Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors controlling the abundance, distribution, and composition of macroplastic and microplastic particles in tributary, beach, and benthic sediments of Lake Erie, Ontario

II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . IV LIST OF APPENDICES . VIII LIST OF FIGURES . IX LIST OF TABLES . XIV CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Ecological threats of plastics pollution . 3 1.1.1 Species at risk of ingesting microplastic particles in Lake Erie . 5 1.1.2 Species at risk of entanglement in Lake Erie . 6 1.2 Microplastics in aquatic environments . 7 1.3 Impacts of plastics burial in the environment . 9 CHAPTER 2: REGIONAL SETTING AND METHODOLOGY . 11 2.1 Regional setting of Lake Erie . 11 2.2 Lake Erie sampling locations . 14 2.2.1 Lake Erie beach locations and sampling methods . 14 2.2.2 Lake Erie tributary locations and sampling methods . 19 2.2.3 Lake Erie benthic sample locations and sampling methods . 21 2.3 Separation and analysis of microplastics and sediments. 22 2.4 Micro-Raman analysis of microplastics . 24 2.4.1 Theory of Raman spectroscopy . 24 2.4. 2 Plastic identification using Raman spectroscopy . 25 vi 2.4. 3 Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopy . 25 2.4. 4 Dispersive Raman spectroscopy . 32 2.5 Mapping using ArcGIS. 33 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS . 34 3.1 Microplastics in Lake Erie sediments . 34 3.1.1 Microplastic in beach sediments . 34 3.1.2 Microplastic in tributary sediment. 41 3.1.3 Microplastic in benthic sediment . 45 3.1. 4 Regional microplastic abundance. 50 3.1. 5. Types of microplastics identified by Raman Spectroscopy . 51 3.2 Plastic at Lake Erie beaches and tributaries by quadrats and transects . 59 3.2.1 Daily accumulation of plastics by beach quadrat . 59 3.2.2 Daily accumulation of plastic along beach transect. 69 3.2.3 Accumulation of macroplastic and microplastics by tributary quadrat . 76 3.2.4 Types of macroplastics and microplastics recovered . 78 CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION . 80 4.1 Plastics in Lake Erie environments . 80 4.1.1 Beach plastics . 80 4.1.2 Tributary plastics . 81 4.1.3 Nearshore (benthic) plastics . 82 4.1. 4 Overall sampling . 84 4.1. 5 Types of plastics identified . 85
Beads excavated from Antsiraka Boira necropolis (Mayotte Island, 12th-13th centuries). Colouring agents and glass matrix composition comparison with contemporary Southern Africa sites

About hundred out of three hundred colored beads excavated from the necropolis of Antsiraka Boira (AB), in Mayotte Island (12-13th c.) were classified according to Wood’s morphological criteria and studied with a portable Raman spectrometer (532nm). Based on the recorded spectra, 22 beads were identified as representative and further analyzed in the laboratory with High-Resolution Raman spectrometers, using wavelengths of 458, 633 and 785nm. Additional SEM-EDS analysis was carried out on the surface and, sometimes, the bead cross-section. It turns out that white beads are made of aragonite and that almost all other beads have a soda glass matrix. Pyrochlore (yellow), amber/“Fe-S” (black), manganese oxide (black), copper metal nanoparticles (red), and Cu2+ ions (turquoise) chromophores were identified. Some red, yellow, black and turquoise beads also show the signature of chromium-doped tin sphene that could therefore be used as a marker. Most beads from the AB site can be classified as “Indo-Pacific”, revealing a similarity with the contemporary South African site of K2 (close to Mapungubwe). However, some red and black beads are similar to molten ceramic beads from the Vohemar Islamic necropolis (13-17th century AD, Madagascar Island). The on-site Raman analysis appears sufficient for the identification of chromophores and glass types.
TERT promoter methylation is associated with high expression of TERT and poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer

