Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decarbonizing the Galapagos Islands: Techno-Economic Perspectives for the Hybrid Renewable Mini-Grid Baltra–Santa Cruz

The fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands is being affected by population growth, intensive tourism, the exploitation of local resources and the high consumption of imported fossil fuels. This unsustainable development model makes the provision of services such as electricity a challenge. This research investigates the hybrid renewable mini-grid Baltra–Santa Cruz, which represents 62% of the electricity generation mix of the archipelago. This study aims to support the Galapagos Zero Fossil Fuel Initiative and the Sustainable Development Goal 7 through the reduction in diesel consumption and electricity generation costs. To do so, HOMER Pro, a specialized hybrid renewable mini-grid planning tool, is used to perform several techno-economic assessments, focusing on different electricity demand scenarios. Therefore, multiple pathways are compared to identify the most reliable alternatives towards the progressive decarbonization of this hybrid system. The results indicate that installing 18.25 MWp of photovoltaic and 20.68 MWh of battery capacity could reduce the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) from 32.06 to 18.95 USc/kWh, increasing the renewable energy (RE) share from 18% to 39%. Additionally, the successful application of energy efficiency measures would even reduce the LCOE to 17.10 USc/kWh. What is more, distributed energy is considered the most attractive way to involve islanders in the energy transition process. Finally, this paper offers a comprehensive business model proposal to achieve a resilient energy supply, based on a combination of auctions and energy community models, which demands high political will, reliable and innovative regulations and social awareness about energy use.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the Hydrophis melanocephalus slender-necked sea snake (Squamata, Elapidae)

Abstract We here report the complete mitochondrial genome of the Hydrophis melanocephalus slender-necked sea snake from Okinawa, Japan. Its length is 17,182 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and three non-coding regions, providing the basis for further phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of sea snakes.
Quantifying the volume increase and chemical exchange during serpentinization

Quantifying the concurrent changes in rock volume and fluid composition during serpentinization remains a major challenge in assessing its physicochemical effects during continental rifting, seafloor spreading, and subduction. Here we conducted a series of 11 hydrothermal laboratory experiments where cylindrical cores of natural dunite, harzburgite, and pyroxenite were reacted with an aqueous solution at 300 °C and 35 MPa for up to 18 months. Using three-dimensional microcomputed tomography and thermogravimetry, we show that rock volume systematically increased with time and extent of reaction, leading to a volume increase of 44% (±8%) in altered rock domains after 10–18 months of serpentinization. The volume expansion was accompanied by Mg-Ca exchange between fluid and rock, while Fe and Si were largely conserved. We find that the protolith composition (olivine/orthopyroxene ratio) plays a significant role in controlling the fluid chemistry and the proportions of hydrous secondary minerals during serpentinization. Agreement between alteration mineralogy, composition of reacting fluids, and measured volume changes suggests that serpentinization under static conditions is a volume-increasing process in spite of demonstrable mass transfer. Volume expansion implies an increased water carrying capacity and buoyancy force of serpentinite per unit mass of protolith, while Mg-Ca exchange during serpentinization may affect the Mg/Ca ratio of seawater on Earth and possibly other ocean worlds.
Convergent Evolution: Limited Forms Most Beautiful

Charles Darwin famously concluded On the Origin of Species with a vision of "endless forms most beautiful" continually evolving. More than 150 years later many evolutionary biologists see not endless forms but the same, or very similar, forms evolving repeatedly in many independent species lineages. A porpoise's fishlike fins, for example, are not inherited from fish ancestors but are independently derived convergent traits. In this book, George McGhee describes the ubiquity of the phenomenon of convergent evolution and connects it directly to the concept of evolutionary constraint--the idea that the number of evolutionary pathways available to life are not endless, but quite limited. Convergent evolution occurs on all levels, from tiny organic molecules to entire ecosystems of species. McGhee demonstrates its ubiquity in animals, both herbivore and carnivore; in plants; in ecosystems; in molecules, including DNA, proteins, and enzymes; and even in minds, describing problem-solving behavior and group behavior as the products of convergence. For each species example, he provides an abbreviated list of the major nodes in its phylogenetic classification, allowing the reader to see the evolutionary relationship of a group of species that have independently evolved a similar trait by convergent evolution. McGhee analyzes the role of functional and developmental constraints in producing convergent evolution, and considers the scientific and philosophical implications of convergent evolution for the predictability of the evolutionary process.
Percentages of problem drug use and their implications for policy making: A review of the literature

