Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indirect effects of bioturbation by the burrowing sandprawn Callichirus kraussi on a benthic foraging fish, Liza richardsonii

The alteration of sediments by bioturbating organisms plays a major role in aquatic ecosystems, from both ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Several studies have highlighted the ability of bioturbators to alter sedimentary biogeochemical processes and community structure, but the potential influence of bioturbators on pelagic species is unexplored in marine ecology. In the present study, we investigated the direct effects of bioturbation by a southern African burrowing sandprawn, Callichirus kraussi, on primary producers (benthic microalgae) and the indirect effects on the growth of a fish (grey mullet Liza richardsonii) that consumes microalgae. A mesocosm experiment was undertaken in which similar-sized L. richardsonii at 2 densities were exposed to 3 increasing densities of C. kraussi. After 3 wk of exposure to the effects of C. kraussi, the fish were weighed and their lengths measured to calculate their physical condition and growth rates. At the termination of the experiment, the microalgal biomass and sediment turnover were measured in each mesocosm. Higher C. kraussi densities resulted in an increase in sediment turnover and caused reductions in microalgal biomass, which in turn led to a reduction of the biomass and lengths of L. richardsonii. Increasing densities of C. kraussi evidently enhance sediment turnover from burrows to the sediment surface, leading to the burial of microalgae and indirect reductions in food availability to L. richardsonii. This reduction in turn leads to metabolic losses and reductions in the growth of this fish species. These results indicate that benthic bioturbators can have strong effects on aquatic ecosystems, especially by modulating energy flow to nektonic species.
The effects of vibration frequency variation on volleyball players’ drop jump ability and postural control performance

The aim of the performed study is to present the acute effect of the whole body vibration (WBV) stimuli on drop jump (DJ) and postural control performance. 13 athletes who play in Turkish Women Volleyball Second League voluntarily attended to the study (22.3±2.6 age; 60.72kg ±1.74kg; 1.79cm±6.4cm). Athletes were randomly divided into three groups (group 1: n=4: 30Hz; group 2: n=5: 35; group 3: n=4: 40Hz). Before fatigue protocol, every participant’s rest center of pressure- sway (CoP-sway) and DJ measurements on force plate were taken. Statistical whole body vibration measurements were practiced on Compex WINPLATE on different frequency (30-35-40Hz), on high amplitude, in the manner that knee flexion angle is 120 0 in 60 seconds. DJ breaking point which is determined for each athlete was applied as DJ jump height after vibration. Just after the fatigue protocol was completed, athletes’ CoP- sway measurements after fatigue were practiced on force plate. Different frequency measurements taken to analyse the effects on DJ height of frequency at specific amplitudes were evaluated by ANOVA analysis. Based on variance homogeneity test, the Tukey or Tamhane methods were used for multiple comparisons. A statistical analysis with a paired Student’s t test was used to compare pre-vibration and post-vibration treatment values of jumping height at the DJ test. DJ performance is affected by WBV stimuli in different frequency, CoP- sway values and especially fatigue situation in AP direction (p<0.05). In conclusion, 30Hz-35Hz and 40Hz WBV stimuli has an acute effect on DJ performance beside that 35 Hz WBV definitely has the greatest effect.
Development of novel small-size peptides as putative therapeutic drugs

Misfolding, oligomerization and aggregation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide is widely recognized as a central event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies have identified soluble Aβ oligomers as the main pathogenic agents and provided evidence that such oligomeric Aβ aggregates are neurotoxic, disrupt synaptic plasticity and inhibit long-term potentiation (LTP). A promising therapeutic strategy in the battle against AD is the application of short synthetic peptides which are designed to bind to specific Aβ-regions thereby neutralizing or interfering with the devastating properties of oligomeric Aβ species. In the present study we investigated the neuroprotective properties of the amyloid sequence derived pentapeptide Leu-Pro-Tyr-Phe-Asp-NH2 (LPYFDa) in vitro as well as its memory preserving capacity against Aβ42-induced learning deficits in vivo. In vitro we could show that neurons in culture treated with LPYFDa are protected against Aβ42-induced cell death. Moreover, in vivo LPYFDa prevented memory impairment tested in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm in mice after bilateral intrahippocampal Aβ42 injections. We thus showed for the first time that an anti-amyloid peptide like LPYFDa can preserve memory by reverting Aβ42 oligomer induced learning deficits. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (2010), 19:991-1005.
Application of Electrochemical Methods in Biosensing Technologies

