Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metal Concentrations in Snow Samples in an Urban Area in the Po Valley

This study shows a chemical and morphological characterization of snow samples collected near crossroads of urban area of Ferrara and near the Technological College of University of Ferrara (Italy) during three important snowfalls. The field campaigns were carried out in the eastern part of Po Valley (Italy) in winter 2009-2010. The chemical composition of melted snow was compared with analyses of the same filtered samples of melted snow so as to give the composition of particles smaller than a few nm. The metal concentrations in the aerosol particles were analyzed with ICP-MS and IC methodologies, while the morphological features were described by SEM-EDS analyses. The results showed that snow samples were characterized by important amounts of allumo silicates with dimensions larger than 0.45 μm, from resuspension of the local soil, and IC analysis confirmed the anthropogenic pollution of the snow. Six main particles were classed and recognized: silica, carbonate, allumo silicate, sodium chloride and organic compounds, including biogenic materials and pollen (agricultural aerosols which are composed for 92% of single particles and for the remaining 8% of agglomerations of particles). We present here initial data on heavy metals in snow collected in Ferrara. They were obtained by analyzing fresh snow deposited during three snowfall events in December 2010, February and March 2011. The analyses were performed by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ion chromatography (IC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS).
Improving Students’ Achievement in Chemistry through Cooperative Learning and Individualized Instruction

The study examined the effects of Cooperative learning and Individualized instruction on students’ achievement in Chemistry in Awka south LGA of Anambra State. Three hypotheses were tested. The quasi-experimental design was used, specifically the pre-test posttest non-equivalent control group design. A sample of 118 Senior Secondary School two (SSS 2) Chemistry students from Awka South LGA was used in the study. The instrument for data collection was Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) validated by one lecturer in science education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, one lecturer in measurement and evaluation Federal College of Education Technical, Umunze, and one experienced chemistry teacher in British Spring College, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Kudder-Richardson formula 20 which yielded coefficient of internal consistency of 0.92. The data obtained were analyzed using mean, and multivariate Original Research Article Gabriel et al.; JESBS, 26(2): 1-11, 2018; Article no.JESBS. 42873 2 analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results revealed that there was a significant difference between the mean achievement of students in chemistry taught using cooperative learning, individualized instruction and conventional method in favour of cooperative learning as the most effective, followed by individualized instruction. There were no significant differences in the mean achievement scores of male and female students and the disordinal interaction effect of teaching methods and gender on achievement was not significant. The study recommended that chemistry teachers should adopt cooperative learning strategies and individualized instruction to involve students in the learning process actively and make them take more responsibility for their own learning.
What Type of Ego Are We Dealing With , Here ? Ego Functions in a Group of Substanc Abusers : A Metanalysis Egypt

Egypt. J. Psychiatry, Jan 2010; 30(1): 39-45 Background: Sustainable recovery is the cornerstone of rehabilitation programs. The Ego is the agency recruited in this process: it is the ego that will work with the challenges, filter distractors, and resist falling back to old learned habits of dealing with stress, cues and new material. It is the choice for change: the volition to achieve recovery that renders recovery possible. Objectives: To identify which of the 12 Ego Functions are most likely to be impaired in Substance Abusers. Subjects & Methods: The Egyptian studies that attempted to assess Substance abusers from the perspective of Ego functions using Bellack’s Clinical Assessment of Ego Functions are being presented in this metanalysis. Searching for these studies was conducted by word of mouth, on a national database as well as through experts in the field. Results: Weighted aggregate analysis showed that the most impaired ego functions among substance dependent patients are adaptive regression in service of ego (ARISE) and judgment. Conclusion: The use of Ego function assessment is of paramount value for the purpose of management. Assessing them should be a routine measure in this very challenging population.
Species of Phomopsis and a Libertella sp. occurring on grapevines with specific reference to South Africa: morphological, cultural, molecular and pathological characterization

