Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usability Evaluation of E-Dunhuang Cultural Heritage Digital Library

Abstract Digital libraries have been strategic in preserving and making non-movable cultural heritage information accessible to everyone with network connections. In light of their cultural and historical importance in the ancient “Silk Road,” murals and stone caves in Dunhuang, a remote city in northwest China,have been digitized, and the first batch of digitized visual materials has been made available to the general public through the e-Dunhuang digital library since May 2016. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate e-Dunhuang from users’ perspectives, through usability testing with nine user tasks in different complexity levels and in-depth interviews with regard to a set of criteria in user experience. The results of quantitative analysis confirmed the overall effectiveness of e-Dunhuang in supporting user task completion and demonstrated significant improvements in several criteria over an earlier panorama collection of Dunhuang caves. The results of qualitative analysis revealed in-depth reasons for why participants felt satisfied with some criteria but had concerns with other criteria. Based on the findings, suggestions are proposed for further improvement in e-Dunhuang. As e-Dunhuang is a representative repository of digitized visual materials of cultural heritage, this study offers insights and empirical findings on user-centered evaluation of cultural heritage digital libraries.
RAPD typing of north-east Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

This work describes the conditions for applying the arbitrary amplification of polymorphic DNA for stock determination in the minke whale. Out of 192 primers screened, only 36 were useful to detect genomic DNA-polymorphisms. Seven of these primers were used to type 31 minke whales caught in the waters around Spitsbergen (n=7), Bear Island (n=8), Finnmark (n=8) and Lofoten-Vesteralen (n=8). Our results showed first a low percentage of primers (19%) revealing polymorphisms, secondly a high number of polymorphic bands with high frequencies (6 out of 14 had a frequency higher than 0.77 and 3 of those had a frequency higher than 0.90) and thirdly an average fraction of matching bands that was sometimes greater between than within areas. None of these findings support the view that the 31 typed animals belonged to distinct breeding stocks, thus emphasizing the importance of carrying out a broader study including more animals, locations, years and techniques of analysis, in order to clarify the number and borderlines of breeding stocks in the north-east Atlantic. 1997 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Salinity on Three Common Texas Amphibians

Amphibian populations worldwide are experiencing declines and contaminants are hypothesized to be one of the leading contributors to these declines. In particular, the salinization of amphibian habitats is a global issue that has received relatively little attention. Of the recent studies that have emerged, the majority focus on single-species responses, and because these studies often vary in methodology, assessing tolerances across species can be challenging. Thus, one step toward a broader understanding of salt loading is to assess tolerances across multiple species using similar methodologies. Additionally, in nature, amphibians can face low, sublethal concentrations of increased salinity. Though not lethal, these low concentrations can have long-term impacts on amphibian traits such as mass or their responses to future stressors. To address these issues, we first compared relative salinity tolerances of three common frogs in central Texas (Incilius nebulifer, Gulf Coast Toad; Lithobates berlandieri, Rio Grande Leopard Frog; and Acris crepitans, Blanchard's Cricket Frogs). Next, we explored the effect of sublethal salinities on the mass of I. nebulifer. Finally, we investigated the potential for sublethal salinities to increase tolerance of I. nebulifer to a later exposure of lethal salinity concentrations (acclimation). We found that across the three amphibian species, A. crepitans tadpoles were the most tolerant, followed by L. berlandieri tadpoles, and then I. nebulifer tadpoles. Sublethal concentrations of salinity did not affect mass of I. nebulifer tadpoles. Finally, exposure to sublethal levels of salinity did not increase tolerance of I. nebulifer tadpoles to a later exposure of higher salinity concentrations. Instead, tadpoles exposed to sublethal concentrations of salinity died at a faster rate when exposed later to a higher salinity concentration. With the increasing potential for salt loading to amphibian habitats due to anthropogenic influences and global climate change, understanding the consequences of salinity across multiple species as well as the effects of sublethal concentrations has important implications for amphibian conservation.
Perception of nanotechnology in internet-based discussions

benefits See “Opportunities” above 2 Relativisation of risks See “Risks” above 2 Conclusions about risks by analogy See “Risks” above 1 Dangers are exaggerated See “Risks” above 1 Conclusions about opportunities by analogy See “Opportunities” above 1 Dependence on area of application Opportunities and risks of nanotechnology cannot be determined in general and can only be determined according to the respective application 1 Explanatory note: Multiple codings possible.
How body position influences the perception and conscious experience of corporeal and extrapersonal space

