Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic Pressures Decrease Structural Complexity in Caucasian Forests of Iran

ABSTRACT The Arasbaran Protected Area of northern Iran encompasses 160,000 ha of deciduous, broadleaved forest with 78,560 ha recently designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve. Our study objectives were to (1) quantify whether anthropogenic pressures measurably impacted the structural complexity of Arasbaran forests and (2) determine which structural complexity indices were most sensitive to anthropogenic pressures in Arasbaran forests. We identified and sampled three study sites with high, moderate, and low levels of anthropogenic pressures and used nine forest structural indices to develop structural complexity indices. High anthropogenic pressure resulted in aggregated tree distribution, uniformity in tree sizes, and less heterogeneous forest structure. The structural indices particularly sensitive to anthropogenic pressure were diameter differentiation, height differentiation, Gini coefficient, and structural diversity. Structural complexity appears to be a useful method for quantifying the impacts of anthropogenic pressure on montane deciduous forests. Regular sampling of the diameter differentiation index, height differentiation index, Gini coefficient and structural diversity index should be integrated into conservation management plans for the Arasbaran Protected Area. RÉSUMÉ L'aire protégée d'Arasbaran, dans le nord de l'Iran, comprend 160,000 ha de forêt feuillue décidue, dont 78,560 ha ont récemment été désignés en tant que réserve de biosphère de l'UNESCO (Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'éducation, la science et la culture). Nos objectifs étaient (1) d'évaluer quantitativement si les pressions anthropiques affectaient la complexité structurelle des forêts d'Arasbaran et (2) de déterminer quels indices de complexité structurelle sont les plus sensibles aux pressions anthropiques dans les forêts d'Arasbaran. Nous avons identifié et échantillonné trois sites d'étude avec des niveaux de pression anthropique élevé, modéré et faible et nous avons utilisé neuf indices de structure forestière pour développer des indices de complexité structurelle. Une pression anthropique élevée résultait en une répartition agrégée des arbres, des tailles uniformes et une structure forestière moins hétérogène. Les indices structurels les plus sensibles à la pression anthropique étaient la différenciation du diamètre, la différenciation de la hauteur, le coefficient de Gini et la diversité structurelle. La complexité structurelle semble utile pour mesurer les effets des pressions anthropiques sur les forêts décidues de montagne. Un échantillonnage régulier de l'indice de différenciation du diamètre, de l'indice de différenciation de la hauteur, du coefficient de Gini et de la diversité structurelle devrait être intégré aux plans de gestion de la conservation de l'aire protégée d'Arasbaran.
Analysis on the Dynamic Attributes of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

An eminently transmissible and dead-dealing pathogenic coronavirus come to light in late 2019, which was known as Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) and has caused a lethal pandemic of acute respiratory disease, named ‘Coronavirus disease 2019’ (COVID-19), which menace human health and public safety. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that are phenotypically and genotypically myriad. In this Review, we light on the the basic virological concept of SARS-CoV-2, including genomic attributes and receptor use, highlighting its role key variance from previously known coronaviruses. The virus spreads faster than its two ancestors the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but has lower fatality. The global impact of this new epidemic is yet uncertain. CoV can lead to a range of conditions as mild as the common cold, fever and cough and as severe as pneumonia, respiratory distress kidney failure or even death. These viruses are zoonotic, that is, they are transmitted between animals and humans. A couple of coronaviruses were previously identified: MERS-CoV, which causes Middle East respiratory syndrome and was transmitted from dromedary camels to humans, and SARS-CoV, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome and was transmitted from civet cats to humans. COVID-19 is believed to have been transmitted zoonotically, in a wet market in Wuhan where game animals and meat were sold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with seven U.S. health care systems and research centers with integrated medical, laboratory, and vaccination records, established the VISION Network to assess the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines with respect to laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated hospitalizations, ICU admissions, or visits to emergency departments or urgent care clinics from January 1 through June 22, 2021. We searched PubMed, LitCovid, and MedRxiv using the search terms coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, 2019- nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19 for studies published from January 1, 2002, to November 23, 2021, and the references of select articles for additional relevant articles searched manually also. Ongoing or completed clinical trials were identified using the disease search term coronavirus infection on ClinicalTrials.gov, the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. We selected articles relevant and in close approach to a systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, general medicine readership, and prioritizing randomized clinical trials.
Functional Anthropometry and Ranges of Motion of Older Mexican American Adults

