Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle Loss Calculator – a new software tool for the assessment of the performance of aerosol inlet systems

Abstract. Most aerosol measurements require an inlet system to transport aerosols from a select sampling location to a suitable measurement device through some length of tubing. Such inlet systems must be optimized to minimize aerosol sampling artifacts and maximize sampling efficiency. In this study we introduce a new multifunctional software tool (Particle Loss Calculator, PLC) that can be used to quickly determine aerosol sampling efficiency and particle transport losses due to passage through arbitrary tubing systems. The software employs relevant empirical and theoretical relationships found in established literature and accounts for the most important sampling and transport effects that might be encountered during deployment of typical, ground-based ambient aerosol measurements through a constant-diameter sampling probe. The software treats non-isoaxial and non-isokinetic aerosol sampling, aerosol diffusion and sedimentation as well as turbulent inertial deposition and inertial deposition in bends and contractions of tubing. This software was validated through comparison with experimentally determined particle losses for several tubing systems bent to create various diffusion, sedimentation and inertial deposition properties. As long as the tube geometries are not "too extreme", agreement is satisfactory. We discuss the conclusions of these experiments, the limitations of the software and present three examples of the use of the Particle Loss Calculator in the field.
Nutritional compositions, fungi and aflatoxins detection in stored 'gbodo' (fermented Dioscorea rotundata) and 'elubo ogede' (fermented Musa parasidiaca) from South western Nigeria

Inadequate storage facilities in Nigeria have led to yearly wastage of harvested agricultural food products thereby causing great economic loss to our farmers. The dried yam and plantain chips in storage usually loose their integrities and nutrients due to contamination from biodeteriorating and aflatoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxin detection, food values and mineral element compositions of locally made ‘gbodo’ (prepared from fermented yam, Dioscorea rotundata) and ‘elubo ogede’ (prepared from fermented plantain, Musa parasidiaca) stored for one and six months respectively were carried out using standard methods. Six different samples of each stored chips were collected and used for these investigations. Each set was carried out in triplicates using completely randomize design. A total number of 15 fungal species were isolated from stored ‘gbodo’ (GB) and ‘elubo ogede’ (EO) flour samples. These organisms include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus japonicum, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus tamari, Aspergillus tereus, Fusarium sp, Mucur racemosus, Paccilomyces varioti, Penicillum sp. , Penicillum notatum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizopus sp. The presence of mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G)were detected in all the samples. Aflatoxin B1 has the highest concentration: 32.33 μg/kg in 6 months old ‘gbodo’ (6MOG) and 25.17 μg/kg in (1MOG). Its concentration was however lower in 1 and 6 month old ‘elubo ogede’ (1MOEO and 6MOEO) in which 23.83 μg/kg and 15.0 μg/kg were detected respectively. The results showed that, with the exception of 1MOEO, with AFB1 15.0 μg/kg, the levels of aflatoxin contamination in all the stored chips exceeded the maximum AFB1 residue limit permitted in most countries. Starch content of the samples was found to be higher in 1 MOG and’ EO with 73.06 and 75.89% respectively but, the sugar content was generally low. Moisture contents of stored GB and EO also varied from 10.51 to 14.36%. The flours were found to contain moderate amount of protein (7.73 to 9.19%). The ascorbic acid contents of 1MOG and 6MOG were 4.44 and 5.25 mg/100g while that of 1MOEO and 6MOEO were 4.85 and 6.46 mg/100g respectively. It was observed that both GB and EO contained adequate amount of mineral elements such as K, Mg, P, Ca and Na. These fermented flour also has trace amount of Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn. The results showed that ‘gbodo ‘and ‘elubo ogede’ stored for over 6 months (without any preservatives) may be medically unsafe for consumption because of the contamination from aflatoxigenic and biodeteriorating fungi. All these observations were discussed in relation to the food safety of the fresh and stored traditional food investigated. Key words: Traditional food, mycotoxins, white yam, plantain, food safety, storage chips.
Wealthiest is Not Always Healthiest: What Explains Differences in Child Mortality in West Africa?

