Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IMPROVING WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW SOILS UNDER AMMONIA FERTILIZER RATES AND WATER MANAGEMENT

ABESTRACT Field experiment was carried out at Demo farm of of Agriculture, University, during 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons to study the effect of ammonia gas rates, i.e., F 1 : 80 and F 2 : 100 kg N fed -1 (1 kg ammonia gas contain 82.4 % N) and irrigation regime i.e., I 1 : irrigation at 40%, I 2 : 60% and I 3 : 80% from available soil moisture depletion (ASMD), at sandy and calcareous soils, on yield, yield components and some water relations of wheat crop (Giza 168). A split plot design with four replications was used in both seasons. The obtained results showed that using 100 kg N fed -1 at 40% ASMD gave the highest averages of plant height, spike number m -2 , 1000-garin weight, spike weight m -2 , straw yield fed -1 (2011.4 and 2334.1 kg fed -1 ) in sandy soils (Site 1), and (2539.5 and 2716.7 kg N fed -1 ) in calcareous soils (Site 2), and grain yield fed -1 (1888.4 and 2077.4 kg fed -1 ) in Site 1 and (2209.4 and 2468 kg fed -1 ) in Site 2, in the two successive seasons, respectively. The lowest averages of yield and its components were obtained from applying 80 kg N fed -1 and irrigation at 80 % ASMD, at the two sites in both seasons. Seasonal consumptive use (ET C ) averages were 44.47 and 43.95 cm in 1 st season and 45.53 and 45.17 cm in 2 nd season, in both sites, respectively. The highest ET C values were recorded with the interaction (F 2 I 1 ), whereas, the lowest values resulted from the interaction (F 1 I 3 ) in all sites and seasons. Daily ET C rates were low during November and December, then increased during January and February, to reach its maximum values during March and then declined again at April till harvesting. The values of daily ET C decreased due to decreasing ammonia gas rate in the two growing season's months. The crop coefficient (K C ) values (averages of the two seasons) were 0.47, 0.54, 0.66, 0.70, 0.87, 0.67 and 0.47 in the Site 1 and 0.47, 0.55, 0.63, 0.67, 0.86, 0.67 and 0.49 in the Site 2, for, Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr. and May, respectively. The highest water use efficiency, i.e., 0.96 and 1.04 kg grains m -3 water consumed at the Site 1, and 1.14 and 1.24 kg grains m -3 water consumed at the Site 2, were obtained from (F 2 I 1 ) treatments in first and second seasons, respectively.
ON THE GEOMETRY OF STAR-SHAPED CURVES IN Rn

The manifold M of star-shaped curves in R n is considered via the theory of connections on vector bundles, and cyclic D -modules. The appropriate notion of an ‘integral curve’ (i.e. certain admissible deformations) on M is deﬁned, and the resulting space of admissible deformations is classiﬁed via iso-spectral ﬂows, which are shown to be described by equations from the n -KdV (Korteweg–de Vries) hierarchy.
Hierarchical Lifelong Machine Learning With “Watchdog”

Most existing lifelong machine learning works focus on how to exploit previously accumulated experiences (e.g., knowledge library) from earlier tasks, and transfer it to learn a new task. However, when a lifelong learning system encounters a large pool of candidate tasks, the knowledge among various coming tasks are imbalance, and the system should intelligently choose the next one to learn. In this paper, an effective “human cognition” strategy is taken into consideration via actively sorting the importance of new tasks in the process of unknown-to-known, and preferentially selecting the most valuable task with more information to learn. To be specific, we assess the importance of each new coming task (e.g., unknown or not) as an outlier detection issue, and propose to employ a “watchdog” knowledge library to reconstruct each task under <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _0$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:msub><mml:mi>ℓ</mml:mi><mml:mn>0</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="sun-ieq1-3110862.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-norm constraint. The coming candidate tasks are then sorted depending on the sparse reconstruction scores in a descending order, which is referred to as a “watchdog” mechanism. Following this, we design a hierarchical knowledge library for the lifelong learning framework to encode new task with higher reconstruction score, where the library consists of two-level task descriptors, i.e., a high-dimensional one with low-rank constraint and a low-dimensional one. Both “watchdog” knowledge library and hierarchy knowledge library can be optimized with knowledge from both previously learned tasks and current task automatically. For model optimization, we explore an alternating method to iteratively update our proposed framework with a guaranteed convergence. Experimental results on several existing benchmarks demonstrate that our proposed model outperforms various state-of-the-art task selection methods.
The Effect of NaF on the Existence of Ameloblasts and the Change of Tooth Dimension

