Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outline shape analysis of penguin humeri: a robust approach to taxonomic classification

Humeri have been useful bones in taxonomic determinations of extinct penguins. In the context of neontological taxonomic studies, however, their potential remains unsatisfactorily explored. Here, the variation of the overall closed-outline shape of 60 humeri, assignable to five genera of extant penguins, was investigated. A set of normalized outlines was quantified via elliptical Fourier analysis and subjected to linear discriminant analysis on principal component scores extracted from harmonic coefficients. These geometric representations proved to be a source of easily extractable genus-level taxonomic information. The constructed model provided meaningful discrimination between taxa: the first two linear discriminants captured almost 90% of between-group variance. A cross-validation method based on jackknifing yielded 93% correct identifications, and statistically significant differences between group centroids were also detected (multivariate analysis of variance, p < 0.05). Predictions of genus membership for the intentionally noisy test data (20 outlines) were accurate in 80% of cases.
Adsorption Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies of Methyl Orange onto Sugar Scum Powder as a Low-Cost Inorganic Adsorbent

In the present study, batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the removal of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solution using sugar scum powder as an effective inorganic adsorbent which is a cheap precursor and abundant. The characteristics of this material were determined using XRD, SEM/EDX, and FTIR. The adsorption performance of sugar scum powder was evaluated using MO as the model adsorbate. Effects of various parameters such as initial dye concentration, contact time, and adsorbent dose were studied. The adsorption process can be best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity for MO removal was found to be 15.24 mg/g at temperature 22°C and pH 7.2. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption of MO onto sugar scum powder was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The results demonstrated that sugar scum is a suitable precursor for the preparation of efficient adsorbent for dye removal from wastewater.
Understanding organizational embeddedness and career success: Who and what you know

Kohyar Kiazad Monash University Sir John Monash Drive, Melbourne, VIC 3145, Australia kohyar.kiazad@monash.edu Maria Kraimer Rutgers University Rockafeller Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA maria.kraimer@rutgers.edu Scott Seibert Rutgers University Rockafeller Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA scott.seibert@rutgers.edu Leisa Sargent University of New South Wales High Street, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia l.sargent@unsw.edu. au
Preliminary Evaluation of Behavioral Response of Nesting Waterbirds to Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight

Abstract Small unmanned aircraft systems present an emerging technology with the potential to survey colonial waterbird populations while reducing disturbance in comparison to traditional ground counts. Recent research with these systems has been performed on some colonially nesting avian species; however, none have focused on wading bird species. During 2015–2016, this study tested the behavioral response of a mixed-species rookery (Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and a groundnesting colony of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)) in shrub habitat to small unmanned aircraft system flights at 12 m, 15 m, 30 m, and 50 m. Even at the lowest altitudes, the birds either showed no reaction or acclimated within 60 sec of the fly-over. Conversely, physically entering the colony to conduct ground surveys resulted in all Common Terns flushing from their nests beginning when the observer was 50 m away and required significantly more time in the colony overall: ~30–60 min vs. ~3–7 min with the small unmanned aircraft system. While this study focuses only on the behavioral response of nesting birds and not comparison of count estimates, these results provide preliminary evidence that small unmanned aircraft systems provide the potential to monitor colonial nesting bird populations while minimizing disturbance to the colony.
Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from apparently healthy individuals in Malete, Kwara state, Nigeria

