Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plankton Ecology and Productivity in Jamaican Waters with New and Unique Applications

Unique applications of plankton ecology and productivity in Jamaican waters are presented. While traditional indices were inadequate descriptors of mangrove lagoon water quality, planktonic indices (total Chlorophyll a , zooplankton groups and species) were more reliable. Phytoplankton biomass was used to indicate a longitudinal gradient along the Hellshire Coastline, identifying non-point sources of enrichment, and movement of water masses in the absence of expensive Eulerian current meters. Along that same coast, mean primary production, determined by 14 C techniques, confirmed a gradient from the eutrophic Kingston Harbour (21.1 g C m −2 year −1 ) to the oligotrophic control site (0.52 g C m −2 year −1 ). Maximum inshore station values (36.75–18.39 g C m −2 year −1 ) were more than 20 times greater than offshore and exceeded Harbour values, confirming non-point sources and localized mecha - nisms as important inshore sources of eutrophication. The novel use of Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) software to model trophic flows within planktonic communities was done in two bays. For Discovery Bay, on Jamaica’s north coast, the model indicated a developing ecosystem with open mineral cycles and poor nutrient conservation while in Foul and Folly Bays on the southeastern coast the model indicated greater resilience and ability to recover from perturbations. These applications have facilitated informed management decisions for sustainable use in Jamaican coastal ecosystems.
Soft Body Deformation Dynamics Based on Shape Matching

Soft body deformation has become one of the areas of intense research and recently has attracted a lot of attention specially towards the real time implementation which is not only computationally is cheap but easy and efficient to implement. One of the recent breakthroughs in simulation of soft bodies is ”Meshless Deformation Based on Shape Matching”. This thesis will explore the concepts behind the implementation of this technique in detail along with handling of collisions. The results achieved includes the implementation of the basic algorithm along with four extensions mentioned in the paper.
Experimental Investigations on Optimisation of Aerodynmaic Charactericstics in a Hatchback Model Car 3 Using Vortex Generators

The aerodynamic drag of a sedan vehicles is due to separation of flow near the vehicle’s rear end is one of the major causes. To delay flow separation, bump-shaped vortex generators are tested on the roof end. Commonly used on aircraft to prevent flow separation, vortex generators themselves create drag, but they also reduce drag by preventing flow separation at downstream. The overall effect of vortex generators can be calculated by sum of the positive and negative effects. Since this effect depends on the shape and size of vortex generators, those on the vehicle roof are optimized . This study presents the optimisation of various aerodynamic characteristics in a Sedan car using computational tools such as CFX and also by using experimental testing using scaled models in the wind tunnel.
Development of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method and method validation of paracetamol by using economical single mobile phase

The computerization of method development and validation are useful in analysis of pharmaceuticals in pharmaceutical industry. In this article a simple, sensitive, and precise high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the analysis of Paracetamol with ultraviolet detection at 257 nm has been developed, validated, and used for the determination of compounds in commercial pharmaceutical products. Paracetamol tablet dosage form (two brands) was purchased from market and was from Glaxo Smith Kline (Calpol) and from IPCA (Pacimol) respectively. The compounds were well separated on a Hypersil ODS C18 reversed-phase column by use of a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (90:10v/v at a flow rate of 1.0 ml.min). The linearity ranges were 20- 100µg/ ml for Paracetamol. Limits of detection (LOD) obtained 3.298mg/ml limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 9.875mg/ml Paracetamol. The study showed that reversed-phase liquid chromatography is sensitive and selective for the determination of Paracetamol using single mobile phase.
Factors Influencing the Night Market Traders' Performance in Malaysia

This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the night market traders’ sales performance. The factors examined were the financial resources, consumers’ tastes and preferences, product demands, business life span, and number of employees. This study tested seven hypotheses identified as the seven predictive factors influencing the performance of the night market traders’ sales. The major factors influencing the sales performance of the night market traders were found to be the number of employees and business life span. The findings of this study can be used by other researchers to conduct a comparative study in this area besides providing advisory services to traders and potential traders who wish to do business in night markets.
Handling Spiritual Resources at Work: An Autoethnographic Inquiry

This study draws upon some particular dimensions of spirituality in the workplace such as insight, intuition, wisdom, respect, love, humility, courage, ethics, optimism, the other, and sense of purpose. Through an autoethnographic inquiry it describes my personal spiritual journey at work, that is, my own experiences, reflections, understanding, viewpoints, and memories regarding those constructs as a framework. In hindsight, I explore a certain period of my professional life when I was very young and working for a multinational company, which was under permanent change in order to adapt and survive in the hypercompetitive and turbulent Brazilian market. By drawing on a researcher that is researched approach, I can see the transcendental meaning (nexus) of those episodes in my career. Hence, I further developed resilience, patience, leadership, spirituality, self-reflection and self-introspection capabilities. I could better understand the other perspective, particularly the human sins, vices, emotions, and virtues. I also argue that religious faith and spirituality knowledge dovetails perfectly well in the workplace. Further, this study provides consistent evidence of suitable usage of these resources.
ELECTROPORATION OF snoRNA IN Giardia lamblia