The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the most common subtype of thyroid cancer. The overexpression of TERT in PTC was partially attributed to transcriptional activation by two hotspot mutations in the core promoter region of this gene. As one of the major epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation, DNA methylation has been proved to regulate several tumor-related genes in PTC. However, the association of TERT promoter DNA methylation with TERT expression and PTC progression is still unclear. By treating PTC cell lines with demethylating agent decitabine, we found that the TERT promoter methylation and the genes’ expression were remarkably decreased. Consistently, PTC patients with TERT hypermethylation had significantly higher TERT expression than patients with TERT hypomethylation. Moreover, TERT hypermethylated patients showed significant higher rates of poor clinical outcomes than patients with TERT hypomethylation. Results from the cox regression analysis showed that the hazard ratios (HRs) of TERT hypermethylation for overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free interval (DFI) and progression-free interval (PFI) were 4.81 (95% CI, 1.61-14.41), 8.28 (95% CI, 2.14-32.13), 3.56 (95% CI, 1.24-10.17) and 3.32 (95% CI, 1.64-6.71), respectively. The HRs for DFI and PFI remained significant after adjustment for clinical risk factors. These data suggest that promoter DNA methylation upregulates TERT expression and associates with poor clinical outcomes of PTC, thus holds the potential to be a valuable prognostic marker for PTC risk stratification.
Can the Curriculum of Creativity Affect Motivation to Dance?

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the curriculum of creativity affects motivation to dance. The experiment was conducted. Forty dancers were divided into experimental and control groups. The experiment was carried out for sixteen weeks. Dancers in the control group were educated according to a regular programme designed by the teacher, while dancers in the experimental group were given the creativity curriculum. To assess the effect of different curricula on dancers' motivation, a questionnaire survey was conducted at the beginning and at the end of the experiment.
Biopreservative Efficacy of Some Common Spices Sold in Dakingari Market on Hot-Break Locally Processed Tomato Paste

The research investigated the biopreservative efficacy of some common spices sold in dakingari market as substitutes for chemical preservatives on hot-break locally processed tomato paste (Platinum 7 F1 variety). After concentration, the paste was divided into thirty one (31) portions labeled A–O2. The spices were added to tomato paste in the following proportion of ginger; garlic; onion; pepper; ginger and garlic; ginger and onion; ginger and pepper; garlic and onion; garlic and pepper; onion and pepper; ginger, garlic and onion; ginger, garlic and pepper; garlic, onion and pepper; onion, pepper and ginger; ginger, garlic, onion and pepper 3 and 5 percent. Each mixture (450g) was evenly homogenized, filled up into air-tight Mayonnaise jars and stored at room temperature over a period of 9 weeks. Pure cultures were obtained from distinct colonies by repeating streaking on fresh agar plates and subjected to microscopic examination and biochemical tests such as Gram staining. Microbial examination and yeast counts of the samples were enumerated on a weekly basis while the pure microbial isolates were identified. Results showed that those without fungi growth are; Sample G (ginger and onion), Sample O (onion, pepper and ginger), Sample D (onion), Sample E (pepper), Sample M (ginger, garlic and pepper) and Sample L (ginger, garlic and onion), Sample I (garlic and onion) (3 and 5%). The microorganisms were identified as organism: Rhizopus orazae, Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus micronesiensis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger , Phoma multristrata, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mensenteroides, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum. The study concluded only Sample D (onion) and Sample N (garlic, onion and pepper) that has no bacteria growth (3 and 5%). The study concluded that combined samples with combination of garlic or ginger (3 and 5%) suitably preserved tomato paste for 9 weeks without deterioration. The use of natural products such as ginger, onion and garlic as natural preservatives could significantly improve tomato utilization in household production in Dakingari and Nigeria at large where refrigeration is greatly hampered by erratic power supply. Further investigation for other biopreservatives is recommended to ascertain the safety consumption of tomato paste of the people in the study area and the need to look into more new natural bio-preservatives which can promote human health besides acting as food preservative.
On-farm pre-weaning growth performance of Washera, Farta and their crossbred lambs in selected districts of western Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to evaluate the pre-weaning growth performance of Farta, Washera, and their cross-sheep lambs. The study was conducted in Farta and Lay Gayint districts of the Amhara National Regional State. The data were collected from November 2016 to May 2017. A total of 132 sheep, i.e., 82 Farta, 20 Washera, and 30 Washera-Farta crossbred, were selected using purposive sampling technique to assess their pre-weaning growth performance. Growth data was analyzed using SAS Version 9.1. 3. (SAS, 2008). Mean birth weight (± SE in kg) was 2.7±0.30 for Farta, 3.1±0.14 for Washera, and 2.9±0.08 for Washera-Farta crossbred lambs. Weaning weights were 10.9±0.30 kg for Farta, 13.1±0.50 kg for Washera, and 12.2±1.1 kg for Washera-Farta crossbreds. Daily weight gain calculated from birth to 30 days was 89.4±6.44 g for Farta, 119.4±23.53 g for Washera and 111.4±10.46 g for Washera-Farta crossbreds. Weight gain from birth to 90 days was 88.8±3.21 g, 103.2±11.75 g, and 111.9±5.22 g, respectively. Washera breed was significantly heavier at birth and at weaning age, followed by crossbred lambs. Crossbred lambs were not significantly bigger than Farta lambs. This means crossing the two breeds did not have advantage and selection breeding of Farta sheep by itself will be adequate.
Evaluating the Impact of Music & Memory’s Personalized Music and Tablet Engagement Program in Wisconsin Assisted Living Communities: Pilot Study

