Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acquiring control of auditory assistive communication devices

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) often require intact gaze control. Users with braininjuries or diseases that lead to a loss of gaze control need alternative BCI paradigms. Auditory P300 BCIs can provide such an alternative. Previously we were able to show that training with and auditory P300 BCI based on natural stimuli and spatial cues leads to a substantial increase in information transfer rate (ITR) in a sample of healthy participants. Recently, we performed this training (five sessions) with a sample of N=5 motor impaired end-users. The five end-users started with an average ITR of 0.17 bits/min. After the five training sessions were completed the average online ITR was 3.09 bits/min. Three out of five end-users acquired control of the BCI system used in this study. This is the first time that severely motor impaired end-users achieved a level of control this high with a multi choice auditory P300 BCI.
RELATIVE STRENGTH REQUIREMENT FOR SWALLOW ELEMENT PROPER EXECUTION: A PREDICTIVE TEST

The present study analyzes the correlation between gymnast ́s relative strength and the time in seconds that the athlete can hold the swallow on rings with the idea to identify the minimum relative strength required for the proper execution of this element. In addition, a dumbbells exercise is proposed as a convenient evaluation and training method for swallow conditioning. Furthermore, gymnast body ratios were evaluated in order to achieve whether these parameters represent an advantage or disadvantage for swallow execution on rings. A Spearman’s correlation test was used to compare the relative strength, height/sitting height and height/wingspan ratios versus the swallow holding time of 14 senior Elite level male gymnasts from the Argentinean team. A significant correlation (p<0.01) between the relative strength and the time in seconds that the swallow was held by the athletes was found, proving that the execution of this element on rings is explained almost in a 90% by the gymnast ́s relative strength. No correlation between the swallow holding time and the height/sitting height and height/wingspan ratios were found. These results could provide to gymnasts and coaches with a useful tool for easily recognize if the gymnast ́s physical condition is appropriate to perform a
Optimization of nitrogen for bioventing of gasoline contaminated soil

Bioventing is a promising in situ remediation technology for hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Using low airflow rates to produce oxygen-rich conditions in the vadose zone, and nutrient addition, bioventing stimulates indigenous microorganisms that degrade the hydrocarbon contaminants. However, several questions about bioventing remain to be answered, including the optimum soil water content, type and amount of nutrients necessary, and contributions of different microbes. Experiments were conducted using small-scale respirometers containing gasoline-contaminated soil from an active remediation site to determine the effects of soil water content, nitrogen content, nitrogen form, and the composition of the microbial population on the gasoline biodegradation rate. Results indicate that optimum bioventing conditions were 18 wt. % soil water content, C:N = 10:1, using NH4+-N. A maximum first-order degradation rate constant of 0.12/d was observed. Biodegradation was limited at high C:N ratios by the availability of.
TEACHERS PERCEPTION OF KNOWLEDGE, COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE AS PREDICTOR OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE Midat,

Midat, Caroline Yunana Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) Zaria, Kaduna State E-mail: Phone No: +234-813-432-3356 Abstract The study examines the relationship between teachers’ perception of knowledge of subject matter. Communicative skills and experience as predictor of junior secondary school students’ performance in English language. The population was made up of all junior secondary schools in Zaria and Giwa educational zone, Kaduna state. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A total of 43 English teachers and 355 Junior Secondary School Students were randomly selected for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a 4 point rating scale questionnaire on knowledge of subject matter. Communicative skills and experience. The instrument was validated and using test retest the instrument was pilot tested, using KuderRichardson (KR 20) the reliability index was calculated to be 0.88. While examination result spread sheet from the secondary schools were used to collect student scores. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) was used to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that, there is a significant relationship between teachers’ perception of knowledge of subject matter and students’ academic achievement (df=396 r=0.99 p<0.05), there is a significant relationship between teachers’ Communicative skills and students’ academic achievement (df=396 r=0.97 p<0.05) as well as there is a significant relationship between teacher experience and students’ academic achievement. (df=396 r=0.99 p<0.05) Based on this finding it was recommended that there should be training and retraining of teachers to update their knowledge of subject matter and communicative skills.
Effect of Bt Corn Expressing the Cry3Bb1 Toxin for Corn Rootworm Control on Aboveground Nontarget Arthropods

