Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-cost electronic sensors for environmental research: Pitfalls and opportunities

Repeat observations underpin our understanding of environmental processes, but financial constraints often limit scientists’ ability to deploy dense networks of conventional commercial instrumentation. Rapid growth in the Internet-Of-Things (IoT) and the maker movement is paving the way for low-cost electronic sensors to transform global environmental monitoring. Accessible and inexpensive sensor construction is also fostering exciting opportunities for citizen science and participatory research. Drawing on 6 years of developmental work with Arduino-based open-source hardware and software, extensive laboratory and field testing, and incorporation of such technology into active research programmes, we outline a series of successes, failures and lessons learned in designing and deploying environmental sensors. Six case studies are presented: a water table depth probe, air and water quality sensors, multi-parameter weather stations, a time-sequencing lake sediment trap, and a sonic anemometer for monitoring sand transport. Schematics, code and purchasing guidance to reproduce our sensors are described in the paper, with detailed build instructions hosted on our King’s College London Geography Environmental Sensors Github repository and the FreeStation project website. We show in each case study that manual design and construction can produce research-grade scientific instrumentation (mean bias error for calibrated sensors –0.04 to 23%) for a fraction of the conventional cost, provided rigorous, sensor-specific calibration and field testing is conducted. In sharing our collective experiences with build-it-yourself environmental monitoring, we intend for this paper to act as a catalyst for physical geographers and the wider environmental science community to begin incorporating low-cost sensor development into their research activities. The capacity to deploy denser sensor networks should ultimately lead to superior environmental monitoring at the local to global scales.
Approaches of Turkish Dentists in Cases of Orthodontic Lingual Retainer Failures.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the approaches of Turkish dentists in cases of orthodontic lingual retainer failures. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was used to quantify dentists' approaches to lingual retainer failures. The first part of the study investigated the demographic characteristics. In the second part, dentists' approaches to cases of failed retainers were assessed. The third part had questions related to the type of retainers bonded solely to the canines or to all the 6 anterior teeth. Descriptive statistics were done with Pearson's χ2 test, and Mann-Whitney U test was used. Results A total of 320 Turkish dentists participated in the survey. Experienced and public dentists preferred to advise the patients whose retainers had failed to contact their orthodontist more frequently (p<0.05). Regarding their approach to patients who requested removal of the bonded retainer, inexperienced dentists more frequently preferred to refer the patients to an orthodontist (p<0.05). With regard to factors affecting the choice to remove a bonded retainer, the most and the least importance were attributed to the orthodontist's opinion and the patient's demand, respectively. Conclusion Turkish dentists prefer referring their patients to orthodontists rather than performing procedures in cases of failure associated with bonded retainers. Different demographic characteristics seem to have an impact on these approaches.
FIRST REPORT OF MYIASIS CAUSED BY Philornis (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) IN Cacicus solitarius (PASSERIFORME: ICTERIDAE) IN CENTRAL ARGENTINA

In January 2016, one Cacicus solitarius bird nestling was found parasitized by subcutaneous larvae in a protected forest of central Argentina. Some larvae were removed from the nestling and reared under laboratory conditions. Using morphological characteristics, the adult flies that emerged were identified as belonging to the Philornis torquans complex. Molecular analysis of the specimens showed identical ITS2 sequences from those previously reported for Philornis flies from Misiones province, in northeastern Argentina. This study presents the first documented association between Philornis and C. solitarius and the first record of the “ P. torquans complex genotype Misiones” in central Argentina .
Sundanese Family Strength: A Preliminary Study

