Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Application of Predictive Models of Surface Water Extent to Identify Aquatic Refuges in Eastern Australian Temporary Stream Networks

Many organisms living in temporary streams rely on remnant surface water to survive during extended dry periods and recolonize newly established habitats when flow resumes. However, research on the spatiotemporal variations in surface water extent for entire river networks is scarce. In this study, we first present a new field method for rapid surface water assessment. Next, we develop predictive models relating observed water extent to environmental attributes at a large number of surveyed stream segments (n = 241) in eastern Australian coastal catchments. We use the models to predict daily variations in surface water dynamics throughout entire river networks over the period of 1911–2017, based on available long‐term environmental attributes influencing hydrological processes. We find descriptors of surface water extent can be accurately predicted based on robust internal and external validations. Environmental predictor variables representing water gaining processes were more important in predicting surface water extent than variables representing water losses. Simulated long‐term variations in surface water extent were highly dynamic through space and time, particularly in inland streams, which were predicted to be the driest on average. Total stream length with surface water ranged from 8,974 to 13,742 km across the study period. Our study presents a novel and practical approach to quantifying and predicting variations in surface water extent, with potential applicability to other parts of the world. The simulated surface water extent through space and time can be used to identify and prioritize potential aquatic refuge areas that sustain aquatic biodiversity in river networks during extended dry periods.
Modelling the vegetation response to the 8.2 ka bp cooling event in Europe and Northern Africa

The 8.2 ka bp cooling event is assumed to be the most clearly marked abrupt climate event in the Holocene at northern mid‐ to high latitudes. In this study, we simulate the vegetation responses to the 8.2 ka bp climate change event over Europe and Northern Africa. Our results show that all dominant plant functional types (PFTs) over Europe and North Africa respond to these climate changes, but the magnitude, timing and impact factor of their responses are different. Compared with pollen‐based vegetation reconstructions, our simulation generally captures the main features of vegetation responses to the 8.2 ka bp event. Interestingly, in Western Europe, the simulated vegetation after perturbation is different from its initial state, which is consistent with two high‐resolution pollen records. This different vegetation composition indicates the long‐lasting impact of abrupt climate change on vegetation through eco‐physiological and ecosystem demographic processes, such as plant competition. Moreover, our simulations suggest a latitudinal gradient in the magnitude of the event, with more pronounced vegetation responses to the severe cooling in the north and weaker responses to less severe cooling in the south. This effect is not seen in pollen records. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palynological biozonation of the Permian of Oman and Saudi Arabia: progress and challenges

Extensive palynological work in sequences in Oman and Saudi Arabia, has allowed a framework of eight biozones for the uppermost Carboniferous to Permian rocks in that region. Five of these are established in the palyniferous uppermost Carboniferous to Lower Permian sequence in Oman, and to some extent these are recognisable in sequences of central and southern Saudi Arabia. OSPZ1 (Oman and Saudi Arabia Palynological Zone 1), associated with the lower parts of the Al Khlata Formation and the Unayzah C member, is probably Stephanian in age. OSPZ2 is Asselian-Sakmarian in age, and is associated with the upper part of the Al Khlata Formation and the Unayzah B member. OSPZ3, which is subdivided into three sub-biozones, is associated with the Lower Gharif member; its age may lie in the range late Sakmarian to Artinskian, based on palynology and brachiopod-based ages for the Haushi Limestone, locally present toward the top of the Lower Gharif member. The composition of assemblages from OSPZ1 to OSPZ3 is similar to that of coeval sequences in other former Gondwana countries and the chronostratigraphical ages assigned to them are partly gained from correlation with faunally-calibrated Western Australian palynological biozones. At the level of OSPZ4, such correlation becomes difficult because significant differences are evident between Western Australian and Arabian assemblages, and because other Gondwana palynological biozonations, with which Arabia has greater affinity, are poorly constrained chronostratigraphically. OSPZ4 and the succeeding two biozones are established in the sporadically palyniferous Middle and Upper Permian sequences of Oman and Saudi Arabia. OSPZ4, though poorly characterised due to low palynological recovery, is probably ‘mid-Artinskian’ to Kungurian in age, and is associated with the Middle Gharif member. OSPZ5, present in southeast Saudi Arabia and Oman appears to be associated with the lower to middle parts of the Upper Gharif member, and is constrained in age, partly by the faunally-dated overlying Oman Khuff carbonates, as being Roadian or earliest Wordian in age. So far the assemblages of the highest biozone, OSPZ6, have been recovered only from the ‘basal Khuff clastics’ of central Saudi Arabia, and are believed to be younger than those of OSPZ5; dating by palynological means is difficult but recent microfaunal studies of the ‘basal Khuff clastics’ suggest a Capitanian age. Further study in appropriate palyniferous sections in other Middle Eastern countries may allow a more complete palynological succession to be established.
Noninvasive Assessment of Diffuse Liver Diseases Using Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE)

