Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limited predatory capacity of introduced black rats on bird eggs: an experimental approach.

Invasive rats (Rattus spp.) are renowned bird predators and have been identified as a leading cause of island bird population declines and extinctions. Recently, new questions have been raised regarding the mechanisms and the severity of impact of invasive rat predation on bird populations. We investigated the predatory capacity of the invasive black rat Rattus rattus on bird eggs using captive trials on wildtrapped individuals. Five factors were specifically tested for their influence on egg predation success: egg size, egg state, rat body mass, gender and habitat. Our results showed that rats only managed to prey on intact eggs when these were small (canary) and that they had great difficulty preying on medium-sized (hen) and even small (quail)-sized intact eggs, regardless of the rat’ body mass, gender and habitat. Conversely, rats preyed extensively on previously damaged eggs of all sizes. Our findings suggest that preying on intact bird eggs without specific learning skills, such as rolling an egg to break it, may be challenging for the black rats. Moreover, our findings strongly indicate that bird susceptibility to egg predation by rats varies with island contexts and may depend on a combination of multiple additive and synergic factors. Experiments that allow for testing the multiple evolutionary and ecological factors explaining between-island or between-population variation in rodent impacts are needed to promote a better overview of the processes involved in bird population declines.
Rumbling in the benthos: acoustic ecology of the California mantis shrimp Hemisquilla californiensis

Although much research has focused on acoustic mapping and exploration of the benthic environment, little is known about the acoustic ecol- ogy of benthic organisms, particularly benthic crus- taceans. Through the use of a coupled audio-video system, a hydrophone array, and an autonomous recording unit, we tested several hypotheses about the field acoustics of a benthic marine crustacean, Hemisquilla califor niensis. Living in muddy burrows in southern California, these large mantis shrimp produce low frequency 'rumbles' through muscle vibrations. First, we tested whether acoustic signals are similar in the field and in the laboratory, and dis- covered that field-produced rumbles are more acoustically and temporally variable than laboratory rumbles, and are typically produced in rhythmic series called 'rumble groups. ' Second, we verified if the sounds were indeed coming from mantis shrimp burrows and explored whether rumble groups were produced by multiple individuals. Our results suggest that during certain time periods, multiple mantis shrimp in the vicinity of the hydro phone produce sounds. Third, we examined the relationship between behavioral and acoustic activity, and found that H. californiensis is most active during crepuscular peri- ods. While these crustaceans make a substantial con- tribution to the benthic soundscape, omnipresent and acoustically overlapping boat noise may threaten their acoustic ecology.
Maize productivity as influenced by mixed nitrogen supplied before or after anthesis

Maize (Zea mays L.) plants produce higher grain yields when supplied with mixtures of NO 3 and NH 4 than when supplied only with NO 3 . This study determined whether mixed N should be available before anthesis, or after it, or continuously to elicit yield increases. During vegetative development, plants of four hybrids were grown with nutrient solutions containing N as either all NO 3 or a 50:50 (w/w) mixture of NO 3 -N and NH 4 -N(.)
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOME NEW WHEAT CULTIVARS IN AGRO- ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF DERA GHAZI KHAN

An experiment was conducted to evaluate yield potential of some newly introduced wheat varieties i.e Shafaq-2006 (V1); AS-2002 (V2); Ufaq-2002 (V3) and Bhakkar-2002 (V4) in different locations (L1: mouza Rakh Chabbri Zareen, L2: mouza Notak and L3: mouza Kotla Shafi) of agro-ecological zone of Dera Ghazi Khan during the rabi season 2007-08. The trial was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements keeping different locations in main plot effect and wheat varieties in sub plot with three blocks in a net plot size of 7.5 × 18 m. The results revealed that among all three locations, maximum number of tillers m -2 (356.16), 1000-grain weight (38.72 g) was recorded at mouza Rakh Chabbri Zareen. Similarly, the highest number of grains spike -1 (39.58) and grain yield (48.80 q ha -1 ) was recorded at mouza Notak. Whereas the highest germination count m -2 (134.58) was recorded at mouza Kotla Shafi. As for as the performance of different wheat varieties is concerned, Shafaq-2006 exhibited the highest germination count -2 (131.55) and number of grains spike -1 (39.11). While Bhakkar-2002 exhibited the highest number of tillers m -2 (370.11), 1000-grain weight (40.38 g) and grain yield (39.58 q ha -1 ). The interactive effects of different locations and varieties were highly significant. Maximum grain yield (51.42 q ha -1 ) was obtained from wheat variety Bhakkar-2002, which is statistically at par with grain yield (50.14 q ha -1 ) of Shafaq-2006 at mouza Notak and performed better in clay loam soils.
Nutritional characteristics of soybean seed flour after processing with sodium bicarbonate or trona

