Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-isotopic assessments of spatio-temporal diet variability: the case of two sympatric gulls in the western Mediterranean

In predator populations, changes in foraging behaviour in response to spatio-temporal variability of prey are expected. Prey depletion might cause trophic niche widening in generalist species, but not in specialists, which are expected to increase their foraging effort without diet shifts. In sympatric species feeding on similar resources, reduced food availability can in crease interspecific competition and cause trophic niche segregation. To understand these processes, we studied the spatio-temporal variability in diet and niche width in 2 sympatric gull species, the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis and Audouin’s gull Ichthyaetus audouinii, which have experienced exponential growth in recent decades due to an increase in anthropogenic food subsidies. We sampled feathers from chicks of both species in several colonies along the western Mediterranean from 2009 to 2011 and performed stable isotope analysis of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur on these feathers. Bayesian modelling shows that both species displayed opportunistic behaviour if different types of resources were available, but could also narrow their trophic niche if 1 resource was abundant. We also provide evidence of trophic segregation between the 2 gull species, suggesting the occurrence of interspecific competition for food. Our meta-population approach provides a comprehensive view of the trophic ecology and the competitive interactions of these gull species. We emphasize the usefulness of 3-dimensional isotope analyses to correctly assess spatio-temporal variability in trophic behaviour of predator species, revealing differences that would remain hidden in single population studies or when using only the isotopic ratios of 2 elements.
Bacterial Community Structure in Activated Sludge Process

Microbial activity and structure of the bacterial community of activated sludge reactors, which treated industrial wastewater, were studied. Microbial communities, including ammonia oxidation bacteria, eubacteria, actinomycetic communities were studied in two different systems of the polymerase chain electrophoresis gradient denaturing gel reaction using amplified gene fragments 16S rRNA of bacteria. Both systems, which used an anoxic-aerobic process and anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic process, respectively, received the same industrial waste water, operating under the same conditions and showed the similar processing performance. Oxidizing bacterial communities of ammonia from two systems showed almost identical structures corresponding to ammonia removal like, while the bacterial community actinomycetic showed obvious differences. The anoxic-aerobic-anaerobic system showed eubacterial richer communities actinomycetic the anoxic-aerobic system. FISH results showed that the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial cells in the anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic system are increased by 3.8 ± 0.2% of the total bacterial population while those in the anoxic-aerobic system represented 1.7 ± 0.2%. Thus, the existence of an anaerobic-anoxic environment in the anaerobic-aerobic system has resulted in a marked increase in biodiversity. You can submit your Manuscripts at: https://symbiosisonlinepublishing.com/submitManuscript.php
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate in a salt marsh estuary: correlation to tidal cycle and phytoplankton assemblage composition

Salt marsh estuaries emit high levels of dimethylsulfide (DMS), yet little is known about the contribution of tidal creeks, which are rich in phytoplankton that can potentially produce dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). Quantitative data is presented on the relationship between phytoplankton assemblage structure during tidal cycles in North Inlet, a high-salinity salt marsh estu- ary near Georgetown, South Carolina. While there was little or no correlation between chlorophyll a (chl a) and phytoplankton DMSP (DMSPp) in tidal-creek waters, the DMSPp:chl a ratio showed a strong correlation with tidal stage, being highest at high slack tide and lowest at low slack tide. Phytoplankton assemblage structure determined from HPLC pigment profiles and CHEMTAX ana- lysis (a matrix factorization program to derive taxonomic composition from photopigment ratios) showed that DMSP-rich taxa were highly correlated with the high DMSP:chl a values which occurred at high tide. These were haptophytes, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria and cryptophytes. Diatoms had a lower correlation coefficient but, because they represented almost 40% of the algal biomass during the tidal cycle, this group could be a significant contributor of DMSPp at high tide. Chlorophytes, prasinophytes, and some chrysophytes showed a strong negative correlation coefficient (r) with the DMSPp:chl a peak. We conclude that the increase in the DMSPp:chl a ratio at high tide is due to an increased contribution of DMSP-rich phytoplankton taxa that enter the creeks from coastal waters during flood tide, and low values resulted from low DMSP-containing resuspended benthic micro- algae, advected from the adjacent salt marsh into the tidal creeks during ebb tide. The data indicate a strong tidal effect on DMSP concentration that is a function of change in phytoplankton assemblage structure.
Toward High Quality E Learning Systems: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

