Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FOREST ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY IN 15-YEAR-OLD HYBRID ASPEN (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) PLANTATIONS ON A RECLAIMED OIL SHALE QUARRY

The development of forest ecosystem components (tree layer, understory vegetation and topsoil) in a reclaimed oil shale quarry was evaluated based on the repeated monitoring of sample plots 5 and 15 years after afforestation with hybrid aspen. Trees had been planted directly on levelled quarry spoil (site group A1) or on quarry spoil with restored topsoil (site group A2). The reference group included hybrid aspen plantations on former arable land (site group B1). Over a decade, the relative tree growth had been slower on A1 and A2 compared to B1. Soil reaction (pHKCl) had decreased and soil total nitrogen (Ntot) had increased on A1. High pHKCl value and low stocks of Ntot, phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) restricted tree growth on A1. The properties of soil, as well as understory vegetation on A2 were similar to those on B1, which indicates that restored topsoil ensured the faster development of A2 towards the Hepatica forest type.
Harvest residues management and silvicultural operations impact on soil physical and organic matter quality of eucalypt plantations

vii RESUMO . x I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 2. REFERENCES . 3 II. CHAPTER 1 . 4 Eucalyptus harvest residue management enhances SOM accrual and alters chemistry of SOM fractions . 4
Thermo-mechanical behavior of soil-structure interface under monotonic and cyclic loads in the context of energy geostructures

Incorporation of heat exchangers in conventional geostructures like piles can extract the heat from the soil for heating purposes and inject it to the soil for cooling purposes. In recent years, research has been conducted at full and laboratory scale to investigate the effect of temperature on the geotechnical behavior of these energy geostructures as well as on the surrounding soil. Indeed, these energy geostructures can be subjected to cyclic mechanical loads and thermal variations throughout their lifetime. The aim of this study was to deepen the understanding regarding the behavior of sand/clay-structure contact under complex thermo-mechanical loads. A temperature-controlled direct shear device to perform monotonic and cyclic constant normal load or constant normal stiffness tests was developed. The response of the interface to the thermal effects on the mechanical behaviour of soils and soil-structure interface was investigated. Fontainebleau sand and kaolin clay were used as proxies for sandy and clayey soils. The results showed that the applied thermal variations have a negligible effect on the shear strength of the sand and sand-structure interface. In clay samples the temperature increase, increased the cohesion and consequently the shear strength, due to thermal contraction during heating. The adhesion of the clay-structure interface, was less than the cohesion of the clay samples. To investigate the mechanical cyclic load effects on the clay-structure interface at different temperatures, monotonic and cyclic constant-volume equivalent-undrained direct shear tests were performed on clay-clay and clay-structure interface at different temperatures. The results showed that, the number of cycles to failure for the clay-structure interface test was lower than that for the clay-clay case in the same range of cyclic and average shear stress ratios. Increasing the temperature, decreased the rate of strain accumulation and the number of cycles to failure increased by 2-3 times. The rate of degradation (degradation parameter, t) decreased by 16% with heating from 22 to 60oC for the different cyclic stress ratios tested. A non-isothermal soil-structure interface model based on critical state theory was then developed. The non-isothermal model takes into account the effect of temperature on the void ratio of interface prior to shearing. The model is capable to capture the effect of temperature on soil-structure interface under constant normal load and constant normal stiffness conditions for both sandy and clayey interfaces. The additional parameters have physical meanings and can be determined from classical laboratory tests. The formulation is in good agreement with the experimental results and the main trends are properly reproduced.
Ethnic differences in acute myocardial infarction in Singapore

