Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ECOLOGY OF MARINE AMPHIPODS IN HONG KONG WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ITS USE AS TEST ORGANISMS FOR ASSESSING THE TOXICITY OF MARINE SEDIMENTS

This study aimed at the development of a test protocol for sediment toxicity assessment in Hong Kong. An intensive ecological survey on the existence of marine amphipods in the coastal marine environment of Hong Kong was first conducted. Results indicated that abundance of intertidal amphipods were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen of surface water while benthic amphipods abundance was significant (p<0.05) correlated with particle size of sediment. Lethal and sub-lethal responses of an indigenous marine infaunal amphipod species (Melita koreana Stephensen) to selected toxicants were then evaluated. 10-day median lethal concentration (LC50) values of the test species were 9.78 mg/kg for cadmium, 104.4 mg/L for ammonia, 365.2 mg/kg organic carbon for DDT and 1929.3 mg/kg organic carbon for total PAHs respectively. The same species was further used to assess toxicity of representative marine sediments collected from four representative locations in the coastal environment of Hong Kong. Amphipods subjected to sediment collected near Tsing Yi Island had a significantly (p<0.05) higher mortality, avoidance and lower reburial ability than those subjected to the other three sediments (collected from Yam O, Tai Tam and Porter Shelter). This particular amphipod species is currently being considered by the HKSAR Government as a candidate species for toxicity assessment of marine sediments prior to disposal route is selected. RÉSUMÉ Ce projet a servi comme essai protocole pour l’évaluation de la toxicité de sédiments à Hong Kong. Un essai écologique intensif a été effectué sur l’existence d’amphipodes marins dans l’environnement côtier marin de Hong Kong. Les résultats ont montré que l’abondance d’amphipodes intertidal était en corrélation significative avec la température, la salinité, et l’oxygène de l’eau de surface, tandis que l’abondance d’amphipodes benthique était significative, (p < 0.05) en rapport avec la grandeur des particules du sédiment. Des réponses létales et sub-létales d’une espèce indigène d’amphipode marin infaunal (Melita koreana Stephenson) aux toxiques choisis ont été évaluées. La concentration létale moyenne en 10 jours de l’espèce choisie était 9.78 mg/kg pour le cadmium, 104.4 mg/kg pour l’ammoniaque, 365.2 mg/kg pour le carbone organique pour la DDT et 1929.3 mg/kg pour le carbone organique pour la PAH en tout. La même espèce a été employée de nouveau pour évaluer la toxicité des sédiments marins qui ont été ramassés de quatre lieux représentatifs dans les environs côtiers de Hong Kong. Des amphipodes exposés au sédiment ramassé près de l’Île de Tsing Yi avaient la mortalité et l’absence les plus élevées, ainsi qu’une capacité de ré-enfouissement plus faible que ceux qui venaient des trios autres lieux (Yam O, Tai Tam et Porte Shelter). Le gouvernement de Hong Kong SAR est, à présent, en train de considérer cette espèce d’amphipode comme espèce indicatrice pour évaluer la toxicité des sédiment marins, avant de choisir comment en disposer.
A Zone of Proximal Development Process in the Selective Disposal of Urban Solid Waste: Problem Solving with Two Assembled Materials

The zone of proximal development (ZPD) is a constructivist concept associated with learning processes involving the participation of a mediator or facilitator. In a previous study, our group developed an observation model that can be used to study learning processes of this type by measuring the fine skills involved in the selective disposal of Urban Solid Waste, a topic of environmental education involving numerous difficulties. We also developed an approach to evaluate the occurrence of a ZPD event using a mathematical problem-solving example. Combining both proposals, we carried out a quasi-experimental exercise in 2017, in which we tried to observe a zone of proximal development process in the resolution of two problems involving the selective disposal of Urban Solid Waste, one of them of very high difficulty and the other of moderate difficulty. The present work aims to show why selective disposal is a difficult and complicated environmental task. We worked with two groups of university students, a "control" group and a "quasi-experimental" group, with forty members each. We were able to verify the occurrence of a ZPD process in some participants of the "quasi-experimental" group.
Influence of Coating Thickness on Thermographic Phosphorescence Diagnostics Developed for Optical Engine Applications