Background Individuals with Alzheimer disease or related dementia represent a significant and growing segment of the older adult (aged 65 years and above) population. In addition to physical health concerns, including comorbid medical conditions, these individuals often exhibit behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The presence of BPSD in long-term care residential facilities can disrupt resident’s care and impact staff. Nonpharmacological interventions such as personalized music and tablet engagement maintain cognitive function, improve quality of life (QOL), and mitigate BPSD for older adults with dementia. Evidence of the impact of such interventions in assisted living communities (ALCs) is needed for widespread adoption and sustainment of these technologies. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Music & Memory’s personalized music and tablet engagement (PMATE) program on QOL, agitation, and medication use for residents living in 6 Wisconsin ALCs. Methods The data collected were on the utilization of iPods and iPads by the residents. Residents’ outcomes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale, the Quality of Life in Late Stage Dementia scale, and self-reported medication use. A mixed-methods approach was utilized to examine the impact of the PMATE program on these outcomes. Descriptive statistics were calculated. A paired t test explored changes in residents’ QOL. A 1-way analysis of variance was utilized to examine changes in resident’s agitation and QOL based on the resident’s utilization of the PMATE program. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the individuals responsible for PMATE implementation in the ALC. Residents excluded from the analysis were those who passed away, were discharged, or refused to participate. Results A total of 5 apps, based on average times used by residents, were identified. In all, 4 of the 5 apps were rated as being useful to promote residents’ engagement. PMATE utilization was not associated with changes in the residents’ agitation levels or antipsychotic medication use over time. Over a 3-month period, the change in residents’ QOL was significant (P=.047), and the differences across ALCs were also significant (F25=3.76, P=.02). High utilizers of the PMATE program (>2500 min over 3 months) showed greater improvements in QOL as compared with low utilizers (a change of −5.90 points vs an increase of 0.43 points). The difference was significant (P=.03). Similar significant findings were found between the high- and midutilizers. Conclusions The study is one of the first to explore the impact of Music & Memory’s PMATE program on residents living in ALCs. Findings suggest that higher utilization over time improves residents’ QOL. However, a more comprehensive study with improved data collection efforts across multiple ALCs is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Structural and stratigraphic evolution of the Gulf of Suez Rift, Egypt: a synthesis