Ameloblasts cell which is very sensitive to the influence of internal and external factors. One external factor is the effect of fluoride elements that are able to affect the integrity of the ameloblasts cells and structure as well as the dimensions of the tooth enamel. This study seeks to analyze the effect of sodium fluoride exposure on the existence of tooth ameloblasts cells using indicators such as caspase-3, B-cel lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), the distance between ameloblasts cells, as well as changes in the size or teeth dimension. Adult male healthy rats were used to experiment models, control (sterile distilled water treated), treatment group in to fluoride treated. The difference test on Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 between the control and the treatment groups showed different results (p <0.05). Similarly, the difference test on the distance between the ameloblasts cells as well as that on the dimensional change in both groups indicated significantly different results (p <0.05). These results suggest that the induction of sodium fluoride showed the increase of Caspase-3 protein expression, the decrease of Bcl-2 expression, and the widening of the distance between ameloblasts cells, and the changes in the size or teeth dimension.
Combining radiative transfer calculations and a neural network for the remote sensing of volcanic ash using MSG/SEVIRI

Abstract. After the eruption of volcanoes all over the world the monitoring of the dispersion of ash in the atmosphere is an important task for satellite remote sensing since ash represents a threat to air traffic. In this work we present a novel method that uses thermal observations of the SEVIRI imager aboard the geostationary Meteosat Second Generation satellite to detect ash clouds and determine their mass column concentration and top height during day and night. This approach requires the compilation of an extensive data set of synthetic SEVIRI observations to train an artificial neural network. This is done by means of the RTSIM tool that combines atmospheric, surface and ash properties and runs automatically a large number of radiative transfer calculations for the entire SEVIRI disk. The resulting algorithm is called VADUGS (Volcanic Ash Detection Using Geostationary Satellites) and has been evaluated against independent radiative transfer simulations. VADUGS detects ash contaminated pixels with a probability of detection of 0.84 and a false alarm rate of 0.05. Ash column concentrations are provided by VADUGS with correlations up to 0.5, a scatter up to 0.6 g m−2 for concentrations smaller than 2.0 g m−2 and small overestimations in the range 5–50 % for moderate viewing angles 35–65°, but up to 300 % for satellite viewing zenith angles close to 90° or 0°. Ash top heights are mainly underestimated, with the smallest underestimation of −9 % for viewing zenith angles between 40° and 50°. Absolute errors are smaller than 70 % and with high correlation coefficients up to 0.7 for ash clouds with high mass column concentrations. A comparison against spaceborne lidar observations by CALIPSO/CALIOPconfirms these results. VADUGS is run operationally at the German Weather Service and this application is presented as well.
CAN MUSIC BOOST SELF-CONFIDENCE AND ACCEPTABILITY? A LIVED EXPERIENCE

Music is beneficial to all people, even those living with challenges, and can boost their self-confidence and acceptability in society. Educators know that practice is one of the key psychological principles of learning and that repetition will lead to perfection in all areas, especially so in playing instruments. The following account is a personal intervention with a low-esteem, mentally challenged boy using music. The intervention was done at Limuru, a small town in Kiambu County, Kenya. It involved teaching the boy how to play the keyboard. The boy’s self-confidence changed noticeably after he was accepted as an integral part of the worship group in his church. It is envisaged that sharing this experience can inform parents, guardians, social workers, teachers and other personnel who deal with struggling students, low esteem or mentally challenged individuals on the benefits of music intervention, even as it spurs interest in research on benefits of exposure to music.
The Profitability of Commercial Banks in Malaysia

This study investigate son the factors affecting the profitability of commercial banks in Malaysia during the period of 2011-2017. The samples were taken based on the historical accounting data from annual reports of the banks. It is used to measure the internal determinants whether had direct impact toward the bank profitability measured by Return on Asset (ROA). This paper utilized quantitative methodology in ascertaining the relationship between the factors and profitability of the commercial bank. The results stated that bank size, liquidity and deposit ratio had a significant and positive relation with return on asset (ROA) except for GDP is significant but negative relationship. Although there were relationships among bank size, liquidity and deposit ratio but inflation rate did not have a significant influence on the profitability of the banks. The importance of the study is to improve the financial performance of Malaysian banking for investment and finance and to improve the Malaysia banks' operations.
Epidemiological Studies on Relation between Streptococcus pneumoniae with Respiratory Diseases

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial infections worldwide and causes a range of illness from otitis media to pneumonia and meningitis. The study was carried out in Mansoura university hospitals, Egypt over period of 12 month. On a number of 71 patients, all of them are suffering from respiratory tract diseases (Acute bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Pneumonia, Chronic suppurative lung disease, bronchial asthma) their ages ranged from 15 -75 years. Results showed that Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that were isolated from sputum samples were (34%), S. pneumoniae isolated from patients in Age ≤35 was (17%), and in age ≥3 5 Streptococcus pneumoniae was (37.3%). Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from patients with chronic bronchitis was 25%, while pneumonia was (50%), while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 14.3%, and chronic suppurative lung disease was (33.8%). The sensitivity patterns proved that Streptococcus pneumoniae in antibiotic prepared disc is highly sensitive to Levofloxacin.
Stress Effects on Temperature-Dependent In-Plane Raman Modes of Supported Monolayer Graphene Induced by Thermal Annealing