Electroporation is a significant increase in the permeability of the cell membrane caused by an externally applied electrical field. It is used in molecular biology for the introduction of various micromolecular substances into a cell. Compared to other biochemical techniques, electroporation is simple, easily applicable and very efficient. This study reports the electroporation of invitro transcribed giardial snoRNA into Giardia lamblia by varying the number of pulsed under a constant electric field and its visualisation using a confocal microscope.
Two-Wave Mixing in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Structures for Dynamic Holography

The chapter reviews recent progress of two-wave mixing in a novel organic-inorganic hybrid structures that combine essential properties as large anisotropy and strong birefringence, typical for organics with the excellent photosensitivity and photoconductivity of inorganics into single, compact devices. Depending on the designed assembly and operation principle, the proposed structures can record dynamic holographic gratings at Raman-Nath or Bragg regimes of diffraction, respectively. When the two beams interact in a structure based on a photoconductive material and birefringent layer (usually liquid crystal), the beam coupling with high amplification values occur in a liquid crystal layer, however, the fringe period of recorded holograms is limited to few μm scale. In contrast, when the two beams interact in a structure based on a photorefractive material and birefringent layer, the beam-coupling occurs in both composites, due to the surface activated photorefractive effect. The prime significance of the later structure is the ability to act as a holographic grating at Bragg regime allowing sub-micron spatial resolution. Moreover they are easy and simple to fabricate where the processes are all optically controlled. The above examples open scenarios to design new devices that meet the latest requirements of 3D display technologies and optical information processing. reorient the LC molecules, resulting in a change of the effective refractive index.
Volume transport and mixing of the Faroe Bank Channel overflow from one year of moored measurements

Abstract. One-year long time series of current velocity and temperature from eight moorings deployed in the Faroe Bank Channel (FBC) are analysed to describe the structure and variability of the dense overflow plume on daily to seasonal timescales. Mooring arrays were deployed in two sections: located 25 km downstream of the main sill, in the channel that geographically confines the overflow plume at both edges (section C), and 60 km further downstream, over the slope (section S). At section C, the average volume transport of overflow waters (
CONTRIBUTION CHIMIQUE A LA DEFINITION DE LA QUALITE : EXEMPLES DES SPIRITUEUX DE MYRTE (MYRTUS COMMUNIS L.) ET DE CEDRAT (CITRUS MEDICA L.) DE CORSE

Ce travail de these, developpe en partenariat avec la Societe Mavela et l'INRA de Corse, est axe autour de l'etude de deux plantes traditionnellement utilisees en Corse pour la preparation de spiritueux (liqueur et eau de vie) : le myrte commun (Myrtus communis L.) et le cedrat (Citrus medica L). Le memoire de these se decline en deux parties principales : * Une partie fondamentale visant a etablir une methodologie d'analyse des spiritueux par chromatographie liquide couplee a la spectrometrie de masse, d'une part, et a definir et a reunir en un meme corpus les regles de fragmentation des flavonoides, d'autre part. * Une partie appliquee dont l'objectif est de contribuer a la definition d'une qualite en termes de compositions volatile et phenolique. Ainsi, nous avons etudie la variabilite intraspecifique des baies de myrte recoltees en Corse et nous avons caracterise differentes varietes de cedrats. La composition volatile des baies de myrte est dominee par le couple α-pinene/1,8-cineole alors que la composition phenolique est riche en myricetine, myricetine-3-O-arabinoside, myricetine-3-O-galactoside et en epigallocatechine. Cette " empreinte " chimique des baies est retrouvee dans les liqueurs et les eaux de vie correspondantes. En outre, les huiles essentielles ont une composition homogene pour l'ensemble des lieux d'echantillonnage. L'etude des caracteristiques morphologiques, genetiques, et chimiques de 24 varietes de cedrat a permis de differencier les varietes " ancestrales " et les varietes " hybrides ". Sur la base de l'analyse de la diversite morphologique et genetique, 13 varietes dont le cedrat de Corse (Citrus medica var. corsican) sont considerees comme des cedrats ancestraux alors que les 11 autres cultivars sont assimiles a des hybrides entre les cedratiers et d'autres especes du genre Citrus. Au niveau de la composition chimique des huiles essentielles, les cedratiers ancestraux se distinguent des autres varietes par des chimiotypes a limonene/neral/geranial ou limonene/nerol/geraniol pour les feuilles et a limonene/ץ-terpinene ou limonene/neral/geranial pour les zestes. Au niveau des composes phenoliques, la distinction entre les cedrats ancestraux et hybrides n'a pas pu etre mise en evidence. L'etude de la composition chimique des liqueurs elaborees a partir du cedrat de Corse a permis d'etudier l'influence de la maturite des fruits sur la qualite des spiritueux. Il apparait que la date de recolte n'a pas d'impact sur la composition en volatils. A contrario, les concentrations en acides phenoliques et en leurs derives diminuent fortement au cours du developpement du fruit. En outre, nous avons defini la qualite de la liqueur en fonction des conditions experimentales de sa preparation. Enfin, ce travail de doctorat est la premiere etape de la mise en place d'un programme de protection de l'origine geographique et botanique de ces productions identitaires.
Puerarin inhibits acute nociceptive responses via the P2X3 receptor in rat dorsal root ganglia

