Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence Characteristics of Blue Amber from the Dominican Republic

GEMS & GEMOLOGY WINTER 2020 Amber is widely distributed around the world. It is of interest not merely as an important natural fossil resin witnessing the history of the earth and providing direct evidence for paleobiologists, but also as a widely loved organic gemstone. Transparent yellow amber from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Myanmar displaying a blue or greenish blue glow when viewed on a black background in normal sunlight is called “blue amber” in the Chinese gem trade. This paper focuses on amber displaying this characteristic and will refer to this material as blue amber. In the Guangzhou and Shenzhen amber trading centers, Dominican blue amber can be sold for up to thousands of Chinese RMB (around several hundred U.S. dollars) per gram, while Mexican material fetches only several hundred RMB (around several tens of U.S. dollars) per gram—even though they have a similar appearance. Bellani et al. (2005) first described blue amber and studied the fluorescence emission, excitation, and optical absorption spectra of Dominican blue and non-blue (including yellow and red varieties) amber. They found that multiple emission fluorescence peaks at 449 nm, 476 nm, and 505 nm occurred in this blue amber, while only a broad fluorescence band was observed in non-blue amber. They further
Biometrical analysis and thallus morphology characteristics of Placopsis antarctica from King George Island, Antarctica ( Short Communication )

Placopsis antarctica is an ornithocoprophilous lichen that has been for a long time confused with P. contortuplicata I. M. Lamb. In our study, we focused on morphological characteristics of P. antarctica thalli. We report biometrical data on dominant morphological structures of P. antarctica thallus: cephalodia, marginal lobes, sorediate pits and soralia. Thalli of P. antarctica were collected at the King George Island, Antarctica and analyzed in a laboratory using a digital microscopy approach. Central cephalodium was found rather elliptic then round-shaped. Mean length/width was found 2.424/1.720 mm. Marginal lobes were found wider at the apex (1.415 mm) than basal part (0.495 mm). Side cephalodia were smaller, their mean length/width was found 1.034/0.610 mm.
The Rocket, Diplotaxis simplex , as a Functional Ingredient: LC-ESI-MS Analysis and Its Effect on Antioxidant and Physical Properties of Bread

The rocket, Diplotaxis simplex, is an edible cruciferous that possesses interesting biological properties. The effect of rocket leaves powder substitution to wheat flour on alveographic properties of dough, and physical, antioxidant and sensory characteristics of wheat bread were examined. The rocket powder contained relatively high levels of dietary fibers and total phenolics. The liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of rocket leaves allowed the identification of 10 flavonoids and 5 phenolics acids. The flavonoids constituted the largest group accounting for 88.26% of the total identified compounds, among which the hyperoside (quercetin-3-O-galactoside) was found to be the major compound. The (P/L) ratio of the dough increased with the increment of rocket powder level, whereas the deformation energy (W) decreased. A 3% supplementation resulted in an increase of the bread specific volume by 46% accompanied by a decrease in the hardness. Interestingly, the bread containing rocket powder showed enhanced total phenolics content, DPPH• scavenging activity and Fe3+ reducing power as compared to the control. At 3% substitution level, the cruciferous D. simplex may be useful in improving nutraceutical quality of bread without altering its sensory and physical properties.
Characterizing Stress Orientations in Southern Kansas

Induced seismicity predominantly occurs along faults that are optimally oriented to the local principal compressive stress direction, and the characterization of these stress orientations is an important component of understanding seismic hazards. The seismicity rate in southern Kansas rapidly increased in 2013 primarily due to the disposal of large volumes of wastewater into the Arbuckle Group. Previously, local stress orientations in this area were poorly constrained, which limited our understanding of the complex faulting and diverse earthquake mechanisms in this region. We use shear-wave splitting and focal mechanism inversion techniques to create multiple, independent estimates of maximum horizontal stress directions (SHmax) and their spatial variation across the study area. We then create an integrated model of stress orientations for southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma using our local results in conjunction with previous, regional stress orientation estimates. We find that SHmax in both southern Kansas and central Oklahoma exhibits an east-northeast (∼N78° E) orientation, and these regions bound a northeast (∼N59° E) rotation within a ∼20 km area in northern Oklahoma near the Nemaha ridge.
System-level analysis of single event upset susceptibility in RRAM architectures

In this work, the single event upset susceptibility of a resistive random access memory (RRAM) system with 1-transistor-1-resistor (1T1R) and crossbar architectures to heavy ion strikes is investigated from the circuit-level to the system-level. From a circuit-level perspective, the 1T1R is only susceptible to single-bit-upset (SBU) due to the isolation of cells, while in the crossbar, multiple-bit-upsets may occur because ion-induced voltage spikes generated on drivers may propagate along rows or columns. Three factors are considered to evaluate system-level susceptibility: the upset rate, the sensitive area, and the vulnerable time window. Our analysis indicates that the crossbar architecture has a smaller maximum bit-error-rate per day as compared to the 1T1R architecture for a given sub-array size, I/O width and susceptible time window.
Cranial Anatomy and Dentition of the Aetosaur Typothorax coccinarum (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) from the Upper Triassic (Revueltian–Mid Norian) Chinle Formation of Arizona

