Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem services of temporary streams differ between wet and dry phases in regions with contrasting climates and economies

1. Temporary streams are dynamic ecosystems in which mosaics of flowing, ponded and dry habitats support high biodiversity of both aquatic and terrestrial species. Species interact within habitats to perform or facilitate processes that vary in response to changing habitat availability. A natural capital approach recognizes that, through such processes, the 'natural assets' of all ecosystems deliver services that benefit people. 2. The ecosystem services of temporary streams remain largely unexplored, in particular those provided during ponded and dry phases. In addition, recent characterizations have focused on dryland systems, and it remains unclear how service provision varies among different climatic regions, or between developed and developing economies. 3. We use evidence from interdisciplinary literature to examine the ecosystem services delivered by temporary streams, including the regulating, provisioning and cultural services provided across the continuum from flowing to dry conditions. We focus on service provision during dry phases and wet–dry transitions, across regions with contrasting climates and economic development. 4. Provision of individual services in temporary streams may be reduced, enhanced or changed by surface water loss. Services enhanced by dry phases include provision of higher‐quality subsurface drinking water and unique opportunities for recreation. Shifts between dry and wet phases enable groundwater recharge that mitigates water scarcity, and grant dry‐phase access to sediments deposited during flowing phases. However, the accessibility and thus perceived value of these and other services varies considerably among regions. In addition, accessing provisioning services requires careful management to promote sustainable resource use and avoid ecological degradation. 5. We highlight the need for environmental managers to recognize temporary streams as aquatic–terrestrial ecosystems, and to take actions promoting their diversity within functional socio‐ecological systems that deliver unique service bundles characterized by variability and differing availability in space and time.
The Effect of Pulsed Laser Heating on the Stability of Ferropericlase at High Pressures

It is widely accepted that the lower mantle consists of mainly three major minerals—ferropericlase, bridgmanite and calcium silicate perovskite. Ferropericlase ((Mg,Fe)O) is the second most abundant of the three, comprising approximately 16–20 wt% of the lower mantle. The stability of ferropericlase at conditions of the lowermost mantle has been highly investigated, with controversial results. Amongst other reasons, the experimental conditions during laser heating (such as duration and achieved temperature) have been suggested as a possible explanation for the discrepancy. In this study, we investigate the effect of pulsed laser heating on the stability of ferropericlase, with a geochemically relevant composition of Mg0.76Fe0. 24O (Fp24) at pressure conditions corresponding to the upper part of the lower mantle and at a wide temperature range. We report on the decomposition of Fp24 with the formation of a high-pressure (Mg,Fe)3O4 phase with CaTi2O4-type structure, as well as the dissociation of Fp24 into Fe-rich and Mg-rich phases induced by pulsed laser heating. Our results provide further arguments that the chemical composition of the lower mantle is more complex than initially thought, and that the compositional inhomogeneity is not only a characteristic of the lowermost part, but includes depths as shallow as below the transition zone.
Prediction of soil unconfined compressive strength using Artificial Neural Network Model

The main objective of the present study is to apply Artificial Neural Network (ANN), which is one of the most popular machine learning models, to accurately predict the soil unconfined compressive strength (qu) for the use in designing of foundations of civil engineering structures. For the development of model, data of 118 soil samples were collected from Long Phu 1 power plant project, Soc Trang Province, Vietnam. The database of physicomechanical properties of soils was prepared for the model study, where 70% data was used for the training and 30% for the testing of the model. Standard statistical indices, namely Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (R) were used in the validation of the model’s performance. In addition, Partial Dependence Plots (PDP) was used to evaluate the importance of the input variables used for modeling. Results showed that the ANN model performed well for the prediction of the qu (RMSE = 0.442 and R = 0.861). The PDP analysis showed that the liquid limit is the most important input factor for modeling of the qu. The present study demonstrated that the ANN is a promising tool that can be used for quick and accurate prediction of the qu, which can be used in designing the civil engineering structures like bridges, buildings, and powerhouses.
Orthokinetic Stability of Food Emulsions