Background : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common and continuously growing cause of nosocomial and community-acquired staphylococcal infections around the world. Screening for colonization with MRSA is a major aspect of control and limiting the spread of infections cause by this organism. We investigated the carriage of MRSA among apparently healthy individuals in four rural villages: Eleburu, Tapa, Atere and Apo all around semi-urban town-Malete, in Moro Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria. Methods : Nasal swabs were collected from volunteered individuals and were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar for isolation and identification of Staph aureus using standard microbiological techniques. Susceptibility to cefoxitin disc (30 ag) was used to determine MRSA status of the isolates. Molecular method was used to detect the gene responsible for resistance among MRSA isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility test to commonly prescribed antibiotics was carried out using discs diffusion method. Results : Total number of individuals carrying Staph aureus in their nostrils was 42 (37.2 %). Antibiotics susceptibility profile of Staph aureus isolates showed 100 % resistance to cefuroxime, cefotaxime, cloxacillin and augmentin, and were 87 %, 81 %, 69 % and 23.8 % and 19 % resistant to tetracycline, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and gentamicin respectively. A total of 6 (14%) Community –Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolates were recovered from individuals living in these villages. Molecular method detected muc and mecA genes in all the 6 (100%) CA-MRSA isolates and lukS-lukF was detected in 3 (50%) of the isolates. Conclusion : Detection of CA-MRSA strains among these rural dweller indicates that they are harbouring enhance virulence organism that may manifest a more severe disease condition. The danger associated with high prevalence of multidrug resistant Staph aureus and CAMRSA; and its consequential effects of poor drug administration in Nigeria was discussed. There is need to establish a more strict legislation and enforcement on drug control; and a body that would monitor production and appropriate use of antibiotics in the Nigeria. KEYWORDS : CA-MRSA, Staph aureus , Antibiotics, Rural Villages and Molecular Characterization
The Analysis of Factors Influencing Financial Technology Usage in Higher Education

This study aims to analyze and to shape the factors that influence the use of financial technology, especially among students, because recently the financial technology usage among students increased slightly in the previous year. This increase was influenced by several factors that have not been classified. The population consisted of 1,229 students of the Indraprasta University PGRI Jakarta, with 273 students as the sample obtained using simple random sampling. Techniques of data collection used a questionnaire with a Likert scale consisting of seven points. Techniques of data analysis used factor analysis from software Statistical Package for the Social Science version 24.0. The results of the factor analysis show that eight factors are formed from several variables, with a contribution of 65.368%. While 34,632% is explained by other not examined factors, these factors consist of security, product offered, access and profit, loyalty, information, facility, demand and quality. For future research, it needs to test and analyze factors formed to add references of science and technology, especially in the field of financial technology.
Mixing and oxygen transfer characteristics of a microplate bioreactor with surface‐attached microposts

Bioprocess optimization for cell‐based therapies is a resource heavy activity. To reduce the associated cost and time, process development may be carried out in small volume systems, with the caveat that such systems be predictive for process scale‐up. The transport of oxygen from the gas phase into the culture medium, characterized using the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, has been identified as a critical parameter for predictive process scale‐up. Here, we describe the development of a 96‐well microplate with integrated Redbud Posts to provide mixing and enhanced kLa. Mixing in the microplate is characterized by observation of dyes and analyzed using the relative mixing index (RMI). The kLa is measured via dynamic gassing out method. Actuating Redbud Posts are shown to increase rate of planar homogeneity (2 min) verse diffusion alone (120 min) and increase oxygenation, with increasing stirrer speed (3500‐9000 rpm) and decreasing fill volume (150‐350 μL) leading to an increase in kLa (4‐88 h−1). Significant increase in Chinese Hamster Ovary growth in Redbud Labs vessel (580,000 cells mL‐1) versus the control (420,000 cells mL‐1); t(12.814) = 8.3678, p ≤ . 001), and CD4+ Naïve cell growth in the microbioreactor indicates the potential for this technology in early stage bioprocess development and optimization.
Immune modulation by cow’s milk components : Implications for respiratory health

In a growing world population in which chronic inflammatory diseases are on the rise and allergies and asthma affect 30-40% of the population, there is a pressing need to understand underlying mechanisms to develop successful preventive strategies for these diseases. Raw cow’s milk consumption in early life has been associated in epidemiological studies with a significant decrease in the prevalence of allergies and asthma. In this thesis we investigated the effect of components present in raw cow’s milk on maintenance of mucosal immune functioning in the gut and discussed their implications for respiratory health. We thereby give novel insights into the underlying mechanisms by which raw cow’s milk components display their immunomodulatory capacity and may contribute to regulation of mucosal immune responses. Future studies should further investigate the effects of these components in in vivo allergy and respiratory infection models, to better understand the link between diet and respiratory health.
Combining IR and X‐ray microtomography data sets: Application to Itokawa particles and to Paris meteorite