Flours were prepared from soybean seeds which had been blanched in water, sodium bicarbonate (0.5%) or trona (sodium sesquicarbonate; 0.5% or 1.0%), with or without prior soaking for 24h in same solutions. All treatments removed significant proportions of the undesirable oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose, and resulted in flours of high protein digestibility (as measured in vitro). Soaking and blanching in trona resulted in a 6-7% decrease in protein content in comparison with blanching in water alone, but this was partially offset by increases in protein digestibility and available lysine. The use of 1% trona caused some darkening of the soybean seed flour. Trona is an inexpensive and familiar processing aid, readily available to rural and urban households in Nigeria. Its use in moderate quantities may be safely recommended to reduce soaking and cooking time in the production of nutritionally and organoleptically acceptable soybean products, thereby encouraging increased consumption of this valuabl.
Agronomic factors affecting the yield and quality of forage maize in Ireland: effect of plastic film system and seeding rate

The objectives were to compare the effects of two plastic film systems [perforated (PP) and complete-cover (CC) systems] on the yield and quality of forage maize, and to study the effects of seeding rate on maize grown with, and without, plastic film. Between 1995 and 1998 (Experiments 1 and 2), comparisons were made of maize without plastic film systems (NP), sown through clear plastic film (PP) and covered with clear plastic film (CC). In the CC system, the plastic was removed manually from the crop. Two dates of removal (CC1 and CC2) were compared in 1995, while four removal dates (CC1, CC2, CC3 and CC4) were examined in 1996–98. In 1996–98, three sowing dates (early, mid-April; mid, early-May; late, mid-May) were also examined. Four seeding rates (78 200, 93 900, 107 000 and 126 000 seeds ha−1) were examined in two experiments (Experiment 3 in 1996 and Experiment 4 in 1996–98). No plastic was used in Experiment 3, while three plastic treatments (NP, PP and CC) were examined in Experiment 4. In the CC treatment, the plastic film was removed at the six- to eight-leaf stage. In Experiment 1, the PP treatment gave lower DM yields than the NP treatment due to frost damage which killed 0·30 of the plants in the PP treatment. Plants were undamaged by frost in both CC treatments, and the CC2 treatment (plastic removal at the six-leaf stage) gave significant increases in DM and grain yields. In Experiment 2, averaged over years and sowing dates, DM yields were significantly increased by all plastic film treatments except CC4. All plastic film treatments gave significantly earlier tassel emergence than the NP treatment, and significantly increased grain yields and contents of DM and grain. The highest yields of DM and grain were obtained from the PP system. Within the CC treatments, leaving the plastic film intact until the ten-leaf stage (CC4) gave lower yields of DM and grain than removing the plastic film at an earlier stage. Averaged over years, the largest DM yields were obtained from the CC system with early-sown material, while the yield differences between treatments with late-sown crops under this system were not significant. Highest DM and grain yields were obtained with early sowing, while late sowing gave lower contents of DM and grain, and later tassel emergence. In Experiments 3 and 4, DM and grain yields increased as seeding rate increased up to 126 000 seeds ha−1 with NP and CC plastic treatments. With the PP treatment, DM yield reached a plateau at 107 000 seeds ha−1. Seeding rate did not significantly affect DM content in either experiments but grain content declined in both experiments as seeding rate increased.
Glycinium 3‐nitrophthalate

In the title compound, C2H6NO2+·C8H4NO6−, the cations and anions are self-assembled into chains by N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, respectively. The two chains are held together by further N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting in a two-dimensional sheet.
Effects of Home Photobiomodulation Treatments on Cognitive and Behavioral Function, Cerebral Perfusion, and Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients with Dementia: A Pilot Trial.