Dans cet article, nous faisons la synthese de donnees obtenues chez des sujets sains, des patients vestibulo-leses et des patients neurologiques, montrant comment la position du corps dans l’espace est capable de modifier la perception de la verticale visuelle et la perception des espaces extrapersonnel et corporel. D’une facon generale, la posture allongee sur le dos s’accompagne d’une degradation de la perception de la verticale visuelle et de la perception tactile car les recepteurs vestibulaires otolithiques et les recepteurs proprioceptifs des muscles posturaux sont dans une position moins favorable pour coder l’acceleration gravitaire. A l’inverse, chez des patients porteurs d’une lesion cerebrale unilaterale, la posture allongee sur le dos s’avere benefique dans des tâches de jugement de la verticale visuelle, de perception de l’espace extrapersonnel (bisection de lignes) et de l’espace corporel (perception tactile). En outre, nous insistons sur le fait que des changements de la position corporelle sont capables de modifier des experiences corporelles decrites comme etant a la base de la conscience de soi, telles que le sentiment d’incarnation et la prise de perspective en premiere personne. Finalement, nous montrons que des stimulations artificielles des recepteurs vestibulaires permettent de modifier efficacement ces experiences corporelles liees a la conscience de soi.
TWO NEW GENERA AND THREE NEW SPECIES OF DREPANOSIPHINE APHIDS FROM THE NEARCTIC AND NEOTROPICAL REGIONS (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

Abstract Neosensoriaphis gen.nov., type-species N. parva sp.nov., Subiziphya gen.nov., type-species S. clauseni sp.nov., and Thripsaphis unciniae sp.nov. are described. The taxonomic position of these aphids is discussed. Résumé Neosensoriaphis gen.nov., espèce type N. parva sp.nov., Subiziphya gen.nov., espèce type S. clauseni sp.nov. et Thripsaphis unciniae sp.nov. sont décrits. La position taxonomique de ces pucerons est discutée. [Traduit par l’auteur]
TRENDING HYBRID SURGERY FOR ANAL FISTULAE [FILAC + SLOFT] TO CURTAIL RECURRENCE SUCCEEDING IN 24 CASES

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the efcacy of upcoming operative combination of stula laser tract closure [FiLaC] + submucosal ligation of stula tract [SLOFT] in treating anal stulae. The treatment of anal stulae is predominantly surgical. To attain a Background: minimum recurrence healing, the surgical methods have gone through a chain of transitions. One of the fresh developments has been a hybrid of FiLaC and SLOFT, sometimes described as distal laser proximal SLOFT [DLPS] procedure. The study was winded up Materials and methods: on a total of 24 patients since September 2019 to August 2020. All, regardless of type of stula, underwent an operative blend of FiLaC and SLOFT, after explaining the pros and cons of the bouquet of surgical options available. The results of FiLaC and LIFT [Ligation of intersphincteric Results: stulous tract] have been individually questioned over past years. SLOFT is a recent modication inculcating the benets of LIFT and at the same time, snagging for the cryptoglandular complex with minimal dissection. Our study on 24 cases has strengthened the togetherness of Conclusion: FiLaC and SLOFT in treating anal stulae.
Estimation of soil bulk-density from loss-on-ignition values.

(1) The precision of estimates of soil bulk density from organic matter content, expressed as % loss-on-ignition of dry weight, was examined for eight groups of data collected from surface and sub-surface soils on various sites by different workers. (2) The regression derived by pooling all data for surface soils differed significantly in elevation from its counterpart for sub-surface soils. (3) Regressions for individual groups of data for both surface and sub-surface soils, differed in slope and elevation from their respective overall equations and from each other. (4) For greatest precision in estimating soil bulk-densities, the authors recommend research workers to derive equations for their own research sites rather than to rely on general equations.
Gaussian process regression with Student-t likelihood

In the Gaussian process regression the observation model is commonly assumed to be Gaussian, which is convenient in computational perspective. However, the drawback is that the predictive accuracy of the model can be significantly compromised if the observations are contaminated by outliers. A robust observation model, such as the Student-t distribution, reduces the influence of outlying observations and improves the predictions. The problem, however, is the analytically intractable inference. In this work, we discuss the properties of a Gaussian process regression model with the Student-t likelihood and utilize the Laplace approximation for approximate inference. We compare our approach to a variational approximation and a Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme, which utilize the commonly used scale mixture representation of the Student-t distribution.
Diversification of Ramphastinae (Aves, Ramphastidae) prior to the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary as shown by molecular clock of mtDNA sequences

