Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small non-volant mammals of the Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua, Ecuador

Abstract We provide insights into the diversity of small non-volant mammals (SNVMs) in the Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua, a peri-urban natural area of Quito, Pichincha province, Ecuador. Based on Sherman-like traps and pitfall traps, we recorded 21 species of SNVMs. They represent 40% of the total species reported for the entire province, and include six species that are endemic to the northwestern slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. Despite its proximity to the city of Quito (less than 5 km), Pululahua seems to have an average richness compared with other similar localities in the Ecuadorian Andes. Our results are a baseline for future conservation plans for SNVMs.
Food and Health Security Challenges among Vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria

It has been estimated that out of the 33 million internally displaced persons in the world, Nigeria accounts for about 3.3 million, representing 10 percent of the total of IDPs. This figure is currently on the increase as the spat of violence continues especially in the North East by Boko Haram insurgents, North Central by Fulani herdsmen marauders, and other parts of the country by natural disasters and boundary adjustment related issues. An overwhelming majority of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria are said to be women and children. Most reports have indicated that, women and children constitute more than 50 percent of the Internally Displaced Camps formation. Given the increase of women and children who are trapped in the circle of violence, some accompanying challenges are those of food security and adequate health provision. Whereas most studies have focused on the general situations IDPs in the country experience, few studies have explored the food security and health challenges faced by the vulnerable population. It is on this note that this conceptual paper seeks to explore the food security and health challenges faced by vulnerable populations with special focus on women and children. The theoretical framework for this study was anchored on the Human security and Feminist Approach. The study concluded that the food security and health situations especially among women and children IDPs is at a critical point, hence, there is urgent need for intervention by concerned stakeholders.
The complex refractive index of aerosols during LACE 98 as derived from the analysis of indivi-dual particles

[1] During the Lindenberger Aerosol Characterization Experiment (LACE 98), impactor sampling of aerosol particles in the size range of 0.1 to 25 μm was performed. The atmospheric concentrations of the elements sodium to lead (11 ≤ Z ≤ 83) were determined by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis. Approximately 15,500 individual particles were examined by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and about 3800 particles were examined by transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. On the basis of morphology and chemical composition the particles were classified into 10 different groups: ammonium sulfates, calcium sulfates, sea salt, metal oxides/hydroxides, carbonates, silicates, soot, biological particles, carbon/sulfate mixed particles, and rest of carbon-rich particles Crest. The phases present in the different particle groups were determined by selected area electron diffraction in the transmission electron microscope. In addition, the heterogeneous phase composition of agglomerates was studied in detail. On the basis of the size distribution and the relative abundance of the particle groups, the average and size-resolved complex refractive index of the total aerosol were calculated. The real part of the average refractive index mainly depends on the abundance of metal oxide/hydroxide particles and varied between 1.52 and 1.57 on the different sampling days. The average imaginary part varied between 0.031 and 0.057 depending on the amounts of soot and carbon/sulfate mixed particles. The average complex refractive index deduced from the analysis of individual aerosol particles is in good agreement with the results of photometer measurements of dried filter samples.
Technologies des métamatériaux électromagnétiques en volume : application aux éléments de guidage et de rayonnement

Recently, metamaterial has attracted much attention due to unique property such as negative index. This thesis is devoted to various aspects of this field: left and right handed balanced structure, low loss, tunability and Mie resonance based metamaterial. An omega-like left and right handed balanced metamaterial was proposed following the guideline of equality of magnetic and electric plasma frequency. It is shown that this metamaterial exhibits a broad passband from 8.0 - 16.0 GHz with a transition frequency at 13.6 GHz between negative and positive index branches. Then, an omega-type left handed metamaterial (LHM) operating at millimeter wavelengths was fabricated. The left handed passband centered around 80 GHz was observed. The low insertion loss of -0.5 dB/cell may meet requirement of practical application. We studied tunable metamaterial based on nematic liquid crystal. Magnetically tunable split ring resonator shows a resonance dip shift of 300 MHz under external magnetic field. Then a tunable LHM was fabricated. Effective index variation of 0.25 arising from liquid crystal reorientation was found. Finally, we investigated Mie resonance based dielectric resonator and its related application. Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 (BST) cube exhibits isotropic magnetic resonance for tilted incidence. Besides, a thin layer of BST cubes can perform as an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) due to in-phase reflection around magnetic resonance. Such an AMC enhances directivity of antenna more than two times. In addition, a full dielectric cloak was also demonstrated numerically by radically positioning BST rectangular bricks.
The Effect of E-Business Website Quality on Customer Satisfaction

