Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Converting oak woodland or savanna to vineyards may stress groundwater supply in summer

Water resources are important to land-use planning, especially in regions where converting native oak woodlands or savannas to wine grape vineyards may affect the amount of water available for restoring salmon runs. Research has shown that woodland conversion to grasslands (for possible rangeland grazing) leads to greater and more sustained stream flow and groundwater recharge; however, little information is available about woodland conversion to vineyards. To inform resource managers and planners, we developed a water balance model for soil and applied it to vineyards, native oak woodlands and annual grasslands to evaluate their relative use of groundwater. We applied the model to Sonoma County, using climate data from 1999 to 2011, and determined that oak tree canopy coverage of 40% to 60% results in annual groundwater extraction equivalent to that of an established irrigated vineyard. However, vineyard groundwater use far exceeded that of oak woodlands in late summer to early fall, which could further stress already affected groundwater resources. We also evaluated the prediction sensitivity of the model to key parameters associated with rain levels, soil water-holding capacity and irrigation management.
The jump of Petrobius (Thysanura, Machilidae)

The jump of the sea-shore bristletails, Petrobius brevistylis and P. maritimus, has been investigated. A brief study of jumping distance and orientation showed that jumping behaviour was partly random, particularly with regard to the direction of a jump. A high speed cine camera was used to analyse both forward and backward jumps. The jumping action consists of a tail beat which reflects the strong depression of the posterior abdomen. This swings up the anterior part of the body, including the centre of gravity. The model suggested to explain this action proposes two movements spreading from either end of the bristletail: 1. A straightening of the abdomen starting posteriorly, 2. An increasing ventral curvature of the thorax starting anteriorly. Movement 1 will account for the raising of the centre of gravity, and the rapidity of movement 2 will determine the final direction of the jump. The muscular basis of these movements has been discussed using the data of Manton (1972), Barlet (1967) and Bitsch (1973). A catapult system was proposed which depended on the dynamic balance between two abdominal muscular systems. It was suggested that the dorsal longitudinal muscles were antagonised by the deep oblique muscles. A short study of the energetics of jumping was made in order to estimate the times needed for sufficient energy to be stored for particular jumps. These times were then compared with known times spent by Petrobius in the cocked (energy storing) pre-jump position.
The 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2Receptor, Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ) is Expressed in Human Gestational Tissues and is Functionally Active in JEG3 Choriocarcinoma Cells

RNA was extracted from human gestational membranes and villous placental tissue following spontaneous delivery (n=15) or elective caesarean section (n=15) at term. The samples were subjected to Northern analysis, using a 2 kb cDNA probe for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma. The mRNA was detectable in all choriodecidual and villous placental samples, irrespective of mode of delivery, but was only rarely detectable in the amnion. The JEG3 choriocarcinoma cell line also expressed PPAR gamma. In order to evaluate PPAR mediated transcriptional activation in JEG3 cells, the cells were transfected with pTK-PPREx3-luc, a PPAR response element (PPRE) containing luciferase reporter construct. Subsequent treatment with 10 mu M 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)prostaglandin J(2) (15dPGJ(2)) resulted in an eight-fold stimulation of luciferase production relative to controls transfected with the same construct lacking the PPRE. This stimulation was concentration-dependent. These results suggest roles for PPAR gamma and its ligand in lipid, steroid and inflammatory mediator homeostasis and in remodelling of gestational tissues. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Riyadh during the winter season 2007-2008 and different risk factors impact

In the current study, two RT-PCR systems for detection (mono-specific) and typing (duplex) of RSV in clinical samples have been developed and validated. The two assays were exploited for studying the dissemination of RSV infection in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during season 2007/2008. Furthermore, the effect of certain risk factors, including gender, age and disease form, on extended and impact of the infection was analyzed. Of two hundreds collected samples, 70(35%) were positive for RSV infection, among which 40 (%&.1%) were type A and 30 (42.9 %) were type B viruses. This investigation is the first that describes the existence of both RSV subtypes in co-ordinance in Saudi Arabia children, with slight dominance of type A viruses. By analyzing the effect of risk factors on the disease epidemiology we confirmed that males, patients at young age and asthmatics are more susceptible for RSV infection and disease progression. keywords: Respiratiry synctial virus, RT-PCR, typing, risk factors, Saudi Arabia abbreviation: CEBRPubs URL: http://coebio.ksu.edu.sa/publication/? doShow=abstract&pubID=9 For futher details, please contact us at coebio@ksu.edu.sa or +966 1 46 76418 .
Observations on the behaviour of the Cape girdled lizard Cordylus cordylus (Reptilia: Cordylidae)