This paper reviews the literature on problem drug use, aiming to answer the question ‘what percentages of drug users are problem drug users? ’ We look at the conceptualisation of problem drug use, and related concepts such as addiction and dependence. While conceptually distinct, definitions vary, and terms are often utilised interchangeably in the literature. Because of the heightened controversy and recurring moral panics (often without factual basis) related to illicit drugs as compared to the licit drugs, we focus primarily on the use of the former. We summarise previous research findings on percentages of problem drug user in general as well as for the most commonly used illicit substances more specifically. Results show that the majority of drug use is episodic, transient and generally non-problematic. The majority of people who have used various drugs in their lifetime have not done so in the past year. Only a minority become problem drug users. Appreciating the limitations of current research, further research avenues are outlined and implications for policy making are provided. If most drug use is indeed non-problematic it implies the need for policy changes with a heightened focus on the development of improved risk communications and other harm reduction strategies. There is a need to move away from the narrative of ‘the problem drug user’ which is in many ways still prevalent in informing policy making. Incorrect perceptions of drugs and people who use drugs should be countered by providing evidence-based, transparent and easily accessible information. This is essential to change public attitudes towards and remove stigma of people who use drugs.
Adventitious Shoot Development from Leaf and Stem Explants of 'Amygdalus communis' L. cv. Yaltinski

In the present research effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on callus formation and adventitious shoot from different explants of Amygdalus communis L.cv. Yaltinski was investigated. Callus was initiated from leaf and stem explants on MS medium supplemented with four different auxin ( IAA, NAA, IBA and 2, 4-D) combined with BAP (1.0 mg l{-1}) under dark and light conditions. Among all the concentrations of auxin the best result from leaf explants was observed with the 1.0:1.0 and 2.0:1.0 NAA plus BAP treatments (90%, 88% respectively) under light conditions. Only non-embryogenic callus on leaf explants obtained in the concentrations (1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg l{-1}) of auxin. The obtained calli from leaf explants cultured on MS media containing different concentrations of BAP (1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 mg l{-1}) for adventitious shoot development. Calli showed some proliferation after it was transferred to the media, but did not show any embryogenic response. In our research, the highest callus induction (80%) was obtained on medium containing 1.0:1.0 2,4-D plus BAP, under the dark (7 days) conditions for stem explants. Moreover, at the same medium and under the same conditions embryogenic calli was obtained as well. Calli showed adventitious shoot development after it was transferred to medium containing 4.0 mg l{-1} BAP, but other concentrations of BAP ( 2.0, 6.0, 8.0 mg l{-1}) did not show any embryogenic response. The medium supplemented with 4.0:1.0 IAA plus BAP provided root development directly from the yaltinski stem explants under the dark conditions (7 days).
Corticosteroid Withdrawal after Complete Resection of Recurrent IgG4-Related Ophthalmic Disease

ABSTRACT Corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for immunoglobulin G4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD). However, the therapeutic effect of corticosteroids is unpredictable, and recurrences occur frequently. We present a case of a 60-year-old woman with IgG4-ROD of the lacrimal fossa. She was first treated with oral prednisolone, which was tapered within three months. However, proptosis recurred two months after prednisolone withdrawal. En bloc excision of the lesion was performed via the eyelid crease approach. The patient is lesion-free without corticosteroids at 18 months after surgery. Complete resection can be a powerful strategy for IgG4-ROD if a well-defined lesion is located in accessible areas.
Plant hormones : physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology

A: Introduction. 1. The plant hormones: Their nature, occurrence, and functions P.J. Davies. 2. The plant hormone concept: Concentration, and sensitivity and transport P.J. Davies. B: Hormone Synthesis and Metabolism. 1. Auxin biosynthesis and metabolism R.S. Bandurski, J.D. Cohen, J. Slovin, D.M. Reinecke. 2. Gibberellin biosynthesis and metabolism V.M. Sponsel. 3.Cytokinin biosynthesis and metabolism B.A. McGaw. 4. Biosynthesis and metabolism of ethylene T.A. McKeon, J.C. Fernandez-Maculet, S.F. Yang. 5. Abscisic acid biosynthesis and metabolism D.C. Walton. C: Other Hormonal Compounds. 1. Polyamines as endogenous growth regulators A.W. Galston, R. Kaur-Sawhney. 2. Jasmonates, salicylic acid and brassinosteroids P.E. Staswick, I. Raskin, R.N. Arteca. D: How Hormones Work. 1. Auxin and cell elongation R.E. Cleland. 2. The control of gene expression by auxin G. Hagen. 3. Gibberellin action in germinating cereal grains J.V. Jacobsen, F. Gubler, P.M. Chanderl. 4. Hormone binding and signal transduction K.R. Libbenga, A.M. Mennes. 5. Calcium and plant hormone action P.C. Bethke, S. Gilroy, R.L. Jones. E: Molecular Aspects of Hormone Synthesis and Action. 1. Genes specifying auxin and cytokinin biosynthesis in prokaryotes R.O. Morris. 2. Transgenic plants in hormone biology H.J. Klee, M.B. Lanahan. 3. Biochemical and genetic approaches to study the mechanism of action of auxins J. Schell, K. Palme, R. Walden. 4. Ethylene genes and fruit ripening S. Picton, J.E. Gray, D. Grierson. 5. The role of hormones in gene activation in response to wounding H. Pena-Cortes, L. Willmitzer. F: Hormone Analysis. 1.Instrumental methods of plant hormone analysis R. Horgan. 2. Immunoassay methods of plant hormone analysis J.L. Caruso, V.C. Pence, L.A. Leverone. G: The Functioning of Hormones in Plant Growth and Development. 1. Hormone mutants and plant development J.B. Reid, S.H. Howell. 2. Ethylene in plant growth, development, and senescence M.S. Reid. 3. Auxin transport T.L. Lomax, G.K. Muday, P.H. Rubery. 4. The induction of vcascular tissues by auxin R. Aloni. 5. Hormones and the orientation of growth P.B. Kaufman, L-L. Wu, T.G. Brock, D. Kim. 6. Hormonal regulation of apical dominance I.A. Tamas. 7. Hormones as regulators of water balance T.A. Mansfield, M.R. McAinsh. 8. Hormones and reproductive development J.D. Metzger. 9. The role of hormones in photosynthate partitioning and seed filling M.L. Brenner, N. Cheikh. 10. The role of hormones during seed development C.D. Rock, R.S. Quatrano. 11. The role of hormones in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuberization E.E. Ewing. 12. Postharvest hormone changes in vegetables and fruit P.M. Ludford. 13. Hormones in tissue culture and micropropagation A.D. Krikorian. 14. Natural and synthetic growth regulators and their use in horticultural and agronomic crops T.J. Gianfagna.
Mosquito: The Story of Man's Deadliest Foe