Various studies related to family strength indicators have been carried out in various countries. However, research on family strength in Asia, especially in Indonesia, which has a variety of cultures is still not widely conducted. The purpose of this study was to properly explore key indicators of Sundanese family strength in Bandung City, West Java, Indonesia. This study used the qualitative approach specifically the phenomenology method. The participants were four Sundanese families in Bandung City, who identify its family members are Sundanese and are confirmed by the surrounding community as Sundanese. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis. The result uncovered five themes: 1) accommodating conflict strategy or “silih narima” 2. ) positive communication 3. ) the emotional intimacy 4. ) knowing (philosophy of life) or “neang elmu” 5. ) the social support of the family of origin. The implication of these findings is discussed.
Algebraic estimator of Parkinson’s tremor frequency from biased and noisy sinusoidal signals

Tremor is an uncontrolled trembling movement or shakes, which are defined as an involuntary, rhythmic oscillatory movement of the body. The dominant features of Parkinsonism are the motor task and its frequency. This paper presents studies on the tremor parameter identification to be used for obtaining the frequency as a dynamical feature of the tremor. The method is based on the analysis of time-varying signals for identification of the tremor’s frequency from unknown noisy harmonic signals with an offset, using time-varying unstable filters and low-pass Butterworth filters. This approach uses an algebraic derivative method, in the frequency domain, to obtain the main frequency of tremors in the time domain. The first frequency mode of the tremor is one of the main characteristics to represent the low vibrational dynamics of Parkinson’s tremor. The proposed frequency estimation is performed in less than a period of the slower component of the measured signal. Real tremor signals were used to experimentally validate the proposed method and the algorithm proved to be fast and robust to high-frequency noises tracking the time variation of the tremor accurately.
Investigating Effects of Landfill Soil Gases on Landfill Elevated Subsurface Temperature

Subsurface temperature is a critical indicator for the identification of the risk associated with subsurface fire hazards in landfills. Most operational landfills in the United States (US) have experienced exothermic reactions in their subsurface. The subsurface landfill area is composed of various gases generated from chemical reactions inside the landfills. Federal laws in the US mandate the monitoring of gases in landfills to prevent hazardous events such as landfill fire breakouts. There are insufficient investigations conducted to identify the causes of landfill fire hazards. The objective of this research is to develop a methodological approach to this issue. In this study, the relationship was investigated between the subsurface elevated temperature (SET) and soil gases (i.e., methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and oxygen) with the greatest influence in landfills. The significance level of the effect of soil gases on the SET was assessed using a decision tree approach. A naïve Bayes technique for conditional probability was implemented to investigate how different gas combinations can affect different temperature ranges with respect to the safe and unsafe states of these gases. The results indicate that methane and carbon dioxide gases are strongly associated with SETs. Among sixteen possible gas combinations, three were identified as the most probable predictors of SETs. A three-step risk assessment framework is proposed to identify the risk of landfill fire incidents. The key findings of this research could be beneficial to landfill authorities and better ensure the safety of the community health and environment.
Metaheuristic searching genetic algorithm based reliability assessment of hybrid power generation system

Generating systems are known as adequately reliable when satisfying the load demand. Meanwhile, the efficiency of electrical systems is currently being more influenced by the growing adoption of the Wind/Solar energy in power systems compared to other conventional power sources. This paper proposed a new optimization approach called Metaheuristic Scanning Genetic Algorithm (MSGA) for the evaluation of the efficiency of power generating systems. The MSGA is based on a combination of metaheuristic scanning and Genetic Algorithm. The MSGA technique is used for evaluating the reliability and adequacy of generation systems integrated with wind/Solar energy is developed. The usefulness of the proposed algorithm was tested using Reliability Test System ‘IEEE-RTS-79’ which include both of wind power and solar power generation. The result approve the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in improving the computation time by 85% and 2% in comparison with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution optimization algorithm (DEOA) respectively. In addition, the proposed model can be used to test the power capacity forecasting scheme of the hybrid power generation system with the wind, solar and storage.
Subjective/ Behavioural Factors Influence the PSI 20 and IBEX 35