Abstract In order to clarify the taxonomy of species of Phomopsis associated with grapevines, 61 isolates were obtained from 58 different vineyards in the grapevine growing areas of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Species delimitation was primarily based on alpha conidium and conidiophore morphology, cultural characteristics, pathogenicity to Vitis vinifera, and the ability to form the teleomorph in vitro. The identity of each taxon was confirmed by means of phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (5.8S, ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5’ end partial sequence of the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU). We also re-examined the four taxa that previously had been associated with grapevines in Australia. Three of the latter taxa, and a Phomopsis species commonly associated with shoot blight of peaches in the USA, P. amygdali, were identified among the South African isolates. Phomopsis amygdali was isolated once only and appeared to be of lesser importance in this disease complex. Furthermore, Diaporthe perjuncta and Phomopsis sp. 1 were also rarely encountered and proved to be nonpathogenic, indicating their nonfunctional role in Phomopsis cane and leaf spot disease. Phomopsis viticola was common and widely distributed throughout diseased vineyards. This taxon was associated with the typical cane and leaf spot disease symptoms and proved to be highly virulent. Morphologically collections designated in previous studies as taxon 2 corresponded best with P. viticola, which was also neotypified in this study. Examination of the Australian culture designated as taxon 4 revealed it to be a species of Libertella, thus excluding it from the P. viticola complex. An Italian isolate was found to represent a species of Phomopsis not previously known from grapevines, and this was subsequently designated as Phomopsis sp. 2. A key to taxa of Phomopsis from grapevine is also provided.
Young children’s cognitive achievement: Home learning environment, language and ethnic background

For decades, research has shown differences in cognitive assessment scores between White and minority ethnic group(s) learners as well as differences across different minority ethnic groups. More recent data have indicated that the home learning environment and languages spoken can impact cognitive assessment and other corollary outcomes. This study uses the Millennium Cohort Study to jointly assess how minority ethnic group, home learning environment and home languages predict child cognitive assessment scores. Regression analyses were conducted using two assessment measures. The following is hypothesised: (1) cognitive achievement scores vary by minority ethnic group, (2) more home learning environment in early childhood leads to higher cognitive development scores and (3) English only in the home yields the highest cognitive scores while no English in the home yields the lowest. Findings reveal that there are differences in cognitive scores along ethnic group categories although there are also some unexpected findings. Home learning environment does not play as large a role as was predicted in raising the assessment scores overall for learners while speaking English in the home does, irrespective of ethnic background.
Simplified Predictive Torque Control for a PMSM Drive Fed by a Matrix Converter With Imposed Input Current

Predictive control is emerging as an attractive technique for control of matrix converters. Compared with the classical linear controllers, predictive control needs a shorter control interval to reach the same performance. But the implementation of predictive control for matrix converters involves a large amount of calculation, which is an obstacle for their applications. This paper proposes a simplified predictive control of torque and input current of a permanent magnet synchronous motor fed by a matrix converter, which effectively reduces the calculations in comparison with conventional approach without touching the quality of control performance. The experimental results are presented to verify the validity of the proposed method.
SYSTEMIC THERAPY OF EARLY BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Early breast cancer is potentially curable disease. Systemic adjuvant therapy is created to treat micrometastatic disease or destroy breast cancer cells that have spread from the breast and regional lymph nodes, but have not yet formed visible distant metastases. Systemic adjuvant therapy is based on chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy, sometimes in combination with adjuvant irradiation, usually is conducted after surgery. The aim of adjuvant therapy is to decrease recurrence rate and extension of overall survival.
‘ Imagined guilt ’ versus ‘ recollected guilt ’ : Implications for fMRI

Guilt is thought to maintain social harmony by motivating reparation (Haidt, 2003; Trivers, 1971). The present study compared two methodologies commonly used to identify the neural correlates of guilt. The first, imagined guilt, requires participants to read hypothetical scenarios and then imagine themselves as the protagonist. The second, recollected guilt, requires participants to reflect on times they personally experienced guilt. In the fMRI scanner, participants were presented with guilt/neutral memories and guilt/neutral hypothetical scenarios. Contrasts confirmed a priori predictions that guilt memories, relative to guilt scenarios, were associated with significantly greater activity in regions associated with affect (ACC, Caudate, Insula, OFC) and social cognition (TP, precuneus). Similarly, results indicated that guilt memories, relative to neutral memories, were also associated with greater activity in affective (ACC, amygdala, Insula, OFC) and social cognition (mPFC, TP, precuneus, TPJ) regions. There were no significant differences between guilt hypothetical scenarios and neutral hypothetical scenarios in either affective or social cognition regions. The importance of distinguishing between different guilt inductions inside the scanner are discussed. We offer explanations of our results and discuss ideas for future research.
Climate effect of season of birth and litter size on taggar goat ’ s production in western Sudan