This paper explores the capability level of e-learning systems through data collected from two of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) most respected universities. Their strengths and weaknesses in e-learning and system accessibility will be investigated and assessed according to the highest of quality levels. So far, however, there has been little attention paid to the issue of measuring the impact of e-learning in the forms of learning and teaching in higher education institutions in the KSA. In response to this gap in the literature, this study addresses the impact of e-learning systems in higher education institutions in this context. This study adopts a quantitative approach for students and a qualitative approach for staff members to investigate the impacts and underlying reasons. The study was carried out on the basis of information system (IS) success as well as the impact measurement framework in the population sample of students and faculty members using e-learning in the KSA. The findings of this study indicate a perceived positive impact of e-learning systems on higher education. For example, participants look to these systems for ease of use and expect them to be user friendly.
Photometry of red giants in the disk of IC 1613

The results of photometry of disk stars in the galaxy IC 1613 are presented. The position of the red giant branch allowed us to measure the distance to the galaxy (m − M) = 24.53 ± 0.10, as well as metallicity ((Fe/H) = −1.75) and age (lgt � 10.1) of disk stars. The variation of the surface density of red giants depending on the distance from the center of the galaxy has been found. Rough estimate of the total number of red giants in the galaxy and total disk mass are presented.
Ocean state indicators from MyOcean altimeter products

Abstract. The European MyOcean project ( http://www.myocean.eu.org ) provides observations of the ocean dynamic topography from altimeter measurements. Three specific indicators have been developed, based on altimeter data only, in order to monitor the ocean state. The first ocean indicator observes the positive and negative phases of the ENSO events in the tropical Pacific, the El Nino/La Nina events, since 1992. The second ocean indicator tracks the contracted or extended state of the Kuroshio Extension. The last ocean indicator is dedicated to the Ionian Basin in the Mediterranean Sea and permits separation of "zonal-cyclonic" state (1998–2005 and since 2011 up to now) from the "anticyclonic" state (1993–1996) usually discussed in the literature. In addition, it allows identifying a third state in which both the anticyclonic circulation around the northern part of the basin and the strong zonal Mid-Ionian Jet co-exist (2008–2010).
Price competitiveness of smallholder rice farmers under cooperative irrigation schemes in Coast and Morogoro regions, Tanzania

Tanzanian produced rice is not competitive because of high production costs. To increase competitiveness will require improvements in production efficiency. This study was conducted to analyse production cost efficiency using cross sectional data (2013/2014 agricultural season) from 200 farmers that belong to four cooperative irrigation schemes in Coast and Morogoro regions. Two stage sampling and translog stochastic cost frontier were used for sampling and cost efficiency analysis, respectively. Production costs were estimated quantitatively using the enterprise budgeting technique. Study data suggest that total costs of production are US$315/MT. Rice output and prices for labour, fertilizer and irrigation water significantly affected costs of production. Unit cost of production were reduced by increasing rice productivity (p<0.05). Production efficiency was significantly influenced by farming experience, planting methods, frequency of weeding, degree of specialization and source of purchased inputs. These factors accounted for 82% of the variability in costs of production (p<0.05). A major conclusion is that production efficiency is reduced by high production costs relative to rice output produced, input prices, source of purchased inputs and other agricultural practices. Use of labour saving technologies, the purchase of inputs from irrigation scheme cooperatives and greater economies of scale resulting from increased specialization can increase profits. Key words: Cooperative, cost efficiency, irrigation scheme, rice, smallholder farming.
Enhanced Electroluminescence from Germanium Waveguides by Local Tensile Strain with Silicon Nitride Stressors