Thermographic phosphorescence measurements are widely used as a non-invasive technique to investigate the changes in the wall temperature distribution of the pistons and engine cylinders. However, the performance of this technique is highly sensitive to the phosphor layer coating process and method of adhesion, which requires an extensive standardised approach for accurate and reliable results. This paper presents the optimisation of phosphor coating thickness for thermographic phosphorescence diagnostics developed for optical engine applications. Based on literature review, europium-doped lanthanum oxysulphide (La2O2S:Eu) was selected as a phosphor material due to its high temperature sensitivity at engine relevant conditions of 0~300°C, which could be excited by 355 nm light with strong phosphorescence emissions at 615~625 nm. Using a water-based magnesium aluminium silicate binder and a central pneumatic air brush, phosphor coating with various thicknesses were formed on glass plates, which were imaged in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for thickness measurements before being tested for the phosphorescence signal delay in a purpose-built calibration rig. It is found that, for a given optical setup, the phosphorescence emission signal at fixed wall temperature increases with increasing coating thickness with 11.9 μm being the minimum layer thickness required for measurable signals. However, the thick 19.0-μm coating shows lower signal intensity than the 14.3-μm layer because of the increased distance between the high-temperature wall and phosphors. This optimised phosphor thickness will be applied to optical engines in future studies.
The effect of nanocellulose addition to phenol-formaldehyde adhesive in water-resistant plywood manufacturing

This study examined the effect of applying cellulose nanoparticles as a filling material for phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin in the process of manufacturing water-resistant plywood. Based on investigations that concerned the rheological behavior of resin mixture containing various amounts of nanofiller, the modification of resin resulted in a major increase of viscosity. Although Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy did not fully explain the effect of modification on the chemical structure of the adhesive, there was a noticeable improvement in the morphology of cured nanocellulose-reinforced resin. Based on the bonding quality results, the optimum amount of nanocellulose was 3 PBW (parts by weight) per 100 PBW of resin and it allowed the achievement of a notable increase in shear strength values. Moreover, introduction of cellulosic nanoparticles had a positive effect on mechanical properties such as bending strength and modulus of elasticity. In summary, the research showed that it is possible to apply nanocellulose as a modifier for the adhesives in the process of manufacturing water-resistant plywood.
Mobility Calculation for Nanoscale Multi-Gate FETs with Arbitrary Two-Dimensional Cross Section with a Homogeneous Channel Including Strain Effects

A mobility calculator for nanoscale multi-gate FETs with arbitrary two-dimensional (2D) cross section is described. It solves the coupled system of the 2D Schröedinger equation and the Poisson equation, therefore, the carrier quantization within the 2D cross section can be naturally considered. The strain effect is included by modifying the Hamiltonian. Both the conduction band and the valence band are implemented. The KuboGreenwood expression in the one-dimensional (1D) momentum space is used to calculate the mobility. Examples for a nanowire transistor and two FinFETs are presented. The interaction between the mobility calculator and the device simulator is described. Keywords-Mobility calculator;FinFET;Strain effect;
Localization of cytochrome P450 aromatase and estrogen receptors α and β in testicular cells – an immunohistochemical study of the bank vole

Age- and light-dark cycle-induced changes in immunoexpression of aromatase and estrogen receptors alpha and beta were studied in testes of a seasonally breeding rodent, the bank vole. Seasonal breeding can be mimicked by exposure to different light cycle regimes. In testes of animals that were exposed to long light cycles of 18 h light and 6 h darkness aromatase was in Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules, mainly in spermatocytes, whereas in animals exposed to short light cycles (6 h light and 18 h darkness), only Leydig cells exhibited positive immunostaining for aromatase. Whatever the age of animals, immunostaining for estrogen receptor alpha was restricted to Leydig cells, whereas estrogen receptor beta immunoreactivity was mainly confined to Sertoli cells of both of immature and adult animals, independently of the regimes of light. Additionally, in testes of animals that were exposed to long light cycles, estrogen receptor beta immunoreactivity was observed in seminiferous tubules. Nuclei of germ cells, predominantly spermatocytes and elongated spermatids, were strongly positive which correlated well with aromatase immunoreactivity. As far as we know, the present study is the first study that describes immunoexpression of aromatase and both estrogen receptors alpha and beta in testis of the bank vole. We provide strong evidence that estrogens are not only produced in Leydig cells but also in germ cells in this rodent. These female hormones may play a physiological role in testis, likely in the development of germ cells during spermatogenesis.
Anticlastogenic properties of Quercus infectoria galls extract against DMBA induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of mice in vivo

This study aimed to evaluate the aqueous extract of Quercus infectoria galls extract (QIGE) as anticlastogenic. The effect of QIGE was tested in mice (5 groups for each test) treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA), the strong sitespecific carcinogenic agent. In this study, the QIGE show no signs of toxicity, a single dose of DMBA (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to Swiss albino mice caused a great increase in number of chromosomal aberrations, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) and reduction in the percentage of mitotic index (MI) (cytogenetic markers). Oral pretreatment and post-treatment of QIGE for 14 days at dose 2 gm/kg b.w. daily to DMBA-treated animals greatly reduced in number of micronucleus formation, chromosomal abnormalities such as chromosomal break, chromatid breaks, ring chromosome, dicentric chromosome and fragments. Besides, mitotic index frequency increased comparing with the positive control. The data suggest that QIGE has potent anti-clastogenic effect against DMBA-induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of albino male mice and it may have a protective effect against the mutagenicity of the polynuclear aromatic
ONTOGENESIS OF THYROID GLAND IN AWASI SHEEP FOETUSES: PRENATAL STUDY