Faber & Faber. Paperback. Book Condition: new. BRAND NEW, Mosquito: The Story of Man's Deadliest Foe, Andrew Spielman, Michael D'Antonio, 'Consider the most common mosquito on Earth. This soft, little, dusty-brown insect is Culex Pipiens. You've seen her land on your arm. You have caught her just at the end of her feeding, her translucent belly swelling red with your very own blood. At such a moment, you can be forgiven for failing to notice what an elegant and hardy thing she is. But she is . ' No creature has touched directly the lives of more human beings than the mosquito. She has been a nuisance, a pollinator of plants and an angel of death all over the globe. And throughout history, much of our trouble with the mosquito has been caused by man himself. Professor Andrew Spielman has dedicated his life to understanding this insect. In Mosquito he tells the story of man's struggle to live with the mosquito, from the defeat of Sir Francis Drake's fleet, to the death of thousands of Frenchmen working on the Panama Canal and to the recent panic over the West Nile Virus in New York. And he shows us how we have.
A spatially varying distributed lag model with application to an air pollution and term low birth weight study

Distributed lag models have been used to identify critical pregnancy periods of exposure (i.e. critical exposure windows) to air pollution in studies of pregnancy outcomes. However, much of the previous work in this area has ignored the possibility of spatial variability in the lagged health effect parameters that may result from exposure characteristics and/or residual confounding. We develop a spatially varying Gaussian process model for critical windows called ‘SpGPCW’ and use it to investigate geographic variability in the association between term low birth weight and average weekly concentrations of ozone and PM2.5 during pregnancy by using birth records from North Carolina. SpGPCW is designed to accommodate areal level spatial correlation between lagged health effect parameters and temporal smoothness in risk estimation across pregnancy. Through simulation and a real data application, we show that the consequences of ignoring spatial variability in the lagged health effect parameters include less reliable inference for the parameters and diminished ability to identify true critical window sets, and we investigate the use of existing Bayesian model comparison techniques as tools for determining the presence of spatial variability. We find that exposure to PM2.5 is associated with elevated term low birth weight risk in selected weeks and counties and that ignoring spatial variability results in null associations during these periods. An R package (SpGPCW) has been developed to implement the new method.
Olfactory Response of Apis Florea F. to Some Essential Oils

SummaryTwenty-four essential oils were evaluated as olfactory repellents to Apis florea. Tests were carried out at concentrations ranging from 0·0625 to 5 g/litre distilled water. Numbers of bees congregating in the chemical-vapour arena and the water-vapour arena of the olfactometer provided an index of repellency. On the basis of maximum percentage repellency obtained, Carum capticum oil was the best repellent.
The Effect of Good Governance, Leadership and Organizational Culture on Public Performance Accountability

No. Abstract This study propose and test a theoretical framework concerning the relationship between good governance, leadership style and organizational culture on public performance accountability in a public sector context. This study aims to determine the effect of good governance, leadership style and organizational culture on public performance accountability of government institutions (Case Study in Bandung Highways and Irrigation Office). The study took a positivist approach as the philosophy of the study. Using quantitative methods, a cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from 36 public officers working in Bandung Highways and Irrifation Office, East Java, Indonesia. Multiple regression analysis was applied in this study and found that two of three hypotheses proposed are rejected.The findings imply that it is important that the Bandung Highways and Irrigation Office makes an effort to retain higher public performance accountability are readily showing high levels of Organizational Culture. The study focused on an overlooked area in the study of performance accountability in the public sector. Furthermore, the results show how the specific context (organizational culture) of public organizations determines the public performance accountability.
Evaluation of tomato waste compost stability and maturity using CIELAB color indicator

Abstract Plant residues consist of biodegradable organic materials and minerals that are well suited for compost production. The main prerequisite for compost to be safely applied into the soil is a high degree of stability and maturity, and the physical manifestation of this includes high stable organic matter content, and a lack of phytotoxic compounds. Tomato plant residues enriched with 20% chicken manure were composted in three rotary drum bioreactors to produce tomato waste compost (TWC) as a final product. Several physio-chemical stability and maturity parameters were assessed for the TWC. In addition, CIELAB color space parameters were used to ensure the stability and maturity of TWC as an alternative, fast, and low-cost technique for evaluating stability and maturity indices of compost. The results indicated stabilization of organic matter transformations during the composting process to create TWC. During active and curing phases of composting, results of the color parameters were in accordance with the measured physio-chemical maturity parameters; and the changes in TWC colors during active and curing phases of composting indicated that the final compost product was stable, mature, and that color analysis provided a low-cost alternative analytical approach for assessing the suitability of compost as a soil conditioner.
Factors Influencing Parenting Practices of Adolescent Parents