We demonstrated electroluminescence (EL) from germanium (Ge) waveguides on lateral silicon-on-insulator (SOI) diodes with silicon nitride (SiN) stressors. Tensile strain of 0.09 % on side walls of the Ge waveguides was predicted by finite element modeling of the strain field. The EL spectra showed enhanced light emission efficiency with a red-shift due to direct band gap shrinkage of 0.014 eV.
A Column Generation Approach for Design of Networks using Path-Protecting p -Cycles

We investigate a first column generation (CG) formulation for the design of failure independent path-protecting (FIPP) p-cycle survivable transport network. Previous work has proposed different formulations and heuristics for FIPP p-cycles which extend span-protecting p-cycles by adding the property of providing end-to-end failure independent path switching against either span or node failures. We develop a CG model that additionally allows the exploration of FIPP p-cycles without imposing mutual disjointness among working routes protected by the same cycle. The proposed CG model decomposes the FIPP p-cycle design problem into the master problem which takes care of the demand constraints, and the pricing problem which includes the constraints associated with the properties and the characteristics of a FIPP p-cycle. The key feature of a CG model lies in a generation of cycles motivated by the value of the reduced cost of the pricing problem, the key global indicator that is the driving element of the simplex algorithm. Results show a clear advantage of the CG model over the previous models, in particular in exploiting cycles that are not restricted to those satisfying a mutual disjointness condition on the working paths. Although it is not always possible to guarantee that the solutions obtained with the CG model are optimal, it can be shown that they are very close to the optimal ones. Index Terms path protecting p-cycles, column generation, path protection, pre-connection, failure-independent protection.
Lignin-Based Carbon/CePO4 Nanocomposites: Solvothermal Fabrication, Characterization, Thermal Stability, and Luminescence

This work explored the synthesis of carbon-based luminescent materials using cheap, natural resources. Lignin-based carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using previously extracted lignin solution and CePO4, or NaH2PO4•2H2O and Ce(NO3)3•6H2O by the solvothermal method at 200 °C for 24 h, respectively. The lignin solution was previously prepared by the extraction of wood powder in a mixed solvent of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/lithium chloride (LiCl). All of the obtained lignin-based carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and photoluminescence (PL). SEM micrographs showed that the CePO4 concentration had an influence on the size, microstructure, and morphology of the carbon/ CePO4 nanocomposites. The experimental results indicated that the obtained lignin-based carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites had excellent PL properties.
A SEVEN-BEND-ACHROMAT LATTICE AS A POTENTIAL UPGRADE FOR THE ADVANCED PHOTON SOURCE

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) is a 7-GeV storage ring light source that has been in operation since 1996. In that time, the emittance has dropped from 8 nm to 3 nm. The increasing feasibility of multi-bend-achromat lattices (e.g., the MAX-IV project) promises the possibility of a much greater reduction in emittance. In this paper, we show the design of a symmetric seven-bend-achromat lattice, including linear optics, nonlinear dynamics optimization, magnet requirements, and performance with errors.
Topographic Mapping of Farmland by Integration of Multiple Sensors on Board Low-Altitude Unmanned Aerial System

 Abstract — This paper introduced a topographic mapping system with time-saving and simplicity advantages based on integration of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and Post Processing Kinematic Global Positioning System (PPK GPS) data. This topographic mapping system used a low-altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as a platform to conduct land survey in a low-cost, efficient, and totally autonomous manner. An experiment in a small-scale sugarcane farmland was conducted in Queensland, Australia. Subsequently, we synchronized LiDAR distance measurements that were corrected by using attitude information from gyroscope with PPK GPS coordinates for generation of precision topographic maps, which could be further utilized for such applications like precise land leveling and drainage management. The results indicated that LiDAR distance measurements and PPK GPS altitude reached good accuracy of less than 0.015 m.
GW Librae: A unique laboratory for pulsations in an accreting white dwarf

