Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Localization and steric effect of the lone electron pair of the tellurium Te4+ cation and other cations of the p-block elements. A systematic study

A simple method has been developed based on pure geometrical concepts to localize lone pairs (LPs) of cations of the p-block elements and model their steric effect. The method was applied to 1185 structures containing LP cations in 2439 non-equivalent positions. For oxide crystal structures, it is observed that, going from bottom left to top right in the periodic table, LPs move away from the cation core and decrease in size. For a given kind of cation M*, the LP radius increases linearly with the M*–LP distance, the smallest rate being observed for Tl+ and the largest for Cl5+. The influence of the anion type was also studied in the case of the Te4+ cation. Overall, the same trends were observed. The smallest Te–LP distances and LP radii are found for anions of large size and small charge.
The Markets of Green Cars of Three Countries: Analysis Using Lotka–Volterra and Bertalanffy–Pütter Models

Did the diesel scandal of 2015 affect the market for cars? We consider this question in relation to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Starting with historical registration data of cars with different drivetrain technologies, we considered each technology in isolation and fitted a five-parameter Bertalanffy–Pütter (BP) growth model to the stocks of cars. We used this model as it generalizes several well-known three-parameter models, which are distinguished by their exponent pair, e.g., Brody model BP (0, 1), West model BP (0.75, 1), and logistic growth BP (1, 2). We then used these models to derive a Lotka–Volterra (LV) model for the co-evolution of the (annual) market shares of the different drivetrain technologies. We augmented this model by a consideration of model uncertainty and found that initially all technologies were in a state of competition, except for Austria, which changed in 2015 to a predator–prey situation with diesel as the sole prey. This analysis of model uncertainty compared the best-fitting growth curve with the growth trajectories of other likely (Akaike weight 5% or higher) models of BP type. We conclude with remarks about open innovation.
Nutrient content of three clones of red fruit (Pandanus conoideus) during the maturity development.

The purpose of this study was to determine the best harvest time of three clones red fruit (Pandanus conoideus) based on their nutrient contents. Fruit flesh of three red fruit clones (namely Monsor, Edewewits and Memeri) were analyzed the nutritional content, during the development of the maturity i.e. unripe, half ripe, ripe and overripe. The results show that the maturity stages had a significant effect on the nutrient contents of three clones of red fruit. Nutritional components in the red fruit on are fat (50.8-55.58%), carbohydrate (36.78-46.3%), vitamin C (24-45 mg per 100 g), phosphorus (654-792 ppm), calcium (4919-5176 ppm), total carotenoids (976-1592 ppm) and total tocopherols (1256-2016 ppm). The changed of nutrient composition of fruits vary in each clone during ripening. Using the principal component analysis (PCA), commonly three clones of red fruit in unripe and half ripe stages could be characterized by high content of ash, calcium, phosphor, and carbohydrate, while red fruit in maturity level of ripe and overripe were characterized by high content of fat, total carotenoids and total tocopherol content. Based on these results, the red fruit is perfect to harvest on ripe or overripe phase so that they have abundant nutrient content.
Absence of infection with the amphibian chytrid fungus in the terrestrial Alpine salamander, Salamandra atra

1) Trier University, Biogeography Department, 54286 Trier, Germany 2) Department of Biology, Copenhagen University, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark 3) Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria 4) KARCH, Passage Maximilien-de-Meuron 6, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland 5) Herpetology Department, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany 6) Department for Molecular Biodiversity, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany 7) Institut fur Evolutionsbiologie und Umweltwissenschaften, Universitat Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Rise in house prices and industrial growth: evidence from city-level data of China

We, the Editors and Publisher of Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, have retracted the following article: Xiaoyong Huang, Guorong Li, Jiayu Zhang, Liheng Li & Xiangyun Xu, ‘Rise in house prices and industrial growth: evidence from city-level data of China’, Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 2020, 10.1080/1331677X.2020. 1804969 This article has been retracted at the request of the authors due to a major error found post-publication in the definition of the variables within the data which could invalidate the conclusions.
The precipitation patterns and atmospheric dynamics of the Serengeti National Park

