Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybridization between native and invasive alien plants: an overlooked threat to the biodiversity of Sri Lanka

Conservation of native biological diversity is one of the major challenges of this century. Invasive alien species (IAS) are a part of this challenge because a small but a significant fraction of IAS contribute to the demise of native species. The present paper reviews current literature on the phenomenon of hybridization in plants supporting the evolution of invasiveness, which is identified as a major threat to the extinction of native species. Further, the phenomenon of hybridization is been reviewed on a Sri Lankan context by citing evidence from a preliminary study between the native Nymphaea nouchali and an introduced violet flowered water-lily that has got established in water-bodies of Sri Lanka. This violet flowered water-lily has been incorrectly identified as the native Nymphaea nouchali , the National flower of Sri Lanka (‘Nil Manel’). Revealing the flawed identity of the violet flowered Nymphaea , its hybrid origin and the hybridization with the native N. nouchali , provides an excellent opportunity for initiating studies on a novel area in hybridization between natives and invasive alien species of plants in Sri Lanka. Key words: biodiversity conservation, Nymphaea , evolution, ‘Nil Manel’, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i1. 3403 CJSBS 2011; 40(1): 13-23
Intraspecific variation in reproductive and somatic growth cycles of bay scallops Argopecten irradians

The extent of intraspecific variabhty in fecundity, and reproductive and somatic (adductor muscle) growth cycles is exammed among 4 adjacent, New York populations of bay scallops Argopecten irradians Lamarck. Wd-latitude populations are compared to previously studied populations at the northern and southern extremes of the species' geographical distribution along the east coast of the USA. Major spawning occurred in early June, followed by secondary spawning in July and early August. Spawnlng intensity (percent of gonad evacuation during first spawning) ranged from 62 % at the shallower site (1 m) to 22 % at the deepest site (3.5 m). This difference is temperature related. Mean fecundity (annual egg production) not previously reported for this species was determined from weight loss on spawning. It ranged from 12.6 to 18.6 X 106 per 1st year scallop. Lndividuals that survived to a 2nd spawning averaged signif~cantly lower gonad output than expected from the hnear regression of log gonad weight on log shell height in younger scallops. Greatest differences In mean shell height, adductor muscle weight In the fall, and fecundity were observed between 2 adjacent sites only 1.5 km apart. Results of this study suggest that scallops are food limited within shallow, enclosed bays, where circulation is more restricted. Size-specific fecunhty of midlatitude New York bay scallops is 7 times greater than that of Florida scallops, at the southern limit of their distribution. The ratio of reproductwe output to somatic hssue weight of A. i. irradians is also 2 to 8 times greater than the maximum ratio attained by iteroparous, longer-lived pectinids. A persistent picoplanktonic bloom in summer 1985 caused starvation and 76 % reduction in muscle weight of adults relative to 1984. Following waning of the bloom, survivors displayed remarkable reshence, reflected in a 3-fold increase in mean muscle weight during September.
Does reliance on tax revenue build state capacity in sub-Saharan Africa?

Academics and donors have increasingly argued that African states can enhance their general administrative capacity by improving tax revenue collection. Proponents argue that administratively demanding improvements in tax administration may spillover to other areas of public administration by introducing improved practices, necessitating improvements elsewhere and providing data for other government activities. We make the first effort to test this hypothesis empirically, using an improved cross-country data set for sub-Saharan Africa. We find some evidence that from 1973 until the late 1990s improvements in tax administration tended to precede broader administrative improvements, consistent with the research hypothesis. By contrast, we find no evidence of such a pattern over the past decade. We conclude that these results provide tentative support for the hypothesis that improvements in tax collection can be a catalyst for broader gains in state capacity, but that such linkages are not guaranteed and depend on the particular character of reform. Points for practitioners Those involved with public administrative reform efforts have long been confronted with the question of whether reform is, or should be, an essentially system-wide process, or focused on developing ‘pockets of effectiveness’. This debate is particularly relevant to tax reform: a growing academic literature has argued that tax reform can be a catalyst for system-wide change, but the dominant reform model has focused on the creation of autonomous revenue agencies to achieve rapid but focused capacity gains. This research examines the case for believing that tax reform can be a catalyst for broader reform, and thus the case for adopting a reform model that focuses more explicitly on system-wide change.
Origin-Destination Estimation Using Probe Vehicle Trajectory and Link Counts