Non-radial pulsations have been identified in a number of accreting white dwarfs in cataclysmic variables. These stars offer insight into the excitation of pulsation modes in atmospheres with mixed compositions of hydrogen, helium, and metals, and the response of these modes to changes in the white dwarf temperature. Among all pulsating cataclysmic variable white dwarfs, GW Librae stands out by having a well-established observational record of three independent pulsation modes that disappeared when the white dwarf temperature rose dramatically following its 2007 accretion outburst. Our analysis of HST ultraviolet spectroscopy taken in 2002, 2010 and 2011, showed that pulsations produce variations in the white dwarf effective temperature as predicted by theory. Additionally in May 2013, we obtained new HST/COS ultraviolet observations that displayed unexpected behaviour: besides showing variability at '275 s, which is close to the post-outburst pulsations detected with HST in 2010 and 2011, the white dwarf exhibits high-amplitude variability on a '4.4 h time-scale. We demonstrate that this variability is produced by an increase of the temperature of a region on white dwarf covering up to '30 per cent of the visible white dwarf surface. We argue against a short-lived accretion episode as the explanation of such heating, and discuss this event in the context of non-radial pulsations on a rapidly rotating star.
Use of Electronic Medical Records in Academic Hospitals: limits and remedies

In the last years the use of information communication technologies (ICTs) has become a leading driver of OECD national health systems to improve healthcare quality and reduce healthcare costs (Oecd, 2010). In fact, the use of ICTs are a primary lever of OECD countries to enhance the efficiency and the effectiveness of health services delivered to the citizens. This has led the Italian government to assign priority to electronic healthcare and specifically to the creation and adoption of electronic health record (EHR) (Bergamaschi, Laura, & Elianna, 2006). We analysed the experience of developing and implementing an electronic medical record, core element of a EHR, by the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata (Integrated NHS-University Hospital) of Verona. We identified the critical factors in the system implementation, its organizational impact, and the effects on clinical practice as perceived by the system’s users. (Less)
Expert system for induction motor fault detection

The paper describes the development and implementation of an expert system for fault detection of induction motors. Early detection of induction motors failures may prevent the occurrence of malfunction and ensure timely replacement and servicing. In order to make timely and accurate fault detection an expert system is designed and developed. The expert system is a software system aimed at 'simulating' human-expert knowledge and assistance in making decisions in a particular area. This paper presents a conceptually new type of expert system based on the artificial neural networks. Inputs into the expert system are the results of the algorithms to detect faults based on different physical quantities (current and vibration). The expert system performs analysis of input data and, based on them, it finally defines the type of fault or faults in the case of multiple failures.
AN EFFICIENT ONE-LAYER RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORK FOR SOLVING A CLASS OF NONSMOOTH PSEUDOCONVEX OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

In this paper, an efficient one-layer recurrent neural network model which is differential inclusion-based is proposed for solving nonsmooth pseudoconvex optimization problems subject to linear equality constraints. The optimal solution of the original optimization problem is proven to be equivalent with the equilibrium point of the proposed neural network. In addition, the stability of the proposed neural network in the Lyapunov sense and globally convergence to an optimal solution are proven. Some illustrative examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed neural network. In addition, an application for condition number optimization is discussed.
Application of a submersible spectrofluorometer for rapid monitoring of freshwater cyanobacterial blooms: a case study

