Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of Organic Fractions and Enzymatic Activity in Forest Spruce Soil of Tatra National Park

Abstract The formation and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) highly depends on the input of organic material and microbial enzymatic activities. Soil extractions with specific nonpolar and polar extractives can be used to identify qualitative changes in SOM. The aim of this paper was to understand the correlations among microbial enzymatic activity and specific organic fractions in acidic spruce forest soil. Klason lignin (KL), acid soluble lignin (ASL), holocellulose (HC), SOM content, and potential enzymatic activity (FDA and phosphatase) was measured and analyzed. We sampled Dystric Cambisol of forest spruce stands (Picea abies) in Tatra National Park (Slovakia). The SOM fractions were determined gravimetrically based on their extractivity in nonpolar (dichloromethane (DME)) and polar (acetone (AE), ethanol (EE), water (WE)) solvents Total extractives content was 0.079% and nonpolar extractives 0.036%. The mean amount of polar extractives tented to increase in the order EE<AE<WE. The total lignin content was determined to be 1.079% and HC 0.774%. FDA negatively correlated with KL (r=-0.873 p<0.05) and DME (r=-0.913 p<0.05). Phosphatase positively correlated with WE (r=0.972 p<0.01) and KL (r=0.957 p<0.01).
Noninvasive prediction of carotid artery atherosclerosis by multiple abdominal fat indices measured via ultrasonography

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of multiple abdominal fat indices as measured via ultrasonography for predicting the presence and severity of carotid artery atherosclerosis and to compare the predictive capacity of ultrasonographic measurements to that of anthropometric measurements. Methods A total of 92 patients were included in this study. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory assessments, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Ultrasound examinations were performed to measure the values of all abdominal fat indices and the intima-media thickness, as well as to detect the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results In the multivariate analysis, significant associations were detected between carotid artery atherosclerosis and posterior right perinephric fat thickness (PRPFT) (hazard ratio [HR], 15.23; P<0.001), preperitoneal fat thickness (PPFT) (HR, 4.31; P=0.003), visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT) (HR, 7.61; P<0.001), visceral fat thickness (VFT) (HR, 8.84; P<0.001), the ratio of VFT to subcutaneous fat thickness (VFT/SCFT) (HR, 9.39; P<0.001), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (HR, 2.65; P=0.046). In the multivariate analysis, significant associations were also detected between carotid artery plaque and PRPFT (HR, 7.09; P<0.001), the abdominal wall fat index (AFI) (HR, 3.58; P=0.010), and VFT/SCFT (HR, 4.17; P=0.006). Conclusion Many abdominal fat indices as measured by ultrasound were found to be strong predictors of carotid artery atherosclerosis, including PRPFT, VFT/SCFT, VFT, VAT, PPFT, and WHtR. Moreover, PRPFT, VFT/SCFT, and AFI were identified as strong predictors of the presence of carotid artery plaque.
Evaluation of Technology-Supported Distance Measuring to Ensure Safe Aircraft Boarding during COVID-19 Pandemic

With the rise of COVID-19, the sustainability of air transport is a major challenge, as there is limited space in aircraft cabins, resulting in a higher risk of virus transmission. In order to detect possible chains of infection, technology-supported apps are used for social distancing. These COVID-19 applications are based on the display of the received signal strength for distance estimation, which is strongly influenced by the spreading environment due to the signal multipath reception. Therefore, we evaluate the applicability of technology-based social distancing methods in an aircraft cabin environment using a radio propagation simulation based on a three-dimensional aircraft model. We demonstrate the susceptibility to errors of the conventional COVID-19 distance estimation, which can lead to large errors in the determination of distances and to the impracticability of traditional tracing approaches during passenger boarding/deboarding. In the context of the future connected cabin, a robust distance measurement must be implemented to ensure safe travel. Finally, our results can be transferred to similar fields of application, e.g., trains or public transport.
Researchers’ article sharing through institutional repositories and ResearchGate: A comparison study

