Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of sand-living microalgal communities (epipsammon) in ecotoxicological testing

A new ecotoxicological test system employing sand-living microalgal communities is presented. Equipment and procedures were developed for sampling and transportation of epipsammon to the laboratory where they can be kept and prepared for subsequent toxicity testing. The proposed test system make use of small-volume (60 1.11) subsamples in the measurement of metabolic activities in short-term toxlcity tests. The repllcability is therefore very good and the varlance between subsamples was shown to be low. After several hours of storage between salnpllng and analysis, epipsammon showed only minor changes in metabolic activities and no significant changes in sensltlvlty to the investigated toxicant tri-n-butyltin (TBT). The use of a con~munity that has been established on a natural, but still homogenous, substratum has several advantages. Similar to other attached communities, but in contrast to phytoplankton, epipsammon represents a certain site and can thus have a known pollution history. The preparation and mon~toring of sampling equipment for colonization of periphyton on artificial substrata is avoided. In addition, since epipsammon has been colonizing the sand for a long time, the community is also likely to be more natural than the opportunistic assemblages that are the early colon~zers of artificial substrata. Epipsammon from the invest~gated locality also showed a fairly low spatial vanab~lity In most employed structural and functional parameters which indicated that the test system is robust and the actual sampling site not too critical. However, the estimated t o x ~ c ~ t y of TBT was shown to be lower to epipsammon than to previously investigated phytoplankton and periphyton. From indirect evidence, we suggest that this difference is not explained by different bioavailability of the toxicant in the short-term test systems but rather to the adaption of algae to natural environmental conditions in the sediments
Visible light induced enhanced photocatalytic degradation of industrial effluents (Rhodamine B) in aqueous media using TiO 2 nanoparticles

In recent years, new textile materials have been developed through the use of nanotechnology-based tools. The development of textile surfaces with self-cleaning properties has a large combined potential to reduce the environmental impact related to pollution. In this research work, three types of textiles substrates (cotton, Entretela, and polylactic acid (PLA)) were functionalized with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) using chemical and mechanical processes (padding). During the functionalization process, two different methods were used, both of which allowed a good fixation of nanoparticles of TiO2 on textile substrates. The samples were examined for morphology and for photocatalytic properties under visible light irradiation. A study aimed at evaluating the effect of pH of the aqueous solution of TiO2 nanoparticles was performed in order to promote interaction between TiO2 and the dye solution rhodamine B (Rh-B). The TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The measurement of the zeta potential of the TiO2 nanoparticle solution proved to be always positive and have low colloidal stability. Chromatography (HPLC and GC-MS) analyses confirm that oxalic acid is the intermediate compound formed during the photodegradation process.
Lactational effects of adding a fibrolytic enzyme complex to the concentrate of lactating dairy goats

Twenty-four multiparous Murciano-Granadina dairy goats in mid-lactation (wk 8 to 30) were used in a single cross-over design to evaluate the effects of supplementation with an exogenous fi brolytic enzyme preparation, characterized by cellulase and xylanase activities, on feed intake, milk yield and composition, and liveweight and body condition changes. Goats received ad libitum a basal total mixed ration composed of 65% forage and 35% concentrate. The treatments were: control (without enzyme) and experimental with enzyme (included at the recommended commercial dose of 4.7 ml/kg concentrate). Feed intake, milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk yield, and milk composition were not affected by enzyme supplementation, although milk casein content tended to decrease in the enzyme treatment. Body weight change tended to be higher with the enzyme treatment.
Treating gravity in thin-disk simulations