Objective: To examine the effects of transcranial and intranasal photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, administered at home, in patients with dementia. Background: This study sought to replicate and build upon a previously published case series report describing improved cognitive function in five patients with mild-to-moderate dementia after 12 weeks of transcranial and intranasal near-infrared (NIR) PBM therapy. Materials and methods: Eight participants (mean age: 79.8 ± 5.8 years old) diagnosed with dementia by their physicians were randomized to 12 weeks of usual care (UC, n = 4) or home PBM treatments (n = 4). The NIR PBM treatments were administered by a study partner at home three times per week with the Vielight Neuro Gamma device. The participants were assessed with the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive (ADAS-cog) subscale and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) at baseline and 6 and 12 weeks, and with arterial spin-labeled perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI at baseline and 12 weeks. Results: At baseline, the UC and PBM groups did not differ demographically or clinically. However, after 12 weeks, there were improvements in ADAS-cog (group × time interaction: F1,6 = 16.35, p = 0.007) and NPI (group × time interaction: F1,6 = 7.52, p = 0.03), increased cerebral perfusion (group × time interaction: F1,6 = 8.46, p < 0.03), and increased connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and lateral parietal nodes within the default-mode network in the PBM group. Conclusions: Because PBM was well tolerated and associated with no adverse side effects, these results support the potential of PBM therapy as a viable home treatment for individuals with dementia.
An Assessment of Risk from Particulate Released from Outdoor Wood Boilers

Abstract Use of outdoor wood boilers (OWB) has increased due to cost of fossil fuels. OWB short stacks release particles close to the breathing level, producing high levels of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5). This assessment determines OWB contribution to local cancer risk and estimates thresholds for acute non-cancer risks. Carcinogenic PAHs in wood smoke (PM2.5) cancer risks range from 2.7 × 10–3 for the upper bound scenario (95% UCL value of PM2.5 (665 μg/m3)) to 7.6 × 10–5 for the lower bound (mean (186 μg/m3)). These risks represent a 7-fold increase of acceptable cancer risk for the lower bound value and 2 orders of magnitude above acceptable levels for the upper bound values. Non-cancer effects such as asthma and cardiopathies include respiratory attacks, hospital emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. Inhaled dose acute risk thresholds of 96, 120, and 250 μg PM 2.5/6 hours are proposed. Operation of an OWB that emits 100 grams PM2.5/h was modeled and found to increase the exposures that exceed the 120-μg-risk level at and in residences within 500 to 1000 feet. The increases are projected to occur during periods of poor air mixing due to decreased wind speeds or inversions. Our analysis proposes a 6-h PM2.5 inhaled dose threshold to predict peak periods of unhealthy air quality instead of 24-h and annual averages standards, which mask peak emissions.
A Dust Monitoring Programme for Desertification Control in West Africa