Because of the limitations and invasive nature of liver biopsy, other noninvasive means are being tested for the evaluation of diffuse liver diseases. One of these methods is vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). This chapter reviews the principle of VCTE, the examination technique, the normal range for liver stiffness values, the pathological changes that may influence liver stiffness, as well as the diagnostic performance in several diffuse liver diseases, especially chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease. Apart from the assessment of fibrosis stages, we will also discuss the diagnosis of cirrhosis and its complications as well as other applications of VCTE, reviewing its advantages and limitations.
Assessment of abdominal visceral fat measured by dual bioelectrical impedance analysis in rugby football players

Visceral fat accumulation is a notable risk factor in the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic and circulatory disorders. In this study, we measured visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) in rugby football players by using dual bioelectrical impedance analysis, as well as other metabolic and circulatory parameters. A total of 28 male players (15 forwards, 13 backs; mean age±SD: 23±4 years) participated in this study. VFA and SFA were significantly correlated with body weight. Thus, heavier players had higher VFA and SFA as well as higher body weight. In addition, VFA was significantly correlated with various blood parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and triglyceride. Six of the 28 players met the criteria for visceral obesity, defined as both body mass index ≥25 kg/m and VFA ≥100 cm. In some of these players, blood parameters such as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL, triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL, or systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg indicated elevated risk for metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that in athletes like heavier rugby football players, abdominal visceral fat accumulation may indicate risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med, 64(2): 251-259 (2015)
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Prophylactic Ganciclovir for Cytomegalovirus Pulmonary Infection in Recipients of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplants

Abstract Background. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated interstitial pneumonia is a major cause of death after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. We conducted a controlled trial of ganciclovir in recipients of bone marrow transplants who had asymptomatic pulmonary CMV infection. We also sought to identify risk factors for the development of CMV interstitial pneumonia. Methods. After bone marrow transplantation, 104 patients who had no evidence of respiratory disease underwent routine bronchoalveolar lavage on day 35. The 40 patients who had positive cultures for CMV were randomly assigned to either prophylactic ganciclovir or observation alone. Ganciclovir (5 mg per kilogram of body weight intravenously) was given twice daily for two weeks and then five times per week until day 120. Results. Of the 20 culture-positive patients who received prophylactic ganciclovir, 5 (25 percent) died or had CMV pneumonia before day 120, as compared with 14 of the 20 culture-positive control patients (70 percent) who w.
Developing and Validating an Instrument to Measure Academic Self-Regulation

The purposes of this investigation were to develop and validate a comprehensive assessment instrument to measure academic self-regulation as a personal trait. The instrument was predicated upon an evidence-based conceptual framework of academic self-regulation which described the interactions between cognitive, motivational, volitional, and environmental variables and learners’ activating purposeful goal oriented actions. Seven separate studies which included over 1000 undergraduate and graduate students at a large mid-Atlantic university provided reliability and validity evidence for this instrument. Data analysis included Rasch analysis, item response and item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis comparing the developed instrument with a version of an instrument frequently used in studies of academic self-regulation, multiple regression analysis predicting the scales of the frequently used instrument through the developed instrument, item-total correlations, and Cronbach’s alpha for each scale and for the entire questionnaire. Findings included evidence that the model accurately represented academic selfregulation; that the developed instrument was reliable; that the instrument had excellent content, structural, substantive, and criterion validity; and that the instrument appeared to yield useful information about the degree to which learners engaged academic self-regulation skills. While additional validation studies are warranted, three potential applications of this instrument are: to investigate academic self-regulation variables; to design learning environments to promote academic self-regulation; and to assess and assist individual learners develop academic self-regulation skills and dispositions.
Prediction of Wrinkling of a Beverage Can Subjected to the Redrawing Process by J2 Deformation Theory

