions with the mean annual air temperature and annual evap- otranspiration, and negative correlations with latitude and el- evation. Deuterium excess (d-excess) values in stream waters were higher on the Sea of Japan side, and lower on the Pa- cific Ocean side, of the Japanese archipelago. The d-excess in precipitation was generally higher in winter and lower in summer in Japan. The Sea of Japan side experiences a great deal of snowfall, and seasonal changes in monthly precipita- tion are rather small. In contrast, the Pacific Ocean side ex- periences a large amount of rainfall during summer with low levels of precipitation during the winter. Therefore, the lower d-excess in stream waters on the Pacific Ocean side reflects summer precipitation, and the higher values on the Sea of Japan side are affected by delayed recharge from snowmelt. The isoscapes of stream water connote not only spatially in- tegrated but also temporally integrated isotope signals of pre- cipitation and provide a framework for addressing applied hydrological, ecological, or meteorological research ques- tions at regional scales, such as the effects of climate change.
Protective Effect of Melatonin against Inequality-Induced Da mages on Testicular Tissue and Sper m Para meters

Background: The goals of the study are evaluation the effects of food deprivation and isolation situation as a social stress on fertility; and in the following, investigation of the improving effect of melatonin as an antioxidant component. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, We investigated histopathological and serological effects of melatonin and social stress (food deprivation and isolation) on different features of sperm and testicular tissue among 42 male rats in 7 groups including control, sham, melatonin received (M), food deprivation (FD), Food deprivation and melatonin treatment (FDM), Food deprivation and isolation situation (FDi), and Food deprivation and melatonin treatment and isolation situation (FDMi) groups. Epididymal sperms of all rats were also counted. Histopathological evaluation of the testes was done under a light microscopy to determine the number of spermiogenic cells. Serological evaluation of testosterone, corticosterone, and melatonin was performed, as well. For statistical analysis, oneway ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were used, and the value of p≤0.05 was considered statistically significance. Results: The result showed that food deprivation increased the number of abnormal, immotile, and dead sperms, while decreased the number of normal sperms (p<0.05). Isolation could improve sperm motility and viability, while enhanced the number of sper- matogenic cells. Melatonin had a protective effect on sperm count, motility, and viability, while reduced sperm abnormality. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that melatonin treatment and isolation situation improve the parameters related to epididymal sperms and spermatogenic cells after food deprivation.
Why words matter: Deconstructing the discourses of development education practitioners in development NGOs in Portugal

Considering discursive transitions in development education, we discuss the main findings of a qualitative study with practitioners in Portuguese development non-governmental organizations, based on semi-structured in-depth interviews. Our goal was to understand practitioners' accounts of their field of action and the discursive transition between development and (global) citizenship. The research provides new information about the Portuguese situation and contributes to the reconceptualization debate. The analysis reinforces the complexity of the field, connected to its focus on processes, and its highly organic, personal and multidimensional nature. It also depicts a nuanced understanding of terms and an increasing identification with global citizenship education as an umbrella term for practitioners' action and an alternative to the North–South and development narratives attributed to development education.
Special education needs across the pre-school period

The Early Years Transitions and Special Educational Needs (EYTSEN) project builds on the work of the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) project, a major longitudinal study of a national sample of young children’s progress and development through pre-school and into primary school until the end of Key Stage 1 (age 3+ to 7 years) (Sylva et al., 1999). 1 Both the EPPE and EYTSEN research studies are funded by the Df ES. The EYTSEN study explores evidence of possible special educational needs (SEN) amongst preschool children. It uses a range of information to identify children who may be ‘at risk’ in terms of either cognitive or social behavioural development and investigates links with a variety of child, parent and family characteristics. It also describes variations in the policies and provision offered by different pre-school centres designed to support children with special needs. Information for over 2800 children attending 141 pre-school centres selected from five regions across England has been analysed. Centres have been drawn from a range of types of providers (local authority day nursery, combined centres, playgroups, private day nurseries, nursery schools and nursery classes). The research was designed to study the six main types of institutional provision, not other forms of pre-school care such as relatives, childminders or nannies. One-to-one assessments of different aspects of young children’s cognitive development were conducted by trained researchers at entry to the study (age 3+) and later at entry to primary school. In addition, ratings of individual children’s social and behavioural development have been collected from pre-school workers at entry to pre-school, and from teachers when children enter primary school. We thus have several sources of information that can be used to explore young children’s cognitive attainment and progress and their social behavioural development. In addition to child assessments, parental interviews conducted when children entered the study have been used to collect detailed information about childcare history and health, and characteristics of children, their families and home environments. Interviews with centre managers of the pre-school settings attended by children have been used to provide details about pre-school settings including provision for SEN. Observations concerning aspects of centre ‘quality’, and measures of the environment experienced by children were made by trained researchers. The distribution of children in the sample identified as 'at risk' of SEN between different types of pre-school settings has been examined. In addition, the extent of variation in provision made for SEN between different centres and type of pre-school setting has been investigated. The EYTSEN study analysed these different sources of information and the linkages amongst them with a view to informing policy and practice related to the characteristics of young children ‘at risk’ of SEN and preschool centre practices associated with changes in risk status.
Free radical scavenging ability of Ximenia americana L. stem bark and leaf extracts