Aims We compare the myocardial infarction (MI) event and mortality rates among Chinese, Malay and Indian residents of Singapore. Methods Residents, aged 20 to 64 years, with an MI event were identified from hospital discharge listings, postmortem reports, and the Registry of Births and Deaths. All pathology laboratories flagged patients with elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. Modified MONICA (multinational monitoring of trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease) criteria were used for determining MI events. Results From 1991 to 1999, 12 481 MI events were identified. Chinese patients were older and less likely to have typical symptoms or previous MI. Malays had the highest peak CPK level. Among all three ethnic groups, MI event and age-adjusted casefatality rates declined. Compared with Chinese, MI event rates were >2-fold and >3-fold higher, and age-standardized coronary mortality rates were 2.4 and 3.0 higher times for Malays and Indians, respectively. Malays have the highest 3.1-year casefatality, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 1.38) compared with Chinese. Conclusion We found strong ethnic differences in MI event, case-fatality and coronary mortality rates among the three ethnic groups in Singapore. While Indians have the greatest MI event rates, Malays have the highest case-fatality. © 2003 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
High-yield production of 2D crystals by wet-jet milling

Efficient and scalable production of two-dimensional (2D) materials is required to overcome technological hurdles towards the creation of a 2D-material-based industry. Here, we present a novel approach developed for the exfoliation of layered crystals, i.e., graphite, hexagonal-boron nitride and transition metal dichalcogenides. The process is based on high-pressure wet-jet-milling (WJM), resulting in a 2 L h−1 production of 10 g L−1 of single- and few-layer 2D crystal flakes in dispersion making the scaling-up more affordable. The WJM process enables the production of defect-free and high quality 2D-crystal dispersions on a large scale, opening the way for their full exploitation in different commercial applications, e.g., as anode active material in lithium ion batteries, as reinforcement in polymer–graphene composites, and as conductive inks, as we demonstrate in this report.
Using of hurdles technology to improve the quality characteristics of chicken fillets during storage

Food is the major source of energy in our lives as it performs various activities. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of some hurdle technology methods and different packaging on the properties of physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial for treated chicken fillet samples during the storage periods and to compare them with control samples (without treatment). The samples were soaked in solution contains: glycerol 5%, sodium chloride 6%, propylene glycol 1%, lactic acid 1% and sorbic acid 0.2% for 2 hours and semi-fried using a traditional fryer at 180 ± 5 °C for 4 min before packaged. The samples were packaged by two methods aerobically packaged and vacuum packaged and then stored under three conditions: Storage at room temperature (25± 5 ˚C), storage at cold temperature (4 ± 2 ˚C) and storage at frozen temperature (-18± 2 ˚C). The results showed that using of some hurdle technology methods retarded the development of rancidity and impeded the growth of microorganisms in chicken fillet samples at different storage conditions compared to the control samples. In conclusion, the vacuum packaging showed the best protection towards reducing the values of TVBN, TBA, pH and frying loss, as well as maintaining good sensory quality properties in tested samples during storage periods compared to aerobic packaging.
Atomic layer etching of silicon dioxide using alternating C4F8 and energetic Ar+ plasma beams

Atomic layer etching (ALE) of SiO2 was studied by alternating exposure of a 5 nm-thick SiO2 film on Si substrate to (1) a plasma beam emanating from a c-C4F8 inductively coupled plasma (ICP), to grow a fluorocarbon (FC) film composed mainly of CF2, and (2) an energetic (130 eV) Ar+ ion beam extracted from a separate Ar ICP. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze the chemical composition of the near-surface region, and to quantify the thickness of the FC and SiO2 films. A very thin (3–6 Å), near self-limiting thickness CF2-rich FC film was found to deposit on the SiO2 surface with exposure to continuous or pulsed power C4F8 plasma beams, under conditions that generated a large relative flux of CF2. Following this, a FC film of similar composition grew at ~10 times slower rate. Exposure of the thin film to the Ar+ beam led to removal of 1.9 Å SiO2. An estimated yield of 1.3 SiO2 molecules-per-Ar+ was found for a single ALE step. The rate of 1.9 Å/cycle persisted over multiple ALE cycles, but a carbon-rich residual film did build up. This film can be removed by a brief exposure to an O2-containing plasma beam.
The Determinants of Intellectual Capital Disclosure Among Malaysian Listed Companies