This study assesses the impact of investor sentiment on the volatility of the PSI 20 and IBEX 35 from time series data from January 1988 to May 2019. The impact of investor sentiment on market and portfolio selection has aroused great interest in the literature, however the results obtained are not consensual, considering the different methodologies used to build sentiment indices, as well as the various levels of institutional development in the market. Asymmetric volatility behaviours according to good or bad news were evaluated using the TGARCH model. The results indicate that there is an asymmetric effect of good versus bad news on the volatility of IBEX 35. It was also noted that for Portugal and Spain investor sentiment presents statistical significance with a negative sign, suggesting that market volatility is more sensitive to negative shocks in the conditional variance. In Portugal, contrary to Spain, sentiment has no relevance on return. The study reveals that investor sentiment is a key factor in selecting investment in the market. The relationship that this establishes with volatility, can help to implement policies that allow to minimize future shocks’ impact on return. The study reveals for the first time that investor sentiment is a key factor in selecting investment in the market for Portugal.
Karrikin-sensing protein KAI2 is a new player in regulating root growth patterns

Roots form highly complex systems varying in growth direction and branching pattern to forage for nutrients efficiently. Here mutations in the KAI2 (KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE) α/β-fold hydrolase and the MAX2 (MORE AXILLARY GROWTH 2) F-box leucine-rich protein, which together perceive karrikins (smoke-derived butenolides), caused alteration in root growth direction (root skewing and waving) of Arabidopsis thaliana. This exaggerated root skewing was independent of endogenous strigolactone perception by the D14 α/β-fold hydrolase and MAX2. Thus KAI2/MAX2’s regulation of root growth may be through perception of endogenous KAI2-ligands, which have yet to be identified. Degradation targets of the KAI2/MAX2 complex, SMAX1 (SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2-1) and SMXL6,7,8 (SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2-1-LIKE) are also involved in the regulation of root skewing. Genetic data reveal a new potential target for degradation, as mutation in the SKS3 (SKU5 similar) but not the SKU5/SKS17 root plasma membrane glycoprotein suppresses the exaggerated root skewing induced by the lack of MAX2. In Arabidopsis thaliana therefore, the KAI2 karrikin-sensing protein acts to limit root skewing, and we propose a mechanism involving root radial expansion as the mutant’s gravitropic and mechano-sensing responses remained largely unaffected.
Effectiveness assessment of TiO2-Al2O3 nano-mixture as a filler material for improvement of packaging performance of PLA nanocomposite films

Abstract The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of TiO2-Al2O3 nano-mixture used as filler in improving packaging films performance. Polylactic acid/titanium dioxide (PLA/TiO2), polylactic acid/alumina (PLA/Al2O3) and polylactic acid/TiO2-Al2O3 (PLA/TiO2-Al2O3) nanocomposite films were successfully prepared via melt mixing process and thoroughly characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The properties such as heat resistant, barrier, mechanical and antimicrobial properties, required for food packaging have also been investigated. As compared to the neat PLA film, the developed PLA nanocomposites have displayed superior properties particularly the PLA/ TiO2-Al2O3 nanocomposite film. This resulted material has showed a 22 °C increase in its thermal stability versus 14 and 2 °C in the cases of PLA/TiO2 and PLA/Al2O3 respectively, and a 54% reduction of its water vapor permeability in comparison with 47% for PLA/TiO2 and 39% for PLA/Al2O3. In addition, the PLA/TiO2-Al2O3 had a significant enhancement of its mechanical properties. Its Young modulus increased by 102% unlike 23.60% for the PLA/TiO2 and 44.66% for the PLA/Al2O3. It was also noticed that this nanocomposite film demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity than the two others. The bacterial growth inhibition effect of TiO2-Al2O3 nano-mixture against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli bacteria was more effective than that of its two constituents.
Bifunctional 3D Hierarchical Hairy Foam toward Ultrastable Lithium/Sulfur Electrochemistry

