Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycoplasmal Infections and Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Illness (Gulf War Illness) Associated with Deployment to Operation Desert Storm

Servicemen and servicewomen who served in the Persian Gulf region during Operation Desert Storm returned to the U.S. and slowly presented with chronic illnesses that produce complex signs and symptoms, such as polyarthralgia, chronic fatigue, short-term memory loss, sleep difficulties, headaches, intermittent fevers, skin rashes, diarrhea, vision problems, nausea, breathing and heart problems and other signs and symptoms that are collectively called Gulf War Syndrome or Gulf War Illness. Although there is not yet a case definition for Gulf War Illness, the chronic signs and symptoms loosely fit the clinical criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia. Using the technique of Nucleoprotein Gene Tracking, a cDNA hybridization technique that utilizes isolated nucleoproteins for probing with unique cDNA sequences, slightly under one-half (45%) of these soldiers and their immediate family members (76/170) who have Gulf War Illness signs and symptoms showed evidence of mycoplasmal infections in their blood leukocytes, but not in their blood plasma or serum. In contrast, in nondeployed, healthy adults the incidence of mycoplasma-positive tests were <5% (2/41). Mycoplasma-positive cases of Gulf War Illness-CFS have been successfully treated with multiple cycles of doxycycline (200-300 mg/d), ciprofloxacin (1500 mg/d) or azithromycin (500 mg/d). All patients on antibiotic therapy (n=73) relapsed within weeks after the first cycle of therapy, but 7/73 recovered after 2 cycles of therapy, another 12/73 after 3 cycles, another 18/73 after 4 cycles, another 21/73 after 6 cycles of therapy and 14/73 are still undergoing therapy. Gulf War Illness patients who recovered from their illness after several (3-7) 6-week cycles of antibiotic therapy were retested for evidence of mycoplasmal infection and were found to have reverted to a mycoplasma-negative phenotype. We conclude that a subset of Gulf War Illness patients have mycoplasmal and possibly other chronic bacterial infections, and treatment with appropriate antibiotics can result in recovery from this chronic condition.
Response Surface Modeling and Optimization of Chromium (Vi) Removal From Aqueous Solution Using Borasus Flabellifer Coir Powder

The potential use of Borasus flabellifer coir powder for the removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution has been investigated in batch mode experiments. Percentage removal of chromium (VI) is found to be 97.6% at pH 2, amount of adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g in 50 mL solution and temperature of 303 K. Influences of parameters like initial chromium (VI) concentration (5-30 mg/L), pH (1-3), and biomass dosage (10-14 g/L) on chromium (VI) adsorption were examined using response surface methodology. The Box-Behnken experimental design in response surface methodology was used for designing the experiments as well as for full response surface estimation and 15 trials as per the model were run. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of chromium (VI) from an aqueous solution of 20 mg/L were as follows: adsorbent dosage (10.1869 g/L), pH 1.9 and initial chromium (VI) concentration (6.3244 mg/L). The high correlation coefficient (R^2 =0.989) between the model and the experimental data showed that the model was able to predict the removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution using B. flabellifer coir powder efficiently.
SURVEY OF DANISH FREE LIVING OTTERS LUTRA LUTRA . A CONSECUTIVE COLLECTION AND NECROPSY OF DEAD BODIES

During 1979-1993, 194 dead Danish otters Lutra lutra were received. Of these, 145 were necropsied and the cause of death, sex, age and body condition determined. Traffic mortality (45.4%) and drowning (32.5%) constituted the major cause of death. Shot gun lead pellets were detected in 5% of the otters. Inclusion bodies indicating distemper virus infection were found for the first time in a free living otter population. Angistrongylus vasorum larvae were found in the lungs of free living otters for the first time. No ectoparasites were found. Infectious agents were detected in 22.1% of the otters although only few individuals appeared to have died from infections. The age distribution was not significantly different between sexes. Body condition for otters which died violently in Denmark was comparable to findings in Shetland, where thriving populations exist. The results showed a considerable decrease in number of otters found drowned in fish traps coinciding with the introduction of stop grids in fish traps in 1986. The results suggest that the existing otter population in Denmark is healthy and in good condition but it cannot be excluded that the large number of otters killed by traffic threatens the continued expansion of the species.
Long-term patterns in the establishment, expansion and decline of invading macrozoobenthic species in the brackish and marine waters of Southwest Netherlands