In the near future, a new generation of sample return missions (Hayabusa2, OSIRIS‐REx, MMX, etc.) will collect samples from small solar system bodies. To maximize the scientific outcome of laboratory studies and minimize the loss of precious extraterrestrial samples, an analytical sequence from less destructive to more destructive techniques needs to be established. In this work, we present a combined X‐ray and IR microtomography applied to five Itokawa particles and one fragment of the primitive carbonaceous chondrite Paris. We show that this analytical approach is able to provide a 3‐D physical and chemical characterization of individual extraterrestrial particles, using the measurement of their 3‐D structure and porosity, and the detection of mineral and organic phases, and their spatial co‐localization in 3‐D. We propose these techniques as an efficient first step in a multitechnique analytical sequence on microscopic samples collected by space missions.
Plasma Biochemistry and Hematologic Values of Cold-Stunned Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)

Abstract Cold-stunned loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) strand annually in the northeastern United States and are admitted to rehabilitation facilities when rescued alive. Hematologic and plasma biochemical data were retrospectively evaluated from 133 cold-stunned loggerhead turtles that were admitted for rehabilitation between 2008 and 2016. Convalescent data were compared with initial data for 24 turtles for which paired data were available. Convalescent values for white blood cell count, heterophil count creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, and uric acid were significantly lower than initial values, whereas convalescent eosinophil count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein, globulin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and potassium were significantly higher. Results indicate that cold-stunned loggerhead turtles may be affected by dehydration, reduced renal function, cellular injury, deranged metabolic status, and activation of the adrenocortical stress response. Specific derangements associated with mortality could not be statistically characterized because only four turtles died.
Climate-scale changes of the semidiurnal tide over the North
Atlantic coasts from 1846 to 2018

Abstract. We investigated the long-term changes of the principal tidal component M2 over the North Atlantic coasts, from 1846 to 2018. We analysed 9 tide gauges with time series starting no later than 1920. The longest is Brest with 165 years of observations. We carefully processed the data, particularly to remove the 18.6-year nodal modulation. We found that M2 variations are consistent at all the stations in the North East Atlantic (Newlyn, Brest, Cuxhaven), whereas some discrepancies appear in the North West Atlantic. The changes started long before the XXth century, and are not linear. The trends vary from a station to another; they are overall positive, up to 0.7 mm/yr. Since 1990, the trends switch from positive to negative values. Concerning the possible causes of the observed changes, the similarity between the North Atlantic Oscillation and M2 variations in the North East Atlantic suggests a possible influence of the large-scale atmospheric circulation on the tide. We discuss a possible underlying mechanism. A different spatial distribution of water heights from one year to another, depending on the low-frequency sea-level pressure patterns, could impact the propagation of the tide in the North Atlantic basin. However, the hypothesis is at present unproven.
Monitoramento e controle de Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) e Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1984) com uso de ovitrampas

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) é o principal vetor do vírus do dengue, e coloca sob risco metade da população mundial. É um mosquito antropofílico e veicula também os vírus Chikungunya e Zika vírus. Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) é abundante em áreas com vegetação próximas a residências e pode transmitir os vírus Chikungunya e febre amarela. Estratégias de monitoramento e controle desses vetores são necessários para redução da circulação viral. Estimar a variação populacional de Ae. aegypti e Ae. albopictus em relação à urbanização e aferir relações de sobreposição e competição desses vetores com o uso de ovitrampas foram os objetivos deste estudo. A amostragem foi realizada em 10 locais no campus da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, entre abril e outubro de 2015. A ovitrampa foi elaborada com pote plástico escuro, contendo no seu interior água, uma palheta, mistura atrativa e temephós. Os ovos coletados nas palhetas foram submetidos a eclosão para identificação das espécies por meio das larvas. Coletou-se 46.879 ovos de Aedes e abril apresentou a maior densidade de ovos (IDO=49,0). A temperatura apresentou forte correlação (r=0,88) com a atividade de oviposição, entre abril a julho. Aedes aegypti predominou em áreas urbanas nos diferentes locais. Os resultados obtidos comprovam que a ovitrampa é uma ferramenta eficaz para monitorar e auxiliar em estratégias de controle da população destes vetores.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Chlorpyrifos with Mn-WO3/SnS2 Heterostructure