The present work was designed to investigate the characteristic features of anatomical and histological development of the thyroid gland in prenatal stages with of local domestic Iraqi awassi sheep (Ovis aris). The study was carried out in the college of veterinary medicine / Al-qassim green University to study of histomorphological changes of thyroid gland at different stages of intrauterine. The study was performed on health female’s pregnant sheep where collected 12 sheep’s fetuses distributed into three stages: 45-50 gestational age, 65-70 gestational age and 106-110 gestational age (four fetuses for each age). At 45-50 day of gestational age, thyroid gland consist of two lobes connected by structure called isthmus and located in the throat on both sides of larynx and trachea and it was firm in texture and rose in color. Histologically, it is composed of a solid mass of mesenchymal cells arrangement randomly in the neck region and clear capsule that covered the gland and very small number of primitive follicles stored limited amount of colloid and very small number of parafolicullar cells while; at 65-70 day of gestational age, the thyroid gland consist from two lobes connected by isthmus and located in the neck region on both sides of larynx and trachea and it was firm in texture and rose in color. Histologically, the thyroid gland at this stage composed of a solid mass of epithelial cells covered by thick capsule, the primitive follicles found in small number which stored very limited amount of colloid and the parafollicular cells appear in this stage. At 106-110 day of gestation age, the thyroid gland consists from tow lobes connected by thin isthmus and located in the neck region on both sides of larynx and trachea. Histologically, the thyroid gland covered by connective tissue capsule and there were trabeculae which divided the gland to lobules and the center of gland showed number of small, non-developing follicles that raise gradually from rearranged of the solid epithelial cords and very few colloid found in this stage. The parafollicular C cells were seen during this stage.
HOW TOP MANAGEMENT TEAMDIVERSITY INFLUENCES COMPANY PERFORMANCE?: THE CASE OF INDONESIAN STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES HOLDING

The research conducted at SOEs Holding aims to analyze the effect of TMT diversity on company performance. The research samples are forty Indonesian SOEs that incorporated into four SOEs Holding that surveyed through the questionnaire. The data analysis technique uses Structural Equation Model (SEM) with SmartPLS. The results concluded that TMT diversity had a significant effect on corporate culture, which mediates TMT diversity’s significant effect on company performance. Nevertheless, without corporate culture as the mediating variable, TMT diversity has no significant effect on company performance.
Diversity and abundance of Avifauna species in the riparian zone of Pandam Wildlife Park, Plateau State, Nigeria

The study investigated the bird species abundance and diversity of the riparian zone of the Pandam Wildlife Park. Two major sites; Terrestrial and Aquatic were surveyed twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Birds’ abundance was determined using the point count method and diversity was determined with the Simpson’s diversity index.The result indicated that there was a significant difference in bird species between the terrestrial and the aquatic regions of the riparian area (Terrestrial, 0.89 and Aquatic, 0.80). The vegetative cover of the park was positively correlated to, and had a significant effect on bird species diversity in the park. A total abundance of 620 bird species of 18 families were recorded during the work. 408 species out of the 620 species were observed to be aquatic while 212 birds were observed in the terrestrial region of the zone. The dominant species around the aquatic zone was the Nettapus auritus with a frequency of one hundred and thirty one (131) species observed at different time zones. The second most populated aquatic species was the Ardeola ibis with ninety one (91) species. The Actophilornis africana (Jesus bird) was much and found around the Muyi part of the lake due to the vegetation on the water surface. The Ardea goliath was the least species found in the area with just two species seen throughout the stud periody. Species that made the highest contribution to relative abundance included the Nettapus auritus (21.13) seconded by the Ardeola ibis (14.68) and then the Actophilornis africana (7.77) while the least contributions were from the Ardea goliath (0.21), Coracias cyanogaster (0.31), Phalacrocorax aristotelis (0.73) and the Salpornis salvadori (0.83). Birds like the Nettapus auritus, Actophilornis africana, Milvus migrans and Ardeola ibis were most active at dawn and dusk.This shows these times are the best ones for bird watching. The small Bird diversity index around the riparian region of the park was an indication of the general level of diversity in the park which is not good enough for an IBA, because the park is under serious degradation.
Establishment and early persistence of tree seedlings in an annually burned savanna