Online shopping popularity has been growing rapidly among Malaysian residents especially urban citizens since the widespread accessibility and affordability of the internet facilities. The aims of this paper is to determine the effect of e-business website quality on customer satisfaction. From the academic perspectives, website quality is typically being existence as an uncertain movement to handle e-business service. A few studies discusses on e-business website quality and customer satisfaction specifically in urban with inconsistent opinions. A quantitative survey of this research is conducted in which questionnaires are distributed to 150 respondents randomly and selected among people working in Shah Alam. The data are analysed specifically using descriptive statistics, reliability, validity, and regression analysis. Results of testing the effect between e-business website quality and customer satisfaction are found to be mixed. For example, website design, information quality, and transaction and payment capability, have direct and positive effect on customer satisfaction. On the other hand, security and privacy, and delivery service have insignificant effect on customer satisfaction. In addition, the proposed website dimensions can be used by web creators and makers to build quality websites to increase the electronic service and the profile of any organization on the internet.
Developmental and Histological Studies of Fungiform Papillae in Fetal Human Tongue

This study was designed to evaluate the histological development of fungiform papillae of human tongue during the prenatal period. Lateral Sagittal sections were taken at autopsy from the anterior two-third of 18 aborted fetuses of 8, 10, 12, and 20 weeks of gestations and 2 stillborn infants at 40 weeks of gestation. Twenty specimens were prepared in paraffin and stained for histological study. The gestational ages were calculated after measuring the Crown Rump Length [C.R. L. ]. It was found that the first appearance of fungiform papillae was nearly about the 10th week of gestation, before the appearance of filiform papillae, most of the developed fungiform papillae were cylindrical in shaped with appearance of nerve plexus, at 12th week they reached mushroom shaped with narrow base and broad apex and became differentiated into primary and secondary papillae, also presumptive taste buds were noticed at this age in the form of multiple local thickening of papillary epithelium. At 20th week of gestation the taste buds became more developed, the papillae appeared more vascular. At full term (40th week) the fungi form papillae reached full maturity. It is concluded that this study suggests that the development of fungi form papillae requires an epithelial and mesenchymal interaction during morphogenesis
Interplay between oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated- autophagy in unfunctionalised few-layer graphene-exposed macrophages

Unfunctionalised few-layer graphene (FLG) refers to graphene materials and formulations which have low or no defects in the graphene sheet structure, thus enhancing their physico-chemical properties. However, the use of FLG and its derivatives in the biomedical field is not without risk to human health. It is largely accepted that the generation of reactive oxygen species and the consecutive inflammatory response is at the basis of its toxicity; nonetheless the signaling pathways triggered by FLG still need to be explored in detail. The present study was aimed at providing some elucidations on the specific molecular signaling induced by low doses of a well characterized FLG material in macrophages. Exposure to low doses of FLG resulted in no significant decrease of macrophage viability. Nevertheless, it elicited a marked oxidative stress. The latter triggered significant inflammatory responses, increasing Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion as well as nitric oxide (NO) production, leading to autophagy via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Indeed, exposure to FLG in the presence of 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), inhibitors of ER stress and oxidative stress, respectively, decreased ER stress, autophagy, oxidative stress and inflammation. Interestingly, graphene exposure did not induce Interleukin-1Beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin-18 (IL-18) secretion, which are indicators of inflammasome activation. Pre-treatment with 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, actually suppressed the autophagy activation triggered by graphene exposure, but leaded to inflammasome activation. Our work highlight for the first time for this type graphene an interplay between oxidative stress and ER stress-mediated autophagy. It also suggests that such a pathway could protect the cells from exaggerated inflammation. This study underlines the importance of having a clear overview on the mechanism behind the interaction between FLG and cells, especially when graphene is used for the development of novel biomedical materials.
Chemical depletion of phagocytic immune cells reveals dual roles of mosquito hemocytes in Anopheles gambiae anti-Plasmodium immunity

