Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Biomass and Productivity of Woodlands in the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area, Zimbabwe

(1) Changes in biomass and annual production measured over the period 1972 to 1976 in four woodlands, the miombo, the Sengwa/Lutope riverine, the Manyoni riverine and the mopane woodland, are described. (2) The greatest changes in biomass were recorded in the miombo woodland where it is estimated that the biomass decreased by 45%. The biomass of the Sengwa/Lutope riverine, a woodland with three strata, increased by 14%, whilst that of the Manyoni riverine changed little. The biomass of the mopane woodland decreased by over 6%. (3) The annual production of the miombo, the Manyoni riverine and the mopane woodlands decreased between 1972 and 1976, whereas that of the Sengwa/Lutope riverine woodland increased. (4) The change in the biomass of the miombo woodland was primarily a result of the removal by elephant of large trees which were not replaced due to the effects of elephant and fire. (5) The increase in biomass of the Sengwa/Lutope riverine woodland was a result of recruitment to both the tree and shrub layers. The tree biomass increased by 394%, and the shrub biomass by 207% but the biomass of the upper canopy trees decreased by 10%. (6) The decrease in biomass of the mopane woodland which is seldom affected by fierce fires, was almost certainly due to the effects of elephant. (7) Due to the opening up of the canopy and the coppicing of damaged trees, more browse is now in reach of the smaller browsing animals in all woodlands except the Manyoni riverine. (8) Elephant appear to have been responsible for the decreases in biomass but fire has also contributed.
Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis to Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The toxicity of 55 isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) was tested on larvae of Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew). The 7 isolates that were most toxic to larvae as centrifugation pellets were tested against adult flies as either pellets or acetone/lactose precipitates made from resuspended pellets. The 5 isolates most toxic to adult flies were an unidentified Guatemalan isolate, and 4 isolates from larvae that died after eating pellets from isolates HD 565 (serovar5a5c; subsp. Canadensis ), HD 199(serovar 10;subsp. darmstadiensis ), HD 567 (serovar 14; subsp. israelensis ), and HD 1 (serovar 3a3b; subsp. kurstaki ). These 5 isolates killed 65-80% of adults in 10 d after feeding on them for 2 d, compared with 2.7% mortality in controls. The other two isolates (an isolate from a larva that died after eating pellets from HD 146 [serovar 10; darmtadiensis ] and a second unidentified Guatemalan isolate) killed 40% of adults in the same experiment. Isolates that were most toxic to larvae were not necessarily most toxic to adults and vice versa. The toxic principals were characterized as endotoxins based on their water insolubility and heat lability.
Factors Affecting the Distribution of a Freshwater Sponge

The distribution of Ephydatia fluviaatilis was considered at three habitat levels: lakewide distribution, littoral vertical distribution and rock surface preference. Lake-wide distribution was correlated with substrate type and the size and consistency of matrix particle composition. Exposure, ice scouring, silt accumulation and possible negative interactions with algae apparently affected the upper limits of the littoral vertical distribution. The lower limits were correlated with the adverse impact of silt abundance on sponge colony filtering capacity and larval settlement. Rock substrate found in water deeper than approximately 1.5 m maintained a relatively nonfluctuating, stable portion of the sponge population. At the third habitat level, rock surface preference, silt accumulation and possible harmful biotic interactions apparently caused the sponge to colonize the vertical and bottom surfaces of rubble.
New Report of Distribution and Analysis of Occurring Characteristics Analysis for Cereal Cyst Nematode on Wheat in Shandong Province