Introducing biochemical factor to electronic devices have created a new branch of science. Recent development in biosensing technology enabled progress in pathogens detection. Currently, wide range of biomarkers (enzymes, peptides, DNA, microorganisms, etc. ) recognize various target analytes, starting from basic metabolism changes to serious infections caused by pathogens. Improved sensitivity, selectivity and response time of sensors have instantly replaced traditional techniques. Easy handling, low production costs and miniaturization have met therapeutics need. Biosensing technologies are very strong point in telemedicine in public healthcare. This chapter will focus on electrochemical techniques for pathogens detection and show trending applications in biosensing technologies.
Changes in sleep habits and knowledge after an educational sleep program in 12th grade students

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of an education program using the meaningful learning approach on sleep knowledge and habits of 12th grade students. Thirty-four student volunteers (aged 16.8 _ 0.6 years) were divided into intervention (Sleep Education Program — SEP) and control groups. Sleep knowledge and habits were assessed by the “health and sleep” questionnaire. Also, the students filled out a sleep diary and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale by one week (Stage 1). These procedures were repeated 3 weeks after the SEP (Stage 2) that was evaluated by a questionnaire. The SEP consisted of five 50-minute classes to discuss the physiological and behavioral processes of sleep and healthy lifestyle. At Stage 2, the intervention group increased the percentage of correct responses in 63% of the questions. On weekdays, they increased time in bed by 26 min, woke up 11 min later and showed a tendency to go to bed 18 min earlier (P = 0.07). On weekends, they advanced bedtime and wake-up times. These changes were associated with decreased irregularity at bedtimes and wake up times. These results were not observed in the control group, except the advance on wake up time on weekends. The frequency and duration of naps and daytime sleepiness levels did not differ between the stages for both groups. The SEP increased knowledge and contributed to positive changes in the adolescents’ sleep-wake cycle (SWC). However, daytime sleepiness levels remained unchanged probably due to an insufficient reduction on sleep deprivation to decrease its negative consequences.
Investigation of the roughness-induced transition: global stability analyses and direct numerical simulations

Abstract The linear global instability and resulting transition to turbulence induced by an isolated cylindrical roughness element of height $h$ and diameter $d$ immersed within an incompressible boundary layer flow along a flat plate is investigated using the joint application of direct numerical simulations and fully three-dimensional global stability analyses. For the range of parameters investigated, base flow computations show that the roughness element induces a wake composed of a central low-speed region surrounded by a three-dimensional shear layer and a pair of low- and high-speed streaks on each of its sides. Results from the global stability analyses highlight the unstable nature of the central low-speed region and its crucial importance in the laminar–turbulent transition process. It is able to sustain two different global instabilities: a sinuous and a varicose one. Each of these globally unstable modes is related to a different physical mechanism. While the varicose mode has its root in the instability of the whole three-dimensional shear layer surrounding the central low-speed region, the sinuous instability turns out to be similar to the von Kármán instability in the two-dimensional cylinder wake and has its root in the lateral shear layers of the separated zone. The aspect ratio of the roughness element plays a key role on the selection of the dominant instability: whereas the flow over thin cylindrical roughness elements transitions due to a sinuous instability of the near-wake region, for larger roughness elements the varicose instability of the central low-speed region turns out to be the dominant one. Direct numerical simulations of the flow past an aspect ratio ${\it\eta}=1$ (with ${\it\eta}=d/h$ ) roughness element sustaining only the sinuous instability have revealed that the bifurcation occurring in this particular case is supercritical. Finally, comparison of the transition thresholds predicted by global linear stability analyses with the von Doenhoff–Braslow transition diagram provides qualitatively good agreement.
HETEROSIS, COMBINING ABILITY AND GENE ACTION STUDIES IN TGMS BASED RICE HYBRIDS UNDER NORMAL AND SALT AFFECTED ENVIRONMENTS