The present study examined whether social and individual motivation factors influence researchers’ article-sharing intentions through their use of institutional repository or ResearchGate and how these factors differ between the two types of platforms. For this study, we employed a theoretical framework that integrated the Theory of Planned Behavior, community considerations, and reciprocity to examine social and individual motivation factors affecting researchers’ article-sharing intentions through the use of institutional repositories or ResearchGate. We employed diverse statistical analyses including Cronbach’s alpha, principal components factor analysis, multiple regression, and t-test based on a total of 492 survey responses from institutional repository and ResearchGate users. The results of this research revealed that institutional repository users’ article-sharing intentions were led by perceived community benefit, career benefit, and career risk whereas ResearchGate users’ intentions were led by subjective norms, perceived reciprocity, career benefit, career risk, and ease of use of the platform. These results demonstrate the need to develop different types of support and article-sharing policies for both institutional repository and ResearchGate users to facilitate or increase their article-sharing behaviors.
Parents’ Views on Family Resiliency in Sustainable Remote Schooling during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Finland

The closure of schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic created a challenge for families and teachers in supporting children’s remote schooling. This study investigates parents’ perspectives on their accommodation to the rapid change to remote schooling from the point of view of sustainable education. The study was conducted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020 via an online questionnaire for parents, to which 316 voluntary participants responded. Data were analyzed using a theory-driven content analysis. According to the results, parents were worried about the learning and wellbeing of their children as well as management of daily life and use of information and communications technology (ICT). The results show the importance of schools and teachers as well as networks in supporting family resilience during rapid changes. Families’ individual needs should be acknowledged and met in a sustainable way to support children’s learning in changing settings, including remote schooling.
Changes in Some Soil Chemical and Biological Properties on the Growing Season of Sesame in Çukurova Region

In present study, some soil characteristics of Sesamum indicum L. (Sesame) and its adjacent blank field (control) were compared in a growing season as pre (PreC and PreS) and post (PostC and PostS) harvest in Adana, Turkey. Soil macro (C, N, P and K) and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe), carbon (Cmin) and nitrogen mineralizations and soil aerobic bacteria and fungi counts were determined in before and after harvest soils. Soils were humidified at 80% of their field capacity and then monitored for 45 days at 28 °C to determine soil carbon (Cmin) and nitrogen (Nmin) mineralization. Generally, macro and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) were higher in control than sesame field except phosphorus (P2O5) and there were found significant differences between them before and after harvest. Aerobic bacteria and fungi populations were decreased after harvest while fungi populations were increased in sesame soils compared to control. Soil CO2-C evolution was higher in sesame field than control. Rates of carbon mineralization was in order as following PostC < PreC < PostS< PreS. Rate of Nmin was significantly higher in sesame soils before harvest but it was lower after harvest compared to control. Carbon mineralization rates in sesame grown soils were significantly decreased and it was in order as following PostC < PreC < PostS < PreS. Decrease in soil carbon mineralization after harvest can be explained with decrease in soil microbial populations in short term.
Emotional Intelligence of Managers in Family Businesses in Slovakia

This scientific paper deals with the issue of the global level of emotional intelligence of managers in family enterprises. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance and positive impact of skills of managers in the form of emotional intelligence, which we consider as an important predictor of managerial work in family enterprises. The aim of this paper is also to suggest possibilities of further development of individual factors of emotional intelligence in managers. The object of the survey was the global level of emotional intelligence of managers according to Petrides. We determined the level of four factors (well-being, self-control, emotionality, and sociability) of emotional intelligence using TEIQue online questionnaires. When evaluating the research results, we used methods of descriptive statistics (arithmetic mean, median, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) processed in the statistical program SPSS. In a sample of 286 randomly contacted family business managers, the results showed us that the global level of emotional intelligence of managers in family enterprises is medium–high. In the examined factors, we found some deficiencies in self-control and sociability in women’s results and some in self-control and emotionality in men’s results. Slovakia as a globalized country has undergone many changes, so enterprises have also changed their point of view of management. Nevertheless, enterprises’ investments in the development of personality of family enterprise managers are incomparably smaller than in other countries. We are convinced that these presented results will help managers in family enterprises realize that their better future is in streamlining managerial activities. Only then will managers have enough time to plan for the future, cope with unpredictable situations, and especially have time for their happiness and family life.
Insect wing loss is tightly linked to the treeline: evidence from a diverse stonefly assemblage