ABSTRACT Our understanding of Typothorax coccinarum is primarily based on postcranial material, along with a few isolated cranial elements. Here we describe the first complete articulated skull of Typothorax coccinarum from the Owl Rock Member of the Late Triassic Chinle Formation in Petrified Forest National Park. We assessed the relationships and defining synapomorphies for some of the major clades within Aetosauria by using a combination of morphological characters in the cranium of Typothorax coccinarum. Based on the descriptions of skulls from a variety of aetosaur species including Aetosaurus ferratus, Aetosauroides scagliai, Coahomasuchus chathamensis, Neoaetosauroides engaeus, Paratypothorax andressorum, Stagonolepis olenkae, Stenomyti huangae, Scutarx deltatylus, and now Typothorax coccinarum, it is apparent that the two major aetosaurian clades vary in their overall skull morphologies. The stagonolepidoids share a more robust, elongate skull, with varying degrees in the lateral expansion of the premaxillary tips. On the other hand, aetosaurines share an overall shorter, more gracile skull with tapered premaxillae. These new characters are mapped onto a revised phylogenetic tree for the Aetosauria. Historically, aetosaurs were interpreted as being predominantly herbivorous. In recent years, the discovery of new aetosaur cranial material, like that of Neoaetosauroides engaeus and Aetosauroides scagliai, suggested an omnivorous diet for at least some aetosaur taxa. The dentition of Typothorax coccinarum possesses the most strongly developed heterodonty for an aetosaur, therefore challenging the historical interpretation by expanding the range of dentition types within Aetosauria. This supports the more recent hypothesis that aetosaurs exhibited diverse feeding strategies beyond just herbivory.
EXPLORING THE ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF LOCAL MARINE FUNGI

In search for bioactive compounds, 88 fungal isolates were collected from three Egyptian marine habitats. Crude extracts of 17 marine derived fungal isolates out of the 88 isolates showed variable activity against some human pathogenic bacterial strains (Salmonella enterica, Proteus sp., Klebseilla pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). The most potent fungal isolate that showed the highest antimicrobial activity was molecularly identified as Aspergillus welwetsichiae. Optimization of culture conditions of A. welwetsichiae revealed that the highest antimicrobial activity was obtained in shaking conditions (150rpm), using Czapek- dox medium, at pH 9 and incubation at 25°C for 3 days. Salmonella enterica was the most sensitive test organism regarding the highest inhibition zone through all the optimization tests. Ethyl acetate extract of A. welwetsichiae was subjected to chemical analysis and declared that the active antibacterial metabolite is a mixture of acid (Mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) and ester (bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate). Retesting the two compounds separately, they showed no activity which confirmed the synergistic antibacterial effect of the two compounds together. Upon testing the cytotoxic effect of the active antibacterial metabolite (mixture of acid and ester) against human lung fibroblast normal cell (WI-38 cell line), the results showed that there was a very weak inhibitory activity suggesting the possibility of considering it as a safe compound for further steps as a pharmaceutical product.
Satisfaction and experiences with healthcare among urban-dwelling young adult lesbian women in New York City: An exploratory analysis

Abstract Young adult lesbian women (YALW) face unique barriers to healthcare access as providers do not perceive a need for sexual and reproductive healthcare services for this population. A brief survey was conducted with 100 YALW to explore healthcare experiences including: usual source of healthcare, coordination of healthcare, and satisfaction with the healthcare services provided by their primary care provider (PCP). Data collection took place between June and October 2016 at selected LGBT-friendly events and venues (i.e. Pride events, bars, community-based organizations). Nearly one fourth of the sample reported their usual source of care as a walk-in based facility (i.e. emergency room, urgent care facility, government sponsored clinic). Satisfaction with healthcare provided was more likely among participants who were comfortable discussing their sexual activity with their providers. These finding suggest that the healthcare system is not engaging YALW in routine care provided in facilities that offer continuity of care. While walk-in models may meet the immediate healthcare needs of this population, the period of young adulthood is a critical time to establish healthcare behaviors. Furthermore, understanding the patterns of healthcare access among YALW warrants further attention as the structure and nature of the healthcare system in the United States is changing.
Owner-managers’ transformational leadership behaviours and human resource strategies: A case of small fast-food restaurants in South Africa

