Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A case study of observations of volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption: 1. In situ airborne observations

On 17 May 2010, the FAAM BAe-146 aircraft made remote and in situ measurements of the volcanic ash cloud from EyjafjallajA�Â¶kull over the southern North Sea. The Falcon 20E aircraft operated by Deutsches Zentrum fA�Â¼r Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) also sampled the ash cloud on the same day. While no A¢Â�Â�wingtip-to-wingtipA¢Â�Â� co-ordination was performed, the proximity of the two aircraft allows worthwhile comparisons. Despite the high degree of inhomogeneity (e.g., column ash loadings varied by a factor of three over �100 km) the range of ash mass concentrations and the ratios between volcanic ash mass and concentrations of SO2, O3 and CO were consistent between the two aircraft and within expected instrumental uncertainties. The data show strong correlations between ash mass, SO2 concentration and aerosol scattering with the FAAM BAe-146 data providing a specific extinction coefficient of 0.6A¢Â�Â�0.8 m2 g�1. There were significant differences in the observed ash size distribution with FAAM BAe-146 data showing a peak in the mass at �3.5 mm (volume-equivalent diameter) and DLR data peaking at �10 mm. Differences could not be accounted for by refractive index and shape assumptions alone. The aircraft in situ and lidar data suggest peak ash concentrations of 500A¢Â�Â�800 mg m�3 with a factor of two uncertainty. Comparing the location of ash observations with the ash dispersion model output highlights differences that demonstrate the difficulties in forecasting such events and the essential nature of validating models using high quality observational data from platforms such as the FAAM BAe-146 and the DLR Falcon.
Nodulation , Nitrogen Fixation and Growth of Rhizobia-Inoculated Cowpea ( Vignaunguiculata L . Walp ) In Relation with External Nitrogen and Light Intensity

Cowpea is a legume crop that fixes atmospheric nitrogen with soil rhizobia. This study investigated the effects of nitrogen supply and light intensity on N2 fixation and growth of rhizobia-inoculated cowpea. The hydroponic experiment designed to evaluate the response of cowpea inoculated with three Bradyrhizobium strains (TSC7, TSB2, TTC9) under different N concentrations (0, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 mM) showed that regardless to the used inoculant, N ≥ 2.5 mM inhibit the nodulation and nitrogen fixation of cowpea at early stages (2-4 WAT). While the three strains similarly affect cowpea nodulation at 2 WAT, at later stages (4-6 WAT), the nodulation phenotype varied among them. At 6 WAT, N ≥ 2.5 mM did not repress the nodulation of TSC7and TTC9-inoculated but rather improved it. This study shows that the supply of 1 mM N is beneficial in stimulating the nitrogen fixation of TTC9and TSB2-inoculated cowpea, and at later stages, the nitrogen fixation inhibitory effect of N 2.5 mM and N 5 mMis decreased. In the second experiment, conditions of100, 75, 50and 25%light intensities of the natural light were set up in a glasshouse to study their effect on N2 fixation and growth of cowpea inoculated with B. yuanmingense DTC8, TSC7, and TTC9 strains. The 100% and 75% light intensities led to better cowpea growth and production. The study shows that when the light intensity is decreased to 75% of the natural light (about 535μ molm-2 sec-1PPFD), cowpea seed production and nitrogen content is improved. Appropriate lightning would therefore greatly improve the quantity and quality (protein) of cowpea seeds.
Perception-based analysis of climate change effect on forest-based livelihood: The case of Vhembe District in South Africa

Forests are vulnerable to climate change and are also major sources of livelihood for many rural households in Africa. This study examines rural people’s perceptions of climate change impacts on forest-based livelihoods using rural communities of Vhembe District in South Africa as a case study. The study was based on the principles of perceived impact-based assessment, and sustainable livelihoods framework. Using the stratified proportionate random sampling procedure in combination with weighted Enumeration Area for the selected communities, 366 households were chosen and interviewed. Data analysis involved computing frequencies and conducting the Chi-square, binomial tests and binary logistic regression analysis. The respondents identified erratic rainfall, extreme temperature, extreme drought and flooding as key climatic events in their community. But not all identified key climatic events were perceived to constitute risk to forest products and forest-based livelihood. Only extreme drought was indicated to constitute risk to availability of forest products. In addition, the binary logistic regression showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the perceived risk of climate change to the availability of essential forest products across the three municipalities. Hence the need for forest development initiatives that target vulnerable forest products per community as a means of enhancing resilience of forest-based livelihood to climate change impacts in rural community development in South Africa.
A Location-Based VR Museum