A recently available submersible fluorescent probe was configured and used to survey the vertical distribution of the deep-living toxic and filamentous cyanobacterium Planktothrix (Oscil- latoria) rubescens among the autochthonous algal communities in Lake Bourget, France. This in situ measuring spectrofluorometer, which can be used to perform chlorophyll analysis and integrated algal class determination, provides a realistic estimation of the abundance and dynamics of the cyanobacterial population that is known to produce the hepatotoxic heptapeptides microcystin RR and LR. Data provided from in-line measurements using the probe and from P. rubescens cell counts obtained by discrete sampling were closely correlated (r = 0.899, p < 0.01), as were in-line data and spectrophotometric total chlorophyll a measurements (r = 0.775, p < 0.01). A survey conducted from December 1999 to May 2001 revealed that P. rubescens exhibits a deep maximum level (typically between 10 and 15 m) in spring and summer (reaching concentrations of up to 20 µg equivalent chl a l -1 , i.e. 27000 cells ml -1 ), whereas it spreads from the surface either to the top of the thermocline or to the bottom of the lake, in autumn and winter respectively. We propose that the probe could be used as a powerful tool for assaying the occurrence and dynamics of microalgal blooms, typically toxic cyanobacteria, that call for accurate and rapid monitoring to assess the health of the ecosystem and to alert the authorities about potential risks regarding pumping and use of the lake water for drinking-water production purposes.
Evaluation of Root Associated Bacteria for Control of Cotton Root Rot Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Salinated Soils Tuzlu Topraklarda Fusarium Oxysporum

High salinity of soils in arid and semi arid regions results in desertification and decreased crop yield. In such conditions plants become more vulnerable to diseases caused by pathogenic fungi. The aim of the present work was to select enhanced root colonizing bacteria for their ability to promote plant growth and control root rot of cotton caused by Fusarium oxysporum in salinated soil. The best five enhanced cotton root tip colonizer bacteria were selected from the rhizosphere of cotton grown in saline soil and were identified by the 16S rRNA gene sequence as Pseudomonas spp. , Pseudomonas putida, P. chlororaphis, Pseudomonas mendocina and Pantoea agglomerans. They showed ability to promote plant growth and to control root rot of cotton caused by F. oxysporum. Infestation of the soil with F. oxysporum resulted in an increase of diseased plants up to 60%. Selected bacterial strains, reduced this proportion to as low as 19 % and also stimulated cotton growth. These results are promising for the application of selected environmentally safe biological control agents in protecting cotton against root rot disease in saline agricultural soils.
Bistatic SAR data acquisition and processing using SABRINA-X, with TerraSAR-X as the opportunity transmitter

This thesis investigates the acquisition and processing of Bistatic SAR data using SABRINA-X, and with TerraSAR-X as the transmitter of opportunity. SABRINA-X is an X-band receiver system that has been recently designed at the UPC Remote-Sensing Laboratory, while TerraSARX is a German satellite for SAR-based active remote-sensing. Prior to the particular case of acquiring TerraSAR-X signals, the hardware aspects of SABRINAX have been investigated further, and improved as necessary (or suggested for up-gradation in future). Two successful data acquisitions have been carried out, to obtain bistatic SAR images of the Barcelona harbor, with the receiver set-up at the close-by Montjuic hill. Each acquisition campaign necessitated an accurate prediction of the satellite overpass time and precise orientation of the antennas to acquire the direct signal from the satellite and the backscattered signals off the viewed terrain. The thesis also investigates the characteristics of the acquired signals, which is critical as regards the subsequent processing for imaging and interferometric applications. The hardware limitations, combined with ‘off-nominal’ transmissions of the satellite, necessitate improved range processing of the acquired signals. The thesis expounds the possible range compression techniques, and suggests ways for improved compression, thereby improving the quality of the subsequently processed images.
FUNCTIONAL SELECTIVITY AT THE D 1 DOPAMINE RECEPTOR : STUDIES USING SKF 83959

II PREFACE . III ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . IV LIST OF TABLES.IX LIST OF FIGURES . X LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.XII CHAPTER 1. SCOPE OF THIS WORK . 1 Dopamine systems . 1 Dopamine Receptors.2 Parkinson’s Disease . 3 Toxicology and Parkinson’s disease . 4 Genetics of Parkinson’s . 5 Current pharmacotherapy of Parkinson’s . 6 D1 agonists and Parkinson’s disease.7 Other potential beneficial actions of D1 agonists . 9