Ghana has the lowest under-five mortality rate in West Africa. Understanding why Ghana’s child mortality rate is lower than in neighboring countries may offer useful insights for other developing countries that are trying to improve child health. This paper explores whether Ghana’s lower mortality rate is mostly a result of greater household wealth, better implementation of national health policies, or more favorable geography. The paper uses micro level data for children under five to examine relative child mortality risk between Ghana and each of its three immediate neighbors -- Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo. A Cox proportional hazards model is used to test which of the three ‘contenders’ – health policy, wealth, or geography – best explains Ghana’s mortality advantage. The results of the analysis indicate that wealth variables are not able to explain any of the child mortality variation between Ghana and its neighbors. Geography and health policy variables each explain about 40% of the mortality gap between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Health policy differences alone are able to explain about 70% of the child mortality gap between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. These results suggest that even poor countries that have been ‘cursed’ by bad geography can potentially improve development outcomes and save children’s lives.
Genotypic diversity among brazilian isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina revealed by RAPD

Macrophomina phaseolina has been considered one of the most prevalent soybean (Glycine max) pathogens in Brazil. No genetic resistance has been determined in soybean and very little is known about the genetic diversity of this pathogen in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Fifty-five isolates from soybean roots were collected in different regions and analyzed through RAPD for genetic diversity. The UPGMA cluster analysis for 74 loci scored permitted identification of three divergent groups with an average similarity of 99%, 92% and 88%, respectively. The three groups corresponded to 5.45%, 59.95% and 34.6%, respectively of all isolates used. A single plant had three different haplotypes, while 10.9% of the analyzed plants had two different haplotypes. In another study the genetic similarity was evaluated among isolates from different hosts [soybean, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), corn (Zea mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)] as well as two soil samples from native areas. Results showed that more divergent isolates originated from areas with a single crop. Isolates from areas with crop rotation were less divergent, showing high similarity values and consequently formed the largest group. Amplification of the ITS region using primers ITS1 and ITS4 produced only one DNA fragment of 620 bp. None of the isolates were differentiated through PCR-RFLP. Our results demonstrated genetic variability among Brazilian isolates of M. phaseolina and showed that one single root can harbor more than one haplotype. Moreover, cultivation with crop rotation tends to induce less specialization of the pathogen isolates. Knowledge of this variation may be useful in screening soybean genotypes for resistance to charcoal rot.
Twitter research for social scientists: A brief introduction to the benefits, limitations and tools for analysing Twitter data

The analysis of social media is currently very important due to the unprecedented quantity of information. Twitter is becoming an indispensable source of information for researchers aiming to implement big data in their projects. However, despite the potential eld of research opened by that Twitter data, it contains some risks a researcher must be aware. In this paper I present on the one hand the bene ts and caveats of research conducted on Twitter, and on the other hand the constraints of Twitter data collected from the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). There are, therefore, three major methodological problems identi ed: (i) representation bias: it is very di cult to make general assumptions using research based on Twitter. (ii) language challenge: users can write in many di erent languages. It implies that when collecting data, some cautions need to be taken in order to accurately gather the data we need, (iii) data bias: Depending of the data needed, one API might be a better t than other. The main aim in this paper is to discuss these methodological constraints from a theoretical point of view. I propose, as a starting point, possible solutions to overcome them, or at least reduce their impact in the research.
Assessing Perceptions of Risks due to Multiple Hazards

Valid measures of how people view risks due to combinations of hazards are needed. 320 adult smokers responded to four vignettes in which hypothetical men were described as having high or low levels of (1) smoking and (2) either (a) blood cholesterol or (b) family history of CHD (coronary heart disease). Ratings of the risk of a heart attack were made using one of three different rating scales: (a) nine‐point, (b) 101‐point, and (c) unbounded. The nine‐point scale yielded a strong sub‐additive interaction, the 101‐point scale yielded a weak sub‐additive interaction, and the unbounded scale yielded a weak synergistic interaction. Although respondents preferred the nine‐point scale, evidence from this and other studies suggest that scales with nine points or fewer should not be used to assess perceptions of risks due to multiple hazards.
Mean field inference for the Dirichlet process mixture model