Among all older adult groups in the US, older Mexican American adults report the most functional limitation in activities of daily living. Upper extremity functional reaches and range of motion measures in older Mexican American adults may help explain their functional limitations and task performance in activities of daily living. However, there is little information on functional reaches and ranges of motion of older Mexican American adults, and how age and gender may influence their reach capability. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to determine the effects of age and gender of older Mexican American adults on functional reaches and range of motion measures. Stature and 20 functional reaches and ranges of motion were measured in 250 (125 females and 125 males) older Mexican American adults recruited randomly from 3500 older Mexican American adults in a retired senior volunteers program. Regression analyses indicate that age and gender have significant cross-sectional effects on several important functional reaches and ranges of motion in older Mexican American adults. Insights on product design and living space considerations for older adults based on age-related functional performance changes are discussed.
Electrical CD characterisation of binary and alternating aperture phase shifting masks

Many of the recent advances in optical lithography have been driven by the utilisation of complex photomasks using Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) or phase shifting technologies. These masks are difficult and expensive to manufacture so the ability to test and characterise the mask making process is very important. This paper examines the issues involved in the use of relatively low cost Electrical Critical Dimension (ECD) measurement of mask features. Modified cross-bridge test structures have been designed to allow the on-mask measurement of dense and isolated, binary and phase shifted layouts. The results of electrical and Critical Dimension Scanning Electron Microscope (CD-SEM) testing of these structures are presented and indicate the lower variability associated with ECD measurements. In particular the adverse effect of phase shifting elements on the accuracy of SEM measurements is highlighted.
Covid-19 and Firms’ Stock Price Growth: The Role of Market Capitalization

ABSTRACT This paper studies the role of capitalization on firms’ stock price growth in response to new cases of Covid-19 infections in the United States. Controlling for firm and time fixed effects, our panel model estimates show that the effect of new cases of Covid-19 infections on firms’ stock price growth is significantly increasing in capitalization: For each one standard deviation increase in capitalization, a one standard deviation increase in new cases of Covid-19 infections increases the weekly growth rate of firms’ stock prices by about 0.7% points. Effects of capitalization on the impact that Covid-19 infections have on firms’ stock price growth are largest in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector. Smaller but still positive effects of capitalization are present in the pharmaceutical products, high-tech, and banking and finance sectors. The results are robust to controlling firms’ elasticity of demand, productivity, financial constraints, managerial compensations, and aggregate money growth and economic activity.
Ambient-intelligence, rapid-prototyping and where real people might fit into factories of the future

Artificial intelligence systems have been improving for a decade (Sanders, 1999) and new advances in machine intelligence may not be far away. Ambient-intelligence has been developing to create seamless interactions between people and digital systems (Riva et al., 2005). These electro-mechanical systems will be personalized and responsive to people. In industrial research, a less human and more system-centred definition of ambient-intelligence is emerging but industrial use is limited (Stokic et al., 2007). Although the introduction of ambient-intelligence into assembly and manufacturing is slow (Sanders et al., 2008), it promises to bring improvements in flexibility, reconfigurability and reliability.
Non‐stationary and interactive effects of climate and competition on pink salmon productivity

Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) are exposed to increased environmental change and multiple human stressors. To anticipate future impacts of global change and to improve sustainable resource management, it is critical to understand how wild salmon populations respond to stressors associated with human‐caused changes such as climate warming and ocean acidification, as well as competition in the ocean, which is intensified by the large‐scale production and release of hatchery reared salmon. Pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) are a keystone species in the North Pacific Ocean and support highly valuable commercial fisheries. We investigated the joint effects of changes in ocean conditions and salmon abundances on the productivity of wild pink salmon. Our analysis focused on Prince William Sound in Alaska, because the region accounts for ~50% of the global production of hatchery pink salmon with local hatcheries releasing 600–700 million pink salmon fry annually. Using 60 years of data on wild pink salmon abundances, hatchery releases, and ecological conditions in the ocean, we find evidence that hatchery pink salmon releases negatively affect wild pink salmon productivity, likely through competition between wild and hatchery juveniles in nearshore marine habitats. We find no evidence for effects of ocean acidification on pink salmon productivity. However, a change in the leading mode of North Pacific climate in 1988–1989 weakened the temperature–productivity relationship and altered the strength of intraspecific density dependence. Therefore, our results suggest non‐stationary (i.e., time varying) and interactive effects of ocean climate and competition on pink salmon productivity. Our findings further highlight the need for salmon management to consider potential adverse effects of large‐scale hatchery production within the context of ocean change.
Effect of Anatomical and Physiological Factors on Ultrasonic Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Score in Iraqi Women Presenting with Breast Lumps