The dendrite formation resulting from the irregular lithium deposition and the infinite volume expansion in lithium anodes significantly impede their commercialization for high energy applications. Herein, it is demonstrated that carbon nanofibers (CNFs) grown in situ on a nickel foam (CNF@Ni) can locally change the Li stripping/plating behavior by reducing the nucleation overpotential and regulating the electric field distribution. The 3D conductive hairy foam with a hierarchical structure can provide sufficient active sites for lithium nucleation. In addition, the numerous CNFs with protuberant tips can act as the charge centers and significantly increase the electrochemically active surface area, resulting in the locally reduced and uniformly distributed current density. The symmetric cells using CNF@Ni‐Li electrodes can achieve ultralong lifespan with low voltage hysteresis up to 1000 h. More remarkably, the CNF@Ni hairy foam can simultaneously enable reliable sulfur electrochemistry. The corresponding Li‐S full cell shows excellent cycle stability with a high capacity of ≈400 mAh g−1 at 5 C after 800 cycles. This work provides an exemplary way to concurrently address the challenges in lithium and sulfur electrodes toward the development of high‐performance Li–S batteries.
GC-MS analysis of larvicidal essential oil of Cirsium pendulum Fisch. aerial parts against the Aedes albopictus mosquito

During the screening program for new agrochemicals from local wild plants, the essential oil of Cirsium pendulum Fisch. aerial parts (Compositae) at flowering stage was found to possess strong larvicidal activity against Aedes albopictus. Water-distilled essential oil from C. pendulum aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Forty-three compounds, accounting for 97.15% of the oil, were identified and β-eudesmol (9.67%), caryophyllene (8.14%), 1,8-cineole (6.80%) and caryophyllene oxide (6.42%) are the four main components of the essential oil followed by camphor (4.46%), δ-cadinene (4.37%) and spathulenol (4.01%). The essential oil of C. pendulum exhibited larvicidal activity against A. albopictus with a median lethal concentration (LC50) value of 46.77 μg/ml. These findings suggested that the essential oil of C. pendulum has potential to be developed as a new natural larvicide for the control of mosquitoes.
The earthquake hazard level of Makassar

An earthquake is a natural disaster that is often found in Indonesia because its geological area is a meeting between three large tectonic plates. Earthquakes have a high level of danger due to unpredictable events. In the Sulawesi region, especially Makassar, in 2017, there was an earthquake measuring 3 SR-6 SR, with a shallow epicenter. Epicenter distance calculation is used to determine the value of peak ground acceleration (PGA), which can then affect the intensity value in the hypocenter. This study aims to analyze the level of earthquake hazard using the PGA value as the basis for the initial reference of earthquake disaster mitigation. Variables used include rock type (geology), slope and the value of peak ground acceleration (PGA). Data on rock types were obtained from the Makassar City BPBD, and slope variables were processed from the SRTM DEM. Next, an overlay analysis was conducted to determine the level of earthquake hazard using a GIS application. The results showed that Makassar City had a majority of 94% of its area has a low level of earthquake hazard, while 6% of the area that had an earthquake hazard level was quite high in the east of Makassar. The frequency of earthquakes that were felt to be influential by the community (scale III MMI) was only two times in the last three decades (1996 and 2018).
LOW-POWER SOLAR FLARES OF OPTICAL AND X-RAY WAVELENGTHS FOR SOLAR CYCLES 21–24

Using data obtained in optical and X-ray wavelengths, we have analyzed solar flare activity for cycles 21–24. Over the last three cycles, solar activity is shown to decrease significantly. As compared to solar cycle 21 (the most active over the last 50 years), in cycle 24 2–4-class large optical flares are 4.4 times rarer; 1-class flares, 8.2 times; and S-class small flares, 4.1 times. The number of X-class flares decreased 3.7 times; M-class flares, 3.2 times. This confirms that secular solar activity trends affect peak values of 11-year cycles. It is shown that optical low-power flares can be accompanied by proton fluxes and X-ray bursts of different intensity, including X-class ones. Ranges of small flare emission in soft X-rays largely overlap with emission ranges of flares of high optical classes. We have confirmed that X-ray emission from solar flares appears on average 2 min before the optical emission. The X-ray maximum for small optical flares and 1-class flares occurs approximately 1 min later; for 2–4-class flares, 2 min.
Breeding variation in female kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on Codfish Island in a year of low food supply