Abstract: We present a systematic study of several recently proposed methods of mean field inference for the Dirichlet process mixture (DPM) model. These methods provide approximations to the posterior distribution and are derived using the truncated stick-breaking representation and related approaches.We investigate their use in density estimation and cluster allocation and compare to Monte-Carlo results. Further, more specific topics include the general mathematical structure of the mean field approximation, the handling of the truncation level, the effect of including a prior on the concentration parameter α of the DPM model, the relationship between the proposed variants of the mean field approximation, and the connection to maximum a-posteriori estimation of the DPM model.
Assessment of oral health status of pregnant women participating in a family health program in the city of Lucas do Rio Verde – MT – Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of pregnant women. Eighty-eight (88) women who frequented the Pre-Natal program of the six Family Health Programs in the municipality of Lucas do Rio Verde-MT, Brazil, were assessed by clinical exam using the DMFT and CPI indexes. A DMFT index of 11.08 was found, and with regard to CPI, 40% of the pregnant women presented a sextant with bleeding. It was concluded that it is necessary to reinforce knowledge about oral health of the pregnant women examined, by means of preventive/educational programs with the purpose of improving the DMFT and CPI indexes.
Molecular Evidence of Q Fever Agent Coxiella Burnetii in Ixodid Ticks Collected from Stray Dogs in Belgrade (Serbia)

Abstract Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative coccobacillus, which has been detected in a wide range of animal species, mostly domestic ruminants, but also in wild mammals, pets, birds, reptiles, arthropods (especially ticks), as well as in humans. Although the exposure to domestic animals in rural areas is regarded as the most common cause of the disease in humans, recent studies have shown that the role of pets in the epidemiology of Q fever has been increasingly growing. Although the primary route of infection is inhalation, it is presumed that among animals the infection circulates through ticks and that they are responsible for heterospecifi c transmission, as well as spatial dispersion among vertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of C. burnetii in ticks removed from stray dogs, as well as to examine the distribution of tick species parasitizing dogs on the territory of Belgrade city. A PCR protocol targeting IS1111 repetitive transposon-like region of C. burnetii was used for the detection of C. burnetii DNA in ticks and the results were confi rmed by sequence analysis. In total, 316 ticks were collected from 51 stray dogs - 40 females (78.43%) and 11 males (21.57%). Three species of ticks were identifi ed: Rhipicephalus s anguineus (72.15%), Ixodes ricinus (27.53%) and Dermacentor reticulatus (0.32%). Out of 316 examined ticks, C. burnetii DNA was detected only in the brown dog tick R. sanguineus, with a total prevalence of 10.53% (24/228) . The high prevalence of C. burnetii in R. sanguineus, which is primarily a dog tick, indicates the importance of dogs in the epidemiology of Q fever in the territory of Belgrade.
The Effect Of Polyherbal Formulation - PHF On Experimentally Induced Reflux Esophagitis In Rats