BACKGROUND: Breast lumps are a common presentation that can be assess non-invasively using the ultrasonic examination. AIM: The study aimed to assess the effect of different anatomical and physiological factors on the outcome of ultrasonic scoring of breast lumps. METHODS: A total of 60 females presented with a breast lump on ultrasound assessment were randomly selected after their consent at the Clinic for Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Baghdad. The results were expressed according to the ultrasound breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) scoring. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the BI-RADS score with breast size, age, postmenopausal state, and personal or familial history of breast disease. Most cases (46.7%) scored BI-RADS II, followed by scores of III (21.6%), 4 (16.7%), and V (15%). The upper lateral quadrant of the breast was the most commonly affected sites. Marital status, parity, and breastfeeding didn’t have statistically significant influence on the sores. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic BI-RADS scoring of breast lumps provides an initial reliable tool for the management of breast disease. Higher scores are associated with increasing breast size, age, postmenopausal state, and personal or familial history of breast disease. Several anatomical, physiological, hereditary, and environmental aspects influence such factors.
Real-time speed profile calculation for fuel saving considering unforeseen situations and travel time

Driving style is a key variable which we can influence in order to reduce consumption and pollutant emissions, but other variables also need to be taken into account, such as safety, comfort and travel time. There are different alternatives for obtaining the optimal speed and gear by taking into account the vertical profile of the road and vehicle characteristics. Of these alternatives, Dynamic Programming (DP) provides fairly satisfactory results. However, this calculation involves a high computation cost when it is used to calculate long routes, which poses practical problems when the route can be varied frequently or when unexpected traffic events make it necessary to recalculate the speed profile. This study proposes a solution that is closer to the optimal solution. The algorithm is based on simple action rules for elementary road profiles that have been previously obtained using DP. Furthermore, these rules are recalculated in order to fulfil a predefined travel time. The algorithm has been used in different traffic situations on a real route and differences with the optimal solution have been evaluated so that the conditions where it works better are assessed.
Influence of fatty acids composition in different tissue of mice feeds with fish oils

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play an important role in human health. Fish oils enriched with EPA and DHA have commercialized in triacylglycerol (TAG) and ethyl ester forms (EE). In this study, we compared the impact of diets containing fish oil in ethyl ester and triacylglycerol forms as a lipid source in five different tissues as liver, skeleteral muscle, brain, and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT). The DHA levels were higher in the WAT and skeletal muscle of TAG and EE groups in comparison with the SB group. The body weight and brain, liver, epididymal WAT, and gastrocnemius muscle weights, and serum glucose, TG, cholesterol were not different between the groups. Thus, we conclude that EPA and DHA in the form of EE or TAG influence the fatty acids composition of different tissues.
Phosphate abatement using calcium silicate hydrate synthesized from alum factory solid waste residue

ABSTRACT Calcium silicate hydrate (CSH), synthesized from the solid waste residue (SWR) of Awash Melkassa Alum Factory was examined for phosphate removal from an aqueous solution. The synthesized CSH was characterized using BET surface area analyzer, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Response surface methodology (RSM) adapted to assess a model equation that correlates the phosphate removal efficiency (R %) with the factors affecting adsorption such as initial phosphate concentration (Co), adsorbent dosage, pH, and time (t). Optimum removal efficiency of 95.69% attained at Co =5.5 mg/L, dose = 5 g/L, pH = 5, and t = 90 min at which consecutive experiments conducted. The adsorption kinetics experimental data fitted well to both pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.999) and Elovich model (R2 = 0.996) imply that chemisorption is dominant adsorption mechanism for phosphate adsorption on CSH. The isotherm experimental data fitted well to the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.965). The maximum phosphate adsorption capacity (qm) of 82.58 mg/g obtained at 45°C. The attained negative standard free energy (ΔGo = −5.18 kJ/mol) and positive enthalpy (ΔHo = 7.10 kJ/mol) confirms the spontaneity and endothermic nature of phosphate adsorption by CSH. The synthesized CSH tested for its phosphate removal (R = 63.78%) using real wastewater collected from a local wastewater treatment plant. Bicarbonate and sulfate observed to compete for active sites on the adsorbent during phosphate removal. Generally, the synthesized CSH can be considered as a low-cost silicate material for phosphate abatement. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Barriers and strategies for dry sanitation in large-scale and urban settings