Wrinkling of beverage cans is one of the problems faced by can manufacturers and aluminum suppliers. The bottom of an aluminum can is wrinkled by compression during the forming process. In this study, to predict the occurrence of wrinkles during the redrawing process of AA3104 (t = 0.265 mm), which is the material used to fabricate aluminum cans, the classical plasticity J2 deformation theory (J2D) and flow theory (J2F) were considered. J2F considers only the deformation perpendicular to the yield locus, whereas J2D considers the deformation perpendicular to the yield locus and that tangential to the yield locus. Wrinkles are predicted using finite element (FE) analyses based on J2D and J2F, and the results are compared. J2F could not predict the number and amplitude of wrinkles. By contrast, the wrinkles predicted using J2D exhibited good agreement with sample data obtained for a real can. To find the difference between the results obtained using J2F and J2D, evolutions of stress path in a wrinkled element are compared. It was confirmed that compressive stress is more dominant in the J2D case than in the J2F case. Moreover, the measured effective strain of the element is small, under 0.04. In conclusion, J2D is more suitable for predicting the wrinkling behavior of aluminum cans than J2F. In addition, ANOVA and ANOM analysis are performed to evaluate the influence of the design parameters, namely friction coefficient, thickness, and outer profile angle, and the parameters are optimized to reduce wrinkles by combining the Taguchi method with FE simulation based on the J2D theory.
Performance characteristics of cable bolts in pull and shear testing

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The effects of Cross-fit, Pilates and Zumba exercise on body composition and body image of women

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate body composition and body image of women doing CrossFit, Pilates and Zumba exercises. Material and Methods: This study was carried out to investigate body composition and body areas satisfaction of women doing CrossFit, Pilates and Zumba exercises, 80 women voluntarily being in an average age of 42.74±8.47 voluntarily participated in the research. The women were grouped into two such as experimental (n=45) and control (n=35). The women in experimental group were applied 30-70min mixed exercises (CrossFit, Plates, Zumba) for 4 days in a week throughout 12 weeks to have target heart rate of 50-60%. Results: A significant difference was found between body weight and BMI pre-test and post-test values of women who were applied mixed exercise program (CrossFit, Pilates, Zumba). There was a decrease in both body weight and average means of BMI of women. A significant difference was found between body areas satisfaction pre-test and post-test values of women who were applied CrossFit, Pilates, Zumba exercise program. While pre-test value of body areas satisfaction of women who were applied mixed exercise program was determined as 31.68±6.11, its post-test value was 35.68±5.02. It is remarkable that while body weight and BMI of women doing exercises decreased, their body areas satisfaction values increased. It was indicated that the body areas satisfaction of women having weight loss increased. A significant difference was not found between body weight, BMI and body areas satisfaction pre-test and post-test values of women in control group. Conclusion : It was concluded that there were positive effects on body weight, BMI and body image.
Investigation of Selected Utility Properties of Woven Fabrics Made of Soybean Protein Fibres

Soybean Protein Fibres (SPF) are man-made fibres manufactured from the proteins contained in soybeans. They are biodegradable fibres derived from renewable sources, friendly for people and the environment. Within the framework of the work presented, selected utility properties of fabrics containing SPFs were investigated. The scope of the investigation included determination of mechanical properties, drapeability, water-vapour permeability and liquid moisture transport. The investigations carried out allowed to evaluate the utility value of fabrics made with the use of SPFs and to compare the fabric 100% made of SPFs with ones with weft yarns other than from SPFs. The research showed that fabrics with SPFs are suitable for clothing products, which may be a very good alternative to the currently available clothing made from fabrics containing standard natural and chemical fibres.
The Use of Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder

O bsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder, affecting 1% to 3% of the population. Patients struggle with obsessive thoughts, compulsive rituals, and avoidance behaviors. Symptoms are time-consuming, intrusive, and difficult to resist. The disorder is chronic, tends to wax and wane in severity over a patient’s lifetime, and rarely remits spontaneously. Suicide attempts have been reported by 10% to 27% of patients with OCD and are particularly likely in those with more severe illness or depressive comorbidity. The use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and ritual prevention (E/RP) revolutionized the care of this previously untreatable illness. The Expert Consensus Panel for OCD has recommended CBT alone as first-line treatment for milder OCD in adults and an SRIwith or without CBT for more severe OCD. Proper implementation of these interventions, however, requires patience and expertise. Response to SRIs in treatment of OCD is slower than that seen in treatment of depression. For instance, in one clomipramine trial, maximum symptom reduction did not occur until the 10th week of treatment. Because OCD symptoms respond more slowly to SRI treatment, an adequate trial would be 8 to 12 After reading this article, the practitioner should be able to:
Observations of Shoaling Nonlinear Internal Bores across the Central California Inner Shelf