Many foods and food ingredients are oil-in-water emulsions. The functional properties of the emulsion depend on its microstructure, which is, in turn, controlled by the ingredients and processes used. Thus, it is useful to establish predictive links between (a) ingredients/process and microstructure and (b) microstructure and functionality. In the present context, our main concern is how shear, which is ubiquitous to almost all process operations, influences droplet aggregation (a microstructural feature) in emlusions. There are very many mechanisms by which emlusions may break down, perhaps the most important are flocculation and, in the case of semicrystalline droplets, the related phenomenon of partial coalescence. Both mechanisms lead to the formation of extensive networks of droplets that can increase the viscosity of a product and lead to eventual coalescence and oiling-off (1). Flocculation can occur by a number of mechanisms and cause a wide range of changes in bulk functional properties, but in all cases, we can identify the fundamental event as two isolated droplets being held at a finite separation for a significant period of time. There must be a minimum in the interdroplet pair potential to hold the particles together, but to reach this separation, the droplets must first approach one
Allelic polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor I gene and its association with production traits in native chickens

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFI) is an essential regulator of growth, cell proliferation/differentiation and protein synthesis in a variety of cell types. IGFI is considered as one of the most important candidate genes controlling production and reproduction traits in chickens. This locus could be linked to the highly effective genes affecting egg production and growth traits. The aim of present study was to investigate the IGFI gene polymorphism and its association with growth and egg production traits in Iranian native chicken. A total of 313 blood samples were collected from the Native poultry breeding centre, Khorasan province, Iran. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the IGFI 5'-UTR was detected by PCR-RFLP method and PstI restriction endonuclease enzyme. Finally, the SNP was confirmed by sequencing of RFLP profiles. Association between IGFI alleles and production traits was evaluated using multivariate regression analysis and GLM procedures. Two alleles A (PstI –) and B (PstI +) and three genotypes (A/A, A/B and B/B) were identified for the IGFI gene. Allele B was the most frequent (60.1%) and considered as reference allele for association study. A/B genotype was significantly correlated with lower first egg weight and higher egg laying intensity compared to B/B and A/A genotypes. No significant association was observed between IGFI genotypes and other production traits including egg weight, weight of sexual maturity and body weight. These results suggest that there is a possibility of IGFI genotypes acting as a genetic marker for selecting some egg production traits in native chickens.
Alleviating the Material and Health Challenges of Young Internally Displaced People in North-East Nigeria

The increasing rate of attack in the North-Eastern parts of Nigeria has caused the deaths of thousands and thereby forcing many of the residents, including children to abandon their comforts zones. This study assessed the material and health challenges of young IDPs and the impacts of sexual and reproductive health programs in improving the conditions of these young ones. The study was conducted in sixteen local governments of three states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) in the North-East of Nigeria using mixed methods. The quantitative data were obtained by the administration of a structured questionnaire to the young IDPs in the three states. The quantitative data were analyzed and were complemented by the qualitative data {Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)} that were obtained from the young IDPs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The majority (78.5%) of the young internally displace persons (IDPs) were within the age group of 10-14 years with 51.8% males and 59.1% have attained primary. The major material challenges facing the young IDPs include lack of food (31.6%), clothing (28.7%), Soap/cream (19.8%) and medicine (13.1%). The most common health problems include Malaria (28.9%), cough 23.1%, diarrhea (18.3%) and cholera (13.1%). The IDPs confirmed that they were fully protected in the camp with no experience of rape. They affirmed that their needs were met by the intervention programs provided for them; 71.7% affirmed that their situation was “Good” since they came to the camps and more than half (55.2%) confirmed a better situation. The training in the IPD camps was mostly artisan related while only 31.7% were schooling. This study found that young IDPs are being faced with material and health-related challenges as well as the lack of proper training and education. However, the outcome of the SRH project is a manifestation of the efficient utilization of the resources of the project. More intervention programs to alleviate the challenges of IDPs are advocated.
Food, Fuel and the Domesday Economy

Abstract This paper develops a theory where access to food and fuel energy is critical to the location, number and size of human settlements. By combining our theory with a simple Malthusian mechanism, we generate predictions for the distribution of economic activity and population across geographic space. We evaluate the model using data drawn from the very first census undertaken in the English language - the Domesday census - commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086 A.D. Using G.I. S. data and techniques we find strong evidence that Malthusian forces determined the population size and number of settlements in Domesday England.
Psychosociology of Addiction and Rehabilitation: Construction of a Psychometric Instrument for screening problem and pathological gambling

