Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical Coherence Tomography Detection of Shear Wave

In this work, we explored the potential of measuring shear wave propagation using Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE). Shear waves were generated using a 20 MHz piezoelectric transducer transmitting sine-wave bursts of 400 μs, synchronized with the OCT swept source wavelength sweep. The acoustic radiation force was applied to two gelatin phantoms (differing in gelatin concentration by weight, 8% vs 14%, respectively). Differential OCT phase maps, measured with and without the acoustic radiation force, demonstrate microscopic displacement generated by shear wave propagation in these phantoms of different stiffness. The shear wave speeds for the 14% and 8% gelatin-titanium dioxide phantoms were 2.24 0.06 m/s and 1.49 0.05 m/s and also the shear modulus estimated using SW-OCE was 5.3±0.2 kPa and 2.3±0.1 kPa for the 14% and 8% gelatin-titanium dioxide phantoms, respectively. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this technique for measuring the mechanical properties of tissue.
Locating eutrophication effects across British vegetation between 1990 and 1998

Large‐scale ecological surveillance data were analysed to determine the locations of apparent eutrophication effects across common British vegetation types between 1990 and 1998. Plant species composition was recorded from a total of 9514 fixed plots located in a stratified, random sample of 501 1 km squares across Britain. Changes in plant species composition along a gradient of substrate fertility were inferred from statistical tests of change in mean Ellenberg fertility value calculated for each fixed plot. Plots were grouped by eight vegetation types, five landscape features (hedges, road verges, watercourse banks, small biotopes, larger units in fields and unenclosed land) and six environmental zones. Tests of change in mean Ellenberg value were carried out on all combinations of these strata. Decision tree modelling was used to identify groups of test outcomes sharing the same direction of change and where each group was defined by a minimum number of strata. Post hoc power analysis was used to select statistically non‐significant test outcomes that could be used to infer stability in the sampled sub‐population.
Effects of different irrigation regimes on yield and some quality parameters of carnation

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation water amounts (kcp1: 0.25, kcp2: 0.50, kcp3: 0.75, kcp4: 1.00 and kcp5: 1.25) and irrigation intervals (I1: 1-, I2: 2and I3: 3-day) on the yield and some quality parameters of carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. 'Turbo') grown in soil under greenhouse conditions. Class A Pan was used to determine irrigation water amounts. Yield and quality parameters (stem length, stem fresh weight, flower diameter and stem diameter) were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the irrigation water amount and irrigation interval. While node number was affected by irrigation water amount, irrigation interval did not affect node number. The highest total flower number per m was recorded in I1kcp4 (89.56 flowers m ), whereas the lowest total flower number per m was found in I3kcp1 (10.0 flowers m ). Among the irrigation water amounts, the longest stems were determined in kcp5 (71.04 cm) and kcp4 (69.30 cm); however, the difference between both treatments was statistically insignificant. Among the irrigation intervals, the longest stem (67.56 cm) was obtained from the carnations irrigated with high irrigation interval (I1). The treatments with both the same irrigation water amount and higher irrigation intervals produced higher flowers yield and quality.
Population dynamics of two marine polychaetes: the relative role of density dependence, predation, and winter conditions

Van der Meer, J., Beukema, J. J., and Dekker, R. 2000. Population dynamics of two marine polychaetes: the relative role of density dependence, predation, and winter conditions. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 57: 1488–1494. We modelled the population dynamics of two polychaete species, a prey (Scoloplos armiger) and its predator (Nephtys hombergii) by simple linear and non-linear time–series models using a 29 year data series of population abundance and winter conditions. The log reproductive rate (i.e., the difference in log density between two succeeding years) of the prey population was density dependent and negatively related to the density of the predator. The log reproductive rate of the predator was also density dependent, but was to a greater extent determined by winter temperature, a density-independent factor. Log reproductive rate of the predator was not related to the density of the prey, nor could delayed density dependence be detected. Apparently, the feedback mechanism between predator and prey was weak, perhaps because the predator is a generalist. Predator density can therefore be categorized as a densityindependent factor with respect to the dynamics of the prey species. In neither of the two species was density dependence strong enough to generate complex or chaotic behaviour, as indicated by the weakly negative slope of the reproduction curve at the equilibrium, the apparent lack of a non-linear component in the reproduction curve, and the negative Lyapunov exponent.
Whey protein denaturation in heated milk and cheese whey