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a photocatalyst that has gained interest amongst researchers because of its non-toxicity, narrow band gap and superior charge transport. Due to its fast charge recombination, modification is vital to counteract this limitation. In this paper, we report on the fabrication of Mn-doped WO3/SnS2 nanoparticles, which were synthesised with the aim of minimising the recombination rates of the photogenerated species. The nanomaterials were characterised using spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Raman, XRD, photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)) together with microscopic techniques (FESEM-EDS and high resolution transmission electron microscopy selected area electron diffraction (HRTEM-SAED)) to confirm the successful formation of Mn-WO3/SnS2 nanoparticles. The Mn-doped WO3/SnS2 composite was a mixture of monoclinic and hexagonal phases, confirmed by XRD and Raman analysis. The Mn-WO3/SnS2 heterojunction showed enhanced optical properties compared to those of the un-doped WO3/SnS2 nanoparticles, which confirms the successful charge separation. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis indicated that the nanoparticles were mesoporous as they exhibited a Type IV isotherm. These nanomaterials appeared as a mixture of rectangular rods and sheet-like shapes with an increased surface area (77.14 m2/g) and pore volume (0.0641 cm3/g). The electrochemical measurements indicated a high current density (0.030 mA/cm2) and low charge transfer resistance (157.16 Ω) of the Mn-WO3/SnS2 heterojunction, which infers a high charge separation, also complemented by photoluminescence with low emission peak intensity. The Mott–Schottky (M-S) plot indicated a positive slope characteristic of an n–n heterojunction semiconductor, indicating that electrons are the major charge carriers. Thus, the efficiency of Mn-WO3/SnS2 heterojunction photocatalyst was monitored for the degradation of chlorpyrifos. The effects of pH (3–9), catalyst loading (0.1–2 g) and initial chlorpyrifos concentration (100 ppb–20 ppm) were studied. It was observed that the degradation was purely due to photocatalysis, as no loss of chlorpyrifos was observed within 30 min in the dark. Chlorpyrifos removal using Mn-WO3/SnS2 was performed at the optimum conditions of pH = 7, catalyst loading = 1 g and chlorpyrifos concentration = 1000 ppb in 90 min. The complete degradation of chlorpyrifos and its major degradation by-product 3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-ol (TCP) was achieved. Kinetic studies deduced a second order reaction at 209 × 10−3 M−1s−1.
Growth and quality of Pinus nigra (Arn.), Pinus sylvestris (L.) and Pinus pinaster (Aiton) seedlings in two container types