L'evolution structurale et stratigraphique du rift de Suez est controlee par cinq facteurs principaux : (1) la presence de systemes de failles preexistantes, de structures penetratives et de limites de blocs de socle, (2) les variations eustatiques, (3) les changements dans les relations du bassin avec la Mediterranee et l'ocean Indien, (4) les changements rapides du champ de contrainte dans la plaque africaine et (5) l'apparition de la frontiere transformante Levant-Aqaba. Le rift de Suez apparait a l'Oligocene superieur. En se propageant probablement vers le nord, il a recoupe une limite structurale majeure orientee est-ouest, d'âge Eocene superieur, a la latitude de la ville de Suez. Au nord de Suez, l'extension est plus diffuse et essentiellement localisee dans le rift de Manzala, actuellement enfoui sous le delta du Nil. Les plus anciens depots syn-rift, principalement des sediments continentaux (Chattien-Aquitanien), sont constitues de niveaux rouges, avec des intercalations de basaltes. L'Oligocene marin a ete mis en evidence uniquement a l'extremite sud du Golfe, a la jonction avec la Mer Rouge. A l'Aquitanien, un environnement marin de faible profondeur s'installe dans la majeure partie du rift. La transgression marine burdigalienne permet une communication entre la Mediterranee et le golfe de Suez, permettant le depot d'epaisses series de marnes a Globigerina et de carbonates d'eau profonde. Pendant le Langhien et le Serravalien inferieur, de rapides variations eustatiques induisent des changements de facies a l'interieur du rift. Au Serravalien superieur, d'appreciables chutes du niveau marin ont amene le depot d'evaporites dans les parties centrales et meridionales du rift. Pendant cette periode, la liaison avec la Mediterranee etait, soit intermittente, soit interrompue. La charge induite par les epaisses accumulations d'halites du Miocene superieur a entraine la formation de diapirs et de murs de sel. Les conditions marines normales ont ete retablies au cours du Pliocene, mais l'alimentation en eau provenait de la Mer Rouge et du golfe d'Aden, relies a l'ocean Indien. A partir de cette periode, une barriere permanente s'etablit entre le golfe de Suez et la Mediterranee. L'analyse de la geometrie et de la cinematique des failles ainsi que l'etude de la sedimentation montrent que l'extension perpendiculaire au rift predomine, de l'Oligocene au debut du Miocene moyen. Au Miocene moyen, le systeme transformant faille du Levant-golfe d'Aqaba est actif, reliant le rift de la Mer Rouge a la frontiere convergente Bitlis-Zagros. Ce changement majeur dans la cinematique regionale a entraine un considerable ralentissement du taux d'extension dans le golfe de Suez et une rotation horaire du champ de contrainte dans le Sinai. Pendant le Pleistocene superieur, l'extension dans le golfe de Suez subit une rotation dans le sens anti-horaire, jusqu'a une direction N15°E.
Fine-Grained Human Hair Segmentation Using a Text-to-Image Diffusion Model

Human hair segmentation is essential for face recognition and for achieving natural transformation of style transfer. However, it remains a challenging task due to the diverse appearances and complex patterns of hair in image. In this study, we propose a novel method utilizing diffusion-based generative models, which have been extensively researched in recent times, to effectively capture and to finely segment human hair. In diffusion-based models, an internal visual representation during the denoising process contains pixel-level rich information. Inspired by this aspect, we introduce diffusion-based models for segmenting fine-grained human hair. Specifically, we extract the representation from the diffusion-based models, which contains pixel-level semantic information, and then train a segmentation network using it. Particularly, to more finely segment human hair, our approach employs the representation from a text-to-image diffusion model, conditioned on text information, to extract more relevant information for human hair, thereby predicting detailed hair masks. To validate our method, we conducted experiments on three distinct hair-related datasets with unique characteristics: Figaro-1k, CelebAMask-HQ, and Face Synthetics. The experimental results show the improved performance of our proposed method across all three datasets, outperforming existing methods in terms of mIoU (mean intersection over union), accuracy, precision, and F1-score. This is particularly evident in its ability to accurately capture and finely segment human hair from background and non-hair elements. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our method in accurately and finely segmenting human hair with complex characteristics. Our research contributes not only to the fine-grained segmentation of human hair but also to the application of generative models in semantic segmentation tasks. We hope that the proposed method will be applied for detailed semantic segmentation in various fields in the future.
Efficacy of Dose-Escalated Hypofractionated Radiosurgery for Arteriovenous Malformations