1 In severely disturbed habitats, the onset of resprouting as a persistence strategy might be problematic for tree species which do not accumulate sufficient reserves before the first disturbance event. This is due to the trade‐off between the growth of reserves required to recover after disturbance and that of photosynthetic tissues. 2 In humid savannas, fire prevents trees from invading the whole landscape and nearby gallery forests have a completely different floristic composition. We test if the variations of survival during the first years of a young tree's life can explain the exclusion of forest species and the dominance pattern within savanna species. 3 Every six months for four years, we censused all seedlings and resprouts in 1 ha area of an annually burned savanna, to estimate their seasonal survival rates. We used capture–recapture statistical models to control for the probability of missing seedlings in the tall grass. 4 There were two main distinct patterns of survival among seedlings: ‘fire‐responding’ species showed a 20–80% decrease in survival during the dry season, interpreted as mainly due to fire; ‘drought‐responding’ species showed 20–80% variations in survival positively correlated to early‐growing‐season rainfall. 5 Yearly averaged survival probabilities of seedlings ranged between 0.10 and 0.63, reaching 0.850–0.996 for > 3‐year‐old resprouts of savanna species. Forest species showed no increase in survival with age. 6 A 4‐year‐survival‐probability analysis showed that forest species were excluded from the savanna at the seedling stage. No parameter of the early survival curve related to the abundance of savanna species at the adult stage. 7 Synthesis. Savanna tree species follow two mutually exclusive main patterns of early survival probably related to fire and early‐wet‐season drought. The exclusion of forest species is consistent with a build up of reserves that is too slow due to the growth‐resistance trade‐off. We conclude from these findings that the use of resprouting as a persistence strategy is heavily constrained by disturbance frequency and imposes strong trade‐offs on plant growth strategy.
Plant strategies and trait trade‐offs influence trends in competitive ability along gradients of soil fertility and disturbance

1 We present evidence of trade‐offs in competitive ability among five perennial C4 grass species at different levels of soil fertility and disturbance in a garden experiment in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. 2 Our goals were to examine plant strategy theory, using grass species that differed widely in various traits and in their response to environmental influences. More specifically, we wished to examine whether the importance of competition was less in low fertility or regularly disturbed environments (stressed environments) than in more fertile or undisturbed conditions, and whether species made trade‐offs in competitive ability along such stress gradients. 3 The trend in the competitive ability of two species in mixture along a soil fertility gradient tended to be inversely related if one had narrow and the other broad leaves or they differed in height, providing strong evidence for trait trade‐offs. Thus, a tall broad‐leaved species, Panicum maximum, was the most competitive species in fertile subplots, whereas a tall narrow‐leaved species, Hyparrhenia hirta, was the most competitive species in infertile subplots, but no difference in competitive ability across a fertility gradient was observed when both species in a mixture had similar traits. 4 Regular cutting altered competitive interactions amongst species resulting in a short species, Themeda triandra, having a greater competitive effect on neighbours and a better response to neighbours in cut than in the less stressed uncut treatments, suggesting a trade‐off for competitive ability in regularly disturbed habitats. However, cutting only improved the performance of T. triandra against P. maximum in infertile subplots. 5 We demonstrated that for some, but not all, mixtures of species, competitive hierarchies may reverse along gradients of soil fertility and disturbance. Moreover, soil fertility and disturbance may interact in their effect on competitive interactions. Thus, soil fertility and disturbance form the major axes of an ecological framework for understanding plant competitive interactions.
Effects of Different Rootstocks on Leaf Nutrient Elements, Chlorophyll Contents and Fruit Yield of Rio Red Grapefruit

The use of rootstocks is a very important matter in citrus fruits, as in cultivation of any other fruits. Due to different and separate characteristics of rootstocks; they provide a great variety of benefits in ensuring elimination of restrictive and inhibitor factors (biotic and abiotic) experienced in cultivation; meeting needs of producers and markets such as fruit yield, early bearing and fruit quality; and ensuring diversity. This study was conducted at ‘Doç. Dr. T. HakanDEMİRKESER SubtropicalFruits, Citrus Research and Application Field’ of Mustafa Kemal University, in Dortyol. During the trial, effects of seven different citrus rootstocks (Tuzcu 31-31,Carrizo citrange, Troyer citrange, Smooth Seville, Brazil bitter orange,Calamondin, Volkameriana) on leaf nutrient element contents(N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Mg, Cu, Na), chlorophyll content (summer and winter periods) and yield of “Rio Red” grapefruit cultivar were investigated. Significant rootstock effects were determined on the concentration of leaf N,P,K,Mg,Fecontents. The highest N,P, and K concentrationswere obtained from plants grafted on to Carrizo citrange. Chlorophyll contents of leaves obtained in summer and winter periods were found to be insignificant, while total chlorophyll content varied between 0.81 and 1.47 mg/g ta. The effect of rootstocks on fruit yield per tree was analyzed and the highest fruit yield was obtained on the trees grafted on Volkamerianarootstock whereasthe lowest was on the trees on Smooth Seville and Brasil bitter orange.