Abstract The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of corn in Kansas. Planting Bt corn hybrids resistant to this pest is being tested for control of the larval stage of corn rootworms. These hybrids express the Cry3Bb1 toxin and are expected to only directly impact chrysomelids and possibly related taxa. A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Bt corn expressing the Cry3Bb1 toxin on foliar and ground-dwelling nontarget arthropods in Kansas. Visual inspections of adult and immature Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Orius insidiosus (Say), Hippodamia convergens Gurin-Meneville, and Scymnus spp. occurring in Bt corn and its isoline were made at eight locations in Kansas in 2000 and three locations in 2001. Pitfall traps were installed at three locations in 2000 and two locations in 2001 to collect ground-dwelling arthropods in Bt corn and its isoline. In general, no significant differences in numbers of C. maculata, O. insidiosus, H. convergens, and Scymnus spp. were detected between Bt corn and its non-Bt isoline. There were also no significant differences in number of insects collected in pitfall traps installed in plots of Bt corn and its isoline. Bt corn for corn rootworm control had no deleterious effects on beneficial and other nontarget arthropods sampled in this study.
An experimental evaluation of fire history reconstruction using dendrochronology in white oak (Quercus alba)

Dendrochronological analysis of fire scars on tree cross sections has been critically important for understanding historical fire regimes and has influenced forest management practices. Despite its value as a tool for understanding historical ecosystems, tree-ring-based fire history reconstruction has rarely been experimentally evaluated. To examine the efficacy of dendrochronological analysis for detecting fire occurrence in oak forests, we analyzed tree cross sections from sites in which prescribed fires had been recently conducted. The first fire in each treatment unit created a scar in at least one sample, but the overall percentage of samples containing scars in fire years was low (12%). We found that scars were created by 10 of the 15 prescribed fires, and the five undetected fires all occurred in sites where fire had occurred the previous year. Notably, several samples contained scars from known fire-free periods. In summary, our data suggest that tree-ring analysis is a generally effective tool for reconstructing historical fire regimes, although the following points of uncertainty were highlighted: (i) consecutive annual burns may not create fire scars and (ii) wounds that are morphologically indistinguishable from fire scars may originate from nonfire sources.
Strain Improvement Through UV and Chemical Mutagenesis for Enhanced Citric Acid Production in Molasses-Based Solid State Fermentation

Aspergillus niger was subjected to UV radiation and chemical mutagenesis to develop its hyper-producing mutants for enhanced citric acid production. Ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and Ethidium bromide (EB) were used for chemical mutagenesis of Aspergillus niger. UV, and chemically treated mutants of Aspergillus niger were identified by using 2-deoxy, D-glucose as selective marker. The selected mutants were cultured in solid state fermentation (SSF) of sugarcane molasses medium (10%) using corn cobs, banana stalk, sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, and wheat bran as carrier substrates. After pH adjustment and sterilization, the triplicate flasks were inoculated with 5 mLof homogenous spore suspensions of selected mutants of A. niger and the flasks were subjected to SSF under still culture conditions. The mutant EB-3 (treated with 1 mg/mL ethidium bromide for 120 min) giving highest citric acid yield (64.2 mg/mL) in 72 h was selected as hyper-producing mutant. Citric acid production process using EB-3 mutant was then optimized to enhance citric acid production by the mutant in SSF. Aspergillus niger EB-3 mutant could produce 67.72 mg/mL citric acid in 72 h using banana stalks as support material under optimum conditions of pH (pH 6), incubation temperature (35°C) and inoculum size (5 mL) in SSF.
Effect of Resistance Isokinetic Training on Power and Speed Development in a Group of Competitive Swimmers