There is considerable controversy about the management of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that are high risk for surgical resection. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has a reported success rate of less than 50% with unacceptably high rates of radiation necrosis with larger AVM volumes. Neither volume staging nor hypo-fractionated SRS have conclusively been demonstrated to improve results. We hypothesized that the failure of previous hypo-fractionation SRS trials was due to an insufficient biologically effective dose (BED) of radiation. We initiated a pilot study of treating AVM patients with a total dose divided into three or five fractions designed to deliver the equivalent BED of 20 Gy in a single fraction (α/β =3). We performed a retrospective analysis of 37 AVM patients who had a minimum of two years of follow-up or underwent obliteration. Patients were treated with 30 Gy/3 fractions, 33 Gy/3 fractions, or 40 Gy/5 fractions using a CyberKnife device (Accuracy Incorporated, Madison, Wisconsin, United States). The primary endpoint was complete AVM obliteration, determined by MRA imaging. Most obliterations were confirmed with diagnostic cerebral angiography. Secondary endpoints were post-radiosurgery hemorrhage and radiation-related necrosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine obliteration rates. From 2013 to 2021, 37 patients fitting inclusion criteria were identified (62% male, average age at treatment = 48.88 years). Fifteen (41%) patients had prior treatment (surgery, radiosurgery, embolization) for their AVM, 32 (86%) had AVMs in eloquent locations, 17 (46%) had high-risk features, and 14 (38%) experienced AVM rupture prior to treatment. The average modified radiosurgery-based AVM score (mRBAS) was 1.81 (standard deviation (SD)= 0.52), and the mean AVM volume was 6.77 ccs (SD = 6.09). Complete AVM obliteration was achieved in 100% of patients after an average of 26.13 (SD = 14.62) months. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed AVM obliteration rates at one, two, and three years to be 16.2%, 46.9%, and 81.1%, respectively. Post-operative AVM rupture or hemorrhage occurred in one (2.7%) patient, after nine months. Radiation necrosis occurred in four (11%) patients after an average period of 17.3 (SD =14.7) months. The SRS dose used in this study is the highest BED of any AVM hypofractionation trial in the published literature. This study suggests that dose-escalated hypofractionated radiosurgery can be a successful strategy for AVMs with acceptable long-term complication rates. Further investigation of this treatment regimen should be performed to assess its efficacy.
Numerical Modelling of Extreme Waves: The Role of Nonlinear Wave-Wave Interactions

Numerical Modelling of Extreme Waves: The Role of Nonlinear Wave-Wave Interactions Thomas Vyzikas The real monsters of the ocean, extreme waves, haunted mariners since the early days of human activities in the sea. Despite having caused numerous accidents and casualties, their systematic study began only in 2000s. Many mechanisms have been proposed to simulate these rare but catastrophic events, with the most prominent being wave focusing. This is connected to the NewWave theory, which has been used extensively in experimental and numerical modelling. However, the majority of the studies fail to capture the distinguishing characteristics of extreme waves, due to the inherent high nonlinearity of the problem and shortcomings of the modelling practice, but also due to inadequate knowledge of the underlying physics. Overcoming these issues is unquestionably necessary for understanding extreme waves and including them in the engineering design practice. The nonlinearity of the problem lies upon the nonlinear wave-wave interactions, which violate the fundamental linear assumptions of NewWave and pose challenges to numerical models. The present work aims at contributing in both understanding the nature of nonlinear wave-wave interactions during the formation of extreme wave events, and examining the applicability and performance of numerical solvers via their systematic validation with state-of-the-art techniques that give new insights into the problem. A range of phase-resolving and phase-averaged models are employed to cover different scales and examine the undergoing physical processes. Through the study of limiting breaking unidirectional dispersive wave groups in finite water depth, it is demonstrated that the free-wave spectrum undergoes considerable transformation and a large portion of energy is transferred to higher and lower harmonics. These effects can be attributed to the action of near-resonant and bound nonlinearities, which have however robust mathematical description. As such, a large part of the thesis is devoted to analytical methods towards establishing an efficient integrated framework for estimating extreme wave profiles, going beyond the classic NewWave. Overall, the present work is a balance of physics and numerics to tackle parts of the challenging problem of extreme waves and improve safety at sea.
Effect of composition of some Egyptian clays on their ceramic properties

Ces argiles sont riches en montmorillonite contenant du fer. Une de leurs qualites est leur plasticite, mais le retrait au sechage et a la cuisson est important, ce qui reduit leur utilite pratique malgre leur resistance relativement elevee. Quelques-unes de ces argiles sont susceptibles de gonfler