The fluctuations in densities or biomass of a number of invading and native polychaete and mollusc species in the Southwest Netherlands were compared over a period of 20 years. For recent invaders a lag phase of 7–10 years occurred after their first appearance, followed by an exponential increase in abundance or biomass for 2–3 years. High numbers and biomass then continued for about 5 years, followed by a strong decline. The total sequence from introduction to decline lasted about 15 years. The densities or biomass of invaders appearing decades or even centuries ago in the Delta area have fluctuated in a similar manner to those of native species, indicating that the densities or biomass of invading species after a 15-year period of strong changes become governed largely by the same environmental factors as native species. The conclusion may be that after some decades, invading species can become part of a balanced co-existence with the native species, and that this may yield a net gain in the overall diversity.
Antarctic sea ice elevation from satellite radar altimetry

In situ measurements of sea ice thickness from ship and upward‐looking sonar are used to assess the potential for satellite radar altimetry to provide information on Antarctic sea ice thickness. A climatology of satellite ice elevation estimates is compared to an Antarctic sea ice thickness climatology made from the Antarctic Sea Ice Processes and Climate (ASPeCt) data set. In addition monthly, regional, satellite ice elevation estimates are compared to ULS ice draft data. The results show reasonable spatial agreement between the satellite and in‐situ data, and show regional signals of change in ice elevation in line with that which would be expected. The results show some promise for providing information on Antarctic ice thickness from radar altimetry missions such as CryoSat. However, further studies into snow and ice density and the radar penetration into the Antarctic snow cover are required.
Functional classifications and their application in phytoplankton ecology

SUMMARY 1. Ecologists often group organisms based on similar biological traits or on taxonomic criteria. However, the use of taxonomy in ecology has many drawbacks because taxa may include species with very different ecological adaptations. Further, similar characters may evolve independently in different lineages. 2. In this review, we examine the main criteria that have been used in the identification of nine modes of classifying phytoplankton non-taxonomically. These approaches are based purely on morphological and/or structural traits, or on more complex combinations including physiological and ecological features. 3. Different functional approaches have proved able to explain some fraction of the variance observed in the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of algal assemblages, although their effectiveness varies greatly, depending on the number and characteristics of functional traits used. The attribution of functional traits to single species or broad groups of species has allowed a few classifications (e.g. Functional Groups, FG) to be used in the assessment of ecological status. 4. We stress that the misuse of functional classifications (by applying them under conditions other than those intended) can have serious consequences for interpreting ecological processes. Assigning functional traits or groups cannot be considered a surrogate for the knowledge of species or ecotypes, and the use of specific traits must always be justified and circumscribed within the limits of ecological questions and hypotheses. 5. An important future challenge will be to integrate advances in molecular genetics, metabolomics and physiology with more conventional traits; this will form the basis of the next generation of functional classifications.
ptimal biofilm formation and power generation in a micro-sized microbial uel cell ( MFC )

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent an emerging technology for generating electricity from renewable biomass. Micro-sized MFCs show promising applications in certain niche applications. However, existing micro-sized MFCs are generally limited by their low power density, rendering them insufficient for practical applications. Here, we report a micro-sized MFC having optimal biofilm formation and minimal
Application of RAPD-PCR for Determining the Clonality of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Different Hospitals