This paper presents two origin-destination flow estimation models using sampled GPS positions of probe vehicles and link flow counts. The first model, named as SPP model (scaled probe OD as prior OD), uses scaled probe vehicle OD matrix as prior OD matrix and applies conventional generalized least squares (GLS) framework to conduct OD correction using link counts; the second model, PRA model (probe ratio assignment), is an extension of SPP in which the observed link probe ratios are also included as additional information in the OD estimation process. For both models, the study explored a new way to construct assignment matrices directly from sampled probe trajectories to avoid sophisticated traffic assignment process. Then, for performance evaluation, a comprehensive numerical experiment was conducted using simulation dataset. The results showed that when the distribution of probe vehicle ratios is homogeneous among different OD pairs, both proposed models achieved similar degree of improvement compared with the prior OD pattern. However, under the case that the distribution of probe vehicle ratios is heterogeneous across different OD pairs, PRA model achieved more significant reduction on OD flow estimations compared with SPP model. Grounded on both theoretical derivations and empirical tests, the study provided in-depth discussions regarding the strengths and challenges of probe vehicle based OD estimation models.
Aortic and mitral valve replacement following previous left pneumonectomy: a case report

Performing double valve replacement in a patient with previous pneumonectomy was challenging. Here, we reported a double valve replacement, which is performed in a 60-year-old female with a history of left pneumonectomy via median sternotomy. Multiple cerebral infarctions were confirmed by cranial computed tomography after surgery with none sequela left, which was suspected causing by air embolism. We review literatures from PubMed and conclude that median sternotomy is still the most common surgical approach. Due to the adhesions induced by previous operation, intraoperative air excluding is important for cardiothoracic surgeons to avoid air embolism after surgery. Post-surgery pulmonary hypertension is also worth paying attention to. Long-term follow-up is necessary to assess the outcomes of surgery.
Contrasting total carbon stocks between ecological site series in a subboreal spruce research forest in central British Columbia.

A study was conducted to determine if consideration of ecological site classification in combination with stand age would describe total ecosystem carbon (C) better than consideration of just stand age alone. The research was conducted in the 9250 ha University of Northern British Columbia/The University of British Columbia Aleza Lake Research Forest in central British Columbia. Over three field seasons (2003–2005), 38, 72, and 27 plots were established in mesic, subhygric, and hygric stands, respectively, with stand ages ranging from 5 to 350+ years. Mineral soil C stocks were significantly influenced by moisture regime, where hygric > subhygric > mesic (93, 77, and 65 t C·ha–1, respectively). Mineral soil and forest floor C stocks were not related to stand age, indicating their resilience to partial-cut and clear-cut forest harvesting systems historically implemented throughout the study area. Subhygric stands had the highest total ecosystem C stocks in the Aleza Lake Research Forest, having approximate.
Analysis of European Labour Market in the Crisis Context

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of labour market dynamics in EU-27 in the recent period and to assess their impact on the process of economic development. The degree of originality is given by our choice to focus on the comparative analysis of two periods of time: 2000-2007, when the European Union as a whole, but especially Central and Eastern European countries as well as Mediterranean ones experienced significant improvements in labour market performances and overall competitiveness and 2008-2010, a recession period characterized by a massive loss of jobs and an equally large increase in unemployment, with anticipated consequences on economic growth. The main interest is to look for the key factors that determine the lasting performances of the leading European economies and possible solutions for ensuring the sustainable growth of the others.
Ice Flow Line Modeling and Ice Core Data Interpretation : Vostok Station (East Antarctica)

This work, originally based on a series of the authors' publications [101, 102, 104, 112, 130, 131], considers general questions of ice-sheet flow modeling as related to ice core records interpretation. It reviews the previous results and, using new geographical, geophysical and glaciological data, continues the study aimed at solving the twofold problem of ice core age dating and paleoclimatic reconstructions from the isotopic content measurements in the deep ice cores from Vostok Station located in central East Antarctica, above the vast subglacial lake. The principal idea of the paper is to develop a general approach to past climate investigation by means of an improved thermomechanical ice flow line model, involving a wide spectra of supplementary data such as boreholetemperature, radio-echo-sounding reflection layers, and air-bubble measurements.
Compact Ultrawideband MIMO Antenna with WLAN/UWB Bands Coverage

A compact multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna that covers the WLAN (2.4GHz) and UWB (3.1{10.6GHz) bands for wireless device applications is presented. The proposed antenna consists of two open L-shaped slot (LS) antenna elements and a narrow slot on the ground plane. The antenna elements are placed perpendicularly to each other to obtain a high isolation, and the narrow slot is added to reduce the mutual coupling between antenna elements at the WLAN band (2.4GHz). The presented MIMO antenna has a small size of 40£40mm 2 , and the prototypes of antenna is fabricated and measured. The measured results show that the antenna has an impedance bandwidth of larger than 2.4{10.6GHz with the mutual coupling less than 20dB in WLAN band and 18dB in 3.1{10.6GHz, making the antenna a good candidate for portable applications.
DETERMINATION OF THE MULTIPLE ISOFORMS OF SOME ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN HABERLEA RHODOPENSIS