78 and 68 soil samples were collected in Shandong province from wheat rhizosphere during the maturing stage in year of 2010 and 2011,respectively.Cereal cyst nematode(Heterodera avenae group,CCN) was detected in 59 samples from the ones of year 2010 with the detection ratio of 75.6% and the cyst density average(range) of 22.1(0~210)/100g soil;CCN was detected in 26 samples from the ones of year 2011 with the detection ratio of 38.2% and the cyst density average(range) of 7.4(0~95)/100g soil.The six cities of Linyi、Rizhao、Laiwu、Tai'an、Yantai and Weihai were firstly found to be CCN-occurring regional cities of which 17 counties/districts were found to be the ones of CCN new distribution in Shandong province.The occurring characteristics of CCN in Qingdao、Yantai and Weihai were analyzed,the occurring situations of CCN in Shandong,the controlling factors on CCN and the spreading ways of CCN were discussed.It was proposed that rotation was the most effective agricultural practice for controlling of CCN in the current agricultural system;CCN could be carried and disseminated by Yellow river.
The Morphology and Functional Anatomy of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems of Cimex Lectularius L. (Heteroptera, Cimicidae)

The unusual adaptations of the reproductive system found in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius Linn. , have engaged the attention of several investigators during the past years. The right genital clasper of the male is a highly modified claw-like structure which penetrates the intersegmental membrane adjacent to the organ of Berlese and thus carries the aedeagus into the latter. Since the organ of Berlese has no direct connection with the reproductive tract, the spermatozoa must pass from it into the body cavity and then penetrate a special lobe at the base of each lateral oviduct where they are stored. From here some migrate in the wall of the oviducts up to the ovary where they fertilize the developing ova. While insects generally produce eggs whether mating has occurred or not, the bed bug does not lay eggs until the female has mated. The manner in which insemination initiates complete egg formation is still not completely understood.
Isothermal phase relations in the Au-Sb-Te system at 350 °C

Isothermal phase relations in the Au-Sb-Te system have been investigated at 350°C by the reactions of pure elements of Au, Sb and Te in evacuated sealed glass tubes. Microprobe techniques were employed to determine the composition of each phase of the products. Most efforts were concentrated on the pseudo-binary join between AuSb2, aurostibite and AuTe2, calaverite and the phase relations between these phases and phases in the Sb and Te binary system. Two ternary phases whose compositions are Au1.9(Te2.645b0.46)3.1 and AuSbTe(phase A) were found to exist stably at 350 °C. The XRD pattern of the former phase is almost similar to that of montbrayite reported by BACHECHI (1972), but the composition of the former phase does not agree well with that, and the latter phase does not seem to have been reported as a distinct phase. Montbrayite shows some little solid solution field and has non-stoichiometric compositions. The composition of montbrayite in the present study is not located on the (Au,Sb)2Te3 stoichiometric line, but near the Au2(Te,Sb)3 line. Calaverite, AuTe2 dissolved AuSb2 components up to 11.8 mole per cent and aurostibite, AuSb2 dissolve less than 1 mole per cent AuTe2 component. The phase relations in the system were characterized by the tie line of tellerantimony, Sb2Te3 and gold, Au in the central portion of the diagram, by which independent two ternary systems were introduced, that is, the Au-Sb-Sb2Te3 and the Au-Sb2Te3-Te systems. As a result, right side phases in Figure 3, aurostibite(AuSb2), antimony(Sb) and δ phase ((Sb,Te) solid solutions,ss) in the former system do not coexist with left side phases, calaverite(AuTe2 ss), montbrayite, and tellurium(Te) in the latter system.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability in the soil: physiology of the assimilation and use of these nutrients by the plant

Le coton a une croissance indeterminee et une sensibilite extreme aux contraintes de l'environnement qui peuvent amener a la chute des fruits. A cause de ces caracteristiques, pendant la majeure partie du temps, la plante developpe simultanement des fleurs, des fruits et des graines; si certains facteurs limitants interviennent (eau, temperature, lumiere, alimentation.), les fruits tombent et les rendements en fibre et en graines diminuent. Les effets de N, P, K sur la croissance vegetative, la floraison, la fructification et la production de graines et de fibre sont decrits. Le synchronisme de ces processus necessite une alimentation constante de chacun de ces elements pendant toute la croissance. La nutrition minerale du coton depend a la fois de l'aptitude de ses racines a explorer le sol et de l'aptitude du sol a fournir les elements nutritifs. La prise en compte de ces phenomenes physiologiques en complement de la prise en compte de la diversite des conditions ecologiques et economiques doit permettre une meilleure gestion de la fertilisation
Behavior Associated with the Water Absorption Response by the Toad, Bufo punctatus