In 2D simulations of thin gaseous disks with embedded planets or self-gravity the gravitational potential needs to be smoothed to avoid singularities in the numerical evaluation of the gravitational potential or force. In order to correctly resemble the realistic case of vertically extended 3D disks the softening prescription used in 2D needs to be adjusted properly. In this paper we analyze the embedded planet and the self-gravity case and provide a method to evaluate the required smoothing in 2D simulations of thin disks. Starting from the averaged hydrodynamic equations and using a vertically isothermal disk model, we calculate the force. We compare our results to the often used Plummer form of the potential which runs as \propto 1/(r^2+\epsilon^2)^{1/2}. For that purpose we compute the required smoothing length \epsilon as a function of distance r to the planet or to a disk element within a self-gravitating disk. We find that for larger distances \epsilon is determined solely by the vertical disk thickness H. For the planet case we find that outside r\simH a value of \epsilon = 0.7H describes the averaged force very well, while in the self-gravitating disk the value needs to be larger, \epsilon = 1.2H. For smaller distances the smoothing needs to be reduced significantly. Comparing torque densities of 3D and 2D simulations we show that the modification to the vertical density stratification as induced by an embedded planet needs to be taken into account to obtain agreeing results. In disk fragmentation simulations the choice of \epsilon can determine whether a disk will fragment or not. Because a wrong smoothing length can change even the direction of migration, it is very important to include the effect of the planet on the local scale height in 2D planet-disk simulations. We provide an approximate and fast method for this purpose which gives very good agreement to full 3D simulations.
A Machine Vision Approach to Human Activity Recognition using Photoplethysmograph Sensor Data

Human activity recognition (HAR) is an active area of research concerned with the classification of human motion. Cameras are the gold standard used in this area, but they are proven to have scalability and privacy issues. HAR studies have also been conducted with wearable devices consisting of inertial sensors. Perhaps the most common wearable, smart watches, comprising of inertial and optical sensors, allow for scalable, non-obtrusive studies. We are seeking to simplify this wearable approach further by determining if wrist-mounted optical sensing, usually used for heart rate determination, can also provide useful data for relevant activity recognition. If successful, this could eliminate the need for the inertial sensor, and so simplify the technological requirements in wearable HAR. We adopt a machine vision approach for activity recognition based on plots of the optical signals so as to produce classifications that are easily explainable and interpretable by nontechnical users. Specifically, time-series images of photoplethysmography signals are used to retrain the penultimate layer of a pretrained convolutional neural network leveraging the concept of transfer learning. Our results demonstrate an average accuracy of 75.8%. This illustrates the feasibility of implementing an optical sensor-only solution for a coarse activity and heart rate monitoring system. Implementing an optical sensor only in the design of these wearables leads to a trade off in classification performance, but in turn, grants the potential to simplify the overall design of activity monitoring and classification systems in the future.
The Biodiversity Heritage Library: Advancing Metadata Practices in a Collaborative Digital Library

The Biodiversity Heritage Library is an open access digital library of taxonomic literature, forming a single point of access to this collection for use by a worldwide audience of professional taxonomists, as well as “citizen scientists. ” A successful mass-scanning digitization program, one that creates functional and findable digital objects, requires thoughtful metadata work flow that parallels the work flow of the physical items from shelf to scanner. This article examines the needs of users of taxonomic literature, specifically in relation to the transformation of traditional library material to digital form. It details the issues that arise in determining scanning priorities, avoiding duplication of scanning across the founding 12 natural history and botanical garden library collections, and the problems related to the complexity of serials, monographs, and series. Highlighted are the tools, procedures, and methodology for addressing the details of a mass-scanning operation. Specifically, keeping a steady flow of material, creation of page level metadata, and building services on top of data and metadata that meet the needs of the targeted communities. The replication of the BHL model across a number of related projects in China, Brazil, and Australia are documented as evidence of the success of the BHL mass-scanning project plan.
A New Fama-French 5-Factor Model Based on SSAEPD Error and GARCH-Type Volatility