The unique precipitation patterns over the Serengeti National Park in East Africa form the foundation of an internationally important ecosystem. Quantifying these precipitation patterns, and identifying the causal atmospheric processes, can improve understanding of past and future changes to regional rainfall. Precipitation and reanalysis datasets (CHIRPS v2.0, TRMM 3B42, ERA5) were used to quantify the regional climatic conditions on annual, monthly and hourly timescales. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified regions with distinct annual cycles of precipitation. Annual and monthly precipitation over the wider Serengeti domain (1°–4°S, 33°–37°E) was spatially heterogeneous. Cluster analysis identified five sub‐regions with distinct annual cycles, with differing rainfall totals during January–February and June–September, wet season peak rainfall months, and rainfall peak symmetry. Seasonality was broadly controlled by the biannual passage of the tropical rainfall belt. Low‐level wind, humidity and convergence patterns were impacted by the topography and Lake Victoria. An afternoon convergence zone between tropical easterlies and lake breeze winds always ran through the park and was associated with ascending motion and convection. The spatial progression of diurnal rainfall over the Serengeti followed the direction of 750 hPa tropical easterlies. The majority of the park received a late‐afternoon rainfall peak, but from October to March an early afternoon peak was present between the wind convergence line over the central Serengeti and the rift topography. We propose that interactions between tropical easterlies, lake breeze westerlies and the topography control the spatial distribution of Serengeti precipitation, and that the seasonally changing rainfall gradient over the Serengeti may be generated by storms forming at the lake front and propagating in the direction of tropospheric easterlies. We suggest the early precipitation peak in the eastern Serengeti may be due to variability in the position of the lake front, or small storms generated by localized solar heating.
Performance Assessment of a Renovated Precast Concrete Bridge Using Static and Dynamic Tests

The article presents the development of a SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) strategy intended to confirm the improvement of the load-bearing capacity of a bridge over the Ružin Dam using static and dynamic load tests, as well as numerical simulations. The paper comprises measurements of the global response of the bridge to prepare a verified and validated FEM (Finite Element Method) model. A complex measuring system used for the tests consisted of two main parts: an interferometric IBIS-S (Image by Interferometric Survey-Structures) radar and a multichannel vibration and strain data logger. Next, structure–vehicle interactions were modelled, and non-linear numerical dynamic analyses were performed. As a result, the time histories of displacements of the structure from traffic effects were obtained. Their comparison with IBIS-S radar records proves that this method can be effectively used for assessing bridges subjected to common traffic loads. The results (measured accelerations) obtained by local tests in external pre-stressed cables are presented and a convenient method for acquiring the axial force in the cables is proposed.
Understanding Time-Evolving Citation Dynamics across Fields of Sciences

Scholarly publications draw collective attention beyond disciplines, leading to highly skewed citation distributions in sciences. Uncovering the mechanisms of such disparate popularity is very challenging, since a wide spectrum of research fields are not only interacting and influencing one another but also time-evolving. Accordingly, this study aims to understand citation dynamics across STEM fields in terms of latent affinity and novelty decay, which is based upon Bayesian inference and learning of the Affinity Poisson Process model (APP) with bibliography data from the Web of Science database. The approaches shown in the study can shed light on predicting and interpreting popularity dynamics in diverse application domains, by considering the effect of time-varying subgroup interactions on diffusion processes.
Erythrocyte Biology and its Impact on Plasmodium vivax Invasion

4 Introduction. 5 Chapter 1Interaction of Malaria Parasites with human erythrocytes. 5 Erythrocyte Structural Proteins. 5 Assembly of the Erythrocyte. 8 Duffy Expression. 10 Genetic Abnormalities of Erythrocytes. 16 Chapter 2Erythrocyte Maturation. 19 Chapter 3Experimental Support. 22 Methods. 25 Results. 28 Discussion. 34 Future Directions. 36 References. 39
Causes of Marital satisfaction and the criteria of choosing partners for marriage as Perceived by the People of Navrongo in The Upper East Region of Ghana