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR was applied with ten random 10-mer primers to examine the molecular diversity among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains in the hospitals and to investigate the epidemiological spread of these strains between different hospitals. The main objective of the study was to identify appropriate primers, which successfully established the clonality of MRSA. Three of the primers yielded particularly discriminatory patterns and they were used to perform the RAPD analysis which revealed different bands ranging from 200 to 1500 bp. Dendogram was created by the un-weighted pair group method using arithmetic (UPGMA) average clustering and it was constructed based on the combination results of the new primers (S224, S232 and S395) which represented a novel approach for rapid screening of the strains and also provided the opportunity for monitoring the emergence and determining clonal dissemination of MRSA strains between the hospitals. Dendogram generated two main groups (Group I and II) with three clusters (A, B and C) and indicated that the strains isolated from the same hospital were closely related and they placed together in the same group. This technique could be of attractive use in controlling the sources and routes of transmission, tracking the spread of strains within hospital and between the hospitals, and especially preventing the nosocomial infections caused by the MRSA.
Price Discovery and Foreign Participation in the Republic of Korea's Government Bond Cash and Futures Markets

This paper examines the impact of foreign participation in Korean Treasury Bond (KTB) futures and its role in price discovery for KTBs, using daily transactions data from the over-the-counter market for KTBs and from the Korea Exchange for the futures. Our analysis suggests that foreign trading in the KTB futures market leads the price discovery process for the underlying bonds. Empirical results show that foreigners’ daily net long positions in the futures market exert significant influence in KTB and KTB futures prices. We also find that it is the unexpected component of foreign investors’ net long futures positions that explains a significant share of the pricing effects, suggesting that how foreign trading responds to news carries additional information content.
Fully relativistic R-matrix calculation of electron impact excitation of Ne IX (11 pages)

We report on a fully relativistic close-coupling (CC) calculation of the electron impact excitation (EIE) of Ne IX. The multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method was used in a calculation of Ne IX atomic structure. The EIE calculation of Ne IX was carried out using the Dirac R-matrix method and the MCDF orbitals for principal quantum number n{<=}5 with target states up to n=5 corresponding to 49CC (49 target states in the CC expansion). The EIE calculation included both resonance and channel coupling effects. We demonstrate that strong resonances appear in the excitation of the highly charged ion Ne IX, in particular for intercombination and forbidden transitions. Compared to less highly charged He-like ions, we show that for Ne IX all N-shell and O-shell levels start to give rise to Rydberg resonant states dipping just below M-shell and N-shell target thresholds, respectively. In comparison with previous calculations carried out with either the close-coupling or the distorted wave method, our calculations show significant differences with respect to cross sections and effective collision strengths. The important Ne IX line intensity G ratio (G=(i+f)/r)=[forbidden+intercombination]/resonance) calculated based on our MCDF and Dirac R-matrix results is in good agreement with the existing accurate EBIT measurements. This calculationmore » has direct applications to laboratory measurements and observations of astrophysical x-ray sources. « less
FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF FERTILIZERS’ PRACTICES ON THEIR FARMS

This study was carried out in Lublin region to identify farmers’ knowledge in the use of fertilizers. Data for the study were collected by an interview using a questionnaire of selected sample of 122 farmers to measure farmers’ knowledge in the use of fertilizers. The majority (61.47%) of farmers were between 3243 years, the results showed that there were significant differences between the average knowledge of the use of fertilizers according to the variables in the following categories: age, education level, years of work in agriculture. The results of the work will allow farmers and agricultural advisors to make the right decisions that will be beneficial for sustainable agriculture and the environment.
Greenland surface albedo changes in July 1981–2012 from satellite observations