The secondary loss of flight in previously winged insect lineages has long fascinated biologists. Habitat stability and isolation are thought to play important roles in driving wing reduction (Roff 1990, 1994), with exposure to high winds suggested to accelerate this process (Darwin 1859), although the role exposure plays in insect wing loss has never been empirically demonstrated. Here we assess fine-scale distributional records from a diverse regional stonefly assemblage, to demonstrate a widespread association between wing loss and the treeline in New Zealand. The observed pattern suggests that exposure plays a crucial role driving wing loss in alpine insects.
[Reactions of tonic-type neurons in the cat auditory cortex to tones of various frequency and intensity].

: Extra- and intracellularly recorded responses of the acoustic cortex neurons to sound tones of different frequency and intensity and peculiarities of the organization of receptive fields of these units were studied in immobilized cats. Special attention was paid to neurons with tonic spike responses to these stimuli. Such tonic-type neurons were met in different cortical layers but most of them (93%) were localized at depth of 1.0-2.2 mm. Mean response threshold of these cells was lower by 7.7 dB than that of phasic-type neurons. Tonic-type units were characterized by lower frequency-discriminative ability in comparison with phasic ones: mean values of Q10 were 4.1 +/- 0.4 and 9.1 +/- 0.7, respectively. Dimensions of receptive fields of tonic-type units were 3.5 times as large as those of phasic ones. Most of tonic-type neurons (80%) differed from phasic ones in 1.5-2.0 time shorter action potentials. Tonic neurons demonstrated high sensitivity to variations of duration and intensity of the acoustic stimulation.
Analysis of Panoramic Images of Orthodontic Patients

Panoramic imaging is the most widely requested radiographic technique in dentistry. In orthodontics, the clinical and radiographic examinations are routinely carried out alongwith dental and skeletal photographs as a part of diagnosis and treatment planning. The evaluation of radiographs of patients after orthodontic treatment is important in understanding the possible changes that tend to occur post-treatment. This study aims to analyze the incidental indings present in the radiographs of patients who previously underwent orthodontic treatment. A total of 30 patients (18 females; 12 male) were randomly selected from the Orthodontic clinic at the Department of Orthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai. Two independent examiners analyzed the panoramic radiographs for anomalies and pathologies. The result showed the most common inding, which was periodontal pathology (Generalised bone loss, widening of periodontal ligament space, or both, loss of lamina dura) with a prevalence of 36.7%. All the patients taken into the study had at least one anomaly. In conclusion, the relevant indings were observed in all the radiographs & special care should be taken while evaluating them to diagnose alterations that may require other dental treatments.
Estimation of target station data using satellite data and deep learning algorithms

In this study, an innovative model has been developed for wind speed estimation through the Deep Learning method using hourly wind speed data from the measurement stations of the General Directorate of Meteorology in Van and Hakkari provinces in Turkey in conjunction with simultaneous satellite images from Eumetsat. Obtained satellite images were used during the introduction of the model, while wind speed data were used at the output stage. As a result of the findings, it was found that 85% accuracy performance could be achieved to provide sufficient insight for systems that are widely established worldwide. The model, developed as a result of the study, eliminates the need to install wind measuring stations for any region on earth within the satellite field in terms of determining wind potential. Since the field of view of the Meteosat 7 satellite covers the whole of Eastern Europe, it was determined that it could predict a high rate of up to 6 hours later by the method used in image analysis. The systems to be controlled with this method will be able to examine the weather events instantly at each point in the satellite field of view and make more accurate decisions. Also, companies will be able to perform a more detailed and rapid field scan compared to existing limited methods, and reduce initial investment costs and operating costs in terms of renewable energy resources investments.
Dams have varying impacts on fish communities across latitudes : a quantitative synthesis