The effects of puerarin on acute nociception mediated by the P2X3 receptor in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were studied. Intrathecal injection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or α,β-methylene-ATP (α,β-meATP) could potentiate acute nociceptive responses induced by intraplantar injection of ATP or α,β-meATP in rat hindpaw. Intraplantar injection of formalin increased the expression of P2X3 in rat DRG and induced acute nociceptive responses. These induced nociceptive responses were inhibited by intrathecal injection of puerarin, which also decreased the up-regulated expression of P2X3 mRNA and protein in DRG induced by intraplantar injection of formalin. Molecular docking studies revealed that puerarin could interact perfectly with homology-modeled rat P2X3 receptor (rP2X3). rP2X3 can be restricted to binding ATP because of its combination with puerarin (increasing the concentration of free ATP), therefore blocking the rP2X3 channel. Whole cell patch clamp recording showed that puerarin inhibited the potentiation of P2X3 receptor-mediated currents induced by lipopolysaccharide. These results demonstrated that puerarin inhibited nociceptive responses induced by ATP, α,β-meATP, or formalin and its inhibitory effect was mediated by reduction of inflammatory pain-induced up-regulation of P2X3 receptor expression and blockade of ATP binding sites on the P2X3 receptor. Our results suggest that puerarin could decrease acute pain mediated by the P2X3 receptor in the DRG. Key words: Puerarin, acute nociceptive response, P2X3 receptor, dorsal root ganglia, whole cell patch clamp.
Development of the Sustainability Index of Farms Based on Surveys and FADN Sample

This methodical paper discusses the procedure for developing the farm sustainability index using data from surveys and accountancy data collected in the FADN system database. The research covered a total of 600 farms selected similarly to the selection method used in FADN (taking into account the economic size, production type and region). The structure of the sustainability index of farms uses variables characterizing the environmental, economic and social dimension of sustainability. In total, over 100 output parameters classified in 7 partial indices were used in the assessment of sustainability. The resultant distribution of individual partial indices and dimensions of sustainability indicates the diversity of the studied population in terms of considered parameters. At the same time, it was found that aggregation leads to the dominance of values close to the middle of the range of considered indices. The applied methodology allows to assess the sustainability of individual farms and their classification into groups of entities diversified by the degree of compliance with the principles of sustainable agriculture. The ability to measure and assess the sustainability of farms can be considered as the first step in the process of creating effective agricultural development support policies. The paper provides an opinion in the long-lasting discussion on the operationalization of the concept of sustainable development and ways to measure the degree of compliance of economic operators’ actions with the paradigm in question.
Model studies of short‐term variations induced in trace gases by particle precipitation in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

The 3‐D global chemistry and transport model (3dCTM) was used to investigate NO, OH, and O3 from January 2002 to May 2010 between 60 km and 133 km. Their daytime and nighttime mean zonal means (55°–75° geomagnetic latitude) were analyzed with respect to short‐term variations associated with particle precipitation. The corresponding ionization rates were derived from the 3‐D atmospheric ionization module Osnabrück (AIMOS), which is based on particle flux measurements. The trace gas variations with respect to their background were investigated by using a superposed epoch analysis. The 27 day signature associated with particle precipitation is found in NO, while it is only indicated in OH and O3 during winter. A varying solar spectrum associated with the 11 year solar cycle causes modifications of this signal up to 10%, while the main patterns are conserved. Published observations show a clear 27 day signal, qualitatively agreeing with the model results at altitudes >70 km except for O3 in Northern Hemisphere winter. Further differences occur with respect to the magnitude of the trace gas variations, primarily attributed to the different trace gas background and dynamical variations of the background atmosphere. Absolute OH variations are overestimated by the 3dCTM during winter, while the opposite is true for O3. These differences might originate from an unknown offset in AIMOS, incorrect chemical reaction rates, a different background of H2O and O3, and the model dynamics. However, their nonlinear relationship and their altitude of largest response are qualitatively captured in Southern Hemisphere winter.
A Lagrangian photoresponse model coupled with 2nd-order turbulence closure