Five TGMS lines, eight salt tolerant testers and 40 hybrids obtained by crossing in line × tester design were evaluated for their genetic worth and salinity tolerance in normal and salt affected environments for 12 characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, productive tillers per plant, panicle exsertion, panicle length, panicle weight, filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, 100 grain weight, Na+:K+ ratio, harvest index and grain yield per plant. The parents GD 98028, GD 98029, GD 98168 and Vytilla 3 produced good combiners for salt tolerance and grain yield per plant. The tester CO 43 showed good mean and gca effects in all environments for the trait grain yield per plant, while CSR 10 and Vytilla 3 recorded good mean and gca effects for Na+: K+ ratio in salt affected environments. Hybrids GD 98028/Nona Bokra, GD 98028/Vytilla 3, GD 98021/CSR 10 and GD 98021/CO 43 recorded high sca effects in all the environments for most of the traits under study. The hybrid GD 98179/CSSRI 60 recorded the highest standard heterosis per cent for the trait grain yield per plant in all the environments followed by GD 98168/Vytilla 3, GD 98029/CSSRI 60, GD 98029/CSR 23 and GD 98028/Nona Bokra. In salt affected environments the hybrids GD 98028/CSR 23 and GD 98021/CO 43 recorded high heterosis for both Na+: K+ ratio and grain yield per plant. Hybrids GD 98028/CSR 23, GD 98028/CO 43 and GD 98021/CO 43 can be exploited for improving salt tolerance and yield by heterosis breeding. All the characters were found to be controlled by dominance gene action except for plant height under pooled condition alone.
Simulation of Space Vector Modulation for Open End Winding Induction Motor in PSIM

Space vector modulation (SVM) has advantages such as wide linear range of operation, better DC link utilization, 15% more output voltage than Sine PWM and Less harmonics content. For High Voltage application switching frequency is limited by stresses on switches. Multilevel inverter provide solution for the increase operating voltage for converter above the limits of semiconductor devices along with reduced dV/dt stress. However implementation of Three-level Space Vector Modulation involves significant increase in complexity. In this paper in effort to simplify SVM for Three-level Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) ,the Three-level VSI is synthesized using a dual Two-level inverter for open-end winding induction motor drive and is simulated in PSIM. The proposed method results in reduction in the amount of switching commutations in the dual-inverter by half. The implementation of the suggested Three-level SVM scheme neither needs any look-up tables nor sector identification for the under modulation region.
Efficacy of Bisulfite Modification and DNA Recovery Using Commercial Kits from Samples of Genomic and Circulating DNA

This study had evaluated three commercially available bisulfite modification kits with regard to the procedural DNA loss and the efficacy of cytosine conversion to uracil. The efficacy of DNA conversion was estimated by pyrosequencing of eight CpG sites of unmethylated and fully enzymatically methylated templates of RARβ gene promoter region and cirDNAs of healthy donors and prostate cancer patients. The procedural DNA loss was calculated by methyl-independent qPCR for ubiquitously distributed L1RE1 retrotransposable elements. Our data demonstrates that all commercial kits displayed similar conversion efficacy of the unmethylated cytosines close to 99% independently of DNA concentration. However, when low DNA concentrations were used, the observed basic level of genomic DNA methylation increased to 11% depending on the position of CpG site. Qiagen and Chemicon kits recovered no more than 20% starting material at a high DNA input (500 ng/probe) and only 2.7–5.8% for low DNA input (10 ng/probe). EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kit from Zymo Research provided the highest recovery regardless of the initial DNA input with average rates of no less than 86%. These results suggest that the EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kit is the most appropriate tool for bisulfite modification of cirDNA when assaying DNA in low amounts.
Feasibility Study on Application of Blast Furnace Slag in Pavement Concrete