Katrine Turgeon* Christian Turpin and Irene Gregory-Eaves Abstract Dams are recognised to impact aquatic biodiversity, but the effects and conclusions diverge across studies and locations. By using a meta-analytical approach, we quantified the effects of impoundment on fish communities distributed across three large biomes. The impacts of dams on richness and diversity differed across biomes, with significant declines in the tropics, lower amplitude but similar directional changes in temperate regions, and no changes in boreal regions. Our analyses showed that non-native species increased significantly in tropical and temperate regulated rivers, but not in boreal rivers. In contrast, temporal trajectories in fish assemblage metrics were common across regions, with all biomes showing an increase in mean trophic level position and in the proportion of generalist species after impoundment. Such changes in fish assemblages may affect food web stability and merit closer study. Across the literature examined, predominant mechanisms that render fish assemblages susceptible to impacts from dams were: (1) the transformation of the lotic environment into a lentic environment; (2) habitat fragmentation and (3) the introduction of non-native species. Collectively, our results highlight that an understanding of the regional context and a suite of community metrics are needed to make robust predictions about how fish will respond to river impoundments.
Levels of some selected metals (Fe, Cu and Zn) in selected vegetables and soil around eastern industry zone, central Ethiopia

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of selected metals (Fe, Zn and Cu) in vegetables and the soil contaminating levels due to irrigation, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The wet digestion and sequential fractionation extraction procedures were employed to solubilize the metals from the collected samples. The results obtained from this study showed overall concentration of selected metals Fe, Zn and Cu respectively, in the range of (358.17 to 547.17), (45.63 to 62.46) and (10.20 to 15.07) (mg /Kg) in the edible parts of sampled vegetables whereas, concentrations (mg/kg) of the metals in the soil samples were found to be in the ranges of (12051 to 20065), (69.37 to 123.77) and (68.47 to 146.10) for Fe, Zn and Cu, respectively. The modified Tessier sequential extraction procedure was used to fractionate the above three metals from the soil samples into five fractions. In this study the detected metals were predominantly concentrated in residual fraction (F5); zinc was mainly associated with the residual fraction (F5) (87.14 to 96.40%) which is highly stable. The mobility factors of Zn, Fe and Cu were 0.908 to 3.044, 0.216 to 0.443 and 0.314 to 1.968, respectively. The concentrations of Fe and Cu in the soil and vegetable samples were above the recommended limit of both WHO and FAO; also, Zn vegetable samples was above the limit. However, Zn for the soil samples was smaller than WHO and FAO recommended limit. Based on facts obtained from this study, it was suggested that concerned official body (ies) take the necessary precaution measures to clean the polluted area. Key words: Metals, sequential fractionation, soil, vegetables, quantity.
The effects of ocean acidification and reduced oxygen on the behavior and physiology of juvenile rockfish

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xvi LIST OF APPENDICES . xxiv INTRODUCTION . 1 Research Objectives . 8 Study species . 10 Hypotheses . 11 Materials and methods . 12 Ethics Statement . 12 Collection of Fish . 12 Fish Tagging . 14 Experimental Infrastructure . 15 Study Design: Year 1 . 18 Study Design: Year 2 . 19 Experimental Trials . 21 Behavioral trials . 22 Escape response . 22 Brain lateralization . 23
Streamer propagation and pressure waves produced by a nanosecond pulsed surface sliding discharge: effect of the high-voltage electrode shape