Mosquito innate immunity is comprised of both cellular and humoral factors that provide protection from invading pathogens. Immune cells, known as hemocytes, have been intricately associated with these immune responses through direct roles in phagocytosis and immune signaling. Recent studies have implicated hemocytes as integral determinants of anti-Plasmodium immunity, yet little is known regarding the specific mechanisms by which hemocytes limit malaria parasite survival. With limited genetic tools to enable their study, we employed a chemical-based treatment widely used for macrophage depletion in mammalian systems for the first time in an invertebrate organism. Upon its application in Anopheles gambiae, we observe distinct populations of phagocytic immune cells that are significantly depleted, causing high mortality following bacterial challenge and an increased intensity of malaria parasite infection. Through these studies, we demonstrate that phagocytes are required for mosquito complement recognition of invading ookinetes, as well as the production of prophenoloxidases that limit oocyst survival. Through these experiments, we also define specific sub-types of phagocytic immune cells in An. gambiae, providing new insights beyond the morphological characteristics that traditionally define mosquito hemocyte populations. Together, this study provides the first definitive insights into the dual roles of mosquito phagocytes in limiting malaria parasite survival, and illustrates the use of clodronate liposomes as an important advancement in the study of invertebrate immunity.
Identification and antialgal properties of  o-coumaric acid isolated from Eupatorium fortune Turcz

In our pervious study, the ethanol extracts from Eupatorium fortunei Turcz at concentrations of 200 ÷ 500 mg L-1 significantly inhibited the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa, which is the most common species, responsible for toxic cyanobacteria blooming in fresh water. o-Coumaric acid (or 2-hydroxy-cinnamic acid) isolated from E. fortunei was tested its growth-inhibitory effect on M. aeruginosa and Chlorella vulgaris at the concentrations of 1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 mg L-1 in the 96- hour experiment by the optical density and the analytical method of chlorophyll a concentration. Results indicated that the compound strongly affected towards M. aeruginosa at the concentration of 100.0 mg L-1 with the inhibition efficiency (IE) values of 76.76 % and 84.66 %, respectively while those for C. vulgaris were lower just of 60.59%, and 74.53 %, respectively. The obtained data demonstrated that two methods were highly consistent and o-coumaric acid was more toxic to M. aeruginosa than C. vulgaris at all tested concentrations (p<0.05). The images of M. aeruginosa and C. vulgaris cells under the light microscope clearly showed the damage of these cells under the attck of o-coumaric acid. Although o-coumaric compound was widely demonstrated antibacterial properties in previous reports, to the best of our knowledge, our study was the first report about effect of o-coumaric acid on the growth of M. aeruginosa and C. vulgaris. Những nghiên cứu trước đây đã chỉ ra rằng cao chiết etanol từ cây Mần tưới Eupatorium fortune Turcz tại dải nồng độ 200 ÷ 500 µg mL-1 ức chế mạnh sinh trưởng của Microcystis aeruginosa, - loài phổ biến nhất gây nên sự bùng nổ tảo độc trong hệ sinh thái nước ngọt. o-Coumaric axit (hay 2-hydroxy-cinnamic axit) phân lập từ E. fortune được tiến hành đánh giá ảnh hưởng lên sinh trưởng của hai loài M. aeruginosa và Chlorella vulgaris tại ba nồng độ là 1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 mg L-1 trong thời gian 96 giờ thực nghiệm theo phương pháp đo mật độ quang và phân tích hàm lượng chlorophyll a. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy sau 96 giờ phơi nhiễm tại nồng độ 100 mg L-1 hoạt chất ức chế mạnh tới M. aeruginosa với giá trị ức chế sinh trưởng (IE) tương ứng là 76.76 và 84.66%. Giá trị IE đối với C. vulgaris ghi nhận thấp hơn chỉ là 60.65 và 74.53%, tương ứng. Hai phương pháp phân tích trên có tính nhất quán cao và o-coumaric ức chế sinh trưởng lên loài M. aeruginosa mạnh hơn so với loài C. vulgaris tại tất cả các nồng độ nghiên cứu (p<0.05). Ảnh chụp các tế bào M. aeruginosa và C. vulgaris dưới kính hiển vi điện tử đã chứng minh những tổn thương của tế bào dưới tác động của o-coumaric axit. Mặc dù o-coumaric cho thấy đặc tính chống khuẩn cao trong các công bố trước đây, nhưng theo hiểu biết của chúng tôi đây là nghiên cứu đầu tiên công bố về ảnh hưởng của hoạt chất o-coumaric axit lên sinh trưởng của M. aeruginosa và C. vulgaris.
tobac 1.2: towards a flexible framework for tracking and analysis of clouds in diverse datasets