Cape girdled lizards Cordylus cordylus are social and territorial. Behaviour observed in captivity revealed at least 24 distinct postures and displays. Thermoregulatory behaviour was the most frequent of all behaviours observed (66·7%). Of the social behaviours, aggression was observed most frequently (72·1%). Six behavioural postures are not known to have been described before. This species has no bright colours or contrasting markings to use in displays to conspecifics.
Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Seed Oils from Six Pomegranate Cultivars

The fatty acid composition of the seed oils of six pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by gas chromatography. The seeds contained oil in the range of 51–152 mg kg-dry matter. Inter-cultivar differences in fatty acid composition were demonstrated [fatty acid esters as % (w/w) total fatty acid esters]. Sour cultivars had the highest oil content, while sour-sweet cultivars had the lowest oil content. Eleven fatty acids were identified. In all cultivars the predominant fatty acids were linoleic (25.2–38.6%) and oleic acid (24.8–35.5%) followed by palmitic (18.2–22.6%), stearic (6.9–10.4%), and linolenic acid (0.6–9.9%). To a lesser extent, arachidic (1.1–3.4%) and palmitoleic acid (0.2–2.7%) were also found in all cultivars. Lauric, myristic, behenic, and lignoceric acids were rarely detected. As far as we know, linolenic (18:3), arachidic (20:0), behenic (22:0), or lignoceric (24:0) acids have not been previously reported in the seed oils of edible pomegranate cultivars. Lignoceric acid has not previously been found in pomegranate seed oil.
Growth Trial with the American Oyster Crassostrea virginica Using Shrimp Pond Water as Feed

This study was conducted to quantify the potential of Crassostrea virginica biculture using marine shrimp pond water. It was envisioned that this biculhre could avoid cost and reliability problems associated with the mass production of algae as oyster feed. Such problems contributed to the failure of previous attempts to commercialize oyster culture. Oysters were reared in each of two flow through 310 L tanks receiving shrimp pond water from selected commercial semi-intensive shrimp ponds. In each tank, pond water was delivered to the upper trays and flowed downward through each of two seven tray stacks. For both tanks, mean oyster growth rate (2 g/wk) and survival (79%) from seed (0.04 g) to market size (55.0 g) compared favorably with previous reports and for the first time approximated the growth projected in a 1968 engineering study by American Cyanamid (Calbo et al. 1968). Oyster growth within and between tanks indicated a relationship between biomass and exchange rates. During a 65 d controlled monitoring period mean oyster growth rates of 3.7 g/wk were achieved in upper trays of both tanks. Data are provided to estimate optimum pond water flow rate and oyster biomass relationships. The prospects for shrimp and bivalve co-culture appear promising.
The effect of diet and housing on the development of sole haemorrhages, white line haemorrhages and heel erosions in Holstein heifers

Haemorrhagic lesions, heel erosions and changes in foot conformation have been associated with husbandry, underfoot conditions and nutrition of dairy cows. These characteristics were monitored in 40 heifers in a 2 × 2 factorial design starting in the last trimester of pregnancy and continuing until 12 weeks post partum. Primary treatments were housing in straw yards or cubicles and secondary treatments were alternative complete diets given during lactation which differed in concentrate: forage ratio. A scoring system was developed for each of the foot lesions to allow statistical analysis of results. Locomotion scoring was carried out weekly. White line haemorrhages, sole haemorrhages and heel erosions were all present before calving. White line haemorrhages were exacerbated by housing in cubicle yards and alleviated by housing in straw yards ( P P P P P P P
CO2 EMISSIONS

FCC technology has been a work horse in the petroleum industry since the 1940’s. Over the history of FCC, the primary focus for delivering additional value has been through improving the yield and selectivity performance. However, in the current high energy cost environment and progressively tightening environmental regulations, refiners have recently been expanding their FCC focus to include improved energy efficiency and reduced CO2 production.
Applying Graph Neural Networks on Heterogeneous Nodes and Edge Features

While there have been many works on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), most of these approaches only consider homogeneous-node graphs without edge features. However, many interesting problems feature different types of nodes and edge features. Based on the example of a power grid, we show that GNNs can learn to model heterogeneous nodes with little additional information given, but that special-purpose network architectures can improve upon that. We compare ﬁve different approaches which form a base for any practitioner to start experiments for their speciﬁc problem
Ctenodactylids from the Lower and Middle Miocene of Saudi Arabia

The ctenodactylids from the Lower and Middle Miocene of Saudi Arabia are represented by two species: Sayimys intermedius (Sen and Thomas, 1979) and Sayimys assarrarensis sp. nov. This new taxon differs from the other species of Sayimys by its larger size together with an association of characters such as the presence of a metalophulid II in d4 and the strength of the anteroloph and posteroloph in P4. A cladistic analysis involving Prosayimys flynni, Sayimys obliquidens, S. assarrarensis sp. nov., S. intermedius, S. sivalensis, S. baskini, and Metasayimys curvidens is provided. Sayimys assarrarensis sp. nov. nests between Sayimys obliquidens and Metasayimys curvidens as a relatively primitive taxon.
The isolation of a rickettsia‐like organism causing disease and mortality in Chilean salmonids and its confirmation by Koch's postulate