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Dalanj University, Sudan. 2 Department Animal Production, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan, P.O. Box 716, Khartoum, Sudan. 3 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources , University of Kassala, P.O. Box 12, New-Halfa, Sudan. Department Animal Production, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Peace University, P.O. Box 20, El Fulla, Sudan. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Natural Research and Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan. 6Department of Environmental Physiology -Main library, University of Khartoum, Sudan. Department Diary Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Relationship of Dietary Soy Protein to Daidzein Metabolism by Cultures of Intestinal Microfloras from Monkeys

Soybeans have been shown to contain larger concentrations of isoflavones than other plant foods. The colonic micro-floras of some individuals metabolize isoflavones, including the soy phytoestrogen daidzein, to compounds with altered estrogenic activity that may affect health. Monkeys have been used as models to predict the effect of colonic microorganisms on the metabolism of phytoestrogens. We studied the effect of consumption of a diet rich in soy protein on the metabolism of added daidzein by the intestinal microfloras of monkeys. The metabolism of daidzein by cultures of the colonic microfloras from eight males and eight females of Macaca fascicularis, 6 - 12 years old, consuming diets containing either soy or casein, and two males and three females of Macaca nemestrina, 3 - 5 months old, consuming infant formula, was investigated using high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses. Cultures from ten of the 16 adult monkeys and all five infant monkeys metabolized the added daidzein within 24 h. Daidzein was metabolized within 48 h by cultures from five other monkeys, but it remained even after 72 h in a culture from one female monkey on a casein diet. Equol and dihydrodaidzein were the only metabolites found. Individual variation among monkeys in the efficiency of daidzein metabolism was observed, but there appeared to be no correlation between diet and daidzein metabolism by the intestinal microflora. The intestinal microfloras of most monkeys tested were efficient in the biotransformation of daidzein to equol, regardless of the animals’ consumption of soy protein. Differences in the metabolism of isoflavones by the colonic microfloras of humans and experimental animals should be considered when extrapolating results from animals to humans.
ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND EXPRESSION OF HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN OF COBALT-TREATED PORCINE OVARIAN GRANULOSA CELLS

The aim of this study was to determine the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS) and expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) of porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured in vitro after cobalt (Co) administrations. Ovarian granulosa cells were incubated with cobalt sulphate administrations as follows: group E1 (0.09 mg.ml), group E2 (0.13 mg.ml), group E3 (0.17 mg.ml), group E4 (0.33 mg.ml), group E5 (0.5 mg.ml) and the control group without any additions for 18 h. Co administration developed stress reaction and promoted accumulation of Hsp70 what resulted in increasing activity of SOD. TAS of granulosa cells increased with higher doses of Co whereas low doses had no effect on this parameter. Trace elements can adversely affect animal female reproductive system and its functions, through either direct or indirect effects on oxidative stress induction.
Relationships Between Access to Mobile Devices, Student Self-Directed Learning, and Achievement

Today’s students are growing up in a world of constant connectivity, instant information, and ever-changing technological advancements. The increasingly ubiquitous nature of mobile devices among K–12 students has led many to argue for and against the inclusion of these devices in K–12 classrooms. Arguments in favor cite instant access to information and collaboration with others as positive affordances that enable student self-directed learning. In this study, 706 middle school students from 18 technology and engineering education classes worked in groups of 2–3 to complete an openended engineering design challenge. Students completed design portfolios and constructed prototypes in response to the design challenge. Classes were divided with some allowing access to mobile devices during the study and others not allowing access. Additionally, randomly assigned classes completed the design portfolio electronically, and others completed the portfolio on paper. Final student portfolios and products were assessed and assigned a rank order using a method of assessment called adaptive comparative judgment. Thirty student interviews were conducted as well as 6 teacher interviews. Statistical analyses between student access, portfolio type, student self-directed learning, and student achievement were conducted. Findings showed that student self-directed learning was independent of mobile device access during the study. Mobile device access was significantly correlated with higher student scores on the design portfolio, but mobile device access was independent of student scores on design products.
Ibuprofen-Maltodextrin Interaction: Study of Enantiomeric Recognition and Complex Characterization

The interaction between ibuprofen and maltodextrins with different dextrose equivalent was studied in solution and solid state in order to investigate the effect on the solubility of ibuprofen and to determine their usefulness in terms of chiral recognition. Apparent binding constants were calculated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments and solubility studies. The results showed an increase in the apparent solubility of ibuprofen in the presence of maltodextrins that depended on their ionization state. The freeze-drying method was used to prepare solid complexes, while physical mixtures were obtained by simple blending. These solid systems were characterized in the solid state using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Detailed nuclear magnetic resonance studies provided evidence of the influence of the type and concentration of the maltodextrin host on the chiral recognition of racemic ibuprofen, indicating that these linear ligands act as chiral selectors.
New petrel records on Île Saint-Paul , southern Indian Ocean