Abstract. We introduce tobac (Tracking and Object-Based Analysis of Clouds), a newly developed framework for tracking and analysing individual clouds in different types of datasets, such as cloud-resolving model simulations and geostationary satellite retrievals. The software has been designed to be used flexibly with any two- or three-dimensional time-varying input. The application of high-level data formats, such as Iris cubes or xarray arrays, for input and output allows for convenient use of metadata in the tracking analysis and visualisation. Comprehensive analysis routines are provided to derive properties like cloud lifetimes or statistics of cloud properties along with tools to visualise the results in a convenient way. The application of tobac is presented in two examples. We first track and analyse scattered deep convective cells based on maximum vertical velocity and the three-dimensional condensate mixing ratio field in cloud-resolving model simulations. We also investigate the performance of the tracking algorithm for different choices of time resolution of the model output. In the second application, we show how the framework can be used to effectively combine information from two different types of datasets by simultaneously tracking convective clouds in model simulations and in geostationary satellite images based on outgoing longwave radiation. The tobac framework provides a flexible new way to include the evolution of the characteristics of individual clouds in a range of important analyses like model intercomparison studies or model assessment based on observational data.
Handbook of ring-opening polymerization

THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS OF RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Thermodynamics of the Ring-Opening Polymerization Kinetics of Ring-Opening Polymerization GENERAL MECHANISMS IN RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization SILOXANE-CONTAINING POLYMERS Introduction Polydimethylsiloxanes Functional Silicones Polycarbosiloxanes SULFUR-NITROGEN-PHOSPHOROUS-CONTAINING POLYMERS Introduction Mechanism and Methods in Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) of Halogenated Cyclotriphosphazanes Ring-Opening Polymerization and Chemistry of Nonhalogenated Phosphazane Rings Incorporation of Sulfur into Phosphazane Ring Systems and Their Polymerization Chemistry POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLIC DEPSIPEPTIDES, UREAS AND URETHANES Introduction Polydepsipeptides Monomers Ring-Opening Polymerization Enzymatic Polymerization Ring Expansion Polyureas Polyurethanes POLYETHERS AND POLYOXAZOLINES Introduction Polyethers Polyoxazolines POLYAMIDES Introduction Mechanism of the Anionic Polymerization of Lactams Initiators for the Anionic Polymerization of Lactams Activators for Anionic Polymerization of Lactams Nonactivated Polymerization Cyclic Oligomers of Epsilon-Caprolactam Block Copolymers of Lactams Anionic Copolymerization of Epsilon-Caprolactam with Omega-Laurolactam Copolymerization of Lactams with Lactones (Epsilon-Caprolactone) Powdered Polyamide Nanocomposites Anionic Polymerization of 2-Pyrrolidone RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION General Introduction Introduction to Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) Well-Defined Catalysts for ROMP 'Living? ROMP Selected Recent Applications and Developments POLYESTERS FROM BETA-LACTONES Introduction Beta-Lactones Preparation Ionic Polymerization Coordination Process Carbene-Based Polymerization Enzymatic Polymerization Illustrative Experimental Section POLYESTERS FROM DILACTONES Introduction General Concepts and ROP Promoted by Metallic Recent Advances in ROP Macromolecular Engineering Applications POLYESTERS FROM LARGE LACTONES Introduction Controlled Synthesis of Linear Polyesters Physical Properties of Polymers POLYCARBONATES Introduction Polymerization of Cyclic Carbonates: Homopolymers and Block Copolymers POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLOALKANES Introduction General Overview and Thermodynamic Requirements Structure-Reactivity Relationships Based on a Comprehensive Survey of the Current Literature METAL-FREE CATALYSIS IN RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Nucleophilic ROP Metal-Free Ionic ROP ENZYME-MEDIATED RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION Introduction Characteristics of Enzymatic ROP Classes of Monomer Polymer Architectures Employing Enzymatic ROP
Experiences of Female Teachers in Elite and Non-Elite Private Schools of Pakistan