Significant melting events over Greenland have been observed over the past few decades. This study presents an analysis of surface albedo change over Greenland using a 32-year consistent satellite albedo product from the global land surface satellite (GLASS) project together with ground measurements. Results show a general decreasing trend of surface albedo from 1981 to 2012 (−0.009 ± 0.002 decade−1, p < 0.01). However, a large decrease has occurred since 2000 (−0.028 ± 0.008 decade−1, p < 0.01) with most significant decreases at elevations between 1000 and 1500 m (−0.055 decade−1, p < 0.01) which may be associated with surface temperature increases. The surface radiative forcing from albedo changes is 2.73 W m−2 decade−1 and 3.06 W m−2 decade−1 under full-sky and clear-sky conditions, respectively, which indicates that surface albedo changes are likely to have a larger impact on the surface shortwave radiation budget than that caused by changes in the atmosphere over Greenland. A comparison made between satellite albedo products and data output from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 5 (CMIP5) general circulation models (GCMs) shows that most of the CMIP5 models do not detect the significantly decreasing trends of albedo in recent decades. This suggests that more efforts are needed to improve our understanding and simulation of climate change at high latitudes.
Detecting anthropogenic CO2 changes in the interior Atlantic Ocean between 1989 and 2005

[1] Repeat observations along the meridional Atlantic section A16 from Iceland to 56°S show substantial changes in the total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations in the ocean between occupations from 1989 through 2005. The changes correspond to the expected increase in DIC driven by the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 from the atmosphere, but the ΔDIC is more varied and larger, in some locations, than can be explained solely by this process. Concomitant large changes in oxygen (O2) suggest that processes acting on the natural carbon cycle also contribute to ΔDIC. Precise partial pressure of CO2 measurements suggest small but systematic increases in the bottom waters. To isolate the anthropogenic CO2 component (ΔCanthro) from ΔDIC, an extended multilinear regression approach is applied along isopycnal surfaces. This yields an average depth-integrated ΔCanthro of 0.53 ± 0.05 mol m−2 yr−1 with maximum values in the temperate zones of both hemispheres and a minimum in the tropical Atlantic. A higher decadal increase in the anthropogenic CO2 inventory is found for the South Atlantic compared to the North Atlantic. This anthropogenic CO2 accumulation pattern is opposite to that seen for the entire Anthropocene up to the 1990s. This change could perhaps be a consequence of the reduced downward transport of anthropogenic CO2 in the North Atlantic due to recent climate variability. Extrapolating the results for this section to the entire Atlantic basin (63°N to 56°S) yields an uptake of 5 ± 1 Pg C decade−1, which corresponds to about 25% of the annual global ocean uptake of anthropogenic CO2 during this period.
Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Tomato: An Economic Analysis

The adoption of IPM technology in tomato using African marigold as a trap crop, root dipping of seedlings in Imidacloprid, soil application of neem/pongamia cake, spraying of botanicals like pongamia soap and biopesticide like Ha NPV has been found effective in both insect as well as disease management. The IPM technology has been found economically viable as the yield on IPM farms has been found higher by about 46 per cent, cost of cultivation has been less by about 21 per cent and the net returns have been higher by 119 per cent. The technology can be considered environment-friendly as it uses more of eco-friendly inputs and less of chemicals. The constraints like non-availability of botanicals and bio-pesticides should be addressed on priority basis to make the technology sustainable and more popular.
Jumps of orderings

Here it is shown that for each recursive ordinal a > 2 and each Turing degree d > 0(') , there is a linear ordering A such that d is least among the ath jumps of degrees of (open diagrams of) isomorphic copies of A and for ,B < a, the set of ,3 th jumps of degrees of copies of A has no least element.
Evaluation of Awareness and Attitude about Denture Cleansers among Dental Graduates and Practitioners