Saint-Paul and Amsterdam are 2 uninhabited small volcanic islands situated 80 km apart and north of the Subtropical Front, in the southern Indian Ocean (Figure 1). They are zoogeographically similar to the Tristan da Cunha group in the South Atlantic and to the Chatham and Juan Fernandez groups in the South Pacific (Bourne & David 1995). Since their discovery in the 16th century, Saint-Paul and Amsterdam have experienced a succession of human induced ecological damages (see Jouventin 1994 for a review). Saint-Paul’s past avifauna is poorly documented, however, only 10 of the 22 bird species known to have bred on Amsterdam are still present (Jouanin & Paulian 1960; Jouventin 1994; Worthy & Jouventin 1999), while several endemic species are now extinct (Micol & Jouventin 1995; Olson & Jouventin 1996). To prevent the extinction of extant burrow-nesting seabirds on Saint-Paul, European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and black rats (Rattus rattus) were eradicated from the island between 1995 and 1999. This provided the opportunity to assess the re-colonisation of SaintPaul by seabirds from a predator-free islet (Micol & Jouventin 2002), although visits to study the settling of new populations on this island have been few and difficult to undertake. JBT benefited from an exceptional authorization to carry out a short field trip to Saint-Paul between 19 and 28 Mar 2006. This note reports the main findings of this trip. Burrows of nesting petrels were searched on all accessible parts of the main island, and their contents examined. Capture of flying petrels was also attempted at night using spot lights. Each captured bird was measured using vernier callipers, a 400 mm rule and a 300 or 500 g scale depending on the species. Following Cherel et al. (2006), feathers from captured petrels were sampled to measure their isotopic niche, with body feather δ13C and δ15N values reflecting, respectively, the foraging habitat and trophic position of the birds during the moulting period. Before this study, 7 petrel species were known to breed on Saint-Paul, of which we could capture 4: great-winged petrel Pterodroma macroptera, flesh-footed shearwater Puffinus carneipes, little shearwater Puffinus assimilis and the MacGillivray’s race of medium-billed prion Pachyptila salvini macgillivrayi (Jouventin 1994; Micol & Jouventin 2002). Moreover, we captured 2 species previously unrecorded from Saint-Paul (Table 1). An adult softplumaged petrel Pterodroma mollis was captured SHORT NOTE Notornis, 2010, Vol. 57: 50-53 0029-4470 © The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc.
North-South asymmetry in the modeled phytoplankton community response to climate change over the 21 st century

[1] Here we analyze the impact of projected climate change on plankton ecology in all major ocean biomes over the 21st century, using a multidecade (1880–2090) experiment conducted with the Community Climate System Model (CCSM-3.1) coupled ocean-atmosphere-land-sea ice model. The climate response differs fundamentally in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for diatom and small phytoplankton biomass and consequently for total biomass, primary, and export production. Increasing vertical stratification in the Northern Hemisphere oceans decreases the nutrient supply to the ocean surface. Resulting decreases in diatom and small phytoplankton biomass together with a relative shift from diatoms to small phytoplankton in the Northern Hemisphere result in decreases in the total primary and export production and export ratio, and a shift to a more oligotrophic, more efficiently recycled, lower biomass euphotic layer. By contrast, temperature and stratification increases are smaller in the Southern compared to the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, a southward shift and increase in strength of the Southern Ocean westerlies act against increasing temperature and freshwater fluxes to destratify the water-column. The wind-driven, poleward shift in the Southern Ocean subpolar-subtropical boundary results in a poleward shift and increase in the frontal diatom bloom. This boundary shift, localized increases in iron supply, and the direct impact of warming temperatures on phytoplankton growth result in diatom increases in the Southern Hemisphere. An increase in diatoms and decrease in small phytoplankton partly compensate such that while total production and the efficiency of organic matter export to the deep ocean increase, total Southern Hemisphere biomass does not change substantially. The impact of ecological shifts on the global carbon cycle is complex and varies across ecological biomes, with Northern and Southern Hemisphere effects on the biological production and export partially compensating. The net result of climate change is a small Northern Hemisphere-driven decrease in total primary production and efficiency of organic matter export to the deep ocean.