water potential of the surface when the toads terminated the WR averaged -1.43 + 0.82 atmospheres (ATM). If the water potential of the moist surface was initially reduced by saturating the tissue with urea solutions of 100, 250 and 500 mM, the percentage of trials in which the WR was observed decreased relative to trials with water-saturated tissues. The WR was not observed at the highest urea concentration, suggesting that toads are able to detect substrate water potential. If the feet were covered, toads placed on tissue saturated with 500 mM urea solutions remained on the tissue significantly longer than toads whose feet were able to contact the solution. Thus, sensory structures in the feet appear to be involved in the detection of substrate water potential. Associated with the WR toads demonstrated three characteristic behaviors: 1) moves, in which toads would systematically walk to different areas of the tissue and, periodically, stop before moving to the next area. On all but the 500 mM urea substrates the moves occurred after the WR had been displayed on successive areas of the tissue; 2) kicks, in which the toads would rub the hind feet over the surface of the ventral skin in order to remove particles adherent to the skin; and 3) settles, in which toads would laterally oscillate their entire bodies while demonstrating the WR. The latter behavior usually resulted in an increase in the area of skin in contact with the substrate. The area-specific rates of water gain from water-saturated tissues were similar to literature values reported for water gain by B. punctatus from free water.
Car Tire Crumb Rubber: Does Leaching Produce a Toxic Chemical Cocktail in Coastal Marine Systems?

Crumb rubber granulate (CRG) produced from end of life tires (ELTs) is commonly applied to synthetic turf pitches (STPs), playgrounds, safety surfaces and walkways. In addition to fillers, stabilizers, cross-linking agents and secondary components (e.g., pigments, oils, resins), ELTs contain a range of other organic compound and heavy metal additives. While previous environmental impact studies on CRG have focused on terrestrial soil and freshwater ecosystems, many sites applying CRG in Norway are coastal. The current study investigated the organic chemical and metal additive content of ‘pristine’ and ‘weathered’ CRG and their seawater leachates, as well as uptake and effects of leachate exposure using marine copepods (Acartia and Calanus sp.). A combination of pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) and chemical extraction followed by GC-MS analysis revealed similar organic chemical profiles for pristine and weathered CRG, including additives such as benzothiazole, N-1,3-dimethylbutyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine and a range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic compounds (e.g., bisphenols). ICP-MS analysis revealed g kg–1 quantities of Zn and mg kg–1 quantities of Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Cr, Pb, and Ni in the CRG. A cocktail of organic additives and metals readily leached from the CRG into seawater, with the most abundant leachate components being benzothiazole and Zn, Fe, Co (metals), as well as detectable levels of PAHs and phenolic compounds. Concentrations of individual components varied with CRG source material and CRG to seawater ratio, but benzothiazole and Zn were typically the organic and metal components present at the highest concentrations in the leachates. While organic chemical concentrations in the leachates stabilized within days, metals continued to leach out over the 30-day period. Marine copepods exposed to high CRG leachate concentrations exhibited high mortalities within 48 h. The smaller lipid-poor Acartia had a higher sensitivity to leachates than the larger lipid-rich Calanus, indicating species-specific differences in vulnerability to leachates. The effect on survival was alleviated at lower leachate concentrations, indicating a dose-response relationship. Benzothiazole and its derivatives appear to be of concern owing to their proven toxicity, while bisphenols are also known to be toxic and were enriched in the leachates relative to the other compounds in the CRG.
Validation of a CFD-Based Numerical Wave Tank Model of the 1/20th Scale Wavestar Wave Energy Converter