This study examines the experiences of female teachers working in private schools in Islamabad, Pakistan. These schools were divided into two categories: elite schools and non- elite schools. This differentiation was made based on fee structure, location of schools and salaries offered to teachers. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted, including 24 interviews from teachers and 12 from school principals. Additionally, the responses of 96 teachers were taken through a survey in the selected schools. The data reveals that female teachers in both elite and non-elite schools encountered numerous constraints. The major issues highlighted by the teachers included low wages, lack of support from administration, disrespectful behaviour from students and job dissatisfaction. The majority considered teaching as a temporary arrangement while they waited for better employment opportunities in other sectors. This study recommends that to rescue the profession of teaching, the state can play a role by safeguarding the rights of teachers. The focus should not be merely on privatization of the education sector but due accountability of private schools is needed not only in terms of quality of education provided, but also workplace ethics and resources provided to teachers.
The Importance of Being Prudent: Leverage and the Informational Content of Dividends

This paper studies how the informational content of dividends is affected by leverage. While higher dividends convey good news at low levels of leverage, dividends become a bad signal when leverage is high. Quantitatively, a dividend increase is predicted to have a positive stock price reaction for the median public U.S. firm, but the effect is reversed at higher levels of leverage. The same switch occurs for other corporate actions, including debt buybacks, debt issuance and risk taking. The results highlight the importance of studying the various determinants of firms’ financial decisions jointly.
Multiple molecular markers reinforce the systematic framework of unique Australian cave fishes (Milyeringa : Gobioidei)

Abstract. Australia was once thought to be a biodiversity desert when considering the subterranean world; however, recent work has revealed a fascinating collection of cave creatures, many with surprising biogeographic histories. This has especially been so in the karstic regions of north-western Australia (Cape Range peninsula, Barrow Island, Pilbara), which is home not only to a diverse collection of subterranean invertebrates, but also to the continent’s only known underworld-adapted vertebrates, which includes the cave fish in the genus Milyeringa. These cave gudgeons have recently been in a state of taxonomic flux, with species being both split and lumped, but this was done with limited data (incomplete geographic sampling and no nuclear DNA sequence data). Therefore, we have revisited the systematic status of Milyeringa in a total-evidence molecular approach by integrating all existing data (mitochondrial, allozymes) with new DNA sequences from nuclear and mitochondrial loci and new multilocus allozyme data. Our conclusion, that there are two species, matches the most recent taxonomic treatment, with Milyeringa veritas present on both the eastern and western sides of the Cape Range peninsula, and Milyeringa justitia on Barrow Island. This has implications for future research in the linked fields of biogeography and conservation.