The objectives of this study are to identify the determinants and the extent of intellectual capital disclosure among Malaysian listed firms. The variables tested in this study are (1) age (2) size (3) leverage (4) profit; (5) ownership and (6) growth. A sample of 150 companies listed in Bursa Malaysia was selected consisting of five industries: Information Technology, Consumer Product, Industrial Product, Trading/Services and Finance. The result show that about 72.6 percent of the companies selected disclosed intellectual capital in their annual reports. That data show that our variables are determinants of intellectual age, size, director ownership and growth.
Risk of Thromboembolism in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation is associated with atrial thrombus formation and peripheral embolization, which leads to ischemic stroke or systemic thromboembolism. The CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores are tool for estimating risk of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Data on scores variables, Body mass index (BMI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with reduced glomerular filtration rate on their implication in identify thromboembolic events (TE) in Saudi population with NVAF are quite limited. Original Research Article AlHarbi et al.; AJCR, 3(1): 16-24, 2020; Article no.AJCR. 58642 17 Methods: The study consisted of 541 patients with AF seen in our institution from 2008 to 2013 were identified in database, 175 were NVAF. Thromboembolic end points were defined as ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. During follow up period of 730 days. CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores components, BMI also CKD and association with TEs end points identified by Cox regression analysis. Results: Of 175 patients with NVAF, 26 (14.9%) patients were identified to have TEs. Majority of them had stroke. Age (>or =75 years) and Peripheral vascular disease were significant factors for TEs. Thromboembolic risk in patients had previous stroke or TIA was 38.5% (P value =.000). Events rate of thromboembolism increased when CHADS2/ CHA2DS2-VASc score increased. No statistically significant associations were observed with BMI and TEs. Study has shown Despite only 35% of study population is suffering from CKD however level of estimated glomerular filtration rate were significant factor for TEs in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Study demonstrated CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, CKD are predictor of TEs and should be included in risk stratification schemes among NVAF Saudi patient. While obesity was not predicator for TEs. So, keeping this association in consideration during thromboembolism risk assessment is recommended. Further study is needed to search for modifiable risk factors that are associated with increased risk thromboembolism in NVAF patient In addition to the conventional CHADS2/ CHA2DS2-VASc scheme.
Tectonic evolution of the Himalaya constrained by detrital 40Ar–39Ar, Sm–Nd and petrographic data from the Siwalik foreland basin succession, SW Nepal

40Ar–39Ar dating of detrital white micas, petrography and heavy mineral analysis and whole‐rock geochemistry has been applied to three time‐equivalent sections through the Siwalik Group molasse in SW Nepal [Tinau Khola section (12–6 Ma), Surai Khola section (12–1 Ma) and Karnali section (16–5 Ma)]. 40Ar–39Ar ages from 1415 single detrital white micas show a peak of ages between 20 and 15 Ma for all the three sections, corresponding to the period of most extensive exhumation of the Greater Himalaya. Lag times of less than 5 Myr persist until 10 Ma, indicating Greater Himalayan exhumation rates of up to 2.6 mm year−1, using one‐dimensional thermal modelling. There are few micas younger than 12 Ma, no lag times of less than 6 Myr after 10 Ma and whole‐rock geochemistry and petrography show a significant provenance change at 12 Ma indicating erosion from the Lesser Himalaya at this time. These changes suggest a switch in the dynamics of the orogen that took place during the 12–10 Ma period whereby most strain began to be accommodated by structures within the Lesser Himalaya as opposed to the Greater Himalaya. Consistent data from all three Siwalik sections suggest a lateral continuity in tectonic evolution for the central Himalayas.
Preparation and characterization of silver nanoparticles and their use for improving the quality of apricot fruits