Concrete is the most-used man-made product in the world. Concrete is widely used for making many types of structural components for different civil engineering applicat ions. In this modern era, cement concrete pavements are in demand as compared to bitu minous pavements in highway projects. Due to limitat ion of quality natural resources for making concrete, the waste utilizat ion in production of concrete especially for pavements are major concern in advances of civ il engineering. Blast furnace slag is one of the wastes produced fro m steel processing plants around the globe. Rajkot (Gu jarat) is well known for its small scale industries for long time and one of the fastest developing cities of India is hub of steel and allied industries. Rajkot itself produces blast furnace slag of amount 2500T/ month fro m its 2000 steel processing units. This enormous quantity of blast furnace slag is generally dumped in unscientific manner create environmental issues and little is used for landfill purpose without any technical input. It is interesting to know whether Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) can be utilized as a fine aggregates (i.e. as a sand) to produce concrete main ly for pavements or not. In this paper, the comprehensive experimental programme is taken up to study the feasibility of this BFS used as a fine aggregate in pavement concrete. In this regard the chemical and physical properties of the BFS are observed in this study. These properties depend upon the raw materials used and methods of processing at plants. Based on results of experimentation, variations in chemical and physical properties are studied and checked the suitability of utilizing this BFS for pavement concrete. The results indicate that BFS can be utilized as a fine aggregate in pavement concrete.
EVIEW he genetic effects of roads : A review of empirical evidence

Roads exert various effects of conservation concern. They cause road mortality of wildlife, change the behaviour of animals nd lead to habitat fragmentation. Roads also have genetic effects, as they restrict animal movement and increase the functional solation of populations. We first formulate theoretical expectations on the genetic effects of roads with respect to a decrease n genetic diversity and an increase in genetic differentiation or distance of populations or individuals. We then review the mpirical evidence on the genetic effects of roads based on the available literature. We found that roads often, but not always, ecrease the genetic diversity of affected populations due to reduced population size and genetic drift. Whether the reduction n genetic diversity influences the long-term fitness of affected populations is, however, not yet clear. Roads, especially fenced ighways, also act as barriers to movement, migration and gene flow. Roads therefore often decrease functional connectivity and ncrease the genetic differentiation of populations or the genetic distance among individuals. Nevertheless, roads and highways arely act as complete barriers as shown by genetic studies assessing contemporary migration across roads (by using assignment ests). Some studies also showed that road verges act as dispersal corridors for native and exotic plants and animals. Genetic ethods are well suited to retrospectively trace such migration pathways. Most roads and highways have only recently been uilt. Although only few generations might thus have passed since road construction, our literature survey showed that many tudies found negative effects of roads on genetic diversity and genetic differentiation in animal species, especially for larger ammals and amphibians. Roads may thus rapidly cause genetic effects. This result stresses the importance of defragmentation easures such as overand underpasses or wildlife bridges across roads.
Fluid-structure interaction and vortex identification

Fluid-structure interaction is often associated with 3D large-scale vortical structures in the wake and a near-wake region which is strongly affected by the mean-flow shear. The present paper concentrates on the performance of vortex-identification schemes in the near-wake region of an inclined flat plate. Two widely used methods, the Q-criterion and λ2-criterion, are compared with the triple-decomposition method (TDM) based on the extraction of a local shearing motion near a point. The following conclusion is drawn: to capture the vortical structures in the wake, both the Q-criterion and λ2-criterion cannot-unlike TDM-avoid the bias in showing shearing zones, formed in the close proximity of the plate edges, as vortex regions.
CANDELS VISUAL CLASSIFICATIONS: SCHEME, DATA RELEASE, AND FIRST RESULTS