The study examined the causes of marital satisfaction and the criteria of choosing marriage partners as perceived by the people of Navrongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Data were gathered through the use of Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI). The sample size was 384 participants comprising 192 males and 192 females who responded to the Marital Satisfaction Inventory. The stratified and quota sampling procedures were used to select the respondents for the study. The study showed that some couples in Navrongo were not satisfied with their marriages as indicated by respondents to the MSI. Seven scales were used as indicators for marital satisfaction. These included, relationship, affection, love and appreciation, character, temperament, in-law issues, marital roles, and general evaluation. Couples would have been satisfied if the mean scores of the various scales were high enough to fall within the specified satisfied range. The study showed that many married couples chose their partners through courtship than those who were married through betrothal. In Navrongo, more females are betrothed than males and males prefer courtship to betrothal. On the other hand, many men chose their partners through courtship than their female counterpart. Marital satisfaction and the criteria of choosing a partner for marriage by respondents also showed that 86.17% of those who married through betrothal were not satisfied with their marriages whereas 90% of respondents who married through courtship were also not satisfied with their marriages. Only about 13.8% and 10% for respondents of betrothal and courtship were satisfied with their marriages respectively.
WAVELET-BASED FEATURE EXTRACTION FOR MORTALITY PROJECTION

Wavelet theory is known to be a powerful tool for compressing and processing time series or images. It consists in projecting a signal on an orthonormal basis of functions that are chosen in order to provide a sparse representation of the data. The first part of this article focuses on smoothing mortality curves by wavelets shrinkage. A chi-square test and a penalized likelihood approach are applied to determine the optimal degree of smoothing. The second part of this article is devoted to mortality forecasting. Wavelet coefficients exhibit clear trends for the Belgian population from 1965 to 2015, they are easy to forecast resulting in predicted future mortality rates. The wavelet-based approach is then compared with some popular actuarial models of Lee–Carter type estimated fitted to Belgian, UK, and US populations. The wavelet model outperforms all of them.
Motor imagery BCI classification based on novel two‐dimensional modelling in empirical wavelet transform

Brain complexity and non-stationary nature of electroencephalography (EEG) signal make considerable challenges for the accurate identi ﬁ - cation of different motor-imagery (MI) tasks in brain – computer interface (BCI). In the proposed Letter, a novel framework is proposed for the automated accurate classi ﬁ cation of MI tasks. First, raw EEG signals are denoised with multiscale principal component analysis. Secondly, denoised signals are decomposed by empirical wavelet transform into different modes. Thirdly, the two-dimensional (2D) modelling of modes is introduced to identify the variations of different signals. Fourthly, a single geometrical feature name as, a summation of distance from each point relative to a coordinate centre is extracted from 2D modelling of modes. Finally, the extracted feature vectors are provided to the feedforward neural network and cascade forward neural networks for classi ﬁ cation check. The proposed study achieved 95.3% of total classi ﬁ cation accuracy with 100% outcome for subject with very small training samples, which is outperforming existing methods on the same database.
Engaging doctoral students in networking opportunities: a relational approach to doctoral study

ABSTRACT Doctoral work is often characterised as lonely and isolating (Holbrook et al. 2014). This paper explores how collaboration with peers and other professionals supports the doctoral learning experience. The research study asks what networks doctoral students engage with and how their engagement in networks supports their studies. Semi-structured interviews were designed to get doctoral students to reflect on their social and cognitive practices. Examples were sought of doctoral students collaborating with peers and colleagues. These collaborations highlight the potential for creating networks where higher-level competences can develop from individual competences. In cultural-historical terms, the cultivation of relational expertise helps to develop relational agency (Edwards 2011). Working collaboratively requires effort from the students but also facilitation from the doctoral community. The findings consider the doctoral learning process as one that can be developed pedagogically by appropriating ideas around relational expertise and relational agency.
Strain engineering and stacking pattern tune the electrical conductivity of two-dimensional SiPS