SUMMARY Quantitative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to measure residual native whey proteins remaining after heat treatment of skim-milk and cheese whey in a kinetic study. The denaturation of α-lactalbumin (α-la) appeared to be first order, but was probably a second-order reaction displaying pseudo first-order kinetics. The denaturation of both β-lactoglobulin A and B (β-lgA and β-lgB) followed second-order kinetics while that of serum albumin was more complex, and could equally well be described as first or second order. Equations are given relating log k1 (in s-1) to temperature for α-la denaturation in skim-milk between 70 and 95 °C and between 100 and 150 °C. Similarly, equations relating log k2 (in lg-1s-1) to temperature are given for ²-lgA in skim-milk between 100 and 150 °C, and for ²-lgB between 95 and 150 °C. The relative heat stability of ²-lgA and ²-lgB was found to vary. Below 95 °C ²-lgA appeared slightly more thermostable than ²-lgB in skim-milk, and the same was observed in cheese whey below 100 °C. Above these temperatures ²-lgB appeared more stable than ²-lgA. Denaturation of ²-lgB was only slightly more rapid in skim-milk than in whey at temperatures below 95 °C, but was significantly slower at higher temperatures.
IMPACTS OF BIM ON TALENT ACQUISITION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Building information modelling (BIM) is rapidly reshaping the construction industry. Profound transformations have taken place in organizational structure and business operation in construction companies when adapting to BIM implementation. During the transition, companies are facing an essential question: how to align intellectual preparation with the challenges and business opportunities associated with BIM and stay competitive in the market? Efficient talent acquisition seems to be among the list of priorities. Use of dedicated BIM job titles and the emergence of the “BIM department” as an independent functional unit in organizations justify the need for a closer scrutiny of the current strategies for talent acquisition in the construction industry. This research investigated the impacts of BIM on key aspects of talent acquisition, including: identifying (gap analysis of talent shortage and needs), profiling (job description), qualifying (job requirements), sourcing (intellectual pool), recruiting (candidate screening and interviews) and retention/management. Conclusions were drawn from the data gathered via an online survey. The survey findings suggest that the construction industry is still at the beginning stage of formulating holistic strategies for BIM talent acquisition, in comparison with a boom in global BIM adoption and market demand for BIM talent. This research has exposed some fundamental issues companies are facing or will face in BIM talent acquisition. It is also intended to initiate critical thinking among the professional community to adapt existing talent acquisition strategies to the BIM context. Last but not least, the research suggests that enhanced collaboration between industry and academia should significantly improve the education, cultivation and acquisition of BIM talent.
Replacing starch with digestible fibre in growing rabbit feeding

Abstract To evaluate the effect of replacing dietary starch with digestible fibre (DF=pectin and hemicelluloses) on health status, digestive physiology, growth performance, and carcass traits, 250 hybrid rabbits weaned at 27 d were fed until slaughter (76 d) five diets with increasing DF to starch ratio (1.0 to 1.9; DF 18.9 to 22.2%; starch 19.6 to 11.5%). The digestibility of dry matter (64.7, 65.2, 66.8, 67.5 and 67.6%) and NDF (27.9, 32.2, 35.0, 40.2 and 41.5%) increased (probability of linear component of variance, L<0.001) with increasing DF to starch ratio. Final live weight and daily growth tended to decrease (L=0.06), feed intake significantly lowered (130 to 122 g/d, L=0.01) and feed conversion ratio improved (2.72 to 2.68; L<0.01). Health status, caecal fermentation and ileal mucosa traits of rabbits did not change. The feeding strategy failed in controlling the diffusion of epizootic rabbit enteropathy.
Reorganization of algal communities in the Lake of the Woods (Ontario, Canada) in response to turn‐of‐the‐century damming and recent warming

Paleolimnological approaches were used to assess the ecological and environmental implications of diatom assemblage compositional changes recorded over the last ~ 200 yr from four sites in the Lake of the Woods (LoW), Ontario, Canada. Comparisons between a reference site (Whitefish Bay) and three disturbed sites (Bigstone Bay, Paleolimnological Project site No. 1, and Forrest Island) provide insights into the effects that multiple stressors (dam construction, total phosphorus [TP] changes, and recent warming) have had on the ecology of this highly complex freshwater system. Overall patterns of diatom compositional changes from highresolution 210Pb‐dated sediment cores revealed a strong temporal coherence ca. 1910 and then again over the last few decades among all sites. Hydromanagement activities at the turn of the 19th century and recent warming over the last few decades played key roles in the LoW diatom changes. Diatom compositional changes at all sites were significantly related to trends in nearby air temperature records over the past century and to changes in lake ice phenology over the past ~ 40 yr from Whitefish Bay. Turn‐of‐the‐century hydromanagement activities do not appear to have had long‐term effects on diatom‐inferred TP (DI‐TP), particularly at the disturbed sites. Clear decreases in DI‐TP over the last few decades were evident at all sites, but at the reference site these decreases were well below pre‐disturbance levels, which we link in part to recent warming. Substantial changes in climate will amplify the effe
Effect of Beauveria bassiana on the ovarian development and reproductive potential of Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract We investigated the virulence of a native strain of Beauveria bassiana on the mortality, ovarian development, oogenesis, survival, fecundity and fertility of 4-, 8- and 12-day-old Anastrepha ludens females. In the first study, this strain caused 85% mortality in 8-day-old treated females, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 3.1×108 (2.1×108–4.7×108) conidia/mL and a median lethal time (LT50) of 6.5 days. In the second study, the ovarian development and oogenesis of A. ludens females treated with 1×109 conidia/mL were monitored daily in sacrificed flies. The fungus infection did not significantly affect ovarian development of the treated females, although there was a delay in vitellogenesis and a reduction in the quantity of mature basal oocytes and oviposition index in these flies. Moreover, the lowest net fecundity was found in 4-, 8- and 12-day-old treated females, and reduced fertility was observed in 4-day-old treated females. An application to test the potential use of this strain under field conditions is discussed.
The Influence of the Relative Age Effect in the Czech Youth Ice Hockey League