Numerical wave tanks (NWTs) provide efficient test beds for the numerical analysis at various stages during the development of wave energy converters (WECs). To ensure the acquisition of accurate, high-fidelity data sets, validation of NWTs is a crucial step. However, using experimental data as reference during model validation, exact knowledge of all system parameters is required, which may not always be available, thus making an incremental validation inevitable. The present paper documents the numerical model validation of a 1/20 scale Wavestar WEC. The validation is performed considering different test case of increasing complexity: wave-only, wave excitation force, free decay, forced oscillation, and wave-induced motion cases. The results show acceptable agreement between the numerical and experimental data so that, under the well-known modelling constraints for mechanical friction and uncertainties in the physical model properties, the developed numerical model can be declared as validated.
Net energy system of feed formulation with or without enzyme supplementation in growing-finishing pigs fed barley-based diets with alternative feed ingredients

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs fed diets formulated on net energy (NE) basis with or without exogenous enzyme supplementation. Twenty-four pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 25 kg were randomly allotted one of three treatments; a barley-based control diet formulated on a digestible energy (DE) basis (Diet A), control diet formulated on an NE basis (Diet B), and Diet B + multicarbohydrase enzyme (Diet C). Pigs were offered their respective diets in a 3-phase feeding program. Individual pig BW and feed disappearance were monitored once every 2 wk. Pigs were slaughtered when they reached 100 kg BW to determine carcass characteristics. During phase 1, an improvement (P = 0.02) in feed intake was observed in pigs fed Diet C compared with Diet B. In phase 3, pigs fed Diet B showed improvement in daily gain (P = 0.02) and feed efficiency (P = 0.05) compared with Diet A. Overall, when compared with control diet, pigs fed Diet B showed significant improvement in daily gain (P = 0.05) and feed efficiency (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the results indicate a better growth performance with diets formulated using the NE system. Moreover, enzyme supplementation had no effect on the overall performance of pigs.
Kenya County Climate Risk Profile Series Highlights Climate Risk Profile

Adaptation options currently adopted in the county for crop farmers include water harvesting; dry planting; intercropping; use of drought-tolerant varieties; irrigation; value addition and use of indigenous knowledge in post-harvest handling and disease control; conservation agriculture; and collective action in selling. For the local chicken, the adaptation strategies include value addition; use of indigenous knowledge for disease control; and outsourcing for breeding stock. Though remarkable success has been achieved with the adaptation strategies, adoption rates are still low, and most of the underlying vulnerabilities have not been addressed yet.
A Machine Learning-Based Computational System Proposal Aiming at Higher Education Dropout Prediction

In the literature related to higher education, the concept of dropout has been approached from several perspectives and, over the years, its definition has been influenced by the use of diversified semantic interpretations. In a general higher education environment dropout can be broadly characterized as the act of a student engaged in a course leaving the educational institution without finishing the course. This paper describes the proposal of the architecture of a computational system, PDE (Predicting Dropout Events), based on machine learning (ML) algorithms and specifically designed for predicting dropout events in a higher level educational environment. PDE’s main subsystem implements a group of instance-based learning (IBL) algorithms which, taking into account a particular university-course environment, and based on log files containing descriptions of previous dropouts events, is capable to predict when a student already engaged in the course, is prone to dropout, so preventive measures could be quickly implemented.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INFLATION RATE AND EQUITY PRICE MOVEMENTS AT THE NAIROBI STOCK EXCHANGE BY CAROLYNE

The study was carried out to examine if there is a relationship between NSE stock prices and inflation for the period covering 1999 to 2010. The hypothesis tested aimed at showing the relationship between the NSE 20 share index and CPI, inflation and expected inflation. Secondary data was used in the study and was obtained from different sources including Kenya National Bureaue of Statistics, Central Bank of Kenya, Nairobi Stock Exchange and various publications of the University of Nairobi. The data was regressed using The Error Correction Mechanism, due to non-stationarity. Results obtained showed that there is indeed a significant relationship between NSE 20 share index and CPI and Nse 20 share index and expected inflation. The Inflation variable used indicated the existence of a relationship but was insignificant. Based on these results, the study recommends investor education, as there is need to understand the relationship between the stock market and both the CPI movement, the expected inflation and the entire economy. The government needs to ensure that both the monetary and the fiscal policies are carefully applied as they significantly affect both the CPI and the inflation expectations. The NSE should also introduce other alternative investment channels such as options, futures, REITS and commodity trading so that it can be able to compete globally and also offer alternative investment channels for investors not willing to invest in the stocks entirely.
Family physician and referral system adherence in Iranian primary healthcare system