The aim of this studyis to assess the efficiency of an 8-week isokinetic resistance form of load on changes in speed-power abilities in a group of performance swimmers. The group consisted of 14 swimmers (men), randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. The experimental group consisted of 7 swimmers with an average age of 24.3 ± 4.5 years and the control group of 7 swimmers with an average age of 23.6 ± 4.4 years. In the research, we used a two-stage time parallel experiment. The experimental group performed swimming with added externalisokinetic resistance and the control group swam under natural conditions without added external resistance.Swimming isokinetic dynamometer (SID) was used to measure maximal mean isokinetic power (Pmax) during 6 seconds and to create the isokinetic conditions. Both groups performed 6 second swimming with maximum effort. Swimmers performed 3 series of 3 repetitions with a rest interval of 3 minutes between repeats and 5 min between series with stimulation frequency 2 times per week ( in total 16 training sessions). The trainings of the experimental and control groups were differed only in experimental and control stimulus during the period under review.The influence of the experimental and control factors was assessed using the following dependent variables: a complex swim speed of 12 m (max12) and 25 m (max25) and the highest average power (Pmax) achieved in watts at a swimming speed of 0.8 m.s. Results: test max12, in theexperimental group there was an improvement by0.14 ± 0.02s (2.88 %, p < 0.05, ES = 0.634). In thecontrol group there was animprovement by0.07 ± 0.04 s (1.45 %, p < 0.05, ES = 0.587). Test max25, in the experimental groupthere wasan improvement by 0.35 ± 0.09 s (3.07 %, p < 0.05, ES = 0,632). In the control group 0.12 ± 0.12 s (1.09 % , p < 0.05, ES = 0.542). The Pmax test: in the experimental group there was an improvementby 11.99 ± 2.63 W (13.81 %, p < 0.05, ES = 0.632) and for the control group 1.78 ± 1.81 W (2.93 %, p = n.s., ES = 0.497). The results show that swimming in isokinetic mode was more effective in developing swimming velocity and speed-power capabilities compared to swimming in natural conditions without additional resistance.
Stoichiometric homeostasis in the food web of a chronically nutrient-rich stream

Abstract: The theory of ecological stoichiometry holds that heterotrophs are mostly homeostatic and exhibit less variation in body stoichiometry than do autotrophs. Most studies of stream foodweb stoichiometry have been done in low-nutrient environments. Little is known about foodweb stoichiometry in nutrient-rich streams, in which a higher level of stoichiometric homeostasis should be expected, mainly because imbalances between resources and consumers are low and nutrient availability may meet biotic requirements. We analyzed elemental content (C, N, P) and stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P) of basal resources, macroinvertebrates, and fishes in a nutrient-rich Pampean stream and compared these values to those from other studies. We manipulated P and N in a 1-y fertilization experiment to analyze biotic stoichiometric responses to additional nutrient input to this naturally enriched system. Soluble reactive P concentration in the treatment reach was doubled relative to the background concentration. Consumers had lower C:P and N:P than those in other lotic systems, whereas P content and C:P and N:P of basal resources were within the ranges observed for other systems. Most components of the trophic web were not affected by fertilization, and only epiphyton, fine benthic organic matter, and 2 macroinvertebrate species (Palaemonetes argentinus and Pomacea canaliculata) changed their nutrient content or stoichiometric ratios. Imbalances in C:N and C:P occurred between primary consumers and their resources, particularly among macroinvertebrate collectors and detritivorous fishes feeding on FBOM. Most basal resources and consumers were strictly homeostatic for P content and the stoichiometric ratios, but a lower degree of homeostasis occurred in the epiphyton, P. canaliculata, and collectors feeding on epiphyton. A high degree of stoichiometric homeostasis exists across the various components of the food web in this nutrient-rich stream, regardless of their trophic position.
Family-Group Names for Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract The 173 family-group names for bees (Apoidea: Anthophila) are cataloged in chronological order. For each name the correct author, date, type genus, and combining stem are provided. The following names are considered nomina nuda: Phenacolletini, Ctenioschelini, †Chalicodomopsini, Liphanthini, Austropanurgini, and Hoplitini. The authorship of three names (Tapinotaspidini, Hexepeolini, and Ancyloscelidina) is corrected as each was a nomen nudum when first proposed, but has been subsequently made available by other authors. The following new names are proposed herein: Scraptrinae Ascher and Engel, new subfamily (Colletidae); Neffapini Ascher, new tribe (Andrenidae: Panurginae); Afrodasypodini Engel, new tribe (Melittidae: Dasypodainae), Afrodasypoda Engel, new genus; Hesperapina Ascher and Engel, new subtribe (Melittidae: Dasypodainae); Macrogaleina Engel, new subtribe (Apidae: Xylocopinae); and Ancyloscelidina Engel and Michener, new subtribe (Apidae: Apinae). A hierarchical outline of Apoidea classification (inclusive of the digger wasps), indicating the suggested current usage of all available family-group names is appended. The name Anthophila, as proposed by Latreille, is adopted for the bees as a whole.
Factors affecting the species composition of arable field boundary vegetation