Abstract: Objective: To assess the attitude and awareness about denture cleansers among dental graduates and practitioners in Aseer Province of Saudi Arabia. Method: Questionnaire with 13 questions was used to reveal the views of 307 dental students, interns, graduates, general practitioners and specialists towards denture cleansers and to document the literature. The substance produced through this study was used in prospectus of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Questionnaire set consists of three sections. 1- Determines participant’s professional level; 2- attitude and 3- determine the awareness about denture cleansers. Statistical analyses were adopted to draw logical and scientific inferences. The chi square test was used to test the independence of various attributes. Results: The total response rate was 95%. 267 of 291 dentists who instruct their patient for denture hygiene recommended tablet form (88%) of denture cleansers. 87% of dentists felt that combination of denture brush and denture cleansers was best for maintaining hygiene. Almost 83% of the participants don’t know exact composition, 25% were unaware of adverse effect but practically 81% were knowing that different denture cleansers are available for acrylic and cast partial dentures. 51% of the dentists conveyed insufficient knowledge was delivered to them during undergraduate course 94% respondents felt the need to enhance their knowledge. Conclusion: There is need to improve and enhance teaching and training about denture cleansers during the undergraduate education and further in continuing education and training to practitioners, so as to enable them to impart adequate guidance to their patients for denture hygiene.
Anisotropic phase diagram and spin fluctuations of the hyperkagome magnet Gd3Ga5O12 as revealed by sound velocity measurements

Sound velocity and attenuation measurements on the frustrated garnet material Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG) are presented as a function of field and temperature, using two different acoustic modes and with two different magnetic field orientations: [100] and [110]. We demonstrate that the phase diagram is highly anisotropic, with two distinct field-induced ordered phases for H||[110] and only one for H||[100]. Extensive lattice softening is found to occur at low fields, which can be associated with spin fluctuations. However, deep within the spin liquid phase a low-temperature stiffening of the lattice and reduced attenuation provides evidence for a spin gap which may be related to short-range antiferromagnetic correlations over minimal 10-spin loops.
To Re-Enact or Not to Re-Enact? Investigating the Impacts of First- and Third-Person Interpretation at a Heritage Tourism Site

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of first-person street theatre reenactments versus third-person interpretation at a recreated 1850s gold-rush heritage tourism site. Data collected from 357 visitors following 7 different interpretive activities indicated that third-person interpretation produced significantly higher mean respondent ratings than those activities that used first-person interpretation on 6 of 10 cognitive, affective, and behavioral indicators. Further scrutiny revealed that third-person interpretation resulted in higher levels of cognitive and affective outcomes for some visitor audiences when compared to first-person interpretation, but that there was no difference between first- and third-person interpretation on most behavioral outcomes. Both types of interpretation may be needed in order to achieve a full range of visitor outcomes. A multivariate analysis of covariance illustrated the potential implication of activity length in determining visitor outcomes; that is, the longer the activity, the greater impact of interpretation on measured outcomes. Isolating the effect of type of interpretation versus duration requires further research.
Transmission and diffusion: Linguistic change in the regional French of Béarn

This article examines the seemingly dichotomous linguistic processes of transmission and diffusion (Labov, 2007 ) in the regional variety of French spoken in Bearn, southwestern France. Using a sociophonetic apparent time methodology, an analysis of nasal vowel quality provides evidence for the advancement of linguistic changes from below taking place between successive generations during the transmission process, as well as for change from above taking place in the variety as a result of exposure to diffusing non-local varieties of French. The results address Labov's (2007) assertion that it is rare to investigate incremental changes occurring from below in European dialectological studies and shed light on the transmission–diffusion interface by showing the adoption of an individual change from above to instigate a faithfully-transmitted counterclockwise chain shift in the regional French nasal vowel system.
LATTICE BOLTZMANN SIMULATION OF FLOW OVER A CIRCULAR CYLINDER AT MODERATE REYNOLDS NUMBERS

This work is concerned with Lattice Boltzmann computation of 2-D incompressible viscous flow past a circular cylinder confined in a channel. Computations are carried out both for steady and unsteady flows and the critical Reynolds number at which symmetry breaks and unsteadiness sets in is predicted. Effects of Reynolds number, blockage ratio and channel length are studied in some details. All the results compare quite well with those computed with continuum-based methods, demonstrating the ability and usefulness of the Lattice Boltzmann method in capturing the flow features of this interesting and fluid-mechanically rich problem.