Abstract. A rickettsia-like organism (RLO) was isolated from infected coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), in cultures from six fish cell lines, but could not be cultured on 41 artificial media. The organism was confirmed by Koch's postulates as the aetiological agent of a systemic disease causing signifieant mortality among coho in Chile. The organism was a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen frequently observed within intracyto-plasmic vacuoles or inclusions of host cells, and appears to belong to the order Rickettsiales, family Rickettsiaceae and possibly the tribe Ehrlichiae. The organism, as well as the clinical signs and pathology it produces, is described. The disease, originally observed only in coho raised in seawater net pens, was reproduced experimentally in fish in both freshwater and seawater aquaria. Horizontal transmission without parasite vectors was observed in fish in both aquaria. The organism was shown, for the first time, to cause disease and mortality in Atlantic, Salmo salar L. , and Chinook, O. tshawytscha (Walbaum), salmon and rainbow trout, O. mykiss (Walbaum). Because of the systemic nature of the disease, it is proposed that it be called ‘salmonid rickettsial septicaemia’.
Winter Movements of Four Fish Species near a Thermal Plume in Northern Minnesota

Abstract During winter 1975, 17 yellow perch (Perca flavescens), 6 northern pike (Esox lucius), 3 walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum), and 2 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were equipped with radio frequency transmitters to compare their winter movements near the thermal plume of a power plant. The mean home range sizes, in hectares, were northern pike 19.0; yellow perch 13.4; largemouth bass 3.7; walleye 2.2. Northern pike and yellow perch had mean home range sizes larger than the discharge area. Mean water depths at fish locations were as follows: largemouth bass 0.8 m; northern pike 1.2 m; yellow perch 1.6 m; walleye 3.5 m. Largemouth bass preferred the warmest locations near the discharge point. Yellow perch were most often located in the peripheral areas of the discharge bay while walleyes were most often located in the deeper center area. Northern pike moved over the entire discharge area. All species except largemouth bass moved freely between discharge-affected and unaltered waters. The averag.
ECONOMIC STABILITY POLICIES AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS Políticas de estabilidad económica y programas sociales

In an ever more integrated world all countries face potential economic shocks from outside and social and political instability from inside. To deal with these problems many governments have adopted restrictive monetary and fiscal policies to accumulate monetary reserves while sacrificing resources away from social programs. Hence, governments trade economic stability for domestic political risk. This paper argues that the presence of such risk forces governments to adopt a heterodox, eclectic and very flexible approach to policy formation in order may maximize their chances to achieve long term social objectives.
Exploiting Transparency Measures for Membership Inference: a Cautionary Tale

Can an adversary exploit model explanations to infer information about the training set? To investigate this question, we focus on membership inference attacks : given a datapoint and a model explanation, the attacker’s goal is to decide whether the point belongs to the training data. We study this problem for two popular transparency methods: gradient-based attri-bution methods and record-based inﬂuence measures. We develop membership inference attacks based on these model explanations, and extensively test them on a variety of datasets. For gradient-based methods, we develop an attack that can be executed by an attacker that has very limited resources, while maintaining comparable accuracy to existing membership inference attacks. We show that record-based measures can be effectively utilized for membership inference attacks; more-over, we demonstrate that they can be exploited to recover signiﬁcant parts of the training set. Finally, our results indicate that minorities and outliers are more vulnerable to these type of attacks than majority groups.
UNIFORMITY OF NUCLEAR DNA CONTENT IN TRITICUM MONOCOCCUM L.

Nuclear DNA content of 41 strains of Triticum monococcum was measured by Feulgen-cytophotometry using pollen tetrads. Strains analyzed in the present study were belonging to both cultivated form, ssp. monococcum (7 strains) and wild form, ssp. boeoticum (8 strains of aegilopoides type and 26 of thaoudar type) collected from whole range of its distribution.Analysis of variance revealed remarkable uniformity of nuclear DNA content within this species, neither between cultivated and wild forms nor between two types of wild forms.
Sexual knowledge and practice of adolescent learners in a rural South African school