A 2nd-order turbulence closure approach was coupled with a Lagrangian phytoplankton model, in order to examine the effect of time-dependent vertical eddy diffusion on the photoresponse of phytoplankton in a wind-driven upper mixing layer. In general, stronger wind mixing in a lower-transparency water column contributes to greater phytoplankton production. According to our study, vertical mixing is insignificant for photoinhibition in relatively clear open ocean water, while it can be more important in relatively turbid coastal water. A simple Ekman layer model provided surprisingly similar production to that observed with the 2nd-order closure scheme when the starting distribution of the phytoplankton cells was normalized. Two factors involved in the process are the change in the background stratification and the time dependence of the diffusivity coefficient. The influences of these 2 factors cancel each other to reduce the apparent difference between the total production estimated by the Ekman model compared to that estimated by the 2nd-order closure scheme.
Immigration, segregation and urban development in Athens: The relevance of the la debate for Southern European metropolises

This paper focuses on the theoretical discussion of the links between segregation of immigrants and processes of urban development in southern European cities and on their empirical exploration in the case of Athens. From a theoretical point of view, this paper discusses how accounts of urban fragmentation, immigration, and ethnic segregation in the US debate would be beneficial to the exploration of similar issues in southern European cities. Empirically, a number of indices have been estimated, to outline for the first time in the Greek literature, key dimensions of segregation of different immigrant groups in Athens. The paper concludes that although Athens can be considered as one of the most plural Southern European metropolises new forms of centralised and decentralised socio-ethnic segregation have emerged deserving not only a detailed empirical investigation but also the elaboration of novel theoretical concepts. 1. THEORETICAL DISCUSSION: THE RELEVANCE OF THE LA DEBATE FOR SOUTHERN EUROPEAN CITIES Social segregation has been the subject of a vast literature and empirical research for many years in both North American and North European cities. Any theoretical as well as empirical effort refers to the founding principles Vassilis P. Arapoglou* IMMIGRATION, SEGREGATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN ATHENS: THE RELEVANCE OF THE LA DEBATE FOR SOUTHERN EUROPEAN METROPOLISES** * Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Crete. ** Acknowledgements to Ion Sayas for providing the software that made possible many of the computations and maps involved and also to Thomas Maloutas and George Kandylis for stimulating discussions whilst writing the paper. Research for this paper has in part been financed by the “Pythagoras II” project. 2.ARAPOGLOU/2 16-05-07 10:35 Σελίδα 11
Evapotranspiration data to determine agro-climatic zones in Egypt

Abstract The objective of this paper was to compare between agro-climatic zones developed from 10-year interval of weather data from 2005-2014, 20-year interval of weather data from 1995-2014 and the zoning developed by [NORELDIN et al. 2016] using 30-year interval from 1985-2014 in the old cultivated land of Egypt in the Nile Delta and Valley. Monthly means of weather data were calculated for each year, and then monthly values for 10-year and 20-years were calculated for each governorate. Basic Irrigation scheduling model (BISm) was used to calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Analysis of variance was used and the means was separated and ranked using least significant difference test (LSD0.05). Our results showed that agro-climatic zoning using 20-year values of ETo was similar to the zones developed with 30-year values of ETo, with different values of average ETo in each zone. Furthermore, using 10-year values of ETo resulted in higher values of ETo in each zone, compared to 20-year and 30-year ETo values. However, the average value of ETo over the three classifications was close to each other. Thus, depending on the availability of weather data, either zoning can be sufficient to develop agro-climatic zones.
Transient Fluid Flow Modeling in Fractured Aquifer of Sechahoon Iron Mine Using Finite Element Method

Considering the fact that a large volume of iron reserve in the Sechahoon Iron Mine in Yazd Province has located under the water table, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study on water flow within the pit and its surroundings. The conceptual model of the aquifer was created using the surface and underground geological information compared with water table data of the area of interest. In the data preparation stages, in order to create the numerical model, Logan and Lufran tests were carried out to determine the hydrodynamic coefficients of the layers. The precipitation and evaporation, as well as the fractures and faults of the region, as a medium for flow channels in the hard formation, were also studied. The model was created in a transient state between 2000 and 2014. To validate its results, the water table was measured 4 times in the last 4 months of 2014. Considering the complexities in the heterogeneous fractured aquifer of the study area, numerical modeling results for the basin in a transient state present 90 percent correlation with field studies. Having investigated the water balance in the region, the boundary condition of the model was determined as the input water from the eastern south and the runoff water in the western north of the region. Since the general trend of faults in the area is north-south, the water table variation is slight on northsouth and intense on the east-west direction. On the other hand, due to the fact that the maximum flow is along the faults and fractures, the water table contour lines in different locations over the region are closed.