This paper aims at better understanding nanosecond sliding discharges based on a three-electrode geometry and at studying the effect of the shape of the pulsed high-voltage electrode on their electrical, optical and mechanical properties. Three different electrode shapes are considered: a typical planar electrode with a straight edge, a planar electrode with a sawtooth edge, and a wire electrode. First, we verified that the sliding discharge starts to appear when the potential difference between both air-exposed electrodes exceeds about 25 kV, corresponding to a mean electric strength (potential difference divided by the gap) a little bit higher than 6 kV cm−1, but this value differs slightly depending on the shape of the electrode. Secondly, we highlighted that the current with the wire-based discharge is slightly higher compared to the two others because the streamers are more numerous and they are more uniformly distributed along the wire. Moreover, whatever the electrode shape, intensified charge-coupled device visualizations showed that many streamers initiate from the pulsed high-voltage electrode edge and propagate on the dielectric surface toward the DC voltage electrode at a mean velocity of about 1 mm ns−1. However, the streamer trajectory depends strongly on the electrode shape. Visualizations of the pressure waves induced by the different plasma actuators have been realized with a shadowgraph system. In the presence of a sliding discharge, every streamer is at the origin of three different pressure waves. The first hemispherical pressure wave results from streamer ignition at the edge of the pulsed high-voltage electrode, the head of the streamer acting as a point heat source. The second hemispherical pressure wave is due to the corona-type discharge that ignites from the negative DC high-voltage electrode when the streamer head gets closer. Finally, the third wave is a semi-cylindrical wave as each streamer acts as a line source of heat. To conclude, pressure measurements highlighted that the peak value of the pressure is nearly constant along the spanwise direction of the wire electrode as it presents high fluctuations with the sawtooth electrode, the maximum pressure being measured above the tips, where streamers are localized.
Frequency and coexistence of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene in Aures region of Algeria

Hayat D, Mouloud Y, Abdelali B. 2018. Frequency and coexistence of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene in Aures region of Algeria. Biodiversitas 19: 1169-1175. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of the two most common polymorphisms C677T and A 1298C of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, as well as the coexistence of both these genetic variants in healthy subjects from part of the Algerian population (Aures Region). A total of 94 apparently healthy subjects were enrolled in the study group. The frequency of the both investigated genotypes of the both MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) was determined by using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (Real-Time PCR-FRET) technic. The frequencies of C and T alleles of C677T polymorphism were 127 (67.55%), 61 (32.45%), and for CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 44 (46.48%), 39 (41.8%) and 11 (11.70%) respectively. Regarding the frequencies at position 1298, for A and C alleles were 147 (78.19%), 41 (21.81%), and for AA, AC, and CC genotypes were 60 (63.82%), 27 (28.72%) and 7 (7.44%) respectively. Also, our results indicated that no significant differences in the percentage distributions of the C677T (P=0.518) and A1298C (P=0.514) polymorphisms between males and females carriers. As noted in the findings, the most frequent coexistence of genotypes were 677CT/1298AA (29.78%), 677CC/1298AA (22.34%) and 677CC/1298AC (17.02%%). The coexistence of 677TT/1298AA (11.70%), 677CT/1298 AC (11.70%) and 677CC/1298 CC (7.44%) genotypes was observed less frequently and for 677TT/1298AC, 677CT/1298CC, 677TT/1298CC genotypes, it has been no observed in the studied population. The frequency of MTHFR 677 C and T alleles were 0.66 and 0.31, whereas that of MTHFR1298 A and C alleles were 0.77 and 0.21, respectively. The allelic distributions of the C677T polymorphism remain intermediate in the Aures region (Northeast of Algeria); that support the idea of a north-south gradient. For the A1298C SNP, our funding appears to be lower compared across populations. In addition, the frequency and coexistence of genotypes of the C677T and A 1298C MTHFR gene polymorphisms in the region studied are similar to other ethnic group populations.