In this paper, we extend the 5-factor model in Fama and French (2015) with the non-Normal errors distribution of SSAEPD (Standardized Standard Asymmetric Exponential Power Distribution) in Zhu and Zinde-Walsh (2009) and the GARCH-type volatility. The focus is on finding out whether our new model can outperform the original Fama-French 5-factor model. We use Fama-French 25 value-weighted portfolios to conduct our research. The MLE is used to estimate the parameters. The LR test and KS test are used for model diagnostics. Models are compared by AIC. Empirical results show that with GARCH-type volatilities and non-normal errors, the Fama-French 5 factors are still alive. Our new model can successfully capture the skewness, fat-tailness and asymmetric kurtosis in the data and has better in-sample fit than the 5-factors model in Fama and French (2015). Our study provides an update to existing asset pricing literature and reference for investors.
An Approach for Discovering and Maintaining Links in RDF Linked Data

Many datasets are published on the Web using semantic Web technologies. These datasets contain data that represent links to similar resources. If these datasets are linked together by properly constructed links, users can easily query the data through a uniform interface, as if they were querying a single dataset. In this paper we propose an approach to discover (semi) automatically links between RDF data based on the description models that appear around the resources. Our approach also includes a (semi) automatic process to maintain links when a data-change occurs.
The role of e-viztimization/bullying and self-efficacy on anxiety sensitivity in a school based sample

The aim of present study was to investigate the relationships among self-efficacy, e-victimization, e-bullying and anxiety sensitivity in adolescents. To achieve research aims, two different researches were conducted. The research group in study 1, designed as a correlational research, consisted of 225 adolescents ranged in age between 11 and 17 with a mean age of 12.32 ( SD = 1.10), 114 female (50.7%) and 111 male (49.3%). Additionally, study 2 was carried with 237 adolescents ranged in age between 14 and 18 with a mean age of 15.86 ( SD = .89), 181 female (76.4%) and 56 (23.6%). The Self-Efficacy Scale for Children (SES-C), The Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), The E-Victimization Scale (E-VS) and The E-Bullying Scale (E-BS) were used to as measures. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and simple linear regression analyses were used in the data analysis. The results show that anxiety sensitivity was not correlated with academic self-efficacy, social self-efficacy, emotional self-efficacy and e-victimization (Study 1). In study 2, it was found that anxiety sensitivity was negatively correlated with emotional self-efficacy. Moreover, anxiety sensitivity was not associated with academic self-efficacy, social self-efficacy and e-bullying. Overall, emotional self-efficacy accounted for 5% of total variance of anxiety sensitivity.
Path planning for steerable needles using duty-cycled spinning

This paper presents an adaptive approach for 2D path planning of steerable needles. It combines dutycycled rotation of the needle with the classic RapidlyExploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm and it is used intraoperatively to compensate for system uncertainties and perturbations. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the proposed motion planner on a workspace based in ultrasound images.
Model checking for imprecise Markov chains.

We extend probabilistic computational tree logic for expressing properties of Markov chains to imprecise Markov chains, and provide an efficient algorithm for model checking of imprecise Markov chains. Thereby, we provide a formal framework to answer a very wide range of questions about imprecise Markov chains, in a systematic and computationally efficient way.
DOCKING AND CYTOTOXICITY STUDIES OF 2-VINYLCHROMONE DERIVATIVES ON HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELL LINES Original Article