The science of life—Ayurveda is practiced in India since time immemorial. Besides being cheap and easily available, Ayurvedic drugs are considered as safe. Moreover, there is surge in the interest in Ayurveda due to quest of alternative medicines. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, Polyherbal formulations were frequently used to enhance the activity or counteract the toxic effect of compounds, from other plants, but may also act synergistically with other constituents from the same plants. Gastro esophageal reflux disease is a disorder of defense mechanism at the esophageal junction, caused by regurgitation of the gastric contents especially of gastric acid. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Poly Herbal Formulation (PHF) on experimentally induced reflux esophagitis and gastrointestinal motility in animals. The PHF consists of seven medicinal plants namely Aegle marmelos, Elettaria cardamomum, Glycyrrhiza glabra , Citrus aurantifolia, Rosa damascena, Cissus quadrangularis and Saccharum officinarum. Based on acute toxicity study the PHF was considered as safe and 3 dose (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) levels were employed for pharmacological evaluation. The test drugs were administered orally by suspending in 1% carboxy methyl cellulose solution. The PHF exhibited (P<0.001) significant decrease in lesion index and enhance the % protection of lesion in experimentall y induced reflux esophagitis at all the 3 doses in rats. In charcoal meal gastrointestinal transit test, PHF dose-dependently propelled the charcoal meal travel through the small intestines in mice. The study indicates that the PHF has protective effect against surgically induced reflux esophagitis.
CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES FROM THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY. VIII. THE FINAL YEAR (2007–2008)

This paper completes the series of cataclysmic variables (CVs) identified from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) I/II. The coordinates, magnitudes, and spectra of 33 CVs are presented. Among the 33 are eight systems known prior to SDSS (CT Ser, DO Leo, HK Leo, IR Com, V849 Her, V405 Peg, PG1230+226, and HS0943+1404), as well as nine objects recently found through various photometric surveys. Among the systems identified since the SDSS are two polar candidates, two intermediate polar candidates, and one candidate for containing a pulsating white dwarf. Our follow-up data have confirmed a polar candidate from Paper VII and determined tentative periods for three of the newly identified CVs. A complete summary table of the 285 CVs with spectra from SDSS I/II is presented as well as a link to an online table of all known CVs from both photometry and spectroscopy that will continue to be updated as future data appear.
Epiphytic biomass of a tropical montane forest varies with topography

Abstract: The spatial heterogeneity of tropical forest epiphytes has rarely been quantified in terms of biomass. In particular, the effect of topographic variation on epiphyte biomass is poorly known, although forests on ridges and ravines can differ drastically in stature and exposure. In an Ecuadorian lower montane forest we quantified epiphytic biomass along two gradients: (1) the twig–branch–trunk trajectory, and (2) the ridge–ravine gradient. Twenty-one trees were sampled in each of three forest types (ridge, slope, ravine positions). Their epiphytic biomass was extrapolated to stand level based on basal area–epiphyte load relationships, with tree basal areas taken from six plots of 400 m2 each per forest type. Our results document the successional addition and partial replacement of lichens by bryophytes, angiosperms and finally dead organic matter along the twig–branch–trunk trajectory. Despite having the highest tree basal area, total epiphytic biomass (mean ± SD) of ravine forest was significantly lower (2.6 ± 0.7 Mg ha−1) than in mid-slope forest (6.3 ± 1.1 Mg ha−1) and ridge forest (4.4 ± 1.6 Mg ha−1), whereas maximum bryophyte water storage capacity was significantly higher. We attribute this pattern to differences in forest dynamics, stand structure and microclimate. Although our study could not differentiate between direct effects of slope position (nutrient availability, mesoclimate) and indirect effects (stand structure and dynamics), it provides evidence that fine-scale topography needs to be taken into account when extrapolating epiphytic biomass and related matter fluxes from stand-level data to the regional scale.
Competition , wages and teacher sorting : four lessons learned from a voucher reform ♣

This paper studies how local school competition affects teacher wages at markets where wages are set via individual wage bargaining. Using regional variation in private school entry generated by a Swedish reform which allowed private schools to enter freely and a comprehensive matched employer employee data covering all high school teachers in Sweden over 16 years, I analyze the effects of competition on wages as well as labor flows. The results suggest that competition translates into higher wages, also for teachers in public schools. While the average increases are modest new teachers gain 2 percent and high ability teachers in math and science receive 4 percent higher wages in the most competitive areas compared to areas without any competition from private schools. Several robustness checks support a causal interpretation of the results which together highlight the potential gains from school competition through a more differentiated wage setting of teachers.
Determinants of innovation behaviour and investment estimates for west-german manufacturing firms