Background Premature sexual activity has become a norm in South African society, often resulting in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Occurrence of premature sexual activity is related to insufficient education, gender inequalities, household poverty and place of residence. The Stepping Stones project uses a 10-session programme to educate learners about relationships, HIV-prevention and teenage pregnancy. The purpose was to measure and describe learners' sexual knowledge and activities in a rural technical secondary school in North-west Province, South Africa. Methods A cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires were distributed to learners in grade 8 to 12. Descriptive statistics was used in analysis. Results Seventy-nine questionnaires were analysed. Despite a young sample, 26.6% were sexually active and 24.1% engaged in sexual activity. The mean age for first-time sexual intercourse was 15.2±2.3 years. The use of contraceptives was low (41.2%) and participants reported difficulty in talking to partners about condom use (54.8%). Almost half (45.5%) of the participants had never heard of STDs. Participants expressed a need to use social media as a sex education tool (12.3%). The primary source of information was from school-based programmes (58.0%). Conclusion Findings point to unsafe sexual practice of learners at a school in rural South Africa, even from an early age. This concern is accompanied by the occurrence of low levels of sexually-related knowledge. The learners would benefit from continued implementation of the Stepping Stones programme. Implementation could be improved by incorporating social media and emphasising gender equality and negotiation skills in sexually vulnerable situations.
A new and interesting site for the calcite-encrusted desmid Oocardium stratum Naeg. in the British Isles

Oocardium stratum has been discovered growing within a protruberant mass of crystalline travertine (“cron”) developing below a small spring near Cam Gill in the Yorkshire Dales. The site is described and compared with two others, one in nearby Gordale Beck and the other at Lahage, Belgium. Although the physical and chemical characteristics of two sites (Cam Gill and Lahage) are similar, there are few algae common to both. Cam Gill cron contains the best example of Oocardium travertine so far discovered in Britain. Oocardium growth rate at the new site is about 1 mm y-1.
The Effects of Land-use Policy on Commuting Distance and Road Related Adverse Health Outcomes or Aligning Transportation Policy with Residential Location Preference Among Tradeoffs

Integrating land use and transportation policy is widely understood as an efficient approach to meet sustainable transport objectives, yet impacts on residential location preference may limit policy effectiveness. Incorporating the effects on residential location preference is especially important for aligning policy decisions with policy goals. Using travel survey data, matched to block group characteristics, this study uncovers an important constraint: an integrated consumer-driven policy mix can influence households to either a more compact and accessible city or a more sprawled, revenue-generating city. We further estimate the effect of policy decisions on household exposure to road-traffic fatality and noise pollution, greenspace accessibility, and walkability and find significant differences in outcomes depending on the policy decision.
An investigation into chemical tanker offloading and loading processes: Do they protect against the full range of predicted human error types?

A recent analysis of over 1600 hazardous chemical incidents found that 65% were attributed as being either exclusively or partially due to human errors. Previous studies into understanding human error causes have concentrated on retrospectively analysing these incidents and categorising the initiating cause against human error taxonomies such as Reason’s model of unsafe acts or Rasmussen’s Skills, Rules and Knowledge (SRK) classification. This study investigates industry understanding and practice prior to an incident occurring by interviewing engineering and operations staff of high hazard chemical plants that perform the common task of tanker loading or offloading. Engineering and Operations personnel at 10 top-tier COMAH sites were interviewed to compare their perception of human error problems and existing barriers present on their loading/ offloading operation with the predicted errors and protection proposed by theoretical human error models and regulatory or industry guidance. Because of the scarcity of literature on the pre-incident perception of engineers and operators involved in tanker operations, knowledge elicitation from the practitioners was employed to identify and examine their underlying ideas, assumptions and conceptualisations of the task. Semi-structured interviews took place at the engineers or operators workplace where they described the loading/ unloading process, any mistakes that might be made and what barriers were in place to prevent them. The interviews were recorded and transcribed into a data analysis package where template analysis was used to analyse the results. The template was based on the HSE model of human failure types and each error type was augmented with any academic, regulatory or industry guidance recommended for preventing the error. Any themes in the interview text relating to the human error types or recommended prevention methods were logged to develop a picture of the engineers and operators understanding. The study showed that while many of the recommended practices to prevent human error are in common use, there is a reliance on the competency and integrity of the individual and examples where this barrier failed were readily available. The checking of critical steps was generally weak, however the removal of time pressures and distractions to guard against omissions and lapses was pro-actively managed by the majority of participants and there were a number of examples of good practice that could easily be adopted by all companies to improve their operations.
Estimates of damage by herbivorous insects on Eucalyptus trees

High levels of insect damage on Eucalyptus have been noted but not quantified in previous literature. We present estimates of leaf damage for 44 Eucalyptus species from a variety of habitats. Overall, an average of 15% of expanded leaf area was missing. While some species were generally lightly grazed, others, especially those in more mesic. higher altitude communities, usually sustained much heavier leaf damage. In the age and size classes, communities and years that we sampled, the overall levels of damage to eucalypts were higher than chronic damage levels reported for north temperate communities. We also suggest a simple method for rapidly estimating the proportion of leaf area missing from trees.