In this work, a new two-dimensional material with excellent stability and an indirect band gap of 3.304 eV (HSE06), called SiPS, is predicted by using first-principles calculations. The electron calculations demonstrate that SiPS exhibits strong anisotropies in electron effective mass and transport ability. At room temperature (300 K), the calculated electron mobility along y direction is 172.6 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is about 108 times larger than that along x direction (1.6 cm2 V−1 s−1). Under the biaxial strain, the band gap can be tuned (2.265–3.585 eV) as well as the electron effective mass and transport ability, especially the remarkable reduction of electron effective mass and the improvement of electron mobility along x direction. In addition, in the exploration of bilayer SiPS with four stacking patterns, it can be observed that pattern III triggers the transformation of bilayer SiPS from indirect to direct band gap. The electron mobility of bilayer SiPS can be tuned by the different stacking patterns, and the results show that the electron mobility of patterns I and II are 3.3–6.2 and 375.2–440.3 cm2 V−1 s−1 along x and y direction, respectively, which are over two times higher than those of monolayer SiPS. For patterns III and IV, the electron mobility along x and y directions exhibit a small difference, with the values of 74.5–65.3 and 64.1–34.4 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. These advantaged results shed light on two-dimensional SiPS for promising applications in developing unidirectional or bidirectional conductive electronic devices.
Evaluation of sensitivity to zinc and copper of Diophrys appendiculata(Protozoa, Ciliophora) and their associated bacteria, both isolated from a tropical polluted bay

Ciliates are an essential component of microbial food webs, connecting biomass production to higher trophic levels and providing substrates for bacterial growth. Bacteria are widespread in sea sediment and the first to metabolize organic matter. Heavy metals are toxic and bind to particulate organic matter. This work aims to study the influence of heavy metals (Zn and Cu) on D. appendiculataand their naturally associated bacteria, both from Guanabara Bay during 96 h bioassay with 0, 0.001, 0.009, 0.05, 0.1 mg L-1 and maximum concentration stipulated by CONAMA 357 (Zn 5.0; Cu 1.0 mg L -1). It was analyzed for tolerance, resistance and biomass production. In Zn control, ciliate produced 1.24x10 2-2.47x10 3µg C cm -3 (0-96 h), with 0.009 mg Zn L-1 reaches 2.49x10 2 -1.93x10 3µg C cm -3 (0-96 h). Their naturally associated bacteria, in Zn control, produced 5.0x10 -2 -5.67x10 -2µg C cm -3 (0-96 h), with 0.1 mg Zn L-1 4.87x10 -2 -8.38x10-2µg C cm -3 (0-96 h). In Cu control, D. appendiculataproduced 1.04x10 2 -3.12x10 2µg C cm -3 (0-96 h), with 0.009 mg Cu L-1 biomass was 8.31x10 1 -7.27x10 -2µg C cm -3 (0-96 h) and with CONAMA concentration was below detection level. Their naturally associated bacteria, in Cu control, produced 1.20x10-2 -5.14x10 -2µg C cm -3 (0-96 h) and with 0.1 mg Cu L -1 7.40x10 -4 -3.81x10 -2µg C cm -3 (0-96 h), with CONAMA concentration 5.14x10 -2 µg C cm-3 (96 h). D. appendiculataare tolerant to 0.09 mg L -1 and resistant to 0.1 mg L -1 after 24 h to Zn-Cu and LD50 stipulated was 1.17 (Zn) 0.90 (Cu) mg L -1 . Microbial loop was functional in low concentration of Zn and Cu, but their diversity in nature was affected.
Connectivity of public open space: its meaning for different functions

ABSTRACT Melbourne, Australia’s fastest growing city, developed more rapidly to its south and east than to the north and west. This presents planning challenges where differences in the meaning of connectivity have emerged. To the north and west, there are demands to subdivide undeveloped land for housing, but there are also demands for connected public open space (POS). This paper defines connectivity in relation to its function and measured unimpeded connected POS for travel by foot, wheelchair, skateboard, scooter, rollerblades or bicycle. Distances ranged from 0.5 to 20 km. Connectivity was measured as distance travelled without retracing the course in the same direction.
Effect of coenzyme Q10 on depression paradigms in male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice

Background: Depression is a major public health concern. Inflammation and oxidative stress have emerged as major contributors to the neuroprogression of depression. There is evidence that there are reduced antioxidant (AOX) defenses in depression. Hence, this study is aimed at evaluating the antidepressant activity of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which is an AOX. Aims and Objective: The aim and objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of CoQ10 on depression using behavioral models of depression namely forced swim test (FST) in male Wistar rats and tail suspension test (TST) in male Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: The antidepressant activity of CoQ10 was evaluated using two behavioral models of depression namely FST and TST in male Wistar rats and male Swiss albino mice, respectively. The standard antidepressant used was amitriptyline. Results: There was statistically significant difference in the duration of immobility with amitriptyline and CoQ10 treated groups, when compared to that of control group in both behavioral models of depression. It was also found that there was no statistically significant difference between amitriptyline and CoQ10, indicating comparable antidepressant activity. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that, CoQ10 has significant antidepressant activity. Taking into consideration the fact that, inflammation and oxidative stress have a major role to play in the pathophysiology of depression, CoQ10 appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of depression.
Land‐use change effects on the taxonomic and morphological trait composition of ant communities in French Guiana

Land‐use changes frequently lead to major changes in the composition and diversity of organisms. A reduction in the range of strategies enabling organisms to survive in a given environment and changes in the average trait values of species may potentially be associated with variations in species’ number and identity. We investigated the variation in ant taxonomic composition and morphological trait diversity along a land‐use gradient in French Guiana. We measured 13 core ant morphological traits on all species sampled. We then selected the set of five traits that best captured changes along the land‐use gradient. Potential effects of the variation in morphological trait diversity and average values were evaluated by examining morphological traits individually as well as in combination. We found that variation in taxonomic diversity was unrelated to the plot‐level morphospace. Conversely, a significant shift in taxonomic composition was accompanied by changes in the average values of community traits along the studied gradient, examined both individually and in combination. We argue that morphological trait values may be related to the success of different species in surviving in a given environment and, therefore, are indicative of the taxonomic turnover in ants along the land‐use gradient. Nevertheless, in contradiction with theoretical expectations, the morphospace is only slightly affected by habitat filtering and loosely impacted by taxonomic changes. Examining the sensitivity of the morphospace to abiotic and biotic factors and how it reflects varying ecological pressures for species is thus of the utmost importance.
In vitro embryo production in Nelore cows supplemented with calcium salts of long-chain fatty acid

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of supplementation of lactating Nelore cows with calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) of soybean oil on in vitro oocytes competency, cleavage rate, embryo production rate, pregnancy rate, and sex ratio of transferred embryos. Fifteen multiparous Nelore cows grazed on a Tifton 85 pasture were allotted to two treatments: (1) supplement without fat inclusion (CONT, n = 6) and (2) supplement containing 47.2 g Ca-LCFA /kg (to provide an intake of 0.2 kg Ca-LCFA/day) based on dry matter (n = 9). Animals were subjected to 2.53 ± 1.35 rounds of consecutive ovum pick up at intervals of 27.65 ± 21.72 days. Oocytes were morphologically evaluated, selected, maturated, fertilized, and cultivated for embryo production in vitro and then transferred into recipients who had previously undergone an embryo transfer protocol at a fixed time. The number of aspirated oocytes, the proportion of viable oocytes, cleavage rate, embryo percentage, pregnancy rate, and sex ratio were not affected when Nelore cows were supplemented with Ca-LCFA of soybean oil compared with non-supplemented Nelore cows. In conclusion, our results suggest that feeding a supplement containing 47.2 g Ca-LCFA/kg (to provide an intake of 0.2 kg Ca-LCFA/day) to Nelore cows does not affect in vitro embryo production in lactating Nelore cows. However, further studies using higher dietary doses of fat could be useful to determine the potential of fat supplementation to improve in vitro embryo production.