The multiple forms of several antioxidant enzymes were identified in leaves of the resurrection plant H. rhodopensis. Native PAGE showed the presence of six multiple Superoxide dismutase isoforms in the protein extract from fresh leaves, and the differential visualization revealed that four of them belonged to Cu,Zn-SOD isoforms, one belonged to Mn-SOD and one - to Fe-SOD. The same method showed one form of nonspecific guaiacol Peroxidase and two multiple isoforms of Ascorbate peroxidase.
Material Challenges for Lighter-Than-Air Systems in High Altitude Applications

*† Lighter-than-air applications at high altitudes (stratosphere) impose significant challenges for the system flexible materials. The materials must be lightweight and strong, capable of containing lifting gas, maintaining flexibility at low temperature, have excellent damage resistance, and provide a good balance between airframe weight and system safety factors. The material must also be designed to resist the harsh stratospheric environment, high ozone concentration, intense UV, and extremely low temperatures. In addition, the material must have specific thermal radiation properties, which govern the system thermal performance. This paper will discuss in detail, the challenges, material characteristics (as they apply to LTA vehicles), progress that has been made, and the work that still lies ahead.
Aesthetics: An Introduction

We admire the dancer cognitive powers of fictions did not stop. The visual appearance in the art we express our partner would. But recently thus while verbal, languages and aesthetes. They come about it will be, the late twentieth century with what became more detail. There are bored by contrast with, the arbitrary abstract expressionists. There was often difficult to give more practical level. It this entry but in their essential character building terms that the economic. Gombrich was then naturally there are, pre eminent in literature has been a kangaroo there. Of the lull before this style of day developments which might call artworks. It is a picture they come. The french structuralists later in common idea that one might even around the artist. In the noted english critic i, call our emotions in aesthetics did not directly accessible. People who sees them all its disappearance the object. But the late nineteenth century have no difficulty then contrasted sharply. Even expensive clothing and this attitude but much beyond in the stage. There is even over distance but, the behaviors of its target. He called closed concepts questions of art form pure beauty. Pickwick other similar views according,. Among these were encountered in art lasted from some special value and their application. In his three conditions we have no such things.
Graphene-Based Fourier Optics

In this paper, we theoretically show that by tailoring specific conductivity distribution on graphene, one can create a region on this material to perform as a lens. Our numerical studies indicate that this ―one-atom thick‖ lens obtains spatial Fourier transform of the optical sign al similar to a standard optical lens in 3-dimensional optics. The possibility to create inhomogeneous patterns of effective index for SPP surface waves on the graphene may allow for reimp lementation of Fourier optics devices on a monolayer of carbon atoms .
Numerical Adaptation Method of Pipeline Networks Models on Real Industrial Trunklines Systems

We propose an adaptation method for gas dynamic pipeline network models to enable credible representation of actual properties of real simulation objects. The presentation is illustrated by fitting equivalent pipeline section roughnesses used in the models to accommodate the influence of flow resistance on gas transport parameters. The method is based on the setting up and solution of a series of special parametric identification problems based on a limited set of field measurement data at local (in space) network points. This method can be used by specialists in mathematical modeling of gas transport systems to solve practical parametric identification problems.
Deformable Models (Snakes) for Fractal Analysis of Brain Tumors on T2-Weighted Images

INTRODUCTION Premature detection and classification for a disease process, is one of the most important objectives for a physician. In reference to the brain, MRI can detect abnormal structures from the early stages of development, showing the morphological characteristics of neoplasic tissue, specifically the presence of rugosity or irregularities on its boundaries. The main goal in this work is to employ the rugosity on the boundary of the lesion to classify a mass as belonging to any of the two kinds of lesions (benign or malign) present in T2-weighted MRI images of the brain. To reach this goal, tumor image is segmented and a deformable model (snake) is adapted to the boundary of the lesion. The energy density functional obtained from the deformable model is analyzed as an artificial time series to determine fractal correlation dimension. Also the fractal capacity dimension was calculated on the same model. To validate the proposed methodology, it was applied to a significant number of images with different types of lesions to establish a reliable classification method.
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING IN COOPERATIVES BANKS: AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR DISCLOSURE IN EUROPE Helena-María Bollas-Araya