We have undertaken an ambitious program to visually classify all galaxies in the five CANDELS fields down to H < 24.5 involving the dedicated efforts of over 65 individual classifiers. Once completed, we expect to have detailed morphological classifications for over 50,000 galaxies spanning 0 < z < 4 over all the fields, with classifications from 3 to 5 independent classifiers for each galaxy. Here, we present our detailed visual classification scheme, which was designed to cover a wide range of CANDELS science goals. This scheme includes the basic Hubble sequence types, but also includes a detailed look at mergers and interactions, the clumpiness of galaxies, k-corrections, and a variety of other structural properties. In this paper, we focus on the first field to be completed—GOODS-S, which has been classified at various depths. The wide area coverage spanning the full field (wide+deep+ERS) includes 7634 galaxies that have been classified by at least three different people. In the deep area of the field, 2534 galaxies have been classified by at least five different people at three different depths. With this paper, we release to the public all of the visual classifications in GOODS-S along with the Perl/Tk GUI that we developed to classify galaxies. We present our initial results here, including an analysis of our internal consistency and comparisons among multiple classifiers as well as a comparison to the Sérsic index. We find that the level of agreement among classifiers is quite good (>70% across the full magnitude range) and depends on both the galaxy magnitude and the galaxy type, with disks showing the highest level of agreement (>50%) and irregulars the lowest (<10%). A comparison of our classifications with the Sérsic index and rest-frame colors shows a clear separation between disk and spheroid populations. Finally, we explore morphological k-corrections between the V-band and H-band observations and find that a small fraction (84 galaxies in total) are classified as being very different between these two bands. These galaxies typically have very clumpy and extended morphology or are very faint in the V-band.
A Study in Perceptions of Employees of Select Commercial Banks Towards Performance Management System

The current research broadly thrusts upon elucidating the perception of Commercial Bank employees ‘of Bhubaneswar towards performance management system (PMS). A blend of qualitative (focus group discussion) and quantitative techniques(primary survey through questionnaire) were followed to fulfill the purpose of the research.The preliminary results of the research show that, the overall perception of bank employees’ towards PMS is satisfactory. But there is an indication of dissatisfaction amongst employees pertaining to their involvement in goal setting, linkage between financial target achievement & annual bonus, reward system and encouragement of innovation.The current research offers opportunities for scales development on PMS components, Balanced scorecard & PMS and employee satisfaction &PMS effectiveness. In the similar end future empirical studies can also be carried out to examine the influence of PMS effectiveness on employee retention and employee engagement. The results of the research would offer impetus to policy makers to bring necessary amendments in the PMS by identifying the loopholes.
Experiments in design process and product development in Uganda's ceramics

To evaluate the challenge of design, product development and practice in ceramics, in Uganda, a study of the Ugandan common designs processes and product analysis was undertaken, since 2001 to 2012, largely in Kampala and the suburbs and Western Uganda. The study consisted of both local hand and machine assisted product processes to provide a wider picture of production of what was being undertaken by the pottery strata. The pattern of the potters and their product was somewhat associated with the levels of understanding of their materials, the community they worked in, and the general clientele. Practices in ceramics continue to face challenges in terms of marketing local products given the trends of designs and the influence of pervasive global village. What it translates to is that Ugandan potters need to compete far beyond what had been the original practices some of which have lived for generations. The kinds of design processes employed by most potters tend to be erratic with minimal input in terms of design process and market survey. What most potters have tended to do is to copy whatever is being floated on the market without questioning its viability and sustainability. However, this paper argues that the consumers themselves are not enlightened enough to see the wrongs in some of the product durability and design. It seems that the costing of the product have somewhat undermined the need to develop products that are beneficial to the community for longer than the shelf life.
Comparisons of in situ measurements of cirrus cloud ice water content

Experiment (MidCiX) in 2004. At larger values of IWC (IWC > 10 mg m � 3 ), the three instruments agree, on average, to within 20%, which is of the order of their estimated instrumental uncertainties. At smaller IWC values ( 1), implying that IWC measurements in thicker clouds are of sufficient accuracy for validation studies.