Nanotechnology is one of the most recent innovations. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently gained increasing interests due to their antimicrobial activities in food applications. This study aims to synthesize and characterize some features of AgNPs as well as to use such particles in improving the quality of apricot fruits. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by starch as an economic and efficient method. The size and shape of the synthesized AgNPs were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of AgNPs were evaluated. Nanoparticle solutions of Ag were applied as active coatings on apricot fruits. Samples were divided into two groups; the first group was kept at ambient temperature (25±3°C) and the other group was kept at cold temperature (6±2°C). Results of TEM revealed that AgNPs were nearly spherical shapes with a size range of 9.52-26.4nm. The inhibition zones ranged from 20.8 to 24.7mm for investigated bacterial strains, while were 17 and 20mm for fungi strains. Also, the results revealed an efficient antioxidant activity of AgNPs. During storage at the different temperatures, the samples coated with AgNPs had lower values for weight losses, decay, total soluble solids and malondialdehyde concentration, while such samples had higher levels of total acidity and total carotenoids compared to control, and consequently lead to preserved their quality properties and extended of the shelf life. Based on comprehensive comparison and evaluation, apricots coated by AgNPs could be kept in good quality for 8 days at 25±3°C or for 24 days at 6±2°C.
Target Firm Accounting Conservatism and Corporate Acquisitions: Transferring Wealth or Benefiting Both?

Because conservative accounting practices induce firms to report bad news earlier and defer good news disclosure, accounting conservatism in target firm accounting can hinder acquirers from identifying a potentially profitable target while it can help acquiring firms mitigate the downside risk stemming from future asset write-downs and investment inefficiency. After accounting for other accounting attributes and governance mechanisms, our analysis reveals that a firm is more likely to receive an acquisition offer when its financial reporting is more conservative. More importantly, while the acquirer pays a larger takeover premium to a more conservative target firm, the acquirer’s acquisition performance turns out to be greater when the target firm’s accounting is more conservative. Overall, our findings suggest that unlike other target firm accounting quality proxies that transfer wealth from the target to the acquirer shareholders, target firm accounting conservatism benefits both the acquirer and target shareholders.
Prevalence of C-Shaped Canals in Anterior and Posterior Teeth of Iranian Population Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Background: Lack of knowledge of root anatomy is the second most common reason for failed endodontic therapy. Therefore, acquiring knowledge about it leads to a more effective treatment. C-shaped canal is an anatomical variation that causes clinical challenges. The objective of this study is to determine the occurrence of the C-shaped roots in permanent anterior and posterior teeth of the Iranian population using CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) scans. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. In this study, 1408 teeth were assessed. Cranex 3D Mid was used to prepare CBCT images. Each tooth was examined in axial sections, and five different levels were identified as coronal, medium, apical, 1/3, and 2/3. The canal shapes were classified into 5 categories based on modified Melton’s method. Data were analysed using the chi-square test at a significance level of 5%in SPSS version 24.0. Results: In total, of 1408 teeth which were evaluated, 7.81% (110) were confirmed to have C-shaped canals. The occurrence of the C-shaped canal was significantly higher in molars (P < 0.001). The occurrence of the C-shaped canal was significantly higher in mandibular teeth (10.04%) compared to maxillary teeth (5.81%) (P < 0.001). The most common C-shaped canal category was C1 (57.27%). The relationship of gender and age with the C-shaped canal occurrence was not statistically significant (P = 0.585, P = 0.562, respectively). Conclusions: CBCT is a useful tool to evaluate C-shaped root canal morphology. The high occurrence of the C-shaped canal in the Iranian population requires clinical awareness.
Metrics on D-brane Orbifolds

[1]. Short distancegeometry is similar to the long distance geometry probed by fundamental strings, as onewould expect if the two are simply limits of a single idea of ‘geometry,’ but with interestingdiﬀerences. In a recent paper [2] the ﬁrst steps towards understanding short distance Calabi-Yau geometry were taken. Comparing with problems with higher supersymmetry, themost salient diﬀerence is that the metric can depend on an arbitrary function, the Kahlerpotential. Thus the questions of what metric is seen by D0-branes and whether it isdetermined by a local equation of motion can be studied directly.In [2], a study was made of backgrounds of the form C
Is California Doing Enough to Close the School Discipline Gap? Executive Summary.