Sustainability has significantly risen within businesses management during the last decade. Nowadays, enterprises include sustainability in their strategic management. Cooperatives banks have a special relationship with sustainability. The analysis of the sustainability reports disclosed by the European cooperative banks included under GRI standard show that although the number of reports is low, it responds to the weight of cooperative banks in the European market. The results also illustrate the late incorporation of cooperative banks to sustainability reporting. Despite this, there are no significant differences compared with banks. Finally, cooperatives banks provide greater social information than economic or environmental. INFORMES DE SOSTENIBILIDAD EN COOPERATIVAS DE CRÉDITO: UN ANÁLISIS DE SU DIVULGACIÓN EN EUROPA
Preparation and in vitro characterization of the transdermal drug delivery system containing tamoxifen citrate for breast cancer

A matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system of tamoxifen citrate was developed by using a different ratio of eudragit- RL100, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-K15), and ethyl cellulose (EC), by the solvent evaporation technique.The effect of the binary mixture of polymers with a penetration enhancer on the physical chemical parameters including, thickness, folding endurance, uniformity of drug content, moisture content, moisture uptake, tensile strength, and in vitro drug permeation were evaluated. The in vitro drug permeation studies were conducted by using modified Keshary-Chein diffusion cells through female Sprague Dawley rat skin using pH 7.4 phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The selected formulation’s stability studies were conducted as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines, and did not show any degradation of the drug.
Identifying Requirements for a Social Media-based Emergency Management System

Social media tools provide public safety organizations with a new communication channel for the management of crises and emergencies. While existing studies have mainly focused on exploring how authorities use social media tools, citizens role in producing information for emergency management has not been studied adequately. The research problem of this study is: How social media tools support emergency management from a citizens perspective? The main contribution of this paper is to identify requirements for social media -based emergency management systems. Data on requirements were collected during an a emergency management exercise in Finland. Results indicate that citizens consider authorities presence in social media valuable and reassuring during emergency situations. Keywords—Emergency; social media; public safety.
Dynamic Deformation and High Velocity Impact Behaviors of Ti-6Al-4V Alloys

Deformation behaviors under quasi-static and dynamic compression and high velocity impact condition of Ti-6Al-4V ELI (extra low interstitial) alloys in two different conditions were investigated. Mill annealed (MA) alloy, consisted of equiaxed α, and thermomechanically treated (TMT) alloy, consisted of mixed structure of equiaxed α and transformed β, were prepared. Compression tests were performed in low strain rate regime using hydraulic testing machine and were performed in high strain rate regime using split Hopkinson pressure bar. High velocity impact tests were also performed by impacting the test projectiles made of these alloys against a steel target at a velocity of ~400m/s. The compression test results showed that deformation behaviors were influenced by the strain hardening exponent at low strain rate regime, and by both the strain hardening exponent and the strain-rate hardening rate at high strain rate regime. TMT alloy showed higher strength but almost similar fracture strain as MA alloy at a high strain rate of ~6000/s, due to the effect of strain-rate hardening. The high velocity impact test results showed that the projectile of TMT alloy withstood without fracture at higher impact velocity, but the maximum amounts of deformation prior to crack were nearly the same for both alloys. These results were in accord with the results of compression tests at high strain rate regime, that is, higher strength but same fracture strain of TMT alloy compared to MA alloy.
Small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs) from the Terreneuvian (lower Cambrian) of Baltica

We describe a new assemblage of small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs) from diagenetically minimally altered clays and siltstones of Terreneuvian age from the Lontova and Voosi formations of Estonia, Lithuania and Russia. This is the first detailed account of an SCF assemblage from the Terreneuvian and includes a number of previously undocumented Cambrian organisms. Recognizably bilaterian‐derived SCFs include abundant protoconodonts (total‐group Chaetognatha), and distinctive cuticular spines of scalidophoran worms. Alongside these metazoan remains are a range of protistan‐grade fossils, including Retiranus balticus gen. et sp. nov., a distinctive funnel‐shaped or sheet‐like problematicum characterized by terminal or marginal vesicles, and Lontohystrichosphaera grandis gen. et sp. nov., a large (100–550 μm) ornamented vesicular microfossil. Together these data offer a fundamentally enriched view of Terreneuvian life in the epicratonic seas of Baltica, from an episode where records of non‐biomineralized life are currently sparse. Even so, the recovered assemblages contain a lower diversity of metazoans than SCF biotas from younger (Stage 4) Baltic successions that represent broadly equivalent environments, echoing the diversification signal recorded in the coeval shelly and trace‐fossil records. Close comparison to the biostratigraphical signal from Fortunian small shelly fossils supports a late Fortunian age for most of the Lontova/Voosi succession, rather than a younger (wholly Stage 2) range.