This poster presents a novel type of Virtual Reality (VR) application for education and culture: a location-based VR Museum, which is a large-room scale multi-user multi-zone virtual museum. This VR museum was designed to support over 100 simultaneous users, walking in a large tracking system (600 m2) and sharing a ten times bigger virtual space (7000 m2) containing indoor and outdoor dinosaur exhibitions. This poster is giving an overview of the system and its main features as well as discussing its potential benefits and future evaluation.
Commutability of the certified reference materials for the standardization of β-amyloid 1-42 assay in human cerebrospinal fluid: lessons for tau and β-amyloid 1-40 measurements

Abstract Background: The core Alzheimer’s disease cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers total tau (T-tau), phosphorylated tau (P-tau), β-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ42) and β-amyloid 1-40 (Aβ40) are increasing in importance and are now part of the research criteria for the diagnosis of the disease. The main aim of this study is to evaluate whether a set of certified reference materials (CRMs) are commutable for Aβ42 and to serve as a feasibility study for the other markers. This property is a prerequisite for the establishment of CRMs which will then be used by manufacturers to calibrate their assays against. Once the preanalytical factors have been standardized and proper selection criteria are available for subject cohorts this harmonization between methods will allow for universal cut-offs to be determined. Methods: Thirty-four individual CSF samples and three different CRMs where analyzed for T-tau, P-tau, Aβ42 and Aβ40, using up to seven different commercially available methods. For Aβ40 and Aβ42 a mass spectrometry-based procedure was also employed. Results: There were strong pairwise correlations between the different methods (Spearman’s ρ>0.92) for all investigated analytes and the CRMs were not distinguishable from the individual samples. Conclusions: This study shows that the CRMs are commutable for the different assays for Aβ42. For the other analytes the results show that it would be feasible to also produce CRMs for these. However, additional studies are needed as the concentration interval for the CRMs were selected based on Aβ42 concentrations only and did in general not cover satisfactory large concentration intervals for the other analytes.
Notes on the biology of Lacerta andreanszkyi (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

Reported only from three general areas at elevations between 2500-3700 m within the High Atlas Mountains of Marrakech Prefecture, Morocco, Lacerta andreanszkyi appears little studied (Saint Girons, 1953; Pasteur and Bons, 1960; Bons, 1967; Klemmer, 1969). Since Werner's (1929) description of this apparently restricted apecies, nothing has been published regarding its biology. The following limited data concerning population density, biomass, sex ratio, feeding ecology, reproduction, frequency of injury, and thermal environment and response of this elusive species are presented below to partially fill this void.
THE NEW SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE

The new sociology of knowledge examines how kinds of social organization make whole orderings of knowledge possible, rather than focussing on the differing social locations and interests of individuals or groups. The review begins with the effects on knowledge of the media through which it is preserved, organized, and transmitted. We then analyze collective memory, examining social conditions that shape how knowledge is transmitted through time. The review then examines how patterns of authority located in organizations shape both the content and structure of knowledge, looking at how authority affects the scope, generality, and authoritativeness of knowledge. We then review recent work on how social power, particularly that embodied in institutional practices, shapes knowledge. We examine how knowledge reinforces social hierarchies and how the boundaries and categories of systems of knowledge are constituted. Looking at power, gender, and knowledge, we discuss new versions of the standpoint theories that.
Fully Automated Ultrasound Common Carotid Artery Segmentation Using Active Shape Model

B-mode measurement of the contour of the common carotid artery (CCA) has an important clinical value. The purpose of this study was to develop a fully automated ultrasound common carotid artery segmentation method using active shape model (ASM). An image database with 90 images was used to train the ASM model during the offline training phase of ASM. When it came to the online segmentation phase, a knowledge-based seed point detection method was first used to locate the centroid of the CCA. Then the trained ASM model automatically produced an exact contour of the CCA. The proposed method yielded a Dice Metric of 90.5% ± 4.35% and a Hausdorff Distance of 9.28 ± 5.2 pixels in a database of 40 ultrasound images. The segmentation result of upper and bottom part of the CCA was better than that of lateral part of the CCA. The proposed method eliminates the need of manual initialization, and identifies the contour of the CCA with high precision. It has the potential to be a suitable replacement for manual segmentation of the CCA.
Mania possibly linked with bupropion for smoking cessation: A case report

Bupropion is an antidepressant thought to have a reduced risk of inducing mood switching as compared to other antidepressants. Minimal information is available on the induction of mood shifts when used for smoking cessation. This case describes a 38-year-old female who experienced mania following initiation of bupropion for smoking cessation. After completion of a thorough literature search, this appears to be the first case report describing mania induced by bupropion that was refractory to medications and was resolved with electroconvulsive therapy. This case highlights the need for clinicians to perform thorough histories of patients to avoid missing psychiatric history prior to starting bupropion as well as monitor for changes in mood or behavior after initiation of therapy.
Feature Extraction and Classification Methods for Hybrid fNIRS-EEG Brain-Computer Interfaces