In California, a combination of statewide and local efforts has been implemented to reduce the use of punitive suspensions in public K-12 schools. Current state data trends reflect these efforts, showing that far fewer students were suspended during the 2018-19 school year than in 2011-12. However, the data trends also show that the decline in the use of suspensions has slowed at the state level in the last few years and that large racial disparities remain, although they have narrowed.
Mesocyclone and RFD evolution in simulated supercell storms with varying wind profiles

Many observational and modeling studies have focused on mesocyclone evolution in supercells. Adlerman and Droegemeier (2005) developed a parameter space of hodograph shapes, and tested mesocyclone sensitivity to these environmental wind shear variations. Three types of mesocyclone evolution were identified: steady (non-cycling), occluding cyclic, and nonoccluding cyclic. Decreased sensitivity to hodograph shape and model resolution has been documented for supercells in simulations with strong vertical wind shear (Gilmore et al. 2004a). Most supercell modeling studies have historically included liquid-only microphysics. A recent study showed significant differences in updraft strength, surface precipitation outcome, and cold pool strength in simulations identical except for choice of microphysics (Gilmore et al. 2004b). Ice-inclusive microphysics produced stronger updrafts due to greater latent heat release. As expected from past studies (e.g. Srivastava 1987), cold pool strength was also greater, which may have nontrivial effects on the inflow-outflow balance near the mesocyclone. For this study, a subset of twelve hodographs from Adlerman and Droegemeier (2005) were chosen, including three full-circle, three three-quarter-circle, and six half-circle wind profiles. For each hodograph, a simulation was run using liquid-only microphysics, similar to what was done in Adlerman and Droegemeier’s study, and another simulation was run with ice-inclusive microphysics. Mesocyclone behavior from the liquid-only runs was compared with the results of
The Benefits of Discipline-based Communities for Faculty Teaching Development

Jill Nelson is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at George Mason University. She earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Economics from Rice University in 1998. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for graduate study, earning an MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Dr. Nelson’s research focus is in statistical signal processing, specifically detection and estimation for applications in target tracking and physical layer communications. Her work on target detection and tracking is funded by the Office of Naval Research. Dr. Nelson is a 2010 recipient of the NSF CAREER Award. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and the IEEE Signal Processing, Communications, and Education Societies.
Modelling and Operator-Based Nonlinear Control for a Miniature Pneumatic Bending Rubber Actuator Considering Bellows

Recently, many kinds of soft actuators composed of flexible materials, such as silicon rubber, have been studied in the mechatronics field with increasing attention on the artificial muscle in welfare, medical care and biotechnology. Particularly, pneumatic-driven soft actuator moves flexibly and works safely because of not electrical but pneumatic input, so that the actuator could perform effectively in the medical operations. A miniature pneumatic bending rubber actuator is a tiny pneumatic-driven soft actuator which has some chambers connected to only one tube providing compressed air and the chamber has bellows. This actuator can bend circularly in two directions and grab delicate objects such as fish eggs, by inputting pressure into its chambers. The actuator, however, has nonlinear property derived from elastomer in input-output relation. The actuator, therefore, sacrifices some degree of control performance instead of obtaining the passive flexibility to delicate objects. To solve the above problem, previous studies have shown, by the experiments, that the effectiveness of designing the nonlinear feedback control system using robust right coprime factorization based on the operator theory for control of the output angle of the actuator. However, the mathematical model used for designing the system caused modelling error because the bellows were not considered in deriving the model. The mathematical model should fit experimental value as well as possible for system design and there has been no example modelling of the micro hand having bellows. In this research, a new model of the micro hand considering its bellows with elastomer property is proposed. Moreover, a control system using the robust right coprime factorization based on the operator theory is designed for the new model. Finally, the effectiveness is shown in the experiment.