Abstract In this study we investigated the dynamics of growth and quality features of 1+0 Austrian Pine (AP; Pinus nigra Arn.), Scots Pine (SP; Pinus sylvestris L.) and Maritime Pine (MP; Pinus pinaster Aiton) seedlings in containers Yukosad (YS; hard plastic, 75cm3, 610 seedlings m-2) and Siset (SS; gray cardboard with white coating, 128 cm3, 589 seedlings m-2). The experiment, for all Pine species, was conducted in randomized blocks in four replications. Each replication contained 10 multipots of each container type. After the seed germination, every 15 days, i.e. 10 times during the vegetation season, 10 seedlings of each of 4 replications, i.e. 40 seedlings of each container and Pine species, were analyzed. The following morphological characteristics were measured: shoot height (SH), root collar diameter (RCD), shoot dry weight (SDW), number, length and dry weight (RDW) of I, II and III order lateral roots (FOLR, SOLR and TOLR) and of the central root. Quality ratios and indexes were calculated. The dynamics of growth of selected features during the vegetation season was expressed as trend lines. AP and SP seedlings, grown in containers YS had higher values of almost all measured traits (SH, RCD, SDW, number, length and dry weight of FOLR, SOLR and TOLR). However, in AP, the SS seedlings had better values of quality indexes and ratios (SQ, DQI, SDW/RDW and RDW/SDW ratio), than YS seedlings. SP seedlings, except for SQ, had better quality indexes in YS container. MP seedlings, with some exceptions, have better above ground quality features in SS containers, while root systems don’t differ significantly in both containers. Root quality indicators (root intensity and root bound indexes) are more favorable in SS containers in all Pine species. The polynomial trend lines in AP and SP grow in similar way and intensity in both containers, gradually increasing during the vegetation season. MP seedlings differ in much more intensive growth of above ground features, especially in the half of the vegetative period in both containers, while during this period root quantity and length stagnates. Generally, the quality of AP and SP seedlings is more or less equal and satisfactory in both containers, while MP seedlings show slightly better results in SS container.
Lean bundles within Jordanian manufacturing SMEs and their effect on business performance

Maximizing customer value and minimizing waste have become the heart of the formulation of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Jordan to survive in the new global marketplace. Therefore, lean manufacturing philosophy is used in SMEs to improve performance regarding quality, delivery, and costs to become efficiently competitive, thus accomplishing sustainable economic growth. The current study was designed to analyze the extent to which lean management bundles are adopted by SMEs manufacturing organizations in Jordan and the effect on their performance. Data were collected from 278 manufacturing SMEs in Jordan based on a structured questionnaire. The theoretical relationships were examined using structural equation modeling. The results show that Total Quality Management (TQM) and Human Resources Management (HRM) lean bundles are positively associated with manufacturing SMEs’ performance. The outcomes of this study may be considered as incentives for other practitioners and entrepreneurs of SMEs when implementing lean bundles by acknowledging the positive effect on their performance. Moreover, the findings of this study could be used in an internal checklist before and during the implementation of Lean Manufacturing (LM).
Can dietary zinc diminish the impact of necrotic enteritis on growth performance of broiler chickens by modulating the intestinal immune-system and microbiota?

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of inorganic and proteinate Zn in chickens challenged with coccidia and Clostridium perfringens. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used, with 3 dietary formulations (0 or 90 mg/kg supplemental Zn from ZnSO4 or Zn proteinate, with or without challenge). On day 14, challenged birds were orally gavaged with approx. 5,000 Eimeria maxima sporulated oocysts, and on day 19 to 21 with C. perfringens (108 CFU/D). Productive performance was assessed at day 21 and 28. At 21 D, necrotic enteritis (NE) lesion severity, intestinal permeability, gene expression, and ileal and cecal microbiota were evaluated. An interaction of Zn source by challenge was observed for lesion score and mortality, wherein Zn supplementation decreased the degree of NE lesions (P = 0.02) and mortality due to NE (P = 0.008). In the jejunum, an interaction of Zn source by challenge was observed for the expression of IL-8 (P = 0.001) and INF-γ (P = 0.03), wherein the NE challenge upregulated their expression, but not in the Zn proteinate supplemented birds. Zn proteinate supplementation downregulated iNOS vs. ZnSO4 supplemented birds (P = 0.0003), and supplemental Zn downregulated TLR-2 (P = 0.05) and ZnT5 (P = 0.04), regardless of the source. In the ileal microbiota, Zn proteinate supplementation decreased the frequency of Lactobacillus (P = 0.01), and the challenge increased Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.01). Dietary Zn decreased NE lesion severity and mortality due to NE; Zn proteinate led to lower expression of IL-8 and INF-γ in challenged birds which may be an indicative of a lessened inflammatory response.