We present observations of shoaling nonlinear internal bores off the coast of central California. The dataset includes 15 moorings deployed during September–October 2017 and cross-shore shipboard surveys. We describe the cross-shore structure and evolution of large-amplitude internal bores as they transit from 9 km (100-m depth) to 1 km offshore (10 m). We observe that two bores arrive each semidiurnal period, both propagating from the southwest; of the total, 72% are tracked to the 10-m isobath. The bore speeds are subtidally modulated, but there is additional bore-to-bore speed variability that is unexplained by the upstream stratification. We quantify temporal and cross-shore variability of the waveguide (the background conditions through which bores propagate) by calculating the linear longwave nonrotating phase speed co and using the nonlinearity coefficient of the Korteweg–de Vries equation α as a metric for stratification. Bore fronts are generally steeper when α is positive and are more rarefied when α is negative, and we observe the bore’s leading edge to rarefy from a steep front when α is positive offshore and negative inshore. High-frequency α fluctuations, such as those nearshore driven by wind relaxations, contribute to bore-to-bore variability of the cross-shore evolution during similar subtidal waveguide conditions. We compare observed bore speeds with co and the rotating group velocities cg, concluding that observed speeds are always faster than cg and are slower than co at depths greater than 32 m and faster than co at depths of less than 32 m. The bores maintain a steady speed while transiting into shallower water, contrary to linear estimates that predict bores to slow.
Phase equilibrium calculations in shale gas reservoirs

Cited as: Zhang, T. , Li, Y. , Sun, S. Phase equilibrium calculations in shale gas reservoirs. Capillarity, 2019, 2(1): 8-16, doi: 10.26804/capi.2019. 01.02. Abstract: Compositional multiphase flow in subsurface porous media is becoming increasingly attractive due to issues related with enhanced oil recovery, CO2 sequestration and the urgent need for development in unconventional oil/gas reservoirs. One key effort to construct the mathematical model governing the compositional flow is to determine the phase compositions of the fluid mixture, and then calculate other related physical properties. In this paper, recent progress on phase equilibrium calculations in unconventional reservoirs has been reviewed and concluded with authors’ own analysis, especially focusing on the special mechanisms involved. Phase equilibrium calculation is the main approach to investigate phase behaviors, which could be conducted using different variable specifications, such as the NPT flash and NVT flash. Recently, diffuse interface models, which have been proved to possess a high consistency with thermodynamic laws, have been introduced in the phase equilibrium calculation, incorporating the realistic equation of state (EOS), e.g. Peng-Robinson EOS. In the NVT flash, the Helmholtz free energy is minimized instead of the Gibbs free energy used in NPT flash, and this thermodynamic state function is decomposed into two terms using the convex-concave splitting technique. A semi-implicit numerical scheme is applied to the dynamic model, which ensures the thermodynamic stability and then preserves the fast convergence property. A positive definite coefficient matrix is designed to meet the Onsager reciprocal principle so as to keep the entropy increasing property in the presence of capillary pressure, which is required by the second law of thermodynamics. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by using two numerical examples, one of which has up to seven components. In the complex fluid mixture, special phenomena could be captured from the global minimum of tangent plane distance functions and the phase envelope. It can be found that the boundary between the single-phase and vapor-liquid two phase regions shifts in the presence of capillary pressure, and then the area of each region changes accordingly. Furthermore, the effect of the nanopore size distribution on the phase behavior has been analyzed and a multi-scale scheme is presented based on literature reviews. Fluid properties including swelling factor, criticality, bubble point and volumetrics have been investigated thoroughly by comparing with the bulk fluid flow in a free channel.
The impact of transition from university on physically active students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of leaving university on physically active students, to assess barriers related to physical activity during this period and to gather commentary on recommendations on how to continue activity post-university. Students in the action (22%) and maintenance (78%) stages of the exercise behaviour change model were identified as they graduated from university in July 1996. Results showed that 22% of the population relapsed from participating in regular physical activity after a six-month follow-up period. The results also indicated that the barriers assessed, i.e. time, effort, limiting health and obstacles, were not perceived as being particularly important to the respondents. These results show that transition from university impacts on regular physical activity levels on physically active graduates. Given that inactivity is a recognised risk factor in disease and is now as prevalent as other risk factors, higher education has a responsibility to encourage physically active lifestyles and to help graduates plan how to continue physical activity beyond university.