To date, the principal constraint upon the implementation of a dust monitoring programme for desertification control in West Africa, is our limited knowledge of the dust processes to be monitored. A review of the state of dust research in Africa and over the Atlantic reveals a strong imbalance in favour of the latter, and resolves some misconceptions concerning dust source-areas and the relative importance of winter and summer dust. The results of Atlantic Ocean dust research are here brought together with the recent results of Harmattan dust research in Nigeria to demonstrate, at least tentatively, that the Harmattan and winter dust comprise a contiguous aeolian process system referred to as the Harmattan aeolian system. The Harmattan aeolian system is used here as a conceptual framework for the dust monitoring programme. Three dust process-zones are identified, within which three basic aeolian processes operate: dust entrainment (primary and secondary), dust transport, and dust deposition (primary and secondary). Within each dust process-zone, standardized dust collection, measurement, and analysis techniques, are proposed for a network of monitoring sites. Entrainment and transport can be measured — directly using aerosol pump-samplers and indirectly by relating dust-aerosol concentration to solar radiation and visibility. The indirect approach has the advantage that it opens up a large body of historical data on dust and, therefore, desertification. Deposition can be measured using dust-traps. The importance of such aspects as site characteristics, measurement period, and laboratory methods, are also discussed. Finally, a minimal administrative structure is suggested, allowing for the possibility of UNEP or other major support.
The Flavonoids: Advances in Research since 1980

1 The Anthocyanins. - 2 Flavans and Proanthocyanidins. - 3 C-Glycosylflavonoids. - 4 Biflavonoids. - 5 Isoflavonoids. - 6 Neoflavonoids. - 7 Flavones and Flavonols. - 8 Flavone and Flavonol Glycosides. - 9 The Minor Flavonoids. - 10 Miscellaneous Flavonoids. - 11 Biosynthesis. - 12 Distribution of Flavonoids in the Lower Plants and Its Evolutionary Significance. - 13 Distribution and Evolution of the Flavonoids in Gymnosperms. - 14 Flavonoids and Evolution in the Dicotyledons. - 15 Distribution and Evolution of Flavonoids in the Monocotyledons. - 16 Flavonoids and Flower Colour. - Plant Species Index.
Reconfigurable periodic structures for beam steering applications.

In this thesis, I study the reconfigurable meta-material structures and their applications in the field of antennas and microwave devices in both microwave and millimeter waves. This thesis is written with a paper-based strategy, and the organization of the thesis is as follows. Chapter 1 is an introduction to meta-materials, their history and their antenna applications in the literature. Chapter 2 is based on the paper, “Reconfigurable Meta-material Unit-cell with Controllable Refractive Index" by R. Amiri, B. Zarghooni, A. Dadgarpour, Pourahmadazar, J and T.A. Denidni. This Chapter presents a new meta-material unit cell with a potential reconfigurable geometry that can provide a controllable refractive index in the frequency range of 1-4 GHz. I have presented a proof of concept design where instead of the real PIN-diodes open circuits (for the OFF state) and metallic strips (for the ON state) are used. This design is simulated in HFSS, and the resulting S-parameters are utilized in a well-known extraction algorithm (explained in Appendix A) to calculate the refractive index. The presented topology is capable of providing a difference of Δn=1.5 at the frequency of 2.45 GHz which is useful for future advanced beam-tilting applications. The focus of Chapter 3 is on a unit-cell designed in the millimeter-wave frequency range. This Chapter is based on the paper "Anisotropic Meta-material Unit-cell for Millimeter-Wave Applications" by R. Amiri, B. Zarghooni, J. Pourahmadazad, A. Dadgarpour and T. A. Denidni. The unit-cell that I presented in this Chapter does not use reconfigurable elements such as PIN-diodes. Instead, it utilizes four S-shaped metallic strips to provide an anisotropic structure that can show two different refractive indexes if the direction of the arrival wave changes. This unit-cell is simulated using HFSS, and the corresponding S-parameters are utilized in the Kramer-Kronig algorithm to extract the refractive index. According to the results, if the electromagnetic wave arrives from a certain direction, it can produce a maximum difference of Δ n=2.5 in the refractive index of the structure compared to the case where the wave arrives from the transverse direction. At the end of this Chapter, a potential scenario is qualitatively explained where this property of the unit-cell can be useful in beam switching applications. Chapter 4, explains the fabrication and validation procedure of two paraffin-based dielectric lenses that are essential for the measurement of the S-parameters of meta-material unit cells. A molding process is used to fabricate these lenses, and a well-known SRR (Split Ring Resonator) design is used to test them. The SRR unit cell is fabricated in three different frequency bands, and according to our results, the lens is effective up to 15 GHz. Finally, Chapter 5 concludes the thesis and explains the summary as well as the link between each research topic with more details. This Chapter also provides the future work based on the investigations that are conducted in this thesis.
Total, non‐volatile free fatty acids as a freshness index for hake (Merluccius hubbsi) stored in ice