In South Africa, fast-food restaurants are an ever-growing industry and its presence is visible in various parts of the country. This study is limited to local-owned fast-food restaurants categorised as small, macro and medium enterprises (SMMEs). Thus, international franchises were excluded from this study. Small fast-food restaurants that are smaller in size, with little or no seating capacity fast-food outlets where a range of ready-to-eat meals are provided (Mhlanga, 2018) are referred to in this study. Despite this contribution, the South Africa Hotel Restaurant Institutional Sector Report (2016) highlighted that a huge proportion of the country’s small fast-food restaurants have been plagued by failure since 2014. Some of the reasons behind this failure are increased competition from supermarkets, retail chains, convenience stores, food caterers and informal traders (Insight Survey, 2016). In addition, finding talented, competent and skilled workforce, retaining them and turnover remain a challenge amongst these small businesses (Zwane et al., 2014, cited in Mupani & Chipunza, 2019). These challenges adversely affect the small restaurants’ bottom line (Nzonzo & Matashu, 2014).
COVID-19 Sürecinde Çoklu Yetersizliği Olan Çocukların Ailelerine Sunulan Destekler: Bir Durum Çalışması

Providing social, educational and health support to families of children with multiple disabilities is one of the factors affecting the quality of life of families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to determine the support services offered to families, as many people are in social isolation and many institutions and organizations have switched to different working systems. This study aims to determine social, educational and health support services provided to families having children with multiple disabilities in the period of COVID-19. The research was carried out with the case study, one of the qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interview technique was used to collect data in the study, and the interviews were made online and recorded, and then analyzed by descriptive analysis technique. 14 families having children with multiple disabilities participated in the study. Criterion sampling and easily accessible sampling methods were used together in the selection of the study group. According to the findings of the research, it was revealed that the COVID-19 period had a negative impact on children with multiple disabilities and their families, and families were not provided with the necessary support in the areas of social life, education and health in this COVID-19 pandemic.
Spatiotemporal Assessment of GHG Emissions and Nutrient Sequestration Linked to Agronutrient Runoff in Global Wetlands

Wetlands play a key role in regulating global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but anthropogenic impacts on nutrients may severely alter this balance. Recent assessments indicate that almost 22% of the global wetland area may be affected by agricultural runoff. In this work, we developed and applied a dynamic mechanistic reaction network model of soil organic matter linking the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) cycles at 0.5° × 0.5° spatial resolution across the globe. The model was used to estimate GHG emissions and nutrient sequestration rates in wetlands, driven by environmental stressors including N, P, and S fertilization. Wetland annual GHG emissions are estimated to be 136 ± 12.5 Tg C‐CH4, 589 ± 45.8 Tg C‐CO2, and 0.3 ± 0.04 Tg N‐N2O; in contrast, C, N, and S annual sequestration rates are estimated to be 576 ± 88.1 Tg C, 20 ± 4.4 Tg N, and 7.4 ± 0.8 Tg S, between 2000 and 2017. N fertilization inputs were responsible for 13% N2O emissions in wetlands in the Northern Hemisphere, while tropical wetlands were major reservoirs for C, N, and S. Temperature, net primary productivity, and methanogenic microorganisms exert the major control on GHG emissions. Wetland CH4 and CO2 emissions were found to have a hysteretic relationship with seasonal soil temperature, but not N2O. A global‐scale assessment is pivotal for best nutrient management practices, reducing nutrient losses, and controlling gas emissions.
Using external data to incorporate unmeasured confounders: A plasmode simulation study comparing alternative approaches to impute body mass index in a study of the relationship between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease

Background: Administrative databases do not contain Body Mass Index (BMI) informa- tion. In proportion-based imputation (PBI) technique, a BMI category is assigned to an individual according to the proportions observed in external survey data. Alternatively, BMI can be imputed using Multiple Imputation (MI). Objectives: To compare MI with PBI to impute BMI variable in osteoarthritis (OA)- cardiovascular disease (CVD) relationship. Research Design: plasmode simulation study. Subjects: used publicly available data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycles 1.1, 2.1, and 3.1. Measures: BMI was set missing for everyone in the 500 simulated data created from CCHS 3.1 data. Dataset compiled from CCHS cycles 1.1 and 2.1 served as the external data (BMI observed). BMI missing in copies of simulated data was imputed using MI and PBI accessing observed BMI information in external data. After imputation, distribution of BMI variable and the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) estimated from multivariable logistic regression model were compared. Results: Compared to PBI, MI produced proportions of individuals closer to the known proportions across the BMI categories except for the overweight category. Considering the known aOR of 1.59 (1.36, 1.82), BMI imputed using MI introduced less bias in OA- CVD association compared to PBI, the aOR was 1.62 (1.39, 1.86) and 1.66 (1.41, 1.90), respectively. Conclusions: This is the first study to compare MI with PBI in the context of imputing BMI information that is not recorded at the database level. MI was superior to imputation method based on population-level proportions in imputing BMI missing for everyone in the simulated datasets.
Multiresolution Topology Optimization of Large-Deformation Path-Generation Compliant Mechanisms with Stress Constraints