The issue of Relative Age Effect (RAE) focuses on the causes and consequences of the failure to respect development patterns of individuals in relation to their success, especially in sports. This study aims to determine whether the influence of the RAE can be proven in the Czech youth ice hockey league (U15) (n=744). A Chi-Square test (χ2) has shown that the influence in the whole investigated group cannot be rejected (χ2=25.34, p<0.01, w=0.11). The RAE can be rejected in the group of players (n=78) from the three best teams of the competition (χ2=3.09, p=0.38, w=0.11); the influence of the RAE can also be rejected in players (n=75) from the three worst teams (χ2=0.53, p=0.91, w=0.05). The assessment of RAE on playing positions has shown that the RAE can be rejected (χ2=7.31, p=0.06, w=0.22) in the most productive forwards (n=50) as well as in the least productive forwards (n=50) (χ2=0.48, p=0.92, w=0.06). The RAE is rejected in the group of the most productive defensemen (n=50) (χ2=1.71, p=0.11, w=0.11), and in the group of the least productive defensemen (n=50) (χ2=4.15, p=0.25, w=0.17). The RAE cannot be rejected (χ2=8.88, p=0.03, w=0.35) in the group of best goaltenders (n=24); the RAE is rejected in the group of the worst goaltenders (n=24) (χ2=1.5, p=0.68, w=0.14). Although the results have proven that the RAE cannot be rejected in the entire research group, there is no evidence of its influence (with the exception of the best goaltenders) in individual playing positions.
Application of feature selection for predicting leaf chlorophyll content in oats (Avena sativa L.) from hyperspectral imagery

Feature selection can improve predictions generated by partial least squares models. In the context of hyperspectral imaging, it can also enable the development of affordable devices with specialized applications. The feasibility of feature selection for oat leaf chlorophyll estimation from hyperspectral imagery was assessed using a public domain dataset. A wrapper approach resulted in a simplistic model with poor predictive performance. The number of model inputs decreased from 94 to 3 bands when a filter approach based on the minimum redundancy, maximum relevance criterion was attempted. The filtering led to improved prediction quality, with the root mean square error decreasing from 0.17 to 0.16 g m and R increasing from 0.57 to 0.62. Accurate predictions were obtained especially for low chlorophyll levels. The obtained model estimated leaf chlorophyll concentration from near infra-red reflectance, canopy darkness, and its blueness. The prediction robustness needs to be investigated, which can be done by employing an ensemble methodology and testing the model on a new dataset with improved ground-truth measurements and additional crop species.
Exchange Rate Shocks in Multicurrency Interbank Markets

Abstract We simulate the impact on the nonbank liabilities of banks in a multiplex interbank environment arising from changes in currency exposure. Currency shocks as a source of financial contagion in the banking sector have not, so far, been considered. Our model considers two sources of contagion: shocks to nonbank assets and exchange rate shocks. Interbank loans can mature at different times. We demonstrate that a dominant currency can be a significant source of financial contagion. We also find evidence of asymmetries in losses stemming from large currency depreciations versus appreciations. A variety of scenarios are considered allowing for differences in the sparsity of the banking network, the relative size and number of banks, changes in nonbank assets and equity, the possibility of bank breakups, and the dominance of a particular currency. Policy implications are also drawn.
ON THE PARAMETERIZATION OF EVAPORATION OF RAINDROPS BELOW CLOUD BASE