1 Chemistry Department, University State Piaui, Teresina – Piaui, Brazil. 2 Chemistry Department, Institute Federal of Pernambuco, Pesqueira – Pernambuco, Brazil. Chemistry Department, Institute Federal of Maranhao, Codo Maranhao, Brazil. Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, University Federal of Alagoas, Maceio – Alagoas, Brazil. 5 Chemistry Department, University Federal of Piaui, Teresina – Piaui, Brazil.
Evaluation of “Stress Relief” Dietary Supplement on Animal Stress Level and Locomotion

Abstract Search of new approaches for harmless, non-medication treatment of body dysfunctions is still on the agenda of vet and human practitioners and researchers as well. This study presents evaluation of the effect of “Stress Relief” dietary supplement (SR) on mice behaviour under different acute short-term stress conditions and treatment duration. Five experiments were performed and in each 40 animals were randomly split into four (I–IV) groups, where I and II — non-stressed mice, III and IV — stressed animals, I and III received water with trace mineral solution (TMS), II and IV received water with SR. As stress factors, forced swimming, rodent predator odour or both together were applied. Locomotor activity under normal and stress conditions in Open Field were observed and measured by a SMART video-tracking system. Blood glucose level was measured as well. SR showed a reversal of stress-decreased locomotor activity in all stress models — distance walked increased almost twice (p < 0.0001), central zone crossings and time spent in it were 2–4 times greater than in the control group (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0002, respectively), and fast movement episodes and maximal speed increased by 50–200%. In addition, complete normalisation of stress-induced elevation of blood glucose level (p < 0.0001) was noted. These results demonstrate for the first time that the effect of “Stress Relief” formula (water additives–minerals processed by know-how way in Vital Force Technology using Dr. Yury Kronn method) can be observed in laboratory animals, and that the effects are significant and repeatable. SR shows fear- and stress-reducing activity, which does not sufficiently differ between 7-, 9-, 14-, 28- and 32-day treatment regimes.
The Structural Properties of Online Social Networks and their Application Areas

Online Social Networks (OSNs) are here to stay as they have exploded in popularity and currently rival the traditional Web in term of user traffic. The extreme popularity of these networks coupled with their rapid growth present a unique opportunity to researchers never before to study, understand, and leverage their properties in other fields of study. Several research efforts are in the literature on OSNs, however, the structural and statistical properties of these networks are yet to be leveraged on other areas of research. In this paper, a comprehensive study on OSNs is given in view of the structural properties together with their underlying mathematical framework. Open problems with their associated application areas are also enumerated of which answers to them would have a great impact on social network theories and their related application areas such as commerce, law enforcement, algorithm optimization and product recommendation.
Integrated Smart Glove for Hand Motion Monitoring

— Developments in Virtual Reality (VR) technology and its overall market have been occurring since the 1960s when Ivan Sutherland created the world’s first tracked head-mounted display (HMD) – a goggle type head gear. In society today, consumers are expecting a more immersive experience and associated tools to bridge the cyber-physical divide. This paper presents the development of a next generation smart glove microsystem to facilitate Human Computer Interaction through the integration of sensors, processors and wireless technology. The objective of the glove is to measure the range of hand joint movements, in real time and empirically in a quantitative manner. This includes accurate measurement of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and Distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers and thumb in degrees, together with thumb-index web space movement. This system enables full real-time monitoring of complex hand movements. Commercially available gloves are not fitted with sufficient sensors for full data capture, and require calibration for each glove wearer. Unlike these current state-of-the-art data gloves, the UU / Tyndall Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) glove uses a combination of novel stretchable substrate material and 9 degree of freedom (DOF) inertial sensors in conjunction with complex data analytics to detect joint movement. Our novel IMU data glove requires minimal calibration and is therefore particularly suited to the multiple application domains such as Human Computer
Characterization of Flake Boron Nitride Prepared from the Low Temperature Combustion Synthesized Precursor and Its Application for Dye Adsorption

Flake boron nitride (BN) in large yield was successfully synthesized at low temperature from the combustion synthesized precursor. The precursor was prepared by a low-temperature (350 °C) combustion synthesis (LCS) method using nitric acid (HNO3), urea (CO(NH2)2), boric acid (H3BO3), and glucose (C6H12O6·H2O) as starting materials. The precursor consists of B2O3 and amorphous carbon and the morphology is composed of blocks with average diameters of about 10 μm by statistical methods using SEM at different fields. Then BN was synthesized at 900 °C in NH3 at a heating rate of 5 °C min−1. The as-prepared BN possesses a flake morphology and high specific surface area up to 936 m2 g−1. It also has high density structural defects and abundant –NH2/–OH groups. The surface groups improve its water wettability and electronegativity, which contributes to the rapid and selective adsorption performance, especially towards the cationic dyes. When 4 mg of the sample was added into a 100 mL RhB solution with an initial concentration of 5 mg L−1, 95% of the RhB was removed within 1 min and the adsorption capacity is 125 mg g−1. Importantly, the sample can be regenerated by heating at 400 °C in air.
Does Foreign Aid Improve Gender Performance of Recipient Countries ? Results from Structural Equation Analysis

Since the 1990s, one of the explicit goals of foreign aid has been the promotion of female empowerment and gender equality in developing countries. However, measuring the impact of foreign aid on these latent variables at the country level has never been attempted because of various methodological impediments. In this paper we use Structural Equation Models and global data from World Development Indicators (WDI), World Governance Indicators (WGI) and OECD’s Credit Reporting System (CRS) to investigate if foreign aid has an impact on gender performance of recipient countries at the country level. Alongside our results, we also present some reflections for good practices in the promotion of gender mainstreaming in aid. JEL classifications : O11, J16, C13