Gambling and gambling disorders have received solicitous attention by clinicians and researchers during the past three decades. The majority of existing psychometric instruments relevant to problem gambling are based on the clinical evaluation of symptomatology. The aim of this study was the development and evaluation of a self report instrument that comprehends elements based on three main factors: a. psychological, b. biological, c. sociological. In the first phase of this research, structured and semi-structured interview was conducted in 16 individuals. In the second phase, a pilot inventory that consisted of 227 items, was administered in 91 individuals of general population. In the last phase of this study participated 200 individuals from the community and completed the short form of the inventory that included 148 items. Factor analysis was conducted in all items and 115 statistically significant questions were derived which comprise the final form. The present instrument, which has demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties, provides a first step in self evaluation of problem and pathological gambling in Greece and aims at effective counseling in order to reduce or even prevent addictive gambling behaviors.
High Glucose Enhances Transient Receptor Potential Channel Canonical Type 6–Dependent Calcium Influx in Human Platelets via Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase–Dependent Pathway

Background— Transient receptor potential canonical type 6 (TRPC6) channels mediating 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)–induced calcium entry have been identified on human platelets. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that hyperglycemia increases the expression of TRPC6 channels. Methods and Results— Platelets from healthy control subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were incubated with glucose and calcium influx was measured using the fluorescent dye technique. TRPC channel protein expression was investigated using immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy of single platelets. Administration of 25 mmol/L glucose significantly enhanced the OAG-induced calcium influx, which was attenuated by inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, wortmannin or LY294002. The glucose-enhanced and OAG-induced calcium influx was concentration- and time-dependent. Glucose significantly increased the TRPC6 protein expression in platelets to 131±12% (n=33; P<0.05), whereas the expression .
The incidence of overeducation among international students upon graduation in Ireland: the effects of social capital and job searching methods

This study investigates how different forms of social capital and job searching methods influence the incidence of overeducation among international students upon graduation in Ireland. While most studies have concentrated primarily on human capital factors in explaining overeducation among immigrant workers, this study emphasises the effect of bonding and bridging social capital, as well as different job searching channels, on the likelihood of overeducation among university international graduates. An online survey was carried out among Irish university international alumni between October 2017 and February 2018. The main findings suggest that: (1) International graduates who possess more bridging social capital with Irish people are less likely to be overeducated than those who lack this form of social capital. (2) Getting a job via formal channels (job advertisement and career agency) significantly reduces the likelihood of overeducation while using informal channel (personal contacts) does not have a significant impact on the likelihood of overeducation.
Towards silicon quantum dot solar cells : comparing morphological properties and conduction phenomena in Si quantum dot single layers and multilayers

Le confinement quantique dans le silicium, sous forme de boites quantiques de silicium de diametre 5 nm, permet de controler le bandgap et donc l'emission de lumiere. Cette ingenierie du bandgap des nanocristaux de silicium est utile pour les applications photovoltaiques avancees et presente l'avantage de conserver la compatibilite avec les technologies silicium existantes. Ces boites quantiques peuvent aider a reduire les pertes par thermalisation dans une cellule solaire homo-jonction. Ce travail se concentre sur la fabrication a grande echelle des nanocristaux de silicium dans SiO2 en utilisant le Depot Chimique en Phase Vapeur assiste par Plasma (PECVD), suivi d'un recuit a haute temperature. Des monocouches sont comparees avec des multicouches pour les proprietes morphologiques, electriques et optiques et des dispositifs avec ces differents couches sont compares. Dans le cas d'une structure monocouche, l'epaisseur de la couche controle l'organisation des nanocristaux et permet de mettre en evidence l'amelioration de la conductivite electrique, avec cependant une reponse optique faible. Les multicouches montrent un bandgap du Si augmentee et controlee, avec une meilleure absorption dans la gamme bleu-vert visible, accompagnee d'une conductivite electrique faible. L'amelioration de ces proprietes optiques est un signe prometteur pour une potentielle integration photovoltaique.
The Effect of Veneer Densification Temperature and Wood Species on the Plywood Properties Made from Alternate Layers of Densified and Non-Densified Veneers

In this study the properties of plywood manufactured from densified and non-densified veneer sheets and alternate layers of such veneers with and without densification using low amount of adhesive as a function of densification temperature and wood species were investigated. The plywood panels were made from rotary-cut birch and black alder veneers using urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive. Veneer sheets with thickness of 1.5 mm were subjected to the thermal-compression at three different temperatures while keeping constant the pressure during a same time span. Five-layers plywood panels were produced using a constant hot-pressing schedule using different amounts of glue spread as a function of the plywood type; such as plywood made from non-densified (80 g/m2) and densified (60 g/m2) veneers only; and combination of them (70 g/m2). The bending strength (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) along with the shear strength of the plywood samples for bonding class 1 (dry conditions) have been determined. As expected bending strength of the plywood samples increased with the increasing in density. The increase of veneer densification temperature resulted in a gradually decrease of MOR; MOE and shear strength values for the plywood panels made of densified veneers and mixed panels of both species. The temperature of 150 °C for veneer densification seemed to be enough to achieve enhanced bending and bonding properties. All plywood panels in this study were manufactured using reduced glue consumption and they presented satisfactory properties performance for indoor applications.
Comparison of posterior lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in degenerative spondylosis and disc disease in a tertiary care hospital in Pimpri