Topology optimization is a powerful numerical tool in the synthesis of lightweight structures and compliant mechanisms. Compliant mechanisms present challenges for topology optimization, as they typically exhibit large displacements and rotations. Path-generation mechanisms are a class of mechanisms that are designed to follow an exact path. The characteristics of compliant mechanisms therefore exclude the validity of linear finite-element analysis to ensure the proper modeling of deformation and stresses. As stresses can exceed the limit when neglected, stress constraints are needed in the synthesis of compliant mechanisms. Both nonlinear finite-element analysis as well as the consideration of stress constraints significantly increase computational cost of topology optimization. Multiresolution topology optimization, which employs different levels of discretization for the finite-element analysis and the representation of the material distribution, allows an important reduction of computational effort. A multiresolution topology optimization methodology is proposed integrating stress constraints based on nonlinear finite-element analysis for path-generation mechanisms. Two objective formulations are used to motivate and validate this methodology: maximum-displacement mechanisms and path-generation mechanisms. The formulation of the stress constraints and their sensitivities within nonlinear finite-element analysis and multiresolution topology optimization are explained. We introduce two academic benchmark examples to demonstrate the results for each of the objective formulations. To show the practical, large-scale application of this method, results for the compliant mechanism structure of a droop-nose morphing wing concept are shown.
Philippine Normal Reference Values for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Performance on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is influenced by genetic, racial and environmental factors. This study aimed to establish the Maximum Working Capacity, Peak oxygen uptake (VO2), Peak carbon dioxide output (VCO2), Tidal Volume (TV) for normal Filipinos during exercise and derive prediction equation models for Maximum Working Capacity, Peak VO2, Peak VCO2 and maximum attained TV. The maximal cardiopulmonary responses were analyzed for one hundred eighteen healthy sedentary adult Filipino subjects who underwent CPET using a symptom limited incremental progressive cycle ergometer driven protocol. A Vista Mini-CPX Model 17670 was used. Models for predicting VO2 max, VCO2 peak, TV peak, and Work Max were derived with height, weight, age and sex being screened for significance as predictors. Linear and non-linear regression analyses were done. The maximum working capacity for males was 154.21±26.6 watts and 93.02±15.57 watts for females while the peak VO2 for males was 4.90±3.11 and 4.56±2.41 liters/minute for females. The predictive formulae derived from this study for maximum work capacity, peak VO2, VCO2 and tidal volume had acceptable correlation coefficients and performed as well as other published predictive equations based on Caucasian and Asian populations. Differences between races as to performance in exercise testing was confirmed in this study.
Experimental Study on the Effect of Basalt Fiber and Sodium Alginate in Polymer Concrete Exposed to Elevated Temperature

Polymer concrete contains aggregates and a polymeric binder such as epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, or normal epoxy mixture. Since polymer binders in polymer concrete are made of organic materials, they have a very low heat and fire resistance compared to minerals. This paper investigates the effect of basalt fibers (BF) and alginate on the compressive strength of polymer concrete. An extensive literature review was completed, then two experimental phases including the preliminary phase to set the appropriate mix design, and the main phase to investigate the compressive strength of samples after exposure to elevated temperatures of 100 °C, 150 °C, and 180 °C were conducted. The addition of BF and/or alginate decreases concrete compressive strength under room temperature, but the addition of BF and alginate each alone leads to compressive strength increase during exposure to heat and increase in the temperature to 180 °C showed almost positive on the compressive strength. The addition of BF and alginate both together increases the rate of strength growth of polymer concrete under heat from 100 °C to 180 °C. In conclusion, BF and alginate decrease the compressive strength of polymer concretes under room temperature, but they improve the resistance against raised temperatures.
In-Situ Evaluation of the Protectivity of Coatings Applied to Metal Cultural Artefacts Using Non-Destructive Electrochemical Measurements

Electrochemical Noise Measurement (ENM) and DC electrolytic resistance measurement (ERM) can be used to assess the level of protectiveness provided by an organic coating (paint or varnish) to the underlying metal. These techniques also have applicability to the thinner, transparent type of coatings used to protect archaeological artefacts. Two studies are presented here demonstrating how ERM and ENM techniques can be applied in artefact preservation. The similarity of the techniques, both of which are a measure of resistance, means results can be considered to be analogous. The first study investigated the use of ERM to determine the protection levels provided by typical coatings in order to develop a database of coating type and application for objects, for specific environments. The second study used ENM to evaluate coatings which had been applied to historic artefacts recovered from shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea and displayed inside the museum or kept in the museum store area. The studies showed the usefulness of both techniques for determining the level of protection of a coating and how a better performing coating can be specified if a pre-existing coating on an artefact has been found to be unsuitable.