Objective: Estrogen receptor (ER) is over-expressed in 70% of breast cancers. The ER has two isoforms, ERα and ERβ. The ER ligand binding domain (LBD) has been the target for hormone-responsive breast cancer. Due to tissue-specific effects currently available drugs for hormone positive breast cancer presents serious limitation. The dynamic and plastic nature of ER LBD plays a crucial role in ligand design that discriminates between the ER subtypes. Agents that selectively target ER isoform are a formidable challenge to researchers. The chromone scaffold is a privileged scaffold for exploration of anticancer agents. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anticancer activity of a small library of 2vinylchromones in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Methods: The compounds were synthesized by the reported procedures. Docking studies of the substituted 2-vinylchromone was performed using GLIDE tool in Maestro 8.0. The compounds were evaluated for anticancer activity against MCF-7 (ERα positive), MDA-MB-231 (ERβ positive) and MRC-5 (ERα, β negative) cell lines using MTT assay. Results: The in silico studies indicated that substituted 2-vinylchromones, 1(a-c) and 2(a-b) exhibited comparable docking score at LBD of ERα and ERβ. However, the binding affinity of the compounds for the allosteric binding site in ERβ was negligible. The dose-dependent studies using MTT assay depicted that compounds 1(a-c) and 2(a-b) exhibited anticancer activity in ERα positive cell line MCF-7 as compared to ERβ positive cell line MDA MB 231. The most potent anticancer activity was observed for compound 2b against MCF-7 cells with IC 50 Conclusion: The present investigation indicated that 2-vinylchromone derivatives exhibited ER isoform selectivity and the presence of bulky group in 2-vinylchromones resulted in significantly higher cytotoxicity in ERα positive cell lines as compared to the ERβ positive cell line. value of 15.625 μg/ml.
Multilevel Modelling of Determinants of Youth Unemployment in Urban Ethiopia: Bayesian Estimation Approach

The main objective of this study was to identify and explain the effects of the Demographic and Socio-economic determinant factors of Youth unemployment in urban of Ethiopia. The data used for this study is the 2016 Ethiopian Urban Employment Unemployment Survey (UEUS) which was conducted by Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia. The statistical methods of data analysis are multilevel logistic regression models and Bayesian multilevel models and the parameters are estimated by using maximum likelihood estimation method and Bayesian estimation method by Stata and WinBUGS software. The analysis result revealed that Out of the 3870 youth considered in the analysis, 1,757 (45.4%) youth were unemployed, while 2113 (54.6%) youth were employed at the time of data collection. Region, Sex of youth, Age of youth, Literacy status, marital status, Type of Training, Steps taken to search work, Household size and Educational level are found to be the significant determinants of youth unemployment in urban Ethiopia. The multilevel logistic model revealed that the random intercept is better fit than null and random coefficient multilevel models. The intra correlation coefficient suggests that there is clear variation of youth unemployment status across the region of urban Ethiopia. The result of classical and Bayesian multilevel shows high prevalence of unemployment among youth and the probability of being unemployed for youth was found to decline with increasing age, literacy level, training, educational level and household size.
Seismic Velocity Monitoring Using Ambient Noise Observed by DONET Seismometers in the Nankai Trough, Japan

Subduction zones where a tectonic plate subducting beneath the other plate, megathrust or interplate earthquakes could be generated repeatedly. Because of the nature of interplate earthquakes, the process of plate subduction governs the distribution, mechanics, and style of slip along the interplate fault. At the Nankai Trough subduction zone, located beneath the Pacific Ocean off the southeast coast of Japan, we have installed a seismic observation system, named DONET (Dense Oceanfloor Network system for Earthquake and Tsunamis), which is composed of twenty seafloor broadband seismometers and a borehole vertical seismic array to monitor the seismic activity and the process of earthquake generation including the stress accumulation. To elucidate earthquake generation and preparation process, it is necessary to investigate how the stress could be accumulated not only in deeper part but also in the shallow sediments, what the role of interstitial fluid could be in the stress accumulation processes, etc. There are some conventional methods to measure these physical properties, such as borehole strainmeter, borehole breakouts or borehole dynamic tests. However, these methods have some difficulties from the viewpoints of technical and/or cost. For example, borehole breakouts and dynamic tests can be conducted only while drilling and/or immediately after that. Therefore we need to have some other methods to see the state and variation of the stress in the subseafloor. In this study, we applied seismic interferometry technique to ambient noise records observed by horizontal components of DONET KMD13 seafloor seismometer to obtain time dependent S-wave velocity and its anisotropy as a proxy of stress state below the DONET observatory. We first calculated cross-diploe 4-C pseudo shot records from every 1 hour ambient noise records observed by horizontal components of the DONET seismometer for three years. In obtained 4-C shot records, clear phases, which should be caused by S-wave anisotropy, are visible. Alford rotation method was then applied to the 4-C shot records to obtain S-wave anisotropy parameters, directions of fast S-wave and time lag between fast and slow S-wave velocities below the DONET observatory. We expected that our method could be a simple tool to monitor stress state in the Nankai Trough seismogenic zone.
Nonlinear diffusion filtering influenced by mean curvature