The coupling strength between two-dimensional (2D) materials and substrate plays a vital role on thermal transport properties of 2D materials. Here we systematically investigate the influence of vacuum thermal annealing on the temperature-dependence of in-plane Raman phonon modes in monolayer graphene supported on silicon dioxide substrate via Raman spectroscopy. Intriguingly, raising the thermal annealing temperature can significantly enlarge the temperature coefficient of supported monolayer graphene. The derived temperature coefficient of G band remains mostly unchanged with thermal annealing temperature below 473 K, while it increases from −0.030 cm−1/K to −0.0602 cm−1/K with thermal annealing temperature ranging from 473 K to 773 K, suggesting the great impact of thermal annealing on thermal transport in supported monolayer graphene. Such an impact might reveal the vital role of coupling strength on phonon scattering and on the thermal transport property of supported monolayer graphene. To further interpret the thermal annealing mechanism, the compressive stress in supported monolayer graphene, which is closely related to coupling strength and is studied through the temperature-dependent Raman spectra. It is found that the variation tendency for compressive stress induced by thermal annealing is the same as that for temperature coefficient, implying the intense connection between compressive stress and thermal transport. Actually, 773 K thermal annealing can result in 2.02 GPa compressive stress on supported monolayer graphene due to the lattice mismatch of graphene and substrate. This study proposes thermal annealing as a feasible path to modulate the thermal transport in supported graphene and to design future graphene-based devices.
Synthesis of Research on the Reproductive Biology of Queen Conch (Aliger gigas): Toward the Goals of Sustainable Fisheries and Species Conservation

Abstract The queen conch (Aliger gigas) is a culturally and economically important molluskan fishery resource in the Caribbean region showing increasing signs of over harvest. Shallow-water distribution and large size facilitate capture, and internal fertilization and density-dependent reproduction make managing for reproductive biology critical to stock rehabilitation. In fact, the natural lifetime fecundity of conch is very high but most fisheries in the region harvest conch before even a small fraction of that reproductive potential can be attained. The goal of this review is to provide an up-to-date synthesis of the vast research literature on queen conch biology (spanning >60 years) and to discuss how knowledge of reproduction in conch can help to guide field surveys, fishery management decisions, and stock recovery projects. The review covers the subjects of anatomy, maturation and fecundity as they relate to conch age and size, reproductive behavior including migrations, seasonality, mating, and egg-laying, and the influences of both environmental and demographic variables on reproductive potential. Successes and failures under different forms of management practice are discussed as they relate to reproductive biology and recommendations are made for future research and fishery management alternatives. Successful management will require multiple regulatory approaches.
The Combined Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Healing. A Review of Experimental Models and Future Perspectives

Wound healing and tissue regeneration are a field of clinical medicine presenting high research interest, since various local and systematic factors can inhibit these processes and lead to an inferior result. New methods of healing enhancement constantly arise, which, however, require experimental validation before their establishment in everyday practice. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a well-known autologous factor that promotes tissue healing in various surgical defects. PRP derives from the centrifugation of peripheral blood and has a high concentration of growth factors that promote healing. Recently, the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) has been thoroughly investigated as a form of wound healing enhancement. ADMSCs are autologous stem cells deriving from fat tissue, with a capability of differentiation in specific cells, depending on the micro-environment that they are exposed to. The aim of the present comprehensive review is to record the experimental studies that have been published and investigate the synergistic use of PRP and ADMSC in animal models. The technical aspects of experimentations, as well as the major results of each study, are discussed. In addition, the limited clinical studies including humans are also reported. Future perspectives are discussed, along with the limitations of current studies on the long-term follow up needed on efficacy and safety.
New Age in Australia: Social transmission and the quest for meaning

The emergence of New Age spirituality in Western cultures during the 1960s and 1970s has been described as a rejection of traditional values, fuelled by disillusionment with the Christian church and a feeling of alienation in mainstream social and work environments. While New Age has been characterised as a ‘turning away’ from dominant cultural ideologies, there is comparatively less discussion about what New Age actors are ‘turning towards’ in their pursuit of subjective spirituality. Research from Australia demonstrates that individuals were primarily searching for deeper meaning and looking for spiritual answers when they first engaged with New Age pursuits. In addition, social and intergenerational transmission are both important factors in the cultivation of New Age spirituality.
The Assessment of a Multifactorial Score for the Adaptability Evaluation of Six Poultry Genotypes to the Organic System