The present study aimed to assess the existing parenting practices in rural and urban areas of Dharwad and to know the influence of socio-demographic factors on parenting practices. The sample consisted of 245 adolescents aged 12-15 years and their parents. Parenting practices was measured using Alabama parenting questionnaire (APQ) and socio-demographic factors using socio-economic scale (SES). Percentage distribution showed that urban parents use higher positive parenting rather than negative parenting practices compared to rural parents. Bivariate analysis revealed that child’s age was significantly and indirectly correlated with positive and negative parenting practices; implied that as children age increased, parent’s positive parenting decreased while parents’ negative parenting increased significantly. Gender (male), showed less positive parenting and high negative parenting. Higher parent’s education and better occupation showed high positive and less of negative parenting. Likewise, families with more number of children and in lower middle socio economic status showed less positive parenting and high in negative parenting. The predictors of urban parenting practices in the final model explained 43.8 % of the variance in positive parenting and 23.5 % in negative parenting. While for rural parenting practices, the final model explained 28.9% of the variance in positive parenting and 30.0 % in negative parenting.
Phylogenetic, spatial and environmental components of extinction risk in carnivores

Aim Extinction risk is non-randomly distributed across phylogeny and space and is influenced by environmental conditions. We quantified the relative contribution of these factors to extinction risk to unveil the underlying macroecological processes and derive predictive models. Location Global. Methods Based on the IUCN global assessments, we divided 192 carnivore species into two dichotomous classes representing different levels of extinction risk. We used spatial proximity, phylogenetic relationship and environmental variables together with phylogenetic eigenvector regression and spatial eigenvector filters to model and predict threat status. Results Our full models explained between 57% and 96% of the variance in extinction risk. Phylogeny and spatial proximity roughly explained between 21% and 70% of the total variation in all analyses, while the explanatory power of environmental conditions was relatively weaker (up to 15%). Phylogeny and spatial proximity contributed equally to the explained variance in the lower threat level, while spatial proximity was the most important factor in the models of the higher threat level. Prediction of threat status achieved 97% correct assignments. Main conclusions Our approach differs fundamentally from current studies of extinction risk because it does not necessarily rely on life-history information. We clearly show that instead of treating phylogenetic inertia and spatial signal as statistical nuisances, space and phylogeny should be viewed as very useful in explaining a wide range of phenomena in comparative studies.
Ionizing-Radiation Response and Low-Frequency Noise of 28-nm MOSFETs at Ultrahigh Doses

Total ionizing dose (TID) mechanisms are investigated in 28-nm MOSFETs via dc static and low-frequency noise measurements. nMOSFETs and pMOSFETs are irradiated up to 1 Grad(SiO2) and annealed at high temperatures. TID sensitivity depends on the channel length, the channel width, and the bias condition. Halo implantations improve the radiation tolerance of shorter-channel transistors. Worst case bias for TID-induced degradation is found with high electric field applied to the gate during irradiation, due to increased charge trapping in the upper corner of the shallow trench isolation (STI) and in the gate oxide. DC and low-frequency noise measurements show that, at doses up to ~100 Mrad(SiO2), radiation-induced degradation is primarily due to the positive charge buildup in the STI oxides. At ultrahigh doses approaching 1 Grad(SiO2), TID degradation is influenced by charge buildup in the gate oxide and traps at or near the gate/dielectric interface and/or along the STI sidewalls. Worst case degradation is found in narrower and longer-channel devices, due to the enhanced charge buildup in the STI oxide and along its interfaces.