ABSTRACT Total, non-volatile free fatty acids (FFA) content was determined in hake muscle during fkh storage in ice. FFA increased linearly in every season according to freshness loss as determined by sensory scoring. FFA deter- mination is proposed as a valuable alternative to sensory scoring in deter- mining fkh deterioration in ice. Key wordr: Hake, Merluccius hubbsi, freshness index, ice storage, free fatty acids. 1 INTRODUCTION Hake freshness has been traditionally evaluated through sensory assessments. ' Recent developments to replace sensory scoring by physical or chemical methods have been introduced. * These methods, however, do not provide enough sen- sitivity in the first 5-10 days of storage and the detected changes are too small to follow the storage life of hake stored in ice. A good improvement seemed to be the viscosity determination of soluble muscle protein extracts taken from hake stored in This parameter, however, is subject to non-linear seasonal variation^. ^
Challenges Envisioned in E-Learning on EFL Learners’ Performance: A Case Study in Samtah Campus

E-learning is a process of learning, through electronic technology outside a traditional classroom. It may be a course, a program or a degree delivered completely online. It is a learning environment which uses Information and Communication Technologies as a platform for teaching and learning activities. It has been defined as "pedagogy empowered by technology", though 'digital technology' is more appropriate. It involves the use of electronic devices like PC, laptop etc., to provide learning material and training. The present study was aimed: To investigate the current problems of EFL learners and teachers in e-learning - A questionnaire was administered to EFL learners to identify the problems of e- learning and an open-ended questionnaire was given to the EFL teachers to examine the problems that they have faced while teaching online courses. To study the impact of e-learning on EFL learners’ performance among undergraduate students of Jazan University - The samples chosen randomly from different levels, showed that most of the learners have scored well in online quizzes and assignments, while their scores are relatively low in final exams. To suggest a few perspectives on e-learning to improve the performance of EFL learners - There is a possibility of use of proxy, in online assessment tests and scope for plagiarism, which will be difficult to control or regulate. Hence, the teachers must design the assignments and quizzes in a way to keep check and gauge the level of comprehension among the students; Teachers and learners should be oriented on e-learning and its related hardware/software to motivate adoption of e learning - a modern technology in the education process. Keywords: E-learning, EFL learners, challenges, performance.
Gene expression profiling of Hereford Shorthorn cattle following challenge with Boophilus microplus tick larvae

The ability of cattle to resist tick infestations is partly genetically determined. In order to better define the nature of Bos taurus resistance to the cattle tick Boophilus microplus, skin gene expression was studied using a cattle skin derived cDNA microarray. Expression profiles were determined in skin biopsies sampled from three highly tick resistant animals (HR) and two animals with lower tick resistance (LR) at time 0, immediately before challenge, and again 24 h after challenge. The analysis of the resulting expression data addressed two biological questions: first, for any animal exposed to ticks, which genes are differentially expressed in the 24 h following challenge; and second, which genes are differentially expressed between animals of high and low resistance at 24 h after challenge? In total, 214 genes were found to be differentially expressed in response to larval challenge across all the animals. Seventy-two genes were upregulated and 76 were downregulated at 24 h after challenge. Genes with significantly altered gene expression levels following tick infestation were predominantly keratin genes or mitochondrial genes, as well as odorant binding protein (OBP) and Bos taurus major allergen BDA20. In addition, we identified 66 genes with differential expression between HR and LR animals at 24 h. Of these, genes representing the extracellular matrix and immunoglobulin gene expression pathways were overrepresented. Three differentially expressed genes, OBP, Bos taurus major allergen BDA20 and dendritic cell protein HFL-B5 were further analysed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR assay results closely mirrored the expression profiles found in the microarray experiment.