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Spinal fusion in the form of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) are the two common surgical modalities for degenerative spondylosis and disc disease. The objective of the study to compare blood loss, surgical timing, post-operative medical and surgical complications in patients treated by either modality. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was to compare prospective study of 30 patients equally divided between two modalities operated for TLIF or PLIF after conservative treatment failure. <strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There is a statistically significant difference between the blood loss, surgical time and improvement in ODI score in two groups while percentage of post-surgical complications are higher in PLIF group compared to TLIF. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> TLIF is associated with less post-operative surgical complications than TLIF which can be attributed to unilateral exposure of intervertebral disc space and requires lesser operative time and produces less blood loss. </p>
Forest cover and fruit crop size differentially influence frugivory of select rainforest tree species in Western Ghats, India

Forest fragmentation and habitat loss are major disruptors of plant–frugivore interactions, affecting seed dispersal and altering recruitment patterns of the dependent tree species. In a heterogeneous production landscape (primarily tea and coffee plantations) in the southern Western Ghats, India, we examined effects of surrounding forest cover and fruit crop size on frugivory of four rainforest bird‐dispersed tree species (N = 131 trees, ≥30 trees per species, observed for 623 hr). Frugivore composition differed among the four tree species with the large‐seeded Canarium strictum and Myristica dactyloides being exclusively dependent on large‐bodied avian frugivores, whereas medium‐seeded Persea macrantha and Heynea trijuga were predominantly visited by small‐bodied and large‐bodied avian frugivores, respectively. Using the seed‐dispersal‐effectiveness framework, we identified effective frugivores and examined their responses to forest cover and fruit crop size. Results were idiosyncratic and were governed by plant and frugivore traits. Visitations to medium‐seeded Persea had a positive relationship with forest cover but the relationship was negative for the large‐seeded Myristica. In addition, two of the three effective frugivores for Persea responded to the interactive effect of forest cover and fruit crop size. Frugivore visitations to Heynea were not related to forest cover or fruit crop, and there were too few visitations to Canarium to discern any trends. These results highlight the context‐specific responses of plant–frugivore interactions to forest cover and fruit crop size influenced by plant and frugivore traits.
Proximate composition, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity of Aloe vera, Cannabis sativa and Mentha longifolia

Plants, miracle of nature, are able to synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for various metabolic functions. Numerous phytochemicals (secondary metabolites) with potential biological activity have been identified in most of the plant species. In order to determine the proximate composition, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity of three well known selected plants species, a study was carried out during June 2016 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar. The plants under study were Aloe vera Linn (leaves), Cannabis sativa Linn (whole plant) and Mentha longifolia Linn (whole plant) in PCSIR Labs Complex Peshawar. The results from proximate analysis indicated that the plants contained crude protein in the range 0.447 to 0.953%, crude fiber ranged from 12.33 to 28.47 % and crude fat in the range of 5.87 to 14.86%. Furthermore, analysis showed the presences of important phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides and saponins in the investigated species. Antioxidant activity of the selected plants by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) scavenging assay and using ascorbic acid as a standard indicated that Cannabis sativa and Aloe vera has the strongest and nearly the same activity with IC50353μg/ml. These plants can be used as herbal products.
Pomphorhynchus laevis
 manipulates
 Gammarus pulex
 behaviour despite salt pollution

1. Salt pollution of freshwater ecosystems represents a major threat to biodiversity, and particularly to interactions between free-living species and their associated parasites. Acanthocephalan parasites are able to alter their intermediate host’s phenotype to reach final hosts, but this process could be affected by salt pollution, thereby compromising survival of the parasite. 2. We experimentally assessed the impact of salt on the extended phenotype of the parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis in their intermediate host, the amphipod Gammarus pulex , based on three amphipod behaviours: distance covered in flowing water, phototaxis and geotaxis. We hypothesised that: (1) salt pollution negatively affected the behaviour of uninfected gammarids, and (