Simple Summary The choice of a suitable poultry genotype for the organic system is still an open question. Currently, poultry genotypes are mainly classified on the basis of their daily weight gain (DWG). However, it is important to underline that the organic system is characterized by the presence of outdoor space; therefore, the grazing capacity of chicken and other intrinsic characteristics are crucial aspects. Indeed, although DWG is an important parameter, it is probably not the only factor that should be considered to determine the adaptability of poultry to this system, in which the genotype could also have an important role. Accordingly, this study defines an adaptability score (AS) using a multifactorial approach in order to consider simultaneously different variables such as behaviors, plumage conditions, and body lesions. Moreover, the specific effect of DWG and genotype on the AS were evaluated. This allowed us to conclude that the DWG and genotype are connected, but the chicken genotype is the driving force that should be considered in order to evaluate poultry’s adaptability to organic systems. Abstract This study aimed to develop an adaptability score (AS) for chicken strains, which includes behavioral, plumage conditions, and body lesion indicators through a multifactorial approach. A total of 600 male chickens from 6 poultry genotypes—Ranger Classic (R1), Ranger Gold (R2), Rowan Ranger (R3), Hubbard Red JA (A), CY Gen 5 × JA87 (CY), and M22 × JA87 (M)—were reared under organic conditions, fed ad libitum, and individually weighed weekly to calculate the daily weight gain (DWG). The behavioral observations consisted of the explorative attitude (EA), recorded at 21 days, and the behavioral patterns (BPs) recorded the week before the slaughter. The AS was established by a principal component analysis, and the AS of these genotypes was compared. Moreover, the effect of DWG and genotype on the AS was evaluated by univariable and multivariable regression models. Although the DWG and genotype were strictly dependent, genotype was the most important factor affecting the AS. In fact, its effect was significant both in univariable (p < 0.001) and multivariable models (p < 0.001). Conversely, the DWG was significant only in the univariable and lost significance when the effect of genotype was introduced in the model.
Fasting Blood Glucose in a Ghanaian Adult is Causally Linked with Malaria Parasite Count: A Mechanistic Case Study Using Convergent Cross Mapping

Background: Adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) in malaria-endemic areas might be more susceptible to Plasmodium infection than healthy individuals. Herein, we aimed at verifying the hypothesis that increased fasting blood glucose (FBG) promotes parasite growth as reflected by increased parasite density. Methods: Seven adults without DM were recruited in rural Ghana to determine the relationships between FBG and malaria parasite load. Socio-economic data were recorded in questionnaire-based interviews. Over a period of 6 weeks, we measured FBG and Plasmodium spc. infection in peripheral blood samples photometrically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-assays, respectively. Daily physical activity and weather data were documented via smartphone recording. For the complex natural systems of homeostatic glucose control and Plasmodium spc. lifecycle, empirical dynamic modelling was applied. Results: At baseline, four men and three women (median age, 33 years; interquartile range, 30-48) showed a median FBG of 5.5 (5.1-6.0 mmol/L); one participant had an asymptomatic Plasmodium spc. infection (parasite density: 240 /µL). In this participant, convergent cross mapping (CCM) for 34 consecutive days, showed that FBG was causally affected by parasite density (p <0.02), while the reciprocal relationship was not discernible (p >0.05). Additionally, daily ambient temperature affected parasite density (p<0.01). Conclusion: In this study population living in a malaria-endemic area, we successfully piloted time series analyses for the relationships between FBG and Plasmodium spc. density. Longer observation periods and larger samples are required to confirm these findings and determine the direction of causality.
Lanthanides in Soils of Historical Mining Sites
in Poland

Lanthanides are attracting increasing interest due to their technological importance and potential ecotoxicity. Knowledge of lanthanides in Polish soils is very poor, and a question arises whether the soils of former metal ore mining sites are enriched by these elements. Therefore, concentrations of six crucial lanthanides – La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd – were determined in 92 soil samples collected from 6 historical mining sites in the Sudetes mountain range in southwestern Poland. They correlated strongly with each other, but no significant correlations were found with other metals, either in all samples or within the sites, except for Srebrna Góra, where lanthanides correlated strongly with Ba and Mn. No cases of considerable enrichment in lanthanides were identified in the sites examined, despite very high concentrations of other metals. Median concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd were 25.1, 52.4, 5.8, 21.9, 4.3, and 4.0 mg∙kg-1, and did not differ much from the median values for European soils. Maximum concentrations reported from Srebrna Góra were 2,9-6,8-fold higher than global background determined for Earth crust. However, these concentrations should still be considered as low, posing no