1. In recent decades the botanical diversity of arable field boundaries has declined drastically. To determine the most important factors related to the species composition of arable field boundaries, the vegetation composition of 105 herbaceous boundaries, 1-m wide, in the central and eastern Netherlands was surveyed. Biomass samples of the boundary were taken at 0-33, 34-66 and 67-100 cm from the adjacent arable field. 2. Farmers were interviewed with respect to boundary management and land use on the adjacent arable field. The two data sets containing the botanical data and the environmental variables were linked and analysed by multivariate analysis and analysis of variance. 3. The nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the crop were closely correlated to another environmental variable, crop rotation. Crop rotations dominated by maize cultivation received significantly higher nutrient inputs than the other rotations. 4. Nitrogen, phosphorus and crop rotation were strongly correlated with the composition of the boundary vegetation. Species richness of the boundary vegetation was negatively related to nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the crop, while total boundary biomass was negatively related to nitrogen inputs only. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the partitioning of the boundary vegetation between different functional groups and both nitrogen inputs and crop rotation on the adjacent arable field. No significant relationships were found between the vegetation composition and either herbicide use in the boundary or boundary management. This may have been due to the descriptive approach of the study: little variation in boundary management as well as herbicide use in the boundary was observed in the study area. 5. The boundary vegetation was characterized by a peak in biomass production in the zone near the arable field. In this zone the perennial arable weed Elymus repens, as well as annual dicot species, were significantly more abundant, while perennial dicots and monocots were significantly less abundant compared with the zones further from the arable field. 6. Efforts to protect field boundary vegetation need to focus on a reduction or cessation of fertilizer applications in the outer metre(s) of crops that require high nutrient inputs. The determination of the exact nature of the relationship between the vegetation composition of arable field boundaries and the intuitively important management and herbicide use in the boundary requires an experimental approach.
NEMESIS-A Description-First Draft

4 The innovation mechanisms 20 4.1 A fully endogenous growth model . 20 4.2 A three dimensional innovation function 23 4.3 Specification of the innovation function . 24 4.4 Knowledge variables . 24 4.5 Process and product innovation . 26 4.6 Sectoral interdependencies . 26 4.7 The innovation mechanism as a whole and the economic feedbacks . 28
Immersion and Invariance-Based nonlinear controller for a Power System with the excitation and STATCOM

In this paper, based on Immersion and Invariance (I&I) methodology, a nonlinear excitation and Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) controller is proposed for the transient stability enhancement of an electrical power system. In particular, the simplified nonlinear model of power system elements and I&I design method are used to achieve not only power angle stability but also frequency and voltage regulations during a large (disturbance) perturbation (a symmetrical three-phase short circuit fault) on the transmission lines. The simulation results show that the proposed controller can not only keep the system transiently stable under severe disturbances but also simultaneously achieve power angle stability as well as frequency and voltage regulation.
Hemodynamics and the Focal Origin of Atherosclerosis