The paper introduces a new nonlinear diffusion filtering method on closed surfaces such as a sphere, ellipsoid or the Earth's surface. Our new model extends the regularized surface Perona-Malik model by including a local extrema detector based on a mean curvature of processed data. The model is thus represented by a nonlinear diffusion equation which filters noise while preserves main edges, local extrema and details important for a correct interpretation of data. We define a surface finite-volume method to approximate numerically the nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation on a closed surface. The closed surface is approximated by a polyhedral surface created by planar triangles representing subdivision of an initial icosahedron grid and we use a piece-wise linear approximation of a solution in space and the backward Euler time discretization. Numerical experiments present nonlinear diffusion filtering of artificial data and real measurements, namely the GOCE satellite observations. They aim to point out a main advantage of the new nonlinear model which, on the contrary of Perona-Malik model, preserves local extremal values of filtered data.
Studies on gene transfer of shoot apical meristems by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in a progeny of Chinese wild Vitis pseudoreticulata

Shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes, containing shoot apical meristems (SAM) were presented, of Vitis '6-12-2', derived from a Chinese wild V. pseudoreticulata 'Baihe-35-1' × V. vinifera 'Carignane' cross, were used for Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation. In order to achieve Glyoxal oxidase (VpGLOX) overexpressing plants, the propagation and gene transfer system of shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes undergoing either micropropagated (starting with microshoot- tips) or callus induced (starting with stems with single bud) in vitro plants were optimized. The results show that the most effective way to gain shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes undergoing micropropagation procedure was to keep micro-shoot-tips in liquid C 2 D4B medium at 80 rpm constant orbital shaking with light, then placed on solidified C 2 D4B medium with 2.9 μM Gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) for elongation. In vitro stems with single buds gave best results for callus formation and adventitious buds induction on half-strength MS medium with 9.0 μM Thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2.9 μM mg·L -1 α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest gene transfer frequency was obtained when explants were infected for 10 min with the concentration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens with an optical density at 600 nm of 0.4, and then co-cultivated for 3 days. Incubation of shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes in darkness for 3 days is helpful for enhancing gene transfer efficiency. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-Southern blot analyses were utilized to confirm putative transgenic plants. Up to 45 clones have proven to be transformed, and one of them has been planted out. This method opens a door for the gene transfer of recalcitrant Chinese wild V. pseudoreticulata .
STABLE-CARBON AND HYDROGEN ISOTOPE RATIOS REVEAL BREEDING ORIGINS OF RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS

We investigated the potential of using stable-carbon ( 13 C) and hydrogen (D) isotope ratios in feathers of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to delineate geographic origins where feathers were grown. We used outer primary feathers from ter- ritorial male blackbirds along a broad latitudinal transect from Louisiana, USA to Sas- katchewan, Canada. Feather D values showed an expected depletion with latitude, and were correlated strongly (r 2 0.83) with the mean growing season D for precipitation at collection sites. Feather 13 C values revealed that blackbirds fed on both C3 and C4 based foodwebs. Inputs of C4-based carbon likely related to consumption of agricultural crops such as corn and sorghum. Overall, our dual isotope approach showed great potential as a means of delineating breeding origins of blackbirds throughout the continental Midwest, and supports previous findings that D measurements of feathers are strongly correlated with precipitation and latitude throughout the central region of the continent.