Partial cytochrome b and 12S rDNA mitochondrial DNA sequences of eight representatives of the Ramphastidae family were analyzed. We applied the linearized tree method to identify sequences evolving at similar rates and estimated the divergence times among some of the taxa analyzed. After excluding Ramphastos tucanus and Capito dayi from our data set, the remaining taxa presented a constant rate of DNA substitution, and branch lengths could be re-estimated with a clock constraint using the maximum likelihood method. Branch lengths were calibrated assuming that Galliformes and Piciformes split around 100 million years ago (mya). Our results indicate that Ramphastinae, and probably Capitoninae, diverged from other Piciformes in the Late Cretaceous (~82 mya), suggesting that Piciformes is another avian order that survived the mass extinction event occurred 65 mya at the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) boundary. The divergence times estimated within the Ramphastinae genera cover the period from the Middle Eocene (around 47 mya) through the Late Miocene (9.5 mya). Our estimate of divergence time is coincidental with the split of the African and the South American continents and other intense geologic activities and modifications of the areas which correspond to the current Neotropics. These events might have influenced the diversification of Ramphastinae in South America.
THE STUDY OF IRRATIONAL BELIEFS, DEFENSE MECHANISMS AND MARITAL SATISFACTION IN FERTILE AND INFERTILE WOMEN

Objective: This study aimed to compare irrational beliefs, defense mechanisms and marital satisfaction in fertile and infertile women. Materials and methods: This study was a causal comparative survey performed on 30 fertile and 30 infertile women chosen by available and simple random sampling out of the whole clients referred to Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center from February 2009 to September 2009. The instruments of measurement included 3 questionnaires: Jones irrational beliefs, defense mechanisms and ENRICH marital satisfaction which were performed on samples. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software. Results: The scale of subtests of Jones irrational beliefs, defense mechanisms and marital satisfaction were significantly different in fertile and infertile women. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that infertile women use irrational beliefs and defense mechanisms more than fertile women and their marital satisfaction is less than fertile women.
Initiation of cyanobacterial blooms in a frontal region at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea

A 2-week multidisciplinary study of the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms controlling the initiation of the late summer blooms of the diazotrophic cyanobacteria, Aphanizomenon jlos-aqua2 Ralfs and Nodularia spumigena Mertens, in the Baltic Sea was carried out in a frontal region at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland in July 1993. The front is formed by inflowing sa‘itier waters of the northern Baltic proper and outflowing fresher waters from the gulf, and its position and shape are largely controlled by wind conditions. In general, the waters of the northern Baltic proper are less stratified than the outflowing lesssaline waters. At the time of the study, the two major water masses differed in terms of phytoplankton community structure, both at species level and at the level of functional groups. Wind-induced vertical mixing was instrumental in bringing nutrient pulses to the upper mixed layer in the less-stratified, high-saline water mass. Nutrient pulses were followed by enhancement of primary productivity and assimilation number (primary productivity/Chl a) in cyanobacterial (> 20 pm) and flagellate (< 20 vrn) size fractions. It is proposed that mesoscale blooms of A. flos-aquae benefit from the nutrient-pulsing events. Calm weather and solar heating, as reflected by rising temperatures in the upper mixed layer and overriding of water masses in the frontal region, resulted in substantial shallowing of the upper mixed layer, which initiated the bloom of N. spumifena.
Conflict between the Greater Rhea and humans in agricultural landscapes: implications for conservation of the last large herbivore of the southern Pampas

Abstract South-eastern South America (SESA) hosts populations of a number of large herbivores, such as the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana). However, the natural grasslands of SESA have been subject to major transformation through agricultural development, primarily grazing, cropping and afforestation. Here, we assess the relative effects of environmental and anthropogenic predictors on the distribution of Greater Rheas in the southern Pampas at different spatial scales, and produce distributions maps of the species derived from habitat-suitability models. We undertook vehicle surveys in the southern Pampas over 2 years, surveying 4600 km of road each year, and recording a total of 146 sightings of 1353 individual Rheas. Generalised additive models were used to model the presence—absence of Greater Rheas in 250-m2 cells. The habitat suitability models suggest that preferred habitats included areas of high elevation supporting waterbodies and landscapes of grazing fields and native habitats, whereas centres of human activity negative affect the distribution of the species.
Nutritional Evaluation of Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) Leaf Protein Concentrates (CLPC) as Alternative Protein Sources in Rat Assay

The nutritional potential of cassava leaf protein concentrate (CLPC) as an alternative protein source was investigated using rat as the test animal. Data on the rat growth assay showed that the weight gain of rats fed protein quality trial diets containing CLPC supplemented and unsupplemented with DL- methionine were negative and significantly lower (P 0.05). The nitrogen retention value was highest (P 0.05) nitrogen retention values. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) value of the reference diet (1.49±0.15) was also significantly different (P 0.05). The biological value (BV) of the reference diet (casein diet) was also significantly higher (P 0.05). The net protein utilization (NPU) value for the reference casein diet was also significantly higher (P<0.05) than for the other experimental NPU values.
The European Union's Policy and Citizens' Attitudes towards Homosexuality in 27 European Countries