Abstract: Atherosclerosis originates at predictable focal and regional sites that are associated with complex flow disturbances and flow separations in large arteries. The spatial relationships associated with hemodynamic shear stress forces acting on the endothelial monolayer are considered in experiments that model regions susceptible to atherosclerosis (flow disturbance) and resistant to atherosclerosis (undisturbed flow). Flow disturbance in vitro induced differential expression at the single gene level as illustrated for the intercellular communication gene and protein, connexin 43. Transcription profiles of individual endothelial cells isolated from both disturbed and undisturbed flow regions exhibited more expression heterogeneity in disturbed than in undisturbed flow. We propose that within highly heterogeneous populations of endothelial cells located in disturbed flow regions, proatherosclerotic gene expression may occur within the range of expression profiles induced by the local hemodynamics. These may be sites of initiation of focal atherosclerosis. Mechanisms are proposed to account for heterogeneous endothelial responses to shear stress by reference to the decentralized model of endothelial mechano‐transduction. Length scales ranging from centimeters to nanometers are useful in describing regional, single cell, and intracellular mechanotransduction mechanisms.
Incidence of white striping under commercial conditions in medium and heavy broiler chickens in Italy

SUMMARY Several types of muscle abnormalities are present in the poultry industry as a result of genetic selection, leading to decreased quality of meat and consequent economic loss. The appearance of thin (moderate) to thick (severe) white striping (WS) striations parallel to muscle fibers on the surface of broiler breast fillets is one of the most troubling issues in the poultry industry. White striping also has unfavorable implications on visual acceptance, nutritional value, and processing traits of breast meat. The aim of this survey was to assess the influence of market class (medium and heavy birds) and genotype (standard- and high-breast yield hybrids) on the incidence of WS in broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions in Italy. The incidence of WS for both medium and heavy broilers was high (43.0%), with 6.2% of samples considered severe. Heavy flocks had significantly higher percentages of both moderate (46.9 vs. 25.8%; P ≤ 0.001) and severe (9.5 vs. 2.7%; P ≤ 0.001) WS than medium flocks. Considering the effect of genotype, high-breast yield hybrids exhibited a higher incidence of both moderate (40.2 vs. 33.2%; P ≤ 0.001) and severe WS (7.2 vs. 5.0%; P ≤ 0.001) compared with standard-breast yield birds. In addition, within the medium class, the occurrence of WS reached higher levels in flocks of males. The heavy class consisted of male flocks separated into 2 slaughter weight categories. Birds that reached higher slaughtering weights (3.8–4.2 kg) exhibited higher incidence of WS than flocks slaughtered at lower weights (3.0–3.8 kg) at a similar age. In conclusion, the main broiler genotypes used for commercial production were affected by a high rate of WS; hybrids selected for higher breast yields were more prone to the WS abnormality. In addition, severe cases of WS are even more prevalent at higher slaughter age and weight, although reduced growth rate is associated with a lower incidence and severity of WS.
Renneting properties of milk from individual ewes: influence of genetic and non-genetic variables, and relationship with physicochemical characteristics

The physicochemical characteristics and the renneting properties of milks from Lacaune ewes are reported. The ewes belonged to divergent genetic lines termed ‘low’ or ‘high’ and were selected on a combination of fat and protein yield. The 179 second to fifth parity ewes were sampled three times during lactation at about 50, 135 and 175 d in milk. Physicochemical and renneting variables were principally influenced by days in milk and somatic cell count, whereas β-lactoglobulin genotype, parity and divergent lines had relatively few effects. Fat and protein content increased throughout lactation, whereas rennet gel firming rate decreased. Salt distribution and micellar characteristics were also significantly affected by days in milk. Milks with high somatic cell count were characterized by high values of pH and soluble nitrogen content and rennet coagulation properties were significantly affected at >3×105−5×105 cells/ml milk. Divergent lines had a strong effect on milk yield, but no effect on milk composition consistent with the selection criteria. Gel firming rate was slightly higher in milks from high yield ewes. Protein content, Ca concentration, pH and micelle characteristics were the main factors related to variations in the renneting properties of the milks.