Centralized waterborne sanitation faces serious social, economic and environmental sustainability challenges. Dry sanitation (DS) may ease some of those, but it is not known whether DS can be a viable solution at large scales and in urban settings. We assessed DS viability in a broad range of large scale and urban contexts in Mexico. Here, we synthesize the operational and structural barriers encountered across a diversity of sites, provide an understanding of how and why those barriers arose and propose a set of strategies through which those barriers can be addressed. We include reference to other large-scale and urban experiences outside Mexico.
Partially-drained loading of shallow foundations on sand

Wave loading on offshore structures founded on sand can result in partially drained response of the foundation soil. The characteristics of the rate of loading, the permeability of the soil, and the size of the foundation affect the degree of partial drainage. Partial drainage refers to situations where pore pressures develop in the soil, and the response of the soil is neither fully drained nor undrained. This thesis is concerned with the effects of loading rate, and consequent drainage, on the behaviour of a flat footing that is founded on the surface of a saturated sand base. The results of physical tests performed in the laboratory on a model-sized footing are reported. The footing was founded on oil-saturated fine sand and was subjected to combined loading. The effect of the vertical, horizontal, and rotational displacements are reported. The response of the footing is analysed in the context of existing drained foundation models that are based on work hardening plasticity theory. The rate dependency of the vertical load:deformation behaviour and the combined yield surfaces are described.
Toward Equity-Based Pedagogy: Monolingual Teachers’ Transformative Thinking Process

The reality that English language learners (ell s) have not been receiving adequate support in the mainstream classroom calls for urgency to prepare teachers in teacher education programs. Grounded in the theoretical construct of praxis and linguistically and culturally relevant approach (lcra), the purpose of this article is to share the author’s experience on how she supported monolingual teachers to engage in equity-based pedagogy. This article will focus on the specific projects that the author’s graduate students (mostly white and monolingual teachers/teacher candidates) conducted as a way to better understand the diverse needs of ell s in the dominant English context. The projects include: reflecting on monolingual identities through being in ell s’ shoes, building professional capital through theories of language learning, discussing and critiquing texts on ell s with a critical lens, designing lessons that integrate ell s’ culture as well as conducting the fieldwork in local schools, and synthesizing learning through the options of multiple final projects including learning a new language (e.g., ell s’ primary language). These activities intended to promote monolingual teachers’ transformative thinking process through the process of praxis and lcra in teacher education programs.
Monte Carlo simulation of the CHISEL flash memory cell

This work shows how physically-based hot carrier simulation was used to understand the importance of CHannel Initiated Secondary ELectron (CHISEL) injection in scaled MOSFETs, and how it was used to develop a powerful CHISEL-based technique for low voltage flash programming. Furthermore, it is shown how CHISEL flash addresses many of the disadvantages of CHE programming techniques, making it an ideal candidate for low-voltage, low-power Gigabit flash memories.
Ambulatory Urodynamic Findings Change Patient Outcomes

Objectives Whilst ambulatory urodynamics (aUDS) may be used as a second-stage test for patients with refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) having non-diagnostic conventional urodynamics (UDS), the evidence for their use is limited. We have assessed the diagnostic utility and consequent symptomatic outcome of aUDS in patients with refractory LUTS. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively acquired urodynamics database was made of 84 consecutive patients (23 male) with a median age 50.5 years (range 18 to 79) having aUDS following non-diagnostic or contradictory baseline UDS over a 12-month period. Patient demographics and urodynamic and clinical diagnosis before and after aUDS were recorded. Forty-six patients (55%) had formal urinary symptom assessment recorded before and a minimum of 6 months following aUDS-related change in management. Results Eighty-two patients (98%) had a urodynamic diagnosis made following aUDS, 57(68%) of whom had detrusor overactivity (DO); the final 2 patients had no abnormalities detected on aUDS. Change in primary UDS diagnosis occurred in 66 patients (79%). Of these 66 patients, 59 (89%) also had their clinical diagnosis changed, and 55 (83%) had their management pathway changed. There was a significant improvement in urinary symptoms 6 months following aUDS. Conclusion Change in primary diagnosis following aUDS led to a significant change in treatment care pathway and resulted in significant improvement in urinary symptoms.