We investigated why some mature females of New Zealand’s critically endangered parrot, the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), did not attempt to breed during the 2005 breeding season on Codfish Island. At a population level, the initiation of kakapo breeding appears to correspond with years of mast fruiting of rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) trees, with the proportion of females that breed each season dependent on the quantity of rimu fruit available. This research investigates possible links between habitat quality within individual home ranges and the breeding status of adult females during 2005, when the abundance of available rimu fruit was low. We assessed the importance of both home range size and habitat characteristics in determining breeding attempts. Foraging home ranges were characterised using radio-tracking and triangulation techniques. The relative importance of habitat variables in optimal breeding habitat was assessed using ecological niche factor analysis. Our results show that female kakapo breeding in 2005 had, on average, home ranges twice the size of those females that did not breed that season and the ranges contained a significantly greater quantity of mature rimu forest. Multivariate analysis illustrates female kakapo were effectively partitioning available habitat, as breeders’ foraging locations were positively correlated with high-abundance rimu forest with a tall canopy, described as optimal breeding habitat. In contrast non-breeders’ locations were weakly correlated with short forest containing little or no mature rimu forest. To maximise reproductive output each breeding season, conservation managers need to ensure that all breeding-aged females occupy optimal breeding habitat on Codfish Island. Removal to other islands of kakapo not required in the breeding population may enable females to increase their home range size and occupy better breeding habitat.
Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Jilin ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) using next generation sequencing

Abstract Jilin ginseng, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, belongs to the Araliaceae family. It is known as the number one medicinal herb and one of the three native treasures in Northern China and has been cultivated in China for over 2000 years. Jilin ginseng is the staple ginseng in China, which contributes to 85% of the ginseng production in the country, thus becoming one of the most important, rapidly increasing industries in both the Province of Jilin and China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer was determined by the next generation sequencing. The complete chloroplast genome of Jilin ginseng (P. ginseng C. A. Meyer) was 156,286 bp in length and displays a typical quadripartite structure of the large (LSC, 87,127 bp) and small (SSC, 18,329 bp) single-copy regions, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs, 25,415 bp each). It harbors 132 functional genes, including 132 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes species. The overall nucleotide composition was: 30.6% A, 31.3% T, 19.4% C, and 18.7% G, with a total G + C content of 38.1%. Phylogenetic relationship analysis shows that P. ginseng closely related to Panax quinquefolius L.
Comparison of biochemical properties and thermal inactivation of membrane‐bound polyphenol oxidase from three apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh)

A comparative study of the properties of membrane‐bound polyphenol oxidase (mPPO) from three apple cultivars, namely Red Fuji (FJ), Granny Smith (GS) and Golden Delicious (GD), was carried out for the first time. Data indicate that mPPOs from three cultivars exhibit significantly different properties. GS mPPO had the strongest affinity to catechol, but FJ mPPO had the highest maximum velocity. Red Fuji (FJ) mPPO had the significantly higher activity than those of GD and GS mPPOs. Red Fuji (FJ) mPPO had the highest activity at pH 8.00, while GD and GS mPPOs at 4.50 and 7.50–8.00, respectively. Red Fuji (FJ) mPPO was more stable than GD and GS mPPOs over the pH range of 5.0–8.5. The optimal temperature for GS mPPO was within 70–75 °C, which is higher than those for mPPOs from FJ and GD. Thermal inactivation of the three mPPOs followed a first‐order kinetic model with different inactivation kinetic parameters.