In this paper, the determinants of innovation behaviour and investment are explored with a large micro-data panel from West-German manufacturing firms. The estimates are discussed within a microeconomic model with monopolistic competition, demand uncertainty and a delayed adjustment of capacities and the production technology. The estimates reveal positive firm-size effects which hint towards scale economies associated with innovations. Market power promotes innovations but not investment, and exporters innovate more but exhibit less investment expenditures. Finally, excess demand promotes innovations. This indicates a complementarity of innovations and investment and hints towards permanent productivity effects of temporary demand shocks.
Syddansk Universitet Association of common genetic variants related to atrial fibrillation and the risk of ventricular fibrillation in the setting of first ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Cohort studies have revealed an increased risk for ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) previously associated with AF may be associated with the risk of VF caused by first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We investigated association of 24 AF-associated SNPs with VF in the prospectively assembled case–control study among first STEMI-patients of Danish ancestry. Results: We included 257 cases (STEMI with VF) and 537 controls (STEMI without VF). The median age at index infarction was 60 years for the cases and 61 years for the controls (p = 0.100). Compared to the control group, the case group was more likely to be male (86% vs. 75%, p = 0.001), have a history of AF (7% vs. 2%, p = 0.006) or hypercholesterolemia (39% vs. 31%, p = 0.023), and a family history of sudden death (40% vs. 25%, p < 0.001). All 24 selected SNPs have previously been associated with AF. None of the 24 SNPs were associated with the risk of VF after adjustment for age and sex under additive genetic model of inheritance in the logistic regression model. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the 24 AF-associated SNPs may not be involved in increasing the risk of VF. Larger VF cohorts and use of new next generation sequencing and epigenetic may in future identify additional AF and VF risk loci and improve our understanding of genetic pathways behind the two arrhythmias.
Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Rhabdopleura is an extant graptolite

A phylogenetic analysis of morphological data from modern pterobranch hemichordates (Cephalodiscus, Rhabdopleura) and representatives of each of the major graptolite orders reveals that Rhabdopleura nests among the benthic, encrusting graptolite taxa as it shares all of the synapomorphies that unite the graptolites. Therefore, rhabdopleurids can be regarded as extant members of the Subclass Graptolithina (Class Pterobranchia). Combined with the results of previous molecular phylogenetic studies of extant deuterostomes, these results also suggest that the Graptolithina is a sister taxon to the Subclass Cephalodiscida. The Graptolithina, as an important component of Early–Middle Palaeozoic biotas, provide data critical to our understanding of early deuterostome phylogeny. This result allows one to infer the zooid morphology, mechanics of colony growth and palaeobiology of fossil graptolites in direct relation to the living members of the clade. The Subdivision Graptoloida (nom. transl.), which are all planktic graptolites, is well supported in this analysis. In addition, we recognize the clade Eugraptolithina (nov.). This clade comprises the Graptoloida and all of the other common and well-known graptolites of the distinctive Palaeozoic fauna. Most of the graptolites traditionally regarded as tuboids and dendroids appear to be paraphyletic groups within the Eugraptolithina; however, Epigraptus is probably not a member of this clade. The Eugraptolithina appear to be derived from an encrusting, Rhabdopleura-like species, but the available information is insufficient to resolve the phylogeny of basal graptolites. The phylogenetic position of Mastigograptus and the status of the Dithecoidea and Mastigograptida also remain unresolved. □ Biodiversity, Cambrian, Hemichordata, Deuterostomia, Ordovician.
Investment Decisions in Unlisted Family Businesses

This article contributes to understanding the investment decision in the unlisted family business (UFB). It particularly highlights the roles of the performance target and long-term survival goal, providing empirical support both for the Prospect Theory and for the Post Keynesian Theory developed by Myron Gordon. Results clearly show that the UFB’s main objective is very far removed from that of maximizing shareholders’ financial wealth. Overall, this article shows the necessity to consider the goal of long-term survival as a key factor for developing a governance theory that is relevant to UFBs.