1 Iranian Center of Excellence in Health Management, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran 2 Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran 3 Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran 4 Iranian Center of Excellence in Health Management, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran 5 Department of Healthcare Management, Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
The Effect of Risk Taking Behavior Performed by The Economic Agents Toward The Risk of the Bankruptcy of Banks

The concentrated loan portfolio strategy is one of risk-taking behaviors of economic agents. The concentrated loan portfolio strategy is the act of consumption maximization performed by the economic agents. Banking is one of the economic agents. Risk-taking behavior by bank industry can lead to increased risk of bankruptcy of banks that may have an impact on the financial system instability. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of risk-taking behavior of banking industry towards the risk of bankruptcy of banks. Study on General Bank in Indonesia. The panel of data analysis used eviews version 7.2. The sample data were general banks registered at IDX in 2009 to 2012 period. The collecting of the data was based on the certain criteria. The results of this research showed that risk-taking behaviors performed by the banking industry have positive effects toward the bankruptcy of banks. Risk-taking behavior by the banking industry was measured from concentrated loan portfolio strategy by type of loan and economic sector.
Photo-Hall effect spectroscopy and laser-induced transient currents in CdTe-based semiconductor radiation detectors

Cadmium Telluride, Cadmium Zinc Telluride, and Cadmium Manganese Telluride are important semiconductors with applications in radiation detection, solar cells, and electro-optic modulators. Their electrical and optical properties are principally controlled by defects forming energy levels within the bandgap. Such defects create recombination and trapping centers capturing photo-created carriers and depreciating the performance of the detector. Simultaneously, the changed occupancy of levels leads to the charging of detector’s bulk, which results in the screening of applied bias and the loss of detector’s sensitivity. Detailed knowledge of crystal defect structure is thus necessary for the predictable detector work and also for the possibility to reduce the structural defects concentration. This thesis reports on the investigation of deep energy levels in CdTe-based high resistivity and detector-grade materials by photo-Hall effect spectroscopy. The existing approach is also extended by dual-wavelength and enhanced monochromatic excitations. Experimental results are completed by numerical simulations based on the Shockley-Read-Hall model. A method is presented for the determination of the carriers drift mobility, lifetime, electric field distribution, and the dynamics of space charge in polarizing semiconductor radiation detectors. The procedure stems from the laser-induced transient current measurements done at steady-state and pulsed biasing and at variable temperature.
Chemical modification of Jatropha curcas and Thevetia peruviana oil as starting materials for chemical industry

The impart of time as variable parameter on epoxidation and hydroxylation of Jatropha curcas (JCO) and Thevetia peruviana oil (TPO) by in-situ epoxidation and hydroxylation was investigated. The iodine values of modified JCO/TPO were lower than that of unmodified JCO/TPO due to substitution of carbon to carbon double bonds by oxirane and hydroxyl functional group in epoxidized and hydroxylated oil respectively. These were confirmed by FT-IR spectra of modified JCO and TPO that showed presence of oxirane functional group at 837 and 843 cm -1 and disappearance of carbon to carbon double bonds at 3080 and 3050 cm -1 in epoxidized JCO and TPO oil respectively. Equally, FT-IR spectra of hydroxylated JCO and TPO showed disappearance of oxirane function group and increase in -OH broad peaks at 3459 and 3472 cm -1 indicating conversion of epoxides to polyols. The percentage oxirane, which is a confirmation and measurement of the degree of epoxidation increased with increase in time of epoxidation and decreased with increase in time of hydroxylation reaction, while hydroxyl value increases with increase in time of hydroxylation reaction.