Evaporation of raindrops can lead to a significant reduction of the surface precipitation compared to the precipitation flux at cloud base. A precise parameterization of this process is therefore an important issue in quantitative precipitation forecasts. Evaporation of raindrops provides also an important link between cloud microphysics and cloud dynamics. In mesoscale convective systems the evaporation of raindrops determines the strength of the cold pool and subsequently the organization and life time of convective systems. For boundary layer clouds observations show that often more than 80 % of the drizzle drops evaporate below cloud base and the associated cooling of the boundary layer has an important impact on the macroscopic cloud structure. In cloud-resolving numerical models the evaporation of raindrops received surprisingly little attention up to now. Usually the parameterizations follow Kessler’s assumptions, e.g. using an exponential drop size distribution combined with a power law relation for the fall speed. For convection-resolving models these assumptions might be insufficient as the variability of the size distribution in convective situations is much larger than in stratiform rain. Using a multi-moment approach, as it is done in some current research models, does not a-priori solve this problem but poses additional ones, like the question of size effects of evaporation. Does evaporation increase or decrease the mean size of the raindrops? To shed some light on theses issues the process of evaporation of raindrops below cloud base is investigated by numerical simulations using a idealized one-dimensional rainshaft model with high-
Sorghum dry biomass yield for solid bio-fuel production affected by different N-fertilization rates.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect on the dry biomass yield of two dfferent sorghum hybrids (H1 and H2) under five different N-fertilization levels (0, 70, 140, 210 and 280 kg ha) in a soil which was formed by lacustrine deposits of Karla Lake and is characterized from the downward movement of calcium carbonate from the surface horizons due to leaching (Fluventic Xerochrept) during 2017. The results demonstrated a significant effect (P < 0.05) of fertilization only for one hybrid. Biomass yield ranged from 22.2 to 37.5 t ha. For both hybrids, sorghum accumulated a high amount of biomass in stems. Dry stem/total biomass ratio was rather constant throughout the different fertilization treatments achieving 81.6 and 77.5% for the first (H1) and the second hybrid (H2), respectively. The second hybrid (H2) had a higher percentage of leaf biomass (20.1 vs. 13.8%) than the first (H1), but lagged behind in seed production (2.4 vs. 4.6%). Biomass dry matter partitioning and total dry weight are important selection criteria for energy crops, due to different gross calorific value and ash content but also because of the different economic importance they may have e.g. the seed is also used as animal feed. The above high biomass yields of sorghum, confirming the high potential of this crop, should be taken into serious consideration regarding land use planning, but further investigation for the gross calorific value and the ash content is needed as well as biomass characteristics that are quite important in case to improve the combustion process.
Influence of mechanical agitation on the pH profile of total, soluble and insoluble filter paper activity of Hypocrea jecorina cellulase preparations

The characterization of cellulases is complex and has gained increasing importance due to the application of cellulases in finishing of textile fibres and the conversion of lignocellulose into second generation ethanol. Usually two or three different substrates such as filter paper Whatman No. 1, carboxymethylcellulose and avicel are used to characterize total, endo (EG) and exoglucanase (ExG) activity, respectively, and assays are carried out without any mechanical agitation. Unfortunately, the different activities obtained are not directly comparable and do not reflect cellulase behaviour in industrial applications, mainly due to physic-chemical differences between the substrates and the adopted procedures. In this study the pH profiles of three different cellulase preparations from Hypocrea jecorina (former Trichoderma reesei) have been characterized with modified filter paper assays which permitted the distinction between EG and ExG activities using a single insoluble substrate. Furthermore, the influence of mechanical agitation was studied. With the modified procedures, it could be shown that the contribution of EG and ExG activity to total cellulase activity and the endo/exo activity ratio depends on the cellulase preparation and varies with pH. When the assay was carried out under orbital agitation, EG activity increased significantly and the endo/exo-activity ratio increased.
Evidence for hybridization between the endangered Roan Mountain bluet, Houstonia purpurea var. montana (Rubiaceae) and its common congener1

Abstract Hybridization in plants can be common, may lead to increased genetic variation, and in some instances the formation of new species. For endangered species, hybridization can introduce novel genetic variation and potentially increase genetic diversity. In contrast, hybridization can negatively affect an endangered species or population by introducing maladaptive alleles into locally adapted lineages or lead to the homogenization of once distinct lineages. We used microsatellites, AFLP markers, and morphological data to identify potential hybridization between the endangered Roan Mountain bluet (Houstonia purpurea var. montana) and its commonly occurring congener (H. purpurea var. purpurea). We used these data to clarify the taxonomic relationship of these varieties and to assess population structuring of the Roan Mountain bluet. The results showed that these lineages are distinct and few individuals exhibited admixture in several populations. Additionally, the results showed there is genetic population structure among the remaining populations of H. purpurea var. montana, which is consistent with other mountaintop species. Our results show that Roan Mountain bluet populations should be protected to maintain genetic diversity and monitored to assess future hybridization, and additional studies that comprise a greater population sampling would provide more information.