The article first describes how the principle of non-discrimination of homosexuals is anchored in EU legislation and influences concrete policies of the European Union. Against this background, the second section analyses citizens' attitudes towards homosexuality and whether there are differences among the 27 EU member states and Turkey. The descriptive findings show that there are substantial differences at the national and individual level in the degree to which citizens think of homosexuality as acceptable. A sense that homosexuality is justifiable is particularly low in recently acceded countries and is almost non- existent in Turkey. Modernization theorists have argued that economic develop- ment influences the value orientation of the citizens. Other scholars have claimed that values are strongly influenced by the religious heritage of a country. Using multilevel analysis, the study tests to what extent modernization factors and/or religious factors influence citizens' attitudes towards non-discrimination of homosexuality. According to the results of the causal analysis, modernization theory and cultural heritage theory contribute to explaining attitudes towards homosexuality. All the hypotheses derived from the two theories are supported by the statistical analysis
Gap in adoption of improved pulse production technologies in Uttar Pradesh.

Pulses on account of their vital role in nutritional security and soil ameliorative properties have been an integral part of sustainable agriculture since ages. They had been grown with cereals not only for meeting the diversified household needs in the country but also for maintaining favourable equilibrium in agricultural production system. In spite of appreciable advances in the technology front, pulses production in the country has shown only marginal increase during the past two and a half decade, because pulses have been pushed into low endowed lands with more risk prone situations. The present study was undertaken in Hamirpur and Kanpur Nagar districts of Uttar Pradesh to delineate pulse-based cropping systems, related technologies and identify the gap in technology adoption. The major pulse based cropping systems of district Hamirpur are Pigeonpea + sorghum (mixed cropping), Urdbean – wheat, Urdbean – chickpea, Fallow – lentil and Fallow – chickpea whereas in district Kanpur Nagar Pigeonpea + sorghum (mixed cropping), Urdbean – wheat and Maize – chickpea are the major pulse based cropping systems. Gap in technology adoption in major pulse crops both in rainfed and irrigated cropping had been identified. The overall gap in adoption of technologies was more in rainfed situation than irrigated situation. Key Word: Adoption gap; Pulse crops; Improved technologies;
Ontogenetic variability in the habitat associations of Haliotis iris in central New Zealand

The drivers of demographic variability in abalone are not well understood. Here, we examine ontogenetic variability in the habitat associations of black-foot abalone (Haliotis iris) populations in central New Zealand to better understand links between habitat variability and demographic variability in abalone. At larger, regional scales, there were west-to-east gradients in juvenile abundance, adult abundance and the size at which H. iris begin to occupy open reef habitats. At smaller, local scales, populations were depth-stratified, and there were two prominent transitions: a deep-to-shallow habitat transition during the juvenile stages; and a shallow-to-deep habitat transition during the adult stages. We also found that associations between abalone abundance and the size of the boulders, as well as associations between abalone abundance and the surface area of the interstitial spaces between boulders, differ among ontogenetic stages. For all stages, abundance was positively associated with crustose coralline algae cover, but negatively associated with articulated coralline algae cover. The relationship between canopy algae and adult abundance was positive, whereas for early juveniles, late juveniles and subadults, the relationship was weakly negative. Last, the association between the cover of understorey algae and abundance was negative for all ontogenetic stages. Overall, habitat variability played a strong, but ontogenetically variable, role in determining the abundance and distribution of H. iris.
Histomorphometric Studies of the Urinary Tubules of the African Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The study was carried out to elucidate the luminal diameters of some segments of the urinary tubules in the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus). Seven adult, apparently, healthy grasscutters were used in this study. They were anaesthesized with chloroform, dissected and the kidneys removed. The kidneys were fixed and processed by routine histological procedures. The various segments of the nephron were identified by their cell types and their diameters were measured. The data obtained were subjected to Pearson’s correlation analysis. The diameters of the Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus were 11.24 ± 0.460 and 9.21 ± 0.347 µm, respectively. There was a very strong positive correlation between the diameters of the Bowman’s capsule and those of the glomerulus (r = 0.975, P < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was also observed between the distal convoluted tubule and the thin segment of the loop of Henle (r = 0.786, P < 0.05), the collecting duct and the proximal convoluted tubule (r = 0.781, P < 0.05), and between the collecting duct and the thin segment of the loop of Henle (r = 0.821, P < 0.05). This study has attempted to present base-line data of the diameters of the various segments of the nephron.