In this study, a brain-computer interface (BCI) framework for hybrid functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) for locked-in syndrome (LIS) patients is investigated. Brain tasks, channel selection methods, and feature extraction and classification algorithms available in the literature are reviewed. First, we categorize various types of patients with cognitive and motor impairments to assess the suitability of BCI for each of them. The prefrontal cortex is identified as a suitable brain region for imaging. Second, the brain activity that contributes to the generation of hemodynamic signals is reviewed. Mental arithmetic and word formation tasks are found to be suitable for use with LIS patients. Third, since a specific targeted brain region is needed for BCI, methods for determining the region of interest are reviewed. The combination of a bundled-optode configuration and threshold-integrated vector phase analysis turns out to be a promising solution. Fourth, the usable fNIRS features and EEG features are reviewed. For hybrid BCI, a combination of the signal peak and mean fNIRS signals and the highest band powers of EEG signals is promising. For classification, linear discriminant analysis has been most widely used. However, further research on vector phase analysis as a classifier for multiple commands is desirable. Overall, proper brain region identification and proper selection of features will improve classification accuracy. In conclusion, five future research issues are identified, and a new BCI scheme, including brain therapy for LIS patients and using the framework of hybrid fNIRS-EEG BCI, is provided.
Attitudes Toward Animals: Age-Related Development Among Children.

Abstract This paper reviews the results of a study of 267 children in the second, fifth, eighth and eleventh grades. A battery of tests was used to examine children's knowledge and attitudes toward animals, and behavioral contacts with animals. A typology of basic attitudes toward animals and appropriate scales were employed. Children's knowledge and attitudes toward animals were also compared to adults eighteen years of age and over. Major differences occurred among children distinguished by age, sex, ethnicity, and urban/rural residence. Additionally, significant knowledge and attitude variations occurred among diverse animal-related activity groups (e.g., among children who hunted, birdwatched, learned about animals in school). Perhaps the most important finding was the identification of three stages in the development of children's perceptions of animals. The transition from six to nine years of age primarily involved major changes in affective, emotional relationships to animals. The change from ten .
Effects of an Integrated Psycho-Pedagogical and Social Program on Development of Behaviour Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are defined by the International Classification of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) [1] as a continuum of basic needs in two development dimensions: communication and social interaction, and behavioral areas. Frith [2], Brandwein et al. [3] and Kimhi et al. [4] also show that this set of diagnostic symptoms is related to the particular perceptual processing of information, characterized by the high selection of stimuli in evaluating experiences both internally and externally, not only analyzing contextual processes, but with response and functional behavior in the environment also being influenced. These limitations involve deficits in the learning of flexible and adapted behavior, which allows the social response to be specified in different everyday situations, meaning the individual action in the social context is wrong or limited and there is a high risk of social exclusion in social interaction with peers [5]. Even when behavioral kinds are learned, the adjustment of responses to the partner’s requirements may also be limited [6,7].
Properties, Preparation and Applications of Low Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Low-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have recently emerged as an important fundamental research material because of their unique structural, physical and chemical properties. These novel properties make these TMDs a suitable candidate in numerous potential applications. In this review, we briefly summarize the properties of low-dimensional TMDs, and then focus on the various methods used in their preparation. The use of TMDs in electronic devices, optoelectronic devices, electrocatalysts, biosystems, and hydrogen storage is also explored. The cutting-edge future development probabilities of these materials and numerous research challenges are also outlined in this review.
Laws and Norms: Experimental Evidence with Liability Rules

We conduct an experiment where participants choose between actions that provide private benefits but may also impose losses on others. Three legal environments are compared: no law, strict liability for harm caused to third parties, and an efficiently designed negligence rule where damages are paid only when the harmful action generates a net social loss. Legal obligations are either perfectly enforced (Severe Law) or only weakly so (Mild Law), i.e., expected sanctions are then nondeterrent. We find that behavior can be rationalized in terms of individuals trading-off private benefits, net of legal liability, against the net uncompensated losses caused to others. The weight associated with non-incentivized efficiency concerns is increased by the introduction of a liability rule, whether deterrent or not, and there is evidence that the effect is stronger under strict liability than under the negligence rule.
The genetic architecture of genome‐wide recombination rate variation in allopolyploid wheat revealed by nested association mapping

Summary Recombination affects the fate of alleles in populations by imposing constraints on the reshuffling of genetic information. Understanding the genetic basis of these constraints is critical for manipulating the recombination process to improve the resolution of genetic mapping, and reducing the negative effects of linkage drag and deleterious genetic load in breeding. Using sequence‐based genotyping of a wheat nested association mapping (NAM) population of 2,100 recombinant inbred lines created by crossing 29 diverse lines, we mapped QTL affecting the distribution and frequency of 102 000 crossovers (CO). Genome‐wide recombination rate variation was mostly defined by rare alleles with small effects together explaining up to 48.6% of variation. Most QTL were additive and showed predominantly trans‐acting effects. The QTL affecting the proximal COs also acted additively without increasing the frequency of distal COs. We showed that the regions with decreased recombination carry more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with possible deleterious effects than the regions with a high recombination rate. Therefore, our study offers insights into the genetic basis of recombination rate variation in wheat and its effect on the distribution of deleterious SNPs across the genome. The identified trans‐acting additive QTL can be utilized to manipulate CO frequency and distribution in the large polyploid wheat genome opening the possibility to improve the efficiency of gene pyramiding and reducing the deleterious genetic load in the low‐recombining pericentromeric regions of chromosomes.
BAG3 Protein Is Involved in Endothelial Cell Response to Phenethyl Isothiocyanate

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a cruciferous vegetable-derived compound, is a versatile cancer chemopreventive agent that displays the ability to inhibit tumor growth during initiation, promotion, and progression phases in several animal models of carcinogenesis. In this report, we dissect the cellular events induced by noncytotoxic concentrations of PEITC in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In the early phase, PEITC treatment elicited cells' morphological changes that comprise reduction in cell volume and modification of actin organization concomitantly with a rapid activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Downstream to PI3K, PEITC also induces the activity of Rac1 and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), well-known regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Interestingly, PEITC modifications of the actin cytoskeleton were abrogated by pretreatment with JNK inhibitor, SP600125. JNK signaling led also to the activation of the c-Jun transcription factor, which is involved in the upregulation of several genes; among them is the BAG3 protein. This protein, a member of the BAG family of heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 cochaperones, is able to sustain survival in different tumor cell lines and neoangiogenesis by directly regulating the endothelial cell cycle. Furthermore, BAG3 is involved in maintaining actin folding. Our findings indicate that BAG3 protein expression is induced in endothelial cells upon exposure to a noncytotoxic concentration of PEITC and its expression is requested for the recovery of normal cell size and morphology after the stressful stimuli. This assigns an additional role for BAG3 protein in the endothelial cells after a stress event.
SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLE: FABRICATED THROUGH NANOPRECIPITATION AND THEIR PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION

Objective: Aim of the present study was to formulate solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and to determine their physicochemical parameters when stored at cold temperature in aqueous solution (D-SLNs) prior to biological application. Methods: SLNs were formulated though nanoprecipitation technique which comprised of stearic acid (lipid), poloxamer 188 and lecithin (surfactant). Physicochemical parameters were estimated though particle size analysis, polydispersity index, surface morphology analysis (Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy ) and cytotoxicity studies followed by live-dead staining through acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Results: SLNs with spherical morphology were successfully fabricated as revealed though SEM and TEM investigations. Fabricated SLNs had the mean particle size ranging from 188 nm (SLNs) to 327 nm (D-SLNs). Zeta potential was found to be±14mV to±6mV and polydispersity index was 0.297±0.18 for SLNs without incubation and 0.538±0.07 for SLNs after incubation. No cytotoxicity was observed for SLNs. Conclusion: SEM and TEM investigations showed morphological variation in SLNs and D-SLNs. Dissimilarity in mean particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index indicates the increase in size and aggregation of nanoparticles. No cytotoxic effects of SLNs were observed in normal cells, suggesting storage of nanoformulation in the aqueous state has no effect in context to cytotoxicity. Hence we conclude that prolonged storage of formulation at cold temperature causes the deterioration of polymeric formulation.
Comparison of optical and microphysical properties of pure Saharan mineral dust observed with AERONET Sun photometer, Raman lidar, and in situ instruments during SAMUM 2006

The Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) 2006, Morocco, aimed at the characterization of optical, physical, and radiative properties of Saharan dust. AERONET Sun photometer, several lidars (Raman and high-spectral-resolution instruments), and airborne and ground-based in situ instruments provided us with a comprehensive set of data on particle-shape dependent and particle-shape independent dust properties. We compare 4 measurement days in detail, and we carry out a statistical analysis for some of the inferred data products for the complete measurement period. Particle size distributions and complex refractive indices inferred from the Sun photometer observations and measured in situ aboard a research aircraft show systematic differences. We find differences in the wavelength-dependence of single-scattering albedo, compared to light-scattering computations that use data from SOAP (spectral optical absorption photometer). AERONET data products of particle size distribution, complex refractive index, and axis ratios were used to compute particle extinction-to-backscatter (lidar) ratios and linear particle depolarization ratios. We find differences for these parameters to lidar measurements of lidar ratio and particle depolarization ratio. Differences particularly exist at 355 nm, which may be the result of differences of the wavelength-dependent complex refractive index that is inferred by the methods employed in this field campaign. We discuss various error sources that may lead to the observed differences.